The Brotherhood of Friends fraternal society voted overwhelmingly Thursday to reject a merger with the Spokane Club.

Members of the 60-year-old BOF, 933 W. Third, voted 302-188 to remain an autonomous dining/ ballroom dancing hall. BOF members, who pay $35 in yearly dues, rejected the Spokane Club’s offer of free limited lifetime membership and use of Spokane Club dining and golf facilities.

“I’m very, very proud of the BOF for rejecting the offer,” said Norm McLellan, BOF president. “There’s something to be said for this organization. We do not want to give up our identity.”

BOF currently has about 500 members - down from more than 5,000 in the club’s post-World War II glory days.

Proponents of the merger said the BOF may now face closure or a substantial increase in yearly dues without the financial assistance of the Spokane Club, 1002 W. Riverside. BOF lost almost $42,000 in 1994 and could lose more this year, according to records supplied by the group’s board of directors.

, DataTimes