METROPOLITAN GRAND LODGE OF LONDON
Guidelines and Best Practice for a Lodge Interview Panel
Seeing London from a different viewpoint …
Contents page
Background 3
Pre-qualification 4
Next Steps 5
The Interview 5
The Review 6
Annex A – Key Details Form 7
Annex B – Questions for the Candidate 8
Annex C – Additional Questions 10
Annex D – Letter for the Initiate 11
01 | Background
As the existing methods of recruitment are stepped The need for some tighter control at the
front end of the interview process should
up and new methods are employed it is important to mean we screen suitable candidates
quickly for membership and reject those
note that the drive for increased membership means who may be considered unsuitable.
that the qualification process must be faster, more The challenge is clearly to define a
standard process whilst not sacrificing
professional and robust. the practices we have in place today.
A good joining experience will help with
This is to ensure that the candidate has a good further recruitment and, of course,
‘application for membership’ experience, he retention. This document is concerned
with the formal interview process and
understands what Freemasonry stands for, what the the suggested steps to be taken to
expectations are of him and of the Lodge that he bring a candidate to the point where
he is, subject to ballot, invited to join
would like to join. the Lodge.
The flipside of this drive for new members is that we
may be reaching into new areas of recruitment,
where the candidates are not well known, have
different work or social ethics and values.
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02 | Pre-qualification
Before a candidate for admission is and his connections, especially with l The Proposer should also understand
presented to a Lodge Interview Panel regards to any time and financial that under Rule 171 of the Book of
the following activities should have commitments – YES; Constitutions, he is liable for the fees to
taken place: l He understands that he should not the Lodge should his candidate default,
l He has had an informal interview or expect or cannot seek any commercial, and that the candidate is a fit and
discussion with his Proposer; pecuniary or other material benefit by proper person and not just an
l He may have further informal being a member – YES; acquaintance. Also, he has a duty of
meetings with other Lodge members, l He has no criminal convictions or court care to coach him through the various
perhaps tailored to the candidate’s age, case pending that would prevent his degrees and assist in mentoring him to
profession/workplace, social/sport application being considered – YES; be a responsible member.
interest, church or club membership. l The Candidate is given a short but
Note – Proposer does not give up his
so he and the members can satisfy concise written guide to the benefits
responsibility but the mentoring part
themselves on mutual suitability; that Freemasonry has to offer:
may be handled differently if a Lodge
l The candidate has been through some – brotherhood, comradeship,
Mentoring Officer is appointed.
early screening and qualification by friendship and enjoyment
the Proposer to avoid any – to become a better person
embarrassment at a later stage; – charity and helping others
i.e. questions that require a firm YES – quest for knowledge
answer; – self-improvement and achievement
l He has a belief in a Supreme Being – as well as a potted history of the
– YES; Lodge he is proposing to join.
l He understands his first duty is to This could be given by his Proposer
himself, his wife or partner, his family or other Lodge member;
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03 | Next Steps 04 | The Interview
Subject to a general verbal agreement “Remember you don’t get a second i.e. who will chair the interview, who
with the Lodge members who have met chance to make a good first should ask and answer any questions,
the candidate, the candidate answering impression” where the candidate, his Proposer and
the screening questions correctly and l The interview could be scheduled pre- Seconder should sit etc.;
with a willingness by the candidate to or post-LOI or GP meeting and should l Annex A should be used to write a
progress to the next stage, the following take no longer than 30 minutes; briefing note for the Lodge Panel prior
will need to be completed: l The Secretary should send a letter to to meeting the candidate and can then
l UGLE Registration Form M – Completed the candidate detailing date, time and be used to record details for the review;
by the candidate and handed to his venue for the interview and dress code l Refer to Annex B and/or C for questions;
Proposer; should be indicated to all attending; l When the interview concludes, the
l Annex A (new form) – Completed by the l The Panel should have a suggested candidate will be asked to leave for a
Proposer and copied to the Interview maximum of seven Lodge members so short while in order for his application
Panel members; and as not to make the interview an to be considered. He should be
l On the basis of the above being overwhelming experience; accompanied by a Lodge member
completed to the satisfaction of the l A private area should be arranged for (preferably not the Proposer or
Worshipful Master and Secretary, a the interview with table and chairs in a Seconder, ideally the Lodge Mentoring
formal interview is arranged and the comfortable setting but not in a public Officer).
candidate is invited to meet the area such as a bar;
Worshipful Master, Secretary, Proposer, l Before the candidate is interviewed,
Seconder and other selected bretheren. a ten minute pre-meeting discussion
should take place to agree roles and
responsibilities;
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05 | The Review
The should take place immediately l The candidate is then invited back into
afterwards and should be a ten minute the meeting and the Chairman
exercise: explains the following:
l The Interview Panel can consider the
information recorded on Form M, their If the vote has been successful he will
notes on Annex A and the responses be advised by letter (Annex D) regarding
given to the Annex B and/or C the next steps and that his details will be
questions; read out in open Lodge at a forthcoming
l The Worshipful Master/Secretary or meeting when a ballot will be taken.
whoever is chairing the Panel can If the vote has not been successful, he
conduct a brief discussion so members will be thanked for attending, and should
are able to voice concerns or otherwise; it be neccessary, it will be left to the
l A vote for acceptance should then be Proposer to provide any additional
taken by a show of hands; feedback to the candidate, as part of the
Lodge’s overall approach to the 3Rs
(recruiting, retention and recapture)
initiative.
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06 | Annex A – Key Details Provided by the Proposer
Details required by the Lodge Interview Panel in addition to those provided on Form M
Surname Forenames
Home Town/City Business Town/City
Occupation Age/Date of Birth
Wife/Partner’s Name Email address
Telephone Number
Mobile phone number
Proposed by
Seconded by
Interests/Hobbies/Skills
Briefing Notes for the Interview Panel
Interview Notes for the Review
Do you believe this candidate is a fit and proper person to be a Freemason? YES n NO n
Reservations, if any?
Chairman’s Name Venue Date
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07 | Annex B
Questions to be put to the candidate at the Formal Interview
The Chairman should introduce all the Questions for the candidate 5. Are you aware of the time comittment
people present and create a friendly and for membership?
1. A basic condition of admission and
cordial atmosphere to put the candidate Note: Lodge Interview Panel decision
membership into Freemasonry is a
at ease. The candidate ought to give on asking “Can you spare the time for
belief in a Supreme Being? Do you
spontaneous answers at his interview “XX” evenings per year (regular Lodge
subscribe to such a belief? If the
and he should not be primed on the meetings, LoI, etc.)?”
answer is “YES”, then the interview
replies that are expected of him. 6. Is your wife/partner aware of your
should continue. If the answer is
Introduction to the candidate – we wish to join Freemasonry, do they
“NO”, then it should be explained that
have some 30 minutes set aside to approve and will they support you if
certain obligations are required in our
discuss your application and to be sure you become a member?
rites and ceremonies, and if this is not
you understand the process so far, and if 7. What do you feel you can offer
possible, then the applicant should be
we are all happy, to progress to the next Freemasonry? What qualities do
politely thanked for coming and the
stage. This is a two-way process. you bring?
interview terminated
We have your application form 8. What expectations do you have of
2. Tell us about yourself, e.g. Family,
(Registration Form M) and your key Freemasonry?
Work, Sport, Hobbies, Education, etc.
details, so a lot of the information is 9. What questions do you have for us
3. What attracted you to Freemasonry,
already available, however, it would be and please raise anything you feel
and to this Lodge in particular?
helpful for all of us if we go through some relevant or not clear as we are
4. Are you comfortable with the cost of
specific items and to get to know you a here to help and give you all the
being a member and has it been fully
little better. information we can?
explained to you? Just to recap:
The Initiation Fee is £…........….
The Annual Subscription is £…........…
The Dining Fees are £…........…
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After questions have been asked, If successful, the next steps after that
the Chairman should now explain the will be at the next Lodge meeting – your
next steps: details will be read out and a ballot will
– We will now have a review meeting be held amongst the members.
and kindly ask you to leave us for a few Should that prove in your favour, you
minutes, one of our members will will then receive a letter giving you all the
accompany you (preferably not the information relevant to joining and you
Proposer or Seconder, ideally the will be invited to attend a future meeting
Lodge Mentoring Officer). of the Lodge where you will be initiated
– We will then invite you back to let you into the first degree of Freemasonry.
know about the result of your Your Proposer will give you any
application. additional information and support you
may need.
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08 | Annex C
Additional Questions the Panel may wish to ask
1. Are you prepared to support the 7. In order to progress in Freemasonry, 11. Based on where our Lodge meets
charitable aims of the Fraternity – you need to devote a certain amount and dines, and where you live
providing it is without detriment to of time to study as our ritual is and work, do you feel you will
yourself, your family and learned and not read out, would you have any problems attending on
connections? be willing and able to do this? a regular basis?
2. Will you participate in the social 8. Our standard dress code is a dark 12. Based on your current work
activities of the Lodge and is your suit, white shirt and black tie, black circumstances do you feel you will
wife/partner aware of them? shoes and socks, and white gloves. have any problems attending on a
Note: Brief explanation of the Lodge’s Are you happy to do so? regular basis?
activities, such as Ladies’ Weekends. 9. Once accepted, you may invite 13. Do you have any negative
3. Have you ever made a previous Masonic Brethren from other Lodges perceptions of Freemasonry?
application to join Freemasonry? as your guests to our Lodge 14. Have you ever been a member of any
4. At our meetings we sing the National meetings, in which case you will be association purporting to be similar
Anthem and drink to the health of responsible for their dining costs. Are to Freemasonry?
Her Majesty, are you happy to do so? you willing to meet these costs?
5. Why do wish to become a 10. Have any of your family members
Freemason? ever been involved in Freemasonry?
6. What do you know about
Freemasonry?
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09 | Annex D
Example letter to the Initiate
Lodge Letterhead This will be the first of three ceremonies Mentoring Officer whose task is to make
needed to make you a Master Mason. your entrance into the Masonic family
Dear Mr …………....................................……………… The meeting at which you are due to be easy and pleasurable, as well as provide
initiated is scheduled to start at [TIME]. additional support to that given by your
I am pleased to inform you that at its last You should arrive at least fifteen Proposer and Seconder.
meeting, the [NAME] Lodge voted for your minutes before that time and will be met Finally, on behalf of the Lodge, I look
initiation into Freemasonry and this will at the main entrance by your Proposer forward to welcoming you, we feel sure
take place as follows: who will take you to the Lodge room in you will have many happy and enjoyable
which we are meeting and also introduce times with us and become a valued
Date: you to the Tyler who will look after you member of our fraternity.
until we are ready to admit you. Dress for Should you have any further questions,
Time: the meeting is dark suit (preferably black then please do not hesitate to contact me
or dark grey), white shirt and black tie, and may I also ask you to confirm that
Venue: black shoes and socks, you will also need you will be able to attend.
to provide yourself with a pair of white
Ceremony: First Degree gloves. Yours sincerely and fraternally,
At this stage you will not need any
regalia as this will be provided for you. [NAME]
You should bring a cheque for £…........… Secretary – Lodge (NAME]
(Initiation £…........…, plus Annual Telephone:
Subscription) and also a cheque for your Email:
dining on the night , £…........…
At the conclusion of your initiation you cc Proposer, Seconder, Treasurer,
will be formally introduced to your Lodge Lodge Mentoring Officer
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Metropolitan Grand Lodge
of london
