imakegarb
Member
One wee, sleeket, cowran, tim'rous beastie
Posts: 3,573
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Post by imakegarb on May 5, 2009 4:31:07 GMT
Our Candidates generally meet very few members of the lodge, mostly the investigating committee, before the first or second vote. Those first two ballots usually are based on the Candidate's written responses to three pages of questions and the reports from the investigating committee. We generally wait until after the second successful ballot before we invite the Candidate to come meet . . . us ;D So, yeah, there's still time for you to get that invite :-) I'm not aware of all that much variation among the various Masonic Obediences when it comes to dealing with Candidates. However, there are a few - very few - shady groups that claim to be Masonic but really aren't. Bro. Arch may be referring to one of these. The GLofNY is the largest Masonic Obedience in New York and is a good one. So you've nothing to worry about there
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Post by leonardo on May 5, 2009 7:18:40 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. Your application should be received positively but I can understand your sense of anxiousness, many of us will have experienced similar feelings in the past when we too first petitioned for membership so can appreciate where you’re coming from. I can also appreciate that being told not to worry can have little or no effect to a potential candidate who doesn’t know what’s going to happen, but soon enough you’ll be saying to yourself, “why was I so concerned.” A point worth noting is that it is unusual for a new member to be blackballed. By the stage where votes are to be cast the Investigation Committee will have done their work and presented their findings and surely they would not have given the go ahead for a time-consuming vote unless they felt you were acceptable as a future candidate. [IMO]
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Post by freefalcon on May 7, 2009 4:45:20 GMT
I know they are meeting this upcoming Monday but I have not been contacted yet so I am assuming that they are not meeting this Monday to discuss my application. If I still don't hear anything by the end of Monday I will just contact them on Tuesday just to ask what is happening and I also had a few questions to ask anyway.
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imakegarb
Member
One wee, sleeket, cowran, tim'rous beastie
Posts: 3,573
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Post by imakegarb on May 7, 2009 5:12:17 GMT
Bro. Arch, not every Candidate is told everything that is happening. For instance, in my own Obedience, the investigating committee isn't even assigned until first reading of the application (recall those three pages of questions) is accepted. Even then, we don't tell the candidate an investigating committee is formed. We tell them they'll get calls from Brothers in the Lodge.
There is, of course, a need for making allowances for practices within Obediences.
As for the New York/New Jersey area of the USA having the largest number of pseudo-quasi-fraudulent 'masonry' of anywhere in the world . . . please cite your source for this information. And how "pseudo-quasi-fraudulent Masonry" is defined.
Bro. FreeFalcon, do ask your questions. The Lodge will be keenly interested in whether you would be a good fit for them but you should be as eager to know if they are a good fit for you. Harmony is extremely important in a Lodge. If all turns out well, fine. If not, there are other Lodges in New York and, law of averages being what it is, one ought to be right for you.
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Post by penfold on May 7, 2009 16:46:53 GMT
To Bro Archie Yep, I too would like to see some substantive evidence for those claims. I also fail to understand how, there not being one over-arching managing body for US GL's, it is possible to state that a GL "must" do something, e.g. the investigation committee
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Post by freefalcon on May 7, 2009 22:03:56 GMT
I went ahead and contacted the lodge and asked a few questions and I also asked about the status of my application. I was told that at their next meeting the application will be read to the members of the lodge and that shortly after that meeting an investigation committee will contact me for an interview and then at their next meeting they will decide whether or not to make me a member and then they will notify me of their decision. So it seems that everything is moving along as it should be. This procedure seems to naturally require at least a month or two due to the fact that most lodges only meet once or twice a month. I just need to have more patience.
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Post by freefalcon on May 8, 2009 17:38:53 GMT
I am just glad that everything is moving along as it should be and that the lodge I submitted my application to is in fact a legitimate masonic lodge.
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Post by leonardo on May 8, 2009 21:26:25 GMT
I am just glad that everything is moving along as it should be and that the lodge I submitted my application to is in fact a legitimate masonic lodge. That is good to hear and I look forward to hearing more in due course.
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Post by freefalcon on May 18, 2009 0:33:29 GMT
The latest update is that my application was read in lodge and that an investigation committee will be sent to meet with me but I won't receive the first degree until this Fall. I don't remember exactly why the lodge secretary said I won't be able to receive the first degree before the Fall but that is what he said. This is taking more time than I thought it would.
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Post by freefalcon on May 18, 2009 18:40:38 GMT
So when does a Mason really become a Mason? Is it when they earn the first degree or when they earn all three degrees? And how are degrees earned? Is it just like school where you read books and then pass tests to show that you have memorized and learned the material?
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Post by penfold on May 19, 2009 18:15:11 GMT
Different Grand Lodges (or jurisdictions) have different policies, under UGLE you are considered a mason from your initiation, I believe that most US based GL's hold that you are not a mason until after you have received the third degree. Additionally each GL has it's own rules and reg's on how you progress through the degree's, in general tho most expect you to show knowledge of the former degree and pass a proficiency test of some sort prior to moving on the next degree. All will be explained by your lodge, with particular regard to how they do things.
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Post by freefalcon on Jun 18, 2009 20:40:47 GMT
Thus far I have attended one open meeting at the lodge but I am not a mason yet. The investigation committee still has to interview me but I was told that won't happen until August because all masonic lodges in the state are currently "dark." Which means they won't be open again until September.
Assuming that I pass the investigation, which I believe I will, can anyone tell me about what the initiation process is like? For example, what I will be required to do and how long it is, etc. Thanks.
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Post by generatics on Jul 6, 2009 20:14:54 GMT
welcome, freefalcon. the fact that you've been this patient and have not gone out on the web or book store and simply looked up the ritual is a great thing, and i would encourage you to stick with it. the initiation process is in a lot of ways "everything" and for us to tell you any more than you need to know would be doing you a great disservice. remain patient and experience it fully. you'll be glad you did. what can be said is that you needn't worry. nothing will be expected of you other than openness to receive it.
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Post by pdh825 on Jul 13, 2009 13:51:16 GMT
freefalcon, Which Lodge in NY did you petition?
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Post by jonothan on Nov 6, 2009 19:48:19 GMT
I would like to join an all female masonic lodge
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Post by jonothan on Nov 6, 2009 19:49:37 GMT
are there any female only masonic lodges that anyone can refer me to
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Post by jonothan on Nov 6, 2009 19:50:57 GMT
where are all those lovely female freemasons to chat to
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imakegarb
Member
One wee, sleeket, cowran, tim'rous beastie
Posts: 3,573
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Post by imakegarb on Nov 10, 2009 6:52:23 GMT
Hi Jonathan!! ;D I'm not a Femalecraft Mason, I am a Co-Mason (mixed). Based solely on your name, I'm guessing you're a man. Which is quite a barrier to joining a Femalecraft Lodge, much as women can't join a Malecraft lodge. You could join a Co-Masonic Lodge. Or a Malecraft Lodge. If you are a man . . . and you still want to join a Femalecraft Lodge . . . good luck with that
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Post by maximus on Nov 10, 2009 14:17:25 GMT
Hi Jonathan!! ;D I'm not a Femalecraft Mason, I am a Co-Mason (mixed). Based solely on your name, I'm guessing you're a man. Which is quite a barrier to joining a Femalecraft Lodge, much as women can't join a Malecraft lodge. You could join a Co-Masonic Lodge. Or a Malecraft Lodge. If you are a man . . . and you still want to join a Femalecraft Lodge . . . good luck with that Unless he's transgender. I wonder how that would work?
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Post by magusmasonica on Nov 10, 2009 18:23:41 GMT
Hi Jonathan!! ;D I'm not a Femalecraft Mason, I am a Co-Mason (mixed). Based solely on your name, I'm guessing you're a man. Which is quite a barrier to joining a Femalecraft Lodge, much as women can't join a Malecraft lodge. You could join a Co-Masonic Lodge. Or a Malecraft Lodge. If you are a man . . . and you still want to join a Femalecraft Lodge . . . good luck with that Unless he's transgender. I wonder how that would work? If he is a sincere seeker I don't see why it should matter. IMHO
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