Ask for Information

Visit the Lodge

Try to find out if there is a good time for you to visit the lodge. Take this as an opportunity to meet some of the members and ask questions. Don't be intimidated, they'll be happy to see you. Most lodges have dinner before their regular stated meetings (meetings usually occur monthly) and guests are almost always welcome. In many areas more than one lodge may exist. Visit as many as you can, get a feeling for the lodges you visit and pick the one that best meets your needs.

Request a Petition

Request a petition from a Mason or from the lodge you would like to join. You can also find a PDF of the petition here. Your petition will require the signature of several Masons. If you don't know any Masons, ask the lodge you're petitioning for advice.

Submit Your Petition

Turn in your completed petition to the lodge you would like to join. Ask if there are any fees that need to accompany the petition. Your petition will be received by the lodge and will be read during a stated meeting.

The Investigation

The Master of the lodge you submitted your petition to will assign three members of the lodge to interview you and investigate your background. The investigators may want to meet with you at home. There is a standard set of questions that all investigators must ask, but many will ask additional questions. Be honest with the investigators. No Mason is perfect...we don't expect petitioners to be perfect, either.
 

The Ballot

Your investigators will be given a deadline by which to return their completed investigation reports to the lodge. Their reports along with their recommendation will be read to the lodge at a stated meeting. At this time, the Master of the lodge will usually call for a ballot to be taken on your petition. Eligible Masons will then vote on your petition and the outcome of the ballot will be announced to the lodge.
 

After the Ballot

Soon after the stated meeting, a member from the lodge should contact you with the outcome of the ballot and provide you with additional instructions.

Fees and Dues – Grapevine Lodge 288 - Initiation Fee for all 3 degrees are $80 each (due before you are initiated in each degree).  Once you become a Master Mason and receive the 3rd degree you will be required to pay annual dues which are $60 per year at this time and will be prorated the month you get your Master Mason initiation.