Fraternal orders often have "side degrees", auxiliaries or appendant (as opposed to primary). Some of these are created as female "sister organizations", youth organizations or side degrees proper which are organizations associated with or within the larger organization.
Degree of Honor Protective Association The Degree of Honor Protective Association is a fraternal benefit society. It was originally organized as a female auxiliary to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, but split off in 1910 to become its own independent group. It merged with Catholic F ...
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE; also often known as the Elks Lodge or simply The Elks) is an American fraternal order founded in 1868, originally as a social club in New York City.
History
The Elks began in 1868 as a soci ...
banned auxiliaries and side degrees in 1907, but unofficial female and youth auxiliaries have still been founded at the local level. Furthermore, female auxiliaries are recognized by the Elks of Canada and the African-American
Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World
The Improved Benevolent Protective Order of Elks of the World (IBPOEW) is an African-American fraternal order modeled on the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. It was established in 1897 in the United States. In the early 21st century, it ha ...
Axelrod pp.76-7
*
Antlers
Antlers are extensions of an animal's skull found in members of the Cervidae (deer) family. Antlers are a single structure composed of bone, cartilage, fibrous tissue, skin, nerves, and blood vessels. They are generally found only on males ...
– for young men under 21. Despite the ban on auxiliaries the creation of this youth group was approved by the Grand Lodge session of 1927, though it had been operating at the local level in San Francisco since 1922. After the membership declined during
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...
, the Grand Lodge deleted all reference to the Antlers in its ''Constitution and Statutes''.
* Benevolent and Protective Order of the Does – unofficial female Auxiliary operating at the local level.Axelrod p.77
* Lady Elks – unofficial female Auxiliary operating at the local level.
* Order of Royal Purple &– Canadian female auxiliary, open to women over 18 who have a close male family member who is an Elk
* Daughters of the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World – official auxiliary of the African American version of the order.
* Emblem Club of the United States of America – founded in 1926 as an organization of female relatives of Elks. Effectively operates as the Elks unofficial auxiliary.
*Sons of Idle Rest – founded in the 1890s, this was a side degree of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Its purpose was largely "recreative" and for the elaboration of ceremony. Attempts to trace the organization in the early 1920s were in vain.
Knights of Sherwood Forest
A knight is a person granted an honorary title of knighthood by a head of state (including the Pope) or representative for service to the monarch, the church or the country, especially in a military capacity. Knighthood finds origins in the Gr ...
St. Louis
St. Louis () is the second-largest city in Missouri, United States. It sits near the confluence of the Mississippi and the Missouri Rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a population of 301,578, while the bi-state metropolitan area, which e ...
. It was described as both a "benevolent" as well as a semi-military or uniformed group within the Foresters. It was recognized as the second level degree for the organization at the Philadelphia Subsidiary High Court in 1883. At the time the Knights numbered some 1,700 in 50 Subordinate Conclaves governed by a Supreme Conclave of the World. It was extinct by the early 1920s.
Freemasonry
*
Order of the Eastern Star
The Order of the Eastern Star is a Masonic appendant body open to both men and women. It was established in by lawyer and educator Rob Morris, a noted Freemason, and adopted and approved as an appendant body of the Masonic Fraternity in 187 ...
*
Order of DeMolay
DeMolay International is an international fraternal organization for young men ages 12 to 21. It was founded in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1919 and named for Jacques de Molay, the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar. DeMolay was incorpora ...
*
Job's Daughters International
Job's Daughters International is a Masonic affiliated youth organization for girls and young women aged 10 to 20. The organization is commonly referred to as simply Job's Daughters or Jobies, and sometimes abbreviated as JDI (or IOJD, referring to ...
* Rainbow Girls
*Desoms, Deaf Sons of Master Masons - this unique auxiliary was founded in
Washington
Washington commonly refers to:
* Washington (state), United States
* Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States
** A metonym for the federal government of the United States
** Washington metropolitan area, the metropolitan area centered o ...
Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine
Shriners International, formally known as the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (AAONMS), is an American Masonic society established in 1870 and is headquartered in Tampa, Florida.
Shriners International describes itself ...
, now known as the
Shriners International
Shriners International, formally known as the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (AAONMS), is an American Masonic society established in 1870 and is headquartered in Tampa, Florida.
Shriners International describes itself ...
**
Royal Order of Jesters
The Royal Order of Jesters is a male fraternal organization, allowing only Shriners in good standing to join. Admission is by invitation only.
Formation
The original meeting resulting in the formation was held on February 20, 1911, by Shriners ...
- an invitation only organization open to Shriners.
** Daughters of the Nile - This organization was founded in Seattle on February 20, 1913 and was originally meant for the wives, daughters, sisters, mothers and widows of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Today it is open to women 18 and older who are related by birth or marriage to a Shriner, Master Mason, or Daughter of the Nile, or is a majority member in Good Standing of a Masonic-related organization for girls; or who was a patient, with or without Shrine or Masonic relationship, at a Shriners Hospital for Children. Like the other female groups related to the Shriners, they focus their work on the Shriners Children's Hospitals, including raising millions of dollars through their endowment funds, volunteering at the hospitals, sewing quilts and clothes and donating toys, games and educational materials.
** Ladies Oriental Shrine of North America - The first court of this women's Shrine related organization was founded in
Wheeling, West Virginia
Wheeling is a city in the U.S. state of West Virginia. Located almost entirely in Ohio County, of which it is the county seat, it lies along the Ohio River in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and also contains a tiny portion extending ...
in 1903. After two other courts were formed, a national organization was formed on June 24, 1914.About the Ladies' Oriental Shrine of North America (LOSNA) /ref> However, the LOSNA did not become legally incorporated until 1954. Unlike many male fraternal orders, the LOSNA grew in membership in the latter decades of the 20th century. They had 24,000 members in the mid-1960s, 30,000 members in the mid-1970s and 32,000 in 1994. Today they claim 16,000 members in 76 Courts across North America. Membership is open to women who are at least 18 years old, related to a Noble of Shriners International, or a Master Mason by birth, marriage or adoption or be sponsored by two members of the Ladies' Oriental Shrine of North America. Local organizations are called Subordinate Courtd are headed by a High Priestess. The overall organization is the Grand Council headed by a Grand High Priestess.
** Shrine Guilds of America - Founded in 1947 by the wives of Shriners of the Murat Temple of Indianapolis. The group currently has 14 local Guilds, located mostly in Indiana and Florida, and concentrates its work on helping the
Shriners Hospitals for Children
Shriners Children's is a network of non-profit medical facilities across North America. Children with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care and receive all services in a family-center ...
Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm
The Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm, also known as M.O.V.P.E.R. or The Grotto, after its lodge equivalent, is an appendant body in Freemasonry.
Overview
It is a social organization for Master Masons, and as such, all Ma ...
(also known as the grotto)
** Daughters of Mokanna - founded in 1919, lodges called Caldrons, overall organization "Supreme Cauldron" and the chief officer the Supreme Might Chosen One. Had about 5,000 members in 1994. Devotes its good work programs to cerebral palsy and dentistry for the handicapped.
** Mysterious Order of the Witches of Salem - Less information is available about this auxiliary. They were apparently founded sometime before 1915, and reported active as late as the early 1940s by Noel P. Gist. Their locals were likewise called "Cauldrons".
*
Tall Cedars of Lebanon
The Tall Cedars of Lebanon International is a side degree of Freemasonry in certain Grand Jurisdictions, open to Master Masons in good standing in a regular Masonic Lodge. Its motto, "Fun, Frolic, & Fellowship," is indicative of this social bent ...
* Aktion Club - for people with disabilities
* Kiwaniannes - former female auxiliary of the
Kiwanis
Kiwanis International ( ) is an international service club founded in 1915 in Detroit, Michigan. It is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, and is found in more than 80 nations and geographic areas. Since 1987, the organizati ...
, before women were allowed into the main club in 1987. Some still exist at local level
Kiwanis
Kiwanis International ( ) is an international service club founded in 1915 in Detroit, Michigan. It is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, and is found in more than 80 nations and geographic areas. Since 1987, the organizati ...
* Kiwanis Junior - part of the European Service Leadership Program for people ages 18–35
Knights of Columbus
*
Columbiettes
The Columbiettes are women members of auxiliary council affiliated with a local Knights of Columbus council.
History
In 1939, Monsignor J. Francis McIntyre, Chaplain of the New York Chapter Knights of Columbus, later a cardinal, suggested forma ...
*
Daughters of Isabella
The Daughters of Isabella is a spiritual, social and charitable organization that was started as a female auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus. The first circle of the Order was founded in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1897, as an auxiliary to the R ...
Catholic Daughters of the Americas
Catholic Daughters of the Americas was founded in 1903, is one of the largest women's organizations in the Americas. Founded in Utica, New York, it has its headquarters in Manhattan, New York City.
History
The Catholic Daughters of the Am ...
- originally a female auxiliary of the K of C, now an independent group
* International Order of Alhambra - modeled after the Shriners, this organization kept the Islamic parody motif and was originally open only to members of the
Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus (K of C) is a global Catholic fraternal service order founded by Michael J. McGivney on March 29, 1882. Membership is limited to practicing Catholic men. It is led by Patrick E. Kelly, the order's 14th Supreme Knight. ...
of the Third or Fourth Degree.
* Mystic Nobles of Granada - this was an earlier side degree that was active in the early 1910s. Locals were apparently called "caravans", meeting "Khalifates", and the general convention the "Grand Khalifat". It was considered an "offshoot of the Alhambra" Both were implicitly condemned by the Knights of Columbus Board of Directors in April 1913.
Knights of Pythias
* Dramatic Order of the Knights of Khorassan
** Nomads of Avrudaka - a female auxiliary to the Dramatic Order of the Knights of Khorassan.
* Knights of the Orient - Also known as the Ancient Order of the Knights of the Orient or the Orientals. This was a side degree conferred "mostly" to the Knights of Pythias. The professed aim of the order was to "improved the condition of mankind". It also claimed that in the Order there was no discrimination on the basis of political or religious belief, or of wealth. Its ritual was discovered and published by the National Christian Association, as well as in Peter Rosens' ''The Catholic church and secret societies''. The head of a local lodge was called a Grand Chief Orient; other officers were the Grand Vice Orient, Grand Prophet (chaplain) and Grand Marshall. A splinter group called the Ancient Order of the Sanhedrims broke from this in 1895 and offered a benefit to members of "some secret societies in good standing".
Maccabees
*
Knights of the Maccabees
Knights of the Maccabees was a fraternal organization formed in 1878 in London, Ontario, Canada. Most active in the U.S. state of Michigan, the group's fraternal aspects took a backseat to providing low-cost insurance to members. In the socie ...
Daughters of Rebekah
The Daughters of Rebekah, also known as the Rebekahs and the International Association of Rebekah Assemblies, is an international service-oriented organization and a branch of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Just like the Independent Order ...
Ladies of the Orient
The Ladies of the Orient (L.O.T.O.) is a women's fraternal organization in the United States and Canada which had its origins as an appendant body to the Rebekahs. The first unit, Pioneer Zuanna No. 1 was founded in Syracuse, New York
Syra ...
- Originally an appendant body for the Rebekahs but now operating independently.
*
Ancient Mystic Order of Samaritans
The Ancient Mystic Order of Samaritans (AMOS) is an unofficial appendant body of all Odd Fellows It is recognized as the "playground for Odd Fellowship" and is known for engaging in public and private hijinks and spectacle, all in the name of ...
- Negotiations between the Imperial Order of Muscovites and the Oriental Order of Humility and Perfection for a merger began as early as 1917. By 1923 plans were drawn up as to how the orders were to be amalgamated and this was officially commenced in August 1924 when they formed the United Order of Splendor and Perfection. However this group was beset by internal strife and was reorganized the next year as the Ancient Mystic Order of Samaritans.Fez Museum /ref> While never officially recognized by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, it has been acknowledged unofficially. In 1995 it had 3,953 members. Has two degrees, Humility and Perfection. Officers include Supreme Kalifah, Supreme Ali-Baba and Supreme Muezzin. Publishes the quarterly ''AMOS Realm''
* Ancient Mystic Order of Cabirians - merged with the rest in 1924.Magical Fraternities of Marin /ref>
*
Imperial Order of Muscovites
The Imperial Order of Muscovites was an unofficial, unrecognized appendant body to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in the United States, founded in 1894 in Cincinnati, Ohio, and lasting until about 1921.Knights of Oriental Splendor -
* Veiled Prophets of Baghdad - reported active in 1922, merged with the rest in 1924.
* Oriental Order of Humility and Perfection - began in the 1880s as simply the "Oriental" side degree in Ontario, Canada. It was organized into a "Grand Orient of Oriental Order of Humility and Perfection" on August 13, 1901, with the approval of the existing "sanctorums". It was incorporated in New York state on February 5, 1919 and began to grow in the United States. Its motto was "We never sleep" and advanced members were awarded the "Sheik" degree, which allowed them to wear a red tassel on their
fez
Fez most often refers to:
* Fez (hat), a type of felt hat commonly worn in the Ottoman Empire
* Fez, Morocco (or Fes), the second largest city of Morocco
Fez or FEZ may also refer to:
Media
* ''Fez'' (Frank Stella), a 1964 painting by the moder ...
. The ritual of the Order was based on the life of
Xerxes I
Xerxes I ( peo, 𐎧𐏁𐎹𐎠𐎼𐏁𐎠 ; grc-gre, Ξέρξης ; – August 465 BC), commonly known as Xerxes the Great, was the fourth King of Kings of the Achaemenid Empire, ruling from 486 to 465 BC. He was the son and successor of D ...
Degree of Pocahontas The Degree of Pocahontas are the female auxiliary of the Improved Order of Red Men, an American fraternal order. Despite using names based on common non-Native ideas about Native Americans, it was formed solely by and for, white women. Membership ...
Improved Order of Red Men
The Improved Order of Red Men is a fraternal organization established in North America in 1834. Their rituals and regalia are modeled after those assumed by men of the era to be used by Native Americans. Despite the name, the order was formed ...
Woodmen of the World
WoodmenLife (officially Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society) is a not-for-profit fraternal benefit society founded in 1890, based in Omaha, Nebraska, United States, that operates a large privately held insurance company for its members.
...
, this group merged with Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society in 1965.
* Woodman Rangers and Rangerettes - founded in 1903, open to boys and girls ages 8–15.
Leo clubs
Leo clubs are a youth organization of Lions Clubs International.
Leo clubs encourage youths to develop leadership qualities by participating in social service activities. They are dependent on a Lions club to sponsor and initiate a Leo club. Le ...
- youth auxiliary of the
Lions Clubs International
The International Association of Lions Clubs, more commonly known as Lions Clubs International, is an international non-political service organization established originally in 1916 in Chicago, Illinois, by Melvin Jones. It is now headquartere ...
Order of United Commercial Travelers of America
United Commercial Travelers or UCT is a non-profit financial services membership organization that supports communities and causes across the United States and Canada. The organization is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, just south of Grandview ...
established at
Cincinnati
Cincinnati ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located at the northern side of the confluence of the Licking and Ohio rivers, the latter of which marks the state line wit ...
in 1892. It was organized into Subordinate Guilds that reported to the Imperial Guild at Cincinnati. On "festive occasions" members would wear uniforms "resembling those of Turkish soldiers." Activities included marching in parades and providing burial services for members. Many of the rituals and ceremonies of the order apparently feel out of use after the 1970s. Membership was 4,000 in the mid-1960s, 6,600 in the mid 1970s and stayed around 6,000 from the mid-1980s to 1994.
* Melters - a side degree of the Tribe of Ben-Hur. Thy claimed to be the "funniest side degree known to fraternalism".
* Priests of Demeter - a side degree of the
National Grange
The Grange, officially named The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, is a social organization in the United States that encourages families to band together to promote the economic and political well-being of the community and ...
.Preuss p.518
References
{{Reflist
Further reading
*Axelrod, Allan ''International Encyclopedia of Secret Societies and Fraternal Orders'' New York; Facts on File, inc 1997
*Preuss, Arthur ''A Dictionary of Secret and other Societies'' St. Louis: B. Herder Book Co. 1924
*Schmidt, Alvin J. ''Fraternal Organizations'' Westport, CT; Greenwood Press 1980
*Stevens, Albert Clark, 1854- ''The Cyclopædia of Fraternities: A Compilation of Existing Authentic Information and the Results of Original Investigation as to More than Six Hundred Secret Societies in the United States'' (New York: Hamilton Printing and Publishing Company), 1899,
*