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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 organization are purple and gold. Membership is by invitation only and is open to people of legal majority and sound reputation within their local community. This doesn't mean you have to wait around and hope a club member gets to hear about your wonderful work in the community and contacts you out of the blue without any prompting from you, nor do you have to drop hints. People interested in joining should contact their local chapter. Lions Club Multiple District 19 (MD 19) includes clubs in Washington state, North Idaho and British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. The MD19 headquarters is in Bellingham, Washington.

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 are one of the most ceremonial and traditional of the fraternal organizations. Their origin can be traced back to the stonemasons. They have extremely rigid membership criteria. For one, members must be free and they must have a sound character. They also expect their members to publicly affirm that they belief in a Supreme Being. Some go so far as to expect them to belong to a specific religious group.

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.

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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