Question about switching lodges

I was raised to MM in 2013. Due to my work schedule I have not been able to attend any meeting or degree work since then. I do feel bad about this situation due to all of the coaching efforts that were made to accommodate me. However, my question is I'm considering switching lodges to one that meets on a Saturday. I'm wondering how I would go about changing? Would I need to be able to prove myself to the new lodge or how does this work?

Bro. John S. Harmon

Just show up to the lodge, keep coming and after a few meetings ask to join the lodge.

It would be best to let the Secretary of your current Lodge know why you haven't been attending and of your intention to transfer to the Saturday Lodge- he will need to handle the paperwork & it would be extremely rude for you to let him be blind-sided. In Texas, a newly-raised MM has 90 days to demonstrate his proficiency in the work. If you are required to do so & haven't done it, you may have to do it at your current Lodge before transferring. The Secretary of your current Lodge can advise & guide you best.

Basically what Ryan said. Most jurisdictions require you to get a "Certificate of good standing" from your current lodge that'll go with your petition to your new lodge, so talk to your secretary and WM, about what's going on and they should be able to help you getting the paperwork sorted.

And as mentioned show up to your new potential lodge for a month or two before asking to join. You want to make sure that it's a good fit for you and for the lodge.

Visit the Saturday lodge before jumping out of the boat. You can stay a member of your Mother lodge and still attend the other..,


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If your state permits dual/plural membership, you might consider keeping your membership at your "mother" lodge, and also affiliating with the Saturday lodge. I agree, that you might wish to visit the weekend lodge, and get a "feel" for the lodge, their membership, the "chemistry', etc. You can attend any regular lodge, as a visitor. You may choose to keep membership in your mother lodge, and participate in the weekend lodge as a visitor. You can do almost everything, such as participate in ritual, and all of the lodge activities. However, you cannot vote, nor hold office in a lodge, that you are not a member of.

Once you decide to petition the weekend lodge, you need to ask for a "petition for affiliation", as you will not need to go through the degree instructions again. Some states only require the lodge to have a 3/4 majority on the balloting, instead of unanimous. I encourage you to check the regulations of the lodge you wish to affiliate with, and also the rules of your Grand Lodge.