How to Join the Fraternity
According to the laws, rules & regulations of the Grand Lodge of Illinois

Masonry does not consider it proper to solicit for membership.
Traditionally, a Mason would not invite a friend to join, but would wait for the friend to ask.

The absolute requirements for becoming a Mason are:

• Be a man,
  NOTE: There are other branches of Masonry that accept both men and women, or women only
• At least 18 years old
  NOTE: Some lodges and jurisdictions require to be at least 21, however, sometimes they make exceptions for those who are sons of Masons, or for university students
• Belief in a Supreme Being of any faith
  No particular religion or faith is required or excluded. All are welcome.
  

Some other things to consider:

• You should be someone who enjoys the company of other men from all different social classes, faiths, backgrounds, races, countries, etc. Masonry is universal in its ideals.
• If you are a family man, Masonry considers that your family obligations come FIRST, so you must be sure that:
  • You have the time to participate
    (Usually two or three evenings/month at first for meetings and instruction, and then at least one evening per month for meetings from then on. Maybe a little more if you get involved in lodge activities.)
  • You can afford the initiation fees and the annual dues without hardship to yourself or your family.
• You should be coming to Masonry "of your own free will and accord", to learn to improve yourself and to enjoy the company of other good people, not because someone keeps pestering you to join or because you think it will help you "get ahead" in business.
  

To join, all you have to do ask a Mason:

• Preferably someone you know or at least who lives or works nearby
• If you think that don't know any Masons in your area, you could post to the netnews group alt.freemasonry and ask that anyone who lives in your general area reply to you
• You can probably find nearby lodges listed in your phonebook.
  (Yellow-pages listings for lodges may be under "Fraternal Organizations", "Masons", "Freemasons", "Masonic Apartments", or "Masonic Temple", and the Grand Lodge would probably be under "Grand Lodge of Masons")
• Click on this link to find your state's Grand Lodge. Call them and ask to speak to someone in the office of the Grand Secretary.

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