IOOF Oustomah Lodge No.16

Still awaiting the outcome of Secretary Stewart's "trial" in Nevada City consequent to his "whistle-blowing" reportage to the Grand Lodge. While the charges made against the Secretary had to do with his disclosure of financial misconduct over several years due to conflicts of interest among "trustees" acting as a self-appointed "Board of Directors there are upwards 20 now "purged" members of that Lodge anticipating the outcome... Membership and participation at formal Lodge ...meetings in Nevada City have now reached almost an all-time low with many "in arrears..." According to Stewart; every possible opportunity hs been afforded the Grand Lodge to address these issues through specific procedures in both the Califonia Code, those authorities ascribed to the Sovereign Grand Lodge. Despite protracted time limits afforded - no subsequent civil actions are anticipated at this juncture. See more

Good to see at least one Lodge taking proactive measures to help the local community... where's the Odd Fellows? Nevada City Elks Lodge #518 ATTN all In the vicinity of Nevada city and grass valley:... PG&E is providing power outage relief devices and services to all residents in the area, this includes the following packet as well as water, charging stations, snacks, and, bathroom facilities located at: Nevada City Elks Lodge 518 North Highway 49 Nevada City, CA 95959

Good to see at least one Lodge taking proactive measures to help the local community... Nevada City Elks Lodge #518 ATTN all In the vicinity of Nevada city and grass valley:... PG&E is providing power outage relief devices and services to all residents in the area, this includes the following packet as well as water, charging stations, snacks, and, bathroom facilities located at: Nevada City Elks Lodge 518 North Highway 49 Nevada City, CA 95959

Preparing an update on developments within the Lodge...

Now - during this time of true trial and tribulation for our good neighbors of Paradise - what is Nevada City Odd Fellows doing for them in their real time of need?

Yes, there are things in the works, issues to discuss that affect Odd Fellowship soon... Thank you for checking in!

So, as once again thousands of our fellow Californians are faced with evacuation because of wildfires - what is Oustomah Lodge actually going to do to help our neighbors in their plight?

So why do Lodges fail? Despite the enthusiastic support in Nevada City in 2016 of a whole new generation - this Lodge has failed. For the many who have joined in expectation of "doing good," of aiding "the widows and orphans" and "relieving the distressed" - Oustomah has become a hollow shell and a false promise. For anyone actually interested in preserving our Order, in honoring our Traditions (of Ritual, Secret Works and form) - this will serve as a "learning moment." Odd ...Fellow has a long and honorable tradition; based on altruism, community service and true brotherhood - but when the very tenets of our Order become so debased that they disallow the active initiation of new members - because of their politics, religion, race or cultural ethnicity and use the very processes, who "liberally construe" our Code to deny others qualified for and to the benefits of Odd Fellowship - that is the time to re-assess the true meaning of Odd Fellowship. The Grand Lodge is not to blame - for in their work and letters, the great words of support for encouraging and welcoming new generations into our Order have not been ignored - even so, the strictures of previous generations - not eschewing their political leanings and cultural, even racial prejudices still color this Lodge, if not others. How to be gentle and non-critical, to be welcoming even of those who are unwelcoming - that is the challenge of Odd Fellows during these turbulent times. See more

Closed Lodges, declining membership - these are things that should be thought about. Why do Lodges fail? In Nevada City - this has become a big issue. Regardless of our historical significance, regardless of the renewed interest in the Order and the "enlistment" of many new members - the Lodge is failing. The obvious question - is why? The answers reside in all the Grand Lodge letters to the membership; and yet it seems they have fallen on deafened ears. Despite the best ener...gies of a younger generation with an eye to the future, they have been shut out. Why? There are many answers to that; but the best responses to their disclusion has already been made - in the many supportive letters from the Grand Lodge which shine a light on a better path for the Odd Fellows as a modern Order. If Oustomah Lodge serves as a microscosm; than the Odd Fellows as an Order itself is in jeopardy - regardless of the individual members' altruism and trust. These are the issues that each and every Odd Fellow must address in their hearts - how really "open" is our Order? See more

Our Sunday Social is tomorrow! Hope you're all hungry!