February 02, 2017
Gleaner Life Insurance Society has a rich history steeped in tradition, though some practices of the fraternal benefit society have changed over the years. It’s fun to look back at some of the ways Gleaner’s first members conducted arbor meetings.
Recently, Sulphur Springs Arbor (IL) donated its old secretary box full of memorabilia that once played an important role at arbor meetings. Its contents included a Bible, a sickle, a record book and journal, a membership premium record card file, a gavel, a voting box, ritual books, Gleaner song sheets, our Constitution and By-Laws and pledge cards.
In other words, the box contained all of the essentials to host an arbor meeting.
Items four, five and six of the 15-item Order of Business concerned membership and voting.
According to Victor C. Wood's history of Gleaner, “Voting on new members was done by placing a white marble (yes) or a black one (no) in a ballot box. Three negative votes meant rejection.”¹
This form of voting was popular among fraternal organizations during the early 20th century.
¹Victor C. Wood. A major force for good: The continuing history of Gleaner Life Insurance Society. Adrian, Michigan: Gleaner Life Insurance Society, p. 15.