The R.A.O.B.?

What is the RAOB?

The RAOB is a worldwide men's charity organisation made up of different sections (known as banners), it's not just a social club or a "dummy club", but rather an organisation that believes all men are equal.

The RAOB or Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes stand for fun, friendship and sharing the burden the burden of life.

Why Buffaloes?

Because, many years ago, at every meeting they use to sing a popular song of the day "Hunt the Buffalo".    

What do you do?

The RAOB,Buffaloes (or "Buffs" as we are better known) gather together around the world at different times in what we call Minor Lodges.  It is from there that the beginning our our Order is created.  It is from this point that money is then raised and collated and decided upon got give to local, national and international charities.  Within the confines of the "Lodge" we also raise money for internal charitable accounts.  We also raise money for Benevolent purposes within our own lodge as well as contributing voluntarily to our Grand Lodge.

Quite simply, we hold a type of "Kangaroo Court".  Believe us it's great fun.  No matter what you do in a lodge, you'll be very unlikely to be found "Not Guilty!".  We don't ask for ££'s, we only ask for pennies, the main thing is that you are there, and if you are your in for a good night out with the lads or "Brothers" as we like to call ourselves.  The money is separated into different fund accounts and distributed at the will and pleasure of the members of the Lodge.  To ensure that everything is above board, an executive committee is there to oversee that everything is done fairly and they take the form of Lodge Secretary, Lodge Treasurer and two or more Lodge Trustees.

Well, there are a couple of things that we must first establish, firstly, to become a member of our Order you should be of a sound character.  We ask that you are a true and loyal supporter of the Countries rules to which you reside, and in the case of the Grand Lodge of England, a loyal supporter of the Crown and Constitution.  You must be over the age of 18.  There is no reason why you can't join in.  It's just a bit of good community spirited fun with the added bonus of raising money for good causes!

The RAOB as well as being made up of different sections or banners has within its own sect further advances.  In the case of Grand Lodge of England, it is made up of three parts.  Those being Minor Lodges, Provincial Grand Lodges and itself, The Grand Lodge.  Each Minor Lodge elects two or more delegates to represent them at a regional meeting normally held once a month.  This is known as Provincial Grand Lodge.  There are normally 5 or more Minor Lodges which make up this Provincial Grand Lodge.  It is from there that decisions are made on how the Order runs within its own "Province" or "Area".

Firstly, each member of Provincial Grand Lodge needs to be a member of a Minor Lodge.  Then, there are certain rules which must be followed in order to be part of that Provincial Grand Lodge.  We have what are called degrees.  This ensures that only those that move up degrees have an understanding of the rules and can make key decisions on how to adapt them to their Province and Minor Lodge.  The main difference being between the two lodges is Minor officers run the Minor Lodge, Provincial Grand Lodge elect Officers to run Provincial Grand Lodge and within that, delegates meet to discuss problems and deal with finances within the area and keep up to date with the way things are running within the area.

Officers of a Minor Lodge are simply elected to carry out the wishes of the members of the lodge.  They all have different roles to play. For instance, the Registrar ensures that the registrations are correct.  The Secretary keeps minutes of the meetings, the Treasurer banks the money on behalf of the lodge and so on.

Obviously there are a lot more officers with different jobs to do, however, if you become involved in what we do, you will see what they do and why.  Not that it's a secret, but rather, if we were to disclose everything to you now, that would  take away all the fun of being a society with secrets.

To become a member of our Order we will put you through an initiation process.  Now before you stop at this point, don't worry, we are not going to harm you in anyway.  If after completing a Nomination Form the Lodge accept it, the initiation then takes the shape of you being blindfolded before being brought into a lodge.

The reason for the blindfold is simply to know that you really do desire to become a member of our order and if you decided half way through that you don't wish to continue, we can take you back outside the confines of the lodge and remove the blindfold and you are none the wiser as to what is contained within it.  That might sound strange, but again, what we have in lodge is a secret and only those that continue see why. 

Different Degrees.

Within each Minor Lodge, as previously touched on, we have Minor Lodge officers.  Each member of the lodge start off as a 1st Degree Brother or "Kangaroo". 

First Degree "Kangaroo"

The reason for the name "Kangaroo" we're not too sure, however, we would go as far as to say that as the officers change hands each month, so the "Kangaroo" hops about the lodge learning the different jobs involved.  It is from there after learning the different jobs that each officer does and familiarising himself with the Rules of the Order with a Rule Book that a  Kangaroo Brother can, if he so wish, put his name forward to advance to the Second Degree.

Illustration of a First Degree Jewel

Second Degree "Primo"

The Second Degree is known as a "Primo".  A Primo is a Brother who has been a Kangaroo Brother and decided to prove he knows the rules of the Order and can help make decisions on a greater scale to improve the Order and it's running.  Before becoming a Primo, he must sit an oral examination whereby he is tested on his abilities to conduct a lodge, to know rules and to be able to conduct an initiation ceremony should it arise.  This is the key to future progress and we are taught this through ceremonies.

Illustration of Second Degree Jewel

Third Degree "Knight Order of Merit"

As mentioned earlier, upon serving a number of years as a Primo, the lodge may feel they want to promote your status as a Primo further.  We do this in the form of another degree known as a Knighthood. From there you learn more about the Order and again after a ceremony, you are given new signs and passwords to enter into a Knights Chapter, meeting other Knights and enjoying the pleasures and virtues appertaining to that degree.

Illustration of the Third Degree Jewel

Fourth Degree "Roll of Honour"

Through years of service to the Order, the lodge may wish to bestow upon you more gifts.  This gift being in the form of a jewel and you bearing the title "Right Honourable Sir".  Further, your name will be inscribed within a book of all those who have attained this high degree in the Grand Lodge of England.  This is the highest of the degrees that you can obtain, however you can go further and maybe that one day, become the Grand Primo of All England.

Any member of the RAOB GLE is entitled to attend Grand Lodge of England meetings which are held once a quarter over different parts of the country.  Even if you're a first degree brother!  All brothers attend as visitors, however, if you're a member of Provincial Grand Lodge, just like sending delegates from Minor Lodge, PGL does the same to Grand Lodge.  It is these that have the opportunity to vote on national issues and resolve disputes within other Provinces over the interpretation of the rule.

The Setup of the Order

Grand Lodge (Head Lodge of all Lodges)

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