Editing Tong (organization) (section)

==Structure and aims==
Tongs in North America showed many similarities to the [[Triad (organized crime)|triad]]s of [[British Hong Kong|Hong Kong]] and British colonies in [[Southeast Asia]]. These included similar initiation ceremonies and paying respect to the same deities. This is because both are similar organizations that follow the patterns of southern Chinese secret societies and sworn brotherhoods.{{r|chin|p=59}} The triad societies were underground organizations in British colonies that also existed for self-help of members, but spoke of the [[Anti-Qing sentiment|overthrow of the Qing dynasty]].<ref name="multiple"/> Ko-lin Chin outlined that most tongs have similar organization and have a headquarters where one can find a president, a vice president, a secretary, a treasurer, an [[auditor]], and several elders and public relations administrators.{{r|chin|p=58}} Today their main aims are to care for their members and their respective communities.