Bücher von Louie Blake Saile Sarmiento

(FULL COLOR HARDBACK EDITION) Evolving from the English trade guilds and journeymen associations nearly 300 years ago, Odd Fellowship was once the largest fraternal organization in the world. During a time when the world was evolving as new lands were still being explored and new nations were forming, as pioneers were beginning to conquer new lands, and governmental policies were in the process of being formulated, the Odd Fellows were an important part of that evolution. In fact, Odd Fellowship contributed greatly to the early development of many towns, cities, states, provinces and countries. As the early American settlers began moving westward on their covered wagons, the Odd Fellows in small towns united with one another and established Lodges across the country. These Lodges were able to develop a sense of community and provided help to its members during those times when governments provided little social and welfare assistance. Furthermore, Lodge rituals taught the important lessons of civic responsibility and equality before laws could be enacted to maintain social order. Many of the early members of Odd Fellows were the pioneer leaders of several towns, cities, states, provinces, and nations. Eventually, membership included presidents, prime ministers, senators, congressmen, governors, mayors and notable people in their respective fields. They spoke out on issues of international, national, and local interest. As the Lodges grew, they built Odd Fellows buildings in new communities and these buildings soon became social centers where people met to relax and to exchange the latest news and ideas. The Odd Fellows were the forerunners of homes for the aged and orphanages. They are also the predecessors of the Social Security System and National Health Insurance. At that time, Odd Fellows literally touched the lives of millions of people, following its tenets to "visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead, and educate the orphan."The fraternal organization has survived many wars and major world challenges. It came to America aboard a wooden sailing vessel, in the hands of Thomas Wildey, and the organization had been around to witness the building of the first railroad, the first automobile, the first movie, the first radio and television broadcasts, the first submarine, the first guided missile, the first miracle drug, the first airplane, the first space ship, the first computer, and the introduction of the internet. Odd Fellowship was the social network for many people long before the Internet was born. It served communities long before the birth of other service clubs and modern charitable foundations. It had connected and promoted understanding between people from different nationalities before the United Nations was established, and it even partnered with the United Nations for many years to educate young students in world affairs. Odd Fellowship rose to its most glorious time when members actively participated, and in many occasions led, in the development of communities and nations. People recognized the value of Odd Fellowship, and they reciprocated by becoming members of a Fraternity with the prime objective, "Improving Character, Making Friends, and Helping People!"

(FULL COLOR) The aim is to create a 21st century quick reference handbook of the essentials of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. This book hopes to acquaint potential candidates, members and leaders with a straight-forward approach of its origin and history; philosophy and purposes; degrees, teachings, symbols, regalia, jewels of office and organizational structure. But this does not aim to teach the rituals or any of its signs and passwords. This does not also aim to supplant the Code of General Laws but only to emphasize the generally accepted rules within the IOOF.Evolving from the traditions of the English craft guilds and journeymen associations nearly 300 years ago, the Odd Fellows refers to a number of fraternal orders, friendly societies and service organizations existing in more than 30 countries today. This branch, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF), was established on April 26, 1819 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, by Thomas Wildey and four members from England. The IOOF is also known as the "Three Link Fraternity", referring to its "Triple Link Chain" symbol that represents its motto: "Friendship, Love and Truth."Membership education and mentoring are very important prerequisites for a successful and growing non-profit organization. However, the last Odd Fellows Manual was published more than 100 years ago. In a survey study participated by exactly 2,120 members from all over North America, Latin America, Europe, Australia and Southeast Asia, majority of the respondents are in agreement that Odd Fellowship lacked the needed modern literature to educate and mentor its members. A lot about the IOOF has already changed. The focus and purposes of the organization has also evolved. The rituals, symbols, regalia and Code of General Laws have been amended and revised through the years. With modern technology, access to historical documents has also become easier. Furthermore, a lot of new evidence and modern research studies are coming out to light which calls for a need to re-visit and re-write the origins and history of Odd Fellowship. It is now easier to confirm or debunk claims written many years ago. This suggests that most of the manuals and books published many years ago have become outdated although not completely obsolete. This book is an attempt to fill that gap.The author is a Past District Deputy Sovereign Grand Master of the IOOF. He served as Public Relations Coordinator and member of both the Communications Committee and the Revitalization Committee of the Sovereign Grand Lodge from 2012-2015. He was based at the Odd Fellows International Headquarters in North Carolina for an aggregate period of three years where he had full access and was able to read from cover-to-cover all the journals, history books, rituals, secret workings and artifacts related to the Odd Fellows. He traveled widely for more than six years to conduct research and case studies about the Odd Fellows and similar fraternal organizations; to visit hundreds of Lodges and several Grand Lodges across the United States and Canada; to read volumes of records, minutes and books; to observe meetings and degree conferrals; and to interview local, national and international leaders. He now enjoys living a secluded and peaceful life while focusing on his career. As a hobby, he writes and collects books, antiques and artifacts related to fraternal organizations, service clubs and other civic associations. With a wide range of academic backgrounds, he uses various quantitative and qualitative research methodologies in his writings. He does not rely solely on old history books and manuals written many years ago but also conducts interviews, surveys, SWOT analysis, case studies and consults research studies by academic scholars, historians, sociologists, psychologists, and lawyers. But unlike older books, the author attempts to use simple words as possible for easier understanding.