Three paths to admission:

By affiliating:

• You are or have been a member of a recognized Masonic lodge and wish to affiliate.

• You must fill out an affiliation form. Please contact our secretary/treasurer for additional information.

By reinstating:

• You are a former member of Exemplar Lodge either by demit or suspension.

• You must file a reinstatement form. Please contact our secretary/treasurer for additional information.

By initiation:

If you are not a Freemason, and are interested in becoming one, there are certain criterion you must meet in order to join. Specific protocols concerning gaining membership may vary somewhat between jurisdictions.

To become a Freemason, you must:

• Be a man, freeborn, of mature age, of good repute, and well-recommended

• Have a belief in a Supreme Being

• Be able to support one’s self and family

• Come to Freemasonry of your own free will and accord

This means the applicant must be a man (Freemasonry is a fraternal organization) and be at least 21 years of age. He must be of good moral character and demonstrate responsibility in his family and work. To join a lodge, a man needs to be sponsored by two Masons who belong to that lodge.

Belief in a Supreme Being:

Freemasonry does not demand belief in the God of a particular religion — but demands a belief in a Supreme Being. Freemasonry strongly discourages any discussion of religious issues or politics while in lodge. These are personal topics, and topics that tend to create disharmony — which is antithetical to the culture of “Brotherhood” that Freemasonry seeks to promote.

Be able to support one’s self and family:

The applicant must be financially capable of becoming and remaining a Mason without it being a burden to himself or his family.

Come to Freemasonry of your own free will and accord:

Freemasonry does not invite men to become Masons. Solicitation or recruitment of members is prohibited. Therefore, to become a Mason, you must approach a Mason. “To be one, ask one.”

Which lodge should I join?

In addition to the criteria above, there are options with respect to which lodge to join. Exemplar Lodge No. 175 meets on the first and third Thursdays each month (except for July and August).