WHY YOU SHOULD BELONG TO THE SCOTTISH RITE

After the Blue Lodge, the Scottish Rite is one of the premier Masonic organizations in the world today. The emblem of the Scottish Rite, the double-headed eagle, has been the symbol of kings and the icon of empires. It is known the world over for representing power, protection and vigilance.
In the Rite we seek to develop our society and ourselves. We teach the importance of becoming more patient, generous, tolerant, compassionate and thoughtful. We also help society develop by supporting education, funding museums, benefiting the arts, assisting with medical research, aiding the needy and giving both time and money to many other projects. It is the fundamental teaching of the Scottish Rite that we build our nation while benefiting all its citizens.
We study mankind's greatest questions and problems. And we have fun doing it because we do it together as men in fraternity, sharing dramatic, philanthropic and social events. The Scottish Rite asks us to consider how these principles relate to our everyday lives. The Scottish Rite is often called the "University of Freemasonry". If you are a man who believes in the teachings introduced in your Blue Lodge, you will be impressed by the expanded lessons of the Rite.
We sponsor 165 Scottish Rite Childhood Language Disorder Clinics, Centers and Programs nationwide. Our efforts have been recognized by national awards for work in speech and language development in children. We selected childhood language and learning disorders because they affect more children than all other childhood conditions combined. To hear, to speak, to understand - these are\ essentials in the development of every young mind.
That is the essence of the Scottish Rite: to learn to be better and to do good in the world. It's Master Masons just like you and me who want to learn more about Masonry, to find new ways of expressing Masonry in the world, who make a difference in the lives of others and have a great time doing it. I think you will like the Scottish Rite experience. On behalf of all the Scottish Rite Masons, Southern Jurisdiction of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, let me invite you to share what we have found. I welcome you to the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry!