What it is, where it is, who it is, and why you should care!
Grand Lodge Sessions is a meeting for all of the representatives of the lodges of our jurisdiction to set the direction of Odd Fellowship, by selecting leaders, updating code, and considering resolutions for the coming year. This year, Grand Lodge Sessions is being held at the Peppermill Resort in Reno, NV. The meetings will be May 15th – 17th.
Prior to this are meetings of our ancillary grand bodies – i.e. the Encampment and Patriarch’s Militant branches. Rebekah Assembly runs simultaneously with Grand Lodge, and it’s not unusual for someone to be representative at both, though of course, they have to choose where to spend the balance of their time.
The representatives who can vote must be Past Grands of a California Odd Fellows Lodge or Past Noble Grands of a California Rebekah Lodge. Lodges are allocated a certain number of representatives based on their size, and can select which eligible members use those slots.
Third degree members of a California Odd Fellows Lodge are also welcome to attend, but need the endorsement of their lodge secretary to verify the status of their membership.
Some of the business that comes up at Sessions directly affects every Odd Fellow in California. There will be the usual work of budgets, hiring new board members and directors, updating code, presenting reports, and assigning representatives to Sovereign Grand Lodge (our international governing body).
This year there will also be discussions of raising member dues, use of endowment funds, income expectations for the Three Links Camp, and the physical location of the Grand Lodge offices. More specific information about all of this can be found at caioof.org (scroll to the bottom and click “Grand Lodge 2025 Advance Proceedings”).
Some lodges have committees to share the work of reviewing the reports, bills, resolutions, and proposed budget. Even if you can’t go, you can share your ideas with your representatives. Remember, Grand Lodge belongs to all of us!
— By Debbie Wolf