InvestigationsInvestigations

Suggestions for a candidateSuggestions for a candidate

interviewinterview

Prepared by Prepared by WB David HockadayWB David HockadayOfOf

The Leadership Training The Leadership Training CommitteeCommittee

ForFor

VWB Tom Dangelo DDGM – 12VWB Tom Dangelo DDGM – 12

OfOf

The MWGL of F & AM of WashingtonThe MWGL of F & AM of Washington

Originated from a study done by:Originated from a study done by:

WB Vernon H. HoldWB Vernon H. HoldWB Lloyd E. MitchellWB Lloyd E. MitchellWB Lightle H. SamselWB Lightle H. Samsel

WB Martin L. ShewWB Martin L. ShewVWB Kenneth S. RobinsonVWB Kenneth S. Robinson

ForForMWB Matt MartinMWB Matt Martin

Be faithful to the trust committed to Be faithful to the trust committed to your care, and manifest your fidelity your care, and manifest your fidelity to our principals by a strict to our principals by a strict observance of the constitutions of observance of the constitutions of the fraternity; by adhering to the the fraternity; by adhering to the ancient landmarks, and by refusing ancient landmarks, and by refusing to recommend anyone to a to recommend anyone to a participation in our privileges unless participation in our privileges unless you have a strong reason to believe you have a strong reason to believe that, by a similar fidelity, he will that, by a similar fidelity, he will reflect honor upon our ancient reflect honor upon our ancient institutions.institutions.

Selection of the Investigation CommitteeSelection of the Investigation Committee

The responsibility of maintaining The responsibility of maintaining the high standards of our the high standards of our fraternity rest with the fraternity rest with the individual lodge.individual lodge.

YOURYOUR lodge and lodge and OUROUR fraternity will fraternity will be judged by its members.be judged by its members.

The ballot on a petition is primarily The ballot on a petition is primarily determined by the results of the determined by the results of the investigating committee.investigating committee.

The committee is selected by the The committee is selected by the Worshipful Master, however the Worshipful Master, however the Secretary sees the results of the Secretary sees the results of the committee’s work through many committee’s work through many Masters. He can be of considerable Masters. He can be of considerable help.help.

Selection of committee members is an Selection of committee members is an extremely important responsibility.extremely important responsibility.

Suggestions on how the committee Suggestions on how the committee selection should be madeselection should be made

1.1. A minimum of three Masons, but no A minimum of three Masons, but no more than five.more than five.

2.2. Two members should be Masons Two members should be Masons with tenure and be active in the with tenure and be active in the lodge.lodge.

3.3. Don’t be afraid to include a new Don’t be afraid to include a new Mason.Mason.

4.4. The Chairman should be The Chairman should be knowledgeable; the current or Past knowledgeable; the current or Past Master.Master.

5.5. Members should be above Members should be above reproach.reproach.

6.6. Members should understand Members should understand MasonryMasonry

7.7. Members should be good Members should be good conversationalists, easy to talk too; conversationalists, easy to talk too; capable of setting the candidate capable of setting the candidate and his family at ease.and his family at ease.

8.8. If Possible, at least one member If Possible, at least one member near the age of the candidatenear the age of the candidate

9.9. They must be impartial. They They must be impartial. They should not have signed his petition.should not have signed his petition.

Conducting the InterviewConducting the Interview

Either individually or as a committee.Either individually or as a committee.

1.1. Schedule an interview with the Schedule an interview with the candidate in his home.candidate in his home.

1.1. What is his home life like?What is his home life like?

2.2. What is the families attitude toward What is the families attitude toward the Masonic Lodge?the Masonic Lodge?

2.2. The interview should be informal.The interview should be informal.1.1. To obtain and observe the candidates To obtain and observe the candidates

natural reactions.natural reactions.

2.2. Is he friendly?Is he friendly?

3.3. What is his attitude toward charities?What is his attitude toward charities?

4.4. What does his character appear to be.What does his character appear to be.

3.3. Remember that the questionnaires Remember that the questionnaires must be completed AFTER THE must be completed AFTER THE INTERVIEW.INTERVIEW.

1.1. Do not quote the questions to the Do not quote the questions to the candidate.candidate.

2.2. Know what you need before entering Know what you need before entering the interview.the interview.

3.3. Question without interrogation.Question without interrogation.

4.4. Make time for the committee to talk Make time for the committee to talk after the interview over coffee.after the interview over coffee.

What do we need to cover during the interview?What do we need to cover during the interview?

1.1. Does he believe in a Supreme Being?Does he believe in a Supreme Being?

2.2. Does he have the senses of a man?Does he have the senses of a man?

3.3. Does he read and write English?Does he read and write English?

4.4. Is he of proper age?Is he of proper age?

5.5. Does he meet the residence Does he meet the residence requirements?requirements?

6.6. What is the occupation of the What is the occupation of the candidate?candidate?

7.7. Does he belong to other Does he belong to other organizations?organizations?

8.8. If so, what do they represent?If so, what do they represent?

10.10. Does he know of any reason he Does he know of any reason he can not be made a Mason?can not be made a Mason?

11.11. Is this of his own free will and Is this of his own free will and accord?accord?

12.12. What is his financial abilities?What is his financial abilities?

13.13. They must understand that this is They must understand that this is not an insurance company?not an insurance company?

14.14. Has the candidate ever been in Has the candidate ever been in trouble with the civil authorities?trouble with the civil authorities?

Remember that what you see and feel is Remember that what you see and feel is what your brothers are going to base their what your brothers are going to base their ballot upon.ballot upon.

Would you trust him with your wife?Would you trust him with your wife?

Would you trust him with the safety of your Would you trust him with the safety of your children and have no fear of an improper children and have no fear of an improper act towards them by him?act towards them by him?

Would you trust him NEVER to tell a secret Would you trust him NEVER to tell a secret to anyone if you gave him such a secret to to anyone if you gave him such a secret to keep?keep?

Any Questions?Any Questions?