Overview

"(FULL COLOR) The aim is to create a 21st century quick reference handbook of the essentials of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. This book hopes to acquaint potential candidates, members and leaders with a straight-forward approach of its origin and history; philosophy and purposes; degrees, teachings, symbols, regalia, jewels of office and organizational structure. But this does not aim to teach the rituals or any of its signs and passwords. This does not also aim to supplant the Code of General Laws but only to emphasize the generally accepted rules within the IOOF. Evolving from the traditions of the English craft guilds and journeymen associations nearly 300 years ago, the Odd Fellows refers to a number of fraternal orders, friendly societies and service organizations existing in more than 30 countries today. This branch, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF), was established on April 26, 1819 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, by Thomas Wildey and four members from England. The IOOF is also known as the ""Three Link Fraternity"", referring to its ""Triple Link Chain"" symbol that represents its motto: ""Friendship, Love and Truth."" Membership education and mentoring are very important prerequisites for a successful and growing non-profit organization. However, the last Odd Fellows Manual was published more than 100 years ago. In a survey study participated by exactly 2,120 members from all over North America, Latin America, Europe, Australia and Southeast Asia, majority of the respondents are in agreement that Odd Fellowship lacked the needed modern literature to educate and mentor its members. A lot about the IOOF has already changed. The focus and purposes of the organization has also evolved. The rituals, symbols, regalia and Code of General Laws have been amended and revised through the years. With modern technology, access to historical documents has also become easier. Furthermore, a lot of new evidence and modern research studies are coming out to light which calls for a need to re-visit and re-write the origins and history of Odd Fellowship. It is now easier to confirm or debunk claims written many years ago. This suggests that most of the manuals and books published many years ago have become outdated although not completely obsolete. This book is an attempt to fill that gap. The author is a Past District Deputy Sovereign Grand Master of the IOOF. He served as Public Relations Coordinator and member of both the Communications Committee and the Revitalization Committee of the Sovereign Grand Lodge from 2012-2015. He was based at the Odd Fellows International Headquarters in North Carolina for an aggregate period of three years where he had full access and was able to read from cover-to-cover all the journals, history books, rituals, secret workings and artifacts related to the Odd Fellows. He traveled widely for more than six years to conduct research and case studies about the Odd Fellows and similar fraternal organizations; to visit hundreds of Lodges and several Grand Lodges across the United States and Canada; to read volumes of records, minutes and books; to observe meetings and degree conferrals; and to interview local, national and international leaders. He now enjoys living a secluded and peaceful life while focusing on his career. As a hobby, he writes and collects books, antiques and artifacts related to fraternal organizations, service clubs and other civic associations. With a wide range of academic backgrounds, he uses various quantitative and qualitative research methodologies in his writings. He does not rely solely on old history books and manuals written many years ago but also conducts interviews, surveys, SWOT analysis, case studies and consults research studies by academic scholars, historians, sociologists, psychologists, and lawyers. But unlike older books, the author attempts to use simple words as possible for easier understanding."

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9781733851251

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Reviews

Really enjoyed the book. First book I've read cover to cover in forever. You have done a great job and that comes from a member for 44 years. - Johnny Cantrell of Terrell, Texas My journey with the Odd Fellows is just at the very beginning and this book is making me very prepared. I appreciate your efforts in making it accessible for the beginning journeyman and current brothers alike. - Jeff Sample of Colorado

Really enjoyed the book. First book I've read cover to cover in forever. You have done a great job and that comes from a member for 44 years. - Johnny Cantrell of Terrell, Texas

Author Information

Louie Blake Saile Sarmiento is a lawyer for the poor, less privileged and oppressed. He spearheaded the revival of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) in the Philippines and became one of the founders of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Inc.He finished his Associate in Health Science Education in 2007; Bachelor of Science in Psychology with Certificate in Human Resource Management and Certificate in Women's Studies in 2010; Master of Arts in Industrial/Organizational Psychology in 2013; and Juris Doctor (law) degree in 2020. With a wide range of academic backgrounds, he uses various quantitative and qualitative research methodologies in his writings.Internationally, he is credited for connecting thousands of members from various countries when he created and managed the first social media groups and pages of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows from 2009-2019. He is also credited for writing and creating most of the modern literature and infographics about Odd Fellowship on the internet at a time when the organization had almost zero presence online, including the first YouTube videos and the Wikipedia entries about the Odd Fellows. Because of his contributions, he was appointed as Public Relations Coordinator and member of both the Communications Committee and the Revitalization Committee of the Sovereign Grand Lodge from 2012-2015. He visited the Odd Fellows International Headquarters in North Carolina for an aggregate period of three years where he had full access and was able to read from cover-to-cover all available journals, history books, manuals, pamphlets, rituals, secret works and artifacts related to the Odd Fellows. He traveled widely for more than six years to conduct research and case studies about the Odd Fellows and similar fraternal organizations; visited over a hundred Lodges and several Grand Lodges across the United States and Canada; read and reviewed volumes of records, minutes and books; observed meetings and initiations; and interviewed local, national and international leaders from North America, Latin America, Europe, Southeast Asia and Australasia.He is an advocate for the preservation of historical fraternal organizations, service clubs and civic associations. He is a member of all branches of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF), including the Rebekah Lodge, Encampment and Patriarchs Militant. He is also affiliated with the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows (GUOOF); Ancient Mystic Order of Samaritans (AMOS); Noble Order of Muscovites (Muscovites); International Order of DeMolay (IOD); International Order of Free Gardeners (IOFG); Universal Druid Order (UDO); Ordo Supremus Militaris Templi Hierosolymitani - Regency (OSMTH); Knights of Rizal (KOR); The Fraternal Order of Eagles - Philippine Eagles (TFOE-PE); and Tau Gamma Phi or Triskelion Grand Fraternity (TGP). He now enjoys living a secluded and peaceful life while focusing on his career. As a hobby, he writes and collects books, antiques and artifacts related to fraternal organizations, service clubs and other civic associations.

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