Membership

In an ever-changing world, a fraternity like the Shriners provides you with a sense of belonging and a network of lifetime friends. The Shriners aim to have a good time for a good cause, raising much needed funds to assist the Shriners Children's.  There are over 200,000 Shriners worldwide. In order to become a Shriner, a man must first be a Mason. The fraternity of Freemasonry is the oldest, largest and most widely known fraternity in the world.

Who Should Become a Shriner?

Good men who aspire to a better, more full life. Those who would like to help the less fortunate, and those who want to create bonds of brotherhood and friendship with like minded men. You must believe in God, but the interpretation and manner of worship is left to each individual to decide. You must be an adult, of 18 years of age.

How Do You Become a Shriner?

The first thing to realize is that all Shriners are Freemasons, and in order to be a Mohammed Shriner you must be a 3rd Degree Freemason in good standing with a lodge recognized by the Grand Lodge of Illinois.  For additional information on Freemasonry in Illinois, including membership requirements, please click here. If you are already a Freemason, you can download the Mohammed Shriners Petition to fill out and submit to us.

Have Questions?

That’s perfectly understandable and we are happy to answer any questions you might have. Please feel free to contact us with your questions. We’ve posted some answers to frequently asked questions below.

Do I need to be invited to join?

No, indeed the opposite is true – you need to ask. In order to become a Shriner you first must be a Freemason, and our fraternity discourages solicitation of new members. The act of asking to join is an important first step that must be taken freely.

Who are the Freemasons and how do they relate to the Shiners?

In order to become a Shriner, a man must first be a Master Mason. The fraternity of Freemasonry is the oldest, largest and most widely known fraternity in the world. It dates back hundreds of years to a time when stonemasons and other craftsmen on building projects gathered in shelter houses, or lodges. Over the years formal Masonic lodges emerged, with members bound together not by trade, but by their desire to be fraternal brothers.The basic unit of Masonry is the Blue Lodge, where members earn the first three Masonic degrees. The highest degree is Master Mason. Men who wish to become Shriners must first achieve Master Mason status – that means all Shriners are Masons, but not all Masons are Shriners.

Why do Shriners wear fezzes?

The red fez with the black tassel is one of the fraternity’s most distinctive symbols. It derives its name from the place where it was first manufactured, the city of Fez, Morocco. The fez was chosen as part of the Shriners’ Arabic theme, which is also the basis for the color and pageantry of the organization’s events.

What are the responsibilities of a Shriner?

Each Shriner is expected to help the fraternity grow by recruiting new members and being as active as possible. Shriners also support the philanthropy, Shriners  Children's, by volunteering time at the hospitals, participating in fund raising activities and helping identify children who may benefit from the expert medical care provided by the hospitals.

How much does it cost?

The cost to join a lodge of Freemasons varies by lodge – there are upfront initiation fees and yearly dues thereafter.  In order to join the Mohammed Shriners, the initiation fees are currently $139 (membership, and initiation) and the yearly dues are $122.

Can my wife join with me?

Freemasonry and the Shriners are open to men only, but both organizations value family and have affiliated bodies that are open to women. Social events are almost always open to wives and children.

If you have additional questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.