What is IOOF?
The Independent Order of Odd fellows, also known as the Three Link Fraternity, is a worldwide altruistic and benevolent fraternal organization by which men and women are banded together as brothers and sisters, pledged to assist each other and those in need.
Vision
To make the world a better place in which to live.

Mission

• To improve and elevate the character of Mankind
• To promote universal brotherhood and sisterhood under the fatherhood of God
• To foster a strong and warm fellowship which will create a lifelong bonds of friendship
• To aid the community and the world and make it a better place to live
• To aid the less fortunate by donating to charities
• To support the youth of our community and help them grow
• To aid our members in times of distress
• To support science and research foundations for the elimination of diseases and poverty
• To support our community in every way possible.

The Three Links Emblem

The emblem of Odd Fellowship is the Three Links with the letters ‘F,L & T’. The three links symbolizes the chain that binds our members together and illustrates that a fraternity is strongest when joined together. The ‘F’ in the first link represents ‘friendship’, the strongest bond of fraternity that teaches goodwill and harmony. The ‘L’ represents ‘Love’, the basis for all life’s ambitions, service to others and family. The ‘T’ represents ‘Truth’, the standard by which we value people and the foundation of our society.


Early History

• 1500 - In smaller towns and villages, there weren't enough Fellows from the same trade to set up a local Guild, so Fellows from a number of trades banded together to form a local Guild of Fellows from an odd assortment of trades. Hence, Guilds of Odd Fellows.

• 1545 - Societies like the Odd fellows were the 'parents' of modern-day trade unions and could organize effective local strike action As a result, societies like the Odd fellows met with varying degrees of opposition and persecution from the people in power. For a time, such organizations were driven "underground" and forced to use codes, passwords, special handshakes and similar mechanisms. Many documents were deliberately destroyed to protect members from identification and arrest.

• 1688 – When the Catholic King James II was deposed in favour of the Dutch Protestant William of Orange, the Organization split into two factions:

1. Patriotic Order of Odd fellows (based in the south of England and supporting William)
2. Ancient Order of Odd fellows (based in the north and favoring the Stuarts).

• March 12, 1748 - The earliest surviving rules of the Order of Odd Fellows lodge appear in a reference to Aristarcus Lodge which held meetings at Glober Tavern. This lodge was numbered nine, so apparently there were at least nine associated Odd Fellow lodges at that time.

• 1789 - The two factions formed a partial amalgamation as the ‘Grand United Order of Oddfellows’ abandoning all political and religious disputes and committing itself to promoting the harmony and welfare of its members. Then as now, the Oddfellows has no religious or political affiliations and accept members from all walks of life regardless of ***, color or belief.

• 1810 - members of the Odd fellows in Manchester area formed an independent Order with the title 'Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows’ which later chartered the odd Fellows in the U.S.

• 1850 – The penal law that banned societies such as the Odd fellows ended and both Grand United Order and Manchester Unity in England continue to exist as a friendly society, fraternity, and mutual-benefit corporation up to this date.


How to Join

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Search for the nearest lodge or jurisdiction in your area and find somebody you know who is a member of the Odd Fellows
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Undergo an orientation program to know more about the fraternity
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After making a decision to join, an application form will be given for you to fill-up
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Submit application form and an interview date will be set for you
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After passing first interview, you will be given study materials about the fraternity
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A written test will then be given to you
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If you pass the written test, you will again undergo final interview
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If you pass final interview, you are eligible to receive the initiatory degree
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After a month from initiatory degree, you will receive the first degree
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After mastering everything about the first degree, you will receive the second degree
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After mastering everything about the second degree, you will receive the third degree
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For more information: ioofphils@yahoo.com

"No hazing, no subordination, no sacrifice of your opinions and beliefs, no change of relations to the Country, no loosening of the obligations which, as a good citizen, you owe to the laws and institutions under which you

Independent Order of Odd Fellows

Independent Order of Odd Fellows Philippines