A desire to join...

December 21, 2006 3:38 PM

I just recently turned 25 and have a new desire to join some type of organization. I was never part of a fraternity or any organized social "club". I feel like I missed out. I'm looking for something that is oriented towards personal growth of some type (non-religious), could possibly be service oriented, and has some kind of traditions or rituals. Having to be inducted is a plus, but not necessary. It could be for men or men and women. I would prefer that people would be people near my age as well as older. I know it's a little vague, but I want to leave my options open. What types of groups are out there?
posted by ieatwords to human relations (30 comments total)

Where do you live? City or Rural makes a big difference.
posted by saffry at 3:41 PM on December 21, 2006

Not a "social club" per se (it's more business-oriented), and I'm not sure they have any rituals, but you might like the Jaycees.
posted by MegoSteve at 3:41 PM on December 21, 2006

How about the Lions?
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 3:42 PM on December 21, 2006

Peace corps?
posted by -harlequin- at 3:43 PM on December 21, 2006

I'm in Southern California.
posted by ieatwords at 3:45 PM on December 21, 2006

Also - start your own secret society.
posted by -harlequin- at 3:46 PM on December 21, 2006

If you know how to sing , you might join a chorus...
posted by baylink at 3:47 PM on December 21, 2006

Toastmasters
posted by BoscosMom at 3:47 PM on December 21, 2006

Seconding Toastmasters. Local chapters are everywhere. Visit a few; each has a different style / vibe.
posted by concourse at 4:03 PM on December 21, 2006

Are you currently employed? If not I think the Marine Corps would meet all your requirements AND give you a modest paycheck.
posted by blaneyphoto at 4:03 PM on December 21, 2006

If you attended college, what about the local chapter of the alumni group?
posted by Airhen at 4:11 PM on December 21, 2006

Play Ultimate.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 4:24 PM on December 21, 2006

The Junior Chamber of Commerce is exactly what you are looking for. It's a service organization for adults 18-40 that also has social activities. Here's the link for the California Jaycees: http://www.cajaycees.org/

I was a member for many years. I did a lot of different volunteer activities and also made a lot of friends. Good luck.
posted by bananafish at 4:37 PM on December 21, 2006

if you're remotely musically inclined, you could start or join a band (or as suggested, a chorus) in some capacity, even if it's as a roadie. You can go to local jam nights and join the muso 'scene' - not an organisation per se but has its own rituals. Depends how regimented you want to be about things.
posted by chrissyboy at 5:19 PM on December 21, 2006

Masons?

International Order of Oddfellows?

Elks?

Moose?
posted by Pollomacho at 5:30 PM on December 21, 2006

How about a martial arts class?

It's not a social club per se, but you hang out with other people and if it's an internal martial art, then they would definitely focus on personal development.
posted by philomathoholic at 5:53 PM on December 21, 2006

Go join the Coast Guard. Go rescue people for a living.

Not into that? How about a recreational club, like a scuba diving group?
posted by frogan at 6:34 PM on December 21, 2006

Your could train to become an EMT or a reserve police officer.
posted by Pollomacho at 6:45 PM on December 21, 2006

Habitat for Humanity.
I've volunteered for it. It is very satisfying building a home for someone. You meet people from all walks of life.
posted by allelopath at 6:47 PM on December 21, 2006

Second Freemasonry
posted by Deep Dish at 6:55 PM on December 21, 2006

"Your could train to become an EMT"

I'm surprised this didn't occur to me too (being an EMT!). If your community has a volunteer EMS system, then this may be just the thing - if you're inclined that way. The training, although short, is pretty tough but really interesting. You'll get the other things you're looking for in being part of an organization as well.
posted by blaneyphoto at 7:02 PM on December 21, 2006

How about the Hash House Harriers, a drinking club with a running problem.

It has everything you're looking for (inductions, lots of secret traditions, people of all ages and skill levels, chapters in basically every major city in the world, tons of social opportunity). Some hashes work with local charities this time of year, and besides, all that running will help you stay healthy.

There's a SoCal chapter. You can contact them first or just show up to a run on a whim.

Disclosure: I'm a member, and it's one of the funnest things I've ever done in my life.
posted by Brittanie at 7:17 PM on December 21, 2006

Thirding the Jaycees. I've been a member since 1995 and I'm still very active.

I met several California Jaycees at the national convention in Indianapolis a few months ago, and they're a fun bunch of people. Looks like there are loads of chapters in Southern California, too.
posted by SisterHavana at 8:15 PM on December 21, 2006

E Clampus Vitus one of the local rituals is lifting an anvil off the ground with black powder.
posted by hortense at 8:28 PM on December 21, 2006

Hare Krishnas look like they have fun together, but it doesn't exactly meet your criteria :)

Join a local Republican or Democratic club. Unitarian Universalist churches usually have lots of service-oriented, non-religious groups you can join.
posted by HotPatatta at 9:55 PM on December 21, 2006

Stonecutters.
posted by Mutant at 11:04 PM on December 21, 2006

There's not always rituals (but there can be sometimes) but how about some sort of recreational sport? My dad is big into drop-in volleyball and since it's pretty much always the same people, they make friends. Or whatever sport you're interested in.
(Around here they have a group called "Bump Set Drink" which has matches that culminate with copious amounts of alcohol. There's also a tournament where the number of points you win by equals the amount of beers/shots you have to drink before playing again. With costumes.)
posted by sperose at 1:09 AM on December 22, 2006

Involved in the forest products industry? I'd recommend the Concatenated Order of Hoo-Hoo.
Kind of religious? Try Ordo Templi Orientis. Want to connect with the original Sons of Liberty? Maybe the Improved Order of Red Men is for you. Since you live in California, the Native Sons of the Golden West may be the organization for you.
posted by Floydd at 6:35 AM on December 22, 2006

If Jaycees and the other organizations are not to your liking, you might try Rotary Club. Most cities have Rotary Clubs: http://www.rotary.org/ It has the social element you are seeking, and a strong emphasis on service. Each club strives for diverse membership (i.e., only one or two representatives of each profession, so you are guaranteed to meet interesting people from different professional backgrounds). Once you are inducted, anywhere you go, you can look-up the local Rotary meeting, where you will be immediately embraced as a member. Join in L.A., travel to Bombay, eat lunch with instant friends.

I was recently invited to join a Rotary Club, and am seriously considering it, depending on where my next job takes me.
posted by itwentkerplunk at 11:25 AM on December 22, 2006

Martial arts?
Some are very traditional.
posted by aeighty at 11:41 AM on December 22, 2006