Rock Island County Organizations and Societies

Fraternal Organization

A fraternal organization, sometimes also known as a “fraternity,” is an organization that represents the relationship between its members as akin to brotherhood. There is a great deal of overlap between the terms Friendly Society and fraternal organization. Most mystical organizations are also fraternal.

The Fraternal Tribunes
Benevolent And Protective Order Of Elks
Arsenal Council, No. 171
The Turn Verein
Fraternal Order Of Eagles
The Modern Woodmen Of America
Royal Neighbors Of America

Secret Societies

A secret society is an organization that requires its members to conceal certain activitiessuch as rites of initiationfrom outsiders. Members may be required to conceal or deny their membership, and are often sworn to hold the society’s secrets by an oath. The term “secret society” is often used to describe fraternal organizations (e.g. Freemasonry) that may have secret ceremonies, but is also commonly applied to organizations ranging from the common and innocuous (collegiate fraternities) to mythical organizations described in conspiracy theories as immensely powerful, with self-serving financial or political agendas, global reach, and sometimes satanic beliefs.

Patriotic Societies

A Patriotic Society is an organization founded to preserve, protect, and hand down the traditions and values of a nation.