My First Investigation...

vikingdl · 11-29-2006, 09:46 AM

Greetings,

I had my first opportunity to participate in an Investigation last night. Our WM, a 40 year + Lodge Brother and myself went to the home of a perspective Mason and met with him and his family. I must say that it was a wonderful experience in a lot of ways....Answering all there questions was great, especially when you consider that the candidate doesn't know enough about Masonry to ask questions

.....the "secrets" discussion went well as did the "Good men learning to be better men" discussion....the best part was reflecting on my interview and how much I have enjoyed becoming a Mason and what I am learning as I enjoy the journey!.....

I would be interested in your collective experiences as you reflect on your initial interviews and any Investigation Committee experiences you'all may have had over the years.....

cyberclown · 01-20-2007, 09:59 PM

Brother,

I have not had the preasure yet to be part of an investigation (also only a FC at this moment ...), but I will gladly share a few thoughts about my experiences during my own interview ...

I was investigated during one of my visits to the lodge (dining hall area) by some then-brethren-to-be (the investigation committee). It was a comfortable atmosphere, where I (as well as another candidate) were informed of the purpose of the interview etc.

I remember telling about my future plans for life and reasons for my interest in Freemasonry. I also remember that I did not have many questions--not because I presumed to know already everything about Masonry, but because I felt I would get to know whatever I needed to know as the right time would come ... (I have since experienced the initiation as well as the passing, together with my fellow then-candidate/now-brother ...).

No investigation commitee met with me at home and, thus, did not meet with my wife either. Do I miss this? Would I wish they had? ... I don't know. ... I follow the customs of my lodge/GL and believe that the WM and the investigation committee would have insisted on meeting with my wife and me at my home if there had been reason to do so ...

Markus P. Hagmann

D. W. Brown · 01-21-2007, 10:15 PM

Well I did not have a good experience with my investigating commitee, two old men first showed up at a customers site thinking that is where I worked and freaked out the customer. Then when they found my office they came in and spent about two minutes asking me about my religious beliefs. I'm suprised they gave me a favorable report since I really went off on a tangent about organized religion

...

David Herman · 01-25-2007, 09:55 AM

GL of GA recommends that each member of the committee meet the candidate separately, at his residence.

Separately, so that there is a greater chance to see the environment candidly; at his residence, so that one can observe the place he has made a home for himself and his family, and to meet with his wife to answer her questions as well.

This is in addition to any indirect investigation.