By an unanimous vote of the Representatives present at the 180th Communication held in Winston-Salem, North Carolina (USA), The Sovereign Grand Lodge issued a Charter to the Grand Lodge of Europe on August 24th, 2006.
Charter Text
The Sovereign Grand Lodge of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows
Friendship, Love and Truth
To all whom it may concern:
Know ye that The Sovereign Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, by virtue of the authority vested in it, doth hereby create into distinct independence in Odd Fellowship the
Grand Lodge of Europe
with power in all matters relating to Odd Fellowship within the territory and jurisdiction known as the continent of Europe as hereby described: Europe is bounded to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the west by the Atlantic Ocean, to the south by the Mediterranean Sea, and - according to the traditional geographic definition - to the south east by the waterways adjoining the Mediterranean to and including the Black Sea and the Caucasus Mountains (in Caucasia). Europe's eastern frontier is vague, but has traditionally been given as the divide of the Ural Mountains and the Caspian Sea to the south-east. The Urals are considered by most to be a geographical and tectonic landmark separating Asia from Europe; except the lands known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
And said Grand Lodge is authorized and empowered to direct, supervise and control all matters pertaining to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows within the jurisdiction of said Grand Lodge.
Provided always, that said Grand Lodge shall render strict obedience to the customs and usages of the Order, in that it shall forever continue to be bound to charitable and beneficent works in visiting the sick, reliving the distressed, burying the dead and educating the orphan; in the performance of all those reciprocal duties and benevolence which spring from our recognition of a Supreme Being and the Brotherhood of Man and from the inculcation and practices of Friendship, Love and Truth.
Given under the seal of The Sovereign Grand Lodge and the signatures of its Officers, at Winston-Salem, State of North Carolina in the United States of America, this 24th day of August, 2006 and of our beloved Order the 188th year.
Attest:
Sovereign Grand Secretary
Sovereign Grand Master
Deputy Sovereign Grand Master
Sovereign Grand Warden
