Explaining Fraternalism

I'm often asked to explain fraternalism, or what a fraternal society is. The dictionary definitions aren't always useful. One defines fraternalism as "the condition of having fraternal qualities." Another dictionary gives a better explanation: "The character of being fraternal; specifically, the cultivation and safeguarding of that fraternity, or brotherhood of an entire people, demanded by the French revolutionists." French Revolutionists? Where did that come from? Let's try the Oxford dictionary, which directs us to define fraternal as: "Of or denoting an organization or order for people, especially men, that have common interests or beliefs." There are other definitions, which specifically tie the word fraternal as "of or befitting a brother or brothers; brotherly." Another points us into another direction: "designating either or both of a pair of twins of the same or opposite sex that developed from two separate fertilized ova."

I can see why we're asked to explain things so often! Certainly there's a connection to all the definitions, but it can be hard to find how they weave together. A clearer understanding of the Royal Arcanum as a Family Fraternity can be derived from the above and combined into an easier to understand concept: We are an organization with a common bond that strives to help safeguard our society as we loyally and devotedly work to benefit each other and those around us. This combination of the various dictionary definitions may be a better way to understand what drives us to work toward the hallmarks of any fraternal society: enrolling its members in protection products, such as life insurance, which safeguards both the society and its members, and participating in charitable activities, to benefit those in need around us.

This past week, the American Fraternal Alliance gathered in Washington, D.C. to meet with members of Congress and help raise the awareness of the difference that fraternal societies such as the Royal Arcanum make. Their web site points out that each year, members of fraternal benefit societies invest more than 92.5 million hours in community works and contribute more than $414 million to charitable programs! That's not a bad explanation of fraternalism either, is it?

But what's most important to me is their identification that it is not the fraternal societies that donate this time or this money, but its members. The Royal Arcanum is not unique, but is a wonderful example of how our members give their time and their treasure to help benefit their community. Sometimes it's through a sponsored program, organized by one of our councils, to reach out to a need that resonates with their members. Many times it is just our members helping friends who ask for help in their efforts. In one small example of this, my wife and I were asked to help at the check-in and check-out booths for a small charitable organization, Harmony, Hope, & Healing, that was holding a fund-raising luncheon and auction to raise much needed funds so they could help in their mission to provide creative, therapeutic, and educational music programs offering emotional and spiritual support to homeless and under-served women, children and men in the Chicago area. This wasn't a Royal Arcanum sponsored event, we were just two people of many who helped out a good cause. It's a scene repeated over and over by our members, quietly giving of their time. It is this spirit of giving that draws me into the Royal Arcanum, and the countless acts of kindness I've witnessed that leads me share a small part of the giving they embody.