Let's Discuss Visiting
And receiving visitors
It might seem overly simplistic, but perhaps it is not.
How can we best make a good first, or second, or tenth impression when visiting a Lodge?
Should we jump right into discussions about the Lodge, or should we keep quiet as it is not our Lodge? Even if we know that we have information that would be helpful to the Lodge?
What about if we see mistakes or errors? Should we speak to someone about them?
The ability for a Master Mason to visit any Regular Lodge over the face of the earth is clearly one of the major benefits of Freemasonry, but I think that we all want to ensure that our presence when visiting is viewed positively and not negatively. So, what should we do to ensure that?
But this goes the other way as well. Having nice, full Lodge rooms is great, and visitors help accomplish that.
So how can our Lodge ensure that it is making a good first impression on it’s visitors? Or a second, or even a tenth good impression?
What are some things we can do to be certain that no visitor is ever ignored, or made to feel unwelcome?
Should a Lodge take steps to seek input or help from visitors?
And finally, I suppose, at what point is a Mason visiting enough that he should consider becoming a member instead?
As mentioned at the top of this post, it might seem overly simplistic to discuss this, but I don’t think it is. I’ve visited Lodges, not often, but more than once where I was made to feel unwanted and unwelcome.
I’ve also, on occasion, seen what I felt to be poor behavior by a visitor to a Lodge. Behavior poor enough that the Lodge members didn’t want the Mason to return.
So, how do we keep those things from happening?
Let’s discuss it…
Not to change the subject, but if you’ll allow me to change the subject…
I wrote something about Tarot the other day that I think would be of interest to at least some Masons. If a bit of a Tarot-Masonic blend is up your alley, you might enjoy this post:
And yeah, I know, Boaz and Jachin are prominent symbols in the Lodge. They are also prominent symbols within Tarot, I presume because so many Freemasons were involved with the creation of the Tarot as we understand it today. I’m not giving away any Masonic secrets here.
In my Lodge we have a special toast to the visitors in the festive board. Then each of the visitors is given the opportunity to respond to the toast.
Also. In the Lodge, we personally greet visiting Brethren by rank, name and Lodge, immediately after opening the Lodge.
Those visiting Brethren often return again and again. We must be doing things right 😉
The audacity of masons to correct is unparalleled. I believe a visitor should help
when/if asked to do so.