Volume 16, Issue 5 Independent Order of Odd Fellows News September—October 2013 Units of the Order Odd Fellows Lodge HANGE THE ORLD Rebekah Lodge C W —One Person at a Time. Encampment Ladies Encampment Auxiliary Patriarchs Militant Ladies Auxiliary Patriarchs Militant Junior Odd Fellows Lodge Theta Rho Girls’ Club United Youth Groups ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The World of Odd Fellowship 1 Australia 2 Belgium 3 Belize 4 Canada 5 Czech Republic 6 Chile 7 Cuba 8 Denmark Just as the Good Samaritan aided the stranger; Odd Fellows and 9 Dominican Republic Rebekahs do not pass on the other side, they too lend a helping 10 Estonia hand where needed. 11 Finland 12 Germany 13 Iceland Compassionate Love Changes Lives. 14 Mexico Changed Lives Change the World. 15 Netherlands, The 16 New Zealand 17 Nigeria 18 Norway 19 Philippines 20 Poland Sovereign Grand Master’s Message 3 21 Spain 22 Sweden President - I.A.R.A. - Message 4 23 Switzerland General Commanding / President - I.A.L.A.P.M. - Messages 5 24 United Kingdom 25 USA 2013-2014 Joint Program 6-10 26 Uruguay Membership 20-23 Sympathy to: Vickie Beaver, PP-IARA with the death of her Celebrating mother. 100 years ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ In the Atlantic Provinces: Thank You: Freedom Rebekah Lodge No. 62 From Lady Agnes and General John Sealey for the many cards, calls, and e-mail with the Silver Link Rebekah Lodge No. 61 celebration of our 70th wedding anniversary. Queen Victoria Rebekah Lodge From Vickie Beaver, PP-IARA for the many No. 63 cards, calls and prayer at the passing of my mother. Emerald Rebekah Lodge No. 66 From Laura Argue, PP-IARA: A great big Ever True Rebekah Lodge No. 65 '“HANK YOU” to everyone who attended and participated in the 2013 “Angels Among Us” Esperance Rebekah Lodge No. 64 Sessions of the I.A.R.A. Your words of encouragement truly touched my heart. My sincere thanks for all the many “Love Gifts”, your thoughtfulness is so special. It has been a wonderful journey in the greatest organization in the world, may we always remember to “Cherish Yesterday, Live Today and Dream Tomorrow” and forever “Keep a song in your heart”. I.O.O.F. News Phone: 336-725-5955 Fax: 336-722-7317 E-Mail: [email protected] I.O.O.F. News is the official publication of the Inde- Notice: pendent Order of Odd Fellows. New Members are given a one year subscription to the I.O.O.F. News. Please Robert W. Smith, Editor check the expiration on your paper and make The Sovereign Grand Lodge, I.O.O.F., Publisher. sure to continue your subscription by sending I.O.O.F. News is published bi-monthly at 422 Trade St. in the proper fee shown on the back of you NW, Winston-Salem, NC 27101-2830, U.S.A. paper. 2 - I.O.O.F. News — Vol. 16, Issue 5 Office of the Sovereign Grand Master Independent Order of Odd Fellows September 2013 Hello my Brothers and Sisters, The 187th Communication of The Sovereign Grand everyone what we are going to do, what we are Lodge is behind us and it is with joy and doing, and what we have done. As Lady Deborah expectation that I greet you as Sovereign Grand reminds us, you don’t light a light and then hide it. Master. It is indeed a humbling experience to You let it shine for all the world to see. And realize how much confidence you have placed in finally, we must work together. That’s me in electing me to this noble position. I never Management. If we are to grow, we must work realized how heavy a red collar could be until together today, to build tomorrow. Odd Fellowship brother Chuck placed it on my shoulders. My teaches us that we must set aside petty differences prayer is that God will grant me wisdom, patience and quarrels and work together in harmony and and discernment as we work together to bring our love. We are not to live by the letter of the law, but Order back to its glory days. in the spirit of Odd Fellowship. A little forgiveness The story of the Good Samaritan illustrates how goes a long way towards building the future. compassionate love can change a person’s life. The prophet Jeremiah tells us that God has There is no doubt the wounded mans attitude given us a hope and a future. Let’s claim that toward Samaritans changed. And, I’m sure the promise as we, turn on the lights and open the Samaritan’s life changed as well. It’s more than a doors, make a difference, work today to build cliché to say, “Changed lives change the world.” tomorrow, and change the world one person at a We don’t have to do everything, but we can do time. something. We can demonstrate love in our little part of the world. We can make a difference. We In F., L. & T. can change the world, one person at a time. This year I am encouraging each lodge to adopt a mission that is significant. Get involved in a Mission that will attract new and old members Robert “Bob” Smith alike. When we are doing something important, it demands attention and when people get involved, it brings a sense of satisfaction. Our members are all volunteers. We can’t make them do anything. But if our Mission is important to them, they will want to be involved. Our Motivation comes with the feeling that we are making a difference and changing our world. Everyone wants to be a part of something that is succeeding and growing. It’s the old bandwagon effect. Then, we need to advertise. We need to let the world know who we are. We need a Marketing program. We need to tell CHANGE THE WORLD — One Person at a Time “WE SEEK TO IMPROVE AND ELEVATE THE CHARACTER OF MAN” Vol. 16, Issue 5 — I.O.O.F. News - 3 Office of the President International Association of Rebekah Assemblies I.O.O.F. September 2013 Dear Sisters and Brothers, As I accept the office as your IARA President Scripture: Proverbs 16:3 – Entrust your works to the Today it brings a great Honor to me. A dream come Lord, and your plans will succeed. true, and the responsibility I assume as IARA President I Goals: Let us rededicate ourselves to the principles as accept with serious thoughts of my duties and will do set forth many long years ago by living and working in my very best to make all our workings run smoothly. peace and harmony with all our members. I became a Rebekah many years ago and have gone I would like to thank ALL who have made this through all the chairs in my local Rebekah Lodge and journey possible. Thank you to all the IARA Past served as Rebekah Assembly President of Kentucky. I Presidents who have always been there for me. To the have also served as Department Association President, Executive Board – IARA who has been a great help and LAPM. I am a member of all branches of the Order. continue to be of great assistance; and to the many past I was privileged to attend many jurisdictions with and present officers of The Sovereign Grand Lodge who my brother, Past Sovereign Grand Master Fred Laycock have been there when I could use a helping hand or – learning how the various jurisdictions conducted their advice; I say thank you from the bottom of my heart. meetings and all the great things they did. I pledge my support to SGM Robert ‘Bob’; Lady Communication was great, friendship the greatest, and Debra and General Commander K.D. – as we cover our lessons learned were a help to me in performing my travels this coming year working together for the duties and responsibilities in my own Lodge. betterment of our fraternal organization. My first IARA appointment was in 1994, and I dedicate my year to my parents and brother who started attending each year beginning in 1999. I were always there for me. My parents taught me the received appointments in the IARA from 2001 to 2007 principles of life, how to conduct myself and appreciate at which time I was asked to be on the Visual Research those fortunes that were given to me. They always Committee. In 2008 I was appointed to the IARA supported me in my life’s endeavors and I was given Finance Committee, and served in that capacity until I much love. My brother, PSGM Fred Laycock who was elected Warden in 2011. Each position held a pride encouraged me to always work on projects I really of duty and responsibility to our Order. wanted to succeed in. When I first ran for Warden and My program for the year: lost he said, “Don’t be discouraged, keep trying, you Motto: Make a Difference, Share a Smile! have the talent and Love for the Order.” Finally, when I Emblem: The HAWK – always knowing and looking was elected Warden, Fred said, “See, it was your time to for togetherness. According to legend, the Hawk is said win and you will do a great job.” Fred taught me the to be the guardian of the Earth. It symbolizes code – and how to use it. He encouraged me to learn, protection, safety, security and long life and continuity listen and study the workings of our great fraternal of life – unity, messenger and observer.