Moving. Need some advice.

[LukeD]

I hope some of you might be able to provide some guidance on what someone should do when moving. I recently received my EA degree, but just found out I have orders to move out of state. It looks like I will be leaving in July. My goal is to do all I can to reach my MM degree, however, is 2 months enough time to do so? Or is all dependent on how much you as the individual put in to it? Also, what happens when you have to leave your current lodge due to a move before you receive your MM. Any input would be appreciated.

 

[Benton]

If you work your tail off at your memory work, two months is enough time. In Texas there is a minimum wait period between degrees. I believe it's fourteen days? Someone correct me, but it's approximately fourteen days, plus or minus one. So yes, if you get on your memory work like a beast, it can be done.

If you move before being raised, but you move in state, you can simply get a dispensation to turn in your proficiencies at whatever becomes your local lodge, and retain your membership in your home lodge if you wish. Or, you can transfer your membership to the new lodge.

If, as you said, you are moving out of state, I'm not sure. I'm sure there's something that can be done, but I'm not very knowledgeable in interstate matters.

 

[LukeD]

Thank you for the response, it seems I have a lot of work to do. I will be moving to Mississippi, I guess I can always contact a lodge in my future town to see what they can do.

 

[Bro. Stewart P.M.]

Contact your local Lodge Secretary, and see what he says about your moving out of State. I'll be willing to bet that he will do all that he can to assist you through the whole process, possibly even contacting the Grand Secretary of the new Jurisdiction to which you are moving. If the local Secretary fails to assist you, then contact the Grand Secretary of the State in which you currently reside, and ask for assistance at that level.

 

[Beathard]

Follow Bro. Stewart's advice and it should go very smoothly. It really is not a big issue. Lodges deal with it all of the time.

 

[LukeD]

Thank you for the advise. It is a relief to know there are options available.

 

[Michaelstedman81]

Both Bro. Stewart and Bro. Benton gave some great advice on this. Get a hold of your Lodge Secretary and tell him that you came down on orders out of the blue. This is nothing new to Masonry, but might be to the Secretary. I'm sure that he can not only help you locate a recognized lodge in the new jurisdiction you are going to be in, but I'm sure that he would also be able to initiate contact with them and help figure out what is the best course to take. I can't speak for every lodge in Texas and Mississppi, but I would be willing to bet that they are willing to help out a Mason that is in the military. I do know that the Grand Lodge of Texas does a lot to accomodate Masons in the service. There might be a few different routes that you can go to make sure you get your MM.

Are you just simply PCS'ing there, or are you going there as part of deployment orders and will shortly be going down range? I ask this because there is a route that you can go that will get your other degrees before you leave Texas for sure. It would be the same thing that I did before I went to Iraq.

I got initiated and then three months later, I was back in the Army. I was stationed at Fort Hood so I joined a Lodge right outside of there to continue my degrees. It was really easy working with my Lodge Secretary of my original lodge and the Secretary from the new lodge to transfer all my stuff and was able to pick right up where I left off from my first one. I would like to think that the transition from Texas to another state would be just as easy, especially with you being military. There might be a few different things that you have to learn that is specific to how that Grand Lodge runs the state, but I'm sure it would be a really easy transition.

 

[LukeD]

I'm Doing a PCS. I only have 60 days until I move, but put aside school and just finished with promotion testing so I can focus on my degrees. I've heard of guys being able to do all three degrees due to their military obligations, but I probably won't fall into that category. Normally deployment related. I want to maintain my membership at my current lodge even if I'm gone, and maybe have membership at a lodge that is recognized by the GL of Mississippi at my new location. I've heard there is slight differences in the AF&AM and F&AM work, but nothing too drastic. Thank you for the information. It is much appreciated.

 

[Michaelstedman81]

I'm Doing a PCS. I only have 60 days until I move, but put aside school and just finished with promotion testing so I can focus on my degrees. I've heard of guys being able to do all three degrees due to their military obligations, but I probably won't fall into that category.

Are you originally from Texas, or did you end up in Texas because of the military? Yea, most of the guys that I know of that got all three degrees at once were getting deployed, but I have heard of a couple of guys that came down on orders to PCS to another state and were able to do the same thing. It was because they were from Texas originally and planned on coming back when thier period of service was done and they wanted to remain a Texas Mason. It will basicially be something that is up to you lodge to put before the Grand Lodge.

I know that you can hold onto your Texas membership wherever you go as long as you keep up with your dues and you will be able to sit in another recognized lodge in another state. But I am not sure if you try to become a member at a lodge in another state if you will need to demit from the Grand Lodge of Texas first or not. In regards to the four letter and three letter (AF&AM vs. F&AM) I have heard that there really is not much different. Just the same differences that you might find going from one state to another. I asked a very knowledgable Brother a little while back if a MM from a four letter lodge is the same as one from a three letter and he said it was all the same. That night, we even had someone visit our lodge from a three letter lodge from some other state. At least I am 90% sure his name tag was a three letter.

All in all bro, you shouldn't have too much of an issue transfering things if you don't get your MM here before you leave. Talk to your Secretary as soon as possible to see what all the options are and he should be able to get you squared away. Look up the lodge that is in the new area that you will be in and make contact with that Secretary. That way he has an idea that you will be coming in shortly. It will all come together, bro. Don't rush it as you will get more light when you are meant to Especially if you want to get that light from Texas, the best state in the Union....lol

By the way, where are you located at right now? Just curious and you don't have to answer or answer publicly. PM me if you want.

 

[davidterrell80]

If the rules have not changed, here's what I suggest:

--Make your move.

--Once you get there, find a lodge-checking with your home lodge sec'y to make sure the new lodge's Grand Lodge (GL) is in "masonic communication" with the TX GL-and, ask if the new lodge will preform your degrees "by courtesy" for your home lodge.

--Send the new lodge information to your home lodge sec'y.

--He will complete a form and send it to the TX GL.

--The TX GL will send the form to the new GL having jurisdiction over the new lodge.

--they will confer with the new lodge and almost certainly grant approval.

--Once you have the approved form, the new lodge will be able to do your further degrees, using their flavor of ritual and proficiency.

Once you become a MM, you can:

-- stay a distant member of your home lodge--I do that--
-- or, depending on the new GL rules, become a dual member of the new lodge. Because I may move again, I just stay a visitor and make sure I pay for my food and contribute to the charities, through the sec'y, in amounts equivalent to the dues I would be paying.

Once (if) you establish a duel membership and you want to transfer membership... to leave your home lodge honorably, you request a piece of paper called a "demit" ("dee-mitt") from your home lodge. It is something the lodge has to approve by vote.

Normally, if you are in good standing (all dues and fees paid), it is not a big deal. Just don't demit until you have new membership established. I mean, you can, thus becoming an "unaffiliated mason" but, it increases the paperwork for a demitted mason to affiliate and, many GLs limit the number of visits an unaffiliated mason can make to a Lodge. Not paying dues to any lodge, you are considered sort of a "moocher".

David Terrell, PM Smithfield 455