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Hello My name Is Nicholas

hfmm97

Premium Member
Well, in some jurisdictions we do recruit, with the internet, billboards, television...

Bro Glen: I guess I think of recruiting as "membership drives" where members go out into the general public with a handful of petitions and say "You want to be a Mason?" as I have seen done with other fraternal groups such as the Knights of Columbus (rough Catholic analog to the Masons:full disclosure- I was a member before I joined the lodge and my sponsor was also a member) I like to think that the internet, billboards and TV announcements are more "informing" than "recruiting"


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Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
Bro Glen: I guess I think of recruiting as "membership drives" where members go out into the general public with a handful of petitions and say "You want to be a Mason?" as I have seen done with other fraternal groups such as the Knights of Columbus (rough Catholic analog to the Masons:full disclosure- I was a member before I joined the lodge and my sponsor was also a member) I like to think that the internet, billboards and TV announcements are more "informing" than "recruiting"


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Well, not that brazen, a number of states allow solicitation :

UGLE: there is no objection to a neutrally worded approach being made to a man who could be considered a suitable candidate for Freemasonry. There can be no objection to his being reminded, once, that the approach was made. Information for the Guidance of Members of the Craft, 2013, page 36.


Utah: The definition of improper solicitation of a potential candidate is any proposal by a Mason that involves coercion or implied negative retaliation of any kind. 2012 Proceedings Page 39.


NM Code 308. SELECTIVE INVITATION.Any Master Mason in good standing may invite a man he knows to be of good character and morals to join the fraternity if he qualifies under Codes 301, 302 and 303 above


Minnesota rule:

Proper solicitation shall consist of the following: A man of sterling qualities may be approached and informed, but only once. He must be

left to make his own decision. He should not be badgered


Michigan: permits selective solicitation. A Brother can ask a man he knows well if he’d like to join.


The current understanding in CA is that a mason could tell someone that they think that they would be a good mason. After that if asked the mason may provide more information.


TX allows a neutrally worded invitation


Scotland: it is permissible to ask suitable gentlemen if they would consider joining.


It is understood per a Grand lodge officer that Alabama allows an invitation
 

hfmm97

Premium Member
In Texas we have quite a number of events open to the public (which I think are indirect invitations):
Officer installations;
4th of July patriotic programs;
Community Builder awards (where the recepient CANNOT be a Mason);
Lodge open houses;
etc.
Question from your learned perspective- is the distinction among inviting, soliciting, recruiting and informing merely semantic?


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Unique3rdEye

Registered User
In Texas we have quite a number of events open to the public (which I think are indirect invitations):
Officer installations;
4th of July patriotic programs;
Community Builder awards (where the recepient CANNOT be a Mason);
Lodge open houses;
etc.
Question from your learned perspective- is the distinction among inviting, soliciting, recruiting and informing merely semantic?


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I understand the first part however i dont quite understand the question

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Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
In Texas we have quite a number of events open to the public (which I think are indirect invitations):
Officer installations;
4th of July patriotic programs;
Community Builder awards (where the recepient CANNOT be a Mason);
Lodge open houses;
etc.
Question from your learned perspective- is the distinction among inviting, soliciting, recruiting and informing merely semantic?


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Let me avoid the question, and ask if any of those is prohibited under your code, but is it is only improper solicitation?
 

Keith C

Registered User
I'm Presbyterian as well brother and on our session board (ruling elders). I see no conflict, as a matter of fact I believe the craft enhances our understanding of Christian faith.

Well, not that brazen, a number of states allow solicitation :

UGLE: there is no objection to a neutrally worded approach being made to a man who could be considered a suitable candidate for Freemasonry. There can be no objection to his being reminded, once, that the approach was made. Information for the Guidance of Members of the Craft, 2013, page 36.


Utah: The definition of improper solicitation of a potential candidate is any proposal by a Mason that involves coercion or implied negative retaliation of any kind. 2012 Proceedings Page 39.


NM Code 308. SELECTIVE INVITATION.Any Master Mason in good standing may invite a man he knows to be of good character and morals to join the fraternity if he qualifies under Codes 301, 302 and 303 above


Minnesota rule:

Proper solicitation shall consist of the following: A man of sterling qualities may be approached and informed, but only once. He must be

left to make his own decision. He should not be badgered


Michigan: permits selective solicitation. A Brother can ask a man he knows well if he’d like to join.


The current understanding in CA is that a mason could tell someone that they think that they would be a good mason. After that if asked the mason may provide more information.


TX allows a neutrally worded invitation


Scotland: it is permissible to ask suitable gentlemen if they would consider joining.


It is understood per a Grand lodge officer that Alabama allows an invitation

Pennsylvania permits selective invitation as well.

From the GL of PA website:
Our tradition was to wait for you to seek membership entirely of your own free will and accord. Today, however, we allow our members to selectively invite men of good character, who will be a credit to our Fraternity.
 

dfreybur

Premium Member
Since you are moving to NYC, there are plenty of lodges there under the 2 jurisdictions.

Contact by email but never wait one second for response. Many lodges deliberately ignore contact requests other than geneology for privacy reasons.

Masonry in the US is in person. Knock on the door. Meet the guys. Once you have decided which local lodge you want, go there that day of the month from then on. it will take a few months for your petition to be signed. Again, that timing is deliberate. Patience is one of our many lessons.
 

MichianaMason45

Registered User
This was very helpful, but on another side note im Leaving Barbados In few weeks to return to nyc as a US citizen so petitioning here in Barbados with such limited time would it still make sense if i go to a Lodge here in Barbados?,or should Just wait and petition in nyc?

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I would wait to petition in NYC. But, most jurisdictions in the US have a mimiuim residency require which is usually 6-12 months.
 
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