What is 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.

Eastern Star is a social Order comprised of persons with 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 spiritual convictions it is open to all faiths. 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.

Who is Eligible to Belong?

Affiliated Master Masons in good standing and the wives, daughters, legally adopted daughters, mothers, widows, sisters, half-sisters, granddaughters, stepmothers, stepdaughters, stepsisters, daughters-in-law, grandmothers, great-granddaughters, nieces, great-nieces, mothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, daughters of sisters or brothers of affiliated Master Masons in good standing, or if deceased were in good standing at the time of their death; as well as to the members - either active for three years or majority - of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls or of the International Order of Job's Daughters, each of whom shall have attained the age of 18 years, are eligible to membership in the Order of the Eastern Star.

How Does One Belong?

Those desiring membership must petition to do so. A petition may be obtained from any member of the Eastern Star. Petitions are carefully read, eligibility investigated and election to membership must be by unanimous vote.

Purposes

Dr. Robert Morris, the poet laureate of Masonry, founded this Order in 1855 using beautiful and inspiring biblical examples of heroic conduct and moral values. These portray the noble principles that should adorn the personal lives of Eastern Star members. Eastern Star strives to take good people and through uplifting and elevating associati9ns of love and service, and through precept and example, to build an order which is truly dedicated to Charity, Truth and Loving Kindness.

Government

The heart of the Eastern Star is in the 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 the General Grand Chapter. There are more than 13,000 local chapters with a membership in excess of two million, which serves this Order. The membership encompasses 15 countries, which have active Chapters. In Vermont there are over 50 Chapters with a membership in excess of 5,000.

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' Hospitals, orphanages, and many other charities within each Grand Jurisdiction.

In Vermont, each year, the Worthy Grand Matron and Worthy Grand Patron select a special project for their charitable contributions. The Grand Chapter of Vermont as well as many of the local Chapters sponsor scholarships.

Vermont Eastern Star Benevolent Fund

We are fortunate in Vermont to have a substantial Benevolence Fund that donates thousands annually to needy members, non-members and other Vermont Charities.

Youth Groups

Eastern Star gives support to young people who are members of Rainbow for Girls and the Order of DeMolay for Boys, and in some states, Job's Daughters. 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.