Dear Dedicated Members for Change,
This DMC Newsletter is distributed widely throughout California, but also throughout the United States and Canada, as well as to some international locations. Good ideas are good ideas, whether they come from San Francisco, Davis, Pasadena, Victoria, or Little Rock.
Here is an article submitted by an active and far-sighted Brother from Little Rock, Arkansas, about the benefits our our does (or could) provide to members. We are, after all, from the Federal Government’s perspective, a mutual benefit entity. In the old, old days of Odd Fellowship, the Order certainly provided a wide range of benefits to members including hospitals, orphanages, old-age homes, job placement, charitable relief, etc. Those extensive benefits have waned over the decades as government, insurance, and private employers took on increasing roles. But as the writer notes below, there are still benefits that Odd Fellows could provide. I’m sure – if you think about it – you could expand the list of potentials.
F – L – T
Dave Rosenberg
Grand Master
Jurisdiction of California
Hi Dave:
Based upon the last DMC email, I put together a list of benefits that our order can or could offer a newcomer. Some of these benefits/opportunities would be gained through community involvement and others would be gained within the Order itself. Many are based around a person’s profession in some way, or helping them with their professional skills or hobbies. Odd Fellows originally helped the traveler as well as the tradesman, and you will see that reflected in this list. I believe every lodge should have a bed for the traveler, and that we should state that we provide networking opportunities within a community. This list is just for thought and conversation and I purposely strayed from our four commands to think outside the box. But I think similar lists of how people could benefit from Odd Fellows would help in recruitment.
None of these things are a stretch for Odd Fellows, and we already do a lot of them, we just don’t list them. For instance: just showing up at lodge opens doors for “networking.”
Here are benefits and opportunities we offer members:
- Job networking assistance
- Moving and relocation networking, connections, and advice (from one city and lodge to another city and lodge)
- Community connections and networking
- A community oriented organization looks good on a resume
- Provide travel assistance and a hostel to members (every lodge, a bed)
- Elder advice
- Group buying power for products
- Youth advice
- Leadership skills
- Public Speaking and presentation skills
- Communication skills for workplace and family
- Learn to run professional meetings
- Learn to run a non profit
- Scholarships
- Historical Research opportunities
- Public Relations and web development opportunities
- Committee work with peers
- Promoting Diversity
- Trips to concerts, pubs, movies
- Opportunities for artists, illustrators, theater arts, writers, film makers, and musicians (think of our initiations, artwork of the order, etc.)
- Accounting skills
- Brotherhood and Sisterhood
- Opportunities for carpenters, plumbers, electricians, painters (community work)
- Advice and networking for the traveler about local restaurants and tourist areas
- Community work with peers
Opportunities for:
- Chefs and caterers (for luncheons and dinners)
- Landscapers and gardeners (community involvement, cemeteries)
- Medical staff and public relations
- Antique dealers, collectors, and hobbyists (Odd Fellows antiques)
- Motorcyclists
- Sewing, quilting, and tailoring (costumes)
- Jewelers (rings and regalia)
- 3D printing
- Wood carving
- Backpacking all over the world (if every lodge has a bed)
- Photography (parties and events)
- Exhibition drill (patriarchs)
- Clergy
- Social workers (community involvement)
- Graphic designers and web designers
- Guest speakers
Hope this helps get some ideas flowing.
FLT
Scott Moye
Saline Lodge #174
Little Rock, AR