It seems to be universally accepted in the United States that Lodge business must be done at Lodge Stated Meetings.
But perhaps we should consider that.
Does business have to be done at Stated Meetings?
In Washington, our rules demand that it does, but does that rule make sense given the purposes of our Fraternity?
Can we imagine a Lodge that did no business at Stated Meetings? A Lodge that dedicated every Stated Meeting to purposes of fellowship, ritual, degrees, and education only? That did the business of the Lodge at less frequent business meetings instead?
Would that be a better system?
Let’s chat about it, because that is the system in some other places in the world.
Now, that's a good subject to touch on. How many Brothers have we chased away with " it's always the same thing, bills and letters and stuff" same all boring stuff every meeting. Not at my Lodge, but I've heard it from other brothers from different lodges. Voting maybe business, but it is important matter when it comes to inviting a man to join our Lodge. If there are letters to be read, could we not email a copy to everyone? Reading of the minutes, assignment of committees, updates on Bikes for Books, could all be handled without tying up the Lodge from Not having time for Masonic education, special speakers, Sojourners and just having some old fashioned fun. We need to remake us a place we want to go to, rather have to. If we cannot adapt to change, are we destined to be history and not making history?
The stated meetings can be business but there does need to be a fellowship lodge. The beauty of having a "special" meeting for fellowship degree work and education is that it can be held anywhere without getting permission to move the charter. Want to visit a national park for a high hill low valley initiation. No problem. Want to do an educational lodge in a museum and rent their conference room for ritual. No problem. Want to hold a festive board or table lodge at the best steakhouse in the state? No problem. Let the stated meetings be stuck in one place for the boring business and make it clear, especially to new brethren, that the stated business meeting is only required for key officers. It's the fellowship fun lodge that we really want to see them.
We’re *just* starting to experiment with the crazy idea that it’s a waste of time to present, discuss and vote on expenses that were previously approved.
I don’t think there is a problem having business at each meeting.
The problems are allowing a meandering discussion on every little thing, and allowing that to squeeze out the interesting discussions.
I have been to Lodges (and during my year as Master I tired to implement many of these items) where the “required business” actually done during the Lodge meeting is kept to an absolute minimum. Obviously certain critical things must be done during the meeting (voting on candidates, approving proficiencies, passing financial items), but much of the business can be done in 5 minutes by pre-distribution and posting.
For example all minutes and communications can be pre-sent to the members with emails, and posted at the Tyler’s desk before the meeting for review. This then becomes a 60 second activity to approve the minutes and report that communications are posted at the Tyler’s station for review.
Committee reports that do not require voting action by the members can be written and posted in the same fashion, or at minimum the Master should pre-discuss what the committee report will be and direct that it be kept short and to the crucial points with any discussion to be held outside of the meeting.
As a Mason with young kids (and I’ve spoken to many of my peers who feel the same way, and most of us didn’t feel the same level of passion before we had kids) there is nothing worse than leaving my kids to go to a meeting that spends >60 minutes without any real Masonic content (Lodge business is not Masonic content) and minimal fellowship when that is time I could have spent hanging out with my kids. I found that the number of random meetings I attended after having my first kid went down dramatically because my tolerance for bad meetings went to almost zero.
Every Master has an enormous amount of room to run their Lodge within the rules and guidelines of the Fraternity in order to produce the best Masonic experience for their members, and they have a deep responsibility to those members to make their time attending the meeting be time well spent and meaningful in their growth as Masons.
Try to keep business short and sweet. Anything that needs a vote, should be known beforehand. The Officers we have communicate quite often as a group with texting. A lot of quick discussion is done that way and I believe it cuts back on floor discussions.
My goal, and I am not good at this, is to make and keep to an agenda.
A Stated Meeting doesn't have to be all business. Yes, the Brethren must approve expenditures, but does that have to be an itemized list of all income and outgo? Budgeted items are already approved. Other items can be quickly voted on, and move on. Communications can be passed to the Brethren in an executive summary. Here's a breakdown of time: Average meeting length of 90 minutes. Ten minutes each Ritual Opening and Closing. Seventy minutes remaining for all activities--business and Masonic Education. Set aside 30 minutes for education and discussion, leaving 40 minutes for business. That is, if the Master follows an agenda and is prepared for the meeting. Also, the requirement to keep business discussions to a minimum--topic, speak, move on. No rambling stories, no non-topical insertions. The average attention span is approximately 15 minutes. Use that time wisely. Just my thoughts...
My lodge determined 3 years ago that our purpose was to make Masons and educate and improve ourselves so that we may better serve our families and communities. We started by first renaming our stated meetings to "Stated Education and Dialogue," so as to emphasize our purpose of education. Prior to opening our lodge, we have a fellowship gathering with a catered dinner. We allow one hour for fellowship and dinner. After dinner, the Worshipful Master makes any announcements of upcoming events and Brethren may report on any activities relative to the lodge, our Masonic district, or Grand Lodge communications that are not required to be read in open lodge.
After opening the lodge the agenda consists of:
1. Making Masons - reading new petitions, hearing reports of investigation committees and voting on petitions, and hearing proficiencies of apprentices.
2. Reports of sickness and distress and actions needed to be taken
3. Any communication required to be read by the Grand Lodge.
4. Education and Dialogue - This is scheduled for one hour and is a pre-determined topic based on our Lodge Education Officer's previously presented plan. These are not lectures but interactive, Socratic dialogue facilitated by either the LEO or a guest Masonic educator. These topics frequently may require preparation by the Brethren or may continue over to the next month with study required between sessions. These sessions are taped and posted later in a member's only section on our website.
We supplement our education with a monthly "Philosophy Society" gathering on a topic and a weekly "Study Group" for apprentice instruction, ritual practice, or just for fellowship.
The finances are administered by strict adherence to a planning process which includes detailed planning documents with individual budgets for each lodge activity. The budget is the authorization for spending and so it is not necessary to read the bills every month. Financial statements and minutes are posted in a private area for members to read when they care to.
This all takes planning and dedication to provide a Masonic experience that is instructional, meaningful, and true to the statement of taking good men and making them better. Our lodge is enjoying the experience of true Masonic education.
The author W.L. Wilmshurst suggested our mundane matters be handled on the EA Degree, the entry portal, so more meaningful Masonic work can be done while on the higher degrees.
I have said before that when I form the Matthew J. Appel Lodge of Excellence, I will have 12 meetings a year, 6 for business and 6 for education. If you want to vote on what color to paint the walls and whether to buy a PM apron for the guy in the East, please come to the business meetings, but don't expect anything else. If you want to become a better man and Mason and engage your Lodge and yourself in an education program, then come to the education meetings, but don't expect your bill to be paid or your motion to be entertained.
Now, that's a good subject to touch on. How many Brothers have we chased away with " it's always the same thing, bills and letters and stuff" same all boring stuff every meeting. Not at my Lodge, but I've heard it from other brothers from different lodges. Voting maybe business, but it is important matter when it comes to inviting a man to join our Lodge. If there are letters to be read, could we not email a copy to everyone? Reading of the minutes, assignment of committees, updates on Bikes for Books, could all be handled without tying up the Lodge from Not having time for Masonic education, special speakers, Sojourners and just having some old fashioned fun. We need to remake us a place we want to go to, rather have to. If we cannot adapt to change, are we destined to be history and not making history?
The stated meetings can be business but there does need to be a fellowship lodge. The beauty of having a "special" meeting for fellowship degree work and education is that it can be held anywhere without getting permission to move the charter. Want to visit a national park for a high hill low valley initiation. No problem. Want to do an educational lodge in a museum and rent their conference room for ritual. No problem. Want to hold a festive board or table lodge at the best steakhouse in the state? No problem. Let the stated meetings be stuck in one place for the boring business and make it clear, especially to new brethren, that the stated business meeting is only required for key officers. It's the fellowship fun lodge that we really want to see them.
Would that be a better system? That's like dad asking the kids, "what if I bring home a new puppy?"
We’re *just* starting to experiment with the crazy idea that it’s a waste of time to present, discuss and vote on expenses that were previously approved.
I don’t think there is a problem having business at each meeting.
The problems are allowing a meandering discussion on every little thing, and allowing that to squeeze out the interesting discussions.
Rap that gavel and move things along.
I have been to Lodges (and during my year as Master I tired to implement many of these items) where the “required business” actually done during the Lodge meeting is kept to an absolute minimum. Obviously certain critical things must be done during the meeting (voting on candidates, approving proficiencies, passing financial items), but much of the business can be done in 5 minutes by pre-distribution and posting.
For example all minutes and communications can be pre-sent to the members with emails, and posted at the Tyler’s desk before the meeting for review. This then becomes a 60 second activity to approve the minutes and report that communications are posted at the Tyler’s station for review.
Committee reports that do not require voting action by the members can be written and posted in the same fashion, or at minimum the Master should pre-discuss what the committee report will be and direct that it be kept short and to the crucial points with any discussion to be held outside of the meeting.
As a Mason with young kids (and I’ve spoken to many of my peers who feel the same way, and most of us didn’t feel the same level of passion before we had kids) there is nothing worse than leaving my kids to go to a meeting that spends >60 minutes without any real Masonic content (Lodge business is not Masonic content) and minimal fellowship when that is time I could have spent hanging out with my kids. I found that the number of random meetings I attended after having my first kid went down dramatically because my tolerance for bad meetings went to almost zero.
Every Master has an enormous amount of room to run their Lodge within the rules and guidelines of the Fraternity in order to produce the best Masonic experience for their members, and they have a deep responsibility to those members to make their time attending the meeting be time well spent and meaningful in their growth as Masons.
/endrantonridiculoustimewastingbusinessdiscussions :-)
Try to keep business short and sweet. Anything that needs a vote, should be known beforehand. The Officers we have communicate quite often as a group with texting. A lot of quick discussion is done that way and I believe it cuts back on floor discussions.
My goal, and I am not good at this, is to make and keep to an agenda.
A Stated Meeting doesn't have to be all business. Yes, the Brethren must approve expenditures, but does that have to be an itemized list of all income and outgo? Budgeted items are already approved. Other items can be quickly voted on, and move on. Communications can be passed to the Brethren in an executive summary. Here's a breakdown of time: Average meeting length of 90 minutes. Ten minutes each Ritual Opening and Closing. Seventy minutes remaining for all activities--business and Masonic Education. Set aside 30 minutes for education and discussion, leaving 40 minutes for business. That is, if the Master follows an agenda and is prepared for the meeting. Also, the requirement to keep business discussions to a minimum--topic, speak, move on. No rambling stories, no non-topical insertions. The average attention span is approximately 15 minutes. Use that time wisely. Just my thoughts...
My lodge determined 3 years ago that our purpose was to make Masons and educate and improve ourselves so that we may better serve our families and communities. We started by first renaming our stated meetings to "Stated Education and Dialogue," so as to emphasize our purpose of education. Prior to opening our lodge, we have a fellowship gathering with a catered dinner. We allow one hour for fellowship and dinner. After dinner, the Worshipful Master makes any announcements of upcoming events and Brethren may report on any activities relative to the lodge, our Masonic district, or Grand Lodge communications that are not required to be read in open lodge.
After opening the lodge the agenda consists of:
1. Making Masons - reading new petitions, hearing reports of investigation committees and voting on petitions, and hearing proficiencies of apprentices.
2. Reports of sickness and distress and actions needed to be taken
3. Any communication required to be read by the Grand Lodge.
4. Education and Dialogue - This is scheduled for one hour and is a pre-determined topic based on our Lodge Education Officer's previously presented plan. These are not lectures but interactive, Socratic dialogue facilitated by either the LEO or a guest Masonic educator. These topics frequently may require preparation by the Brethren or may continue over to the next month with study required between sessions. These sessions are taped and posted later in a member's only section on our website.
We supplement our education with a monthly "Philosophy Society" gathering on a topic and a weekly "Study Group" for apprentice instruction, ritual practice, or just for fellowship.
The finances are administered by strict adherence to a planning process which includes detailed planning documents with individual budgets for each lodge activity. The budget is the authorization for spending and so it is not necessary to read the bills every month. Financial statements and minutes are posted in a private area for members to read when they care to.
This all takes planning and dedication to provide a Masonic experience that is instructional, meaningful, and true to the statement of taking good men and making them better. Our lodge is enjoying the experience of true Masonic education.
The author W.L. Wilmshurst suggested our mundane matters be handled on the EA Degree, the entry portal, so more meaningful Masonic work can be done while on the higher degrees.
I have said before that when I form the Matthew J. Appel Lodge of Excellence, I will have 12 meetings a year, 6 for business and 6 for education. If you want to vote on what color to paint the walls and whether to buy a PM apron for the guy in the East, please come to the business meetings, but don't expect anything else. If you want to become a better man and Mason and engage your Lodge and yourself in an education program, then come to the education meetings, but don't expect your bill to be paid or your motion to be entertained.