Dear Dedicated Members for Change,
There is one thing that all Odd Fellows Lodges have in common.
Every Lodge has a date that the Lodge was instituted and received its charter. So, if your Lodge is looking for an event that would be great fun for the members and would also be an excellent exposure of Odd Fellowship to the community, DMC has a suggestion for you: Why not celebrate the date your Lodge was "born"?
Of course, this is not something your Lodge will want to do every year. But to celebrate your Lodge's "birthday" every ten years might be just the ticket. And it doesn't have to be on a number that ends with "0" - like the 50th or the 90th year - it can be an odd number - like the 59th or the 95th year - we are, after all Odd Fellows.
So, what's the benefit of planning a celebration of your Lodge's institution? First, there are benefits for the members of the Lodge. Planning an event of this nature reminds us of our history and gives us the opportunity to bring out some old photographs, paperwork, costumes and regalia. (It also give us a chance to clean up and spruce up our Lodge Hall.) Second, don't underestimate the value of this celebration for our family members. This social gathering is a great opportunity to expose your Lodge to your spouse or significant other, your children and grandchildren. Third, there are benefits for our Order. The more IOOF exposure we can provide to our communities, the more likely that our Odd Fellows brand will be recognized and respected. Fourth, it provides an ideal opportunity for us to reveal our Lodge to our surrounding community. And let's face it - the surrounding community is where we draw our future applicants and (hopefully) future members.
I suggest you have a Lodge meeting to discuss the celebration of your Lodge's anniversary. Give yourself lots of time to plan and execute it. Appoint a committee to make sure the event happens the way you want it to happen. The celebration event should certainly include an "open house" for the community to visit the Lodge in a social atmosphere and learn a bit more about Odd Fellowship. Here are some of the things that you can think about in your planning:
* Advertising the event through the local news media, social medium, and posters.
* Light refreshments and snacks for visitors.
* Invitations to neighboring Lodges and Odd Fellow and Rebekah dignitaries.
* Invitations to local elected officials, and proclamations to be presented to the Lodge.
* Displays of Odd Fellows memorabilia, costumes, and regalia.
* Designate knowledgeable "Docents" who can give short tours of the Lodge Hall.
* It's always pleasant to have some background musical entertainment.
* A short program of welcome, and short lecture on this history of the Order and the Lodge.
* Tables displaying major current activities of the Lodge.
* Consider creating a large poster or scroll showing a timeline of your Lodge and major milestones.
* How about filling a time capsule to be opened at a lodge anniversary event 25 or 50 years in the future?
If you do this, let your imagination be your guide. And have fun with it.
F - L - T
Dave Rosenberg
Past Grand Master
Jurisdiction of California
