Is Masonry a religion/cult?
Freemasonry is a interdenominational fraternity. We highly encourage you to practice your own religion. Masonry will just give you some of the symbolic tools of a Freemason to help you do so.

If you're not a cult, why are some people 'Worshipful'?
It's just an old term that means 'Full of Worship', and is a title reserved for those who have sat in the East in the light of the Holy Bible or other book of God.

How many members are there?
Sheboygan has approximately 95 Master Masons on it's role.

What are the yearly dues?
Dues are a combination of the Grand Lodge “per capita tax” and Sheboygan Lodge portion. Sheboygan dues are just under $100, for a total of around $130. If this seems high for you, there are ways to get help on paying.

Since it’s a fraternity is there a lot of hazing?
It’s not a college frat and this isn’t “Old School”. We take our ceremonies and business seriously, but we like to relax and have fun outside the Lodge room.

What do I wear to Lodge?
Generally business dress is appropriate for formal meetings but there is not a strictly enforced dress code. Slacks and button down shirt and tie with a jacket is suitable to any meeting. Officers will often wear tuxedos, especially for degree ceremonies. In the hot summer months the Worshipful Master may declare that “golf” shirts are acceptable. Also the rule is that if you don’t have time to change after work we’d rather see you than miss you – what you wear isn’t that important.

What is York Rite/Scottish Rite/Shrine/Eastern Star?
These are appendant bodies of Freemasonry that you can join after becoming a Master Mason. The several Rites have additional degrees that explain in more depth the concepts you were exposed to in the Three Degrees. The Shrine is more known for its charitable work with children which includes Clown Clubs, Shrine Animals (Bugs Bunny costume, etc), and the Shrine Circus. Order of the Eastern Star is in essence co-ed Masonry. There are members of most if not all the organizations around the Lodge so feel free to ask and they will be more than happy to fill you in.

What is DeMolay/Job’s Daughters/Rainbow Girls?
These are organizations for children and young adults sponsored by the Masons which teach a lot of the morals and principles that the adults hold dear. They also give good experience in parliamentary procedure, management, and oratory skills. We had active chapters until they died out in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Currently, Sheboygan is working on starting up a DeMolay (for boys) and rumor is Plymouth is starting a Job’s Daughters.

The posting requires a lot of memorization. Should I expect a lot of this once I’m raised?
Not really, unless you want to become an officer or wish to teach the various lessons nothing is required of you. As officers you have a couple things to learn per year/chair, but you have a whole year to memorize it in, so by the time you are in the East you will know all of it. It should be noted that learning the lectures and parts well enough to give them often will give you a much deeper understanding of the concepts in Masonry, and for this reason you are encouraged to work at it. As true with most things: the more you put into it, the more you get out of it.

The ritual is awesome and I have interest in becoming and officer, but I’m shy and don’t speak well in public. What should I do?
Don’t worry about it. If you enter the officer line you start at steward with no speaking parts and every year you move up a chair with added duties. Before you know it you will probably be very comfortable speaking in the Lodge.

What is the “Foundation”?
The Historic Sheboygan Masonic Lodge Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt corporation started by the Lodge in order to renovate, maintain, and manage the Masonic building at 411 Saint Claire for the purpose of Freemasonry and community use by collecting rental fees and tax deductable donations. The board members are appointed by the Lodge trustees and include Masons and non-Mason members of the community. If you wish to become involved in any fashion contact a board member or one of the trustees.

My friend is interested in learning more. What should I do?
If you think he will make a good Mason, the best thing to do is talk more to him about your experiences and understandings, giving your point of view. You can also take him some of the many pamphlets we have available, for further reading or to help get the conversation started. There are blank petitions available that he can fill out if he wishes to pursue initiation. We do have “Friends Nights” scheduled from time to time, but if you wish to have someone else from the Lodge speak to them or show them the building just talk to one of the officers and have it arranged.

Why do people keep switching chairs during a degree?
Degrees are put on by a team and different people specialize in different parts. Therefore, you will notice some moving around to do degrees and lectures.

What do I do with my presented apron?
You can wear it if you wish, but most will say to keep it in a safe place and let your loved ones know where you keep it. It will be yours to take with you to the grave.

What happens during a regular lodge meeting?
For the most part, once the Lodge is tiled and opened ritualistically, they are not a whole lot different than any other “club” meeting, in that bills are paid, correspondence read, announcements made, debates over how to spend funds, debates over rules changes, etc. A nice thing is, with the Foundation contracted to maintain the building, we don’t need to spend time discussing how to fund renovations. One different thing we do is before adjourning there will usually be a message given by the Worshipful Master or some sort of school of instruction to enlighten us in Masonry.

How do I go about visiting other Lodges?
Once you are a Master Mason one of the more rewarding things you can do is to visit other Lodges. Generally, showing your Wisconsin dues card, which you will get after paying your dues, is enough. Otherwise some lodges have examinations and/or a Tiler's Oath to gain admission. If you are visiting be sure to arrive early and inform them you are visiting so you can be admitted in due form.

Aren’t you all rich/politicians?
In centuries past freemasonry was more exclusive to the landed gentry, but days in the United States it’s membership is a pretty fair cross section of people. As for politicians there does seem to be somewhat higher proportion, but this can probably be explained by the parliamentary experience and speaking skills learned in lodge, along with the emphasis freemasonry makes on looking out for the welfare and serving your neighbors.

Aren’t you all old men?
The average age of members is high, but is dropping. As of August 2009 in Sheboygan, our last 6 candidates have all been in their 20's and 30's.