I have been able to call many grand lodges and find the master of a local lodge is always helpful at getting someone a petition. I was home sick for about 6 months with TB, and had tons of time on my hands, so I took each referral and talked to folks until I found an answer, but it is a time consuming task. Fireman99 and the other brothers were on the money. A local lodge is an abosoute requirement. Look on the Grand Lodge web site and get the number of the master and give him a call. If all else fails, please come back here and ask for help. We have all been through it and all would be willing to help.
A funny story about my journey. I had promised my dad that I would join his lodge, but I was in the Navy and gone almost all of the time. When I was about 25 he passed away, and I did not get the chance to have him sponsor me, but his best friend at the furneral asked me if I had managed to get through the process, and I said no but I was interested. He shook his head and walked away. I was in town for a few months and living in the same state and when I saw him again, I asked say would you care to be my sponsor and he said we should talk about it really soon. I felt like I was being to no by a guy I had known my whole life and one who had been the leader of our DeMolay Chapter. To make a long story short, I had to come home for a week when my younger brother got married and sure enough I ran into Don as soon as I got into town, and off hand asked him if he had ever gotten me a petition. He broke out in a broad smile and said, in our lodge it is necessary to ask three times. He had already filled in much of the information and all I needed to do was the assertations and sign. He had signed it and said he would walk it over to the sherrif to get the other signature. He also suggested that I could meet with the committee before I left town, since it was a 40 mile drive to get home. He was my mentor and sponsor. He gave me a memory of my dad I will never forget. I was raised in his lodge although I ended up affiliating with a different lodge after.
I never sat in lodge with my dad, but I did sit with his lifelong brothers and it almost made me feel like I had. Whenever my travels takes me home, I stop in and say hi to the brothers and especially to Don, my dad's friend and my brother.
