My Freemasonry | Freemason Information and Discussion Forum

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Is putting Freemason on you resume akin to Advertizing?

Traveling Man

Premium Member
I'm not sure if it is or not. It will get you an automatic rejection from my employer. (Something you may want to think about)...
 

JTM

"Just in case"
Premium Member
automatic rejection of masons? total crap.

i put it into my "Activities" on the bottom of my resume:

[FONT=&quot]Member of Masonic Lodge Sul Ross #1300 (A.F. & A.M.), [/FONT]
 

Dave in Waco

Premium Member
I don't see it as advertising. Since joining it hasn't come up for me, but I would agree with JTM in listing it under Activities. To me, leaving it off is not listing complete and truthful information. And to automatically reject a candidate because they are a Mason is discrimination by definition.
 

Traveling Man

Premium Member
automatic rejection of masons? total crap.

i put it into my "Activities" on the bottom of my resume:

[FONT=&quot]Member of Masonic Lodge Sul Ross #1300 (A.F. & A.M.), [/FONT]

You may say that; but that's reality. There are still remnants of those religious die hards.
Just like the other thread Men and Mason confirmation thread The reality is he is but one; there were many that demitted.
 
Last edited:

JTM

"Just in case"
Premium Member
Could doing so be interpreted as 'a mercenary motive'?

possibly, but it's right along with my Optimist President years and my Historical Preservation committee activities. that'd be real nitpicky to call me up for that.
 
Last edited:

JohnnyFlotsam

Premium Member
Just curious what people think

Me too, mostly because I've never really given it much thought. I don't put it on my resume because I am a little circumspect about how it would be perceived. In my community there are more than few people who have rather a dim view of our fraternity. If I were looking for work, giving someone an excuse to put my resume in the big stack would be something to avoid.

As for the question of mercenary motive... I don't know. Seems like a bit of a stretch, but I can see how it could be argued as such. If someone thought that they could gain an edge by noting their membership on a resume, that might be said to be seeking gain by virtue of that membership. On the other hand, if I'm a potential employer, and I've got two or more acceptable candidates for a job, maybe I'd want to know if one was a brother?
 

Bro.BruceBenjamin

Premium Member
This can work one of two ways. The first is the employer could move your resume to the front of the pile. The second being they can throw it in the trash. I tried it once and the latter was the outcome in any event I think it is a gamble, but is it one you are willing to take the choice is yours.
 

HKTidwell

Premium Member
Activities or Organizations would work for putting freemasonry. I wouldn't list it alone though, I would list all membership ie rotary, lions, church, etc..

I'll reference Grand law Art. 505. Certain Other Masonic Disciplinary Violations (3)(f)on this though. I know this is in reference to political aspirations but I would assume it would also be allowed for a person on his resume.

3. Use the words “Masonic,†“Mason,†or “Masonry†or the faith and credit of Masonry, to display Masonic emblem, for a secular, business or political purpose; or, being a candidate for office, to mention in his announcements or political advertisement or literature, or otherwise publish the fact of his Masonic connection; or permit knowingly the printing of any advertisement in a Masonic book, journal or other periodical in which advertisement the words “Masonic,†“Masons,†“for Masons only,†“for Masons and their families,†or any other term, sign or symbol of Masonry are used; or solicit business for any company or firm making use of such words, terms, signs or symbols for any such purpose; provided, however, that such regulations shall not apply to:
(a) The manufacture and sale of Masonic supplies, paraphernalia and equipment;
(b) Advertisements, publications, sale or distribution of Masonic books, journals or other such periodicals;
(c) Masonic Temple Associations, cemetery associations or companies which set aside a section for the exclusive use of Masons and their families;
(d) Employment and relief bureaus operating wholly under the management and control of Lodges under the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge, without profit for the benefit of Masons and their families;
(e) The display of Masonic symbols upon tombstones, monuments or vaults erected in cemeteries or mausoleums or the cornerstones of buildings laid with Masonic ceremonies;
(f) The statement by a candidate for office in a political announcement or advertisement of the fact that he is a Mason, if such announcement or advertisement also lists his church and civil affiliations. He shall not be permitted to list offices held or the name of his Lodge or the names of other Masonic Bodies. Neither shall he be permitted to display any Masonic emblem or in any other manner to solicit directly or indirectly the vote or votes of any person or persons based on any Masonic affiliation or connection.
(g) Travel tours arranged and conducted under the supervision of the Grand Master as provided for in Grand Master’s Recommendation No. 6, approved at the 1972 Grand Communication of this Grand Lodge.
(h) Use the Square and Compasses emblem on commonly accepted items of jewelry, such as lapel pins, tie tacks, tie chains, tie bars, rings and belt buckles and on articles of clothing such as caps, ties, shirts, and jackets – regardless of manufacture or source of supply. To prevent improper use, Texas Masons are required to remove the Square and Compasses emblems from autos or clothing prior to changing ownership or discarding.
 
M

mark!

Guest
When I filled out my police application in 2007, it has a spot from fraternal orginizations, clubs, etc and was told by the HR person, once he saw my ring, to put my masonic affiliation down in that category. On my resume, I include it under hobbies, interests, volunteer positions.
 

Benton

Premium Member
I think it's worth noting in the interest of full disclosure. Granted, if you feel like it would be a liability, leave it off. But otherwise, I don't see any harm, less you think it'll send you to the shredder.
 

TexasAggieOfc1273

Registered User
In my line of work (Law Enforcement), most of our applications are Personal History Statements. 40+ pages of every employer we've ever worked for, details on my wife, ex-wife, kids, brothers, sisters, mother, father, and in-laws, credit history, medical history, any traffic ticket ever received, etc.

A standard part of the PHS is for membership in clubs, be it fraternal, social, or professional. My membership gets listed along with my membership in Crime Stoppers, the Texas Municipal Police Association, Sheriff's Association of Texas, ex member of NAPE/AFSCME 61, etc., etc. I don't really see it as advertisment because I have to declare it. (As a side note, as someone who has also done applications with agencies in the UK, they have a specific question to declare involvement in Freemasonry)

As far as generic applications, if they ask about what organizations you're involved in, I don't see a problem with including it, after all, they asked. Again, you run the risk of them throwing your app in the trash, but how are you to know if the hiring manager is a Mason, indifferent, or Anti-Mason.
 

owls84

Moderator
Premium Member
Yep that is the one Bro. Tidwell. Art. 505 (f) states that you can use your Masonic affiliation on an application as long as you list other affiliations such as a church or other organizations like JTM previously posted.
 

Frater Cliff Porter

Premium Member
I list some of my Masonic activities and such on my CV as far as speaking engagements and published articles go and it has never stopped me from getting a bid on a contract to teach with the government or other groups.

I don't know why we apologize so heavily for being Masons.

We ought to knock rings and do so loudly. The Aggies, MIT grads, etc. are blatant in their loyalty to one another and use their "leg up" policy for one another as a recruitment tool for new alumni.

I will go on record as saying, put in a resume, I would be happy to know about your Masonry and you know what....if I am taking bids to get work done on my house or the like and one man is a Mason and the other not...the Mason just might get the job.
 

JTM

"Just in case"
Premium Member
I think it's worth noting in the interest of full disclosure. Granted, if you feel like it would be a liability, leave it off. But otherwise, I don't see any harm, less you think it'll send you to the shredder.
In my opinion, I'd leave it on just so that they have the opportunity to throw it in the trash. If they have that kind of issue with it, I'd likely not want to work there anyway.

Maybe I say this because I have a job already and can be a bit picky, but in these times, that may change. :-/
 

peace out

Premium Member
It had never crossed my mind to put it on a resume. Interesting thread.

The activities associated with Masonry are noteworthy, but just listing a Masonic membership doesn't feel right to me.

It's a very personal journey and the mysteries surrounding Masonry are something that someone from the outside may have trouble connecting to work ethic, etc. My desire to not be discriminated against by someone in the dark is stronger than some need to advertise my membership.
 

rhitland

Founding Member
Premium Member
Grand Lodge law!? We legislate everything! What if like me you are nothing but a Mason. I go to no church or am apart of nothing volunteer but blue lodge. I guess I could put raising kids and masonry on my resume! ;) I think it is a great idea unless you believe giving that information will hurt you. Brother Cliff has a great point we should take care of our own if within length but unfortunately our reputation is not quite what it used to be and although in all likely hood A&M or MIT could be traced back to masonic roots those ties have long since been forgotten and masonry unfortunately can be held against someone.
 

Dave in Waco

Premium Member
I don't know about MIT, but A&M does have deep roots in Masonary. In fact, the tradition of the Aggie ring started with then University President and former Texas Governor Sul Ross, member of Waco 92.
 
Top