I hate to confuse anybody, but the question "can you belong to more than one lodge?" has many answers.
It depends on the regulations in effect, with the Grand Lodge of each individual lodge you wish to belong to.
Take me for example: I belong to a lodge in Kentucky. Under Kentucky regulations, I can belong to no more than two (2) lodges in Kentucky. However, I may belong to as many out-of-state lodges that I wish to. I belong to another lodge in Tonawanda, New York. I also have an honorary membership with a lodge in Massachusetts.
When I lived in Ohio (1990-1991), I wanted to join a lodge in Ohio. At that time, a mason could belong to only one(1) lodge in Ohio, and no other lodges either in Ohio or elsewhere. You had to provide a copy of your "demit" with your application for membership (to the Ohio lodge), or else it would not be accepted.
Some grand lodges permit their members to belong to as many lodges in state as they wish and as many out of state as they wish.
Personally, I think a mason should be able to join as many lodges as he wishes, as long as he can pay the dues.
To get a definitive answer on the situation in your state, I suggest that you contact the Grand lodge in your state, and the grand lodge in the state where you wish to have plural memberships.
Thanks for the replies. I want to stay in the lodge I was raised in because it also is my Uncle’s lodge. However it is about 20 miles away (45 minute city driving). To make the meetings in time I have to take time off from work. It also cost me $20 to park in a parking garage anytime I go. If I go to a stated meeting and then to a degree meeting it cost me $40 a month just for parking! There is a lodge about 3/4 from my job and only 15 minutes from my from my home. The also have free parking.
Also I feel absolutely no form of brotherhood with anyone in the lodge (except my Uncle). I feel I was cheated out of the whole degree process. I am ashamed to say I had to look up some stuff on the computer because I was not being taught what I needed to know for each degree. I wish I could start again from scratch, but it is to late for that.
So I basically want to pay the dues in two lodges but be a member on paper only for my raising lodge and only go to certain meetings maybe once or twice a year.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Peale1,
You should have no problem paying dues to both lodges, and only attending one. Many masons do this. Keep in mind, that you can visit ANY lodge anywhere, that is in communications with your Grand Lodge. But you can only vote, hold office, introduce new business, make motions, etc. in the lodge(s) that you are a current member of.
I am sorry that your degree experience was not good. You can always visit other lodges that are doing degree work, and experience the work from that perspective. You may also wish to attend a masonic district school, and learn the degree work yourself. This will definetly increase your understanding of the degrees.
I was wondering if you all are allowed to state how much are monthly dues usually? or do they very on your degree? thank you, and if you're not allowed i completly understand
As I stated previously, the number of lodges that a mason can belong to, varies depending on the regulations of his specific grand lodge.
When you change your permanent residence, you may wish to join a lodge closer to your new home, and demit(drop out) of your old lodge.
As far as dues payments: This varies widely with lodges across the USA. Some older lodges, which have paid off their building mortgage, have lower dues. If a lodge has a substantial mortgage payment, their dues are often higher. City lodges, with higher insurance and overhead costs, must charge higher dues.
My home lodge Bowling Green Lodge #73, Bowling Green KY, has an annual dues of $60 (sixty dollars). This includes dues to the lodge itself, and a Grand Lodge assessment, and subscription to the state lodge newspaper.
good question I kept my home lodge until I setled down for good after I retired from the u.s.navy.I attended lodges in varies places all the time. one can not vote,etc.-no big deal as far as I was concerned. I demitted the one time only,after attending lodge for about 6 months. I wished to make sure that thid was the one I desired. There were 4 lodges to chose fom all close by. I have been satisified for years. we just need new people to get involved. not be like me and only go every so often. charles j. pennington u.s.navy,rtired
Again I come in late on a discussion How ever the question has been answered . I am an Endowed member of 2 lodges in Tx and past master of 1 of them I am also a member ofthe Tx lodge of research and a Charter member of the Tranquility lodge 2000 I have some friends who are members of close to 50 lodges in several states that allow multiple memberships. some oneasked about the monthly dues inhearently most dues are anual so far as Ihave known. to have monthly dues would be detrimental to the function of the Grand lodge of the stat you are in the cost of keeping the records. your dues cards are good for a year it would be completly impossible to require an issuance of one every month.
I was raised in the lodge where I lived and then affiliated with a lodge near base (members of my unit where members there) no I moved again and demitted from both and affiliating with a new one near my new base. or you may opt (if you can afford it) to keep those memberships, I myself couldn't. safe travels to you bro.
