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No longer Ask one to Be one

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
Perhaps you could tell us who informed you of that.

The laws of the Grand Lodge of Texas spell out what is permissible and what is not on that topic. I suggest you start there. It runs somewhere along the line of it being okay to initiate a conversation with someone about masonry, tell him about it, answer questions, you just can't "ask" him to join.

Article 393a
 

Raven

Registered User
In my personal experiences while talking to not merely acquaintances, but to friends whom I know to be of strong upstanding character and holds high moral standards. When the topic of freemasonry arises in conversation or masonic jewelry is recognized and commented upon, I offer a card that I have had printed. This seems to work well when planting a seed. :SNC:

livepreview.jpg
 

Nate C.

Registered User
In my personal experiences while talking to not merely acquaintances, but to friends whom I know to be of strong upstanding character and holds high moral standards. When the topic of freemasonry arises in conversation or masonic jewelry is recognized and commented upon, I offer a card that I have had printed. This seems to work well when planting a seed. :SNC:

View attachment 1199

Now that's a good idea. Who printed your cards?
 

Blake Bowden

Administrator
Staff Member
In my personal experiences while talking to not merely acquaintances, but to friends whom I know to be of strong upstanding character and holds high moral standards. When the topic of freemasonry arises in conversation or masonic jewelry is recognized and commented upon, I offer a card that I have had printed. This seems to work well when planting a seed. :SNC:

View attachment 1199

Great idea!
 

Andrew Makin

Registered User
Hi We still work on the "Ask one to be one " rule but it is ok to suggest that If you want to join all you have to do is ask
Actually in my Mother Lodge St John 795 in the Scottish constitution you have to ask twice

Andrew
 

ndfire83

Registered User
Hi We still work on the "Ask one to be one " rule but it is ok to suggest that If you want to join all you have to do is ask
Actually in my Mother Lodge St John 795 in the Scottish constitution you have to ask twice

Andrew
How do you mean ask twice?
 

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
I'm told that some Texas Lodges automatically rejected every candidate for one year the first time they petitioned. The idea was that those who really wanted to be Masons would try again. Even if it's true, I doubt it still happens.
 

Blake Bowden

Administrator
Staff Member
I'm told that some Texas Lodges automatically rejected every candidate for one year the first time they petitioned. The idea was that those who really wanted to be Masons would try again. Even if it's true, I doubt it still happens.

Yup, our current Mayor petitioned three times before he was voted in. Over the years he's served as WM, DDGM and currently holds an A certificate.
 

ndfire83

Registered User
Yup, our current Mayor petitioned three times before he was voted in. Over the years he's served as WM, DDGM and currently holds an A certificate.

When he was voted down the first time did some one tell him he could petition again? Some might think that if they don't get in the first time they wont be able to petition again. Also, if no one has an issue with a candidate and the investigation committee finds no reason why they shouldn't why would you vote them down? Also, if they were voted down once, why would you consider them again?
 

Raven

Registered User
This doesn't make sense to me either. Had I been rejected to recieve the degrees of freemasonry, I would not re-apply... ever.

When he was voted down the first time did some one tell him he could petition again? Some might think that if they don't get in the first time they wont be able to petition again. Also, if no one has an issue with a candidate and the investigation committee finds no reason why they shouldn't why would you vote them down? Also, if they were voted down once, why would you consider them again?
 

ndfire83

Registered User
I have not been a Mason for a lot of years, but have tried to learn as much as I can about it in general and in my State. I have never heard of any one in North Dakota being rejected and then petitioning again. I was under the impression, because it took 100% vote that if they were voted against then that was the end of it. Also, like I asked before, if they were voted down I would assume that it would be because they would not make good Masons, that being the case why would you even look at another petition form them?
 

Wingnut

Premium Member
I have not been a Mason for a lot of years, but have tried to learn as much as I can about it in general and in my State. I have never heard of any one in North Dakota being rejected and then petitioning again. I was under the impression, because it took 100% vote that if they were voted against then that was the end of it. Also, like I asked before, if they were voted down I would assume that it would be because they would not make good Masons, that being the case why would you even look at another petition form them?

Things change, people change, situations change and lodges change. I dont know of any Jurisdiction that does a blackball for life. Some states like Texas it requires 3+ to be blackballed, others only 1.
 

Dave in Waco

Premium Member
One of the things my Lodge is doing to let the public know we're here is CHARITY work. Go to your local Walmart...there IS a manager that helps organizations with philanthropies. An easy one that we do, is you tell the manager you would like to collect canned goods, or dollar bills to donate. When people find out that the Masonic lodge is helping out the needy because you're out there in a group keeping each other company it looks REALLY GOOD!! The needy, your lodge and Walmart benefit. The needy get the food, your lodge gets the recognition, and Walmart gets the money from all the cans purchased. When we did this, we had traveling brothers ask about our stated meetings, Mason's wives stop and talk to us about their husbands, interested men asking questions, and every once in a while funny looks, but who cares?? It's still ASK...and I like it that way...we currently have 3 EA degrees coming up, 3 investigations, and a few Master Mason degrees in the next few week. It looks to me as if Masonry is slowing headed in the better direction again. Keep your head up, wear your Masonic rings and pins, not to brag about Masonry, but to let people know we still exist, we're still active and we lodge our Craft!!

I think you have it exactly right. Our numbers have fallen because we aren't visible. A buddy of mine's Lodge sells drinks every Saturday at the local farmer's market. All they do is load up on a few cases of drinks at Sam's, get some ice and coolers, put up their signs at the Farmer's Market and raise a little money every month that will go to a local charity. The charity gets the money, and they normally have a few people ask about their Lodge. Since they've been doing this, they bring in at least 2-3 EA's a month.

But a little visibility, especially while helping improve the community in some way, goes a long way. We don't have to fund and build a wing onto the hospital to get noticed. A lot of times it's just the small fund raisiers like those described above that get the ball rolling.
 
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