I would like to ask your permission to explore, research and interview a well known world wide organization. The name of the organization is, Independent Order of the Odd Fellows. If my idea is approved I will be able to give as much background information of the organization as possible. I will also hold interviews with local members of the Monroe County Odd Fellows organization. Unfortunately I will not be able to attend any of the actual meetings. I am able to be there before and after meetings though. The organization is very private. You have to be invited to join, and before you can be concerned a member you have to be sworn in. My goal is to explain to my audience what the Independent Order of the Odd Fellows is. Possibly some specific language and behaviors all the members have in common. If I am able to do my project on the Odd Fellows, I plan on going into as much detail as I possibly can.
If approved I plan on doing the following; I want to interview the oldest member of the Monroe County Independent Order of the Odd Fellows, with permission I would like to shadow an event of the group, hold as many interviews with other members, possibly ask for records of meetings, and gather any information the counsel and/or Monroe County Library and possibly City Hall can give me.
I believe it’ll be very accessible for me, although I will be limited on how much I am able to know about what goes on during the meetings. I believe I will still be able to gather enough information about what goes on within the organization and their goals. I am not all that familiar with the group, but I was awarded a scholarship from the organization. So I do know that they are very giving to their community. I believe they will help me out in everyway possible, without breaking their Odd Fellow codes. I know a few of the Monroe County Odd Fellow members personally, so I will have access to meeting dates, times and with permission; numbers to reach other members at. It will be very safe as well as legal. Most of the members I know are highly respectable members of my community. So I have no doubt in my mind that at any point will I feel uncomfortable with this topic.
Overall I believe that this will be very awarding to me personally and educationally, because I’ve always wanted to know a little more about the organization. It’ll be nice for an outsider to get a sneak peak at what goes on in this organization. I look forward to all the work I’ll be putting into this project, as well as the outcome.
