IS FREEMASONRY RIGHT FOR YOU?
Please return at your next meeting.
TRADITIONAL APPROACH
As an individual, seeking further information and a possible life in Freemasonry it is important that you understand how things have traditionally been done. In the past most people who approached Freemasonry came well recommended by another freemason. They were either a family member, a longtime friend, a workmate or a neighbor, and some freemason could vouch as to their character.
Today’s world is different and many people, just like you, contact us via the internet or by telephone; there is no personal relationship, we know absolutely nothing about them, and it is not possible for any freemason to recommend anyone under these circumstances. In order to overcome this, it is necessary to schedule a series of meetings so that both parties can get to know each other and to give you a chance to learn about our fraternity.
Every new candidate for Freemasonry must be sponsored by three freemasons who are members in good standing of a lodge. The three members must sign a statement that they know you and can vouch for you and your character. The intention of the meetings suggested here will be to meet with this as our goal.
Are you okay with this approach? Yes No
Some very important points you should know about. Freemasonry is not for everyone and we need to find out if it is suitable for you. This is done in your best interest for if you are not suited we would rather find out before you have spent your valuable time and money, rather than after.
These points are a first step in help us with that.
1. If your interest in Freemasonry is at all some attempt to tap into a large membership base for the purpose of furthering your career or business this has never worked in the past and will not work now. Freemasons do not support this type of activity.
Do you understand this important point? Yes No
2. Becoming a freemason today is not an event; it is not something that you decide to do on Monday and it is done next week. Rather, it is a process, it takes time, both mental and physical, it costs money, and it requires commitment on your part and also on the part of the lodge that receives your petition.
Do you understand this important point? Yes No
3. Freemasonry is a lifetime commitment and most freemasons remain active until death.
Are you prepared to make such a long-term commitment? Yes No
4. As a freemason it would be required that you attend your lodge regularly. There is no point in joining if you don’t attend as regularly as you can. In most lodges this would require a minimum of two meetings a month, sickness, emergencies, family or work obligations excepted.
Are you prepared to make this type of commitment? Yes No
5. Freemasonry costs money. There will be a one-time initiation fee of $................ There are also annual dues that must be paid by the first of January each year. In this lodge they are currently $................
Would this financial requirement present a problem for you? Yes No
In addition to the above there are other financial expectations in the form of raffle tickets, food, charitable contributions etc. It is not unusual for freemasons to contribute on a regular basis.
Are you okay with these expectations? Yes No
6. The members of the lodge you are petitioning will want to meet your family and answer their questions as well. If your wife or family does not fully support your decision, your application may be rejected.
Do you understand this important point? Yes No
If you think that Freemasonry will interfere in any way with your family or your career; you should not proceed.
Do you understand this important point? Yes No
7. During the course of getting to know you we will ask you to attend some of our social functions or to attend after our lodge meeting so you can meet some of the members. This will give you a chance to determine whether you like them or not and if they like you. It is important that we like each other.
Are you okay with this approach and concept? Yes No
8. We expect that you are seeking not only to improve yourself but also humanity through service.
Would this be a valid or correct expectation? Yes No
9. You will be expected to ascribe to a high moral standard while dealing with others. Particularly with your brethren in Freemasonry.
Is this what you want to do in your life? Yes No
10. We want candidates to be fully informed when they join us. We want them to know exactly what it is that they are getting involved in. We will tell you what we can but this will also require some research on your part.
Are you interested enough to do this research? Yes No
11. You will be expected to commit certain lectures to memory and to repeat them from memory to the lodge.
Would you be comfortable with this? Yes No
12. Finally, no one is ever asked to become a freemason, you must approach Freemasonry. With this understanding it will be your responsibility to call to arrange each of our next few meetings.
My Contact information is:
Name: ...................................................................................................................
Phone: ...................................................................................................................
Email: ...................................................................................................................
In this getting-to-know stage, you will never be called after the first call and first meeting.
If our phone does not ring we will know that you will not be proceeding.
TRADITIONAL APPROACH
As an individual, seeking further information and a possible life in Freemasonry it is important that you understand how things have traditionally been done. In the past most people who approached Freemasonry came well recommended by another freemason. They were either a family member, a longtime friend, a workmate or a neighbor, and some freemason could vouch as to their character.
Today’s world is different and many people, just like you, contact us via the internet or by telephone; there is no personal relationship, we know absolutely nothing about them, and it is not possible for any freemason to recommend anyone under these circumstances. In order to overcome this, it is necessary to schedule a series of meetings so that both parties can get to know each other and to give you a chance to learn about our fraternity.
Every new candidate for Freemasonry must be sponsored by three freemasons who are members in good standing of a lodge. The three members must sign a statement that they know you and can vouch for you and your character. The intention of the meetings suggested here will be to meet with this as our goal.
Are you okay with this approach? Yes No
Some very important points you should know about. Freemasonry is not for everyone and we need to find out if it is suitable for you. This is done in your best interest for if you are not suited we would rather find out before you have spent your valuable time and money, rather than after.
These points are a first step in help us with that.
1. If your interest in Freemasonry is at all some attempt to tap into a large membership base for the purpose of furthering your career or business this has never worked in the past and will not work now. Freemasons do not support this type of activity.
Do you understand this important point? Yes No
2. Becoming a freemason today is not an event; it is not something that you decide to do on Monday and it is done next week. Rather, it is a process, it takes time, both mental and physical, it costs money, and it requires commitment on your part and also on the part of the lodge that receives your petition.
Do you understand this important point? Yes No
3. Freemasonry is a lifetime commitment and most freemasons remain active until death.
Are you prepared to make such a long-term commitment? Yes No
4. As a freemason it would be required that you attend your lodge regularly. There is no point in joining if you don’t attend as regularly as you can. In most lodges this would require a minimum of two meetings a month, sickness, emergencies, family or work obligations excepted.
Are you prepared to make this type of commitment? Yes No
5. Freemasonry costs money. There will be a one-time initiation fee of $................ There are also annual dues that must be paid by the first of January each year. In this lodge they are currently $................
Would this financial requirement present a problem for you? Yes No
In addition to the above there are other financial expectations in the form of raffle tickets, food, charitable contributions etc. It is not unusual for freemasons to contribute on a regular basis.
Are you okay with these expectations? Yes No
6. The members of the lodge you are petitioning will want to meet your family and answer their questions as well. If your wife or family does not fully support your decision, your application may be rejected.
Do you understand this important point? Yes No
If you think that Freemasonry will interfere in any way with your family or your career; you should not proceed.
Do you understand this important point? Yes No
7. During the course of getting to know you we will ask you to attend some of our social functions or to attend after our lodge meeting so you can meet some of the members. This will give you a chance to determine whether you like them or not and if they like you. It is important that we like each other.
Are you okay with this approach and concept? Yes No
8. We expect that you are seeking not only to improve yourself but also humanity through service.
Would this be a valid or correct expectation? Yes No
9. You will be expected to ascribe to a high moral standard while dealing with others. Particularly with your brethren in Freemasonry.
Is this what you want to do in your life? Yes No
10. We want candidates to be fully informed when they join us. We want them to know exactly what it is that they are getting involved in. We will tell you what we can but this will also require some research on your part.
Are you interested enough to do this research? Yes No
11. You will be expected to commit certain lectures to memory and to repeat them from memory to the lodge.
Would you be comfortable with this? Yes No
12. Finally, no one is ever asked to become a freemason, you must approach Freemasonry. With this understanding it will be your responsibility to call to arrange each of our next few meetings.
My Contact information is:
Name: ...................................................................................................................
Phone: ...................................................................................................................
Email: ...................................................................................................................
In this getting-to-know stage, you will never be called after the first call and first meeting.
If our phone does not ring we will know that you will not be proceeding.