I’ve been waiting since the 9th of this month to hear from the IC. I asked the secretary when’s the latest I should hear from the IC and he said before the next meeting(the 2nd monday.) My question is what happens if I don’t hear back from the IC before this next meeting? The obvious,which is wait until the next meeting or what? As always any answers are appreciated!

It is a little frustrating, with the waiting. You may not be contacted directly by your investigators, the procedures vary from state to state. After the committee has reported back to the lodge, and the lodge has balloted on your petition, you will be informed by the lodge. My state requires that the candidate be notified by postal mail (thus adding to the delay). I suggest that you wait at least a week, after the lodge ballot, and if you do not hear from them, call your lodge secretary.

The lodge has already voted on my petition,and I’m awaiting the IC. I assume that’s what you meant by lodge ballot. The secretary said the chairman of the IC would contact me via phone and I’ve been accepting all phone calls from phone numbers I don’t even know and yet sadly,no luck!

Brian, if what you report is correct, KY does things differently than other jurisdictions. Here, and in all other places I know of, the Investigating Committee contacts you, and may visit you, first. Then they submit their report to the WM and the lodge votes on you taking into consideration the report of the committee.  In any case, I join the other responders in urging you not to get all worked up. As has been said many times, no one works for the lodge full time, and there are often delays (some mandated by Grand Lodge or local lodge rules).

I guess I’m just impatient,which makes no sense because regardless of how much I wish things would hurry up,its not on my time schedule. I will do as suggested and wait. Thanks for the advice!

Brian,

You must have patience. You also must realize that Freemasonry is a voluntary organization. So sometimes things move slowly in Freemasonry, all in its own time.

Like Brother Robert said the usual order of things is a man submits his petition, that petition is read in open Lodge, the Master will refer the petitioner to an Investigating Committee (which may not be a standing committed but adhoc). So after the meeting the Master may approach a Brother and ask him if he’ll chair the committee for your petition and arrange to meet you with 2 other Brothers.

Depending on this person work and personal schedule it can take some time to give you a call and set up a date and time for the Investigation committee to meet with you.

After the meeting they will converse briefly among themselves after they leave you and give you a thumbs up (or thumbs down). This report will be read at the next stated communication after the Investigation (usually). if it is the Master usually calls for a ballot on your petition. Typically if the IC give you the thumbs up, the vote is favorable as well.

If you are accepted (voted yes to become a member) in my jurisdiction the Secretary will send you a letter with date and times for you to be at the Lodge to begin your degrees.
You must learn to restrain those passions, soon enough I think.

Best of Luck and let us know when your scheduled for the degrees.

I was called aroumd the 1st of feb. to set up my meeting with the IC. As soon as I receive my date for my EA you all will know! Trust me!