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Hypothetical Demit/Transfer Question (PHA to Regular Non-PHA)

Blackstar

Registered User
This question is not about me.

Can a Prince Hall Freemason in good standing with his Blue Lodge leave that lodge and join a regular lodge that is non-PHA?

For the sake of argument, let's say that the Brother has moved to a new state, to a location where a regular lodge is right across the street from his house and the next PHA lodge is an hour away.

So basically I am speaking of switching jurisdictions and types of regular grand lodges.
 

hanzosbm

Premium Member
So basically I am speaking of switching jurisdictions and types of regular grand lodges.

That's pretty much what it boils down to. It would be changing Grand Lodges and everything that's involved with that, which honestly, isn't too bad since the various Secretaries/Grand Secretaries do all of the heavy lifting.

Where it could potentially get complicated when you're talking about PHA vs non-PHA is recognition. There's not many, but there are still a few GLs that doesn't recognize each other, so if that gets tossed in there, it begins to get more complicated.
 

Blackstar

Registered User
Thanks for your response! In this particular case, I know that the PHA and non-PHA Grand Lodges do indeed recognize each other.
 

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
In every instance with which I'm familiar, where it was permitted, the petitioner was required to withdraw from his PHA GL before applying to the non-PHA Lodge.
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
This is very Jurisdiction specific. Is the “old” PHA Jurisdiction in amity with the new SGL? Is there an agreement between the PHA of the new jurisdiction and the SGL that members cannot move between jurisdictions?

Most PHA GLs do not allow dual memberships.

Speaking to the Grand Secretary of the SGL is the best route. Not the secretary of the lodge.
 

Blackstar

Registered User
This is very Jurisdiction specific. Is the “old” PHA Jurisdiction in amity with the new SGL? Is there an agreement between the PHA of the new jurisdiction and the SGL that members cannot move between jurisdictions?

Most PHA GLs do not allow dual memberships.

Speaking to the Grand Secretary of the SGL is the best route. Not the secretary of the lodge.

So we're clear, what does SGL stand for?
 

CLewey44

Registered User
As the others have said, if recognition is not an issue, should not be an issue. I had to switch GLs, non-PHA to non-PHA, and it took about a year and half. If I may suggest and if it is possible, I would affiliate with the lodge you're looking at joining before demitting your old lodge. The secretaries and GL secretaries will be able to help line all that up. As Bro. Glenn stated, if you can get in direct contact with the GL secretary (or secretaries of both GLs), that'd be your best course of action since it's not an everyday BL secretary scenario.
 
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