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Saturday, April 9, 2016

The 19 Lions And Other Fraternal Organizations

By Janet Snyder


For the purposes of the Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements (SSAE 16), the definition of a service organization is fairly wide-ranging. It is an organization that provides services to user entities. A more descriptive definition is an organization where the members meet regularly for the purposes of planning and executing charitable works. Rotary International and 19 Lions Clubs International are examples of service organizations. Formerly the exclusive preserve of the male of the species, such clubs are now opening up membership to include women.

It was Melvin Jones who established Lions International in 1917. He strenuously believed that people could not get on in life without doing things for other people. The international headquarters of the Lions is in Oak Brook IL. There are a million and a half members in 46,000 local clubs in 200 different countries all over the world. Jones was also a member of the Freemasons, a similar organization.

The official colors of the Lions are gold and purple. To be a member, you have to be above the age of majority and have a good reputation within your community. If you are interested in becoming a Lion, the first step is to get in touch with your local branch. British Columbia in Canada, the state of Washington and northern Idaho are represented by Multiple District 19 (MD19). The chapter is headquartered in Bellingham.

The Rotarians formed in 1868 by a group of businessmen led by lawyer Paul P. Harris. Their mission was to elevate the ethical standards in the practice of business and the professions. They gave themselves the name Rotary because the meetings rotated from one of their offices to another. The name stuck when the organization grew so large that they had to start meeting at external venues. This occurred just one year after forming.

The Rotarians have a four-way test to decide whether investing time and resources in a project, usually helping a business get back on its feet after a period in the doldrums. These four measures are truth, fairness, goodwill and friendship, and of benefit to all parties.

The Freemasons is another very famous and successful fraternal organization. Its roots go back to the stonemasons. The Freemasons are steeped in history and have many traditions, ceremonies and rituals. They can be controversial to some people. For example, they have strict criteria for membership, in that members must be free and have a good character. The basic organizational unit of the club is the Grand Lodge. Most Grand Lodges expect their members to publicly declare a belief in a Supreme Being, with some having a preference for a specific religious denomination.

George Washington was the Master of his local Lodge in Alexandria, Virginia. There is a painting of him presiding over the Lodge in full Masonic regalia. On his death, he was buried with Masonic honors.

The Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks is one of the older service organizations. It was founded in 1868 as a social club in New York City. Like the Lions and the Rotarians, the Elks have their headquarters in Chicago, Illinois.




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