How Much Time is Required?

How much time you commit to freemasonry is entirely up to you.

Freemasonry isn’t about punching a time clock.  It is a journey into oneself, amongst brethren.  We encourage you not to rush into more time commitments, but thoughtfully watch how things happen for your first year and to enjoy your journey. Yes, we have our monthly meetings and we that we prefer our brothers attend, but sometimes career or family responsibilities get in the way and we understand that.

Like most things that are life changing, you get out of it what you put into it.

We have monthly meetings on the first Monday evening of the month.  Dinner is usually at 6:00 followed by a 7:00 meeting. A couple times a year we have other social events that, while optional, are a lot of fun.  If you love the ritual, you can volunteer to do some memory work to help other men become Masons.

Some brothers are only able to attend lodge once a year, some get so involved that they could fill up their entire social calendars.  What you do is up to you.

There are other optional activities that brother can get involved in if they so choose.  Very few brothers ever do all of them and many will not do any of the following:

Join an appendant body. The following appendant bodies require you to first be a Master Mason to become a member.

• The Shrine is casually referred to as “the party house of Freemasonry”.  Shriners have great parties at their historic building in downtown Milwaukee, but they focus their efforts heavily on raising money for Shrine Hospital for Children.  They’re known for participating in community parades in their various units such as the little cars, the long rider bike, motorcycle unit, or the Pirates.
• Scottish Rite is referred to as the the “College of Freemasonry”.  If you have an interest in research, presentations or perhaps you want to unlock your inner thespian.  Scottish Rite confers additional degrees up to the 32nd.  However these should not be confused for being a higher degree than the sublime degree of Master Mason, or 3rd degree.
• York Rite is for those brothers who love the ritualistic elements of Freemasonry.  Additional degrees are available up to the York Rite’s 32nd degree as well. This path includes Chapter, Council and Commandery, in which Knights Templar is part of it.