Candidate Selection Process V.02.18.2018
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THE CANDIDATE SELECTION PROCESS Grand Lodge State of New York The NorthStar Candidate Selection Process The Worshipful Master of each Lodge will have appointed or reappointed a Candidate Selection Officer (“CSO”) who will administer the vetting process for the Lodge. The following process applies to prospects who reach us through a variety of means or whose name is given us by a Brother of the Lodge. All the information obtained by the CSO through this Selection Process will be provided to the Lodge’s Committee upon acceptance and receipt of any Petition from a prospect who has gone through this NorthStar Candidate Selection Process. The process would apply to all candidates. This document consists of two parts. First a guideline to be used by the vetting team and the second a summary document for Lodge use under the coordination of the CSO. The CSO will select a Brother to be the point of contact for each Lodge prospect identified. He will also assign a second Brother to assist. Every Lodge knows its own circumstances and can modify the program to fit their unique resources and characteristics. However the elements of Program should be followed as much as possible for maximum effect. Step One – The Initial Response from a Lodge to a prospect -Phone Call The following is a suggested format for the initial point of contact. The purpose of the phone call is to set the stage and schedule the first face to face meeting. A prospect should be contacted in some way as soon as possible. He should not go more than two weeks without some contact from the Lodge. Suggested Phone Call Format – This is a guide, not a script. Q: Hello (His Name), my name is (Your Name); I am a member of (Your Lodge and Number). I understand that you have expressed interest in becoming a Freemason? A: (If affirmative) That’s wonderful (His Name)! We are always happy to talk to sincere men about our fraternity, which we sometimes refer to as the Craft. A: (If negative exit the conversation quickly. DO NOT TRY TO SELL ANYONE ON THE CRAFT.) Q: So (His Name), what do you know about Freemasonry? Where did you get the information? Note: Listen carefully to his answer. Make sure to actively listen and clarify any misinformation. Please make notes on the above section to understand his knowledge and expectations going forward along with points to clarify later. Q: That’s a good start (His Name). Many people who approach us are simply curious, some think that they are going to learn all kinds of hidden secrets but they never do. If your interest is one of 2 curiosity, I would be more than happy to answer some questions for you now over the phone or point you to legitimate websites about the Craft. If you are serious about exploring a life in Freemasonry then I suggest that we meet up for coffee and get to know one another a little bit. Would you like to do that? A: If Yes – Set Date and time – Date ____________ Time ________ Location_________ ____ Set expectations that this meeting will last about 45 minutes. We suggest you meet in a public place and not at the Lodge. We recommend that two Brothers attend the meeting because two sets of eyes and ears are better than one. Make expectations known to the candidate that you will be bringing someone else from the Lodge with you to the meeting. A: If No - Exit the conversation quickly. DO NOT TRY TO SELL ANYONE ON THE CRAFT. THEY SAID NO. HONOR THEIR REQUEST. Q: Wonderful! It would be very helpful if you were to make a list of any questions you have in writing and bring them with you to our first meeting. This will be your first chance to find out more about Freemasonry. We will personally answer all of your questions, honestly and as completely as we can. Before we end this conversation may I have your cell phone number and email address and I will give you mine. 3 Candidate Selection Checklist Summary Report and Guide Prospect’s Name___________________________________________________________ Home Ph._____________________ Cell________________ (Call/text/both circle one) Office___________________________ Email___________________________ Received information from Lodge – Date________/__________/________ Return Phone Call Made – Date ___________/__________/__________ Time: _______ Any information or website given _________________________________ Does the prospect wish to meet? Yes / No (Circle) Is the prospect serious about receiving information on the “Masonic Way of Life?” Yes / No (Circle) Was the prospect asked to write list of questions and bring them to the first meeting? Yes / No (Circle) What information does the prospect have about the Craft and how did he acquire it? _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ 4 The NorthStar Candidate Selection Process Step 2- First Face to Face Meeting The CSO will have assigned the prospect to two Brothers who will follow the prospect throughout the Candidate Selection Process. Structure of this document • A discussion guide for the first meeting to be used in the meeting. • A handout entitled Understanding the Selection Process to be discussed with the prospect. • A Questionnaire to be filled out and returned at the Second meeting. • The Masonic Compact to be given to the prospect and returned for discussion • Summary Form and Checklist (Lodge use only) • Disclosure on Background Check (GTWG) Discussion Guide- This is a guideline not a script. The first face to face meeting is very important in the process. The old saying that you never get a second chance to make a first impression is true. Your demeanor, dress and enthusiasm are all important factors in the process. We advise dressing as if you were attending Lodge, jacket and tie as a minimum. Here are some guidelines or ideas for discussion after the preliminary welcome is done. It is fine if you don’t know an answer to a question. Do not give out any misinformation and keep your answers within the bounds of our obligations. Q: It is good to meet you (His name). My name is Hiram and I am a member of (your lodge) and this is Solomon from the same lodge. Q: What interested you about Freemasonry? (This is a good discussion item.) Q: What questions did you have for today? (Answer all questions honestly and as directly as you can.) Q: We are going to discuss our process in selecting candidates for Masonry so that you can know more about how and what our mutual expectations are. Is this reasonable? Q: We are going to ask you to fill out a questionnaire at home and bring it to our next meeting. We should go over it briefly and clarify any questions you have. Ok? Q: We are also going to give you a document we are proud of called the Masonic Compact. We want to discuss this with you at our next meeting. We would like you to read it carefully and please share it with your family as it outlines a good deal of the ideals of Masonry. Your reactions to it are important to us. Do you understand? “First Meeting Questionnaire” that you will provide to the candidate can be formatted to fit your specific Lodge. If you have your own Lodge logo or letterhead we encourage you to recreate this section using those instead of the generic form attached. 5 Understanding the Candidate Selection Process As an individual seeking further information and a possible life in Freemasonry it is important that you understand how this process works. In the past, almost any man who approached Freemasonry came well recommended and well known by another Freemason. They were family members, a long time friend, a workmate, or a neighbor. You might well be in that same category. Each of these men knew a Freemason who could vouch for his character based on knowing him for a long time. This may also be the case for you but in today’s world a man might come to Freemasonry in very different ways. Many men now find us by contact through the Internet, social media, books or movies and they have no personal relationship with a Freemason. No matter what path you have travelled to this point, in the State of New York any man that petitions a Lodge must have his petition signed by a Master Mason who is a member in good