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Recruiting?

vanderson78102

Registered User
So, according to our DDGM on his visit, we are now allowed to actively solicit men to become masons. I've got kind of mixed emotions about this. I feel part of what makes masonry great is the qualified seek us out as opposed to the other.

Good or bad what do you think?
 

MGM357

Registered User
I can see it now... two or three old men sitting outside of a walmart with Masonic pamphlets with signed petions inside of them. Whats next? Online Masonic Degrees, women will be allowed. The only reason I see why the GLoT wants us to solicit men is because they would rather have quanity than quality. This is not the answer that will help Masonry grow and improve.


I will NEVER ask anyone to become a Mason!! It will be of their own free will and accord that they make the request.
 
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TexMass

Registered User
Since MA started the open houses I have met seven men who came in and asked questions. They told me they were interested but didn't think they were worthy because their fathers never asked them about it. How INSANE is that?! After telling them that it is always a proud moment when a father can see their son raised in a Masonic lodge. They usually say "if I had known that I would have joined before my father passed away.

Standing outside of walmart? Come on guys, it will never get to that. Opening our doors to show people that we don't drink blood from skulls and answering their questions as best we can and responding to a man that has become interested in joining based on our discussion is not wrong at all. Advertising our open houses on TV and radio so anyone can come down and ask questions or see some historic items that most lodges have and showing some of the charities we support is not soliciting. There are so many approaches that work well without it looking like we have cut out coupons in the paper for a free month of memebership.

When you tell your friend I'm a Mason but I cant' really talk about it and they see "Making good men better" it may give false signals. I know this is a touchy subject but I believe some jurisdiction have done well with out "selling out" the fraternity.
 

vanderson78102

Registered User
Well, I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with having an open house or working more on having the fraternity known by the public. I do fear that we would attract more McMason types, who join just because it's a "cool" thing though.

The DDGM suggested to us that we each invite 10 men and their families to an open house type night and at the end pass out petitions.
 

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
Here's the applicable law, which hasn't been changed since 1992:

Art. 393a. Solicitation. This Grand Lodge supports and
practices the ancient custom and usage among Masons that a
man is required to present himself for the Degrees of Masonry of
his own free will and accord. At the same time, it acknowledges
to all Masons of its obedience, that it is permissible and proper to
extend a neutrally-worded invitation to petition for the Degrees
of Masonry to a man whom you have strong reason to believe is
of good moral character and reputation, who is otherwise qualified
to petition under the Laws of the Grand Lodge of Texas. After
answering the non-Mason’s questions about the Fraternity (those
proper to be discussed) and explaining the procedure for petitioning,
the potential candidate should be left to make his own decision
and to proceed of his own free will. (Adopted 1992)
 

Zack

Registered User
Well, I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with having an open house or working more on having the fraternity known by the public. I do fear that we would attract more McMason types, who join just because it's a "cool" thing though.

The DDGM suggested to us that we each invite 10 men and their families to an open house type night and at the end pass out petitions.

Open House may be alright...but passing out petitions?? If asked for, sure, but passing out, I don't think so.

A Lodge I was a member of used to include a petition when a thank you letter was sent to a contributor. One of several reasons I changed Lodges.
 
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Raven

Registered User
I agree with the applicable law as it stands.

If in conversation with a friend, a person of whose character and morals that I know to be strong and upstanding, I might say something to the effect, "I certainly enjoyed myself at Lodge last night. I met a brother from ____________ , who pretty much shares the same values that we do", and drop the subject and wait for my friend to comment... I may have to wait a long time.
I would never directly invite anyone to join our fraternity.

My 2 cents worth.
 

js4253

Premium Member
Premium Member
I was talking to a good friend the other day about his retirement next month. He said he didn't know what he was going to do with himself, to occupy the time. I told him I really enjoyed Masonry and that you can get involved as much as you desire. We also discussed Knights of Columbus, he is Catholic, Lions Club, VFW, Rotary and so forth. He knows how much I enjoy Masonry and his grandfather was a Mason so I'm hoping when he gets real bored with sitting around the house that he will give me a call.
 

MGM357

Registered User
First, I would like to say the best way IMO, if we need to advertise, solicit, or whatever it's called, we need to show the public what we do. Actions speak a whole lot louder than words. Be involved with the community more. Offer scholarships to local high schools and colleges, make sure that non Masons are recieving them. during high school football season, set up a hot chocolate stand and whatever money is raised,donate it back to the school.Try to find ways to donate to our communities. It doesn't always have to be money, we can vollanteer our time. Eventually people will start saying those guys at so and so Lodge are very generous. Maybe I'll go visit with them and get to know more about Masonry. When someone comes to us, after knowing what we do for our communities, and wants to become a Mason, we should feel good knowing his heart is in the right place.


Second, I would like to tell everyone about a co worker who saw my ring and wanted to know about us. I asked him what has he heard about Masonry. He told me that people at his church thought we were a cult and all the nonsense that goes with it. After I told him that's all false, he then asked me what would he need to do to join? Before I told him how, I asked him how does his wife feel about us? I then told to go home and talk to your wife and let me know. Since then the subject hasn't been brought up. But what I have noticed about him by listening to some of his stories he told, I am glad I didn't solicit him to become a Mason. to say the least, his past is a shady one. There hasn't been any jail time, so he probally could have had a favorable report from an investigating commitee. This is why I am very protective with Masonry. Before I think a man can be a Mason, I try to see if he has a little "Masonry" in his character. Then I hope that he will ask to be one.
 

Raven

Registered User
I feel that your fundraising and giving back to the community views are great and we all should be willing to give to our community.
Great post, Brother!


First, I would like to say the best way IMO, if we need to advertise, solicit, or whatever it's called, we need to show the public what we do. Actions speak a whole lot louder than words. Be involved with the community more. Offer scholarships to local high schools and colleges, make sure that non Masons are recieving them. during high school football season, set up a hot chocolate stand and whatever money is raised,donate it back to the school.Try to find ways to donate to our communities. It doesn't always have to be money, we can vollanteer our time. Eventually people will start saying those guys at so and so Lodge are very generous. Maybe I'll go visit with them and get to know more about Masonry. When someone comes to us, after knowing what we do for our communities, and wants to become a Mason, we should feel good knowing his heart is in the right place.


Second, I would like to tell everyone about a co worker who saw my ring and wanted to know about us. I asked him what has he heard about Masonry. He told me that people at his church thought we were a cult and all the nonsense that goes with it. After I told him that's all false, he then asked me what would he need to do to join? Before I told him how, I asked him how does his wife feel about us? I then told to go home and talk to your wife and let me know. Since then the subject hasn't been brought up. But what I have noticed about him by listening to some of his stories he told, I am glad I didn't solicit him to become a Mason. to say the least, his past is a shady one. There hasn't been any jail time, so he probally could have had a favorable report from an investigating commitee. This is why I am very protective with Masonry. Before I think a man can be a Mason, I try to see if he has a little "Masonry" in his character. Then I hope that he will ask to be one.
 

owls84

Moderator
Premium Member
So, according to our DDGM on his visit, we are now allowed to actively solicit men to become masons. I've got kind of mixed emotions about this. I feel part of what makes masonry great is the qualified seek us out as opposed to the other.

Good or bad what do you think?

I would like to know why the DDGM said this. The one thing I have learned is that just because the DDGM says this, or any GL official says it, does not make it right. In order for this to happen it would require a law change and there has been no such resolution there for not true. We can offer a neutrally worded invitation as per article 393 but can not ask a man to join.

Art. 393a. Solicitation. This Grand Lodge supports and
practices the ancient custom and usage among Masons that a
man is required to present himself for the Degrees of Masonry of
his own free will and accord. At the same time, it acknowledges
to all Masons of its obedience, that it is permissible and proper to
extend a neutrally-worded invitation to petition for the Degrees
of Masonry to a man whom you have strong reason to believe is
of good moral character and reputation, who is otherwise qualified
to petition under the Laws of the Grand Lodge of Texas. After
answering the non-Mason’s questions about the Fraternity (those
proper to be discussed) and explaining the procedure for petitioning,
the potential candidate should be left to make his own decision
and to proceed of his own free will. (Adopted 1992)

That being said there is nothing wrong with us handing our information brochures about how to become a Mason. We are having "All you have to do is ask." T-Shirts and walking in various walks like March of Dimes and other organizations wlaks to help inform people how to become a Mason. The most common thing we hear when people come meet us through our website is "I have always wanted to be a Mason but never knew how." or "I always thought I had to know someone that was a family member or something." It is sad that we have shut the door on the people. I say get out there at the Wal-Mart and have brochures handed out. Get T-Shirts made up. Time to make the door as big as possible.
 
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bullrack33

Premium Member
Brothers, there are other ways to "recruit" without doing it actively. Last fall I purchased a black fleece pullover on ebay that has the S & C on the right breast with the words "Upon The Square" under them in yellow which really makes it stand out on the black.

The first week that I wore it, I had 2 men approach me and declare that they had wanted to be a Mason for years but believed that membership was by invitation only.


I wear a ring but most people don't really look for things like that. That fleece pullover, simply by having the S & C prominently displayed, increased my Lodge's membership without actively recruiting. I am currently in the process of buying collared shirts and t-shirts with something Masonic on them for daily wear.
 

Jamesb

Registered User
I always think to myself when talking to someone about Masonry, "would I have this person in my home while my wife is there and I am not?" If the answer is NO then the answer is NO.
 
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