"Social in its meaning means relating to society or its organization." That would make virtually any human activity and ALL human organizations, socialist. Even despicable organization like the KKK and A****a would qualify under your definition.

Mirriam Webster
Definition of socialism
1 : any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods
2a : a system of society or group living in which there is no private property
b : a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state
3 : a stage of society in Marxist theory t***sitional between capitalism and c*******m and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done

Cambridge English Dictionary
Socialism definition
any economic or political system based on government ownership and control of important businesses and methods of production

Dictionary.com
definition of socialism
1. a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole.
2. procedure or practice in accordance with this theory.
3. (in Marxist theory) the stage following capitalism in the t***sition of a society to c*******m, characterized by the imperfect implementation of collectivist principles.

Webster College Dictionary
Socialism definition
Socialism is defined as an economic theory, system or movement where the production and distribution of goods is done, owned and shared by the citizens of a society.
1-any of various theories or systems of the ownership and operation of the means of production and distribution by society or the community rather than by private individuals, with all members of society or the community sharing in the work and the products
2-[oftenS-]
*a political movement for establishing such a system
*the doctrines, methods, etc. of the Socialist parties
3-in Marxist doctrine, the stage of society coming between the capitalist and the c*******t stages

So do all these well respected dictionaries miss the mark?

The characteristics of socialism according to: http://www.studylecturenotes.com/management-sciences/economics/381-characteristics-of-socialism
*Public Ownership
*Planned Economy
*Classes of Society
*State is responsible for basic necessities of life
*Equal Opportunity to all
*Non-existence of competition and limited choice of consumer products
*Pricing Mechanism

According to: http://www.economicsdiscussion.net/economy/socialist-economy-meaning-and-features-of-socialist-economy/2070
(i) Collective Ownership: In socialism, all means of production are owned by the community, i.e., Government, and no individual can hold private property beyond certain limit. Therefore, it is government who utilises these resources in the interest of social welfare.
(ii) Economic, Social and Political E******y:
Under socialism, there is almost e******y between rich and poor. There is no problem of class strugg
(iii) Economic Planning:
Under socialism, government fixes certain objectives. In order to achieve these objectives, government adopts economic planning. All types of decisions regarding the central problems of an economy are taken in the economic plans. There is a Central Planning Authority, who plans for the economy.
(iv) No Competition:

Unlike capitalistic economy, there is no cut throat competition. It means lack of competition as state is the sole entrepreneur.

(v) Positive Role of Government:

In socialism, government plays significant role in decision making. Thus, government has complete control over economic activities like distribution, exchange, consumption, investment and foreign trade etc.
(vi) Work and Wages According to Ability and Needs:
In socialistic economy, work is according to ability and wage according to need. It is said that under socialism “from each according to his ability to each according to his needs, is socialism.”
(vi) Maximum Social Welfare:
The sole objective of socialism is the maximum social welfare of the society. It means that there is no scope of exploitation of labour class. Government keeps a close eye on the needs of the poor masses while formulating plans. {by the way, positive in this aspect does not mean good but rather that a scale of government involvement. Positive government involvement vs negative government involvement where government takes a hands off approach}

Volunteer Fire Departments often receive significant funding from corporate sources, IF those running the department's funding will just reach out and ask. Community charity fund raising is common in many rural communities. And charity organizations (and despite your definition, charities are NOT socialist). Another source is funds the local community glean from lotteries. Lotteries are NOT taxes!!!! And yes, many apply for FEMA grants which is taxpayer funded. So even with your broad characteristic that anything funded by the government is socialist (which I disagree with according to many sources of socialism definitions), a volunteer fire department would not qualify. And many communities, especially rural; have ONLY volunteer fire departments!

In your list of characteristics, some involve control of the individual yet you also say they are fully sovereign. These are opposites!!!!

Also, your characteristics sound great in writing, but where have they ever been accomplished? While the success of capitalism has many examples. Including pre-socialist Venezuela!