The decline of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows?

Factual Questions
61

There was an old building labeled “the IOOF hall” on the main street of the town where I grew up, but even then it was on its last legs. I don’t know whether the building still exists. :: checks street view :: nope, it’s been replaced by condos.

The Royal Canadian Legion had a newer building that was built around 1949. It still exists.

I did not know about the insurance aspect of this. Makes sense… the heyday of these organizations was before public health insurance for one (that came about in Canada in the 1960s).

I know a couple of people in BNI, but it doesn’t quite fit for an independent author.

62

BNI is but one of dozens such small business persons’ mutaul backscratching clubs.

63

I was largely kind of ignorant of the IOOF until I was in my 40s. Around then, I was in my first band with an Oddfellow, and am in a different band with another one now. Through them, I found out that a club in Deep Ellum that I’ve played in quite a few times over the last couple of decades is an offshoot of IOOF. They have their meetings there, and that’s the reason the tapestry behind the stage has the “We Never Sleep” motto of the Ancient Mystic Order of Samaritans on it. The name of the club is also associated with IOOF.

https://threelinksdeepellum.com/

So, there is at least an active group in Dallas. It’s probably my favorite place to play, even though load in/load out and parking in Deep Ellum is a nightmare.

64

“Sorry folks, The Moose is closed. Park out front shoulda told ya.”

65

Here in Australia the IOOF still exists as an insurance and superannuation company.
There is a sizeable building in the city (well sizeable by our lowly standards) still branded IOOF, although I know most of it is leased out to other companies now.

The company seems to run as an accredited super fund, but pushes the additional income protection insurance capability of the product. A couple of decades ago Australians became able to choose their super fund, breaking the ties to their employer’s chosen fund. This meant that you could pick a fund for life, no matter how many times you changed jobs, or move funds if you were dissatisfied. So the modern day IOOF competes in this space. IOOF seems to be little more than branding now. The history of how they got there would be interesting. Zero history on their web site sadly.

66

Sounds like the insurance company Geico here, formally Government Employees’ Insurance Co. but long ago expanded beyond covering civil servants.

As an aside, the word or phrase superfund creates a verrrry different image in an American mind than retirement money. :scream: :slightly_smiling_face:

67

Uh, yes. I didn’t think of that. :grinning:

68

There’s a useful and mercifully short overview here, or Geoffrey Blainey’s corporate history if you really have nothing better to do.

Apparently strong competition historically between them and Manchester Unity, another similar player in the same general space.

69

The Travelers Protective Association was another organization that basically existed (it still exists, but with a much lower profile) to provide insurance for members. Back in the early 80s, my company had a client contact who was really big into TPA. We warned everyone who we expected to come into contact with him that they should be prepared to fork over a couple dollars to join TPA. My company would reimburse them, since it was an easy way to keep on his good side.

I have no idea why he was so vigorous in his efforts. Did he get a kickback, or did it just mean better coverage for all TPA members when they had so many?