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Keeping it a Secret

dfreybur

Premium Member
Today I received an email from one of my Illinois lodges. It had the name of the candidate and the names of the degree team. In Illinois a lodge is not allowed to publish member names in materials that get general access like newspapers and books, but a lodge is allowed to publish member names in materials that go point to point like paper mail in a sealed envelope or an email.

It's an interesting contrast that neither type of communications is allowed in Texas. In Texas paper mail and email are viewed as not sufficiently private even though they are point to point. This makes sense in email as email is private with no guarantee of privacy. This makes sense in paper mail because even though it does in theory guarantee privacy it is a law often breached.
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
Today I received an email from one of my Illinois lodges. It had the name of the candidate and the names of the degree team. In Illinois a lodge is not allowed to publish member names in materials that get general access like newspapers and books, but a lodge is allowed to publish member names in materials that go point to point like paper mail in a sealed envelope or an email.

It's an interesting contrast that neither type of communications is allowed in Texas. In Texas paper mail and email are viewed as not sufficiently private even though they are point to point. This makes sense in email as email is private with no guarantee of privacy. This makes sense in paper mail because even though it does in theory guarantee privacy it is a law often breached.
Until this forum I didn't realize that membership list is so tightly controlled although after reading the posts I understand the reasons why.
 

Bloke

Premium Member
Until this forum I didn't realize that membership list is so tightly controlled although after reading the posts I understand the reasons why.

I got a motion passed recently that the name, suburb, mobile number, wife's name, of each member, unless they specifically opt out, be sent to all members. We used to do it all the time..
 

Bloke

Premium Member
Today I received an email from one of my Illinois lodges. It had the name of the candidate and the names of the degree team. In Illinois a lodge is not allowed to publish member names in materials that get general access like newspapers and books, but a lodge is allowed to publish member names in materials that go point to point like paper mail in a sealed envelope or an email.

It's an interesting contrast that neither type of communications is allowed in Texas. In Texas paper mail and email are viewed as not sufficiently private even though they are point to point. This makes sense in email as email is private with no guarantee of privacy. This makes sense in paper mail because even though it does in theory guarantee privacy it is a law often breached.

Do you guys have a "masonic guide" or contacts (address book) ? Ours is published by GL and has all Craft and other orders listed. Traditionally it had WM, SW, JW, SEC & ALMONER names and contacts for WM & Sec and sometimes Almoner.... i think it was quarterly, then was half year, now seems annual..
 

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
Do you guys have a "masonic guide" or contacts (address book) ? Ours is published by GL and has all Craft and other orders listed. Traditionally it had WM, SW, JW, SEC & ALMONER names and contacts for WM & Sec and sometimes Almoner.... i think it was quarterly, then was half year, now seems annual..
Every year, the GLoTX publishes a "Directory of Constituent Lodges" which lists the WMs, Wardens, & Secretaries of all GLoTX Lodges, along with their contact information. They also annually publish the "Grand Master's Directory" which lists all Grand Lodge officers and committee members, along with their contact information. Every five years, they publish a "Roster of Members", which lists the names & ID#s of all GLoTX MMs, listed by Lodge. I've never seen anything of the like put out by the SR, YR, or Shrine, although they may have some sort of lists of which I am not aware.
 

Bloke

Premium Member
Every year, the GLoTX publishes a "Directory of Constituent Lodges" which lists the WMs, Wardens, & Secretaries of all GLoTX Lodges, along with their contact information. They also annually publish the "Grand Master's Directory" which lists all Grand Lodge officers and committee members, along with their contact information. Every five years, they publish a "Roster of Members", which lists the names & ID#s of all GLoTX MMs, listed by Lodge. I've never seen anything of the like put out by the SR, YR, or Shrine, although they may have some sort of lists of which I am not aware.

Do you have to buy these ? Here you do, which is fair enough, they're printed and spiral bound ...
 

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
Each Lodge is sent one copy of the Directory of Constituent Lodges, one copy of the List of Lodges Masonic (the list of worldwide GLs & their constituent Lodges with which we are in amity) and five copies of the GM's Directory, all for free. If a Brother wishes to have his own copy of any of these publications, they are available for individual purchase.
 

Bloke

Premium Member
Each Lodge is sent one copy of the Directory of Constituent Lodges, one copy of the List of Lodges Masonic (the list of worldwide GLs & their constituent Lodges with which we are in amity) and five copies of the GM's Directory, all for free. If a Brother wishes to have his own copy of any of these publications, they are available for individual purchase.

Thanks Bill
 

MarkR

Premium Member
The directory of lodges, with lodge officer contact information, is on the Grand Lodge web site, as is the contact information for Grand Lodge officers.
 

Bostonian

Registered User
I usually don't advertise that I am a member of the craft. While I will wear on occasion a hat or polo shirt with the square and compasses, it's not anything I broadcast out there to friends and family. If someone asks, of course I will talk about it - but I strongly believe one of the values of our fraternity is that we don't promote, or seek out men to join us. Rather, those who show interest come seek us.
 

Dontrell Stroman

Premium Member
I usually don't advertise that I am a member of the craft. While I will wear on occasion a hat or polo shirt with the square and compasses, it's not anything I broadcast out there to friends and family. If someone asks, of course I will talk about it - but I strongly believe one of the values of our fraternity is that we don't promote, or seek out men to join us. Rather, those who show interest come seek us.
Agreed. Although I have met some good brothers by wearing a ring, ball cap etc otherwise I may not would have met. It definitely has it pro and cons like anything else.
 
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Ripcord22A

Site Benefactor
I usually don't advertise that I am a member of the craft. While I will wear on occasion a hat or polo shirt with the square and compasses, it's not anything I broadcast out there to friends and family. If someone asks, of course I will talk about it - but I strongly believe one of the values of our fraternity is that we don't promote, or seek out men to join us. Rather, those who show interest come seek us.
I have had conversations with family friends and strangers alike who believe that they must be invited, so I feel by wearing the S&C someone may come up that is interested and start a conversation and maybe ask how they can join

Sent from my LG-H811 using My Freemasonry Pro mobile app
 

JMartinez

Registered User
As I was reading an article titled " 20 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Freemasonry " I came across a passage that stated "Masons aren't allowed to name anyone else as a mason unless that person is either deceased, or has already publicly proclaimed himself as a mason". I have heard this more than once, but I can't recall hearing it in a lodge. Can a brother validate this passage or point me into the right direction ?
Thanks

I think the idea is to keep the membership of other brothers secret incase they don't want to be as open about their membership as you are. I'm sure at a certain time in a certain place this was something to consider while conversing in public.
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
I usually don't advertise that I am a member of the craft. While I will wear on occasion a hat or polo shirt with the square and compasses, it's not anything I broadcast out there to friends and family. If someone asks, of course I will talk about it - but I strongly believe one of the values of our fraternity is that we don't promote, or seek out men to join us. Rather, those who show interest come seek us.
Agreed. Although I have met some good brothers by wearing a ring, ball cap etc otherwise I may not would have met. It definitely has it pro and cons like anything else.
I have had conversations with family friends and strangers alike who believe that they must be invited, so I feel by wearing the S&C someone may come up that is interested and start a conversation and maybe ask how they can join

Sent from my LG-H811 using My Freemasonry Pro mobile app
I can see the point in all three of these posts. To each his own. I wear my Masonic and Knight Templar rings at all times.
I think the idea is to keep the membership of other brothers secret incase they don't want to be as open about their membership as you are. I'm sure at a certain time in a certain place this was something to consider while conversing in public.
True, it is up to each individual as to whether to reveal that he is a Freemason or not. Some family members or employers may have a problem of it.
 

cemab4y

Premium Member
I am unaware of such a policy, but I can understand the reasoning. I have rings, bet buckles,etc. And I have a masonic license plate on my car. If another mason were to tell someone that I am a Mason, I have no objection.
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
I am unaware of such a policy, but I can understand the reasoning. I have rings, bet buckles,etc. And I have a masonic license plate on my car. If another mason were to tell someone that I am a Mason, I have no objection.
Same here. My family has no problem with it and I am retired so no employer issues. But really, I don't care if anyone has an issue with it anyway. People that have an issue with Masonry are free not to join. Those of us that don't have an issue with Masonry are free to join. It is as simple as that.
 

Brother_Steve

Premium Member
Same here. My family has no problem with it and I am retired so no employer issues. But really, I don't care if anyone has an issue with it anyway. People that have an issue with Masonry are free not to join. Those of us that don't have an issue with Masonry are free to join. It is as simple as that.
A Brother of mine has an Aunt that will not talk to him because "he worships the devil."

The only time it is an issue is if your boss or those that hold power over you takes issue with Masonry. By power, I mean the ability to affect your ability to put food on the table.
 
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