Question re: masons not seeking members

Tomas6451 · 07-08-2009, 10:33 AM

I have a question regarding masons not being able to openly recruit new members. If a mason has s friend who would be a good candidate for membership, how or is it possible for that mason to recruit his friend? I know masons can't openly recruit, but if you know someone, it would be a shame not to be able to get them on board. Can this rule be changed or bent a bit? With membership falling or being low, it's a shame that some may be missing out.

Ashlar2006 · 07-09-2009, 05:57 AM

True , we can not recruit members and it is hard not to tell a good friend he would make a good Mason and hand them a petition . But , like we tell our Eastern Star ladies , there is nothing against the rules for them to tell good men that they would make great Freemasons and should ask a Mason for a petition .

cemab4y · 07-14-2009, 05:21 PM

Most states do not permit open recruiting. BUT- There is nothing at all wrong with telling your friend "You would make a good mason!". Virginia has a YWMAGM program. You can certainly tell your friend about Masonry, even direct him to some websites. You can also mention that he will never be asked to join, and he must make the decision on his own. your lodge may even have an open house. My lodge has a yearly George Washington Birthday banquet, and we invite men who are not masons to come out to the lodge hall, and we show them the procedure, and keep some blank petition forms available.

rescue48 · 07-15-2009, 08:08 AM

Every Freemason should have at least 1 petition on hand for when the opportunity arrises.

Ashlar2006 · 07-16-2009, 08:00 AM

I keep petitions with me at all times , but I am so picky as to whom I hand them out to that I can count on one hand how many I have handed out through the years . I do not give them to men who simply ask for one for the sake of handing them out , I have to know them and know them well . My name , afterall , is going on that petition also . Call it wrong or say I am entirely too difficult , There are many others out there who will give a stranger one , I for one will not .

**BG_TRBL** · 07-19-2009, 09:18 PM

I agree Ashlar, I have only handed out and signed for a few also, I am also very selective about whom I would sign for. I have on a few occasions given tapes and discs to those who ask about the fraternity. The brother to brother pamphlet is one of the best that I have seen in support of our fraternity and giving basic information.

07-08-2009, 10:33 AM	#1
Tomas6451 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Salinas, Ca Posts: 5 Lodge: Salinas #204	Question re: masons not seeking members I have a question regarding masons not being able to openly recruit new members. If a mason has s friend who would be a good candidate for membership, how or is it possible for that mason to recruit his friend? I know masons can't openly recruit, but if you know someone, it would be a shame not to be able to get them on board. Can this rule be changed or bent a bit? With membership falling or being low, it's a shame that some may be missing out. Last edited by Tomas6451; 07-08-2009 at 10:42 AM..

07-09-2009, 05:57 AM	#2
Ashlar2006 Masonic Mafia Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ky Posts: 4,162 Lodge: Blog Entries: 3	True , we can not recruit members and it is hard not to tell a good friend he would make a good Mason and hand them a petition . But , like we tell our Eastern Star ladies , there is nothing against the rules for them to tell good men that they would make great Freemasons and should ask a Mason for a petition . __________________ It is such a beautiful day , now watch some idiot screw it up !!!

07-14-2009, 05:21 PM	#3
cemab4y Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Afghanistan Posts: 217 Lodge: Bowling Green #73, Bowling Green KY	Most states do not permit open recruiting. BUT- There is nothing at all wrong with telling your friend "You would make a good mason!". Virginia has a YWMAGM program. You can certainly tell your friend about Masonry, even direct him to some websites. You can also mention that he will never be asked to join, and he must make the decision on his own. your lodge may even have an open house. My lodge has a yearly George Washington Birthday banquet, and we invite men who are not masons to come out to the lodge hall, and we show them the procedure, and keep some blank petition forms available. __________________ Charles E. Martin Afghanistan cemab4y@hotmail.com www.dcmetronet.com/landseaandairlodge1iraq www.cemab4y.blogspot.com www.twitter.com/cemab4y www.linkedin.com/in/charlesemartintelecomm

07-15-2009, 08:08 AM	#4
rescue48 Firedawg Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: The First State Posts: 78 Lodge: Union #7	Every Freemason should have at least 1 petition on hand for when the opportunity arrises. __________________ Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before giving them your confidence. -General George Washington

07-16-2009, 08:00 AM	#5
Ashlar2006 Masonic Mafia Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ky Posts: 4,162 Lodge: Blog Entries: 3	I keep petitions with me at all times , but I am so picky as to whom I hand them out to that I can count on one hand how many I have handed out through the years . I do not give them to men who simply ask for one for the sake of handing them out , I have to know them and know them well . My name , afterall , is going on that petition also . Call it wrong or say I am entirely too difficult , There are many others out there who will give a stranger one , I for one will not . __________________ It is such a beautiful day , now watch some idiot screw it up !!!

07-19-2009, 09:18 PM	#6
BG_TRBL Watcher of the posts Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: #232 Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania Posts: 1,124 Lodge: LaBelle Vallee Lodge #232	I agree Ashlar, I have only handed out and signed for a few also, I am also very selective about whom I would sign for. I have on a few occasions given tapes and discs to those who ask about the fraternity. The brother to brother pamphlet is one of the best that I have seen in support of our fraternity and giving basic information. __________________ P.M. LaBelle Vallee Lodge #232 P.H.P. Lafayette Chapter #163 Sir Knight (Hospitallier Commandry) Prophet (Zafar Grotto) Freemasonry may be traced by history and tradition, ...it is only necessary to refer to the information presented to you in a general manner. Information considered "secret" to mason's will NOT be divulged. Seek and ye shall find, Ask and it will be given you, Type and it will be posted (and most likely, answered).

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