Rabu, 30 Maret 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.

Lions International was established in Illinois by Melvin Jones, who happened also to be a member of the Freemasons. He strongly believed that to make progress in life, you had to get involved in helping other people. Founded in 1917, by 2015 it had 46,000 chapters in 200 countries all over the world. It presently has more than one and a half million members.

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.

Rotarians apply what is called the 4-way test to determine whether a project is compatible with Rotary aims. It is a set of guidelines for helping faltering businesses get back on their feet. In order to qualify for support, it must be true, fair, foster friendship and goodwill, and it must be beneficial to everybody involved.

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 one of the more famous and noteworthy members of the Freemasons. He had a portrait of himself painted in which he was serving in his capacity as Master of his local lodge in Virginia. When he died, he was buried with full Masonic ceremonial honors. Other famous Rotarians have included Colonel Saunders, John F. Kennedy, and Pope Francis.

Another fraternal organization is the Elks. They were founded in 1868 in New York City. Similar to the Rotarians and the Lions, The Elks are headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.




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