Oddfellows
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The Oddfellows is a British friendly society.
It was officially set up in 1810 to protect and care for its members, at a time when there was no welfare state, trade unions or National Health Service. The aim then was to provide help to members when they needed it; a tradition that's very much alive today.
Being a non-profit making Society, owned by its members, not shareholders, all its profits are passed back to the members in the form of benefits.
All members and their families have access to the Oddfellows Care Service - for advice on all aspects of care and health concerns. A network of Welfare Officers/Sick Visitors provide face-to-face contact for those members who require support. Members also have access to the Oddfellows Advice Service provided in conjunction with the Citizens Advice Bureau.
The Oddfellows are enthusiastic fundraisers for both local and national charities. Branches raise money for local good causes and the Society as a whole raises large amounts for charities.
Meaning of the name \"Odd Fellows\"
According to the official web site of the Independent Order of the Odd Fellows, the meaning behind their name is a mystery, even to the organization itself:
- There are several different reasons given for our strange name. One old and apparently authoritative history of Odd Fellowship gives the explanation, "That common laboring men should associate themselves together and form a fraternity for social unity and fellowship and for mutual help was such a marked violation of the trends of the times (England in the 1700's) that they became known as 'peculiar' or 'odd,' and hence they were derided as 'Odd Fellows.' Because of the appropriateness of the name, those engaged in forming these unions accepted it. When legally incorporated the title 'Odd Fellows' was adopted."
- Another, similar explanation is that the original Odd Fellows were men who were engaged in various or odd trades, as there were organizations for some of the larger trades.
- Modern references state that the true reason for the name Odd Fellows isn't known or documented. Whatever the reason may have been, the unusual name has been the object of public curiosity (and on occasion derision or mirth) for well over 200 years.[link]
See also
- Independent Order of Odd Fellows
- Grand United Order of Odd Fellows
External links
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