Requirements for Membership
A man or woman of good character, who
is loyal to his or her country and believes in a Supreme Being, the
creator and preserver of the Universe, is eligible for membership.
Odd Fellowship strictly forbids any interference with one's religious
beliefs or political opinions. Most jurisdictions require candidates
for the adult lodges to be 18 years old. Charity Home requires you to be
16 years old.
Lodges charge an initiation fee and annual dues. The amount of dues is
set by each lodge.
How to Join
A candidate must be sponsored by a current member, so the first step
towards joining is to find someone who is a current member.
- Ask people you know if they know
anyone who is an Odd Fellow or a Rebekah.
- Find the local lodge, drop in on
the day of a meeting about 30 minutes before the scheduled time, and
introduce yourself. Most lodges are eager to find new members and
will be glad to meet you.
- Check the local telephone
directory.
- Keep your eyes open for a
building labeled with IOOF or the three links emblem, especially
in the oldest part of Downtown.
- Go to the Odd Fellows building
and check for a sign listing the lodges that meet there.
- If you cannot find a current
member among your acquaintances, then you may
e-mail this website to ask for information.
After You Have Applied for Membership
When the lodge has received your
application, they will appoint an interviewing committee of three
members. These members will call on you, both to ask questions and to
answer any questions you may have concerning the lodge. One purpose of
the interviewing committee is to give a candidate at least three
familiar faces in the lodge. At the next meeting, the interviewing
committee will report back to the lodge. The lodge will ballot to accept
you as a member. The lodge will then send you a letter announcing your
election to membership and the date and time for initiation.
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