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  1. MarkR

    I have received 6 Blackballs

    Ours are like this one. The balls/cubes are in the front box, you pick the one you want and drop it into the little chute. After everyone has voted, the Senior Deacon closes the front box, goes to the Wardens and Master to show them the contents of the back box.
  2. MarkR

    I have received 6 Blackballs

    We have a few ballot boxes. Some have black and white balls, some have white balls and black cubes. We can see into all of them to see what we're picking; we just can't see into the chamber that they to into when we vote.
  3. MarkR

    What are your opinion on the widow sons club ?

    Nobody has said they're bad guys. It's the motorcycle gang image they display while identifying as Masons that a lot of us are uncomfortable with. You can be a motorcycle club without a black leather vest with rocker patches on the back.
  4. MarkR

    some one asked

    Generally (I know there are exceptions) Grand Lodges are not "chartered." They are created by constituent lodges in a geographical territory not already under the jurisdiction of a Grand Lodge. UGLE was created by a group of London and Westminster lodges who got together and started it, just...
  5. MarkR

    PHO vs PHA

    First of all, that's a very cynical question, and implies that we're corrupt. Secondly, recognition is not up to the individual Mason. My Grand Lodge does not recognize your Grand Lodge (assuming you're PHO) and therefore the question is settled for me.
  6. MarkR

    What are your opinion on the widow sons club ?

    This is a very sensitive subject. I'm not a fan of the image that Widow's Sons groups portray. I'm a retired cop. They emulate biker gangs, while displaying the S&C. Rocker panel patches on the back of vests means "gang" to the public. I've had W.S. members tell me about three rockers vs...
  7. MarkR

    Just submitted Petition

    That's terrible. Stay with it!
  8. MarkR

    Maine Masons

    I'm a Mason in Minnesota. My grandfather was a Mason in Illinois. I sent them an email, explaining who I was and what information I was looking for. They could have replied "send the request through your lodge secretary to the Minnesota Grand Secretary, who will make the request of the...
  9. MarkR

    questions brothers ask and answer in public?

    Don't despair, Brother Reginald. The more I learn, the more I find out how little I really know. We're here for you.
  10. MarkR

    questions brothers ask and answer in public?

    Exactly. Unless I'm seeking admission to your lodge, with no one to vouch for me, I don't have to prove anything to anybody. The times I've visited Scotland (which my studies leads me to believe is the birthplace of Freemasonry) and worn a cap with a square and compass, the only thing I was...
  11. MarkR

    Masonic Podcasts

    Me neither, but from online discussions, I'm under the impression that in some areas you're expected to know it when you visit. I'm afraid I'd get turned away! :D
  12. MarkR

    Masonic Podcasts

    We've had traveling construction workers show up at our lodge. A quick check of their dues cards, a few pertinent questions, the Tyler's Oath, and we were very pleased to have them! (And here, we don't expect anyone to have memorized the Tyler's oath. It's used in a "say after me" fashion.
  13. MarkR

    "Encouraging" a potential brother

    Double check your jurisdiction's rules. You might be surprised at what is allowed. In my jurisdiction, we are allowed to approach a worthy candidate about joining one time, but then cannot bring it up again. A lot of brothers in Minnesota are surprised to find out that it's allowed; they are...
  14. MarkR

    Just submitted Petition

    Or the District Grand Lodge of Nigeria under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Scotland. https://www.grandlodgescotland.com/structure/district-grand-lodges/district-grand-lodge-of-nigeria/
  15. MarkR

    Searching for Information

    Please don't post the same question in multiple threads.
  16. MarkR

    Just submitted Petition

    Or the District Grand Lodge of Nigeria, under the jurisdiction of the United Grand Lodge of England. https://districtgrandlodgeofnigeria.com/
  17. MarkR

    Grand Lodge of Israel and Women

    That would likely cause a schism and a new Grand Lodge to be created.
  18. MarkR

    Traditional Observance Lodge in Houston, TX

    Personally, I don't see why anyone cares if someone posts in an old thread. It's better than no activity at all, which has happened to a lot of message boards in the era of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.
  19. MarkR

    Gently nudging a prospect to join

    It depends on jurisdiction. In Minnesota, I'm permitted to ask someone if they'd be interested, but I can only ask them once, and then have to leave them alone about it. Far too many possible good candidates are mistakenly under the impression that you must be invited, and since we never...
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