Fraternal societies were very good for providing community self organization and services until the Great Depression resulted in loss of dues, shuttering most of them.
Yeah. The gender-exclusionary approach of the Masons keep me out of it despite knowing some great folks in it. And I left religion behind, having been raised in one that infantalizes its adherents and enforces strict patriarchal hierarchy.
I don't know anything about the Elks except my aunt lived down the road from a lodge.
