I visited the lodge in my town in October for the open house, and after talking with some of the Masons expressed my desire to join and filled out a membership application.  Here it is December and I have yet to hear back regarding my acceptance or rejection.  If I was rejected, would I be officially informed, or should I take no contact to mean that I was rejected?

Not knowing either way, is it acceptable to seek out another lodge; even though it is not the town in which I live?

Thanks,

The application process for becoming a member takes two to three months before a vote can be taken - well within the period in question.  This should have been explained to you at the time you petitioned the lodge, although that isn’t always the case.  The first step is that you name must be posted in the lodge’s notice before it can be “read” in lodge.  Depending on when your lodge meets the earliest that it could have been posted was November, possibly December.  From there, another month must pass - at minimum - before the petition can be balloted (voted) on by the lodge.  Again, depending on the day the lodge in question meets, this might not have taken place yet.

In any event, you should contact either the lodge Secretary or Worshipful Master regarding your concern.  They should be able to let you know the status of your petition and when you can expect to learn more.
-Robert

Thank you for the quick responce.  I hadn’t appreciated all that needs to go on in the petitioning process.  I will just have to be patient.

Also, think back, did you fill out an application, or did you simply submit a card asking for more info or to be contacted?  There is a difference.

Dan Madore - 20 December 2007 07:58 PM

Also, think back, did you fill out an application, or did you simply submit a card asking for more info or to be contacted?  There is a difference.

Hello.

Yes, I did fill out a multi page application, and paid an application fee.  As was explained to me above, I guess I didn’t appreciate all that needs to be done.  If I still haven’t heard anything in a few months, I’ll try to sort out options with another lodge, but as for now I’ll be patient.  I have wanted to join the Masons for a while now, so a bit longer wait won’t kill me.

I would recommend you wait a little while longer, and if you still don’t hear from them, contact that lodge directly.  After all, if you paid the application fee, at the very least you will want to get your money back if your application was rejected for some reason.  Definitely follow up with the specific lodge you applied to if you don’t hear from them soon.