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I ASKED...

Derinique Kendrick

Registered User
Today, since I was unsure if my request was acknowledged, I decided to take a more professional and formal approach. I sent a letter to the lodge. That way I know it will be received the next time they have a meeting. Hopefully this will open the door to an invitation to dinner that you men have been talking about. I see it as being persistent and letting it be known that I am serious about joining. Also I see it as addressing the interest to the entire lodge instead of just the one person I knew. Any feedback on if sending a letter is a good form of communication. Just trying to be respectfully proactive, because if the dinner and meet ups is a first step before I even receive a petition I want to at least embark on that as soon as I can.
 

Derinique Kendrick

Registered User
I believe your heart is in the right place.

In my jurisdiction (Texas), dinners are usually before a meeting, and there is usually a standing invitation for interested visitors to join us. If yours is the same, start showing up and meeting people. When they get to know you and you get to know them, then getting a petition will become easy.

Just be patient. Every single brother here has travelled the same road. If you take the time to travel it, you will one day have many brothers, and some of them will be closer than blood relatives.
The thing is that they KNOW that I am interested. And have yet to say "we are having dinner at such and such time on such and such date feel free to join us. I keep getting that I should show up to dinner, but I'm not going to show up anywhere unannounced or uninvited especially when they already know that I am interested. I just find that to be a bit intrusive or too pushy or desperate.
 

Derinique Kendrick

Registered User
I know how you feel. The brother that met me at the door is now one of my closest friends, and I'd rather be in his company that almost anyone else's. And it all started because I just started coming around.

Something that you need to understand is that it is an old custom to never invite anyone to be a Mason. In some jurisdictions, they make no open invitations even for dinners. So, it is incumbent upon you to show up. You will knock on every door that opens to you, which is something that will eventually make sense. You just need to show up and knock on the door.
I understand that and I'm not looking for an invite to join. I already took it upon myself to express interest in joining. I've done that. They say "2B1ASK1" and I have asked one that I know and I addressed it in a letter I sent to the lodge as well. So I understand that no one is soliciting membership I asked in my own free will and accord.
And my only concern about the showing up for dinner thing is since I don't know exactly how they operate as far as if they eat before or after I don't want to just show up and it not be an authorized time for non members to be there. That's my only thing. ThAts why I said I didn't feel good about showing up unannounced because I don't know what may come from that. I'm knocking it just seems as if no one is there.
I guess my whole purpose of postings is to get some kind of acknowledgement for example we received your request however we are not taking any members at the moment or we received your request come and meet with us on such and such day so we can talk more about the fraternity so that you can further confirm your interest. You get what I'm saying? @dalinkou it's like a long game of checkers where I've made a move just waiting on the response so I can move again. The idleness adds to the anxiety.
 

crono782

Premium Member
I get where you're coming from. I had the same mindset the first time I set about wanting to join and ended up abandoning the whole endeavor because I just got so worked up about it. It wasn't until later that I went about it with less worry.
Honestly, you're overthinking it, trust me. Dinners are usually open to visitors and they are usually before the meetings, though it can be different. Hey, if you come at the wrong time, someone there can probably tell you exactly when to come next time. Or just hang around and wait til they're done and introduce yourself. Concentrate on finding out when their meeting night is and go introduce yourself in person. Speak plainly and tell them that you would like to petition and tell them that you've been visiting already, etc.

I know it sounds improper to be so forthcoming, but you're making it out to be way more complicated than it typically is. There's probably no perfect time to meet and greet and I've never heard of any lodges not accepting petitions unless by very special circumstances. I'd hate for you to spend all this time waiting on them when they might just be waiting on you.
 

Derinique Kendrick

Registered User
I get where you're coming from. I had the same mindset the first time I set about wanting to join and ended up abandoning the whole endeavor because I just got so worked up about it. It wasn't until later that I went about it with less worry.
Honestly, you're overthinking it, trust me. Dinners are usually open to visitors and they are usually before the meetings, though it can be different. Hey, if you come at the wrong time, someone there can probably tell you exactly when to come next time. Or just hang around and wait til they're done and introduce yourself. Concentrate on finding out when their meeting night is and go introduce yourself in person. Speak plainly and tell them that you would like to petition and tell them that you've been visiting already, etc.

I know it sounds improper to be so forthcoming, but you're making it out to be way more complicated than it typically is. There's probably no perfect time to meet and greet and I've never heard of any lodges not accepting petitions unless by very special circumstances. I'd hate for you to spend all this time waiting on them when they might just be waiting on you.
Thanks @crono782. I tend to have a habit of overthinking things. I get like that with things I find meaningful and important and it's even worse when I don't really understand all terms of what's going on as you can see.
So I just catch them early on a meeting day and the ball shall start rolling from there?
I totally agree with the last part too I'd hate to be waiting on one side on the door when they can be very well waiting on the other side.
 

Bro. Staton

Registered User
No none as of yet. Still waiting to receive one @Bro. Staton
Just my opinion young brother. I think upon the next meeting night you show up and ask in person about your petition. Simply state that you are only following up and that you understand that it is some delay at times in hearing back about your petition. Ask at that point while your there if it is anything you can do while you are there. Again keep your spirits high and stay positive. What was the name and location of the lodge in which you petitioned??
 

Bro. Staton

Registered User
Just thinking did you say your father in law or dad was in the lodge you petitioned?? If so you should ask that person directly as well.
 

Derinique Kendrick

Registered User
Just thinking did you say your father in law or dad was in the lodge you petitioned?? If so you should ask that person directly as well.
Yes my father in law is a member of that lodge. And he is the person that I asked about joining and receiving a petition. He hasn't mentioned anything since (not to ME at least) so all I have is high hopes that in due time I will receive one. And the lodge is Greensboro #223 in Greensboro, Ga
 
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Derinique Kendrick

Registered User
While I'm thinking about it, could it be possible that with it being close to the years end and plus elections for officers for the upcoming year, could that be why my asking hasn't been further addressed to ME.

Or am I overthinking it again
 

crono782

Premium Member
When you asked about a petition what was the answer given? Did he dodge the question? The reason we've been saying to just go and visit a lodge and ask there is you can literally ask them to hand you a petition form. Almost certainly they will have some copies there at the lodge. The petitioning process is really a term for paperwork and voting process. The investigation/determining character part comes in the middle.

Edit: if you haven't already seen all this, I looked up Greensboro Lodge #223 under the MWPHGLoGA.

Greensboro #223
Athens District No 6
371 Canaan Cir, Greensboro, GA
Worshipful Master: Willie Bufford
Meetings: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 7pm.

That being the case, I would show up at that address at 6pm and attempt to talk to a member. Explain the situation, that you are interested, have family that is a member, and would like to not only visit with the lodge, but would also like a copy of a petition form. Once you have made plainly known your intention and have a petition in hand, you can visit at will as it may take time to get enough recommenders. You're getting too caught up on step 1 of the process. ;)
 
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crono782

Premium Member
Let me back up a step though. You should absolutely find a lodge that fits you personally. What I should really say is that you don't exactly need an engraved invitation to visit with a lodge. Use the GL website and find lodge meeting times that you would like to visit. Show up an hour early and be friendly, meet the guys. Ask directly when you can visit with multiple members of the lodge such as at a pre- or post-meeting dinner. The petition is just the start of the paperwork.
 
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