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General Criteria for Petitioners?

DKJohnson

Registered User
I have a few questions regarding the petition process. My understanding is that there are specific things that can automatically disqualify you from consideration (i.e., felony convictions). With the understanding that it may not be possible to divulge in much more specificity precisely what things can disqualify you, in general terms, what are some of the guidelines that are used?

For background, I have for most of my life been a work in progress; troubled youth with some minor juvenile criminal offenses, highschool drop out, married & divorced at a young age etc. However, over the years I have dramatically changed course. I have raised two children, worked with success in civil engineering for the last 12 years, recently went back to get a B.S. in civil engineering, currently working on an M.S. degree, in multiple academic honor societies, and I am currently an Eisenhower Fellow. More importantly, I am profoundly drawn to the values, ethics, and symbolism of Freemasonry.

However, as I can see it I have blemishes that make me question my worthiness as a candidate. Though I have largely lived a moral life, I did get a misdemeanor DUI four years ago. I received deffered judgement and the charges have since been dismissed. But I have read (here) that masonic code still considers this a conviction. Would this be something that would disqualify my in the eyes of most brothers? What about the rest of my fairly checkered past? What things can I do to improve my standing as a petitioner if any?
 

CLewey44

Registered User
I have a few questions regarding the petition process. My understanding is that there are specific things that can automatically disqualify you from consideration (i.e., felony convictions). With the understanding that it may not be possible to divulge in much more specificity precisely what things can disqualify you, in general terms, what are some of the guidelines that are used?

For background, I have for most of my life been a work in progress; troubled youth with some minor juvenile criminal offenses, highschool drop out, married & divorced at a young age etc. However, over the years I have dramatically changed course. I have raised two children, worked with success in civil engineering for the last 12 years, recently went back to get a B.S. in civil engineering, currently working on an M.S. degree, in multiple academic honor societies, and I am currently an Eisenhower Fellow. More importantly, I am profoundly drawn to the values, ethics, and symbolism of Freemasonry.

However, as I can see it I have blemishes that make me question my worthiness as a candidate. Though I have largely lived a moral life, I did get a misdemeanor DUI four years ago. I received deffered judgement and the charges have since been dismissed. But I have read (here) that masonic code still considers this a conviction. Would this be something that would disqualify my in the eyes of most brothers? What about the rest of my fairly checkered past? What things can I do to improve my standing as a petitioner if any?

I think the trajectory you've shown over the last 12 years with your career, parental responsibilities, B.S. in C.E. and now working on a M.S. degree would definitely put you as a strong candidate. As for your past indiscretions, it is what it is. Your best bet is to be as forthcoming and honest as possible on your petition. At the end of the day, it's up to the lodge you petition to decide and vote on you for the most part. If you were convicted of robbing a bank or running a multi-million drug operation, that may be a problem but things you did as a kid or young man only made you who you are today. If you are a good man, and you sound like you are and want to be, that's all you can do. They will (should) meet with you a few times before actually even voting on you. I'd encourage you to also go a couple of times to the pre-meeting dinner and sit with your potential lodge-brothers. This will give them a chance to get to know you and you a chance to know them. This will not only help them decide but it will help you decide if you want to be apart of that particular lodge or Masonry as a whole. Best of luck to you.
 

Brother JC

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
We can only give you our opinions, which won’t get you coffee most anywhere. The lodge you’ve petitioned, with some guidance from their grand lodge, will make its own decision. And that could be completely different from what we would expect. But the Brethren here have it right; be forthcoming and honest. Whatever you think will be held against you won’t be as bad as you withholding information.
 

DKJohnson

Registered User
Thank you all for your comments! I will definitely be truthful about my past; always the best policy I’ve found.

I actually went to my first lodge dinner yesterday. I spoke with the WM, and a few of the brothers during the dinner. In fact I was given a petition and two brothers signed it for me. However, they haven’t really had a chance to learn much about me. So I’m a little concerned that perhaps that moved a little quickly. So now my question is should I turn in my petition at the next meeting, or should I wait a few months and go to a few more dinners? I’ve read here that generally you want to move slowly and attend a few dinners prior to petitioning. However, I am already sure that I want to petition, so is there a benefit to waiting, or should I just go for it?

Thanks again for your comments. I have already learned much from the discussions on this forum.


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Winter

Premium Member
The fact that they were willing to put a petition in your hands as well as sign and counter sign it is, unfortunately, all to often the norm these days. Other jurisdictions have different requirements. My Lodge, for example, requires at least 6 months of participation in lodge activities prior to being able to petition. You've received good advice. Be honest.

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David612

Registered User
I personally attended 0 lodge dinners prior to joining- it took months and months (actually almost a year) until I was initiated and in that time my father had passed away and I had honestly totally forgotten about freemasonry as I thought they had forgot about me.
 

Winter

Premium Member
How can any Brother sign a petition without being intimately familiar with the petitioner. It boggles my mind how some Lodges operate.

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Brother JC

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
How can any Brother sign a petition without being intimately familiar with the petitioner. It boggles my mind how some Lodges operate.

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The West Gate is open...
 

DKJohnson

Registered User
How can any Brother sign a petition without being intimately familiar with the petitioner. It boggles my mind how some Lodges operate.

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I was thinking that this was normal, and the investigation is were intimate knowledge is gained. However, I did feel that one brother (perhaps carelessly) was trying to be encouraging, but that the other brother felt like he was ‘put in the spot’. The first brother asked the other if he would recommend, and I got the impression he only did so because of his brothers request rather than a true endorsement. This makes me feel like it would be taking advantage of the situation to move forward without allowing them the opportunity to get to know me more. However, one meeting a month in which you may or may not be able to talk to the same brothers doesn’t really provide a great opportunity for them to get to know me ‘intimately’ as you say. So I’m still on the fence. If I submit the petition and let the investigation ensue, they would definitely get to know me. I certainly don’t mind being patient, but I’m not convinced this approach will give them much insight into my character etc.?




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DKJohnson

Registered User
Actually, I do understand (after reading a discussion on this forum). I agree with you and the reasons for being selective. I feel like I’m a worthy man of good moral character now, but perhaps that has not always been the case. So I’m probably a borderline candidate at best. I certainly don’t want to be admitted without merit, or bring disrepute to the fraternity. I hope the brother who recommended me saw something worthy in me, rather than leaving the gate unguarded.


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David612

Registered User
I guess it depends on what you consider to be knowing a man?
From the interview and dinners you know that he can say what you want him to say and answer repetitive questions-
My proposers spent hours speaking with me and I got to know a couple of brothers very well and they put me forward.
 

Winter

Premium Member
Bear in mind that my comments were not directed at you in any way. Should the investigation committee return a favorable report I will be happy to welcome you to the Craft. My comments were an indictment of the current practice that many lodge's engage in by putting a petition in any hand they can find. Please keep us informed as to your progress.
 

CLewey44

Registered User
Thank you all for your comments! I will definitely be truthful about my past; always the best policy I’ve found.

I actually went to my first lodge dinner yesterday. I spoke with the WM, and a few of the brothers during the dinner. In fact I was given a petition and two brothers signed it for me. However, they haven’t really had a chance to learn much about me. So I’m a little concerned that perhaps that moved a little quickly. So now my question is should I turn in my petition at the next meeting, or should I wait a few months and go to a few more dinners? I’ve read here that generally you want to move slowly and attend a few dinners prior to petitioning. However, I am already sure that I want to petition, so is there a benefit to waiting, or should I just go for it?

Thanks again for your comments. I have already learned much from the discussions on this forum.


Sent from my iPhone using My Freemasonry mobile app
I would say, as a petitioner and you noticed how 'easy' it was to get in, you can be a good pillar in your lodge in changing that.
 

DKJohnson

Registered User
Bear in mind that my comments were not directed at you in any way. Should the investigation committee return a favorable report I will be happy to welcome you to the Craft. My comments were an indictment of the current practice that many lodge's engage in by putting a petition in any hand they can find. Please keep us informed as to your progress.

Thank you for that. I have decided to wait and give them a chance to get to know me more. No reason to rush. But I will keep you updated on how it goes. Getting the petition and recommendations was easy, but that doesn’t mean the investigation will be.


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Mike Martin

Eternal Apprentice
Premium Member
Thank you for that. I have decided to wait and give them a chance to get to know me more. No reason to rush. But I will keep you updated on how it goes. Getting the petition and recommendations was easy, but that doesn’t mean the investigation will be.
Just to dip an oar here too, the "getting-to-know-you" process is actually a 2-way street so it's good that you're not rushing in. Nothing quite like going through the 3 degrees then realising that you don't actually like any of your Lodge brothers.
 
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