TheRoyal Order of Jesters is amasonic malefraternal organization, allowing onlyShriners in good standing to join.[citation needed] Admission is by invitation only.[citation needed]
The original meeting resulting in the formation of the Order was held on February 20, 1911, by Shriners in the Captain’s office of the S.S.Wilhelmina to visitAloha Temple inHawaii.Noble A.M. Ellison of San Francisco, California was elected the leader (called a "director") and the original group, called "a cast", with thirteen members. It was later formally organized on June 25, 1917, at an informal meeting.[citation needed][1][unreliable source?]
The official website[citation needed] for the Royal Order of Jesters describes itself as the following:
"Whereas most Masonic bodies are dedicated to charity, The Royal Order of Jesters is a fun 'degree,' with absolutely no serious intent. The motto, 'Mirth is King,' is sufficient to give voice to the purpose of the organization. The Royal Order of Jesters believe that there are times, after work and dedication to family and mankind when everyone should remember to laugh and appreciate the good work one has done."[1][unreliable source?]
The icon of the Order is theBilliken.[citation needed]
The order is very secretive and holds an anti-publicity policy.[citation needed] For example, a website made by one of its members was removed after the intervention of the national court of the Order.[citation needed] The primary reason behind this was the desire of the Board to minimize public exposure or public access to Jester information.[2][unreliable source?]
Local "courts" are limited to thirteen initiates yearly and membership is by invitation only.[citation needed]
Prospective members must be aShriner and also aMaster Mason in a masonic lodge.[citation needed] Prospective members are usually selected due to their commitment to secrecy and are usually highly active or highly ranked within the Shriners organization and within Freemasonry.[citation needed]
Asking to join will almost certainly result in the individual never being accepted.[citation needed]
The Royal Order of Jesters owns a museum inIndiana. On display are items relating to the Order. There are also items that belonged toWilliam Shakespeare and other historical people who focused on humor in their works.[3][unreliable source?]
In 2008, four public officials from Western New York, including State Supreme Court JusticeRonald H. Tills, two retired police officers and a law clerk, were convicted ofhuman trafficking for transporting a prostitute for a Royal Order of Jesters event.[4][unreliable source?] According to federal prosecutors, the Jesters had employed strippers and prostitutes for one of their parties, with some of the prostitutes being illegally transported over state lines for a Jester event. The FBI has investigated these cases.[5][6][7]
These actions were not sanctioned by the organization as a whole.[8]
