Greetings from the Grand Secretary

 

Bretheren,
              

Now I get to kick back and tell you about something quite important, but also very promising. It’s the subject of people who are inquiring about joining our Fraternity.

There are numerous ways for someone to approach a Masonic Lodge and inquire into joining. I can’t even begin to try to explain them all in this article, but there are three methods that I’ve been directly involved in that I’d like to mention here.

The first two are through the internet. One is through our own website: https://freemason-wa.org/freemasons/membership/ On this one, the inquirer can input a small explanation as to what prompted their interest in inquiring, and it has been quite interesting to read the several paths which lead them to our doorstep. Some refer to their family heritage in Freemasonry and the youth groups. Some wish to be of more assistance to their fellow man. Some look for Brotherhood, including many Veterans who enjoy the fraternal comradery aspect of their time in the Military and wish to either extend it during their military career, or continue it now that they have retired from the military. Still others are seeking more enlightenment on the esoteric aspects of our institution.

The other method is through Beafreemason.org. This site is sponsored by the two Scottish Rite Jurisdictions as well as the Shriners International. While I don’t receive the reasoning behind their inquiry with this site, these entries are just as important.  All of them are sent to the District Deputy in the region where the inquirer resides. If your Lodge receives an E-mail or a phone call from your District Deputy regarding an inquirer, don’t be afraid to reach out and contact him as soon as possible, always strike while the iron is hot! You never know if that inquirer might be a future Worshipful Master of your Lodge, the chairman of one of your charity committees, or an important contact for your local school or the business associations of your community.

The third method is the one I’ve been involved with the longest, and I still practice today, not only here at the Grand Lodge office, but also at my work in downtown Centralia. It’s a method each of us can use. It happens when I receive the phone call, or I’m approached by someone who is interested in joining. It’s that initial contact that an inquirer makes with a Freemason that is most important. Make sure that they understand that you’re as interested in their interest in joining as they are! But don’t get too eager and hand them a petition immediately; take your time, refer him to the right people if you feel you need to, or if you have the time and initiative, you might become this gentleman’s first-line signer and mentor. I’ve done that a few times, and I’ve developed good friendships in the process. While the internet’s methods are quite effective, the direct approach is still the most organic way an upstanding member of your community can join a Masonic Lodge.

The number of inquiries we’ve been having over the last several months has been amazing! It’s also been very encouraging to follow the progress of these inquiries, and I can assure you that Lodges throughout our Jurisdiction will be quite busy with degree work once our Lodges are able to do so.

Things are looking up, my Brothers!  I’ll be touching on more optimistic items here as the weather starts to head into Autumn. Stay cool and enjoy our summer! 



Fraternally,
Clayton LaVigne
Assistant Grand Secretary