Odd Fellows of Van Nuys

Pangaea is a worthy nonprofit that every lodge should consider supporting.

A Poem taken from the 1834 Oddfellows Magazine In this wide Universe, there's no place found so sweet As the Lodge where so many in harmony meet, Where we sit a...nd converse with true brotherly love, And prepare for to meet in the Grand Lodge above: The pleasure such meetings to Oddfellows impart, Makes the joys of Oddfellowship reign in each heart. Yet it is not that nature hath been so profuse To bestow on us blessings for our only use:- Nor is it because we are above common man:- Nor yet that our lives will be lenghten'd a span:- Oh,no ! 'Tis a pleasure so refined in the heart, That all pure Oddfellows to their brethren impart. The knowledge that sickness or distress ne'er comes here, But is quickly relieved- makes our Lodges more dear; 'Tis then we best feel our disposition improve, When we excercise Charity, for Friendship and Love ! Envy, hatred and malice, from the Lodge must depart, For Friendship, Love and Truth, reign firm in each heart. With what pleasure divine true Oddfellows are blest. When they're met in the Lodge to relieve the distrest, Where the turmoils of life for a time here do cease, For harmony crowns all our meetings with peace ! Oh ! the last breath of life from my breast will depart, Ere the joys of Oddfellowship fade from my heart.

PROJECT: Odd Fellows Hall LOCATION: Dumaguete City, Philippines BACKGROUND: Evolving from the traditions of the trade guilds in England more than 250 years ago..., the Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.) was organized in North America in 1819 by 5 members from England. The early Lodges were first established in the Philippines in 1872 until Manila Lodge No.1 finally received its charter in 1902. One of its early purposes was to provide aid for members and when suffering for the needs of life because of illness, unemployment, or other misfortunes. The relief or sustenance of members, of their families and close relatives, of their widows and orphans in case of death, appears to have been the purpose of Odd Fellowship in its beginning when social security system and national health insurance was still in-existent. At present, the Odd Fellows is a worldwide ethical and humanitarian fraternal order with about 10,000 Lodges in 30 countries, dedicated to "genuine friendships, character improvement through ethical teachings, mutual-assistance and simple acts of charity". Ideally, the Odd Fellows Hall project in Dumaguete City, Philippines, is a venue for wholesome fellowship in all its forms, from teaching the principles and goals of Odd Fellowship as exemplified in the degrees of initiation, to strengthening the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood, to hanging out and just enjoying each other's company, to discussion, to networking, to collaboration on creative and constructive projects, to doing charity works and organizing fund-raising activities, all with an eye not only on our members own satisfaction but on what the Odd Fellows and Rebekahs might offer to the community at large. An ideal Odd Fellows Hall is a great venue for a lot of positive energy and all members are encouraged to contribute their share. In Addition, the Odd Fellows also provide an international social network of brothers and sisters that extends to more than 30 countries worldwide. If traveling is an interest, membership can provide a valuable network and international visitors are very much welcome to benefit from the building and our members will assist in their enterprises, and certainly their travels wherever possible With this building, the Odd Fellows aim to provide a tool to help our lodges do more: - Headquarters for national expansion and development (Transitory Grand Lodge office for the Odd Fellows Philippines) - Headquarters for future relief operations and fund-raising activities and more community projects to help those in need (scholarships, concerts for a cause, dinner for a cause, etc.) - Preserving the teachings and principles of Odd Fellowship through its ancient ceremonies (After this, a 5-year organizational development and membership training plan will follow assuring the quality and knowledge of members). - Teaching servant leadership and teamwork skills to member) - A home away from home for college students and young professionals who are far from their families, providing them a wholesome venue for their spare time, keeping them away from vices through the principles of Odd Fellowship. - A sustainable development for Odd Fellows as an organization (An income-generating building (boarding house for rent on ground floor) upon which the proceeds will be used to maintain the property and support the philanthropic projects of the organization). - More members, more man-power to do more good things. After it went defunct during World War II and its revival in 2009, the Odd Fellows have expanded over P10 million in relief efforts, philanthropic projects and civic causes in the country. Members have also rendered hundreds of volunteer hours in community service. The lodges in Dumaguete City ranked Top 3 in 2012, top 1 in 2013, and top 4 in 2014 among 71 organizations recognized by Silliman University. PROPONENTS: Watchdog Lodge No.1, Samahang Sillimanian Lodge No.3, Dumaguete Encampment No.1, Negros Canton No.1., I.O.O.F. Rex Boyson P. Olpoc, Louie Blake S. Sarmiento, Anatoly Karpov P. Buss, Armel B. Cabale, and Rena Vey R. Flores. For donations, please send check to: Name: Sovereign Grand Lodge, I.O.O.F 422 Trade Street, Winston-Salem North Carolina 27101 U.S.A. Write in memo: I.O.O.F Hall Philippines ESTIMATE COST: P 8.3 Million ($188,636) THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT. BUILDING CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS.