Odd Fellows Today

What happens when people want to do something that isn't permitted by the rules? Too often, the answer can become, “They’re going to do it anyway, so we might as well give them permission.” In this episode, we explore why that philosophy can be dangerous for Odd Fellowship. We look at the proper purpose of dispensations, liberal construction, ritual, bylaws, and organizational standards, and...

What happens when an election doesn't go the way we hoped, a bylaw change fails, a program falls flat, or an event doesn't turn out as planned? Disappointment is a natural part of Odd Fellowship and it's okay to feel it. But disappointment doesn't have to become bitterness, withdrawal, or giving up. In this episode, we explore how the principles of Friendship, Love, and Truth c...

Odd Fellowship is about more than attending lodge meetings. In this episode, we explore ten less common experiences that can deepen your appreciation of the fraternity, broaden your perspective, and help you become a more engaged Odd Fellow. These aren't requirements; they're opportunities. Consider this your Odd Fellows bucket list. How many have you already done and which one will you...

 Before a lodge can grow, it must first understand itself. In this episode, we explore how to conduct a complete assessment of your Odd Fellows lodge: from membership, meetings, and ritual to building conditions, lodge culture, community presence, and strategic planning. Learn how to involve every member in an honest, constructive evaluation that identifies strengths, uncovers opportunities for im...

A lot of people think the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows was founded similarly to the Prince Hall Freemasons, but that isn't actually true. Britain had multiple competing versions of Odd Fellowship. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows received its charter from one line (the Manchester Unity) and the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows in America recieved its chapter from the Grand United Or...

At least five men have carried the principles of Odd Fellowship into the White House. How did that influence them? What can we learn about the Order through those examples? What lessons illuminate our path into the future? Find out on this episode. Featuring a mix of commentary and music, Odd Fellows Today makes learning out the Order a quick and fun expereince. For more information, to comment or...

The topic of governance can seem dry and uninteresting, but governance in Odd Fellowship is a surprisingly interesting and unique structure that most outsiders and even many members don't fully understand. Featuring a mix of commentary and music, Odd Fellows Today makes learning out the Order a quick and fun expereince. For more information, to comment or ask to be a guest contact oddfellowst...

On the second Tuesday of June, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows marks Odd Fellows Memorial day across all its lodges around the world. But what is this event and what happens during its ritual ceremony? More importantly, what does it mean and why does it matter? Featuring a mix of commentary and music, Odd Fellows Today makes learning out the Order a quick and fun expereince. For more informat...

We often become fixated on numbers. How many members do we have? What was our meeting attendance? How many applications are we getting? How many members are dropped from non-payment? Fixating on numbers is missing what drives them. They are driven by engagement and engagement is driven by emotional connection. Lodge has to mean something to the member for the member to stay a member and want to br...

From what people see on the outside to how your lodge feels on the inside, success and growth takes intention. Revitalization is not something you knock out in one term as a program; it is a program and a culture. Featuring a mix of commentary and music, Odd Fellows Today makes learning out the Order a quick and fun expereince. For more information, to comment or ask to be a guest contact oddfello...

The first and foundational virtue of Odd Fellowship is friendship. But friendship in Odd Fellowship is not casual acquaintance nor just social buddies. It is deeper and more consequential. Featuring a mix of commentary and music, Odd Fellows Today makes learning out the Order a quick and fun expereince. For more information, to comment or ask to be a guest contact oddfellowstoday@oddfellows.us  Th...

We explore the benefits of holding an Open House for the lodge, for the community, and for your own members. Featuring a mix of commentary and music, Odd Fellows Today makes learning out the Order a quick and fun expereince. For more information, to comment or ask to be a guest contact oddfellowstoday@oddfellows.us  This podcast is written, performed and produced by Michael Duminiak, all rights re...

The initial virtue of the Patriarchal branch is Faith, upon which the rest are based. But what does faith mean in the context of Odd Fellowship? We explore it through ritual and context. Featuring a mix of commentary and music, Odd Fellows Today makes learning out the Order a quick and fun expereince. For more information, to comment or ask to be a guest contact oddfellowstoday@oddfellows.us  This...

Somewhere along the way, a lot of the fun of Odd Fellowship got subcontracted to side orders, but a healthy lodge is one that balances in fun with the serious work because the lodge that laughs together grows together. Featuring a mix of commentary and music, Odd Fellows Today makes learning out the Order a quick and fun expereince. For more information, to comment or ask to be a guest contact odd...

There is a whole world beyond the lodge, but sometimes the best way to connect to it for the first time is through a district meeting. They are also a great way for officers to find support and ideas. Featuring a mix of commentary and music, Odd Fellows Today makes learning out the Order a quick and fun expereince. For more information, to comment or ask to be a guest contact oddfellowstoday@oddfe...

Valentine's Day means flowers, chocolates, and romance but that's not the type of love that Odd Fellowship holds as a virtue. We choose a harder love: Brotherly Love. Explore what that means inside and outside of the lodge. Featuring a mix of commentary and music, Odd Fellows Today makes learning out the Order a quick and fun expereince. For more information, to comment or ask to be a gu...

We often ask ourselves how we can get the community engaged with us, when the better question is: how do we fit within the community? We take a look at how to identify and build sustainable community involvement that puts our values into action rather than just our name on a temporary event. Featuring a mix of commentary and music, Odd Fellows Today makes learning out the Order a quick and fun exp...

In honor of Wildey's birthday, we explore the man behind the legend from his birth in England through his career in Odd Fellowship to his legacy. This extended length episode dives deeper into the real Wildey and shows why understanding him helps us find our own purpose in the modern world as we seek to grow Odd Fellowship.  Featuring a mix of commentary and music, Odd Fellows Today makes lea...

The new season begins by exploring the simple question: why do people join the Odd Fellows? Explore this topic together in this short explanation of the Order and those who join it. Featuring a mix of commentary and music, Odd Fellows Today makes learning out the Order a quick and fun expereince. For more information, to comment or ask to be a guest contact oddfellowstoday@oddfellows.us  This podc...

For the finale of season 1, we take a poetic journey along the Jericho Road and then degree by degree, we travel the lessons of Odd Fellowship. With original poetry and accompanying music, this episode lets your mind travel the road to Jericho. Featuring a mix of commentary and music, Odd Fellows Today makes learning out the Order a quick and fun expereince. For more information, to comment or ask...

Starting a new lodge isn't as hard as you may think and it's something that's more common every year. Come along as we explore how to rebuild the Order by starting new lodges. Featuring a mix of commentary and music, this bite-sized exploration of Odd Fellowship is a quick and entertaining nugget of knowledge. Featuring a mix of commentary and music, Odd Fellows Today makes learning...

From books to podcasts to websites, blogs and chat communities, the modern media environment offers tremendous opportunities to promote and grow the culture of Odd Fellowship. Special guest Michael Greenziger, PGM joins on this episode to discuss the importance of utilizing media. Featuring a mix of commentary and music, this bite-sized exploration of Odd Fellowship is a quick and entertaining nug...

Death comes to each and every one of us once, but remembrance can last forever if we care enough to pass the legacy on. Featuring a mix of commentary and music, this bite-sized exploration of Odd Fellowship is a quick and entertaining nugget of knowledge. Featuring a mix of commentary and music, Odd Fellows Today makes learning out the Order a quick and fun expereince. For more information, to com...

Food isn't just delicious; it's essential not only to life, but also to thriving Odd Fellowship. Featuring a mix of commentary and music, this bite-sized exploration of Odd Fellowship is a quick and entertaining nugget of knowledge. Featuring a mix of commentary and music, Odd Fellows Today makes learning out the Order a quick and fun expereince. For more information, to comment or ask t...

All lodges have their ups and downs. Recognizing that tough times are not a failure to hide, but a time to reach out for help is the difference between surviving or closing down. We all want every lodge to succeed and just need to know what you need. Featuring a mix of commentary and music, this bite-sized exploration of Odd Fellowship is a quick and entertaining nugget of knowledge. Featuring a m...