By the M.W. Grand Junior Director, M.W. Sister Shirley
McCooeye.

"The Junior Orange Association is the foundation of the Orange Family". The first Junior Orange Lodge recorded was instituted August 1915 in Manitoba. The next Lodge was formed in Ontario on November 29th, 1927 as a mixed lodge (boys/girls) and on December 2nd 1927 a boy's lodge was instituted in London, Ontario. On February 4th, 1929 another mixed lodge was formed in Hamilton, Ontario.

The Junior Orange Association exists for the purpose of bringing together boys and girls of Protestant parents, and uniting them in an organization in the principles of Orangeism and Protestantism. It instills in them loyalty to the Canadian flag, the English language, the public school system and the importance of the Union Jack - emblem of allegiance to the Crown.

The renowned motto of the Loyal Orange Association - "Equal Rights to All and Special Privileges for None" is revered by all Branches of the Orange Family and its members are called upon to do all within their power to promote greater interest in the public school and the fostering of loyalty to the British Commonwealth.

The Junior Orange Association is now under the jurisdiction of the Ladies' Orange Benevolent Association of Canada, but both recognize the Grand Orange Lodge of Canada as the governing body even though they both are autonomous.

Boys and girls from five years of age (pending other standard qualifications) are eligible for membership until the age of nineteen when they will be encouraged to join the other senior branches. Boys are encouraged to join the Orange Young Briton Association at age twelve and then the Loyal Orange Lodge (men) at sixteen years while girls age sixteen are encouraged to join the Ladies Orange Benevolent Association (LOBA).

Meetings of the Junior Orange Lodge (JOL) follow the formal format of parliamentary procedures and there is generally one regular meeting each month. Members are duly notified should the meeting schedule be changed for any particular reason.

Each Junior Lodge consists of 14 officers who are elected and installed each November or December and candidates for office are verbally nominated by members in attendance at each annual meeting. Officers hold their respective offices for a period of one year or until such time as their successors are elected and installed.

There is also an initiation fee required to join the JOL which covers the first year's dues but annual dues will be charged thereafter. Upon joining the JOL members will be presented with a copy of the Constitution and Laws of the Junior Orange Association, a 24 Golden Rules Card, Dues Card, and a King James version of the Holy Bible.

It is hoped that members will gain leadership skills, confidence, an overall sense of self-satisfaction and learn how to be a team player. All members receive and participate in Christian fellowship with the reading of Scripture and the singing of hymns at all meetings.

There are active Junior Orange Lodges in the following provinces: British Columbia, Ontario West, Ontario East, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and I'm pleased to report that both Newfoundland and Ontario East each instituted one new Junior Lodge this year.

I personally would like to challenge each province as a Millenium Project, to institute at least one new Junior Lodge and more if they
can, and to also increase the membership of all existing Junior
Lodges.

Thank you for the opportunity of sharing these few thoughts with you
as they pertain to the Junior Orange Association.