Royal Order of Jesters
Template:Short description Template:Freemasonry The Royal Order of Jesters is a masonic male fraternal organization, allowing only Shriners in good standing to join.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Admission is by invitation only.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Formation
The original meeting resulting in the formation of the Order was held on February 20, 1911, by Shriners in the Captain’s office of the S.S. Wilhelmina to visit Aloha Temple in Hawaii. Noble A.M. Ellison of San Francisco, California was elected the leader (called a "director") and the original group, called "a cast", with thirteen members. It was later formally organized on June 25, 1917, at an informal meeting.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". [1] Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
About the organization
The official websiteScript error: No such module "Unsubst". for the Royal Order of Jesters describes itself as the following:
"Whereas most Masonic bodies are dedicated to charity, The Royal Order of Jesters is a fun 'degree,' with absolutely no serious intent. The motto, 'Mirth is King,' is sufficient to give voice to the purpose of the organization. The Royal Order of Jesters believe that there are times, after work and dedication to family and mankind when everyone should remember to laugh and appreciate the good work one has done."[1]Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
The icon of the Order is the Billiken.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
The order is very secretive and holds an anti-publicity policy.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". For example, a website made by one of its members was removed after the intervention of the national court of the Order.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". The primary reason behind this was the desire of the Board to minimize public exposure or public access to Jester information.[2]Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Membership
Local "courts" are limited to thirteen initiates yearly and membership is by invitation only.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Prospective members must be a Shriner and also a Master Mason in a masonic lodge.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Prospective members are usually selected due to their commitment to secrecy and are usually highly active or highly ranked within the Shriners organization and within Freemasonry.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Asking to join will almost certainly result in the individual never being accepted.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Museum
The Royal Order of Jesters owns a museum in Indiana. On display are items relating to the Order. There are also items that belonged to William Shakespeare and other historical people who focused on humor in their works.[3]Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Prostitution scandal
In 2008, four public officials from Western New York, including State Supreme Court Justice Ronald H. Tills, two retired police officers and a law clerk, were convicted of human trafficking for transporting a prostitute for a Royal Order of Jesters event.[4]Script error: No such module "Unsubst". According to federal prosecutors, the Jesters had employed strippers and prostitutes for one of their parties, with some of the prostitutes being illegally transported over state lines for a Jester event. The FBI has investigated these cases. [5][6][7]
These actions were not sanctioned by the organization as a whole.[8]
References
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Letter from Jester National Officer Dennis R. Schueler, to Jester webmaster Frank Bailie Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Retired Lockport Police Detective Sentenced for Transporting a Woman from Western New York to Kentucky for the Purpose of Engaging in Prostitution
- ↑ Former Erie County Sheriff's Deputy Pleads Guilty in Connection with Jester Prostitution Case
- ↑ Former Erie County Sheriff’s Deputy Sentenced for Failing to Report Jester Prostitution in CanadaFormer Erie County Sheriff’s Deputy Sentenced for Failing to Report Jester Prostitution in Canada
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
External links
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