July 1-31 in the Seven Stars Gallery: Vlatka Varga and Kurt Niederhaus
All posts by Eric Tomb
The Ribbon is Cut
A festive crowd thronged the Seven Stars Gallery to see Tynowyn cut the ribbon to officially declare it open (though it's been unofficially displaying art and hosting events since the spring of 2022).
Richard Stockton at the Seven Stars Gallery Saturday June 17
Paper Works at the Seven Stars Gallery to Nov. 30th Artists’ Reception Saturday November 19
Video of Susan Suntree reading from her books on 16 October 2022
Is our Lodge ready for change? Here are some good ideas from the Davis Lodge.
Dedicated Members for Change
Odd Fellowship came to the North American Continent in the early part of the 19th Century, and flourished. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows spread rapidly from coast to coast, forming thousands of Lodges with hundreds of thousands of members. And for over 100 years, Odd Fellowship grew in membership and strength. But in the 20th Century, in a changing society, we started to see a decline in membership. And after World War II ended in 1945, membership started a steady and alarming downward spiral. From 1945 to 2010 – a period spanning three generations – IOOF in California, and the rest of North America – saw a precipitous drop in membership. In California, membership dropped by over 90%. Clearly, the decline was unsustainable.
In 2010, three strong and dedicated members of this Order decided “enough was enough” and they formed a progressive group of brothers and sisters focused on changing this Order to fit the needs of a changing society. The goal was simple: Increase membership in this Order. The three brothers are Don Smith (Past Grand Master of California and Past Sovereign Grand Master), Rick Boyles (today serving as Junior Past Grand Master) and Dave Rosenberg (today serving as Deputy Grand Master of California). The group they formed became known as “Dedicated Members for Change” or “DMC” – dedicated to ways to stop and reverse the decline in membership. More specifically, DMC is dedicated to keeping our focus on the need to evolve so that we can grow, and in suggesting ways that members and Lodges can bring in new members and retain existing members.
Since 2010, DMC has published a “DMC Newsletter” which comes out via e-mail and includes articles from DMC members – all focused on membership, membership, membership. Since 2010, over 100 DMC Newsletters have been published. The DMC e-mail list has grown from about 20 charter members to hundreds today. If you wish to be included in the e-mail matrix list of DMC members, simply send an e-mail to daverose@jps.net and you will be added to the list!
On this website, for information, history, and posterity, we are engaged in the process of re-publishing the DMC Newsletters from December 2010 to the present day. Feel free to share these DMC Newsletters with your friends and Lodge mates!
Is this for you?
Are you Odd? Do you want to be Odd? Or are you just interested in exactly what Odds do? Whatever your situation this book may be for you.
NEW BOOK “THE ODD FELLOWS’ PRIMER” TO BE RELEASED SUMMER 2021
This manual will be a must have for any member looking for further instruction.
Michael Greenzeiger, DGM (CA) and Ainslie Heilich, SGL Webmaster (IL) are excited to release “The Odd Fellows’ Primer.” There has been a huge need for updated educational materials for members to reference for the ritual, business, and administrative workings of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for many years. This book is several years in the making and began when Greezeiger was Grand Instructor of California. Heilich came on board in 2019 to start the illustration process.
“The Odd Fellow’s Primer” is cut from the same fabric as the great 19th century Odd Fellow manuals like Grosh and Donaldson. Greenzeiger’s writing style and presentation are a nod to these inspirational books of the past and are accompanied by Heilich’s historically inspired illustrations. Together they work to capture the vitality and passionate ideals that helped our Odd Fellow ancestors achieve great things which they hope to instill in every member who reads this book. Prepare to be inspired.
This project is a labor of love and all proceeds from the first year will go to Michael Greenzeiger’s Grand Master Project. Following that, all proceeds will be used for the “Good of the Order”.
The Odd Fellows’ Primer will be available for purchase on Amazon and bulk discounts for Lodges will be available.
