Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF)

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS (IOOF) - The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) is a religiously and politically independent fraternal order of Odd Fellows founded in 1819 by Thomas Wildey in Baltimore, Maryland, United States.  It was originally chartered by the Independent Order of Oddfellows Manchester Unity but has been independent since 1842.  The order is also known as the Triple Link Fraternity, referring to the order's "Triple Links" symbol, alluding to its motto FLT "Friendship, Love and Truth".  The Independent Order of Odd Fellows became the first fraternity in the United States to include both men and women when it adopted the "Beautiful Rebekah Degree" on September 20, 1851, by initiative of the Honorable Schuyler Colfax, Vice-President of the United States.

As an organization, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows aims to provide a framework that promotes personal and social development.  Lodge degrees and activities aim to improve and elevate every person to a higher, nobler plane; to extend sympathy and aid to those in need, making their burdens lighter, relieving the darkness of despair; to war against vice in every form, and to be a great moral power and influence for the good of humanity. Teachings in the Order are conducted through the exemplification of the Degrees of membership. The Degrees are conferred on the candidate by their Lodge, and are teachings of principles and truths by ceremonies and symbols. The Degrees are presented largely by means of allegory and drama. For Odd Fellows, the degrees in Odd Fellowship emphasize a leaving of the old life and the start of a better one, of welcoming travelers, and of helping those in need.  Lodges also provide an international social network of brothers and sisters that extends to more than 26 countries worldwide. If traveling is an interest, membership can provide a valuable network that will very much welcome an international visitor, and assist in their enterprises, and certainly their travels wherever possible. The command of the IOOF is to "visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead and educate the orphan".  Specifically, IOOF are dedicated to the following purposes:

• To improve and elevate the character of mankind by promoting the principles of friendship, love, truth, faith, hope, charity and universal justice.
• To help make the world a better place to live by aiding each other in times of need and by organizing charitable projects and activities that would benefit the less fortunate, the youth, the elderly, the environment and the community in every way possible.
• To promote good will and harmony amongst peoples and nations through the principle of universal fraternity, holding the belief that all men and women regardless of race, nationality, religion, social status, gender, rank and station are brothers and sisters
• To promote a wholesome fraternal experience without violence, vices and discrimination of every form.