Dear Dedicated Members for Change,
We all agree that change is needed to save this Order and give it the CPR it requires to survive in and into the 21st Century. We can accomplish most of the needed changes at the Lodge level, and a few of the needed changes at the Grand Lodge level, but some changes need to happen at the Sovereign Grand Lodge (SGL) level. Yet, the SGL is structured to resist change and preserve the status quo. That status quo is slowly choking the life out of this Order, as we continue to show net losses of members year after year after year. New members is the oxygen a fraternal order needs to survive. Yes, we gain some new members every year, but we lose more than we gain through deaths, withdrawals and resignations. It’s a completely unsustainable equation.
There are many reasons why SGL is resistant to change, and in fact, is sometimes an impediment to it. But probably the single greatest constraint is the very structure of SGL. In short, it is currently structured much like a Senate, and it should be structured more like a House of Representatives. Logically, why should a jurisdiction of 200 members have the same voting power as a jurisdiction with 500, or 1,000, or 2,000 members? So, I will be proposing a resolution to change that structure, and I will seek the support of other like-minded jurisdictions in this effort. And it is not the intention to diminish the representation for any jurisdiction – but rather, to increase the representation of all. This approach is based on the concept that: “A rising tide raises all boats.” The first step in this process is a resolution presented to our own Grand Lodge Session, which I have reproduced, below. And it is my hope that other like-minded jurisdictions in North America will join us in this approach, adopting similar resolutions, and ultimately, jointly sponsor a proposal to SGL.
F- L – T
Dave Rosenberg
Grand Master
Jurisdiction of California
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GRAND LODGE RESOLUTION #1
Submitted by Grand Master Dave Rosenberg
SUMMARY: A Grand Lodge Resolution instructing the Grand Representatives to submit a Bill to Sovereign Grand Lodge to Amend the Constitution of the Sovereign Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Article IV, Section 1, relating to the apportionment of Grand Representatives.
TITLE: Amendment to Article IV, Section 1, of the Constitution of the Sovereign Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, increasing the number and altering the apportionment of Grand Representatives.
WHEREAS, the membership of Grand Lodges and Grand Encampments varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS, the structure of the Sovereign Grand Lodge does not substantially account for the variation in memberships between the Grand Lodges and Grand Encampments; and
WHEREAS, allocating Grand Representatives to more accurately reflect membership is a more equitable system which recognizes that jurisdictions with large memberships should receive proportionately greater representation at Sovereign Grand Lodge; and
WHEREAS, limiting our smaller jurisdictions to only one Grand Representative does not provide for adequate or diverse representation for those smaller jurisdictions; and
WHEREAS, restricting the General Military Council and the International Association of Rebekah Assemblies to only one Grand Representative each deprives those bodies of fair and diverse representation; and
WHEREAS, the number of Grand Representatives diminishes year after year, causing the Sovereign Grand Lodge to reduce its capacity to represent the diverse and varied membership of Odd Fellowship, and reduces the ability of younger leaders in our Order to assume positions of responsibility at the Sovereign Grand Lodge level;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Grand Lodge of California, in session, instructs the Grand Representatives to draft a bill to be submitted by the Grand Representatives to the Sovereign Grand Lodge to amend the Constitution of the Sovereign Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Article IV, Section 1, relating to the apportionment of Grand Representatives. The current language of Article IV, Section 1, reads as follows:
“Each Grand Lodge with a combined membership of 1,000 or more members, based on regular and non-contributing members from Odd Fellows Lodges, Junior Lodges, Rebekah Lodges and Theta Rho Girl’s Clubs; each Grand Encampment with a combined membership of 1,000 or more members, based on regular and non-contributing members from Encampments and Ladies Encampment Auxiliaries; is entitled to two Grand Representatives. Those with less than 1,000 members are entitled to one Grand Representative. The General Military Council is entitled to one (1) Grand Representative. The International Association of Rebekah Assemblies is entitled to one (1) Grand Representative.”
The submitted Bill shall delete the above current language of Article IV, Section 1 and shall replace that language as follows:
“Each Grand Lodge with a combined membership of 499 or fewer members, based on regular and non-contributing members from Odd Fellows Lodges, Junior Lodges, Rebekah Lodges, and Theta Rho Girls’ Clubs is entitled to two Grand Representatives. Those with 500 to 999 members are entitled to three Grand Representatives. Those with 1,000 to 1,999 members are entitled to four Grand Representatives. Those with 2,000 or more members are entitled to five Grand Representatives. Each Grand Encampment with a combined membership of 299 or fewer members, based on regular and non-contributing members from Encampments and Ladies Encampment Auxiliaries is entitled to one Grand Representative. Those with 300 or more members are entitled to two Grand Representatives. The General Military Council is entitled to five (5) Grand Representatives. The International Association of Rebekah Assemblies is entitled to five (5) Grand Representatives.”
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Grand Representatives shall comply with the Constitution of the Sovereign Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Article XI, relating to amendments to the Constitution, as follows:
A Bill to amend the Constitution shall be timely submitted by them in writing, in duplicate, to and for the consideration of the 2016 annual session of the Sovereign Grand Lodge.
They shall obtain the sponsorship of this Bill from Grand Representatives of at least two other jurisdictions, in addition to the Jurisdiction of California.