When someone says “secret society,” one tends to think of people in dark, hooded robes creeping around.  Well, in Plano this is absolutely not the case. There are a multitude of secret societies in the Dallas/Plano area, that are based solely on volunteerism and philanthropic causes.

Some of the more notable societies are the Slipper Club, the Dervish Club and the Calyx Club.  The majority of these clubs are separated by gender, and they emphasize a very strong brother-sister bond to bring them together in serving the community.

“Fraternity is an unspoken connection that goes beyond what a friendship is, and it lasts a lifetime,” senior Benjamin Sheppard said. “It is something that must be experienced, not explained.”

Of course, friendships and bonds do not just appear. They must be created.  At the base of these forming friendships is a common love of bettering the community through fundraising and charity work. Many times previous members of high school service groups such as Young Men’s Service League will make up a large part of these societies.

“I would like to continue on serving my community after high school, and one of the secret societies would be a great place for that,” junior Michael Carlisi said. “It would be a group based first and foremost on the community.”

One huge part of the allure of these volunteer societies is their secretiveness and selectiveness.  Being part of one of these societies is an honor, but this can create some controversy, many claiming discrimination in one form or another. There are some societies that will have a potential member fill out an application which will be reviewed. Others, however, go almost completely unknown unless the person is invited to join. In many cases, the deciding factor is the applicant’s previous volunteer resume.

“I think the secretiveness is good, because it makes the group more organized and focused,” senior Maddy Thompson said. “It also allows you to know the strengths and weaknesses of each member and who would be the best fit.”