How to Join
How to join the Independent Order of Odd Fellows
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows is an international organization with Lodges located around the globe. Nationally, there are Odd Fellow Lodges in all 50 states. Aaron Lodge #412 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows membership is open to humans of good character.
Use our application request.
What are the requirements for membership?
We seek members who are of good moral character, who are loyal to their country, and who believe in a Supreme Being or a force in the universe which is greater than themselves. We want members who care about others, and who will work to do good things for the community. Friendship, Love, and Truth are the foundation of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Odd Fellowship strictly forbids any interference with one’s religious or political opinions. In the Lodge, we don’t talk religion, politics, or business. The Odd Fellows Lodge Hall offers a respite from the craziness of life. It is a place to escape all that stuff, and just focus on friendship and fraternal enjoyment of life. We hope members join to enjoy an active social experience we have to offer and to help the greater community.
You can find the three-links logo almost everywhere. You will see it on cars, t-shirts, posters, and more. Keep an eye out. If you see the logo, there may be an Odd Fellow close by.
If you would like to join the Odd Fellows Lodge or are interested in learning more about the Odd Fellows in general, please email Bruce Fortin directly at bfortin59@gmail.com or by using the application request. We will be glad to help you and answer any questions you may have.
Believe it or not, you may already know a member of the Lodge so being sponsored by a member could be relatively easy.
In the Aaron Lodge, there is a “pledge process”, which all incoming members must complete. It’s painless, informative, and fun. This process usually takes about three months and is all about learning about who we are and what we do for the members and for the community.
According to an ancient Chinese proverb, “A journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step.” A journey with the Aaron 412 Odd Fellows Lodge is a wonderful experience. To take that “first step,” complete the form below or reach out to bfortin59@gmail.com .
Three legs to rest on
Odd Fellowship was strong (and can be strong again) by viewing the fraternity as having three great pillars of support. If all legs are strong, the stool will support the body. If one of the legs is weak, the stool will totter and fall. If two legs are weak, the stool will certainly collapse. Odd Fellowship was strong in the past because Lodges were supported by three strong legs of the stool. Odd Fellowship is weak today because most Lodges simply rely on one leg and have de-emphasized, ignored, or forgotten the other two legs of the stool. So, what are these three legs which should support and can transform our Order?
Fraternity
We begin with the great fraternal history and substantial assets of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. We have, indeed, a distinguished past on which we can build. We have fine and dedicated members. We have Lodge Halls which stand in the heart of many communities. We have a tradition and rituals that (while needing modernization and revision in some instances) have served us well for over two hundred years.
This leg is quite strong throughout the Order. The other two legs, however, are in need of strengthening in virtually every Lodge.
Community
We have to reconnect with our communities. Once, long ago, the IOOF Lodge was the very center of the town. It can be again. But too many of our Lodges have withdrawn into their four walls and have become virtually invisible in their towns. That has to change. Lodges need to open themselves up to the community. This can be done in many ways. Lodges should have open meetings from time to time – a great way to invite prospective members to see what the Lodge does as well as get to know the Lodge members, and for Lodge members to get to know prospective members. Lodges should sponsor events on behalf of charitable and community groups. Two or three such annual events can go a long way to establishing a Lodge’s reputation as a leading community organization. Those Lodges that own Lodge Halls should make those Halls available for the community for appropriate events.
Fellowship
We are members of a fraternal order and that involves much more than passwords, signs and grips. A fraternal order is a fellowship. And that means that the Lodge must foster events and functions that bring members together to enjoy each other’s company and socially interact: breakfasts, lunches, dinners, hikes, trips, movie nights, game or card nights, wine tasting, beer brewing, dances, whatever the members feel will encourage good fellowship.
Ultimately, we have to ask ourselves: Why does anyone wish to become an Odd Fellow in the 21st Century? If we are brutally honest with ourselves, we would have to conclude that very few people join because of the ritual. Realistically, people join because of two reasons: (1) IOOF does good work in the community, and (2) IOOF provides a social network where members can enjoy each other’s company and have a little fun.