Exploits Lodge IOOF
43 Union Street Grand Falls, NL, Canada

Are you the Child, Grandchild or Great Grandchild of an Odd Fellow or Rebekah? Exploits Lodge 2n IOOF and Esperance Rebekah Lodge 64 are accepting applications for our annual Scholarship. For complete details contact Bro. Walwin Blackmore at 489-5000

Exploits Lodge 2n Odd Fellows meetings resume Thursday, September 10th at 8 pm!!Exploits Lodge 2n Odd Fellows meetings resume Thursday, September 10th at 8 pm!!

WHO ARE THE ODD FELLOWS? Evolving from the traditions of the English trade guilds nearly 300 years ago, the Odd Fellows is one of the oldest worldwide ethical a...nd humanitarian fraternal organizations and friendly societies still in existence today. At present, there are approximately 600,000 Odd Fellows in 30 countries worldwide. WHEN WAS ODD FELLOWSHIP FOUNDED? The first Odd Fellows Lodge emerged in England on or before the year 1700 or nearly 300 years ago. Our branch, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.), was organized by Thomas Wildey and four other members from England on April 26, 1819, in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A. WHAT IS THEIR MOTTO? Friendship, Love and Truth. WHAT IS THEIR ANCIENT COMMAND? Visit the Sick, Relieve the Distressed, Bury the Dead and Educate the Orphan. WHY THE NAME ODD FELLOWS? The generally accepted explanations: Nearly 300 years ago in England, there were a lot of sickness, orphaned children, widowed mothers and many could not afford to pay a decent burial for the dead. Many people fended only for themselves, living without much care for others. However, a group of ordinary people from different walks of life deviated from the trend of those times and found it necessary to form a brotherhood to help each other, their families and communities in need. Because it was rather uncommon or odd to see a group of ordinary fellows helping one another and other people to offer aid and social relief, they were labeled as Odd Fellows. Other historians and researchers widely accept that the origin of English fraternal orders can be traced from the various Trade Guilds which existed in England at the beginning of the Middle Ages. A Guild is an association of workers usually belonging to a particular trade and organized to protect and care for their members and families at a time when there was still no welfare state, trade unions or National Health Service. In smaller towns and villages, however, there were too few people practicing the same trade to form a local Guild. So, a group of fellows from an odd assortment of trades joined forces to form their own association, hence, they were called Odd Fellows. WHAT DO ODD FELLOWS DO? The purposes may be summarized into three: Improving Character, Making Friends and Helping People. 1. To improve and elevate the character of humankind by teaching and promoting the principles of Friendship, Love, and Truth, as exemplified in the degrees of initiation and practiced in real life; 2. To help make the world a better place to live by aiding each other in times of need and by volunteering in or organizing charitable activities and projects that would benefit the less fortunate, the children, the youth, the elderly, the community and the environment in every way possible guided by our ancient command: to visit the sick, relieve the distress, bury the dead and educate the orphan; and 3. To promote goodwill and understanding among people and nations through the principle of universal fraternity, holding the belief that all men and women regardless of race, nationality, religion, social status, gender, rank and station are brothers and sisters. Ideally, the Odd Fellows is an avenue for fellowship in all its forms: from hanging out and just having clean fun, to character improvement through the teachings in the degrees of initiation, to discussion, to professional and social networking, to collaboration on creative and constructive projects, all with an eye not only on our own satisfaction but on what we might OFFER TO THE COMMUNITY at large. Together with the Rebekahs, the Odd Fellows is a worldwide ethical, humanitarian and fraternal network composed of people, of good character, who meet at least once a month to enjoy each other’s company and assist each other in times of need. Through membership fees, annual dues and other fundraising efforts, Lodges are also discreetly involved in various charitable projects in a local, national and international level. WHERE CAN WE FIND ODD FELLOW LODGES? There are over 10,000 Odd Fellows Lodges (branches) located in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Belize, Canada, Chile, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Poland, Puerto Rico, Philippines, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, and Venezuela. DO I KNOW ANYONE IN HISTORY WHO IS AN ODD FELLOW? Thousands of notable individuals in human history were members of the Odd Fellows. To name a few: 1. King George IV, King of the United Kingdom (1820 1830) 2. Sir Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1951-1955) 3. Ulysses S. Grant, 18th U.S. President (18691877) 4. Rutherford Hayes, 19th U.S. President (18771881) 5. Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32nd U.S. President (19331945) 6. Prince Bertil of Sweden, Duke of Halland (19121997) WHAT CAN MEMBERSHIP IN THE ODD FELLOWS OFFER? Character improvement. Community Service. Social and professional networking. Genuine and life-lasting friendships. By friendship, we mean the mutual-assistance, kindness, benevolence and understanding. This requires respect and sincerity in dealing with each other noting we are composed of people from different backgrounds and walks of life. Together with the Rebekahs, the Odd Fellows is a worldwide social network of friends involved in ethical and humanitarian purposes. WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS TO BE AN ODD FELLOW? You must be at least sixteen (16) years old or above. You must believe in a Supreme Being. You must be of good character. The Odd Fellows do not discriminate based on race, creed, or gender. We consist of people from different ethnical and racial backgrounds representing different religions and faiths. Women, gays and other members of the LGBT community have also been welcomed as members. When your application is approved, you will undergo a series of instructions in ceremonial or dramatic form divided into four (4) degrees which will be conferred to you in a period of six (6) months to one (1) year. Each Lodge usually charges a membership application fee upon joining and an annual dues paid at the beginning of each year to cover social and charitable projects and other expenses of the organization. There is STRICTLY NO HAZING in the process of joining, but ethical teachings exemplifying the principles of Odd Fellowship imparted in dramatic and symbolic form. WHAT ARE THE DEGREES IN ODD FELLOWSHIP 1. ODD FELLOWS LODGE Initiatory Degree Degree of Friendship Degree of Love Degree of Truth 2. ODD FELLOWS ENCAMPMENT Patriarchal Degree Golden Rule Degree Royal Purple Degree 3. PATRIARCHS MILITANT Patriarchs Militant Degree 4. REBEKAH LODGE Rebekah Degree

Exploits Lodge 2n of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows presents a cheque for $1000 to St. Matthew’s Presbyterian Church to assist in their rebuilding efforts. Left to right: Sister Iris Walsh, Noble Grand,,Brother John Locke, Past Noble Grand,, Lynne Allan, Treasurer of St. Matthews.

SOLD OUT!!!Mooseburger sale on now at the Odd Fellows Lodge, Union Street.

Exploits Lodge 2n of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Union Street, Grand Falls-Windsor NL will be holding a "Take-Out Only" Mooseburger sale on Saturday, July 11th starting at 10 am at the lodge. Cost $3,00. Soft drinks will also be available to purchase. Proceeds will be donated to the St. Matthews Presbyterian Church Repair Fund. Covid 19 regulations will be in place.

Due to the Covid 19 pandemic, the Grand Lodge of the Atlantic Jurisdiction of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which was scheduled for July 9th to 12th in Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland, Canada has been postponed until May of 2021. Our Grand Master Brother Sean Walsh will remain in his position. Our apologies and we hope to see all our brothers and sisters next year!!

It is with heavy hearts that we, the members of Exploits lodge 2n IOOF and Esperance Rebekah lodge 64 announce the passing of our oldest member, Sister Molly Arnold at the age of 97. Sister Molly devoted many years of her life to the works of our beloved order., Always there for a bit of fun, she was never happier than when there was a good game of cards on the go, a District Regional meeting, a skit, or a dinner and dance. If you have fond memories of Sister Molly please do not hesitate to post a comment and a picture or two. https://www.sunsetmemorial.ca/obituary/molly-arnold

Another great loss for our lodge. Rest in peace Sister Judy. Our condolences to Brother Joe and family https://www.centralfuneralhomes.ca//judi/1307679/index.php

Brothers and Sisters of our beloved order. These are extraordinary times, and we encourage you all to stay safe and practice self isolation and social distancing recommendations so we can flatten the Covid 19 curve and keep our family and friends safe and bring this serious threat to a close as soon as possible. God bless you all and our beloved order. Yours in Friendship Love and Truth, Richard King, Colour Bearer, Facebook Administrator, Exploits Lodge 2n, IOOF, Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland, Canada

3 new members joined our lodge tonight. We would like to welcome Brother Bruce Boone, brother Dennis Boone and sister Denise Cooper. It’s great to have you aboard.

"It's pretty crazy it happened on July 4th"