Overland Park Lodge | How to Join

HOW DO I JOIN?

Joining the world's oldest and largest fraternity of Freemasons has never been simpler or more affordable.

Once a man meets the Requirements for Membership, the process is pretty straight-forward.

Freemason Requirements for Membership

The requirements to join Freemasons in Kansas are:

You must be a man of good morals and good reputation.
You must be of lawful age. In Kansas you must have reached your 18th birthday.
You must believe in a Supreme Being. You won't be asked about your religion - only if you have belief.
You must have a strong desire to want to make a difference in the world. By your actions, you want to make yourself a better man, and make your community and the world a better place to live.
You must be able to pay the fees associated with membership.
You must apply of your own free will without coercion or feeling 'forced' into it.

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So, you meet the requirements to join. What next? Just how do you join this world-wide organization?

Joining a Masonic Lodge

The process to join a Masonic Lodge is fairly easy.

Contact Overland Park Lodge. You can do this through our Contact form on the website. Or find a Freemason. Many Freemasons proudly display the Masonic symbols on bumper stickers, hats, clothing or rings. They are happy to talk to people who wish to find out more information. You don't have to wait to be asked. We say "Ask One to Be One".
Meet or converse with a Lodge Member. Once you contact us, one of our members will contact you and ask you when you may be available to talk or meet. This is done to give you an opportunity to meet us, get a feel for who we are and ask any questions you may have about our fraternity or our lodge.
Fill out a Petition for Membership. This is a standard form which we ask you to complete, providing us with information about who you are, where you live, and a bit about your background. This also includes a request for you to submit to a background check.
Submit your Petition to the Lodge. Place your Petition, a check for the Initiation Fee, and the results of your background check in a sealed envelope. Mail or deliver it to the Lodge.
Accept an invitation to meet with a membership committee. After your petition has been received, you will be contacted by members of the lodge for an interview.
1. This can be done at your residence, at the Lodge building or at some other location of convenience to all.
2. Your spouse is welcome to be present as she will become part of the Masonic Family when you join.
3. You will be asked questions concerning your reasons for wanting to become a Freemason, your history and your character.
4. You will have the opportunity to ask questions about Freemasonry, the lodge and the lodge members.
Be Patient. The Membership Committee will spend a week or two contacting references with regard to your character and doing a bit of paperwork. Their recommendation will be reported to the Lodge and the Lodge members will vote on whether to accept you into the Fraternity. If accepted, you will recieve a formal invitation to become a member.

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Becoming a Freemason

What happens once you are accepted and invited to join our Lodge?

Schedule your Initiation Ceremony. The Lodge Secretary or one of our members will contact you to schedule a date and time for your initiation into the Fraternity at our Lodge. This will be a special evening for you. And once initiated, you will be called "Brother". You will be assigned a Mentor who will be with you every step of the way through your process.
Begin as an Apprentice. To become a Freemason, you must proceed through the process of obtaining three symbolic degrees. The Entered Apprentice is the first degree and introduces new candidates to the basic principles of Freemasonry.
1. Entered Apprentices are taught moral truths through the use of symbols, allegories, and symbolic building tools.
2. Entered Apprentices must become proficient in the principles and practices of the first degree before they may move on to the next step.
Proceed to the Fellow Craft degree. The second degree continues to instill in new Masons the principles of their new membership, especialy with the arts and sciences.
1. Candidates for this degree are tested on their mastery of knowledge learned as an Entered Apprentice.
2. Fellow Crafts must become proficient in the principles and practices of the second degree before they may move on to the next step.
Become a Master Mason. The Master Mason degree is the highest degree a Freemason can earn. Some say it is the most difficult. But, once achieved, you will have all the rights and benefits of membership in the world's oldest and largest fraternity.
1. Candidates for this degree are tested on their mastery of knowledge learned as a Fellow Craft.
2. Completion of this degree is celebrated with a ceremony.

At Overland Park Lodge, the average time elapsed from the intial petition to the Lodge to receiving the Master Mason degree is two to six months.