Ambassadors

When facing questions about the Masonic fraternity, members’ responses are typically based upon their own experiences and reasons for joining. A few members across the state shared their answers to frequently asked questions about Freemasonry to help guide others about the kind of information prospective members may find useful.

somebody in their life who is a Mason or was a Mason and has passed on. I usually follow up with, ‘What kind of person was that male figure in your life?’ Usually, the response is a positive one, like ‘He is/was a great family man,’ or ‘He liked to volunteer or was always willing to help someone in need.’ From here I would ask, ‘Have you ever considered being a Freemason, as you are a good man as well?’”

Brother Barry Wagner is a Past Master (2005 and 2009) and Secretary (since 2012) of George M. Dallas Lodge No. 531, Dallas. He was also recently appointed as a Prospect Manager for Masonic District 12 to assist District Deputy Grand Master Scott Williams with properly vetting new member inquiries.

What’s the best way to approach someone about joining/how do you start the conversation?

“First, I usually only approach someone I know or who I have recently met who I believe has the right character to be a Freemason. My start to a conversation is typically a thoughtprovoking question, such as, ‘Have you ever thought about being a Mason?’ Most of the time, they already know

How do you respond to the question, “What is Freemasonry all about?”

“Other than being the world’s oldest and largest fraternity, we are basically a great group of men who believe in the same philosophy of maintaining good moral character in society and kindness in our homes, and we strive to help our communities through volunteering in our places of worship, food pantries, hospitals, with the Boy Scouts and other community organizations.”

What is it like to be Worshipful Master/Lodge Secretary? What are your duties, what skills are needed and how do you balance your time?

“I have been fortunate to have served in both roles. I always kid the current Worshipful Master that the Secretary runs the lodge, and the Worshipful Master runs the meetings. Organization and leadership skills are needed in both roles.

A Worshipful Master needs to ensure his officers are proficient in their work, and you want to have meaningful programs for the attending brethren at stated meetings. Organizational skills are key for the Secretary to ensure monthly communications are received in a timely manner, member dues are processed, membership cards are timely sent to the brethren and all other secretarial duties are completed. With a lodge of 670 members, it can be time consuming at certain times of the year. Behind every successful man is a great woman – special thanks to my wife, who helps me with our monthly mailings!”

What are some of the best lodge programs/activities you’ve enjoyed?

“Each year, our lodge has a charitable golf tournament. I am not a golfer; however, I do enjoy the day working with other brethren to help prepare and cook for the golf tournament. It is a day where we roll up our sleeves to raise funds to help others in our community. Our lodge Chaplain keeps us educated in Freemasonry with some great topics, such as the Holy Bible, the Length of the Cable Tow, ‘Masons are Good Company to Keep’ and the Lewis Jewel, to name a few. I also enjoy hearing programs on men’s health, Consistory degrees, the State Police and other community organizations.” but quickly realized what a significant impact Freemasonry has on those who experience and embrace it. history and meaningful traditions, but what impresses me most about Freemasonry is how it provides a friendly and engaging community of men who help each other become better people and work together to make their community a better place. I’m not exaggerating when I say that every day, I think about the men who are part of my Masonic journey, and I’m grateful for how they enrich my life and serve as an inspiration to keep working on becoming a better person.”

What’s the best way to approach someone about joining/how do you start the conversation?

“I’m not sure there’s any one best way, but I’ve found that showing a genuine interest in the other person and being willing to talk and answer questions about Freemasonry is key.

“Since relationship-building is at the heart of Freemasonry, I approach any conversation with the mindset that I want to learn more about the other person’s background, life, interests and values, as well as what interests or intrigues him about the fraternity. I’m proud to be a Freemason and happy to talk about the positive impact it’s had on my life, so it’s pretty easy to make a good connection with the other person, which opens the door to discussing ways Freemasonry can help him grow as a person and provide a support system of like-minded men.

What is it like to be Worshipful Master? What are your duties, what skills are needed and how do you balance your time?

Brother Donald Cramer is Worshipful Master of Brownstone Lodge No. 666, Hershey. He’s relatively new to the fraternity, having joined in 2017,

“For example, music is one of my hobbies. I can’t tell you how many times I end up in a conversation with another musician or concert goer and find out that we also share a Masonic connection because someone they know is or was a Mason. Most times, the other person volunteers that they don’t know a lot about Freemasonry, and they’re happy for me to talk about it or answer questions. It’s a great way to foster interest and put a friendly face on the fraternity.”

How do you respond to the question, “What is Freemasonry all about?”

“There are so many ways to respond to this question based on who’s asking and in what context. It’s easy to talk about Freemasonry’s long

“It’s a lot of fun and very rewarding. It’s also a great opportunity to contribute to the work and direction of my lodge in a unique and impactful way. Balancing time can be a challenge, but planning ahead, staying organized and keeping people informed make a difference. There are a lot of skills which can be helpful, but three that really stand out are attentiveness, thoughtfulness and responsiveness. These are what tune me into the great insights, useful skills and often unspoken needs of the members. Lastly, I can’t express how grateful I am for the officers and amazing group of dedicated and wise volunteers who are always happy to lend insight and a hand.”

What are some of the best lodge programs/activities you’ve enjoyed?

“I have several in mind, but most recently, a neighboring Prince Hall Lodge joined Brownstone Lodge for a stated meeting. They brought several carloads of brethren, and we enjoyed a meal together and got to know one another a little. Then the dean of their School of Instruction offered a great historical program on the origins of Prince Hall Freemasonry, and another brother taught us about some of their ritualistic work. It was really a special evening, where our members felt they learned a lot, as well as made some great connections with new brothers and friends!”

Brother Joseph “CAB” Whitaker is Worshipful Master of Coraopolis Lodge No. 674 and has served as Worshipful Master of three different lodges, which has provided him with unique experiences, all of which have increased his enthusiasm for the fraternity.

What’s the best way to approach someone about joining/how do you start the conversation?

“I very rarely have to approach someone about Freemasonry. A majority of the time, the broach in conversation comes from my constant discussion of it. I usually incorporate Freemasonry in general conversation. Almost every aspect of my life is related, and I enjoy expressing that. I believe if we truly live a moral, God-fearing life, Masonic morals are unavoidable. The relationship is so close, it is easy to make the connection. We live by example! Other people see Freemasonry through my behavior, so it is important to set the proper example.”

How do you respond to the question, “What is Freemasonry all about?”

“This question gets a different response based on the situation. Most of the time, I talk about fellowship. I love the saying, ‘We make good men better men!’ What I like most about that statement is the possible explanations of it. I like to describe making men better by the relationships they create with other brothers. Most people prefer to hang out with and get personally involved with like-minded people. Freemasonry allows the ability to do just that through fellowship. I always end up saying my closest friends in the world are all Masons!

“I also include the service and charity work we do. Every person has a different purpose for seeking out Freemasonry. Putting these different ideas together creates an undeniable positive outlook on the fraternity.”

What is it like to be Worshipful Master? What are your duties, what skills are needed and how do you balance your time?

“I am currently serving my fourth term as Worshipful Master. This is my third different lodge. Each time has come at a different point in my life and has had a separate reason, focus and outcome.

“The first time, I was so excited – scared even! Each time, it was a wonderful honor to serve the fraternity and the lodge specifically. Being Worshipful Master takes a lot of planning, courage and, most importantly, trust. You have to trust the other members to assist you. A Worshipful Master cannot do it all; he needs help. He leads but doesn’t do all the work!

“As for how to balance my time, that is only possible due to a loving wife at home. Masons are always fathers, husbands and sons first. Keeping in due bounds is important, but having an understanding wife is paramount!”

What are some of the best lodge programs/ activities you’ve enjoyed?

“My favorite programs usually involve the Masonic youth groups. To watch these boys and girls turn into men and women is wonderful, and to help in their journey is special. Some of my other favorites include working with community organizations, like the Boy Scouts, and other youth groups, like horse clubs, etc.”

Brother Michael Ernst, P.M., University Lodge No. 51, Philadelphia, served as Worshipful Master in 2022. While he prefers the traditional method of men coming to him of their own freewill and asking questions about the fraternity, he’s open about his membership and wears a large Masonic ring that brothers in his lodge joke “can be seen from a mile away,” often sparking conversations.

What’s the best way to approach someone about joining/how do you start the conversation?

“I find directly soliciting membership to be something that detracts from the appeal of the organization. It is my belief that men today join Freemasonry for two reasons:

1) The mystique of the organization and

2) The camaraderie and fellowship. If we start inviting everybody to join, the organization will lose its appeal.”

How do you respond to the question, “What is Freemasonry all about?”

“Freemasonry is very hard to explain without giving its history. In general, I start by telling how the organization has its origins in the Medieval stonemasons of Northern England, and that it was essentially a trade guild, what we would call a union nowadays, for operative stonemasons. I then talk about how the organization began admitting ‘speculative Masons’ in the 17th and 18th centuries, including intellectuals like Sir Isaac Newton and Elias Ashmole. The Masons of that time frequently met in taverns, and Freemasonry was both a social and intellectual organization. From here, I transition into the Revolutionary Era, the Napoleonic Wars and the American Civil War and talk about the greater realization of a need to care for injured brethren and the widows and families of brethren who had died in battle, and thus Freemasonry also became a benevolent society. Lastly, I talk about the men who served in WWI and WWII, looking to recapture the camaraderie they experienced in the military and then finding it in Freemasonry.

“I suppose I could add that in our modern era, men are fascinated by the conspiracy theories and the mystique of the organization, and this has become a draw; however, I think this is something that has been true all along. The difference between our own times and the past is that male-only spaces are being increasingly taken away, despite this being something healthy for men to have. I can point to a few psychological studies that show men are happier when they have access to regular malebonding activities. Freemasonry helps to fill this need.”

What is it like to be Worshipful Master?

What are your duties, what skills are needed and how do you balance your time?

“University Lodge No. 51 is a medium-sized lodge, 170 members and growing, with a very active younger membership. We have a lot of guys in their 20s, 30s and 40s who get together regularly outside of lodge to hang out, and that’s in addition to three or four meetings a month. During my year, I spent about 20 hours a week on lodge business, which includes anything from meetings to phone calls to emails. We also have a lot of assets to manage, so we began to look into diversifying our assets, and we also saw the number of prospective members grow exponentially.

“I remember one day, I had stayed up all night preparing an online presentation for work. After I delivered the presentation, I ate lunch and finally got to sleep around noon. When I woke up at 5 p.m., I had 68 new text messages and 34 new emails all related to University Lodge No. 51. That was just one afternoon!

“The new Worshipful Master is looking into ways to help alleviate this workload by forming more committees. I wanted to do that last year but just didn’t have time. I’m now Treasurer, Chair of the Prospective Member Committee and Co-chair of the Committee on Instruction. We have about 30 prospective members right now, and we have each prospective member come to seven dinners before we discuss giving him a petition to allow members to get to know him better. We give him a petition if we feel he is a good fit for our lodge. If we feel he is a good fit for Freemasonry, but might be a better fit for another lodge, we pass on his name. As part of this process, we have to send out regular emails and reminders about events, take attendance, make sure the brethren know the prospective members and then ensure guys get petitions when they’ve attended their seven events. Continuing to do this helps alleviate some work for the new Worshipful Master.”

What are some of the best lodge programs/ activities you’ve enjoyed?

“This past summer, we had our own lodge event at Lehigh Valley Sporting Clays. About 30 members turned out, and everybody said they wanted it to be an annual event. We also had a joint road trip with Shekinah-Fernwood Lodge No. 246 to Washington, D.C., to see Masonic sites, and the trip helped to spark a few inter-lodge friendships. I have a lot of good memories of road trips to Elizabethtown for the Academy of Masonic Knowledge. I also have a lot of fun just going to local bars with my brethren.”