If the name sounds archaic today, the work of this registered charity is very much up to date.

"Our primary focus is providing educational scholarships,'' said past president Mrs. Sally Cheape.

Successful students benefit from a variety of scholarships when pursuing an education at the Bermuda High School or the Bermuda College.

One in particular, the Sir Christopher Craddock scholarship, has changed direction to keep pace with modern requirements. It was originally for boys to pursue an education at HMS Conway , a land-based naval school in Wales. Today it gives both sexes an entree to the Bermuda College.

In addition, the IODE, as the organisation is commonly known, supports the Outward Bound programme and Operation Eyesight in Third World countries. At Christmas and Easter, it donates food and gifts to various homes, such as Lefroy House, the Sunshine League, and the seniors' residence in St. George's.

IODE was founded in February, 1900 by Mrs. Clark Murray, a Scottish national living in Montreal, Canada, following a visit home. At the time, Britain was embroiled in the Boer War, and while many of its women wanted to help with the war effort, they had no idea how to proceed.

Concerned at their lack of knowledge about such matters -- or even life elsewhere -- Mrs. Murray resolved to remedy a similar situation among Canadian women. She decided that her organisation would be based on patriotism, loyalty and service, with the aim of fostering a united bond between the women and children of Canada and the British Empire.

So successful was the Order in Montreal that it outpaced the group's resources to expand it further. It was then that Mrs. John Black, of Fredericton, New Brunswick, stepped forward to assist. The result was the formation of a second chapter in that province.

Shortly after that a charter for the Federation of Daughters of the Empire was drawn up with Mrs. Murray as the first secretary.

To this day, national chapters thrive across Canada, while in the United States the organisation is known as Daughters of the British Empire. The latter is made up of British women living in the US, and is mainly concerned with establishing rest homes for elderly Commonwealth citizens who, through illness or other handicaps, are unable to return to their homeland.

Apart from its charitable works, the IODE's stated aims include: Stimulating and expressing loyalty and patriotism to the Royal family; promoting a bond of friendship between Commonwealth families; promoting, through education, knowledge of Commonwealth history; promoting peace within one's country and demonstrating compassion for members and families of Commonwealth armed forces during peace or ill fortune.

Bermuda's first chapter -- the Sir George Somers Chapter -- was formed in 1911 with Mrs. Edmund Gosling as president. Later there would be the St. George's, Sir Walter Kitchener, Sandys, Queen Mary and National chapters.

In 1949, the IODE decided to make special recognition of Queen Victoria's birthday -- May 24 -- then known as Empire Day. A highly successful evening's entertainment became the forerunner of many celebrations to follow.

During the First World War, the IODE worked prodigiously to supply clothing, bandages and dressings and knit items for soldiers at the front. Later, it would assist dependents of dead servicemen with finances and scholarships. The Order also worked hard to provide hospitality for visiting servicemen.

Similar efforts occurred during the Second World War. Between wars it accumulated funds for scholarships and other worthwhile community projects. A major achievement of the 1950s was the bringing to Bermuda of a carpet made by Queen Mary, which hundreds flocked to see.

Even though the name of the May 24 holiday has undergone several changes, the organisation still commemorates the date by visiting schools, where it explains why Empire Day originated. Also, it donates a book to the school library or gives a subscription to National Geographic.

Currently, the four local IODE chapters are: St. George's, Sandys, Queen Mary and National. The first three meet monthly; the latter meets annually. Total membership is approximately 60.

The IODE would welcome new members -- particularly young people -- to carry its work into the future. Where once there were thriving local junior chapters, today there are none.

"Two of our members, Mrs. Frances Nash and Mrs. Lucy Pitman, for example, have been members for 50 years,'' Mrs. Cheape noted. "With more, and younger, members we could do much more fund-raising to boost our scholarship fund.'' An IODE member for 40 years, Mrs. Cheape was originally invited to join the St. George's chapter, and eventually rose to be overall president. Patriotism was one reason for joining -- a common attraction shared by her fellow members -- as well as a desire to serve the community.

"We begin all our meetings with the IODE prayer, and end by singing God Save the Queen,'' Mrs. Cheape said.

The IODE is multi-racial, with two of the three regents, or chapter heads, being black Bermudians.

"Mrs. Frances Burch, MBE, is regent of the Sandys chapter, while Mrs. Edna Paynter heads the St. George's chapter,'' Mrs. Cheape said. "In addition, Mrs. Margaret Swan, the Premier's mother, is a member.'' Following tradition, Lady Waddington, as wife of the Governor, is the local honorary patron, while the Queen is overall Patron of the Order. Mrs. John Kelly, wife of the deputy governor, is a member.

Mrs. Mary Williams is Bermuda's president.

Anyone wishing to become a member of the IODE should contact Mrs. Williams at 14 Bostock Hill East, Paget. (tel. 236-4627.) HONORARY PIN -- Members of the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire (IODE) recently visited Government House to give a special pin to their honorary Patron, Lady Waddington (centre). They are, from left, Mrs. Betty Hart, Mrs. Renee Barton, Mrs. Mary Williams (president) and Mrs. Jean Steynor.