Introduction

The Odd Fellows Lodge

V I S I O N

To make the world a better place in which to live.

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows continues to successfully promote a network of Lodges as a traditional Fraternity, catering for both men and women, in Australia and New Zealand through the Grand Lodge of Australasia. The Lodge is a timeless fraternity (or club) that promotes principle centered teachings through an order of ascending Degrees of learning. The aim of the Lodge is to "elevate the character" of members through learning principles and morals, and through conducting business in a formal ceremonial fashion. Customs and etiquette form an important part of the Odd Fellows culture, and members are encouraged to learn not only procedures and protocol which are applicable to any democratic organisations (committees, boards, unions etc) but are also encouraged to build confidence, public speaking and an understanding of social formalities. If you are interested in being a member of an international Lodge, then the Independent Order of Odd Fellows is for you.

Personal Development Philosophy

M I S S I O N

With belief in a Supreme Being,
to elevate the character of man
by bringing forth the principles of
friendship, love and truth among all mankind.

The purpose of the Order for hundreds of years has been to provide a framework that promotes the personal development of members. The Fraternity is based on the principles of Friendship, Love, Truth, Faith, Hope and Charity, and these principles form the foundation of the lessons for the contemplation of members. These lessons constitute the Degrees of Odd Fellowship, which include written and visual presentations for members to participate in at meetings, and reflect on as they undertake their day to day lives. In addition, the structure of the Order is designed in such a way that members ascend the hierarchy, undertaking higher offices, and thereby learn how to conduct democratic organisations in the timeless archetypal Lodge structure. Leadership opportunities extend from one’s own Lodge, to State, Country, and then to the International structures which exist as the highest echelons of the Order. The objective is to enable members to undertake offices to their capacity and desires, and learn from experiences which may otherwise only open to those in the highest layers of business or government. Would you like to be a member of the Royal Purple Degree, and be the Australasian Grand Representative at the International Council IOOF held in Europe, North America or Australasia to represent your region at an international conference?

Odd Fellows World-Wide

M A N D A T E S

To promote health, education, personal development and 
worldwide fellowship.

Words alone are not sufficient, but these goals must be translated into actions so that each person according to ability may contribute to the improvement of mankind. 

The Odd Fellows Lodge is an international network of Lodges that extends around the world. If travelling is an interest, Lodge membership can provide you with a valuable network that will very much welcome an international visitor, and assist in their enterprises, and certainly their travels where possible. There are Odd Fellow Lodges in Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Mexico, Cuba, Venezuela, Chile, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Poland, Austria, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Switzerland. State, country and regional conferences are also held each year, and provide the opportunity for formal involvement in business proceedings and networking while visiting. There is an Odd Fellows meeting on somewhere in the world every week night, and a convention or conference nearly every weekend, in over 5,000 cities or towns throughout the world.
 
Social Activities

Being a fraternity means there are various social activities which members enjoy throughout the year from black tie to barbecues.

Community Activities

Around the world the Odd Fellows undertake various community and charitable projects. Click below to see Community Activities Page.
 
Odd Fellows South Australia

Any enquiries please contact:

Ph: Int +618 213 1113

Email: Gordon Bitter Grand Secretary

Internet: http://www.keyinvest.com.au/ioofsa/index.htm

Structure of the Order

The Grand Lodge of South Australia

The Grand Lodge of South Australia Incorporates:

4 Odd Fellow Brother Lodges.

The Grand Lodge of Australasia

The Grand Lodge of Australasia Incorporates:

The Grand Lodge of South Australia.

The Grand Lodge of New South Wales.

The Grand Lodge of Western Australia.

The Grand Lodge of Tasmania.

The Grand Lodge of New Zealand.

The Sovereign Grand Lodge

The Sovereign Grand Lodge Incorporates:

All individual North American State Grand Lodges in the USA, Canada and Mexico (See the links in the International Network Page).

The Grand Lodge of Australasia.

Numerous Individual Independent Grand Lodge Jurisdictions in Europe.

INDIVIDUAL ODD FELLOW LODGE STRUCTURE

Lodge Offices in each Lodge in hierarchal order:

Elected Officers

Noble Grand
Vice Grand
Secretary
Warden

Appointed Officers 

Chaplain
Conductor
Inside Guardian
Right and Left Supporter to the Noble Grand
Right and Left Supporter to the Vice Grand

GRAND LODGE OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Elected Officers

Grand Master
Deputy Grand Master
Grand Secretary
Grand Warden

THE SOVEREIGN GRAND LODGE (NORTH AMERICA)

The Sovereign Grand Lodge is the highest jurisdictional body of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The Sovereign Grand Lodge holds an Annual Session, and you may be a Grand Representative at this Session if:

- you are a current or past Grand Representative or Grand Officer of the Grand Lodge of Australasia.

- you are appointed by the Grand Sire of Australasia to be a Grand Representative.

The Sovereign Grand Lodge is the pinnacle of Odd Fellowship. The Annual Session is an enormous cultural event which is a real eye opener to a member who visits for the first time. The workings and proceedings of the Sovereign Grand Lodge are certainly Grand by the very size of the convention, which has hundreds of Grand Representatives and Official Grand Delegates from around the world.

THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL

The International Council of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows is the development forum for international affairs of the Order. The International Council meets every year, and comprises elected Grand Representatives from the Grand Lodge of Australasia, The Sovereign Grand Lodge, The International Association of Rebekah Assemblies, The Federation of Independent European Jurisdiction and the European Rebekah Leaders Association. Continued elevation through the ranks of the Lodges and Grand Lodges will qualify you to be a Grand Representative at the International Council.

Membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows means you may achieve a leadership position within our world-wide structure at any level to which you put your mind and efforts. Apart from the leadership opportunities within the Order, being a member will improve your leadership skills by giving you a grounding in chairing and conducting meetings and public speaking, organisational training, legislature, governance, negotiating, personal relations and personal development.

Although the Sovereign Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows is the founding head of this Order and is resident in North America, universal development is vested in the International Council to promote sharing of information, and the maintenance of traditional ideals and practices.

THE FEDERATION OF INDEPENDENT EUROPEAN JURISDICTIONS

The Federation of Independent European Jurisdictions is the peak body of the European Grand Lodges, and has representation from the eight European Grand Lodges. The Federation maintains a relationship with the Sovereign Grand Lodge. The Federation is also developing a relationship with the Manchester Unity Odd Fellows in Europe, seeing them as part of the wider world of Odd Fellowship, and recognising the cultural similarities between the two Orders.

COMMUNITY PROJECTS