It was a formula for failure. The answer was for fraternals to charge adequate rates based on sound actuarial principles in existence today. The legal reserve system mandates that insurance providers protect a portion of regularly collected premiums to pay long-term commitments. When the legal reserve system was wedded to fraternalism, fraternal benefit societies were guaranteed a long, productive life. Each member has an important voice .
Members elect the national officers, and local branch leaders.
Branches hold fund raisers, organize social events and perform community service. It is the members who choose the events, and the causes which they would like to benefit.