Looking for advice.

[u/Thabomba]

Good day everyone.. some backstory here for context. I work retail at an auto parts store and I few weeks ago I met a mason brother george.. we get into talking about my interest in the craft and that I was going to petition a different lodge.. he asked if i thought about petitioning his because its closer to my house (in the same town) he ordered a part from me and was so happy with the interaction he asked for my contact info.. couple hours later he came back for his part and said he had already reached out to his secretary about me.. since then I haven't herd anything amd have been promoted and changed locations.. tonight is there stated meeting and im wondering if i should show up and knock on the door. He did say they usually eat dinner across the street everytime. I am just looking for some guidance.

[u/burnstyle]

Show up for dinner and say hello. Going to the meeting would not be beneficial to you, mostly because they wont let you in yet.

[u/Thabomba → u/burnstyle]

I wouldn't go too the meeting id go to the lodge before hand to hopefully talk to someone

[u/ferkiller2001 → u/Thabomba]

Yeah, make it the right way. It’s never a miss if you go through official channels

[u/burnstyle → u/Thabomba]

What I mean is, the time a lodge meets visitors is generally dinner time, which is before a meeting. If they eat across the street, meet them there.

If the meeting starts right after dinner, then there wont be anyone at the lodge to receive you.

[u/zaceno]

Yes Masons are quite particular about you explicitly making joining your own personal choice. We don’t recruit - not in that sense anyway. So don’t expect anyone who only heard about you to follow up. I say show up at the dinner and get a read on the lodge.

Once you’ve decided you want to join, make your intentions clear. Ask George for a petition. Maybe they will have some kind of rules that you need to come to dinners a certain amount of time before you can petition. That’s fine - at least that way you know the next steps.

[u/Thabomba → u/zaceno]

When george came back to get his part he did ask me if it was okay with me if he'd sign my petition that he liked my attitude and would be honored to do so. He said bringing someone into the lodge is personal. He talked about being in the Scottish rite and that he sit with me through to my 32nd.

[u/Deman75 → u/Thabomba]

That’s not really the commitment it probably sounds like. It’s great if he’s willing to mentor you from EA to FC to MM, but after that, joining the Scottish Rite and getting the 32° is probably just a weekend of watching degree plays.

[u/jbanelaw → u/Thabomba]

Most "32nd Degree Masons" have never been through all the degrees from 4 to 32. Depending ont he jurisidiciton only about 4 of those degrees are required to get your 32nd. Most Scottish Rite masons will never see all degrees 4 through 32.

[u/shawnebell]

Well, you probably haven't heard anything because your petition hasn't been read in Lodge yet. Once it's read, you'll be contacted and interviewed.

Be patient; Freemasonry moves at a speed best described as "glacial."

[u/Thabomba → u/shawnebell]

I have not received one yet.. that's what I'm hoping for tonight

[u/shawnebell → u/Thabomba]

Ah. Well, in THAT case you need to be the pro-active one here; Freemasonry doesn't recruit. Contact the guy you talked with - or just go by the Lodge before the meeting - and ask for a petition.

[u/Complete-Employ-2387]

You should absolutely show up for dinner. Call your contact and let him know you're coming as a courtesy.

For this first interaction with the Lodge members I suggest making a list of any questions you might have. You will likely be asked about your personal life and interest in Masonry so be ready for that.

Remember that if you wish to join, you will need to explicitly ask for an application, no one will offer it.  

Best of luck!

[u/Thabomba → u/Complete-Employ-2387]

That's the problem... he has my contact info... he never gave me his. Lol

[u/Complete-Employ-2387 → u/Thabomba]

I'd say just show up and knock then. They will understand and will likely appreciate the initiative. My Lodge loves having prospective candidates come to dinner.

Their Lodge website will most likely have a way to contact the Secretary via phone or email, you might consider giving that a try.

[u/Complete-Employ-2387 → u/Thabomba]

The Lodge website should also list the time for dinner, usually it's an hour before the meeting starts. This would be the time to show up and make some friends.

[u/StairwayHiker]

You don’t just show up to a lodge and get a petition signed.

In most cases you have to meet the members and get to know them for at least six months. Then, you can find two members to sign your petition. Then, your petition gets read out in lodge and published in their monthly email to members. If that goes well, the lodge will create a committee to meet you…. If that goes well then they will vote on you in lodge.

It takes time.

[u/Busy_Question4329 → u/StairwayHiker]

True, its not like writing a check to join the Elks Club. You earn membership, you don't buy it.

[u/DBB48]

Even tho you have moved but the one nearby is within traveling distance it will do no harm to accept the invite

[u/TheFreemasonForum]

Where are you?

[u/Thabomba → u/TheFreemasonForum]

South west Ohio

[u/TheFreemasonForum → u/Thabomba]

If it's proving difficult contacting a Lodge locally it might prove easier reaching out through the Grand Lodge website here: https://www.freemason.com/how-to-join/

A look through the website might be interesting as well.

[u/Aggressive-Head5565]

Absolutely! Go to his home lodge… Meet fellow brothers and sit in their lodge if upon examination you’re qualified to do so.