Swiss Philanthropic Society Union
The Swiss Philanthropic Society Union (hereinafter: Union) is a men's union in the form of an association.
history
The union was founded in Sonvilier in the valley of Saint-Imier ( Bernese Jura ) in 1843 by two young men (Fritz Marchand and Jules-Cesar Wille). It was absolutely secret then. When the company was founded, there were many people in Switzerland, especially in the Jura region, who were living in great misery and a high level of unemployment. The founders have come together to act in solidarity in the smallest group. The so-called Fonjallaz initiative tried to ban the Union - along with the Masonic lodges and the Odd Fellows organization. The Swiss people strongly rejected this popular initiative in 1937. After all, this initiative led to a weakening of the membership. After the Second World War, the number of members rose sharply again. Since the 1980s, however, there has been a renewed decline in membership. This makes an obsolescence noticeable.
organization
The union is decentralized and includes 55 local sections, called districts or courtyards. It is managed by a central board throughout Switzerland and has the central administration in Biel / Bienne . It has 2700 members. From the history of its origins, the focus is on French-speaking Switzerland . It is noticeable that it is also active in smaller, rural towns. The chairman of the local court is called Hofmeister. The activity of the members happens in 2 degrees with workers and tenants. Only men can belong to the Union as members. However, the wives and partners of the members take part in various occasions and events. New admissions take place annually on the occasion of a nationwide admission ceremony. The Union accepts every man who is attracted to its principles and goals, agrees with them and wishes to contribute to their realization. It publishes a central sheet under the title “Die Aehre”. There is a clear limit to service clubs like Rotary , Lions, and Kiwanis .
aims
In the association's statutes, the purpose is described as follows:
- The pursuit of what is true and good
- The moral advancement of its members
- Caring for friendship
- Mutual support through the creation of aid and charity organizations.
Maintaining friendship is at the heart of unionist life. It has a beneficial effect regardless of rank, position or wealth. Solidarity is an absolute duty for every unionist. Although the social institutions have developed strongly, there are still innumerable moments in which this solidarity is necessary. Every year the Union and the affiliated circles and their members help materially and morally to numerous institutions, homes, families and individuals. The relatives of deceased members receive an amount from the death benefit.
The Union is very similar to the Masonic Lodges in terms of its objectives and attitudes. It is also an initiation community, but has simpler meetings and internal hierarchies . The general objective can be described with the keywords: friendship, solidarity and tolerance . The Union is absolutely neutral politically and religiously.
Symbols of the union
The ceremonial ritual is maintained. In this ritual, the consecration of the cup and the fire are celebrated. They should awaken the common sense and always remind of the established principles of the Union. The rituals are inextricably linked to the Union and are performed as often as possible. Here are symbols , which are derived from agriculture into play. Green and white are the colors of the Union.