03C Investigation Committee Suggestions - Overview

Lodge Secretary’s HOW TO GUIDE

Investigation Committee Suggestions - OVERVIEW

The Chairman of the Investigation Committee is appointed by the Worshipful Master. In some Lodges, the Senior Warden is the Chairman of the Investigation Committee. If this is the case, then the Secretary can initiate an Investigation directly without going through the Worshipful Master. However, it is incumbent upon the Secretary to always inform the Worshipful Master when an Investigation Committee is working with a Petitioner. Unless appointed by the Worshipful Master, the Petition Committee Chairman appoints members of the Lodge to serve on the committee. The Chairman and two or more Master Masons schedule and conduct the Investigation visit at the Petitioner’s home, with his wife present. A member who signed as a recommender or is a reference on the Petition is not eligible to serve on the committee.

The Chairman will be provided a copy of the Petition, the Supplemental Information Sheet (GL602), and the results (no paper copy) of the InfoUSA Background check by the Secretary. Note: The original Petition should never leave the hands of the Secretary. The ballot cannot be spread on a Petition less than one lunar month from the date it is RECEIVED by the Lodge. Sometimes the Worshipful Master will select a date to act on RECEIVING the Petition to coincide with other Petitions in preparation for a new Entered Apprentice class. A suggested procedure that works for many lodges is as follows:

The Secretary initiates the Investigation Committee activity by sending a Committee Appointment letter to the Chairman. Refer to the ‘03D Investigation Committee Appointment Mail Merge.doc’ file in this Guide. If the Petitioner’s name and address has been entered into the Lodge Membership Excel spreadsheet, then this letter can be printed using mail merge, folded, and mailed in a #10 window envelope. A COPY of the original Petition, results (no paper copy) of the Background Check, and the completed Supplemental Information Sheet will be provided the Chairman of the Investigation Committee.

The Chairman calls the Petitioner and schedules the meeting date and time, at the Petitioner’s home. If married, the meeting requires that the Petitioner’s wife be in attendance. This is a good opportunity for the Petitioner’s wife and family members to ask questions.

Ensure that all questions are answered and that all signatures are included on the form.

Return all of the above to the Secretary

The Secretary will inform the Worshipful Master when a Petition is ready to be BALLOTED upon.

Note: The Investigation Committee should be familiar with sections 33.08 – 33.07 in the Digest of Masonic Law.

The Investigation Committee is very important in that it is the first opportunity for the Petitioner’s family to experience how the Lodge functions. The tone of the meeting should be cordial. The Petitioner and his family should be encouraged to ask questions. There are many topics which can be discussed with the Petitioner to help him understand what is planned for his journey through the degrees.

To copy and customize this Overview page for your Lodge, refer to the file listed in the footnote of this page.