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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

No. If it were, it would be one of the worst kept secrets in history. The only secrets kept within a lodge are our methods of recognition. Yes, there is a secret handshake

The Order of the Eastern Star is an adoptive rite of Freemasonry with teachings based on the Bible and objectives that are charitable and benevolent. The founder of OES was Dr. Robert Morris, a lawyer and educator from Boston, Massachusetts, who was a Master Mason and Past Grand Master of Kentucky. Dr. Morris intended his creation to become a female branch of Freemasonry, but he failed to overcome the great opposition this idea engendered.

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.

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.

Yes. Financial position is not considered in the Order. Members come from all economic stations of life.

Yes. Members of all religions may belong to the Order of the Eastern Star. We only require a belief in a Supreme Being.

Wrong. Secret societies are generally defined as organizations which are unknown to the public and whose existence is denied. The Bavarian Illuminati and the Mafia would be examples of secret societies. Masonry, on the other hand, is well-known and proudly displays its existence. Masonic Temples are clearly marked as such, and many Lodges are listed in the yellow pages (usually under "Fraternal Orders").