This post is in answer to a previous question on “trading services for initiation fees”, where a prospective member wanted to trade computer services for lodge initiation fees

The thread was deleted because of spamming issues.

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As it’s been posted a few times on the Site, fees for initiation in the vast majority of Masonic Lodges are so low as to be almost negligible – often less than $100. And yearly dues are usually much less than that. Our Lodge had a long, difficult meeting recently when we proposed raising our dues past our longstanding $15 a year! I don’t know too many people who would find the fees to be any kind of financial hardship.

At the same time, I know if a member of our Lodge was to find himself under some kind of financial stress – like from a lost job – he could petition the Master to have his dues temporarily waived. As Master of our Lodge, I used some discretionary license to do this for a young Mason who had lost his job and was having some health issues. After he recovered, he voluntarily repaid the amount to the Fraternity, and has been one of our most active participants in our charity events ever since.

And as I have said before, the charitable nature of Freemasonry is completely voluntary and has nothing to do with financial status.

But as to your specific qualifications, many lodges these days have a great need for people who can help with Web sites, fix computers, create mailing lists, and help put together charity events. I am sure they would welcome your help after you became a brother.

Bob Heruska
Columbian Lodge
Boston, MA