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Post by freefalcon on Apr 21, 2009 22:18:24 GMT
Hi. I contacted my local lodge here in New York (USA) and submitted my application to becoming a mason exactly 21 days ago. I was wondering why no one has contacted me since then. Does it usually take this long before getting a response?
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Post by leonardo on Apr 22, 2009 0:16:00 GMT
Hi freefalcon and welcome to the forum. Some lodges are notoriously slow in responding so don't be too concerned if you don't hear from them for awhile. And take into consideration that the lodge you petitioned may well be an extremely busy one. So, best advice is just relax and before you know it you'll have some news. Good luck to you, by the way
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Post by freefalcon on Apr 22, 2009 1:43:32 GMT
Thank you for your response. Hopefully I can become a Mason sooner rather than later. I first found out about Freemasonry a few years ago and have been interested in it ever since. I wish I had submitted my application back then. If I did I definitely would have been a Mason by now. But I guess things happen when they are meant to happen. Hopefully I will be initiated within the next month.
Just out of curiosity, what is Freemasonries policy about Masons joining other organizations such as the Rosicrucians? Is it possible for an individual to be a member of more than one group?
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imakegarb
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One wee, sleeket, cowran, tim'rous beastie
Posts: 3,573
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Post by imakegarb on Apr 22, 2009 2:11:56 GMT
I know Freemasons who are members of AMORC and other such bodies, so I'd say it's cool
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Post by leonardo on Apr 22, 2009 8:18:58 GMT
Yes, many in the Craft are also in other bodies, Martinism, for example. Freefalcon, if you find a long time goes by and you hear nothing from the Lodge you petitioned there's no harm in contacting them again to see if everything’s OK, but if you can wait it's usually best as appearing too eager can sometimes send the wrong signals. Some wait months before receiving word In the meantime try doing some general research into the Craft...., I always discourage those interested in joining from looking into too much too soon as this may spoil things down the road, things learned out of context hardly ever make sense. However, some general knowledge in the early days can really enhance ones understanding.
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Post by freefalcon on Apr 22, 2009 17:15:52 GMT
Thank you all for the great responses. I appreciate it.
When I first contacted the lodge they sent me two pamphlets which provided a general overview of the fraternity and it also included a list of famous masons. I have tried to do some more research on my own but most of what you will find on the internet just happens to be bogus conspiracy theories.
Could anyone point me towards a good source of information about Freemasonry?
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Post by leonardo on Apr 22, 2009 17:26:41 GMT
You might benefit from browsing this site which has some very interesting and informative articles: www.freemasons-freemasonry.comAs for famous Masons: did you know there are more famous Non-Masons than famous Masons
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Post by freefalcon on Apr 24, 2009 0:30:58 GMT
The lodge finally contacted me and told me that they will decide whether or not to accept me as a mason at their next meeting which will take place sometime next month.
I was just wondering how exactly do they decide whether or not to admit a person into the fraternity? What is the criteria?
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imakegarb
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Post by imakegarb on Apr 24, 2009 4:39:06 GMT
It varies from Obedience to Obedience. In general, they will discuss your application among themselves and there may, or may not, be a committee that gets in touch with you to get to know you better. After they think they know you well enough, the committee reports back to the Lodge and then they decide. Then they let you know ;D How quickly this is done depends on the Lodge. In some, I hear it's a matter or weeks, if not days. Those that go thru this procedure more traditionally can take months. How long it will be for you . . . well, you're about to find out Tips for remaining calm during this process: - Three fingers of scotch. - Lavendar baths. - Come here and talk to us. All will be well
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Post by maximus on Apr 24, 2009 14:48:42 GMT
Tips for remaining calm during this process: - Three fingers of scotch. - Lavendar baths. - Come here and talk to us. All will be well If you are a man, I recommend skipping step two.
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imakegarb
Member
One wee, sleeket, cowran, tim'rous beastie
Posts: 3,573
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Post by imakegarb on Apr 24, 2009 15:28:44 GMT
Why? Don't you find Lavender to be relaxing?
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afterthought
Member
A true initiation never ends. -Robert Anton Wilson
Posts: 242
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Post by afterthought on Apr 25, 2009 15:52:03 GMT
Thank you all for the great responses. I appreciate it. When I first contacted the lodge they sent me two pamphlets which provided a general overview of the fraternity and it also included a list of famous masons. I have tried to do some more research on my own but most of what you will find on the internet just happens to be bogus conspiracy theories. Could anyone point me towards a good source of information about Freemasonry? It depends on the Masonic Code of your Grand Lodge. West Virginia for an example you would not be allowed to join AMORC.
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Post by freefalcon on Apr 25, 2009 15:55:03 GMT
Just out of curiosity what is the percentage of applicants who are accepted into the fraternity? Is it above 50%?
I am Just trying to measure my chances of getting in. Now that I have submitted my application I feel nervous. Before I wasn't nervous at all.
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afterthought
Member
A true initiation never ends. -Robert Anton Wilson
Posts: 242
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Post by afterthought on Apr 25, 2009 18:24:56 GMT
You don't have anything to worry about. Relax.
I hope that your lodge lives up to your expectations.
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Post by offramp on Apr 29, 2009 15:03:33 GMT
Just out of curiosity what is the percentage of applicants who are accepted into the fraternity? Is it above 50%? I am Just trying to measure my chances of getting in. Now that I have submitted my application I feel nervous. Before I wasn't nervous at all. Once your application has been accepted I would say the chances of success are well over 90%; the only barrier would be the ballot box in the Lodge. I have never seen a black ball in all the times I have seen a ballot.
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Post by freefalcon on May 4, 2009 19:22:43 GMT
I know for sure they have received my application and will meet sometime next week to decide whether or not I will be admitted because the person I spoke to on the phone told me so. He also said that if I have any questions in the meantime that I can just call and ask someone.
Although I don't really have any questions at the moment because I have already done my research. And I don't anticipate any problems because I don't think there is anything to worry about either. But at the same time I don't want to give them the wrong impression of being disinterested because I don't have any questions. Anyway, I guess we will know by the end of next week whether I will be blackballed or not.
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Post by freefalcon on May 4, 2009 20:31:33 GMT
It would be usual for you to be interviewed first by the investigation committee appointed by the WM before you are balloted on. Did that happen yet? No. I have not been interviewed by anyone. The only contact that I have had with the Lodge is I have spoken to the Lodge Secretary a few times on the phone and by email.
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Post by freefalcon on May 4, 2009 23:23:06 GMT
If you have applied to a lodge that is under the GL of NY then I imagine you will be interviewed before any ballot takes place. That would be the usual procedure. The lodge may have a back log of degree work so are delaying the matter for a bit. Ask them when you can expect to be interviewed. I also imagine they will want to get to know you a bit on the social level before this proceeds further. This usually involves visiting them to have dinner with some of the members. This is also normal. By the way, who proposed and seconded your petition? You need to speak with them as well. However, from your message it seems you sent in a petition - where did it come from? Was it signed by your two sponsors? I first contacted my local lodge to request information about Freemasonry and I was sent two brochures which answered basic questions like: What is Freemasonry? Will I be asked to join? What are the requirements for membership? etc. Then once I decided that I wanted to become a member I notified the lodge of my decision and they sent me the petition for Initiation and Advancement. I completed the application and mailed it back. Once they received my application they called me and told me they would decide on it sometime this month. I do not personally know anyone at the lodge at which I submitted my application. No one sponsored or proposed me to become a member. I filled out the application entirely on my own and my signature is the only signature which appears on my application.
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Post by freefalcon on May 5, 2009 1:14:24 GMT
Is this a lodge under the GLNY? It seems strange to me that they would ballot on a person they have never met or even interviewed. This is not the way things happen in US GLs. Can you provide some details concerning the masonic group you have applied to. There are many various masonic groups in NY/C. The particular lodge I applied to meets on the second Monday of every month so there is still time for them to interview me. And I guess if they don't vote on it this month there is always next month.
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Post by freefalcon on May 5, 2009 3:06:18 GMT
I assume the lodge is part of the GLNY. Is that right? if that is right this is still a strange way for that lodge to handle your application in my opinion. If the lodge is part of another masonic group then they may look at the matter differently. Yes. I went to www.nymasons.org and checked the listing of all masonic lodges in New York and the lodge in my town is on that list so I know its an official masonic lodge and not a fake one. I didn't even know fake lodges exist.
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