Local Chapters & links to National and Florida Websites
Email: OES@trowel.com

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The Order of the Eastern Star

The Order of the Eastern Star is the largest fraternal organization in the world to which both men and women may belong. Only men who are Masons are eligible, and only women with specific Masonic affiliation maybe members.

HOW DOES ONE BELONG?
Those desiring membership must petition to do so. Petitions are carefully read, eligibility investigated and election to membership must be by unanimous vote. The Order strives to select persons of mental, moral and spiritual quality who will work together in harmony to perform its objectives.

PURPOSES
Dr. Robert Morris, the poet laureate of Masonry, founded this Order using beautiful and inspiring biblical examples of heroic conduct and moral values to portray the noble principles which should adorn the personal lives of Eastern Stars. Eastern Star strive to take good people and through uplifting and elevating association of love and service, through precept and example, build an order which is truly dedicated to Charity, Truth and Loving Kindness. The magnitude of the Order has grown beyond the fondest dreams of its founder -- conclusive evidence of its need, its worth and its value to society.

GOVERNMENT
The heart of the Eastern Star is in the subordinate or local Chapter. For proper administration these Chapters join to form a larger Province or State organization, the Grand Chapter. To facilitate uniformity and coordination of effort, these jurisdictions work together under a General Grand Chapter. In those cases where there are too few Chapters to form a Grand Chapter, the General Grand Chapter has Jurisdiction over these Subordinate Chapters. There are more than thirteen thousand Subordinate Chapters with a membership in excess of two million which serves this Order. The membership encompasses fifteen countries which have active Chapters, and others have expressed interest in becoming associated with the beneficial work of the Order.

INTERNATIONAL TEMPLE
The awe-inspiring International Temple, located at 1618 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009, is the headquarters for all the Chapters and Grand Chapters throughout the Eastern Star world. A once-in-a-lifetime contribution of one dollar per member to each Chapter to which you become a member helps with the maintenance of the Temple. Many sources of information and supplies are available from the office of the Right Worthy Grand Secretary.

ELIGIBILITY
Master Masons in good standing, the wives, daughters, legally adopted daughters, mothers, widows, sisters, half sisters, granddaughters, stepmothers, stepdaughters and stepsisters of affiliated Master Masons, or of Master Masons in good standing at the time of death, are eligible for membership in the Order upon attainment of the age of eighteen.

EASTERN STAR - A WAY OF LIFE
Eastern Star is a social Order comprised of persons with deep religious convictions and spiritual values, but is not a religion. Its appeal rests in the true beauty of the refreshing and character-building lessons that are so sincerely portrayed in its ritualistic work. A deep fraternal bond exists between its members. It is the wholesome relationship of brotherly and sisterly love brought about through high principles exemplified in our daily lives which makes us near and dear to each other.

While this is an Order composed of people of deep spiritual convictions it is open to all faiths, except no faith. The personal welfare of our members is vital to all Stars and it is considered a privilege to help one whenever we can. It is a social Order of members with sincere and purposeful objectives.

PROJECTS
Concrete evidence of the charitable nature of the organization as it affects others is the millions of dollars which have been raised within the membership to support ESTARL (Eastern Star Training Awards for Religious Leadership), Cancer Research Project, Arthritis Fund, Heart Fund, Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, orphanages, and may other charities within each Grand Jurisdiction. Many Grand Jurisdictions have Homes for their senior members.

INTERNATIONAL PEACE GARDEN
The International Peace Garden is located on the boundary between North Dakota and Manitoba, Canada. The members of the Order of the Eastern Star donated a lovely Chapel to the Peace Garden and provide for it through a Maintenance Fund.

YOUTH GROUPS
Eastern Star gives support to young people who are members of Rainbow for Girls, Job’s Daughters, and the Order of DeMolay. These fine young people who are training themselves to be leaders are likely prospects to become valued Eastern Stars. The Order of the Eastern Star and the Masonic fraternity are highly rewarded by their support of and interest in these youth organizations.

MEANING OF MEMBERSHIP
The members of the Order of the Eastern Star are dedicated women and men who sincerely reflect the spirit of fraternal love and the desire to work together for good. It gives them the opportunity to give a part of their time to many projects that benefit mankind.

The Eastern Star Chapter meetings are interesting and important. We need the energies of our members to increase the membership of our Order.

We are proud of our Order’s heritage. Thousands of our members have contributed their time energy and wisdom in unselfish service to our Order and for the good of the world. It is through this fraternal service to humanity that together we build a better life for all.

More on...
The General Grand Chapter
Order of the Eastern Star

Florida Grand Chapter
Order of the Eastern Star

LOCATION OF LOCAL OES CHAPTERS
MANATEE No. 14 1st & 3rd Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m. (except July, August & Sept.) at Manatee Masonic Lodge No. 31 492 15th St. E.. Bradenton, FL Worthy Matron: Katherine Rodd, PM Worthy Patron: Bob Rodd, PP Secretary: Roberta Collins (941) 748-7947	BRADENTON No. 87 2nd & 4th Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. (except July, August & Sept.) at Braidentown Masonic Lodge No. 99 520 30th Ave W. Bradenton, FL Worthy Matron: Gail Manuel Worthy Patron: Bob Manuel Secretary: Richard Stolp (941) 351-6060
ENGLEWOOD No. 300 2nd & 4th Wednesdays 1:30 p.m. (except July, August & Sept.) at Englewood Masonic Lodge No. 360 265 Pine Street Englewood, FL Worthy Matron: Beverly Meservey Worthy Patron: Randal Anderson Secretary: Nancy Carstens (941) 698-0911

Last updated: February 25, 2012

Webmaster: Gary Schweinshaupt
Sarasota Lodge #147
Sahib Shriners
Email: Webmaster
Mail: P.O. Box 455
Tallevast, FL 34270-0455