Criminal Background Check Resources

I also think it is important to know if a prospective brother wan2be is honest and truthful. Great idea to at least meet and interact at home or at Lodge. I came to this Forums for the same reason to getting to know the culture and determine whether I can fit in. Meet in person definitely will be different. Regardless, Whatever I typed on this Forums were honest and truthful. I think Clint misunderstood one of my responses. For example, I have never been in side the United Grand Lodge or Local Lodge, but I had been inside a Masonic Temple in Sacramento many times. It sounds fiction or bull but not. In fact, certain like a ballroom on a 4 th floor of the Temple was rented/used for meeting and wedding events. I know the less I write reader can be misunderstanding, but the more I write it also can cause a misunderstanding, so I am going to keep it to a minimum.

CLewey44 said:

See what they plan on contributing to Masonry.

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Definitely, in addition, I now think it is important to have more members that following Masonry especially with a diverse of backgrounds. Furthermore, a faithful and loyal Mason will more likely to have a positive view in line with the majority views among his Brothers. Personally, I would not play hard to get in this scenario. It is not to be funny, but I just like to end with an emoji.

The Indiana Grand Lodge mandated a criminal background check for all candidates. So here it is the law of the land.

LK600 said:

Where I am they do a criminal background check, check social media, call three references, and a 3 person committee visits their home. The candidate is also requested to come to lodge several times before any vote. Not sure if if any of that would help stop idiots from getting in.

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It does help for out the cut of a fellows jib. One guy sank himself when we went to the pub and was really rude to a waitress- I guess he felt she was beneath him or he was showing off or something. We were not going to have that sort of bloke around... Freemasonry calls you to be the best person you can, if you're thinking of applying, try just doing that for a while before you try to join...

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Bloke said:

It does help for out the cut of a fellows jib. One guy sank himself when we went to the pub and was really rude to a waitress- I guess he felt she was beneath him or he was showing off or something. We were not going to have that sort of bloke around... Freemasonry calls you to be the best person you can, if you're thinking of applying, try just doing that for a while before you try to join...

Sent from my SM-G920I using My Freemasonry mobile app

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Now see, this is guarding the West. Love it...

Bloke said:

One guy sank himself when we went to the pub and was really rude to a waitress- I guess he felt she was beneath him or he was showing off or something. We were not going to have that sort of bloke around

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Great!

CLewey44 said:

Now see, this is guarding the West. Love it...

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Good example.

I am personally in favor of having as much information as is reasonably possible before making a decision.

Regarding a candidate, I make it known to every man who petitions that my vote is my own and I don't rely on the investigation committee. Furthermore, my default vote is 'no'. Therefore, I will readily make myself available for he and I to get together so that I can get to know him prior to my vote.

Short version: we need to meet prior to the vote and you need to convince me that you're worthy or I'm going to vote you down.

hanzosbm said:

Short version: we need to meet prior to the vote and you need to convince me that you're worthy or I'm going to vote you down.

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Nothing wrong with that. Good deal Brother.

CLewey44 said:

Lol it may help. Definitely meeting with them, getting a feel for them. See what they plan on contributing to Masonry. I think some lodges require a contribution of something of Masonic value. Meeting with them a couple of times, require they come to three pre-meeting dinners maybe. Meet them at their home helps paint a picture.

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I plan on going to several dinners-before-meetings and attending several open functions with the lodge before I plan on even petitioning. I want to build friendships with the other members, regardless if I petition or not. My wife and I are both attending the open house at the lodge this Saturday.

Mark Petro said:

I plan on going to several dinners-before-meetings and attending several open functions with the lodge before I plan on even petitioning. I want to build friendships with the other members, regardless if I petition or not. My wife and I are both attending the open house at the lodge this Saturday.

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This is a good plan....you are starting off well.

nfasson said:

The Lodge that I'm petitioning to has requested that I run my own criminal background check as part of the application process, but I'm not sure where to start.

They suggested the State Police, but I was handed an application that requires a notary public to sign and weeks to process.

Any ideas as to the best avenue to get one done that's both legit in the eyes of the Lodge and doesn't take long? Thanks for any info.

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Puzzling requirement. If you committed crimes you were there and know about them. Whatever you do, do not lie on your petition. Even with a record, the man you are now is what is important. But not being truthful on the petition would be bad news. One of the finest MMs I know had a troubled time as a teen youth. Today he is a respected person in the community and Lodge.

Rifleman1776 said:

Puzzling requirement. If you committed crimes you were there and know about them. Whatever you do, do not lie on your petition. Even with a record, the man you are now is what is important. But not being truthful on the petition would be bad news. One of the finest MMs I know had a troubled time as a teen youth. Today he is a respected person in the community and Lodge.

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Even if you have a background regardless of what it is, as long as you tell the truth and be honest. Then that would help when petitioning? Would it save more time to contact that lodge Secretary to avoid time wasted?