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Post by mattjtayl on Dec 15, 2006 3:16:16 GMT
I petitioned a local lodge a couple months and haven't heard from them. If my application is rejected what happens to the $100 initiation fee? Do I loose that money even if I am rejected?
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Tamrin
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Nosce te ipsum
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Post by Tamrin on Dec 15, 2006 6:45:57 GMT
Greetings mattjtayl Would you please supply more details. I find it odd that you have had to pay anything as yet. I only had to pay on the night of my initiation and while some other Orders have requested fees beforehand, it has only been after they had accepted me. Procedures do vary between jurisdictions and if there are instances where an initiation fee is asked for upon application, I would certainly expect that it should be refunded if the initiation does not take place. That being said, applications typically take months to proceed. You may just need to be patient.
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Post by wayseer on Dec 16, 2006 2:56:53 GMT
Hello Mattjtayl and welcome to the forum. Interesting question for your first post.
Yes, I find the payment of any fees problematic prior to initiation - although other jurisdiction may have other procedures. Why not ask your sponsor?
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imakegarb
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Post by imakegarb on Dec 16, 2006 3:15:54 GMT
I paid an application fee, which I was told was nonrefundible (though I later found out it applied toward my first year's dues) but it was NOT $100. That sounds terribly high to me. However, it may simply be something that varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
Not hearing *anything* at all for a couple of months is very, very odd. Still, this time of year can be difficult for some lodges and thing might get put off. I know that's not exactly helpful as I can very much understand your frustration. During my hazy time before the vote, I bounced off the walls whenever I was promised communication in a given week and it didn't happen. However, the holidays might explain part of the silence.
John's idea of touching base with your sponsor is a good one. If you don't know who your sponsors are (I still don't know), then you might try to contact the person who sent the appliation. Or if you have a contact name/number/email/etc., and you haven't already, you might try to contact them for an update.
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Post by mattjtayl on Dec 16, 2006 17:56:07 GMT
I was told I would have to pay $100 some time, but it wasn't urgent. I elected to pay it up front, I regret that decision. I should of waited to see if I would be accepted first.
I was confused though, my sponser told me they would vote on my application that night and then my interview would be on December 7. This was a couple months ago. However when I asked the Worshipful master he told me," no we will contact you." I asked if I should come back on December 7 and he told me no wait for them to contact me. Well December 7th is way past and I am worried I might of missed a meeting.
No one has called me and I am wondering what is going on. I am afraid to call them, I don't want to appear impatient. I wrote down my sponser's phone number somewhere a couple months ago...
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jmd
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Post by jmd on Dec 16, 2006 23:28:24 GMT
I would call them.
It is not a matter of being impatient, but rather that, in this case, you were lead to expect some kind of return call soon after the 7th of December. Even if it was not their intent to make you think that they would call you immediately after the December meeting, you are left in 'limbo', and your sponsor or proposer is the person with whom you should feel quite at liberty to clarify any thing that is niggling, not understood, or confused.
I doubt that they are even aware that you are feeling as you are at the moment. Certainly, it is not a matter to keep on calling to see what's happening, but if the date is past, and you were expecting some contact, then at the very least enquire as to whether you misunderstood what feedback you though you would receive following the December meeting.
As many other people, your proposer/sponsor and most other people within that Lodge are likely so familiar with the normal proceedings that they may have forgotten that you're not (an easy thing to do!).
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Munro
Member
Lodge St. Andrew Livingston Station No.1587
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Post by Munro on Dec 17, 2006 11:27:27 GMT
Although I have not yet played a direct role in the adminstration of a Lodge or its workings, I am more than aware that it is sometimes difficult (say, for the Lodge secretary) to stay ontop of things.
Remember, this will be a man who's life outside of the Lodge is probably just as busy (with family and work) as it is within! That's alot of responsibility, and things will be easily misplaced.
Communication, as in most fields, will also be an issue.
That is why I think you should call them. Your sponsor(s) and others will understand -as they have no doubt been in the same position themselves at some point or another.
And on a closing note....I to find it odd that you have had to pay anything before actually becoming a member....
Cheers!
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Post by mattjtayl on Dec 18, 2006 3:57:05 GMT
I got in contact with the lodge, things are going fine, things have just been delayed. It will be several more months, so I will just have to be patient.
Now that I have been thinking back to when I applied, I remember now the $100 was the application fee; I just have a foggy memory.
Thanks for the advice.
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imakegarb
Member
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Post by imakegarb on Dec 18, 2006 18:38:17 GMT
I'm glad to hear you've been in communication with them. I'm beginning to realize, as much as I was bouncing off the walls and feeling so impatient when I was waiting for the vote, I now realize I'm exceedingly fortunate I used this time of year for a long ponder and didn't apply until March. Had I applied in late fall/early winter . . . well, I doubt I'd having any finger nails or hair now Please do keep us informed. I'm sure everything will go just fine ;D
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jmd
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Post by jmd on Dec 18, 2006 21:57:07 GMT
Winter??? Ah! of course, you people don't have Christmas in Summer! I keep on thinking that the US is about a day behind - but it's really six months and a day !!!
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Post by cemab4y on Dec 26, 2006 19:15:43 GMT
I honestly don't know. I am interested however! I am from Kentucky, and when I petitioned my lodge, I was not required to provide any money "up front", so to speak. Once I was notified that I had been approved for membership, and invited to appear for the Entered Apprentice degree, I was directed in the invitation letter, to bring a payment with me, at that time.
Please let us know what happens with your petition.
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Post by lewfinnis on Jan 14, 2007 17:04:31 GMT
In our (UGLE) Lodge we try to ballot for the candidate at the meeting before he is due to be initiated. On the night, before the ceremony, the Secretary and Treasurer go out to complete the paperwork and relieve him of his fees, then come back in and report that he is in attendance, has signed the declaration and paid all fees. In fact, they will have made sure of this much earlier in the evening, but this little tradition carries on - it also indicates to the Tyler when to get him ready.
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Post by rbartlett on Jan 30, 2007 23:03:55 GMT
In our (UGLE) Lodge we try to ballot for the candidate at the meeting before he is due to be initiated. On the night, before the ceremony, the Secretary and Treasurer go out to complete the paperwork and relieve him of his fees, then come back in and report that he is in attendance, has signed the declaration and paid all fees. In fact, they will have made sure of this much earlier in the evening, but this little tradition carries on - it also indicates to the Tyler when to get him ready. Although I guess it's one way of ensuring that "peculiar moment you were received into Masonry" S&F Richard
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imakegarb
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Post by imakegarb on Jan 31, 2007 4:26:29 GMT
(little giggles) Richard, were the fees in your lodge THAT high?
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wolfy
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Post by wolfy on Feb 5, 2007 18:37:13 GMT
My fees were paid AFTER I was initiated, they seemed more bothered by me paying for my meal (as soon as I arrived) than taking my lodge fees (about two minutes before we ate!)
Belly club or what?! lol
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robbie
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Post by robbie on Apr 17, 2007 15:21:50 GMT
On my petition it was inked that each degree was $75. When I turned in my petition I had to include the first $75 or nothing would be done. I did have the option to pay for all three degrees at once but didn't see the sense in it if I could be turned down, so I just paid the $75. I was told that if for any reason I didn't make it, the check would be returned with a letter of rejection.
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