Lodges, officers, positions and degrees
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows has three levels of “Lodge”: the Lodge, the Encampment, and the Patriarchs Militant.
The Lodge is assigned to new initiates. The initials of the Odd Fellows lodge are “FLT” which stands for Friendship, Love and Truth as the basic guides to live by as an Odd Fellow. Once a member has made their way through all the degrees and has had the 3rd degree (truth) bestowed upon them, they are entitled to hold an office or position in their lodge, and are also eligible to go on further in Odd Fellowship through the higher degree branches such as the Encampment and the Patriarchs Militant (aka the Canton).
- Lodge Officer Positions
| Office | Elected/ Appointed |
Duty |
|---|---|---|
| Noble Grand | Elected | Sits as Chair for Meetings, Official Representative of lodge to outside persons and organizations and see that the lodge program is planned in advance. |
| Vice Grand | Elected | Exercise power to assist Noble Grand in Presiding Meetings. Assume the duties and responsibilities of the NG in times of absence. |
| Past Grand | Assist Noble Grand and lodge officers in every way possible. May act as NG or VG when legally called thereto. | |
| Secretary | Elected | Records minutes at meetings, files necessary paper work, sends and receives communications. |
| Financial Secretary | Elected | Notify and collect to members their dues and financial obligations. |
| Treasurer | Elected | Keeps an accurate file of all finances and receipts of the lodge and writes all checks ordered. |
| Warden | Appointed | Responsible for the general welfare of the applicant, examines all present before the lodge is opened, give charge of office during initiations, in-charge of regalia and lodge room property and will place regalia in the lodge room before and removing it on closing. |
| Conductor | Appointed | Receives the candidates when they enter the lodge room, perform all duties assigned in conferring the degrees and assist the Warden while in the lodge. |
| Chaplain | Appointed | Leads the opening the closing ceremonies and performs all functions assigned during conferral of degrees. |
| Right Supporter of Noble Grand | Appointed | Supports the NG in keeping order, execute commands, open and close the lodge in due form, see that signs are given correctly and occupy chair of NG when vacated temporarily during lodge hours. |
| Left Supporter of Noble Grand | Appointed | See that members who enter the room are in proper regalia and give the signs correctly and to officiate for the Right Supporter when absent. |
| Right Supporter of Vice Grand | Appointed | Observe that members give the signs correctly, report to the Noble Grand members that do not conduct themselves according to the regulations of the Order. |
| Left Supporter of Vice Grand | Appointed | Assist the Vice Grand. |
| Color Bearer | Appointed | Oversees flags and proper presentation of such. |
| Right Scene supporter | Appointed | Assist at initiations and perform roles specified in the ritual. |
| Left Scene Supporter | Appointed | Assist at initiations and perform roles specified in the ritual. |
| Inside Guardian | Appointed | Guards the inner door. |
| Outside Guardian | Appointed | Guards the outer door. |
| Musician | Appointed | Play all required music and accompaniment during meetings and ceremonies. |
- Subordinate Lodge Degrees
0 Initiatory
1 Friendship
2 Brotherly/Sisterly Love
3 Truth
The IOOF is considered U.S. I.R.S. 501(c)(8) Mutual Benefit Society.
Encampment
The Encampment is open to third degree members in good standing. This branch is based on the principles of Faith, Hope and Charity. One must go through the Encampment first before seeking entrance into the Patriarchs Militant, which is a uniformed appendant body to the IOOF. Once one has accomplished the Royal Purple degree of the Encampment, one is eligible to hold an officer position in the Encampment and is also eligible for the Patriarchs Militant.
The initials of the Encampment are FHC which stands for Faith, Hope and Charity. The Encampment’s seal is a purple tent with golden trim, the triple links above the tent door and crossed shepherds crooks. These symbols can be seen on the purple fez that American members of this branch wear. One must retain their membership and remain in good standing within their own subordinate lodge while in the Encampment.
| Office | Elected/ Appointed |
Duty |
|---|---|---|
| Chief Patriarch | Elected | Sits as Chair for Meetings, Official Representative of Encampment to outside persons and organizations and see that the program is planned in advance. |
| High Priest | Elected | Leads the opening the closing ceremonies and performs all functions assigned during conferral of degrees. Provide counsel to members. |
| Senior Warden | Elected | Exercise power to assist Chief Patriarch and High Priest in Presiding Meetings. Assume the duties and responsibilities of the CP in times of absence or if necessary. |
| Junior Warden | Elected | Examine members prior to opening and assist Chief Patriarch and High Priest. |
| Scribe | Elected | Records minutes at meetings, files necessary paper work, sends and receives communications. |
| Financial Scribe | Elected | Notify and collect to members their dues and financial obligations. |
| Treasurer | Elected | Keeps an accurate file of all finances and receipts of the lodge and writes all checks ordered. |
| Color Bearer | Appointed | Oversees flags and proper presentation of such. |
| Guide | Appointed | Assist at initiations and perform roles specified in the ritual |
| First, Second, Third, Fourth Watch | All Appointed | Assist at initiations and perform roles specified in the ritual. |
| First, Second, Third, Fourth Guards of the Tent | All Appointed | Assist at initiations and perform roles specified in the ritual. |
| Inside Sentinel | Appointed | Guards the inner door. |
| Outside Sentinel | Appointed | Guards the outer door. |
| Musician | Appointed | Play all required music and accompaniment during meetings and ceremonies. |
- Encampment Degrees
1 Patriarchal
2 Golden Rule
3 Royal Purple
Patriarchs Militant
Formed in 1885, the Patriarchs Militant (PM) is Odd Fellowship’s uniformed branch. It is purely semi-military in its character, organized for chivalric display and is admirably fulfilling its mission through the annual ‘Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers’ ceremony held in Washington DC, Canada and other public ceremonies conducted in several countries such as Cuba.
There is only one degree, the Chevalier degree. Upon completion of this degree, one is entitled to hold office in the Canton. Sometimes the Patriarchs Militant is referred to as “the Canton”, due to the Canton being the name used in lieu of “Lodge”. The seal of the PM is a gold and jeweled crown, within which is a shepherds crook crossed with a sword and the triple links of Odd Fellowship connecting the two at the bottom. One must retain their membership and remain in good standing within both the Odd Fellows and Encampment while a member of the PM.
- Canton Officers
| Office | Elected/ Appointed |
Duty |
|---|---|---|
| Captain | Elected | Sits as Chair for Meetings, Official Representative of Canton to outside persons and organizations and see that the program is planned in advance. |
| Lieutenant | Elected | Second in command serving as officer of the day. |
| Ensign | Elected | Examine members prior to opening and assist Commandant and Lieutenant. |
| Clerk | Elected | Serves as Secretarial Officer. |
| Accountant | Elected | Serves as Financial Officer. |
| Chaplain | Appointed | Leads opening and closing prayer. |
| Color Bearer | Appointed | Oversees flags and proper presentation of such. |
| Guard | Appointed | |
| Sentinel | Appointed | |
| Picket | Appointed | |
| Musician | Appointed | Play all required music and accompaniment during meetings and ceremonies. |
- Patriarch Militant Degree