fraternal orders
Elks and Eagles
Fraternal orders are membership organizations built around shared rituals, mutual aid, and brotherhood.
Groups like the Freemasons, Elks, and Odd Fellows typically conduct secret ceremonies and use symbolic regalia.
Members historically provided each other insurance, burial funds, and social support.
His grandfather belonged to several fraternal orders.
The term fraternal emphasizes the bond among members, though many now admit women.
- FreemasonsOldest secular fraternal order
- ShrinersMasonic charitable fraternity
- RosicruciansHermetic-alchemical spiritual brotherhood
- Rotary ClubLocal humanitarian networking group
- brotherhoodKinship among men
benevolent societies · mutual aid · charitable works · secret societies · sworn secrecy · lodge · lodge meeting · Knights of Columbus · fellowship · male bonding · apron · society · regalia · Knights Templar · grand master · ritual · fez · membership dues
- social groupsdemographic groups, community, clan, ethnic groups, age groups
- clubs & societiesprofessional bodies, historical societies, hobby clubs, garden clubs, book clubs
- elite networksold boys network, old boys club, inner circle, inner circles, cronyism
- mutual aidteamwork, helping, sharing, lending, cooperation
- religious groupscongregation, congregations, sect, parishes, fellowship
- secret societiesFreemasons, Illuminati, secret society, secret societies, Masons
fraternal orderslabor unions
Worker collectives for negotiations
trade unions · professional associations · guilds · workers' cooperatives · commercial enterprises
fraternal orderspublic interest groups
Organizations promoting societal welfare
civic associations · community centers · town halls · public forums · grassroots movements