Welcome to the Owl and Scimitar Informatory Society

The Owl and Scimitar Informatory Society (OASIS) is a volunteer-run 501(c)3 nonprofit historical society dedicated to educating on the history of satirical fraternal organizations by:

1. Collecting, preserving and displaying historical documents and artifacts
2. Establishing a public museum
3. Publishing related scholarly materials
4. Organizing symposia to share knowledge

OASIS is focused in particular on the satirical organizations associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In the 1920's there were many different fez-wearing Odd Fellows organizations dedicated to the lighter side of fraternity including the Oriental Order of Humility and Perfection, the Imperial Order of Muscovites, the Pilgrim Knights of Oriental Splendor, the Ancient Mystic Order of Cabirians, and the Veiled Prophets of Baghdad. The groups merged together to form the "Ancient Mystic Order of Samaritans" (AMOS) in 1925. These groups were known to put on public spectacles, including parades and musical or other performances. At it's peak, the organization had over 100,000 members throughout the United States and Canada. On the women's side, the "Ladies of the Orient" (LOTO) was founded in 1915 by a group of women who belonged to the Rebekahs, the women's group corresponding to the Odd Fellows. Unlike many other women's fraternal bodies, LOTO was founded by the women themselves who created their own organization complete with an initiation ceremony that is said to turn traditional notions of womanhood on their head. Thus, LOTO could also be considered an early feminist organization.

OASIS was founded in 2020 and received its 501(c)3 designation from the IRS in 2021. It is structured as a membership society with dues paying members entitled to vote on candidates for the Board of Directors and other matters to come before the membership at the annual meeting of members on the third Sunday in July each year. Voting strength of each member is determined by lifetime cumulative donation total and members must pay the minimum dues each year in order to remain active.

Members receive a lapel pin with the emblem of OASIS in a different color depending on their membership tier. Members will also be given access to the repository of important historical documents that are being digitized through the efforts of the Society.