A Secret Society of Altruists?

What is Altruism? In general terms, altruism is the practice of putting the well-being of others and the community before one's own personal needs or wants. This is a behavior and (on a deeper level) philosophy that ties in well with my goals as an artist, a father, a husband, and a member of society.

Am I an altruist? Not entirely, and certainly not to the extent indicated in the definition. I cannot say that I would sacrifice myself or my well-being for a stranger. To give you my reasons would be to make excuses with which some may disagree. It suffices to say that try to see the greater picture and help when I'm able. See, that sounded like an excuse just then, didn't it?

There are organizations and living-room coffee groups dedicated to the advancement of altruism in its many guises throughout the world. Some think locally, some act globally. Some focus on human interaction, some expand outward to incorporate the planet en masse. Regardless of the focus, the really is no such thing as bad altruism.

Lao Tsu wrote in the Tao Te Ching:
"The Tao that can be spoken is not the eternal Tao
The name that can be named is not the eternal name..."

Likewise, altruism in its truest form garners neither fame nor glory for the practitioner. With this idea in mind, it stands to reason that in this world, and in this era of instability, there would exist a clandestine group of individuals devoted to the well being of humanity, ecology, and the planet that sustains us.

This fellowship may include world-renown icons such as Norwegian Philosopher Arne Næss, and heretofor anonymous bystanders like overnight stocking clerk Ellie Williams. Perhaps it is such an over-arching group that it's members are unaware of the total number of participants.

Desiring no publicity, wanting for no reward, these altruists would live by a single axium: "Knowledge breeds understanding, which breeds compassion, which breeds benevolence, which breeds knoweldge..."

This is the human cycle of behavior that can bring positive change to the planet. Would it take this League of Adenaean Pragmatists to accomplish it? Or are we already members of this fellowship, just waiting for the authoritative word to take action?