What is CGS? And if you are a "Man without a country" how would you visit another lodge without a dues card. Just curious? Thanks.
A "CGS" is a certificate of good standing. This is a letter or document, from the secretary of your lodge, stating that you are a Master Mason in good standing. Not all Grand Lodges have these certificates.
In most cases, your paid-up dues card, will establish you as a Master Mason in good standing. When you move to a new area, you may wish to join a new lodge in your new area of residence. Some Grand Lodges permit their members to hold multiple memberships.
This can get confusing. Some Grand Lodges permit their members to join as many lodges as they wish to, without restriction. Some Grand Lodges permit their members to join only one or two lodges in their jurisdicition, and permit their members to join lodges out of state, without restriction. Some Grand Lodges permit their members, to belong to only one lodge. You need to check with your own Grand Lodge, and the Grand Lodge of the new lodge you wish to join, to get the exact policies from BOTH Grand Lodges.
You should inform the secretary of your "old" lodge, and keep him informed of your masonic status, and any other lodges you join.
I highly suggest, that you make 100% certain that the lodge in your new city, has accepted you for membership, and you have a paid-up dues card from their lodge, PRIOR to asking for a demit from your old lodge (assuming you do not wish to have dual memberships). This way your membership will be "seamless", and you will not be left "high and dry" with no membership from any lodge!
Now to another topic- If a Mason drops membership with his lodge, and/or all lodges, then he is no longer a Master Mason in good standing. You cannot participate in Masonry at all, most states. If you tried to visit a lodge in say, Tennessee, and you had no paid-up dues card, the lodge membership would be well within their rights, to deny you visitation.
When you are visiting a lodge (that you are not a member of), the lodge must be satisfied that you are a MM in good standing. You will be asked to produce a current dues card from your home lodge. You may also be required to stand an examination, to prove up that you are a Master Mason.
I have visited lodges in 13 states, WashDC, and five foreign countries. Do not attempt to visit a lodge, where you cannot be vouched for, unless you can produce a paid-up dues card, for the current year, from your home lodge.