Is the Variety Club considered (or was it once considered) a fraternal organization in the same manner as the elks, eagles and moose?

The Variety Club (chip below) is a charity organization with "tents" throughout the world. The Chairman of the board is called the Chief Barker. The club was formed in 1927 by members of the entertainment community in Pittsburg, PA.

Besides this chip there is also a Variety Club chip specifically made for the Dallas, TX, tent (#17). The issuance of chips leads me to believe that it is (or was) a social or fraternal organization.