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The purpose of the Order is to give its members the foundation on which to build qualities needed to become leading, organizing, and contributing partners of society. It broadens the horizons of young women by bringing them into contact with people from other cultures within the United States, Brazil, the Philippines, Canada and Australia. Job's Daughters offers something for everyone -- ranging from athletics and dances to service projects and fun activities, giving each member a chance for participation and enjoyment. Each local group, called a Bethel, works to raise its own money through fund-raisers varying from sandwich sales to designing and selling T-shirts. The members of Job's Daughters are able to voice their opinions as to how the money should be spent, as well as other business matters that come before the Bethel. There are also statewide activities, which include a week-long camp at the Masonic Conference Center-Patton Campus in Elizabethtown; a Grand session, which is the annual business convention of all Job's Daughters and adults; and semi-annual Grand Bethel weekends also held at the Patton Campus. All of those events are scheduled with a variety of fun activities such as volleyball games, dances with the DeMolays, crafts, and swimming. Job's Daughters comprises young women, each of whom has a relative who is a Master Mason. A Job's Daughter must be between the ages of 11 and 20 and may be the daughter, step-daughter, adopted daughter, granddaughter, step-granddaughter, sister, half-sister, step-sister, sister-in-law, niece, grand-niece, cousin, second cousin or any unmarried female relation of a Master Mason.
Job's Daughters sponsors a national charity called the H.I.K.E. Fund, or Hearing Impaired Kids Endowment. The program provides hearing-devices to children who are not financially able to acquire them on their own. The Job's Daughters of Pennsylvania, who annually sponsor a five-mile hike at the Masonic Homes in Elizabethtown to raise funds through sponsors recruited by the girls, raised more than $20,000 in 2001 for the H.I.K.E. Fund, leading the national organization in charitable fund-raising. Additional information is available on the Internet at http://www.paiojd.org. |
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Initiation into Job's Daughters is a meaningful ceremony in which Bethel officers recite a five-part story from the Book of Job in the Old Testament of The Bible. However, the Order does not stress any religious tradition other than a belief and trust in God. After joining, all members are asked to attend meetings, fun events and service projects; however, no member is asked to do things that interfere with her family, school, or religious commitments.