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California Odd Fellowship has a proud and noble history. Many California "firsts" were accomplished by members of The Three Link Fraternity. Frequently the first substantial building in a community was the Odd Fellows Hall. In many instances these buildings, in addition to providing a home for the local lodge, also served as a focal point for most community social activities. The Odd Fellows Hall also served as the site for town meetings, municipal court proceedings and voting places. Most of the state's early business and political leaders were members of the Order. Frequently the first law and order in gold rush mining camps and much of the medical care, especially in time of epidemics, was supplied by local Odd Fellows. As California changed from a mining economy to an agricultural economy, and later to an entertainment, commercial and high-tech economy, California Odd Fellowship also has been very prominent.

Most of this handbook was adapted from The Three Link Fraternity, Odd Fellowship in California, (see History and Then and Now) and the Membership Handbook of the General Federation of Women's Clubs. I thank them for the help without which this handbook could not have been written.

Odd Fellows in all jurisdictions are encouraged to copy this manual, add information specific to their jurisdiction, add other information from this Web site , and produce a Membership Handbook useful for their own lodges and areas.

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