Bob Franks
Past District Deputy Grand Lecturer
Now, different Grand Lodges will have varying procedures, but here (NC) several rather intrusive questions must be answered on the petition, such as name, parents' names, birthplace, address, employment, type of military discharge (if any), criminal record. Two Masons must sign, one a member of the Lodge petitioned, and then 5 other references.oh wait, i must ask.
How does petitioning work? Im sure there is an oral interview, but what else should i prepare myself for the petition?
After the petition is submitted with the initiation fee, it is read in Lodge, a Committee of Investigation is appointed, and the original of the form is sent to the Grand Secretary, who commissions a criminal background check. [We do the criminal background check openly, as a lodge member police officer would today commit a felony to unofficially check this]. The Committee of Investigation delves as deeply as they feel needed and report back after the required 1 month lay-over period.
The petition is read again and the Lodge votes.