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Investigation Committee

rfuller

Premium Member
I talked to the Secretary of the lodge today and he said that my petition is going up for vote on the 20th of this month. I have not been contacted by the ic yet is that nofmal?

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Odd question. If you don't feel comfortable answering I understand. Which part of the world are in?

The reason I ask is because I was assigned to an IC but haven't received contact info on the candidate yet as our secretary is overwhelmed with an infant at home. The vote at my lodge will be on the 20th. I'm curious if you're one of my candidates.
 

rfuller

Premium Member
Virginia

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Well, just an odd coincidence I suppose.

Keep in mind at some lodges the IC likes to interview you all together to be more efficient with your time and theirs. Maybe their schedules don't all meet up until later in the month. Maybe they haven't gotten your information from a very busy secretary (as is my case).

Either way, best of luck, and don't sweat it. It's not a rubber stamp process, but you're not trying to join the CIA either. They just want to make sure you're a good guy and will fit into Masonry well.
 

Plustax

Registered User
Curious to know if there are some here who may have documents or presentations willing to share on methods of how they perform investigations.... ie.. tools used like Google, myspace, facebook, etc..
 

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
There is a "vote" to receive a petition into the lodge records.
Not under GLoTX- the petition is "received" and an investigating committee assigned. The only vote occurs after the committee makes its report- usually a month later, sometimes longer.
 

Plustax

Registered User
I still find it surprising & disappointing as to how many still don't perform very good background investigations on petitioners. Even having tools on the internet @ our disposal, many still don't know how to use these free tools. I believe until this is fixed (or learned), our guarding of the "West Gate" will continue to let "unwanted" persons in. This is the reason I'm trying to start a conversation on some methods that are used in doing background investigations. It seems that with all of our modern technology and our younger generation learning about the internet at an early age, it should be fairly easy to run this part of our investigations. I hope we (all 800+ lodges in Tx) tighten up our "West Gate" entrances or it will become as effective as our Texas borders. As harsh as that sounds, there is much truth to that.
 

RyanC

Registered User
One thing I have so far learned is the first lesson in Freemasonry is patience, relax all good things come to those who wait. Get to know the brethren and when the time comes they will truly be you're brothers. I sumitted my petition in Oct of this past year, and than came to every meeting to join in the Lodges pre-meeting meal.
 
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jfree7997

Registered User
Tonight was a great night. The IC came to see me and my wife. I feel it went well. The vote will be on 3/20. Can't wait so excited. And my little brother just got his petition also.

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Ricky.G

Registered User
Congrats jfree, I just received my first degree last week. It was a amazing experience! Good luck!

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eXillmatic

Premium Member
I can't speak for VA, but in MD we read the petition aloud in a regular scheduled meeting, we can't vote on the petition until 30 days passes after this meeting. We also are required by the Grand Lodge to perform the investigation (3 brothers, none of which can be signers or have a prior relationship to the individual) BEFORE we vote. I have seen it happen where the investigation is performed the day before the initiation and even up to the point that the investigation paperwork was turned in minutes before the meeting commenced.
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
The depth of the investigation depends on a lot of factors such as your jurisdiction, the lodge your petitioning, as well as the investigating brothers themselves. My lodge, for example, conducts background checks and usually has the petitioner come eat with us before our stated meetings for a few months so we can all get to know him.
That's how it happened with me.
 

Pscyclepath

Premium Member
We do a criminal background check, and also send out the investigation committee to meet with the petitioner and his family, if possible. It's not only a quick check on the new candidate, but also a time for him to be able to ask any questions that may be on his mind, as well as for his family to ask any questions they may have. It's not a negative or intrusive thing at all...
 

MaineMason

Registered User
I have served on IC committees for my lodge and we certainly don't look for or ask for people's involvement in social media sites. We are old-fashioned in that regard. Personally, I think one can tell a lot about the character of a person by talking to them and to their references. I find the idea of tracking everything anyone has ever said on the internet to be abhorrent, and I suspect would disqualify every candidate if you dug far enough down.
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
I have served on IC committees for my lodge and we certainly don't look for or ask for people's involvement in social media sites. We are old-fashioned in that regard. Personally, I think one can tell a lot about the character of a person by talking to them and to their references. I find the idea of tracking everything anyone has ever said on the internet to be abhorrent, and I suspect would disqualify every candidate if you dug far enough down.
Excellent points and well said.
 
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