Odd Fellows Lodge of South Australia

Introduction
The Odd Fellows Lodge 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 centred 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 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 Advisory Board IOOF held in America, with an expenses paid travelling pass and per diem to represent your region at the international conference held in America.

The Odd Fellows Lodge

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 centred 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

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 Advisory Board IOOF held in America, with an expenses paid travelling pass and per diem to represent your region at the international conference held in America.

Odd Fellows World-Wide

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, Philippines, Cuba, Venezuela, Chile, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Poland, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, 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.

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 here to see Community Activities Page

Odd Fellows South Australia

Any inquiries please contact:

Brother Gordon Bitter
Grand Secretary
Grand Lodge of South Australia
Ph: (08) 8213 1113
Email: gordon.bitter@keyinvest.com.au

Ph (International) +61 8 8213 1113
Internet: http://www.ioofsa.org.au

Lodge Structure

The Grand Lodge of Australasia Incorporates:

Odd Fellow and Rebekah Lodges

The Grand Lodge of Australasia Incorporates

The Grand Lodge of New Zealand

The Grand Lodge of South Australia

The Grand Lodge of Tasmania

The Grand Lodge of New South Wales

The Grand Lodge of New Zealand

Incorporates the numerous individual New Zealand Lodges

The Sovereign Grand Lodge

The Sovereign Grand Lodge Incorporates

All individual American State Grand Lodges (See the links in the International Network Page)

The Grand Lodge of Australasia

Numerous Individual Jurisdictions

The Grand Lodge of Europe

INDIVIDUAL 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 Past Grand Officer for the Grand Lodge of Australasia

Or you are elected by the Grand Lodge in session 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 ADVISORY BOARD

The International Advisory Board meets every year, and comprises elected Grand Representatives from the Grand Lodge of Australasia, the Sovereign Grand Lodge (USA), The International Association of Rebekah Assemblies, The General Military Council and the Grand Lodge of Europe. Continued elevation through the ranks of the Lodges and Grand Lodges will qualify you to nominate to be a Grand Representative at the International Advisory Board.

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 Advisory Board to promote sharing of information, and the maintenance of traditional ideals and practices.

THE GRAND LODGE OF EUROPE

The Grand Lodge of Europe is the peak body of the European Grand Lodges, and has representation from the various European Grand Lodges. The Grand Lodge maintains a relationship with the Sovereign Grand Lodge. The Grand Lodge of Europe 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

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