The purposes of the Order are:

1. to enroll in its membership all persons of Italian birth or descent and all others as prescribed in

  Article 1 of the General Laws;

2. to promote national education and secure adequate laws for the benefit of its members by active

   participation in the political, social and civic life of our communities;

3. to encourage the dissemination of Italian culture in the United States and uphold the prestige of the

   people of Italian heritage in America;

4. to initiate and organize movements for patriotic and humanitarian purposes, thereby establishing a

   motto of “Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.”

The emblem of the Order is the Golden Lion in a field of white. The official color of the Order is purple. The official language of the Order is both English and Italian.

The organic structure of the Order is based upon a lodge system. The basic unit is the Local Lodge often referred to as the filial lodge. The Local Lodge is composed of members.

The lodges of the Order are: the Local Lodge, the Grand Lodge, and the Supreme Lodge.

The jurisdiction of the Supreme Lodge extends over all Grand Lodges and Local Lodges. The Supreme Lodge, during the intervals between Supreme Conventions, functions through its Supreme Council duly elected at its Supreme Convention.

The Grand Lodge is the intermediate unit between the Supreme Lodge and the Local Lodge.

The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts exercises jurisdiction over all lodges and members of the Order within the confines of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the states of New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont.

The Grand Lodge is composed of the following entities:

1. Representatives of Lodges under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts called State

   Delegates;

2. All members of the State Council, called State Officers;

3. All the past State Presidents;

4. All members of the Benefit Insurance Commission;

5. Presidents or Chairmen of all Permanent Commissions;

6. Chairman of the Charitable and Education Trust.

Legislative power belongs exclusively to the Grand Lodge in Session.

The Grand Lodge meets in ordinary and extraordinary sessions. Every meeting is called a convention. The Grand Lodge meets in ordinary session once a year. The Grand Lodge meets in extraordinary session whenever it is called by a deliberation of the State Council and passed by an absolute majority vote, or upon the request of an absolute majority of the members of the Grand Lodge.

Know Your Order Sons of Italy in America