The Blue Lodge is just the first step in your Masonic journey. Joining an appendant body, like the Scottish Rite, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, provides Master Masons with the opportunity to deepen their connection to Freemasonry’s founding principles, further their knowledge through the lessons of 29 new degrees, and expand their network by meeting like-minded men from across our 15-state jurisdiction.
Being the fresh face of any organization can feel overwhelming; whether you’ve recently joined through a Virtual Reunion or through an initiation at your local Valley, we’re here to help. In your first few months as a Scottish Rite Freemason, check these ten items off your to-do list to ensure you’re making the most of your membership.
1. Create a Member Center account
First and foremost, ensure you’re able to access member-exclusive resources by setting up an account on our Member Center. The Member Center is home to everything you need as a member of our fraternity. From your personal profile and your degree passport, to virtual events and programming, you’ll need access to your account to fully participate.
You can find the Member Center by visiting the Scottish Rite, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction home page and clicking on “Member Center” from the top navigation. From there, click “Sign In.” A pop-up window will appear, from there, click “Not yet registered” and begin creating your account.
For more tips on how to utilize the Member Center, check out our blog post.
2. Take Part in Pathfinder
"The knowledge I’ve gained from this program has been everything I wanted to learn about Scottish Rite. I've learned more about the organization than I knew existed. This program is excellent." - Brother Ward Grossman, 32°, MSA
As Scottish Rite Freemasons, we embark on the journey of a lifetime – a journey towards becoming better men by seeking more light through the lessons bestowed through our Core Values and in our 29 degrees. Our Pathfinder Program was created to guide you on this journey, offering numerous opportunities to learn more about the many facets of the Scottish Rite, NMJ and uncover the road that best serves your needs and interest.
Learn more and get started here.
3. Join our online communities
The Supreme Council is committed to providing a top-notch member experience across all 15 states within the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. One way to continue engaging with the craft at home is by joining our online communities on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Thousands of members and Masons alike follow our channels for timely updates, Masonic education, fun member activities, and, most importantly, to share their Scottish Rite experience with other Brothers.
If you’re not already connected with us on social, click on each of the channels above to follow us!
4. Read The Northern Light
The Northern Light
Have you received your copy of The Northern Light (TNL) yet? Our quarterly member magazine is delivered both digitally and to your doorstep every quarter and is a one-stop resource for the latest news and stories happening around the jurisdiction. From member submissions to news on upcoming member initiatives, it’s a great way to stay up to date on what’s new at the Scottish Rite.
Read the latest issue of TNL online. Follow the magazine’s Facebook page too.
5. Delve deeper into the degrees at Hauts Grades Academy
The Scottish Rite prides itself on its reputation as “the university of Freemasonry.” We work year-round to provide comprehensive Masonic education to each of our members by the way of blogs, resources, and events. For Brothers who seek a rigorous, structured approach to finding more light in the craft, they should look no further than our Hauts Grades Academy (HGA).
HGA is a program designed to promote the education, knowledge, and engagement of members in the Scottish Rite, NMJ. Upon conclusion of the curriculum, students receive the honor of being a Scottish Rite Hauts Grades Academic and will be entitled to include the letters HGA after his name. Our next class opens on June 16, 2021.
6. Familiarize yourself with our charities
Central to our brotherhood is the promise that “we will strive to be a fraternity that fulfills our Masonic obligation to care for our members.” We uphold this vision statement each day through the work of our Scottish Rite charities.
Since 1913, the Scottish Rite charities and the Scottish Rite Benevolent Foundation have been doing the “Rite” thing to make a difference in the lives of our brethren and the communities in which we serve. By increasing access to educational resources through the Children’s Dyslexia Centers and Abbott Scholarship Fund, preserving and celebrating our Masonic history at the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library, and providing critical support to Masonic families through the Grand Almoner’s Fund and to Masonic widows through the White Flower Society, we fulfill our Masonic service with dignity and purpose.
Learn more about each of our charities and how you can give back by clicking any of the links above.
7. Pick up some Scottish Rite gear at the Masonic Marketplace
Now that you’re a Scottish Rite Brother, show it off with pride! Our Masonic Marketplace is home to hundreds of Freemasonry and Scottish Rite apparel and accessories, ranging from T-shirts and golf polos to kitchen and entertainment essentials.
Best of all, each purchase directly benefits our Grand Almoner’s Fund. It’s a win-win for all! Shop Masonic gear at the Masonic Marketplace.
8. Watch “Journey On”
Freemasons are known as traveling men, traveling from the west to the source of light in the east. Men of the Scottish Rite continue the path toward further light by journeying through each of our 29 degrees, using our six Core Values as guiding stars.
In February 2022, we introduced "Journey On," an anthemic campaign that celebrates continuing one’s growth as a man and as a Mason. Watch our video to learn more and feel inspired.
9. Explore the Masonic Museum & Library blog
One of our Scottish Rite charities, the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library, is home to a vast Masonic, fraternal and American history collections and is located at the Supreme Council headquarters in Lexington, MA.
While visiting the museum is an activity we’d highly encourage all brethren to partake in when its doors are open, we invite you to visit their blog in the meantime. Complete with hundreds of articles on everything from history and antique collectibles, to Masonic culture and people, you can indulge in any and all of your niche Masonic interests online here.
10. Attend a Thursday Night at the Rite
Whether your Valley is open or temporarily closed, you can continue your quest for light by participating in a Thursday Night at the Rite. Introduced in 2020, this virtual member programming has quickly become a prized Scottish Rite experience by all.
Available exclusively to members, Thursday Night at the Rite brings dynamic and engaging degree presentations straight to your screen. Always evolving, thousands of Brothers join us bi-weekly to check another degree off their passport, enrich their understanding of the degree’s teachings through interactive discussions, and connect with fellow brethren.
Learn more about Thursday Night at the Rite and your next chance to join us.
11. Invite a fellow Mason to join us
Freemasonry and Scottish Rite Freemasonry is best enjoyed amongst friends. Invite a fellow Mason to join our brotherhood and continue your Masonic journey together by pointing them to our membership application page.
Have other questions about your new fraternity? Visit our FAQ page for answers to your most pressing questions on membership, the Scottish Rite, and more.