I recently settled down in a suburb of Cleveland, OH. I was really looking forward to joining the local Lodge and starting a whole new aspect of my life. I am a Senior DeMolay and what would be a 6th generation member of the Lodge.
I was anxious to get the process started so I threw on my Sunday’s best and headed up to the local Lodge on their stated meeting night. Upon arriving I was a bit put off by the state of disrepair the lodge was in, I began to wonder maybe I had the wrong building. Upon entering through the basement I approached an elderly gentleman making my intentions known and requested a petition if possible. Bad move on my part – I was instantly approached by six others each offering to sign for me… I was now really put off – where was the interview and how could you possibly sign for a person you did not know? I left that evening wondering what had become of the that Lodge… I realize my expectations were high as I my DeMolay chapter was out of the GW Masonic Memorial in Alexandria – but wow was I disappointed.
I spoke with my dad that night and he urged me to look into other Lodges – that was not a representative Lodge I had just encountered. I decided I would couch surf and do some research into the local Lodges before deciding on one to petition. What I found was sad to say the least via the web… If the Lodge truly wants to bring youth through its doors it really needs to update its electronic media! I came across a lodge that peeked my interest after 2 hours of bouncing between the Grand Lodge site and misc. links – it had a solid web page and the pictures showed an older but well maintained Temple.
(http://halcyontemple.org/)
After navigating this site I have to say I was sold – this was the Lodge I wanted to petition and work through the chairs in… I called my dad with the news and he googled the Lodge and he came across:
“For those that don’t surf the Masonic side of the internet might not be aware, but the self promoting Halcyon Lodge #498 announced on their website and through the burning taper that they were turning in their lodge charter and now becoming Halcyon Lodge #2.”
You got to be kidding me right? I re-read the opening paragraph on Halcyon’s site:
“Halcyon Lodge operates under the authority of the Grand Orient of the United States of America, Orient of Ohio, Valley of Cleveland, and is a part of the traditional cosmopolitan Freemasonry that began in London, England in 1717.”
Valley of Cleveland - is’t that Scottish Rite? So… If I go through this Lodge I am not recognized as a Mason by other Ohio Blue Lodges but I am able to work my way up through either Rite? Or does my Masonic development end with this wayward Lodge?
If anybody can offer some insight I would appreciate it… If in fact this is the case and anybody can recommend a lodge in this area I would again very appreciative… I am looking for an established Lodge that is active and appears to have a future. I apologize for the long post – I just wanted to convey how frustrating this search has been.
I encourage you to stay away from any lodges, that are operating under any authority other than the Grand Lodge of Ohio (F&AM;). (I am a former resident of Columbus OH). I am sorry to say, that Freemasonry has not accepted the value of the internet with the enthusiasm it should. My home lodge does not have a web-page, and has no plans to acquire one. It took my six months of begging, to convince them to install an answering machine on their telephone, and they only consented, if I disabled the message record function.
Do not be discouraged, that several men offered to co-sign your form. Many men approach masonry, without knowing any masons, and this type of volunteerism, is not that rare. AFTER you submit the petition, and the lodge assigns a committee, then you will be interviewed, to determine your overall fitness for Freemasonry (depending on the rules of the state in which you petition).
I thank you for your prompt response! I got a good laugh over the answering machine…
I read through more blogs than I care to share but through them all an officer of Halcyon appeared in more than one offering up rebuttles. After reading the Complaint, Answer and the MSJ I don’t don’t find fault with Halcyon’s actions - but I do question why a Mason would assign a picture of Che to represent himself… That is a sad and ignorant choice in my opinion, and in no way did that monster reflect anything Masonic.
Now its a matter of curiosity - would a member of this Lodge (being a member of the Grand Orient) be recognized as fulfilling the Master Mason requirement to petition either Rite much less the Shrine?
Lastly - stay alert, keep your head down and return home safe! Please don’t disturb to much sand in my sandbox!!!
Hmmmmm. Sounds like some strange goings on with Halcyon Lodge. You don’t want to get yourself into an irregular lodge. As Bro. Martin observed, the regular lodges in Ohio are under the juridiction of the GL of Ohio F&AM;.
Don’t be discouraged. Ohio is a big jurisdiction with lots of regular lodges. Most of them may not be into the Web, but you can certainly find out what lodges there are and where, and maybe check them out by the traditional, old fashioned, means. That will take longer, but in the end, you will find a lodge that you will be happy with. And they will be overjoyed to have a Senior DeMolay who is anxious to join the Craft.
This is an interesting topic. I would point out that you are probably not doing the Lodges you are looking at justice by discarding them on the basis of their internet presence. A Lodge may well be thriving and active in its work without having a strong or, indeed any internet presence. Something to consider.
Yes, this particular Ohio lodge’s actions with its charter mean that it is now an unrecognized (or “clandestine”) lodge according to the Grand Lodge of Ohio. The legalities and circumstances surrounding the disassociation should still be eay to find through online news/court sources.
So if you were to join this lodge, that means that you cannot visit any of the other 500+ lodges in Ohio. Your involvement in Masonry would not extend beyond this building and its own organized activities, and you probably couldn’t even visit your father’s lodge back home.
The degree work is not overseen by the authority (Grand Lodge), which means there is no guarantee you will experience the same initation as all the other Ohio members, nor are there any reprisals on the Lodge if they were to take sufficient liberties with the ritual—In layman’s terms, if they wanted to treat it more like a college frat house initiation, there would be no one to stop them. The ritual as taught by the Grand Lodge of Ohio has been recognized by the Grand Lodges of the other 49 states and I don’t know how many international GL’s so you know it is “the real thing”. You also would not be able to continue into any York Rite, Scottish Rite, or other bodies like the Shrine (unless this clandestine lodge were to start its own unrecognized versions of those degrees/bodies as well).
If the condition of the building and website is the primary factor for you and makes this lodge more appealing than any recognized lodge, then I guess your choice will be to become a clandestine member until/unless the differences between this lodge and the Grand Lodge of Ohio are resolved. My understanding is that if the differences are resolved, you and anyone else who was initiated during the clandestine time would have to re-do your degree ceremonies and proficiencies. I am unsure if any restitution would have to be made in terms of dues as well.
From what you describe, I don’t see anything wrong with how the other Masons treated you. As someone stated, offering to sign a petition is only telling the lodge that the petitioner is worth interviewing. (although a vote in lodge could decide otherwise, and even then the investigation commitee still has to meet and return a favorable report on you before you are truly accepted). You being a DeMolay member, if you mentioned it in your visit, probably spoke heavily in your favor and that’s why so many members were eager to sign for you—they feel your previous experience will make you a good member.
You will probably find your ideal lodge by meeting several members of different lodges personally and deciding after a period of time to petition the one with whom you felt the most kinship or connection to, instead of the condition of its paintjob (or lack thereof).
I think I detect a bit of implied criticism of Arbitragio in a couple postings for judging a lodge by the way it looks. He saw it; we didn’t. We all know of small lodges, rural lodges, lodges in areas where times are hard, and we make allowances accordingly. I don’t doubt that Arbitragio would too. I doubt that he is someone shallow enough to make that a really big factor in judging a lodge.
At the same time, I have to say that unless times are really hard for the members and the lodge is in serious trouble financially, I would not look favorably on a lodge that has so little self-respect and so little concern with what the public might think of them that they would allow their building and property to get rundown. Sadly, I have seen lodges whose members take the attitude that what was good enough for Grandpa is good enough for them and they don’t want to spend money. Would any of us be eager to join them?
REYoung makes a valid point. We did not see the lodge building. However having recently gone through the process of finding the right Lodge, (granted I was fortunate that the one that seemed to fit best was right in my home town) I can attest to the fact that very few had websites of any real substance. I did not rule them out automatically. Granted we all gravitate towards things that are aesthetically pleasing and a building is no different. Who wouldn’t like a large Lodge Room with marble staircases to and from, but these trappings are no indicator of the Lodge’s quality only of its apparent affluence.
When I submitted my original post the intent was to seek some insight into what the impact would be if I pursued membership with Halcyon. Would it preclude me from joining the Scottish Rite and so on… After reading the above posts – I would agree not being able to attend Lodge outside this one does weigh heavy in making my decision. However - will it in effect stunt my Masonic growth?
Concerning the description of Lodge, my initial meet and greet and later the website review – I wanted to capture some areas of opportunity. Is it a shallow observation? I think the answer is yes, but you need to understand that the prospect only has so much to work with in making a determination of not just whether to join but also what Lodge to join… What I am trying to say is its marketing 101 – if your packaging is not appealing, it really doesn’t matter how good the content is… The Lodge had boards across windows with broken pains of glass – judging by the water damage on the boards they had been there awhile. Concerning the website design or lack there of – in this day and age, the internet is the MEDIA of choice and anybody with a few hours can throw up a decent website on a free server. The aforementioned post captured this point – why would I join a Lodge that can’t put the time into the fundamentals? When I join that Lodge I am essentially signing over the next however many years of my life to actively work through the chairs and support the membership, shouldn’t I be spending the time looking at what I can before making the decision to join? Shallow – sure, but I am not privy to what’s in the package till I join… The behavior of the membership is now understood - I was not aware of what the initial process was and it makes sense why I was apporached the way I was, thank you for this insight.
I think at this point I am going to put back on my Sunday’s best and head out to visit some more Lodges. Any insight as to what I should be using as a means to determine a good fit would be appreciated.
When I submitted my original post the intent was to seek some insight into what the impact would be if I pursued membership with Halcyon. Would it preclude me from joining the Scottish Rite and so on… After reading the above posts – I would agree not being able to attend Lodge outside this one does weigh heavy in making my decision. However - will it in effect stunt my Masonic growth?
Concerning the description of Lodge, my initial meet and greet and later the website review – I wanted to capture some areas of opportunity. Is it a shallow observation? I think the answer is yes, but you need to understand that the prospect only has so much to work with in making a determination of not just whether to join but also what Lodge to join… What I am trying to say is its marketing 101 – if your packaging is not appealing, it really doesn’t matter how good the content is… The Lodge had boards across windows with broken pains of glass – judging by the water damage on the boards they had been there awhile. Concerning the website design or lack there of – in this day and age, the internet is the MEDIA of choice and anybody with a few hours can throw up a decent website on a free server. The aforementioned post captured this point – why would I join a Lodge that can’t put the time into the fundamentals? When I join that Lodge I am essentially signing over the next however many years of my life to actively work through the chairs and support the membership, shouldn’t I be spending the time looking at what I can before making the decision to join? Shallow – sure, but I am not privy to what’s in the package till I join… The behavior of the membership is now understood - I was not aware of what the initial process was and it makes sense why I was apporached the way I was, thank you for this insight.
I think at this point I am going to put back on my Sunday’s best and head out to visit some more Lodges. Any insight as to what I should be using as a means to determine a good fit would be appreciated.
From the above statements, stay away from Halcyon Lodge, they along with several members of different Lodges have formed the Grand orient of the United States back in 2005, I believe. They model themselves after the Grand Orient of France, and have been recongized by them. They are a clandestine group, if you join, there is only a handful of Lodges you could attend and I do believe that they have no higher bodies within the Blue Lodge structure. They are also having internal problems, I hear. If joining them you would not be able to visit other Lodges within the recongized Grand Lodge of Ohio or any other of the thousands of Lodges in the world that the Grand Lodge of Ohio, recongizes. They did have a web site, which I also hear is down at the time, because of these internal problems, and other problems. If looking, contact the Grand Lodge of Ohio, they will give you names of Lodges where ever you live, that are near you, as well as contacts.
This is a very interesting thread. Arbitragio, thank you for being so articulate and clear in both your questions and your intent. The fact that you are a DeMolay gives this thread even more importance.
But I think this thread opens up other questions that aren’t being asked:
1) If Freemasonry was really trying to bring in new members, why wouldn’t we be doing more to make it look attractive online?
2) If it doesn’t look good on the outside, how can it be good on the inside?
3) How can Freemasonry live up to what it promises?
I want to answer the first one here. I will address the others in a different thread.
I wanted to address your thoughts on “Marketing 101.” In today’s world, why isn’t there are great Masonic presence online to market Freemasonry? A very good question. But that’s the point. Freemasonry doesn’t advertise or market itself.
One of the things that any potential member reading this Site.should know is that anything that even feels like marketing—even the AskAFreemason site and this Forum page—are still quite controversial nationwide. Although this is changing in some states, the letter of the rule is that we don’t market Freemasonry. One becomes a member by seeking out a local lodge and, on a one to one basis, speak with Masons who will help you become one. The tradition in Freemasonry is that NO ONE WILL EVER ASK YOU TO JOIN. The stories are well known of fathers on their deathbed being asked by their sons why they never asked them to join. “You never asked” was the response.
This double-edged sword is more problematic today—with worldwide communication—than it was 100 years ago when people lived their entire lives in one town or city and communication was mainly fact to face.
One of the reasons the idea the Ask A Freemason “campaign” has been so successful is that it seems to cross the lines between tradition and marketing. It is acting more like a “public service” announcement on what someone does to become a Freemason. It’s just telling people that they have to ASK.
People want to know about Freemasonry – they just haven’t known where to look. At a time when “everybody else is telling our story,” the “mini documentary” radio and TV are reminding everyone that Freemasons helped found our country with the same values, character, and integrity that it instills in its members today.
In other words, I love a good Web experience as much as anybody, but assume it’s going to come a little slower with Freemasonry. When you join, maybe you can be part of the generation that eeks out that change.
2B1ASK1 – whoever developed this advertising slogan should be commended as it drives the observer to ask “who and what is this referring to.” While I was reading through the various blogs on Halcyon Lodge’s fate – I kept coming across the phrase “It’s the Old Guard vs. the progressive Lodge.” I thought to myself, where have I heard that before? I agree that in this day in age we are to quick to write off the old and replace it with the new with the obligatory, “out with the old and in with the new” or “with time comes change.” I disagree with all that I know is true as a Senior DeMolay with these aforementioned statements as they pertain to the age old standard of admission – You must ask, you will not be asked.
Having said that, I can remember my Grandfather coming home from Lodge joking about the latest dinner they had for potential prospects in the Palm Beach area. Two generations back they understood the Lodge needed a certain amount of exposure in order to attract candidates, what better way than through a man’s appetite! To bring this full circle, times have changed and while I believe the standard should remain (via the old, new or whatever guard), the Lodge needs to do what it can to attract a larger pool of potential candidates. You have a slogan worth a million dollars and a site like this to answer questions – your 75% of the way across the bridge, why not seal the deal? I personally – am going to push for the dinners and further awareness in the community. Its not asking, its making potentially good men aware there is a fraternity out there of their peers.
Lastly – I want to commend this website, I think each state should have a forum like this, it engages the prospect, thank you for the opportunity to post!
Some of these posts are crossing each other, but all of your points are valid. Believe me, many of the things you are talking about are being talked about throughout our Fraternity at every level.
Change comes to Freemasonry slowly. It is more of a society than an organization. Societies changes more slowly than companies.
One of the reasons this thread is especially interesting to me is that I spent a lot of time last weekend speaking with the Grand Master of Ohio about some of these same things during the Grand Master’s conference in Washington. Several of us from this Forum were there, in part to talk about Masonic awareness nationwide, but also to get a feel for the overall direction Freemasonry might be taking as we move into this next decade.
As we’ve explained before, there is no central body of Freemasonry in the United States (or the world) – each state is fully independent. At the same time, there is a very direct historic lineage – a Charter passed from previous Grand Lodges—that 99% of all Masonic lodges have in the United States have. With that Charter comes a duty for protocol and a ritual that holds itself very strongly to traditions that are 300 years old. Without that charter, I suppose a “lodge” can do anything it wants, but it really has nothing to do with what we are discussing here.
One thing I do know: while the numbers have risen in some areas and are down in others, the quality of men coming into our Fraternity today is top notch. Good me are looking for something like Freemasonry more than ever before. Yes, it would be nice to make it easy. But maybe the fact that it isn’t so easy says something about those that made their way here.
But either way, (as was discussed at the conference) what is perhaps even more important is that Freemasonry itself remains that special place where a man can find his Greatness. It does no good for new members to come in if they do not embrace the Fraternity when they do. One of the things that we hope the AskAFreemason spots do in our country is to re-energize the members to make sure we are fulfilling our role in the Greatness road. If we do that, things will work out, to use Benjamin Franklin’s words, “just swimingly.”
I am certain you will find your Lodge. It will be a lucky Lodge that has you for a member.
So… I apologize for the multiple posts. I will probably move these to their own thread later, but for now it seems right here. What I have been saying is that from and mile high view, this thread brings up a much bigger subject than one clandestine lodge in Ohio with a strong virtual presence. It is really asking how regular Freemasonry itself will respond to today’s challenges.
One thing I want to make clear. Freemasonry is not a building. While the civic pride and generosity of generations of Freemasons have given us glorious buildings in our city centers that make us all proud, as you’ll learn in your second degree, a Lodge is really found in its members and it’s charter—and can meet virtually anywhere.
Obviously, costs for buildings and operations have risen for everyone, and it has been especially hard on Lodges in areas hardest hit by the economy. Most of these buildings are in historic areas downtown, and while they showcase our history, they are usually not owned by Grand Lodges, but by a local lodge. Often the membership demographic has changed over the years and most of the members do not live near it anymore. The members look at the costs and their finances and the building’s worth and say, “Hey, let’s sell it and move to the suburbs.” Yes, it would be good if all our Lodge buildings (and our civic buildings, sigh.) again gave us civic pride, but as you will learn in your first degree, you will not be judged by your outward appearance or worldly wealth – neither should your impressions of Freemasonry be judged from the outside.
The men you meet, however, are a different story. That’s why I think it’s a great idea (as you said) to visit many Lodges and meet as many members as you can. But don’t look at their age or their their gold – look at their integrity and their enthusiasm. They have something to teach. I’ve seen Lodges go from being mostly men in their 70” and 80”s to being young and vibrant in just a few years. It is not like a college fraternity where everyone becomes friends and leaves in 4 years. In your Masonic life you will see many members come in after you and see many before you go to their reward. Believe me, you will miss them when they are gone.
The state of many Masonic buildings in this county are something that all Masons should be concerned about. I personally think they are worth saving, but it is going to take hard choices and a lot of work. I hope we find a way. But even without those buildings, Freemasonry will remain vibrant if the members do. That you can depend on.
And finally. To answer your direct question. The well-known appendant bodies of the Shrine, York Rite and Scottish Rite are connected to regular Freemasonry in America. You would need to first be a member of a regular Masonic Lodge to join these groups.
Thank you Bob for your insight and the answer I sought! I spoke with an associate of my firm today at lunch about this very topic. Turns out he has had an interest in the Lodge as well but didn’t know where to start… We had a long conversation about the Craft and the local Lodge. He was enthusiastic about joining our local Lodge – the one in disrepair. It’s our community’s Lodge and the both of us have a fair amount of elbow grease left to assist in taking care of that building. Who knows, little bit of elbow grease and a makeover on the web site coupled with some spaghetti dinners – I think great things are on the horizon! Thanks again to all that replied and I apologize Bob for the amount of posts it took to arrive where we are – God Bless!
