[celticgladiator]

the common theme of all or the above are you must first be a Master Mason in good standing. the other groups are additional bodies that a master mason can join. they are all charitable organizations and each support different charities. the shriners have the shrine hospitols for children, the scottish rite has speech clinics, the york rite has an eye foundation and i believe something with the heart. i'm sure i missed some things but am just trying to give a basic overview. i am involved with all of these groups in my area and i can tell you that all the men i have met in the organization are great guys.