Ancient & Honorable Order of Turtles Inc.
| The Ancient & Honorable Order of Turtles Inc. | |
|---|---|
| AHOT | |
| Founded | January 12, 1943 England |
| Type | Social and Benevolent |
| Scope | International |
| Mission statement | to establish and maintain close friendships, promote fellowship among all people, and to assist others however and whenever possible. |
| Motto | Today, Tomorrow, and for Eternity |
| Colors | Green Bright Gold |
| Mascot | Turtle |
| Website | http://www.ahotinc.com |
The Ancient & Honorable Order of Turtles Inc. (AHOT) (commonly known as The Order of Turtles,[1] and among members simply as Turtle) Include members from across the globe. Though recently incorporated, the lineage of the Order is traced back to the year of 1943.
AHOT is a both a social and benevolent order composed of men and women, who seek to foster friendship and fellowship among all mankind, and assist those in need through programming and volunteerism. The Order was incorporated as a non-profit organization made up of several sub-ordinate chapters (also referred to as ponds), which are governed by the Grand Chapter.
The purpose of the order is "to establish and maintain close friendships, promote fellowship among all people, and to assist others however and whenever possible." Unlike many other Turtle Based Organizations (groups that are or claim to be descended from the original order, but are not affiliated with AHOT Inc.) AHOT's primary focus is not strictly social, nor based on financial gain, but to provide its members with quality services, to unite Turtles across the globe, and to serve our communities with humble hearts. For these reasons, all AHOT Inc. chapters are required to host a certain number of community service events, as well as fundraising and social events. Through the official auxiliary organization of the Order known as the 'Executive Turtle Club', members take part of an exclusive network dedicated to leadership, professional development, goal setting, grant and scholarship information, academic achievement, and career building.
History[edit]
The Ancient and Honorable Order of Turtles was founded on January 12, 1943 during WWII in England, Captain Hugh P. McGowan and fellow fighter pilots of the 8th US Army Air Corps. Originally founded as an "informal drinking club" for fighter pilots, the Order quickly spread to include soldiers from other US military branches, allied countries, civilians and even the opposing side. Soon the Order spread throughout western Europe. Once the war was ended, soldiers returned to the US and continued to initiate Turtles in VFW Posts, Lodges, and even College residence halls and fraternity/sorority houses. Hugh P. McGowan gave the following summary of the founding of the order: "We were flying daytime bombing missions over Hitler's Third Reich. We just wanted a little fun. We had seen a sign showing that the 'Ancient Order of Foresters' and the 'Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes' would meet in the local pub, so I devised the name 'Ancient and Honorable Order of Turtles' for the fun of it. It was not meant to be serious, it had no constitution or by-laws, and was a relief from the horrors and dangers we saw every day on our missions. It spread after the War through the VFW and American Legion posts, and eventually, to Masonic groups, colleges and even to the high schools of the U.S.A."[2]
Turtle Based Organizations[edit]
The term Turtle Based Organization (TBO) refers to groups that have formed based on or descended from the original order founded by Hugh P McGowan. After its founding in 1943, with no constitution or formal mission besides initiating new members, the unincorporated order gave way o several spin-offs or independent groups based around the original organization. Though all of these groups paid homage the original order, and maintained use of the ritual, secret sign, and password, they functioned under names such as the "International Turtle Club", "The Turtle Club, etc. With the dawn of the internet and social media a new wave of "Turtles" appeared. Due to the publication of basic form of the ritual, non-Turtles began to take information from the internet and conduct "initiations" of their own. However, with key components missing from the ritual, mainly the secret grip, these groups begin to "fill in the blanks" and create their own grips and ritualistic content. These groups began to spread just as quick as authentic Turtle groups who had maintained the old traditions, and even besotw honorary membership on individuals without proper initiation or instruction.[3] It wasn't until 2009 with the founding of the Worldwide Fraternity of Turtles, that chapters begin to form under one grand body in the United States.
New Heights: Road to Incorporation[edit]
On July 23, 2009 the Worldwide Fraternity Of Turtles was established by Sam Thornton. Thornton, belonging to the Masonic Order began to initiate other Masons, Eastern Stars, as well as individuals outside of the Masonic Order. Using the internet to initiate members, candidates were "hatched" (initiated) over the phone, and soon after began initiating their own candidates and forming local chapters in their areas.[4] The chapter system proved beneficial for uniting Turtles and expanding membership across the US and Philippines . Though many members of the Masonic Order disagreed with the use of masonic symbols and clear use of masonic rituals and titles in the fraternity, its numbers grew rapidly with the full support of most its members. In 2013 a large group of members began to question the ethics of the un-incorporated organization. Seeing that there was no solid structure, a committee was formed among the several concerned members who believed incorporation would be the solution to the problems. Calling themselves the Committee for National Incorporation, they began forming ideas that would add structure to the fraternity. A constitution was written using the official Turtle handbook at that time, Robert’s Rules of Order, suggestions from Turtles all around the US, as well as documented history of the Order.
The Committee presented these ideas to the newly appointed Grand Imperial Turtle in hopes that he would adhere to the recommendation to incorporate, and become an official organization. However, it soon became clear that there was little interest in changing the structure, or becoming a legitimate organization. It was then that the committee regrouped to begin the process of forming a new affiliation of Turtles, one that would go back to the original name and values, and take the organization to new heights. The National Incorporation Committee (NIC) was formed, with a majority of its members belonging to the Boulé Chapter of Greensboro, North Carolina. The Committee began meeting and gathering their ideas for a finalized constitution, revised handbook, a coat-of-arms (shield), an official hymn, along with other documents and symbols, which would distinguish them from other Turtle Based Organizations (TBOs). After a few members from other chapters were offered leadership positions from the Grand Imperial Turtle of the Worldwide Fraternity of Turtles, they left the National Incorporation Committee (others stepped away due to the work load of the committee). Though members form the Boule chapter were offered similar positions, they remained loyal to the cause, and steadfast in their efforts to incorporate. Through the monetary contributions of the National Incorporators: Fred Gresham, Chloe Bowden, Jehrod Gist, Raiheim Ragland, Vince Paul, Tonisha Coburn, Tamika Black, Keyana Shyrier, and Wilbert Guilford (as well as the work of the Grand Chapter officers), the Ancient & Honorable Order of Turtles filed for incorporation on April 12, 2014, and received approval from the Secretary of State on May 28, 2014.
AHOT Inc.[edit]
The Ancient & Honorable Order of Turtles Inc. is the first and only TBO (Turtle Based Organization) to incorporate. With being a non-profit organization, the Grand Chapter and its chapters maintain organized financial, and legal documentation, which detail the structure and financial activity of the Order. Unlike other Turtle Based Organizations (such as the Worldwide Fraternity of Turtles) no officer, or member is paid a stipend or salary of any kind. All profit gained by the Order is used towards the philanthropy and growth of the Order. Most of the current members of AHOT Inc. were once members of other TBOs, and crossed over to AHOT Inc. for the security and stability offered by not only its incorporation, but its constitution and other distinct governing policies which outline the structure, code of conduct, and operations of the Order. AHOT Inc members recognize all Turtles who possess the grip and password to be a brother/sister Turtle, regardless of their affiliation with other TBOs (though they do not share AHOT Inc specific information with non AHOT Inc. members, or permit them to attend closed AHOT Inc. events and ceremonies).
Membership[edit]
Membership into the Order is exclusive, mainly because prospective members have to be invited to join a chapter after showing initial interest or qualities which the Order seeks in its members. Prospective members must be at least 21 years of age, and meet the qualifications outlined in the AHOT Inc. handbook.[5]
References[edit]
- ↑ "Turtles". phoenixmasonry.org.
- ↑ "Turtles". phoenixmasonry.org.
- ↑ "An honorary turtle". borgernewsherald.com.
- ↑ "Worldwide Fraternity of Turtles". worldwidefraternityofturtles.com.
- ↑ "ahot1943". ahot1943.
External links[edit]
- http://www.ahotinc.com
- http://turtleville.tripod.com/
- http://www.turtleclub.net/TCH/History.html
- http://www.borgernewsherald.com/content/honorary-turtle
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