Q. What is the Order of the Eastern Star?
A. The Order of the Eastern Star is a social, charitable and
Fraternal Organization to which both women and men can belong. There
are approximately 48,000 members throughout the State of New York.
The Order of the Eastern Star is comprised of 395 Chapters and is
divided into 39 regional Districts within the State of New York. The
regional Districts are usually comprised of one or more
counties.
Q. What are the requirements for
membership?
A. Membership in the Order of the Eastern Star is open to
women 18 years of age or older, as well as Master Masons in good
standings in their Lodges. A candidate may make their application
through a Masonic Relationship or by being sponsored by a member of
the Order of the Eastern Star who is a Master Mason. A belief in a
Supreme Being is also required.
Q. What Masonic affiliation is required for a woman to
become a member?
A. None. In NYS a woman does not need to be Masonically
affiliated to join Eastern Star.
Q. When was the Order of the Eastern Star
formed?
A. Robert McCoy conceived the Order of the Eastern Star in
1850.
Q. What is the basis of the Order of Eastern
Star?
A. Mr. McCoy created the Degrees of the Eastern Star around
the lives of five Biblical women. They were Adah, Ruth, Esther,
Martha, and Electa. The reason was that each of these Biblical
examples stands for one of the tenets of the Order. They are
Fidelity, Constancy, Loyalty, Faith and Love.
Q. Is the Order of the Eastern Star a
religion?
A. No. The Order of the Eastern Star is not a religion, even
though we are religious in character. It does not pretend to take the
place of a religion, or serve as a substitute for the religious
beliefs of its members. Our members do come from all
denominations.
Purposes And Goals
Q. What are the purposes and goals of the Order of the
Eastern Star?
A. To provide an organization where women and men with high
moral and social character, can join together and contribute time,
energy and wisdom to our Order with Charity, Truth and
Loving-kindness for the good of all mankind throughout the
world.
How Does One Belong?
Q. How may I express a desire to join the Order of the
Eastern Star?
A. If you are not familiar with anyone in a Chapter in your
area, you may contact the Grand Secretary, of the Grand Chapter of
New York, (71 West 23rd St., New York , NY 10010 (1-212-675-0090))
for the name, address, and phone number of a Chapter in your area to
express your desire for additional information.
Q. What procedure should I follow when I have decided
that I would like to join a chapter?
A. The Chapter you intend to join will provide you with a
Petition, which you must fill out completely. It should be returned
to the Chapter Secretary, as soon as possible, with the appropriate
fees.
Q.What happens after I submit my petition?
A. Your petition will be read at a Chapter meeting and
submitted to an Investigation Committee composed of members of the
Chapter that you wish to join. Shortly thereafter the members of the
Investigation Committee will contact you individually to set up a
time and place for a meeting. This is done (1) To ask a few very
simple questions, (2) To provide you an opportunity to meet some of
the Chapter members, and (3) To provide you an opportunity to ask and
receive answers to any additional questions that you might have. The
information that the Investigation Committee receives will be
reported to the Worthy Matron.
Q.What will be the next step?
A. If all of the information is in order, the report of the
Investigation Committee will be submitted to the Chapter members at a
stated meeting and a vote will be taken. If favorable, you will have
been elected to receive the Degrees of the Order of the Eastern Star.
The Secretary will notify you of the results of the election and
arrange for you to be initiated into the Order.
Q.How long after the election will that be?
A. Each Chapter attempts to plan the events of each meeting
for the entire year. That usually includes some flexibility to
accommodate Degree meetings for new members; however, in some
instances very special plans cannot be interrupted, so the Degrees
will be given at the first possible date.
Q.What happens at Chapter Meetings?
A. An Eastern Star Chapter meets once or twice a month to
conduct its business and to confer Eastern Star degress. If no
initiatory work is being performed, the meeting will include a
program of interest or entertainment. Refreshments are almost always
served.
OES - A Way Of Life
Q.Just what is Fraternal Life?
A. The Order of the Eastern Star provides us with a means of
compassion and concern, not only for our fellow Sisters and Brothers
in the Order of the Eastern Star, but to ourselves, our Country, and
our faith. In addition, it enters us into a way of life that all of
us inwardly want for ourselves and our families.
Why Should I Want To Join
The Order Of The Eastern Star?
Q.What does the Eastern Star have to offer that other
organizations do not?
A. Each of us has an inner need to do something for others
and sometimes it is difficult to determine just how to begin. The
Order of the Eastern Star offers that guidance and provides an
outlet, as well as serving as a resource center and support
group.
Q.Is there any social involvement?
A. Yes. The Chapter has numerous fun activities for all
members and their family and friends. Usually, the Worthy Matron has
a number of social events to supplement her planned
activities.
Q.Is there any Fraternal friendship?
A. Both women and men join a Fraternal Order to make friends
and enjoy the fellowship that is displayed. Members and their
families can enjoy interacting with others who share their
beliefs.
Q.Will I become a better person?
A. Yes. The Order of the Eastern Star takes good citizens
and makes them even better. We continue to be central in the
development of the American promise of human opportunity and personal
fulfillment.
Youth Groups
Q.Does the Order of the Eastern Star give support to any
affiliated youth groups?
A. Yes. The Order of the Eastern Star provides support to
members of the Rainbow for Girls, Constellation, and Triangle who
members are ages 11 through 21. The purpose of these youth groups is
to train these fine young citizens to be leaders in the community and
to be future members and leaders in the Order of the Eastern Star.
The Masons also sponsor DeMolay for Boys (ages 13 through 21).
Further information can be found on the Youth Groups page.
Charity
Q.Does the Order of the Eastern Star have any special
projects?
A. Yes. The Order of the Eastern Star membership supports
many charitable organizations and programs. In New York State, some
of the programs supported include Emergency Relief Fund, Social
Service, Cheer Fund, volunteer service to Veteran's Hospitals, and
Education Assistance. Also supported is an Eastern Star Home for its
senior members in Oriskany; an Assisted Living Home for its members
who are semi-independent; a Day Care Center in Oriskany; and an
after-school Latch Key program. Many local charities benefit from
Eastern Star donations.
Popular Misconceptions
Q.Is the Order of the Eastern Star a secret
society?
A. No. Secret societies are underground and hard to find. We
are easily found within the community; but, we do enjoy a distinctive
means of identifying each other. Only members are allowed in a closed
meeting.
Q.Can I afford membership in the Order of the Eastern
Star?
A. Yes. Financial position is not considered in the Order.
Members come from all economic stations of life.
Q.Is my religious faith allowed in the Order of the
Eastern Star?
A. Yes. Members of all religions may belong to the Order of
the Eastern Star. We only require a belief in a Supreme
Being.
Q.Is the Order of the Eastern Star time
consuming?
A. After your Initiation into our Order during a regular
meeting, you may attend as your time permits.
Q.Is there any memory work?
A. There is no mandatory memory work except the means of
making yourself known if you wish to visit a Chapter, or if you
become an officer. A short proficiency examination is strictly
voluntary, but encouraged.
Q.Is the Order patriotic and democratic?
A. Yes. Members are taught an allegiance to preserve the
good order of their country. We strongly support the government of
the United States of America.