Extremely important to many newer citizen groups and netroots is "consciousness-raising," which can be included as a SOLIDARITY benefit of group membership.
Gaining new friends and networking opportunities among the group members are examples of solidarity benefits.
People went on pilgrimages ( and still do) because they believe they can achieve special benefits which they cannot achieve otherwise, such as forgiveness for all sins (some pilgrimages promise this specifically) or special blessings, such as health improvement.
