Join
How to Join
To join the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF), you must meet basic character and age requirements, secure a sponsor, and go through a formal application and voting process.
Core Membership Requirements
- • Age: You must be at least 16 years old for adult lodges (with junior/youth programs available for younger ages).
- • Character: You must be a person of good moral character, integrity, and honorable life.
- • Belief in a Supreme Being: You must acknowledge a belief in a Supreme Being or creator, though the fraternity is non-denominational and open to various religious faiths.
- • Civic Loyalty: You must be loyal to the laws of your country. The organization strictly forbids interference with a member’s personal political opinions or specific religious practices.
- • No Discrimination: Membership is open regardless of race, gender, nationality, social status, or sexual orientation.
The Application and Joining Process
- 1. Find a Sponsor: You typically need to be recommended or sponsored by a current member in good standing. You can meet members by contacting a local lodge directly through the Official IOOF Lodge Directory or attending a public lodge event.
- 2. Submit an Application: Fill out the formal application provided by the local lodge.
- 3. Interview and Review: Your application is reviewed by a membership committee. You will typically go through an interview process and may be asked to read a pledge book or meet various lodge members.
- 4. Lodge Vote: The existing lodge members vote (ballot) on your application.
- 5. Initiation and Dues: Upon approval, you pay an initiation fee and/or annual dues (which vary by local lodge) and undergo a traditional initiation ceremony through the lodge’s degrees (Initiatory, Friendship, Love, and Truth).
| Requirement Category | Details & Specifications |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | At least 16 years old for adult lodges |
| Moral & Civic Standing | Good character, honorable life, and loyalty to civil laws |
| Spiritual Belief | Belief in a Supreme Being (non-denominational) |
| Sponsorship | Required recommendation/sponsorship from a current member |
| Process Steps | Application, committee review/interview, member vote, and initiation ceremony |
| Financial Obligations | Local initiation fee and recurring annual lodge dues |