Freemasons
 

Okay. I've wanted to join since I was 13. I am 21 now so how do I join?

One of the Masons on this board can probably give you a better answer than I can (my husband is a Mason) - but as I understand it, you should find a nearby lodge, get to know some of the members, and express your interest in joining. It's a little like rush, except that you have to explicitly ask them "How do I join?" for the process to start (rather than them inviting you / offering you a bid).

The three basic qualifications are that you must be male, at least 21 (which you've just met), and believe in some form of God.

Good luck :)

Hey Billy,
Let me know if you haven't found your answer yet. My father is a Mason and is the Worshipful Master of his lodge so I could get information from him.

Yes, you must ask a Mason. They are not allowed to ask you. I highly recommend the Masonic lodge. They do a great amount of charitable work for many worthy causes. I was initiated into Eastern Star last year - a women's Masonic sponsored org. - and I can't tell you how delighted I am. In fact, it re-kindled my interest in the GLOs. The Masons are fine gentlemen and I am happy that you are interested. Sadly, not nearly enough young men want to join these days. I think they would if they knew more about the Masons.

Good luck!

Lizz

Well said, Sister! :D I'm very active in both my lodge (Plano #768) and OES (Plano #703). What's your OES chapter?

Re: Freemasons
 

First of all, congratulations on taking the first step in becoming a Freemason. Traditionally, you must ask for membership of your own free will and accord. Many Masonic grand lodges have relaxed the 'no solicitation' clause for membership though you won't see them coercing anyone into joining our Order.

Since you live in Virginia, take a look at the Grand Lodge of Virginia web site at http://www.grandlodgeofvirginia.org/ ; in it you'll find more information about Freemasonry and the addresses and contacts of the Masonic lodge in your area.

You'll probably be contacting the lodge's secretary first, since he is the one who generally runs the day-to-day operations of the lodge. You'll probably be asked to visit the lodge and invited to dinner so you can meet the brethren, if you are sincerely interested in becoming a member, you will be given a petition for membership.

After you fill it out and return it to the secretary, it will be read in open lodge during a stated meeting. An investigating committee will be appointed to interview you and give you the opportunity to ask questions about the fraternity.

The committee reports on the petitioner at the following stated meeting and then the ballot is spread. In many Grand Lodges the ballot must be unanimous to elect a candidate to membership. Following election, you will be contacted to receive the first, or Entered Apprentice degree in lodge.

There are three degrees in Symbolic, or 'Blue Lodge' Freemasonry: Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft and Master Mason. Each degree is very symbolic and teaches many lessons in morality. Before being passed to the Fellowcraft degree or raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason you must pass an examination consisting of a series of lectures that will enable to prove yourself proficient in each degree. You will be assigned an instructor or 'coach' and taught the lectures, which in many Masonic jurisdictions are only taught by mouth-to-ear.

Depending on your ability to remember and recall the lectures, it takes anywhere from three to five months from EA to MM.

After passing the proficiency of the Master Mason degree or having completed other requirements depending on the Grand Lodge, you are then eligible to join the Scottish or York Rites and or the Shrine, which expand on the symbolism of Masonry.

Any other questions you might have, please feel free and PM me. Good luck and wish you the best!

AlphaSigOU
 

Glad to hear you are enjoying your Masonic Activities. I am a member of South Fort Worth #835.

It's nice for you to help a brother find the way.


Lizz

tinydancer -

do I understand correctly what I've heard, that a woman may only join Order of the Eastern Star if her husband/father/brother/etc is involved in the Masons? Or is it something one can pursue on her own?

Ginger,
Go over to http://easternstar.org
and it will tell you about the requirements for membership. It does not always have to be a real close relation anymore (father, husband, brother) as it once was.

If I can help, please let me know.

Lizz

thanks, that was a great link!

I was more curious than anything else :)

To be One Ask One
 

Actually most jurisdictions only require you to be 18 years of age. In order to become a freemason is to ask one, you do not need to know one personally, just contact the nearest lodge to you and they will lead in the right direction, just be sure not to petition a BOGUS Masonic group, Like International, AF&AM or Compact, these group of masons are not recognized nor are they legit and you will most like get your feelings hurt if you ever leave the country and try attend a meeting.

The requirement to join the Order of The Eastern Star varies from each jurisdiction, Most in 2011 still require a BLOOD LINE Tie to someone who is a Master Mason, any group that does not is a BOGUS or IRREGULAR body and are not MASONIC, But at times there are periods during the year LEGITIMATE Body of MASONS?STARS drop the bloodline requirment , but that only lasts a short time.

^^^ FYI, you're responding to nine year old posts.

And Brother RockBender from what I understood step-relations are fairly common.

I think they may be BOGUS and not legit. :rolleyes:

Whoa. Down, boy.

To address your first point: I have learned that some jurisdictions have considered dropping the minimum age to 18. When my husband became a Mason, he was not allowed even to begin the process until he was 21. That was over a decade ago.

To address your second point: If you are female, you do NOT need a blood line relationship to a Mason to join OES. I am the wife of a Mason, hence I am eligible to pursue OES membership if I so choose.

Think before you bump 9-year-old threads.

AEPhi, it is actually 18 in most jurisdictions now, though as of a couple of years ago it was still 21 in NJ.

Umm didn't AF&AM merge with F&AM back in like 1813???

And Eastern Star was actually created for the wives of Mason's primarily, so the no blood relation thing is odd, though he could be considering a spouse to be so.

Seriously, can anyone explain why dude was calling certain groups BOGUS?

I don't know much about the Freemasons, but wouldn't the different kinds of Mason groups be just that - different?

Umm yes and no. There are different types of Freemasonry, but certain types don't consider the others to really be Masons. The three very rough groups are Lodges under the authority of the United Grand Lodge of England (mainstream), Grand Orient de France(Continental Freemasonry, considered irregular) and Prince Hall Freemasonry (primarily African American.) The first branch is UGLE.

Thanks for the explanation.

Not a problem. Even for us it can be kind of confusing.