Greetings from the Grand Master
To all Brothers & Sisters of our Grand Order:
It is with great honour and humility that I welcome you to our website and to what I hope will be a meaningful and inspiring year together.
As I begin my one-year term, I am reminded of the values that have guided Odd Fellows for generations: Friendship, Love, and Truth, and our commitment to helping those in need within our communities. These principles are more than words—they are a call to action and a responsibility that we share as members of this great Order.
My motto for this year is: “Let Your Light Shine So That Others Can See Their Way Out Of The Dark.”
My emblem, the Lighthouse, represents the heart of that message. A lighthouse does not ask who is approaching its shore. It simply shines. Through darkness, storms, and uncertainty, its light provides direction, reassurance, and hope. In much the same way, each of us has the ability to be a light for someone else.
Sometimes that light may be a helping hand.
Sometimes it may be a kind word, a listening ear, or a simple act of compassion.
And sometimes it may be a project that creates lasting change in the lives of others.
During this term, I am particularly proud to draw attention to two important projects that reflect our commitment to service:
The IOOF Seniors Home — a place where care, dignity, compassion, and community come together to support our seniors and ensure that they are valued and respected.
St. Matt’s House in Hamilton — an important example of how our Order can shine a light for people who may be facing difficult and uncertain times, offering support, hope, and a path forward.
These projects remind us that our work as Odd Fellows reaches far beyond our Lodge rooms.
Our true impact is measured by the lives we touch and the difference we make when someone needs a light to guide them.
I invite every member across Ontario to make this year one of participation, fellowship, compassion, and action. Let us share our ideas, celebrate one another’s accomplishments, support our Lodges and communities, and continue the proud tradition of service that has defined the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
As we move forward together, may we remember that no single lighthouse illuminates an entire coastline.
It takes many lights, shining together, to guide people safely through the darkness.
Let us be those lights.
Let us continue to shine for our seniors, for our communities, for those who are struggling, and for generations of Odd Fellows yet to come.
And above all, let us live our motto—not simply by speaking it, but by putting it into action every day:
“Let Your Light Shine So That Others Can See Their Way Out Of The Dark.”
Welcome to our website. Welcome to this new year of service. And welcome to the journey ahead.
With Friendship, Love and Truth,
Brother Mark Volkov – Grand Master of Ontario
Grand Master 2026-2027 of the Grand Lodge of Ontario.