Visiting Lodge Vitruvian
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What to Expect When Visiting Lodge Vitruvian
Lodge Vitruvian offers a unique masonic experience for visiting brethren and guests. If this is your first visit to the Lodge the following offers some insight on how we operate.
Stated Meetings and Degrees
Lodge Vitruvian is dedicated to the observant practices, esoteric and philosophic traditions of Freemasonry, we conduct our Stated Meetings and Degrees with a heightened level of reverence for the ritual of the Craft. While our Stated Meetings and Degrees are open to visiting Brothers, we ask visiting Brothers to respect our traditions.
Time and Place
Our stated meetings begin at seven o’clock and are held quarterly on the 4th Tuesday of January, April, July and October at Broad Ripple Masonic Lodge, 1716 Broad Ripple Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana 46220
Permission
No special permission is necessary or required. Simply notify the Secretary that you are planning to attend.
Non-Master Masons Etiquette
All Masons of any degree are welcome to attend our Lodge. Visiting Brethren not Master Masons must be properly vouched for. Lodge Vitruvian will open on the lowest degree to conduct its business if there are Brethren attending that are not Master Masons. We request that you contact the Master or Secretary so preparation can occur for the suitable degree.
Proper Attire
We request visiting brethren wear semi-formal attire (black suit) and bring their own white leather apron (if possible). White gloves can be provided.
Introduction
The Senior Deacon will approach you before the meeting to gather some information so we can properly introduce you to the Brethren.
Respectful Participation
We ask visiting Brothers to respect the presentation of the Ritual. Please refrain from “sideline” chatter and be sure your cell phone is off or set to vibrate.
Contact
Contact the Lodge Secretary at secretary@vitrvuvian.org at lease one day prior to the meeting date.
Festive Board
Lodge Vitruvian welcomes all Masons to its dinner after the stated meeting. Our Festive Boards are hosted at local restaurants in the area. Typically the Festive Board is reserved for only Masons. From time to time, guests (non-Masons) may be allowed when communicated in the Lodge summons.
Keynote Presentation
When visiting an Vitruvian Festive Board, expect a program of education related to esoteric or philosophic thought as well as discussion, toasts, song and fellowship.
Dinner Payment
Visiting Brethren and guests are required to pay for their own dinner meal and drinks. The Lodge hosts a variety of appetisers before the meal.
Charity
The event will conclude with traditional toasts and a the box of fraternal assistance will be passed to collect money for a specific charity. There is no obligation to participate but strongly encouraged for the good of the Craft.
Joining Lodge Vitruvian
Philosophy
From its inception, the original idea of Lodge Vitruvian is to keep its membership size smaller for a more intimate brotherhood experience and optimal of being able to know all of your Brothers. Lodge Vitruvian does not have a formal limit to its membership and is always interested in identifying like-minded men to join our Lodge. We are looking for most excellent of men, superior in character, ability, honesty and potential. Compatibility with the membership is also an important characteristic that is considered.
Becoming a Mason in Lodge Vitruvian
If you’ve become interested in Freemasonry or considering it, we would encourage you to visit beafreemason.org to learn more about the Fraternity. If you’ve decided or been recommended to join Lodge Vitruvian, we would be excited to speak with you. You can contact our Lodge Secretary of you interest and he will forward to our membership committee. The formal process begins with our membership committee who will meet with you to learn more about you and your interest. You will be invited to our meetings where you will meet other brothers. It will be up to the membership committee to determine the appropriate time for you to submit your petition to the Lodge for membership. A part of the committee’s responsibility is to help you find members that will sign your petition and serve as your mentor throughout the joining process. A mentor is important to help you learn what is required of membership and provide assistance towards a form of proficiency before you are allowed to advance. You will also be required to submit a criminal background check as a part of the process and required by the Grand Lodge. After your membership has been approved unanimously by the Lodge your first degree to become a Mason will be scheduled. Progress in the masonic degrees will occur typically occur in about a year’s time. Your progress is dependent on gaining proficiency and working with your mentor. Expect between 3-4 months of proficiency work that must be done before being advance to the next degree. The high standard of membership begins when you are initiated as a Mason. The expectation is you will attend all meetings and respond to all summons. Lodge Vitruvian’s initiation fee $100.00 and due when submitting your petition for the degrees of membership. The Lodge Vitruvian apron will be made available to you for purchase upon completion of your degrees.
Affillating with Lodge Vitruvian
It is our experience that Brethren who visit Lodge Vitruvian a couple of times naturally become interested in membership. If that is you, we would encourage you to share this information with someone that is a member. While Lodge Vitruvian is somewhat exclusive in who becomes a member, it is always our intent to take a Brother’s interest in our lodge seriously. Please keep in mind that Lodge Vitruvian has high standards of membership and compatibility is an important characteristic we look for. Communicating with our membership committee will be the first step towards affiliation. They are in place to get to know you and provide guidance about the process before you submit a petition to join. It is important that you come to a couple of meetings and get to know some of the members before the membership committee recommends you to submit a petition. The membership committee will make sure the petition will be signed by members willing to serve as a mentor to you. As soon as your petition is received you will be asked to do a criminal background check as required by Grand Lodge law. Once your petition is submitted to the Lodge Secretary it will follow the typical process within our Stated Meetings to become a full member. Our affiliation fee is $100.00. It is also an expectation that you will purchase a Lodge Vitruvian apron.
Expectations of Being a Member
Lodge Vitruvian has established a high standard of membership. If you are interested in our Lodge please keep these points below in mind when considering our Lodge. All members are expected to attend all Stated and Emergent Meetings of the Lodge. If a member cannot attend, he will be expected to contact the Secretary in advance. We encourage all members to remain active in the lodge. In the style of European Lodges, members are expected to dress in tuxedo for all Communications of the Lodge. White gloves are worn. Members either wear their original white leather apron or purchase the specified Lodge Vitruvian apron. Members also purchase their own regalia according to Lodge Vitruvian specifications.
Dues
Annual Dues for Lodge Vitruvian are currently $250.00