Formal Voluntary Organizations and Change Over Time: A Study of American Fraternal Associations

Schmidt, Alvin J.; Babchuk, Nicholas

doi:10.1177/089976407200100107

Cited by 11 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 13 publications

(4 reference statements)

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“…Ninety-two are currently members of NFCA, but they together manage some $100 billion in assets (Larson, 1999). Schmidt and Babchuk (1972) cite Merz as estimating that by the end of the first quarter of the 20th century there were 800 different fraternal associations with half of the people in the US being members. Larson (1999) describes today's NFCA 92 fraternals as having some 10 million members.…”

Section: Uniform Code For Organization and Supervision Of Fraternalmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Any incorporated society, order or supreme lodge, without capital stock ... conducted solely for the benefit of its members and their beneficiaries and not for profit, operated on a lodge system with ritualistic form of work, having a representative form of government, and which makes provision for the payment of benefits ... Benefit Societies, 1962. (Schmidt & Babchuk, 1972 Fraternals made significant contributions to pre-Social Security era American life through the provision of economic assistance.…”

Section: History Of Fraternal Benefit Societiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Blending service and financial security: A study in the organizational adaptation of a fraternal benefit society

Solt

2002

Social Thought

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A little known organizational model rooted in earliest social welfare history, the fraternal benefit society, is presented as a case study in organizational adaptation to changing internal and environmental pressures. The fraternal benefit society combines elements associated with commerce, human services, and self-help groups. Rooted in early Greek and Roman mutual aid societies, the fraternal benefit movement paralleled the development of social services since the mid-19th century, and in many ways serves as a prototype for newly emerging organizations which seek to combine elements of economic development with social welfare service provision. Fraternals present structural issues also seen in organizations in which employee shareholders benefit from the commercial success of the company in which they work. The writer uses Lawrence and Lorsch's Contingency Theory to analyze how one fraternal has adapted to become a major financial and voluntary service institution. Gordon and Babchuk's Typology of Instrumental and Affinitive Organizations is used to discuss the dynamic tension inherent within the fraternal structure.

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Section: Uniform Code For Organization and Supervision Of Fraternalmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: History Of Fraternal Benefit Societiesmentioning

confidence: 99%