❈ Our philosophy

We believe the buffs can live on with the fun and friendship it used to enjoy, doing friends a favour, getting appreciated for what you do, not taking anything for granted. One does feel good when one does someone a favour. Whether it is taking your neighbour to the doctors or just sitting with them for an hour. Talking about years gone by can be very interesting to anyone. Being friendly is good

More importantly a sense of belonging can be a huge benefit to many. It is good for mental health as well to have somewhere to go for a purpose.

"It gives me a good boost knowing that I have helped somebody in return and not only just in return but helping people and putting a smile on their face and when they say thank you, that means more than anything in the world." 

❈ Our Degree's❈

To explain our Degree's. When you first join you will be a First Degree Brother, the colour related to it is Green. Many Brothers through out history have been happy to stay as a First Degree and have enjoyed their time to the end as a First Degree Brother. Nothing wrong with that. Enjoying is the most important bit.

If you want to go further, you can be raised to a Second Degree, called a Certified Primo, the colour for that is Red. This degree you do have to work for, you need to understand the rules of the Order and be familiar with them and some Ceremonies as you will have to prove it to the Examining Council. It is the only degree you have to work for.

After this Degree is attained you can still go further but be patient as all the rest are time served. Minimum three years as a Certified Primo then at the will and pleasure of the Lodge you could be raised to a Knight Order of Merit. This is the Third Degree. The colour for that degree is Blue. After that again at the will and pleasure of the Lodge you could go to the Fourth Degree but you have to do at least five years as a KOM (Knight Order of Merit) to be considered for the honour.

Understanding Our Order

Our Order was first recorded in 1822 when the needy looked after the needy. There was no NHS or help of any kind out there and people were in existence that needed help. So the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes was formed. Each Lodge night the men use to meet in a room and have a good time and put a few "D's" in the bowel. It used to add up and they would all keep their ear to the ground of anyone that needed some help. Here we are 200 years later still doing the same thing. We have many more lodges now all over the world and 8 different Banners. We belong to the Grand Council 2022 Banner the newest one in the Order. The benefits of this one is we are all voluntary no one takes any money for the work they do. ALL the money you raise in your lodge is chosen by your lodge where and to whom it is spent.  

 

Who & What's THE RAOB

The Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB) under the Grand Council has been in the community since 1921. It was a breakaway order because is was unhappy how the GLE was working. History has shown that the organisation has taken on several guises. For example, during the First World War it provided ambulances and crews to the front line. It also took on running of orphanages and convalescent homes. After the Second World War and with the advent of the National Health Service with cradle to grave care there was no longer a need for Orphanages - so it carried on running Convalescence Homes. Over many years it has provided much tangible assistance to its members and to many external charities.
For many years it recruited heavily from the armed forces and troops returning from war. It provided a structure for people to meet and a support network. When national service ceased it grew in the community and changed its focus over many years to embrace and integrate more and more into the community at large.
With lodges in many large towns and cities 'the buffs' have been able to quietly raise money for many community projects; indeed it sees supporting family and the community as one of its core values.
All the Lodges are governed by 
The Order as a whole is governed by The Grand Council, who in turn, provides administrative support to the order. 
The RAOB is firmly rooted in the community; it provides support not only for the members who are in need, but also to the community. It places absolutely no restriction on age so long as you are over eighteen years of age, it welcomes anyone who can be deemed as community orientated or wishes to become more community orientated.
It is also important to emphasise what it is not. It is not a secret society; indeed the rules and ceremonies book is available in most reference libraries. It meets to provide support to any member in need; it meets in friendship and truthfulness and with a spirit of philanthropy. Members themselves rejoice in convivial company and without any political, religious, physical or ethnic restriction.
The RAOB has often been described as a well kept secret. This is an issue that needs to be addressed. In this modern world the RAOB realises that to espouse family and community values and to support those who need assistance are values not only desirable but more importantly necessary. The RAOB want to attract people with time to put back into the community and help those less fortunate than themselves and most importantly encourage those who join us that the sense of camaraderie and belonging is not lost in these times.