| History of the International Order of Old
Bastards |
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The I.O.O.B. was
founded by Fred Kibbe, an American Army Officer. He was stationed in
Brisbane, Australia, during World War II. Kibbe and othet Allied
Officers spent their off-hours socializing and partaking in alcholic
beverages. Kibbe noticed that the Australians in the group pften greeted
each other by saying, "Hi, you old bastard". In addition, Kibbe noticed
that the Australians often used the word "bastard" as a term of
endearment. They used this term so often that the group formed the
"Bastards We Have Known" club.
When the war was over, Kibbe returned to the
United States. He kept in touch with the Old Bastards in Brisbame. He
sent the group membership cards to show his friends their official
status in the Old Bastards Club. Not only did the group like the cards,
but they asked for more, and the I.O.O.B. was born. Since 1945, the
I.O.O.B. has grown from a few allied officers in Brisbane, Australia, to
over one million Old Bastards and Old Bastardettes worldwide. The club
reports that 80% of the membership resides in the United States, 10% in
Canada, and 10% in the rest of the world. The Austrailian members of the
club eventually formed their organization, called the Austrailian Order
of Old Bastards. Fred Kibbe, the original "Archbastard" went on to form
the Florida Minutemen and ran for Congress in Florida in 1962. He passed
away in 1980.
The I.O.O.B. motto is "Illegitimus Non
Carborundum Est" (Don't let the bastards wear you down!) This motto can
be found on items associated with the club, including pins, patches, and
belt buckles. In the 1960's and 1970's, the I.O.O.B. contracted with
Zippo to produce I.O.O.B. lighters for its members. Many of these can
still be found. Membership cards are also cconsidered collectable.
International Order of Old Bastards - Symbols
The logo of the I.O.O.B. features a shield
with a diagonal banner bearing the initials I.O.O.B., an old man
laughing on top of the shield, a globe above the banner. and fraternal
shaking hands below the banner. In addition, the motto "Illegitimus Non
Carborundum Est" is found around the border of the shield. The logo
usually has a blue background on the shield, a red background on the
banner and border, and pictures and text in white
Membership acceptance letters signed by Fred
Kibe have a signature line that reads "Fraternally Yours," hand signed,
and include the title "Archbastard" Membership cards were signed F.A.
Kibbe.
Fred returned to civilian life and being an
avid correspondent, kept in touch with the Old Bastards and when he sent
off a few cards to them to show their official designation, they not
only liked the cards, but wanted some for their friends. Fred obliged
and the I.O.O.B. was off and running. Priding itself on its
"nothingness" without any requirements for its membership and no
requierments for meetings or dues (*see below), the Old Basterds in
certain areas often band together in fellowship groups not unlike the
original gang in Brisbane. By popular demand, headquarters in Ft,
Lauderdale, FL issues an I.O.O.B. Charter to form a new Chapter when 25
or more names are send in. Amazingly, over 4500 Chapters have been
chartered to date.
One wonders whether such an organization is
itself legitimate. It's quite common to express disbelief when the Order
is initially explained. Well, we have a corporate charter from the
Florida Secretary of State. The US Internal Revenue Service looked at us
and asked: "What the hell does an Archbasterd do" ? In1969, the Civil
Aeronautics Board and Pan American World Airways didn't question our
right to exist but claimed we were not a genuine "affinity group" to be
eligible for low-cost group charter flights. We don't intend to
change our fun-loving group to the regimented groups in fancy evening
dress, headdress or rigid confusion. We continue as a group letting
itself, it's members and it's chapters picktheir own way. All we need is
and Old Bastard to sponsor you and you're in - what you do to stay in is
up yo you.
We regret that the biggest fun lover of them
all, Fred Kibbe, left us in 1980. However, Fred would not want any of
you to pause a moment from enjoying yourself as an Old Bastard. He said
it many times: "Don't let the bastards wear you down!"
The parent body (International Order of Old
Bastards) leaves it up to each individual chapter to determine how they
will handle their own internal organisation. However, as long as
members continue to enjoy themselves within the original spirit of the
IOOB, then the details can take care of themselves.
International Order of Old Bastards - Pictou
County, Nova Scotia Chapter
The Picto County, NS chapter was started
in 1974 by a group of Canadian Military Veterans. The initial membership
was made up of:
D. Dickson, P. Giberson, G. Black, G.
Sutherland, I. Brennan, B. Gerrior, and E. Cameron
In May 1974, S. Dickson was sponsored into
Membership
Membership in the I.O.O.B. is by sponsorship
only. Sponsors are responsible for payment of any fees on behalf of the
sponsored individual. Membership payment is required once for the life
membership of the sponsored individual. Sponsors are required to submit
potential members applications along with the membership fee to the
Archbastard of the Pictou county Chapter. Membership confirmation is
evidenced by a letter to the new member outlining the membership
acceptance and the Official Membership Id Number. A special membership
card with the Membership Number is also enclosed with the letter.
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