2B1ASK1 means “To be one, ask one.” This phrase is used often by Masons to inform others that no man is invited to join the Masonic order, but must ask on his own will and accord.

Are you interested in pursuing membership? The basic criteria in Kentucky for membership is:

• A belief in God – Believe in the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of man
• Male and at least 18 years old
• Be a resident of Kentucky
• Be recommended by 2 members of the Lodge
• Receive a unanimous ballot for membership

Generally, the following should apply to you:

• You must be a man of strong character.
• You must be loyal to your country.
• You must be dedicated to providing for your family
• You must have a sincere determination to conduct yourself in a manner that will earn the respect and trust of others and possess a desire to help others through community service and universal benevolence.

There are NO religious, political, or racial restrictions for membership other than the aforementioned belief in a Supreme Being, as any discussion of religion or politics is strictly forbidden in a Masonic Lodge.

You will not be asked to become a member. Masons in Kentucky do not solicit for membership; we wait for the man to ask for a petition.

Don’t know a Mason? Come meet some! Our social time before lodge each Thursday is open to visitors. Come by and talk with us!

The First Steps

Start the process by completing a petition (application) for membership, which you can obtain from the lodge secretary, or from a Mason you know. If you don’t know a Mason, just stop by the Lodge building before our regular meetings on the first and third Thursdays of each month around 6:30. We have a meal and social hour before our 7:30 meeting. The Brothers will be happy to meet with you to talk about what it is to be a Mason.

The next step is to submit your petition to the Lodge. The petition is read in a Lodge meeting and referred to a committee composed of three members. This committee then interviews you, and you can ask any question you or your family may have.

After the interview, the committee reports its findings to the Lodge, and a secret ballot is taken. If the vote is favorable, you’ll be notified and you’ll be given a date to start the degree program.

The Degree Process

Our Fraternity’s private nature sometimes creates misconceptions about our “initiation ceremonies.” Rest assured that we are a moral institution whose tenets are Friendship, Morality, and Brotherly Love. Masonry teaches us to practice charity and benevolence, and to revere ordinances of—but not replace—any man’s religion. Quite simply, our Fraternity exists to make good men better.

Our three degrees are serious, educational, time-tested teachings. Each degree has a primary lesson. The first teaches us our duty to God. The second teaches us our duty to our neighbors. And the third degree teaches us our duty to ourselves.

To convey our teachings, we use ritual, ceremony, drama, lectures, and sometimes even musical accompaniment. You’ll work closely with a coach who will help you learn some of the key material in the Ritual. After completing the first and second degrees, you’ll be given an assessment to make sure you understand what you have just experienced. There is an optional, but highly recommended assessment after the third degree.

Upon the completion of the third degree, you’ll become a Master Mason, and be eligible for all that Masonry has to offer you, which includes:

• Worldwide Brotherhood
• Fellowship
• Male bonding
• Meaningful community service
• Camaraderie with other moral men
• Much more

It is important to note that Masonry is not a networking organization and those recognized as seeking admission solely for business contacts or other similar gains will likely not be elected for membership.