Pa Freemason May 98 - Admission Policy for Masonic Homes



		The Masonic Homes, which include the Masonic Homes at Elizabethtown, the Masonic Eastern Star Home - East at Warminster, and the Masonic Eastern Star Home - West at Pittsburgh, are owned and operated by the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania, whose existence antedates both the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the United States of America. On January 23, 1998, the Committee on Masonic Homes reviewed the service levels and approved a revised Admissions policy to ensure that the best service is given to our members and their family members. Current eligibility for admission to the Masonic Homes includes the following service levels: Service Level 1 will continue to be our core admissions policy. Individuals in this level are eligible, first and foremost, for admissions to all areas of the Masonic Homes. The revised Admissions Policy, which is currently in effect, is provided below along with definitions for clarity: SERVICE LEVEL 1: Pennsylvania Master Mason A member in good standing for a minimum of five (5) cumulative years in The R. W. Grand Lodge of F. & A.M. of Pennsylvania or The M.W. Prince Hall Grand Lodge F. & A.M. of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Eastern Star A Pennsylvania Eastern Star member in good standing for a minimum of five (5) cumulative years. Eastern Star members who are Masons from another state on or before January 1, 1998, are eligible for admission to each of the three facilities. Non-Pennsylvania Masons who became Eastern Star members after January 1, 1998, will be required to gain membership in a Pennsylvania lodge to be eligible for admission, unless the primary state does not permit dual membership. Wife of a Pennsylvania Master Mason Spouse of a Pennsylvania Eastern Star Spouses who are Masons from any jurisdiction are eligible. Widow of a Pennsylvania Master Mason Widows continue to be eligible through their Masonic husband even if they remarry. Mother of a Pennsylvania Master Mason Daughter of a Pennsylvania Master Mason Sister of a Pennsylvania Master Mason SERVICE LEVEL 2: Grandmother of a Pennsylvania Master Mason Grandfather of a Pennsylvania Master Mason Father of a Pennsylvania Master Mason Mother-in-law of a Pennsylvania Master Mason Father-in-law of a Pennsylvania Master Mason Son of a Pennsylvania Master Mason Spouse of a Pennsylvania Eastern Star who is not a Mason Those with less than five year's membership SERVICE LEVEL 3: Other Pennsylvania Masonic Relatives Consideration is given to other relatives of Pennsylvania Masons. We also consider Pennsylvania Senior DeMolay, majority members of Pennsylvania Job's Daughters and Pennsylvania Rainbow Girls, senior members of Pennsylvania Knights of Pythagoras, and members of female related Pennsylvania Masonic organizations in good standing. Employees of Grand Lodge or the Masonic Homes with a minimum of 20 years of service Master Mason of Other Jurisdictions A member in good standing for a minimum of five (5) cumulative years in another jurisdiction recognized by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania and his spouse or widow. SERVICE LEVEL 4: Others on behalf of Pennsylvania Freemasonry If you have any questions regarding the Admissions Policy, please contact: Masonic Homes - Admissions: (800) 422-1207 Masonic Homes - Marketing: (800) 676-6452 Masonic Eastern Star Home - East: (215) 672-2500 Masonic Eastern Star Home - West: (412) 931-8300 Admissions to the Masonic Homes are governed by the Committee on Masonic Homes, members of which are elected by Grand Lodge. The Committee approves or disapproves applications for admission solely on the basis of need and does not discriminate by reason of the race, color, national origin, ancestry, religious creed, sex, age, or handicap of the applicant. Applications for admission to the Masonic Homes by members of the Lodges of The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge F. & A.M. of Pennsylvania, their wives, widows, mothers, sisters, and daughters; and the members of the Order of the Eastern Star of Pennsylvania and their spouse, are received by the Committee on Masonic Homes and approved or disapproved on the same basis. The admission to the Masonic Homes of the approved applicants of The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge F. & A.M. of Pennsylvania and the Order of the Eastern Star of Pennsylvania is governed by the Committee on Masonic Homes in the same manner as is the admission of the approved applicants of the Grand Lodge F. & A.M. of Pennsylvania. No person shall on the grounds of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religious creed, sex, age, or handicap be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination, in the provision of care or service at the Masonic Homes. Specifically the previous includes, but is not limited to, the following characteristics: 1. Inpatient and outpatient care will be provided on a non-discriminatory basis; all patients will be admitted and receive care without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religious creed, sex, age, or handicap (which includes but is not limited to persons with AIDS or HIV infection). 2. All patients will be assigned to rooms, floors, and sections without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religious creed, sex, age, or handicap (which includes but is not limited to persons with AIDS or HIV infection). 3. Employees will be assigned to patient services without regard to the race, color, national origin, ancestry, religious creed, sex, age, or handicap (which includes but is not limited to persons with AIDS or HIV infection) of either the patient or employee. 4. Staff privileges of professionally qualified personnel will not be denied on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religious creed, sex, age, or handicap (which includes but is not limited to persons with AIDS or HIV infection). 5. All facilities of this institution will be used without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religious creed, sex, age, or handicap (which includes but is not limited to persons with AIDS or HIV infection). 6. Transfers, discharges, and room assignments will not be made on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religious creed, sex, age, or handicap (which includes but is not limited to persons with AIDS or HIV infection); however, any patient may request to upgrade the room assigned and/or selected at any time for any reason provided that the room requested is readily available and the patient is financially able to pay for the requested room.