Become a Mason….

What are the requirements for membership?

Lodges under the jurisdiction of California require that membership be open to men age 18 or older who meet the qualifications and standards of character, who believe in a Supreme Being. Men of all ethnic and religious backgrounds are welcome.

The person who wants to join Masonry must be a man (it's a fraternity), sound in body and mind, and have a good reputation. Applicants must have been a California resident for the immediate 12 months preceding the date of the application. Men who have pled guilty or no contest or have been convicted of a crime of moral turpitude are not eligible for membership. A criminal background check will be performed.

Those are the only "formal" requirements. But there are others, not so formal. The candidate should believe in helping others. He should believe there is more to life than pleasure and money. He should be willing to respect the opinions of others. And he should want to grow and develop as a human being.

Above all, it starts with, "To Be One, Ask One."

Steps to Membership

Some men are surprised that no one has ever asked them to become a Mason. They may even feel that the Masons in their town don't think they are "good enough" to join. But it doesn't work that way. One of Masonry’s customs is not to solicit members; men must seek membership on their own through a Mason they know or a local lodge.

We can talk to friends about Masonry. We can tell them about what Masonry does. We can tell them why we enjoy it. But we can't ask, much less pressure, anyone to join.

There's a good reason for that. It isn't that we're trying to be exclusive. But becoming a Mason is a very serious thing. Joining Masonry is making a permanent life commitment to live in certain ways. Some of them include--to live with honor and integrity, to be willing to share with and care about others, to trust each other and to place ultimate trust in God. No one should be "talked into" making such a decision.

Your involvement starts with choosing a lodge you would like to petition for membership. Contact Vesper Lodge #84 at 530-527-1203 to set up a time to meet with some of the brothers.

The Mason who recommends you for membership will assist with completing and submitting the application. After submitting the application, you will be interviewed by members of the lodge so they can learn more about you and you can learn more about Freemasonry. Your wife, friend, or parent is encouraged to attend this interview. Your references will be contacted and asked to answer some general questions. This process is just so we can get a better understanding of the candidate and insure they meet our original requirements.

If the interview is favorable, your application is presented to the lodge for a vote. If the vote is affirmative, you receive the Entered Apprentice degree - the first degree of Freemasonry. When you advance through the next two degrees, you are a Master Mason and a full member of the fraternity.