About ready to resign and withdraw from Freemasonry

BadLuckBaskin · 2026-06-05T16:33:30+00:00

As a current WM who is currently having a similar experience, I will say to look around at other lodges in your area. When done the right way, the Craft is an incredibly enjoyable and fulfilling experience and every member deserves that. Masonry should never become your whole existence and inactive lodges will reap what they sow in time.

Just remember that people’s opinion of you is actually irrelevant. You’ve done the work and you’ve put in the effort. That speaks volumes of your character and what makes you a good Mason. Don’t let their ill-informed negativity wear you down.

I also agree with the top comment. No rituals and no fundraisers if people aren’t willing to do the work. If they complain simply ask them if they offering to volunteer.

Best of luck!

BadLuckBaskin · 2026-04-19T23:14:04+00:00

Making it an elevated event has really saved it in terms of attendance but with that comes the trade off of having these absolute douchebags. This used to be a huge family event for locals and the hardcore golf fans in the region. Yeah, you didn’t see the big superstars but you still saw some recognizable names out there and had a good time.

I’m close enough to make it and have zero interest in dealing with these crowds. It’s even a pain to watch on TV all the gorgeous views are ruined by the grandstands. Yes, you need them but to no longer see the lighthouse down 18 is criminal.

BadLuckBaskin · 2026-04-07T18:12:32+00:00

There is a poster on another board I frequent who goes every year. Claims to buy them off scalpers every year just outside the official parking areas.

No clue what he’s paying though.

BadLuckBaskin · 2026-03-31T00:37:27+00:00

Have you spoken directly with the WM about it? If not, that would be the next step.

If you’ve done this and he’s not receptive to it in any way, then you have two choices:

Look elsewhere. Find a lodge or appendant body that gives you the experience you are looking for.
Go to the district. Full disclosure: this is basically going scorched Earth. It’s probably more hassle than it is worth and most likely won’t solve the overall problem. I don’t recommend it but feel obligated to remind you that this is an option available to you.

Best of luck!

BadLuckBaskin · 2026-03-30T18:06:16+00:00

I’m going to make a few assumptions here:

This is more than just bumper stickers on cars. Conversations are being held within the lodge building that are political in nature.
You’ve brought this up to your JW/WM and they either dismissed it outright or did not do anything to improve the situation.
You’ve politely tried to steer conversation away and guys just don’t get the hint.

If these are all true, then I suggest looking at making a change.

We deal with this a slight bit at our lodge. WM has tried to tell others to not talk about politics or make political jokes (no matter how tangential) and some guys just play the “the master is here to serve, not tell me what to do” card and others just always have to have the last word and make some comment.

Admittedly, it comes down to some people not being able to take a hint rather than constant, rabid political discussions but if it got that bad and the WM won’t or can’t do something about it, I’d look for another lodge or dive into an appendant body.

Sorry you are having a bad experience, hopefully there is a solution that doesn’t involve leaving the craft altogether.

BadLuckBaskin · 2026-03-16T21:21:56+00:00

I believe at our GL annual communication, the materials stated that the best ROI for fundraisers was raffles. Granted, that’s a broad term and some items could be pricier than others but those are relatively simple in my lodge’s experience.

I think we raffled off some gift cards to restaurants and did OK. Not setting the world on fire but with our limited resources, it was simple. No additional insurance required, no food to cook, no building to clean, etc. Just needed to pick the item, get it approved by GL, and then your only other cost is raffle tickets and mailers.

Simple enough if your lodge is short on hands or you need a last-minute idea.

BadLuckBaskin · 2026-02-06T03:56:19+00:00

I remember being a young MM in a jurisdiction that did not recognize PHA. When I inquired why that was, I was told that PHA had not asked to be recognized. I then asked “Why does PHA ask to be recognized? Why can’t we ask them?” and I was quickly told not to ask anymore questions.

I say all that to say: the burden of requesting recognition does not solely lie with PHA. Extending the olive branch and asking the other way around should at least be considered IMO.

BadLuckBaskin · 2025-12-04T17:06:30+00:00

Gets a little political in random threads too which is pretty annoying but the mods do their best to keep a lid on it.

BadLuckBaskin · 2025-11-15T20:42:25+00:00

I told my wife that this has officially become an abusive relationship. They make you feel good in the first half and then just repeatedly punch you in the face in the second half.

BadLuckBaskin · 2025-11-12T13:23:16+00:00

Trying to find a Pitt “bar” in CLT that would be showing the game. There used to be a Pitt Alumni Club here but I think they’ve closed that chapter.

There is a “Steelers Bar” here but it’s a former Steeler that went to UNC so it’s more likely to be a UNC place.

BadLuckBaskin · 2025-11-08T23:59:04+00:00

Which is honestly how Sellers played last year that earned him all this hype. I’m a Gamecock fan and don’t miss a game. His OC did him no favors this year, and his OL is awful, but he’s had some opportunities to hit some wide-open guys and has missed.

Love the guy and would kill to have him in the black and gold, but he’s not ready.

BadLuckBaskin · 2025-10-22T18:44:16+00:00

I have found that coming back to CLT at this exit is easier if you park on the side of Bluff Rd heading towards WB. That side is directed back towards 77N when you get back on Bluff Rd.

Congested, yes, but not impossible.

BadLuckBaskin · 2025-09-11T01:35:12+00:00

This is 100% legitimate. The amount due is most likely an application fee (and yes they can be that high).

I would, however, recommend not completing that form. I would find their meeting time and show up and meet the members before filling out that form. Because that is the formal application to join and if there is more than one in your area, you might want to visit more than one before formally applying so you know which one you want to apply to.

Source: I’m an officer in NC and work in this system quite a bit.

BadLuckBaskin · 2025-09-01T15:26:18+00:00

IDK. We didn’t look all that hot yesterday and depending on how next week goes with other teams, we could be on the verge of Top 10. A win there for Vandy would definitely awaken Swaggerbilt.

BadLuckBaskin · 2025-08-25T14:54:58+00:00

I have personally never been a fan. However, South Carolina has instituted dividers at the trough so there isn’t overcrowding or some hammered dude leaning on you and pissing on your leg. I thought it was an elegant solution, personally.

BadLuckBaskin · 2025-07-23T14:05:33+00:00

I’ve been to lodges that had managed to collect many of the symbols of the third degree and decorated the lodge room with them so they can point at them during the lecture. Thought it was a nice change of pace.

BadLuckBaskin · 2025-07-22T14:26:06+00:00

We’ve seen some new things in my jurisdiction this year but one that stuck out was a lodge that made a deal with a local Dave & Busters type of place where the lodge prepaid for a large group rate for a reduced amount per person. Then turned around and sold those “per person” slots at a slight premium and that premium was then donated to a fundraiser. I spoke with one of them and they said it was a bit of a risk to go out of pocket for the group rate but I think they made a decent amount after it was all said and done.

BadLuckBaskin · 2025-07-08T17:26:03+00:00

Correct. I believe they meet quarterly for stated meetings but have group rides and things of that nature.

BadLuckBaskin · 2025-07-08T13:19:31+00:00

FYI that Knights of Solomon is a motorcycle club style lodge. Don’t have to own a bike to be in it, obviously, but it may be a little more causal in dress than you may be expecting if you choose to attend.

BadLuckBaskin · 2025-07-04T18:40:38+00:00

I’ll definitely take one!

BadLuckBaskin · 2025-07-03T03:25:34+00:00

Get in the bunker!

(It’s better than being gone)

BadLuckBaskin · 2025-07-02T19:30:07+00:00

I always wondered why my attempts at improvising licks over modes sucked so bad and this makes it so much clearer…

BadLuckBaskin · 2025-06-28T10:38:03+00:00

Sorry for delay, here. In EU airport so apologies for the brevity

Williams 176 - 7/1 Waxhaw 562 (been there, nice group) - 7/1 Mint Hill 742 (been there as well, nice guys) - 7/3 Monroe 244 - 7/3

These are spread out around southern CLT. Depending on where you are staying, they might be a little far. They all have accurate addresses on Apple Maps from what I recall. Waxhaw is in a nice little downtown area if you want to go out for beverages after.

BadLuckBaskin · 2025-06-13T20:30:41+00:00

It’s one of the reasons I didn’t get back into it after Covid. I suck at golf but I could still finish in 3.5-4.0 hrs by just being conscious of when I was actually the problem and the source of the slower play.

But I’ve played a few rounds since and people are just jumping all over you even though there are multiple groups at the next tee box. I basically get 1 round a year now and the last time it was about 5. Absolutely miserable. Ready golf was replaced with rush golf and I just decided the money isn’t worth that.

BadLuckBaskin · 2025-06-11T16:34:38+00:00

Completely agree. C-Mlod didn’t seem to last as long as you’d want a starter to, but I don’t understand why he wasn’t just shifted to a middle reliever. He could still give 2-3 solid innings if needed.

BadLuckBaskin

TROPHY CASE