About Eastern Star & Eligibility Requirements

The Order of the Eastern Star is a fraternal organization in which both men and women can belong. The men are required to be a Master Mason before they may belong to Eastern Star. The women must be related to a Master Mason to be eligible for membership.

Those desiring to belong must ask to join. Eastern Star checks the prospective member's character and reputation, seeking to elect by unanimous vote only those persons with high mental, moral and spiritual qualities and who will work well together with the members towards attaining its purposes.

Eastern Star was founded using Biblical examples of heroic conduct and moral values. These examples depict the principles that are expected from their members. They are dedicated to Charity, Truth and Loving Kindness.

Eastern Star is a "Way of Life". It is not a religion or a church, but its members have deep religious convictions and spiritual values. A deep fraternal bond exists between its members in a wholesome relationship of love in our daily lives endearing us to each other.

Eastern Star membership is open to all religious faiths. Only those with no faith are ineligible for membership.

Eastern Star contributes financially to support Cancer Research, Arthritis Fund, Heart Fund, Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Shriners' Hospital for Crippled Children, orphanages, and other charities.

A special project is ESTARL (Eastern Star Training Awards for Religious Leadership). Scholarships are given in amounts of $500.00 to $1,000.00. The awards are available to deserving college students at the Sophomore level or above. The students must be preparing for Christian service as ministers, missionaries, music ministries, or other specialized fields of Christian endeavors. Applicants sponsored by a Montana Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star must be residents of Montana. It is not necessary for applicants to be of Masonic background. This project is self-supporting and does not receive money from any other funds. It depends upon Chapter contributions, memorials and special gifts.

Membership Eligibility

Must have attained the age of 18 years

Wives	Present wives of Master Masons in good standing.
Daughters	Daughters, legally adopted daughters, granddaughters, stepdaughters, daughters-in-law, and great granddaughters, of Master Masons in good standing or in good standing at the time of their death.
Mothers	Mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, and mothers-in-law of Master Masons in good standing or in good standing at the time of their death.
Widows	Widows of Master Masons in good standing at the time of their death.
Sisters	Sisters, half sisters, stepsisters, and sisters-in-law of Master Masons in good standing or in good standing at the time of their death.
Nieces	Nieces, great nieces, and daughters of sisters or brothers* of Master Masons in good standing or in good standing at the time of their death.
Rainbow Girls	Must have been active in Rainbow for 3 years, or have reached "Majority".
Job's Daughters	Must have been active in Job's Daughters for 3 years, or have reached "Majority".
Master Masons	Master Masons in good standing.
Aunts	Aunts of Master Masons in good standing or in good standing at the time of their death.

* It is the interpretation of the Most Worthy Grand Matron and the Chairman of Jurisprudence that this pertains to all nieces, whether it is the daughter of the Sister or Brother of the Master Mason or the daughter of the Sister or Brother of the Master Mason's wife.