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Candidate unbecoming

Companion Joe

Premium Member
It's allows an objection, though we allow a trial at the candidate's request

I have never heard of us having any provision for a trial at a candidate's request. There might be one; I have just never heard of it. For us, as I said, one single objection is the equivalent to one single black cube. If I member says "I object" when the question is asked, then that's the end of it; you close the lodge and go home. I've honestly never seen that happen in open lodge. If you have an objection to a candidate's advancement, take care of it in private with the WM, and then he doesn't have to schedule the man's next degree conferral. To do it in open lodge, in my opinion, would simply be grandstanding.
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
I have never heard of us having any provision for a trial at a candidate's request. There might be one; I have just never heard of it. For us, as I said, one single objection is the equivalent to one single black cube. If I member says "I object" when the question is asked, then that's the end of it; you close the lodge and go home. I've honestly never seen that happen in open lodge. If you have an objection to a candidate's advancement, take care of it in private with the WM, and then he doesn't have to schedule the man's next degree conferral. To do it in open lodge, in my opinion, would simply be grandstanding.
I agree that for a candidate for advancement, that would be the better means of approaching it.
 

CLewey44

Registered User
Since the "good ole boy" system seems to prevail most often, the status quo always prevails as well. No one wants to make waves. All the current officers know, but apparently don't care.
As I mentioned, I can't sit in lodge with a clear conscience with this individual; I'll be looking to transfer to a new lodge.

This is what I'd do if he gets voted proficient as a FC and then ultimately raised. Check into some T.O. lodges. They seem to have more strict entrance requirements.
 

flipster

Registered User
"Among whom no enmity should ever exist" I would suggest you be careful to not sully your own good reputation with concern for the character flaws of the brother. All seasoned brothers on this board have dealt with difficult brothers, or been the subject of concern by a difficult brother. I would suggest patience. And don't let the man's father-in-law issues become your issues. You will be best served to be the best man you can be. Good luck.
 

JJones

Moderator
The glaring question in my mind is why didn't you black ball this guy when his application was presented before the lodge? He's been accepted, initiated, and passed...but now there's a problem?

Easier said than done in some jurisdictions. You have to have three black balls in Texas do be denied.
 

MRichard

Mark A. Ri'chard
Premium Member
In MI, one will do it.

Unfortunately since the vote was snuck in on the sneak, I wasn't given a ballot.

How is this possible? We vote on candidates during open lodge here. If you are a member of the lodge, you must vote to the best of my knowledge. Unless you were not at that meeting.
 

Radical540

Registered User
How is this possible? We vote on candidates during open lodge here. If you are a member of the lodge, you must vote to the best of my knowledge. Unless you were not at that meeting.
Exactly...I wasn't at the meeting. I just happened to go to Royal Arch that night, and missed the balloting (I almost think they did it on purpose)
 

Bloke

Premium Member
Was the required notice given ? Here, members are invited to write to the Grand Sec in confidence to object.
 

Pscyclepath

Premium Member
As Companion Joe said, at the beginning of each degree, the second phrase from the Master is "...if there are no objections..." Any objection (you must be a member in good standing of that lodge) shuts the proceeding down, cold turkey. That's good for at least one shot, the objection only stands month to month, and on the second shot you need to be ready to justify yourself to the Master. In the same manner, if a candidate doesn't pass his proficiency and present himself for advancement within 6 mos. of his election or last degree, he must pass the ballot box again. If rejected, he can reapply the following month, hopefully after having gotten himself straightened out. And here (AR) EA's and Fellowcrafts are still subject to Masonic discipline for violations of their obligation, or of Grand Lodge law. We are a 1-ball jurisdiction, so it only takes one to reject at any point along the way.
 

GKA

Premium Member
We are experiencing the same thing at my home lodge, a certain brother transfered from another lodge and is now hell bent on showing us how we should do things, he has caused much tension and even has been caught in more than a few lies, he continues to stir up trouble among the brethren but he has a small following of like minded zelots
So far three brothers have stopped attending, and when confronted with this fact he just says, " good riddance"
I have decided to leave myself because his activities are intolerable, The remaining brothers are afraid to confront him and the pressure from GL reps are no help because they are only interested in keeping the issue from ending up with charges filed.
It is a hopeless situation
 

Companion Joe

Premium Member
GKA,
I would find a way to remedy that situation in a heartbeat, either through Masonic protocol or a more frank discussion out behind the woodshed. I don't know if there is anything in this world that infuriates me more than someone riding in and telling me how great it was where they were previously. I'm all for new ideas and approaches to things, but this guy sounds like he making demands instead of offering suggestions ... especially if you say some new guy is running off people who have been there long before him. We recently had a situation where I was on a Masonic committee with a guy who had been a MM for about 6 months. I had done this dozens of times, and it was his first. He piped up with a "you're not doing it right." I guess he saw mushroom clouds in my eyes because he quickly decided it was time to be quiet and listen. Don't come to my lodge, my work, my town, my state, or my country and tell me where you left was better; I will tell that person that I'm positive the road that got them here has a lane going back the other direction. (end of rant ;))
 

Browncoat

Registered User
Don't come to my lodge, my work, my town, my state, or my country and tell me where you left was better; I will tell that person that I'm positive the road that got them here has a lane going back the other direction. (end of rant ;))
This has all the earmarks of the "we've always done it this way" mentality written all over it.

No one likes a know-it-all, be it the veteran or the newbie. But maybe, just maybe, there's a chance that there is a new/better/different way of doing things and it's worth hearing the guy out. I mean, if you've been beating your head against a wall for 10 years and someone comes along and offers you a helmet, you might want to stop banging and listen. Just some food for thought.
 

Companion Joe

Premium Member
I don't have a problem with that earmark in some instances. There is a huge difference between offering suggestions and saying "good riddance" the way GKA described. Suggestions are good. Demands are bad.

As for the end of my post, Masonry has nothing to do with it. Don't ask to be invited to a party then tell the host that your cousin's party is better.
 

dfreybur

Premium Member
As Companion Joe said, at the beginning of each degree, the second phrase from the Master is "...if there are no objections..."

Only 1 of my 3 jurisdictions says that in the degrees. Still, if you have an objection to a candidate, say so to the WM in private. If they ignore you, put it in writing to the WM and the GM including reference to your having been ignored the first time.
 

JJones

Moderator
I've always been told that a MM can enter a protest on an EA or FC with the WM and halt his progression for a time here in Texas. It's probably nothing though, I've never seen it in the law book to my recollection.
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
Don't come to my lodge, my work, my town, my state, or my country and tell me where you left was better; I will tell that person that I'm positive the road that got them here has a lane going back the other direction. (end of rant ;))
Agreed, I don't like demands either.
 

Radical540

Registered User
All great suggestions that might halt the aforementioned "unbecoming's" progress. However, frankly I'm done.
As I originally mentioned he was the straw the broke the camel's back. There has been too much schnanigans going on at this lodge, and the "good ole' boy" system has annoyed me enough. Plus, there's not joy anymore- it's more like "Garden Club for Men". Nothing new being learned; and simply put its become a stress in my life and is bloody boring!
I'm in the process of transferring to another blue lodge and will likely dive into RAM or SR a little more.
 
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