How to join the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows
Requirements for Membership:
A man or woman of good character, who is loyal to his or her country
and believes in a Supreme Being, the creator and preserver of the
Universe, is eligible for membership. Odd Fellowship strictly
forbids any interference with one's religious beliefs or political
opinions. Most jurisdictions require candidates for the adult
lodges to be 18 years old. Junior Lodges and Theta Rho clubs accept
members 8 to 18 years old (some jurisdictions have a minimum age limit
of 10).
Lodges charge an initiation fee and annual dues. The amount of dues is
set by each lodge.
How to Join:
A candidate must be sponsored by a current member, so the first step
towards joining is to find someone who is a current member.
- Ask someone that you know that is an Odd Fellow or a
Rebekah to sponsor you.
- Email
or mail this lodge to find someone who can sponsor you.
- Search the Grand
Lodge of Pennsylvania
web site for a local lodge and contact them or write the Grand Lodge
Seceratary for assistance.
Once you have a sponsor, print and fill out an application. If
you can not print from this web site, please email us and we will send
you an application. When complete, mail this application to the
address listed on the general information page.
After You Have Applied for Membership
When the lodge has received your application, they will appoint an
interviewing committee of three members. These members will call on
you, both to ask questions and to answer any questions you may have
concerning the lodge. One purpose of the
interviewing committee is to give a candidate at least three familiar
faces in the lodge. At the next meeting, the interviewing committee
will report back to the lodge and hold a ballot to accept you
as a
member. The lodge will then contact you announcing your
election to membership and the date and time for
initiation.