Membership Categories:

Regular:

Regular membership in an Odd Fellow Lodge is opened to any man from the age of 18 on and for membership in a Rebekah Lodge, to any woman from 18 years or more. Prospective members must be sponsored by a lodge member and be of good character, be loyal to their country and believe in a Supreme Being. To be eligible to hold the office of Vice Grand the member must have served two terms as an appointed or desk officer for the lodge. A candidate for Noble Grand must have served as Vice Grand.

Associate:

An Odd Fellow may join any other lodge as an Associate. A Rebekah may only join one other Lodge as an Associate Member. In California, there are "Historical Lodges", in which associate membership is special, and does not preclude associate membership in another Rebekah Lodge.

Life:

In California, Odd Fellows may become Life Members if their lodge by-laws so provide. Rebekahs do not have life members at this time.

Noncontributing:

If a person has been a member for 40 years or more and can not afford to pay dues, that member may petition the lodge to become a noncontributing member. They must give evidence as to their lack of ability to pay. The Lodge investigates, reports and then votes on whether or not to allow noncontributing status.

Affiliated Degrees Encampments:

Encampments:

There are other units of the Order known as Encampments. This is open to any Third Degree member. This organization within Odd Fellows confers three additional Degrees - The Patriarchal, Golden Rule and Royal Purple Degree - on its members. The membership of each Encampment is usually drawn from several Odd Fellow Lodges in an Area. The LEA or Ladies Encampment Auxiliary is open to any Rebekah Sister and usually meets on the same night as the Encampment. The Degree for Matriarchs is based in Faith, Hope and Charity. In California, the Encampment branches are encouraged to help with disaster preparedness.

Patriarchs Militant Degree:

An Encampment member who has attained the Royal Purple Degree may join this semi-military organization. They wear uniforms but accept non-unformed members. This Degree is based upon the principles of Universal Justice. The LAPM or Ladies Auxiliary of the Patriarchs Militant is open to any Rebekah Sister. One of its services to Odd Fellowship is providing first aid through their Hospital Corps. In California, the uniformed degrees are working on forming disaster-preparedness teams.

Junior Odd Fellows:

Junior Lodges are opened to any boy between the ages of 8 and 21 (although some jurisdictions may have a higher minimum age). There are several Junior Lodges in California.

Theta Rho Girls Clubs:

Theta Rho Girls Clubs are for girls between the ages of 8 and 21 (although some jurisdictions may have a higher minimum age). There are well over a dozen of these clubs in California.

Advantages of Membership Benefits:

Benefits:

An Odd Fellow or Rebekah may visit any one of the more than 400 Odd Fellow or Rebekah Lodges in the state. All you need is your membership card that entitles you to attend any meeting in the state. With the Annual Traveling Password you may visit any Lodge in the country and many in Europe.

Camps:

The Three Links Camp in Mi Wuk Village has facilities for campers, motor homes, cabins, a chapel that holds 170, a pool and fully equipped kitchen, that are available for members use at a nominal fee. Odd Fellows Sierra Park has 363 lots with homes or cabins with a man made lake. It is located in Long Barn. Odd Fellows Russian River Park has 1,100 cabin sites and is located on the Russian River at Guerneville. Redding Odd Fellows Camp is in Shasta County off Route 229 West. With 76 home sites and two creeks running through it, it is deep in Redwood country.

Homes:

The Odd Fellows Home in Saratoga is located in the heart of the city of beautiful Saratoga, in Santa Clara County. With 238 beds it offers independent and assisted living as well as a full skilled nursing unit with 68 beds. Individuals and couples may apply for admission. Fellowship Plaza is senior housing for those with limited income. 150 apartments are located adjacent to the Odd Fellows Home in Saratoga. California Odd Fellows and Rebekah Children's Home is in Gilroy and currently serves as a temporary home and treatment facility for abused and/or severely disturbed children. Ocean View Plaza is in Half Moon Bay and only opened to senior residents of Half Moon Bay. Meadows of Napa Valley is the newest acquisition by Odd Fellows in California. This complex provides 229 units for senior citizens and has just opened its new 68 bed state-of-the-art skilled nursing facility and a new swimming pool.