Membership Requirements

Once we have received our Charter, we plan to have strict membership requirements which will, in a large measure, set us apart as unique among other Chapters. Membership in our Chapter should be a privilege to be earned. If our activities attract other petitioners who are not desirous of completing these requirements, we will refer them to the Chapter nearest their place of residence so that they may proceed with Royal Arch Masonry at their own comfort level.

At this time, these requirement are subject to further revision and particularly to the suggestion of additional qualifying activities.

Proper Attire

The dress code required for all official activities of our Chapter, unless otherwise specified, shall be:

  • Black Tuxedo Jacket & Trousers

  • Black Shoes

  • Approved Red Vest or Cummerbund

  • Approved Red Bow-Tie

  • White Gloves (Triple Tau Emblem optional.) No gloves to be worn when dining.

  • White Pocket Square

  • No pins are permitted except Past High Priest on Lapel.

The Grand High Priest, his Deputy or other Representatives, along with Candidates who have not yet attained the Degree of Royal Arch Mason, and Special Guests invited to attend the Chapter shall be exempt from this Dress Code.

The Chapter officers will gladly assist a petitioner to obtain the required Vest, Bow-Tie, and Gloves.

Requirements for Petitioners and Candidates for the Degrees of Capitular Masonry

In addition to the requirements set forth by the Grand Chapter, we will expect the following requirements to be met by each of our petitioners or candidates before, during, and after the process of becoming a new Royal Arch Mason in our Chapter.

Remember, the Companions who will be evaluating these requirements will be admonished to do so based upon dedication, effort, and attitude demonstrated towards the task, rather than upon technical skill.

Requirements Prior to being Balloted Upon and receiving the 4th Degree, i.e., being Advanced to the Degree of Mark Master Mason

  • The petitioner shall agree that once he becomes a Royal Arch Mason, he will wear proper attire, as defined in the Chapter's dress code, to all official events of the Chapter, unless another standard of dress is specified for an event.

  • Choose One of the Following:

    • Deliver the Master Mason Degree Candidate's Lecture (Both the Questions and Answers) along with choice of:

      1. Opening and Closing on any of the EA, FC, or MM Degree (All roles.)

      2. Apron Lecture, Long Form.

      3. Third Ruffian's Soliloquy.

      4. Prayer at the Grave.

      5. Solomon's First Speech at the Grave

      6. Passage from Ecclesiastes with Raps

    • Present a Masonic Paper or Talk on your choice of:

      1. History of the EA, FC, or MM Degree, or of Freemasonry Generally.

      2. Symbolism of the EA, FC or MM Degree, or of Freemasonry Generally.

      3. Philosophy of the EA, FC, or MM Degree, or of Freemasonry Generally.

      4. Moral Lessons taught in the EA, FC, or MM Degree, or by Freemasonry Generally.

      5. Masonic Leadership.

      6. Produce an original Poem, Song, Painting, etc., appertaining to the EA, FC, or MM Degree or Freemasonry Generally.

Requirements Prior to Receiving the 5th Degree, i.e., being Inducted into the Oriental Chair as a Past Master

Choose One of the Following:

  • Deliver Old-Style Proficiency in the Mark Master Degree

  • Present a Masonic Paper or Talk on your choice of:

    1. History of the Mark Master Degree

    2. Symbolism of the Mark Master Degree

    3. Philosophy in the Mark Master Degree

    4. Moral Lessons taught by the Mark Master Degree

  • Produce an original Poem, Song, Painting, etc., appertaining to the Mark Master Degree.

Requirements Prior to Receiving the 6th Degree, i.e., being Received and Acknowledged a Most Excellent Master

Choose One of the Following:

  • Deliver Old-Style Proficiency in the Past Master Degree

  • Present a Masonic Paper or Talk on your choice of:

    1. History of the Past Master Degree

    2. Symbolism of the Past Master Degree

    3. Philosophy in the Past Master Degree

    4. Moral Lessons taught by the Past Master Degree

    5. Leadership and the Role of Past Masters in the Lodge

  • Produce an original Poem, Song, Painting, etc., appertaining to the Past Master Degree.

Requirements Prior to Receiving the 7th Degree, i.e., being Exalted to the Sublime Degree of Royal Arch Mason

Choose One of the Following:

  • Deliver Old-Style Proficiency in the Most Excellent Master Degree

  • Present a Masonic Paper or Talk on your choice of:

    1. History of the Most Excellent Master Degree

    2. Symbolism of the Most Excellent Master Degree

    3. Philosophy in the Most Excellent Master Degree

    4. Moral Lessons taught by the Most Excellent Master Degree

  • Produce an original Poem, Song, Painting, etc., appertaining to the Most Excellent Master Degree.

Requirements to be Completed within One Year of Exaltation, as Listed Below

Requirements for Membership by Affiliation

Requirements Prior to Being Balloted Upon for Affiliation

  1. Satisfy the requirement listed above for Advancement to the Degree of Mark Master Mason and Induction into the Oriental Chair as a Past Master

  2. Agree to wear proper attire, as defined in the Chapter's dress code, to all official events of the Chapter, unless another standard of dress is specified for an event.

  3. Agree to complete, within one year of affiliation, the requirements listed below.

Requirements to be Completed within One Year of Exaltation or Affiliation

Choose One of the Following:

  • Deliver Old-Style Proficiency of the Royal Arch Degree

  • Present a Masonic Paper or Talk on your choice of:

    1. History of the Royal Arch Degree or of Capitular Masonry

    2. Symbolism of the Royal Arch Degree

    3. Philosophy in the Royal Arch Degree

    4. Moral Lessons taught by the Royal Arch Degree

    5. The Philanthropic Work of Capitular Masonry

    6. The Furnishings and Regalia of Capitular Masonry

  • Produce an original Poem, Song, Painting, etc., appertaining to the Royal Arch Degree.

Ongoing Requirements for our Members

The Excellent High Priest of the Chapter will instruct the Sentinel not to admit any Companion into the Chapter room who has not fulfilled at least one of the following requirements within the past twelve months, unless the Companion intends to do so at the present meeting. This requirement does not apply to the Grand High Priest, his Deputy, or other representatives, or any Special Guests who have been invited to attend our Chapter. Other exceptions to this rule may be made by the Excellent High Priest if he deems it appropriate to do so.

  1. Present a Masonic Paper or Talk on a subject of your choice.

  2. Produce an original Masonic Poem, Song, Painting, etc., of your choice.

  3. Provide the program for one meeting.

  4. Organize one of our outside events (Outdoor Royal Arch Degree, for Example.)

  5. Build or craft a useful furnishing for the Chapter.

  6. Have signed as a Recommender for a Candidate that has since been Advanced.

  7. Deliver a Lecture, Preside over a Degree, or act as Captain of the Host for a Royal Arch Degree.

  8. Coach a candidate all the way through our membership requirements including his "Within One Year" requirements.

  9. Make a special contribution to the operating expenses of the Chapter of at Least $100 in addition to dues.

 

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