My first lodge was Myrtle Lodge #108, located in Issaquah. I was interested in Masonry and a friend and fellow Mason from Canada told me to search inside Microsoft, where I worked at the time, for a mailing list dedicated to Masons. I did so and managed to connect with a Mason, strangely enough a fellow Canadian again, who was the current WM at Myrtle Lodge.
As a result I petitioned and joined Myrtle Lodge.
At the time, I lived in Redmond. The drive to the lodge was not excessively long but if you have ever tried to make your way down Front St. at 5 or 6 PM, you know it is a nightmare.
I was a member there for some time, advancing all the way to the South. However, as my time was drawing near to the elections and potential move to the East, I had to spend some time contemplating what that would mean.
Being the WM requires dedication, focus, a definite time commitment, and attention to the lodge needs. At that time, I had also moved to Woodinville. So, not only was the commute still frustrating because of the traffic on Front St., but now it was even longer.
I decided that it was not in the best interests of the lodge, nor me, to accept the nomination and possible election to the East. So I informed the lodge that I would not pursue the WM position.
I remained a member for about a year after that, but then demitted because I just wasn't getting to the lodge for any meetings. I wasn't actively participating in that lodge.
I was a plural member at two other lodges that are closer to me. I also wasn't even aware of Ashler Lodge in Bothell, which is actually 10 minutes from where I live, so I didn't petition there but have membership in Lakeside (Redmond), Renaissance (Redmond), and now Rainier (Shoreline).
For me, it was mostly not remitting dues to a lodge I was no longer attending, that I was "comfortable" with. I knew that they were growing in membership and that they would be financially ok without my contribution of dues.
I still support Myrtle Lodge when they reach out for help with degrees, as they are part of the district I am in.
I agree, it is extremely difficult to serve as Worshipful Master of a Lodge located so far away as to make it hard to get there. I did that for a year, to fill a hole in the line of a Lodge, and had not many local Brothers stepped up to handle a great number of things it would have been a disaster. As it was, I think it was A-OK, but only because of those who jumped in to help.
Okay, I'm a bit of a poster boy for this question. The lodge that Raised me, was never going to be my home lodge. I was active duty during a time when "homesteading" was frowned upon heavily by the funny five sided building. (the wisdom of that attitude is the topic of conversation for another day... In fact I may cover it in my weekly blog) Beside that, I ran into some real bigotry and hatred in that lodge, that I just couldn't stomach (anti Catholicism, anti Semitism, and racism.) I'll name names, Lemon Grove Lodge, California F&AM, this would have been 1985 or so.
My Home lodge is Steadfast #216, in Manette WA. I was a member there from 1985 until we relocated to Tennessee last summer. I chose to become a life member there even though I will probably never walk through those doors or climb that stair again.
Why?
That was HOME, and honestly, they need the money. Money is the only way I can still support that lodges existence, so that is how I do so.
My new home, is here at Overton Lodge #5 in Rogersville TN. I'm in the process of moving my valley from Bremerton Valley SR to the nearest one to me here, which is Knoxville.
Why do I consider Steadfast and Overton Home, but Bremerton Valley and Lemon Grove "just lodges I belonged to?"
Well, to use a slightly out of date phrase, it's the "vibe." Those lodges I called home, welcomed me as a vital and useful member, called for my assistance, made me feel wanted, needed, and appreciated. Those that I moved from, did not. I hadn't even affiliated with Knoxville before I was asked to fill a role in their annual reunion. Overton and Steadfast put me in the chairs, asked for my help in things I am expert at, and things I had to learn as I went. Lemon Grove, and Bremerton valley did not.
There might just be a lesson to be learned there, let he who has ears, hear.
Reading your words, I imagine my decisions were made for really similar reasons. I wasn't an active member in my Home Lodge for very long at all, maybe just a couple of years, and then I moved.
But that Lodge and those Brothers were always super supportive of me, and frankly remain so till today, all these years later.
I was, for a time, as active as possible in my Home Valley. I attended all meetings, helped with reunions, fundraisers, &c. But, it was always made clear, via the attitude of the Brothers, that no one actually cared if I was there or not.
I suppose that's why I never really noticed that I've retained my connection to my Home Lodge for all of these years, but never cared about the fact that I walked away from my Home Valley.
Your word 'Vibe' is I think exactly on point.
Even to this day I tend to avoid visiting those Craft Lodges in the area of my former Valley, that's how bad of taste it left in my mouth I guess.
Undoubtedly that's unfair of me, but it is how I feel.
Unfair? well maybe. Human? You bet your ass. It's hard to be a brother to people who don't care if you live or die. Sorry MWM, but in the end, you're still a human.
What encouraged me to join Freemasonry is because I want to become a Shrine. In 1995, Shriners Hospital Honolulu helped my son who was born with spina bifida. He was an outpatient of Shriners Hospital, recipient of physical and occupational therapy via local therapist (Clayton Takimoto).
After inquiring with my fellow navy man in Pearl Harbor, who happened to have a Shriners Emblem on his Car (Bro. Noel Ramos) about Shriners. I asked him to help me out to be one. He explained to me that, (at the time) to become a Shrine, it is necessary for a man to first become a Freemason, then a member of either a Scottish Rite or a York Rite. I remember telling him that I want to go through with it. He then introduced me to Hawaiian Lodge, I submitted my petition, initiated, passed and raised. Not long after that, I joined the Scottish Rite in the Valley of Honolulu and crossed the dessert in the Oasis of Hawaii and became a member of Aloha Temple.
Military moved me back to Washington State in 1997, yup, I joined the Navy here back in ‘88 at Federal way recruiting office across from the Old Sea-Tac Mall (now called The Commons). But all this time, I am always a member of Hawaiian Lodge, Scottish Rite Honolulu Valley and Aloha Temple. Because of the Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth that the Hawaiian Brothers showed me, I developed a loyalty to my Mother Lodge, Valley and Temple and does not want to part ways from them.
After military service and few years of working in second shift as a civilian work force, I joined the local Lodges and the Valley of Bremerton because I need to get close again to our craft, to subdue my passion and to acquaint with the local Brothers. And even so, I kept my relationship with the Hawaiian Brothers. I visited them whenever I had a chance to go back to the Island, constantly communicating with them either via Messenger (Thanks to Facebook) or by phone. Yes, physically I am so far away from my Mother Lodge, but I guess, I can say that Hawaii has a big part in my heart when it comes to our craft and will always be a proud member of Hawaiian Lodge. ALOHA!!!
It is really wonderful that the Shrine was able to help your son, but even more so that you joined in to help others in the same way. That's really cool.
We do, I think, have a real advantage now that those who came before us in Masonry didn't have. The seamless communication over distances that you mention. Even just thinking back to when you and I were children, such easy, and low (if any) cost ways to frequently communicate over such distances just didn't exist. Sure, there were phones, but long distance could get mighty expensive.
So we can keep in contact with Masons from our Home Lodge so much easier. And that is a truly wonderful thing. I imagine that before all one could really expect was the occasional newsletter in the mail.
I guess I am an odd duck, I don’t feel that sort of ties to a building. Unless I am regularly attending the meetings and am active in the lodge, why continue to be a member of the lodge? I also don’t understand joining more than one lodge unless you are taking a chair in them. If I am just sitting on the sidelines, I can do that anyway, I don’t need to be a member. The men inside are still my brothers and friends regardless. When I moved I also demitted from my “home” lodge. The brothers there are still my brothers. I visit the lodge occasionally. But I have a new home now.
I don't think that you're the odd man out here. At least in casual conversations I've talked to lots of guys who've told me that they demited from their Home Lodge. I just decided that I was weird yesterday, given that I've felt pretty strongly about continuing membership in mine, but didn't hesitate to decide differently with the Scottish Rite.
Hence the question for me.
But, I think for me it comes down to what The Scuttlebut posted above.
My first lodge was Myrtle Lodge #108, located in Issaquah. I was interested in Masonry and a friend and fellow Mason from Canada told me to search inside Microsoft, where I worked at the time, for a mailing list dedicated to Masons. I did so and managed to connect with a Mason, strangely enough a fellow Canadian again, who was the current WM at Myrtle Lodge.
As a result I petitioned and joined Myrtle Lodge.
At the time, I lived in Redmond. The drive to the lodge was not excessively long but if you have ever tried to make your way down Front St. at 5 or 6 PM, you know it is a nightmare.
I was a member there for some time, advancing all the way to the South. However, as my time was drawing near to the elections and potential move to the East, I had to spend some time contemplating what that would mean.
Being the WM requires dedication, focus, a definite time commitment, and attention to the lodge needs. At that time, I had also moved to Woodinville. So, not only was the commute still frustrating because of the traffic on Front St., but now it was even longer.
I decided that it was not in the best interests of the lodge, nor me, to accept the nomination and possible election to the East. So I informed the lodge that I would not pursue the WM position.
I remained a member for about a year after that, but then demitted because I just wasn't getting to the lodge for any meetings. I wasn't actively participating in that lodge.
I was a plural member at two other lodges that are closer to me. I also wasn't even aware of Ashler Lodge in Bothell, which is actually 10 minutes from where I live, so I didn't petition there but have membership in Lakeside (Redmond), Renaissance (Redmond), and now Rainier (Shoreline).
For me, it was mostly not remitting dues to a lodge I was no longer attending, that I was "comfortable" with. I knew that they were growing in membership and that they would be financially ok without my contribution of dues.
I still support Myrtle Lodge when they reach out for help with degrees, as they are part of the district I am in.
I agree, it is extremely difficult to serve as Worshipful Master of a Lodge located so far away as to make it hard to get there. I did that for a year, to fill a hole in the line of a Lodge, and had not many local Brothers stepped up to handle a great number of things it would have been a disaster. As it was, I think it was A-OK, but only because of those who jumped in to help.
Okay, I'm a bit of a poster boy for this question. The lodge that Raised me, was never going to be my home lodge. I was active duty during a time when "homesteading" was frowned upon heavily by the funny five sided building. (the wisdom of that attitude is the topic of conversation for another day... In fact I may cover it in my weekly blog) Beside that, I ran into some real bigotry and hatred in that lodge, that I just couldn't stomach (anti Catholicism, anti Semitism, and racism.) I'll name names, Lemon Grove Lodge, California F&AM, this would have been 1985 or so.
My Home lodge is Steadfast #216, in Manette WA. I was a member there from 1985 until we relocated to Tennessee last summer. I chose to become a life member there even though I will probably never walk through those doors or climb that stair again.
Why?
That was HOME, and honestly, they need the money. Money is the only way I can still support that lodges existence, so that is how I do so.
My new home, is here at Overton Lodge #5 in Rogersville TN. I'm in the process of moving my valley from Bremerton Valley SR to the nearest one to me here, which is Knoxville.
Why do I consider Steadfast and Overton Home, but Bremerton Valley and Lemon Grove "just lodges I belonged to?"
Well, to use a slightly out of date phrase, it's the "vibe." Those lodges I called home, welcomed me as a vital and useful member, called for my assistance, made me feel wanted, needed, and appreciated. Those that I moved from, did not. I hadn't even affiliated with Knoxville before I was asked to fill a role in their annual reunion. Overton and Steadfast put me in the chairs, asked for my help in things I am expert at, and things I had to learn as I went. Lemon Grove, and Bremerton valley did not.
There might just be a lesson to be learned there, let he who has ears, hear.
An excellent lesson. Thank you Brother.
Reading your words, I imagine my decisions were made for really similar reasons. I wasn't an active member in my Home Lodge for very long at all, maybe just a couple of years, and then I moved.
But that Lodge and those Brothers were always super supportive of me, and frankly remain so till today, all these years later.
I was, for a time, as active as possible in my Home Valley. I attended all meetings, helped with reunions, fundraisers, &c. But, it was always made clear, via the attitude of the Brothers, that no one actually cared if I was there or not.
I suppose that's why I never really noticed that I've retained my connection to my Home Lodge for all of these years, but never cared about the fact that I walked away from my Home Valley.
Your word 'Vibe' is I think exactly on point.
Even to this day I tend to avoid visiting those Craft Lodges in the area of my former Valley, that's how bad of taste it left in my mouth I guess.
Undoubtedly that's unfair of me, but it is how I feel.
Unfair? well maybe. Human? You bet your ass. It's hard to be a brother to people who don't care if you live or die. Sorry MWM, but in the end, you're still a human.
Thank you Brother.
What encouraged me to join Freemasonry is because I want to become a Shrine. In 1995, Shriners Hospital Honolulu helped my son who was born with spina bifida. He was an outpatient of Shriners Hospital, recipient of physical and occupational therapy via local therapist (Clayton Takimoto).
After inquiring with my fellow navy man in Pearl Harbor, who happened to have a Shriners Emblem on his Car (Bro. Noel Ramos) about Shriners. I asked him to help me out to be one. He explained to me that, (at the time) to become a Shrine, it is necessary for a man to first become a Freemason, then a member of either a Scottish Rite or a York Rite. I remember telling him that I want to go through with it. He then introduced me to Hawaiian Lodge, I submitted my petition, initiated, passed and raised. Not long after that, I joined the Scottish Rite in the Valley of Honolulu and crossed the dessert in the Oasis of Hawaii and became a member of Aloha Temple.
Military moved me back to Washington State in 1997, yup, I joined the Navy here back in ‘88 at Federal way recruiting office across from the Old Sea-Tac Mall (now called The Commons). But all this time, I am always a member of Hawaiian Lodge, Scottish Rite Honolulu Valley and Aloha Temple. Because of the Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth that the Hawaiian Brothers showed me, I developed a loyalty to my Mother Lodge, Valley and Temple and does not want to part ways from them.
After military service and few years of working in second shift as a civilian work force, I joined the local Lodges and the Valley of Bremerton because I need to get close again to our craft, to subdue my passion and to acquaint with the local Brothers. And even so, I kept my relationship with the Hawaiian Brothers. I visited them whenever I had a chance to go back to the Island, constantly communicating with them either via Messenger (Thanks to Facebook) or by phone. Yes, physically I am so far away from my Mother Lodge, but I guess, I can say that Hawaii has a big part in my heart when it comes to our craft and will always be a proud member of Hawaiian Lodge. ALOHA!!!
It is really wonderful that the Shrine was able to help your son, but even more so that you joined in to help others in the same way. That's really cool.
We do, I think, have a real advantage now that those who came before us in Masonry didn't have. The seamless communication over distances that you mention. Even just thinking back to when you and I were children, such easy, and low (if any) cost ways to frequently communicate over such distances just didn't exist. Sure, there were phones, but long distance could get mighty expensive.
So we can keep in contact with Masons from our Home Lodge so much easier. And that is a truly wonderful thing. I imagine that before all one could really expect was the occasional newsletter in the mail.
I guess I am an odd duck, I don’t feel that sort of ties to a building. Unless I am regularly attending the meetings and am active in the lodge, why continue to be a member of the lodge? I also don’t understand joining more than one lodge unless you are taking a chair in them. If I am just sitting on the sidelines, I can do that anyway, I don’t need to be a member. The men inside are still my brothers and friends regardless. When I moved I also demitted from my “home” lodge. The brothers there are still my brothers. I visit the lodge occasionally. But I have a new home now.
I don't think that you're the odd man out here. At least in casual conversations I've talked to lots of guys who've told me that they demited from their Home Lodge. I just decided that I was weird yesterday, given that I've felt pretty strongly about continuing membership in mine, but didn't hesitate to decide differently with the Scottish Rite.
Hence the question for me.
But, I think for me it comes down to what The Scuttlebut posted above.