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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows

As an organization, the Independent Order Of Odd Fellows aims to provide a framework that promotes personal and social development. For members, the Degrees in Odd Fellowship emphasizes a leaving of the old life and the start of a better one and helping those in need. The command of the IOOF is to "Visit the sick, Relieve the distressed, bury the dead and educate the orphan.

Specifically, IOOF members today 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 in, by aiding each other, the community, the less fortunate, the youth, the elderly, and the environment 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.

What are the Rebekahs?

The history of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) and the Rebekah Lodges is intertwined. The Rebekah Lodges were founded on September 20, 1851, as part of the IOOF, making it the first fraternity in the United States to include women when it adopted the "Beautiful Rebekah Degree". These lodges were women's associate lodges of the IOOF.

How did the Indepent Order Of Odd Fellows Start?

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) fraternal organization was established in the United States in 1819. It was founded in Baltimore, Maryland, by Thomas Wildey and four other members who had been affiliated with the Odd Fellows in England.

Are the Odd Fellows still around?

The Independent Order Of Odd Fellows currently has more than 3000 lodges, and is one of the world’s oldest and largest fraternal orders.

Are the Odd Fellows just for men?

No. Women have always been a vital part of the Independent Order Of Odd Fellows and are known as Rebekahs.

Where are Odd Fellows lodges located?

Over the years, the IOOF has grown and expanded throughout the United States, and today we have lodges in many cities and towns across the US, Canada and many other parts of the world. Our organization remains dedicated to its original mission of promoting friendship, love, and truth, and it continues to provide support and assistance to members in need.

Can anyone join the Odd Fellows?

Overall, the IOOF welcomes anyone who is interested in its mission and who is committed to making a positive impact in their community. If you are interested in becoming a member, you can reach out to a local lodge for more information about the application process.

Membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) is open to all people regardless of race, religion, or gender. To become a member of the IOOF, an individual must be sponsored by an existing member and must go through a period of initiation, during which they learn about the history and values of the organization. For more information contact a lodge near you.

Is there an Odd Fellows lodge near me?

  • There are 25 Odd Fellows lodges in Alabama,USA.
  • There are 33 Odd Fellows lodges in Alberta, Canada.
  • There are 27 Odd Fellows lodges in Arizona, USA.
  • There are 24 Odd Fellows lodges in Arkansas, USA.
  • There is 1 Odd Fellows lodge in Batangas, Philippines.
  • There are is 1 Odd Fellows lodges in Bavaria, Germany.
  • There are 47 Odd Fellows lodges in British Columbia, Canada.
  • There are 221 Odd Fellows lodges in California, USA.
  • There is 1 Odd Fellows lodge in Capital Region, Iceland.
  • There is 1 Odd Fellows lodge in Cayo, Belize.
  • There is 1 Odd Fellows lodge in Cebu, Philippines.
  • There are 79 Odd Fellows lodges in Colorado, USA.
  • There are 28 Odd Fellows lodges in Connecticut, USA.
  • There are 24 Odd Fellows lodges in Delaware, USA.
  • There are 12 Odd Fellows lodges in Washington DC, USA.
  • There is 1 Odd Fellows lodge in Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria.
  • There are 42 Odd Fellows lodges in Florida, USA.
  • There are 2 Odd Fellows lodges in Frederiksberg, Denmark.
  • There are 19 Odd Fellows lodges in Georgia, USA.
  • There is 1 Odd Fellows lodges in Grand Est, France.
  • There are 7 Odd Fellows lodges in Hawaii, USA.
  • There are 48 Odd Fellows lodges in Idaho, USA.
  • There are 110 Odd Fellows lodges in Illinois, USA.
  • There are 73 Odd Fellows lodges in Indiana, USA.
  • There are 83 Odd Fellows lodges in Iowa, USA.
  • There are 2 Odd Fellows lodges in Jalisco, Mexico.
  • There is 1 Odd Fellows lodge in Kaduna State, Nigeria.
  • There are 63 Odd Fellows lodges in Kansas, USA.
  • There are 49 Odd Fellows lodges in Kentucky, USA.
  • There is 1 Odd Fellows lodge in Lagos, Nigeria.
  • There is 1 Odd Fellows lodge in Laguna, Philippines.
  • There are 17 Odd Fellows lodges in Louisiana, USA.
  • There are 71 Odd Fellows lodges in Maine, USA.
  • There are 20 Odd Fellows lodges in Manitoba, Canada.
  • There are 37 Odd Fellows lodges in Maryland, USA.
  • There are 48 Odd Fellows lodges in Massachusetts, USA.
  • There is 1 Odd Fellows lodge in Metro Manila, Philippines.
  • There are 73 Odd Fellows lodges in Michigan, USA.
  • There are 40 Odd Fellows lodges in Minnesota, USA.
  • There is 1 Odd Fellows lodge in Misamis Oriental, Philippines.
  • There are 29 Odd Fellows lodges in Mississippi, USA.
  • There are 66 Odd Fellows lodges in Missouri, USA.
  • There are 22 Odd Fellows lodges in Montana, USA.
  • There is 1 Odd Fellows lodge in Monte Plata, Dominican Republic.
  • There are 2 Odd Fellows lodges in National Capital Region, Philippines.
  • There are 31 Odd Fellows lodges in Nebraska, USA.
  • There are 4 Odd Fellows lodges in Negros Oriental, Philippines.
  • There are 34 Odd Fellows lodges in Nevada, USA.
  • There are 11 Odd Fellows lodges in New Brunswick, Canada.
  • There are 54 Odd Fellows lodges in New Hampshire, USA.
  • There are 33 Odd Fellows lodges in New Jersey, USA.
  • There are 27 Odd Fellows lodges in New Mexico, USA.
  • There are 89 Odd Fellows lodges in New York, USA.
  • There are 9 Odd Fellows lodges in Newfoundland/Labrador, Canada.
  • There are 35 Odd Fellows lodges in North Carolina, USA.
  • There are 18 Odd Fellows lodges in North Dakota, USA.
  • There is 1 Odd Fellows lodge in Northern Mindanao, Philippines.
  • There are 48 Odd Fellows lodges in Nova Scotia, Canada.
  • There are 94 Odd Fellows lodges in Ohio, USA
  • There are 52 Odd Fellows lodges in Oklahoma, USA.
  • There are 144 Odd Fellows lodges in Ontario, Canada.
  • There are 100 Odd Fellows lodges in Oregon, USA.
  • There are 135 Odd Fellows lodges in Pennsylvania, USA.
  • There are 2 Odd Fellows lodges in Puerto Rico, USA.
  • There are 19 Odd Fellows lodges in Quebec, Canada.
  • There are 18 Odd Fellows lodges in Rhode Island, USA.
  • There are 6 Odd Fellows lodges in Santiago Province, Chile.
  • There are 19 Odd Fellows lodges in Saskatchewan, Canada.
  • There are 1 Odd Fellows lodge in South Australia, Australia.
  • There are 4 Odd Fellows lodges in South Carolina, USA.
  • There are 24 Odd Fellows lodges in South Dakota, USA.
  • There is 1 Odd Fellows lodge in Stenlose, Denmark.
  • There are 34 Odd Fellows lodges in Tennessee, USA.
  • There are 102 Odd Fellows lodges in Texas, USA.
  • There are 4 Odd Fellows lodges in Uruguay.
  • There are 12 Odd Fellows lodges in Utah, USA.
  • There are 15 Odd Fellows lodges in Vermont, USA.
  • There are 78 Odd Fellows lodges in Virginia, USA.
  • There are 83 Odd Fellows lodges in Washington, USA.
  • There are 85 Odd Fellows lodges in West Virginia, USA.
  • There are 38 Odd Fellows lodges in Wisconsin, USA.
  • There are 45 Odd Fellows lodges in Wyoming, USA.