Here's the scenario... Lodge has several new petitioners, which is a good thing. Some of these fellows have attended dinners prior to our meetings, social events, and even some Lodge outings over the past few months. This is great, the Brethren have gotten to know them well and they are already familiar and becoming part of the group... That said, we have one who has petitioned for the sole purpose of qualifying to join a appendant organization, and another who, is certainly a very kind fellow, but quite obviously not of a firm mind (for lack of a better term), a man with the mind of a young child. First line signers... PMs, second line signers and investigating committees, also PMs... Buzz around the water cooler is that both will be favorable recommendations.. The one guy needing his MM to join the other org, and the simple fellow being a relation of a PM "will just be made an EA" with no intent of progressing. Is this for the good of Masonry? My current thinking is that it is not. Am I being too critical? If so many PMs (men I do admire, by the way) are ok with this, then shouldn't I be as well? Am I being intolerant? If so, I do not mean to be...
Dilemma... The other petitioners are already good Masons at heart, even before being initiated, exactly the type of good solid men who will join, be productive and will help the lodge continue into the future... But does one black ball beget another? Does the brother casting that unpopular vote face an impossible future with the Lodge, possibly even requiring a demit and affiliation with another Lodge over it?
Any thoughts would be kindly appreciated...
Dilemma... The other petitioners are already good Masons at heart, even before being initiated, exactly the type of good solid men who will join, be productive and will help the lodge continue into the future... But does one black ball beget another? Does the brother casting that unpopular vote face an impossible future with the Lodge, possibly even requiring a demit and affiliation with another Lodge over it?
Any thoughts would be kindly appreciated...