Requirements

The Illinois Grand Lodge has set forth the following requirements when considering a man to join our Lodge.

• Be age 18 or older
• Have resided in Illinois resident for at least six months (unless specially waived)
• Be able to read and write English
• Be of good moral and social character
• Believe in a Supreme Deity (necessary to take certain oaths, otherwise no obligation would be binding upon you)

If you meet our requirements in joining, please read on.

Petitioning Our Lodge For Membership

Some men are surprised that no one has ever asked them to become a Mason. But it doesn't work that way. For hundreds of years, Masons have been forbidden to ask others to join the fraternity. We can talk to friends and relatives about Masonry, we can tell them about what Masonry does, but we can not ask, much less pressure anyone to join. No one should ever be "talked into" making such a decision.

So, when a man decides he wants to be a Mason, he must ask for a petition or application from a lodge or mason.

Men usually seek out a Lodge near their home or workplace or ask a Mason they know to recommend a Lodge to them. Masonry is not for everyone, however. It does not purport to reform bad men, only to provide a lifelong opportunity for good men to improve themselves and those around them.

The Masonic Fraternity seeks only men of good character as members. In fact, Masonic Lodges are required to review every applicant's moral and social character, and members must be unanimously balloted upon in a Lodge by all members present.

Steps In Joining Temperance Lodge No.16

Step 1 - Obtain a petition, fill it out and return it to the Lodge or give it to a mason to turn in.

Step 2 - The petition will be read to the Lodge at the next stated meeting and an investigative commitee will be formed to talk to you.

Step 3 - The investigative committee will notify you of when and where they will talk to you about becoming a member.

Step 4 - After you have been met with, the investigative committee will report to the Lodge their findings and the Lodge will then hold a secret ballot on your membership into the Lodge. You must be unanimously accepted by all members present.

Step 5 - You will then be contacted by our Secretary the outcome of the ballot. If you are accepted, you will be notified when to appear to receive the first of three Degrees of Masonry.

Step 6 - Upon the completion of each of the first two Degrees of Masonary, it will be up to you to setup a time with the Secretary to complete the next degree.

Upon the completion of the Third Degree of Masonary, you will become a Master Mason entitled to all benefits of Masonary.