Becoming active again. Did I commit a faux pas by demitting?

[Bro. Marc Houde]

Wise Brothers, a couple of years ago, I was disheartened by the direction my mother lodge was taking and saw no opportunity to change what seemed to be ingrained in that lodge's perception of what Masonry is. In short, the lodge and I were not a good fit. And so I demitted and began visiting other lodges for a new home. I may very well have put the cart before the horse by demitting first and seeking a new home after the fact but it is what it is.

Career demands had me out of the country and travelling significantly and in short, I have not found a new lodge. I am now solidly home and re-visiting lodges in hopes of finding the light I seek. My question is, and this may be a jurisdiction issue, I am in Ontario Canada and I have been in contact with the Secretary of a lodge I hope to join. I gave him full disclosure of my situation and timelines and he has returned that G.L. advises I simply need to apply to them for affiliation and I'm back in. Sounds too simple to me and I hope the Secretary understood that I demitted in good standing 3 years ago and have been a member of no lodge since then.

Have any of you experienced a member who's been away and has returned and is it as simple as an application for Affiliation?

 

[Companion Joe]

I can't speak for Ontario, but generally, if you demitted in good standing and are looking join a lodge in the same jurisdiction, it is a fairly smooth process. Once you find a new lodge, you will most likely have to fill out a petition for restoration, talk to an investigating committee, be balloted on, and, if accepted, you are back in.

 

[Bill Lins]

is it as simple as an application for Affiliation?

Usually, yes.

 

[Bloke]

is it as simple as an application for Affiliation?

It is here... as long as you have your clearance certificate, its super easy..

 

[dfreybur]

I've seen brothers on open demit apply for affiliation. It's a majority vote by hand in at least a couple of my jurisdictions. I don't recalled any no votes.

The only real complexity comes with service pins. Your 50 year pin comes 53 years after you were raised because of your time on open demit.

 

[flipster]

I would expect your brothers will look forward to your renewed fraternity with them. You may have to pay a year dues plus the current year dues. Good luck.

 

[Bro. Marc Houde]

Thanks all, I have visited and, finding the lodge to be a great fit for what I'm looking for, have applied for affiliation. They performed an investigation committee with me right after lodge and advised it would be put to a vote at the next regular meeting. Having provided a copy of my Demit in good standing, I would then pay the affiliation fee and the pro-rated year's dues. Easy Peasy. I am very much looking forward to becoming active again.

 

[Bloke]

Glad to hear it bro

 

[flipster]

It's good to see a plan carried out, and a brother back in the fold.

 

[Bloke]

Horay !

 

[otherstar]

Thanks all, I have visited and, finding the lodge to be a great fit for what I'm looking for, have applied for affiliation. They performed an investigation committee with me right after lodge and advised it would be put to a vote at the next regular meeting. Having provided a copy of my Demit in good standing, I would then pay the affiliation fee and the pro-rated year's dues. Easy Peasy. I am very much looking forward to becoming active again.

Congratulations! I did this myself after a 7 year period of being a "man without a country" (having a demit in good standing) and re-affiliated a few years ago. I am very glad that I did!

 

[acjohnson53]

The Key word is, is in good standing.....Did it myself a coupla months ago...

 

[Warrior1256]

I can't speak for Ontario, but generally, if you demitted in good standing and are looking join a lodge in the same jurisdiction, it is a fairly smooth process. Once you find a new lodge, you will most likely have to fill out a petition for restoration, talk to an investigating committee, be balloted on, and, if accepted, you are back in.

From my understanding that's the way it is here in Kentucky.