What is essential to pitching Masonic education, but that always goes ignored, is having a specific plan.
When a young Mason speaks for a need for education in the lodge, there is a real risk of different brethren responding with their personal interests. The new Mason might want to know more about the Four Cardinal Virtues, but instead may have to endure yawps on alchemy, Templars, and the like.
Not all education is equal.
For an introduction to a wonderfully wholistic plan for Masonic education, click here:
As a Mason of 2.5 years, and feel the lack of Masonic education, I'm in the same situation. I've slowly been brining up the topic of education at our General Purpose Meetings, and during one-on-one conversations with a few brethren. So far, no dice.
My next step is to start and organize education sessions and see how that goes. But seeing as I'm not a long term Mason, I hope I'm not the one that has to present. I'm thinking it might be a round table discussion about a specific topic.
As a newer Mason, I started a group called "Degree Club" with the charge to 'Answer the questions you didn't know to ask". Topics ranged from Lodge etiquette, Masonic history, and ritual comprehension. It was interesting, but only lasted six meetings. However, I learned a lot through the experience and helped to shape future ideas that were more successful. Masonry is enjoying a reassurance because Men like you are helping the Fraternity adapt. I would encourage you to attend any Masonic Leadership courses that your Jurisdiction offers. There, you will likely meet like-minded Masons and develop a network to share and create new ideas.
In my experience, round table style discussions work very well, because no one has to be 'the expert.' The trick, I think, is to actively moderate it, so that everyone feels like they have an opportunity to participate.
As a member of a Tradional Observance lodge, masonic education is not lacking in our lodge. But that is not really what is at stake in this question. You have a new mason not getting meaning out of his lodge membership. He will stand up in lodge and make his request. The elders will shoot it down by reciting all the other times the lodge tried (insert idea de jour) and it failed. The new mason will feel dejected and start running in to reasons to miss the next Stated. Over time his participation will diminish and all those elders holding officer positions in the lodge will ask, why can't we maintain new members long enough to replace us?
Leadership is the answer. When a lodge has a strong leader, brothers are heard, actions happen and feeling don't get hurt. Successful lodges should by teaching leadership as brothers progress through the chairs so that, by the time a master is elected, he is capable of managing this brother's question without upsetting the lodge.
BTW, I agree with the young brother. If a lodge does not incorporate education into their meetings, it's just a boys club with perhaps a charitable arm. That is something a young man can find anywhere...
A few years back I had an online discussion with a couple of Masons (younger) from Virginia, Florida and Texas (I was in Western Canada). I must say I do agree with the term that was used in a satire of the same name (Past Bastards) that has been taken down and the fellows from Virginia told us they had cordoned off seating in the Northeast corner of the Lodge for Past Masters… they called it The Bullpen and told the occupants that if their opinion was needed they would request it!
I was Secretary/Treasurer of my Lodge in Canada for 14 years… after I stepped down I was requested to do a write up on the 14 WM’s I had served under… I refused that request as I didn’t want to embarrass 11 of them. I have never believed that the SW should decide who the WM will be in 4 years hence! The automatic progression through the chairs is a poor way of doing things and ONLY encourages apron chasers.
I have lived in Mexico for the past 12+ years and it is even dumber down here… if you can believe it, the constitution states (word for word)… Nominations and campaigning are a Masonic offense… believe it or not. I understand campaigning BUT not nominations!
I have thought for years that all the “chairs” such as JS, SS, IG and perhaps even the Deacons be like a “bull pen” and two or three be nominated (based on how they perform and attend) and voted on for JW and perhaps proceed from there… but NOT at the will of the SW!
I see another side to that, from my limited experience in our tiny rural lodge. While we don't have any hard and fast rules about succession (it's hard enough to keep 5-7 regular attendees) as our lodge is growing we seem to be settling into a casual 2 year succession plan. For me this is pretty positive, as it seems to take me about 9 communications to really get my legs under me, so to speak; so the second year requires less focus on just learning the role. The succession plan adds some sense of responsibility to pay attention, get ready to step up... and i don't mind admitting that I look forward to the day when I'm ready for the next job!
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that the progressive line is always bad. It can be a good path to learn Lodge Leadership. It sounds like your Lodge is doing it well.
But, it can also be dreadfully harmful, if a Lodge is so devoted to it that they will install a WM, just because it is 'his turn' even when they all know that he is horribly unsuited to the roll. I've seen that happen many times. And unfortunately, a single unsuitable WM can destroy the good work of many years, can indeed completely destroy a Lodge.
Please take a look at this publication. Besides being a Past Master of Everett Lodge No. 137, I am a Past Master of Webster NY Lodge No. 538. This could be a good source for Masonic Education?
For the past several yesrs my Lodge (Mississauga Lodge No.524 G.R.C.) has included a brief piece of Masonic Education at EVERY meeting. Usually at our Emergent Meetings, when we had no degree work, the education would be a bit longer and guest soeakers were invited to address us. It was quite well received and our newly installed WM has indicated that he will continue this concept.
Years ago the Lodge in my hometown would call what we refer to as a Special Meeting on every 5th Monday specifically for a significant educational program. Another area Lodge would do this every month.
Both Lodges lost members when these (and other activities) were not supported by incoming WM's.
This is at the heart of our very survival. The question mostly answers itself -- if old timers don't allow things new members want, they are killing the Lodge and rejecting new Brothers.
Great topic! We have Masonic education at 8 of our 10 meetings a year. No more than 30 mins with discussion to follow. We only do 2 degree nights a year so we can have more education. All EAs & FCs must present a lecture on their topic of choice as part of their degree work. For new Brothers, it's a chance at public speaking and learning about the Craft.
From my experience, I haven't seen EAs & FCs present a lecture unless it's at a observant lodge. One example would be Templum Fidelis #746 in Bath Ontario.
Ah, yes, there is one lodge in Nova Scotia that would be described as an "observant" lodge, Sophia Perennis #139, but we don't call it "observant" in NS. Not sure why. It's a lovely Lodge to attend. My Lodge, Ad Astra #130 is the last military lodge in Atlantic Canada, founded by RCAF members in 1959. Funny thing is, we have more RCN (Navy) than Air Force members today! We are the only non-military organisation in Canada allowed to use the RCAF roundel on our aprons. https://www.nsmasons.ca/lodges/sophiaperennis139
Lodges that require EA's and FC's to present a paper or a lecture in order to advance are quite rare in my corner of the world, but not unheard of. I think we would be very well served if we were to adopt this practice more widely. It provides the education that so many Brothers are craving, and makes the prospect of providing it much less nerve-wracking.
Speaking specifically to the question of ‘how’ to bring up new ideas, Lodges should consider formally appointing a Mentor for each new Mason and make them responsible for their development in the Craft as well as receptive to their wants and desires from it. Masonic Mentorship has a funny way of lasting long after a Brother is raised, and thus provides a true and trusty outlet for these types of concerns.
The Mason and the Mentor should be in communication with the Master on both points. By furnishing a Mentor, we not only provide our new Brother with a ready resource for Masonic knowledge, but with an effective advocate for good ideas.
The axiom “The squeaky wheel gets the grease” is true, because one doesn’t want ‘the wheel’ to fall off, and is thus compelled to act. Oh, how sweet and harmonious the sound of a squeak from a Past Master! One who can strike just the right chord to be effective and heard. Unfortunately, the trail of Masonry is littered with wheels that gave unheard squeaks and never returned to Lodge; Brothers whose expectations and desires were not met. We should be responsive to critical comments from our newer Masons, even if they’re sometimes ‘off key’.
However, bringing suggested changes to a Lodge’ s program during the meeting and without the Master’s prior knowledge would most definitely be ‘off key’. Any open criticism about the Lodge program, especially during a meeting, is overt criticism of the Master’s performance – during his performance. This should not deter a newer Mason from having criticisms or seeking change. Instead, suggest changes through more effective means.
>>>Lodges should consider formally appointing a Mentor for each new Mason and make >>>them responsible for their development in the Craft
I agree, 100%. When I became a Mason the Lodge appointed Andre Dewald as my mentor, and he and I have grown together in Masonry for a great many years now. It's a lifelong relationship.
>>>However, bringing suggested changes to a Lodge’ s program during the meeting and >>>without the Master’s prior knowledge would most definitely be ‘off key’.
I can see where it could tend to get hackles up. Sometimes that is required, but usually not.
Instead of asking, there is an opportunity for a brother to establish education in the lodge - if the WM isn't a complete jerk and gavels it down. When the WM asks "Does anyone have anything to offer for the good of masonry or this lodge in particular", the brother can simply stand up and respond with some good ol' education. I'd start off slow, maybe a presentation that is only a minute or so, but month after month, make it more deeper subjects.
As odd as it may sound to some, I find the only true opposition to Masonic education in lodge is the time it takes. I know very well respected Freemasons in our Jurisdiction who have done quite amazing things for the craft and have impressive resumes as Freemasons, but when it comes to what happens in a Lodge, they caution the 'youngsters' to limit in-lodge to 1 hour and 20 minutes.
As someone who has seen and created a lot of agendas for Lodges, I cannot help but notice that going through opening, closing, treasurer/secretary reports, old business, and new business, that will get almost all lodges to an hour or more... and that is if everything is going quick and no one wants to stand up to declare that someone purchased spoons on the junior warden's budget rather than the temple board budget...
My point is that when you add 20 minutes of Education to an agenda, there will inevitably be setup for a presentation, and discussion that should happen with it, and once you start to hit the 2 hour mark at a stated meeting, you will get vocal complaints from a subset of Masons regardless of topic or engagement.
In my opinion, planning an agenda and warning Masons ahead of time that this will be a meeting that will last a scheduled amount of time will help to get people on board. You have to ease people into this, and I believe it starts with vocalizing an agenda, getting buy-in from your officers, and setting expectations with the Lodge Members.
...and if someone wants to aggressively discuss which budget spoons should be purchased on, just do everyone a favor and make that person the head of a committee to investigate the answer and report back to the lodge at a later time.
My solution is to throw out everything not needed in a stated meeting. Biggest time wasters are introductions and announcements. Another key is...know thy ritual. You should be able to open and close a meeting efficiently when you know the work. My current record for a stated meeting - with education (five minutes) - is 37 minutes from gavel drop to gavel drop.
It can be done.
If you have a lot of business scheduled for one meeting, find parts that can be tabled until the next month. We're not curing cancer here. Yes, some business, according to either bylaws or the jurisdictional laws, have to be done some months. Work around them.
And yes, assigning committees to argue about spoon purchases is the right way to resolve that problem.
Agreed. Unless the fellow is the GM or the DDGM on his Official Visit, introductions are best done at dinner. If they are done at all. I'm rather in the let's skip em altogether camp.
Announcements are terrible. No one has time to write down whatever the announcer guy is saying. Get a bulletin board, put it in the Tyler's room, and ask that announcements be posted.
Same with the minutes. Reading the damn things word for word? Insane. Post them on the bulletin board.
Communications and bills. Yep, post those too.
Now we've just cut 20 minutes out of the meeting, and importantly 20 minutes that almost every Mason dreads.
“In my opinion, planning an agenda and warning Masons ahead of time that this will be a meeting that will last a scheduled amount of time will help to get people on board. You have to ease people into this, and I believe it starts with *vocalizing an agenda, getting buy-in from your officers, and setting expectations with the Lodge Members*.”
This is how I ran Tenino Lodge in 2009. Centralia Lodge in 2017-2018. And the Centralia Temple Board meetings between those dates. And it works, WB Brett.
After your previous meeting, update the agenda accordingly, get the word out to the members (and other Lodges, depending on the information,) and if any have updates or new information, make sure they bring it up to you before the Stated Communication or else it’ll be addressed at the next one. Turnout was good, Brothers learned something, and visitation increased. But subsequent WM’s only communicated with their Brethren at the Stated Communications, and the Lodge attendance declined as the meetings started dragging. Frankly, if I followed a WM who had a winning formula, I’d continue with it or build on it, not return to a formula that doesn’t work.
It's not that hard. Set aside the time. Get things done between the meetings. It’ll clear up a LOT of time for the cool educational presentations or events.
Agreed. Proper agenda building is key. If guys know what is coming they are much more likely to buy in. Too many WM's plan their year as they go and their meeting while it is happening. "Sample Agendas" only add to this problem.
I'm one who believes in keeping meetings short, because of the attention spans that most of us have. Longer than an hour and a half and a lot of guys are lost.
And, I think it can be done. It can be done by handling the business efficiently, by putting some things at the dinner instead (introductions for example) and by not allowing that long discussion on spoons. That allows time for education. And, in my view, by placing education at the start of the meeting, before the business, it keeps those long talks about spoons at bay.
That said, properly done, in my view, a meeting can run longer and still retain attention. But, it has to be properly done. What I mean by that is it needs to be a change. Two hours of straight Masonic business will kill ya. But an hour of business followed by an hour of something a lot different won't.
I hear that quite often from new members entering the craft, usually about a year in. In NC we are required by Code to include Masonic education in the business meeting. That said, defining what that education is, it does not. We have a Masonic education committee with a chair that is charged with providing some topic or paper to present at each lodge meeting and for the most part, it delivers.
What I can say is, this all goes back to planning, and orchestration by the members of the lodge, the primary officers. I keep beating this drum but if the business of the lodge is not laid out with continuity in mind across officer corps changes, and operated accordingly no goal will be accomplished.
So far as a resource there are many online sources, podcast, blogs and books available for research. Some resources are quasi masonic and more mystical than masonic than others. I find that it is best to pair such a brother up with a mentor. That mentor should work with the brother and introduce them to topics, books, sources and thought. I was done as such and found it invaluable. Otherwise, one can be overwhelmed by the tomes of reading, video and literature out there and become confused or overwhelmed. I've also found that unstructured, young masons lacking foundational knowledge will go off on a subject and misinterpret meaning. Mentorship provides structure, a safe place of reflection, conversation and fuel for thought. Out of this, you will see young masons volunteer and bring topics for education.
During my early career in Lodge, as Master, I tried to force the lodge to host education, and speakers. What I found in my old lodge, the one prior to the one I am active in, was an unfortunate hostility to masonic education. Usually, the men who were not open to it were Shriners, and the elderly who really just wanted to eat a meal and go home. Disheartened I almost left the craft. However, after finding my mentor, it changed me. Wo. David L Hargett Jr. introduced me to study, peers who were knowledgeable, research groups and the history of Monroe Masonic lodge. I will forever be indebted to him for the change I discovered within myself and the fraternity.
David never directly answered questions, would always say "what do you think the answer is?" Then he pointed me to a new book only to discover for myself the answer. He was a great guide and mentor. Like Virgil, he guided me out of the pit of despair and in to further light. I first had to wrestle with my expectations and disappointment for those around me before came to the realization that this journey was mine to take.
Once I realized that all of the titles, plaudits, presentations, lapel pins, etc didn't matter, I could move forward. I was really on a journey of self-discovery under the framework of the craft and mentorship of wise men. We are all on that journey. Some of us never quest for more and that's Okay. A quest or a sojourn is one taken best with a guide.
I completely agree with you about the tremendous positive impact good mentorship will have. I was blessed with such as a new Mason. And, when I was moving through the Grand line, I would discuss it with the others. We all had good mentorship as new Masons. That is really telling, to my mind.
One part of good mentorship is, I think, an openness to letting the thing go where the new Mason wants it to go. Both my mentor and I were and are into esoteric aspects of the Craft. But, we quickly discovered that we were into different esoteric aspects of it. He tried to direct me into what he was into. I gave it a whirl, told him that it wasn't really my thing, but that I thought that this other thing was my thing. Instead of giving up or getting frustrated, he found good resources from within the Craft for the thing that I thought was my thing. In that way we grew together. I learned a bit about his thing, and he learned a bit about my thing.
And we still have a really solid relationship today, all these years later.
The Freemason at Work by Harry Carr obtainable from Lewis Masonic in London I found to be very useful in my early years in the Craft. Harry Carr was a Fellow of the American Lodge of Research NY and a Member other Lodges of Research ( Connecticut, Ohio,Oregon, Washington, Victoria B.C. , Quator Coronati Lodge and many other Lodges. A very experienced and learned Brother.
Other publications from Lewis Masonic include papers on the Craft , Royal and others by the V W Bro. the Revd Neville Barker Cryer.
What is essential to pitching Masonic education, but that always goes ignored, is having a specific plan.
When a young Mason speaks for a need for education in the lodge, there is a real risk of different brethren responding with their personal interests. The new Mason might want to know more about the Four Cardinal Virtues, but instead may have to endure yawps on alchemy, Templars, and the like.
Not all education is equal.
For an introduction to a wonderfully wholistic plan for Masonic education, click here:
https://themagpiemason.blogspot.com/2020/08/haywoods-outline-for-masonic-education.html?m=0
Jay
Thanks for the link! The structure will come in handy.
Too bad the link for the National Masonic Research Society is dead.
If we could find that correspondence course from a hundred years ago, we’d have something.
Alas, that is the problem with ephemera. I fear that the same thing will happen with all of today's digital documents, in time.
Thank you for sharing this link, that is really awesome!
As a Mason of 2.5 years, and feel the lack of Masonic education, I'm in the same situation. I've slowly been brining up the topic of education at our General Purpose Meetings, and during one-on-one conversations with a few brethren. So far, no dice.
My next step is to start and organize education sessions and see how that goes. But seeing as I'm not a long term Mason, I hope I'm not the one that has to present. I'm thinking it might be a round table discussion about a specific topic.
As a newer Mason, I started a group called "Degree Club" with the charge to 'Answer the questions you didn't know to ask". Topics ranged from Lodge etiquette, Masonic history, and ritual comprehension. It was interesting, but only lasted six meetings. However, I learned a lot through the experience and helped to shape future ideas that were more successful. Masonry is enjoying a reassurance because Men like you are helping the Fraternity adapt. I would encourage you to attend any Masonic Leadership courses that your Jurisdiction offers. There, you will likely meet like-minded Masons and develop a network to share and create new ideas.
Excellent advice. Finding like minded Masons makes a huge difference.
In my experience, round table style discussions work very well, because no one has to be 'the expert.' The trick, I think, is to actively moderate it, so that everyone feels like they have an opportunity to participate.
>>I think, is to actively moderate it, so that everyone feels like they have an opportunity to participate.
Good point!
I like the shrink the lodge concept I found in Myrtle and Redmond. It seemed to work great.
Yes. I've not seen it done in Redmond, but it has worked great at Myrtle for a long time.
As a member of a Tradional Observance lodge, masonic education is not lacking in our lodge. But that is not really what is at stake in this question. You have a new mason not getting meaning out of his lodge membership. He will stand up in lodge and make his request. The elders will shoot it down by reciting all the other times the lodge tried (insert idea de jour) and it failed. The new mason will feel dejected and start running in to reasons to miss the next Stated. Over time his participation will diminish and all those elders holding officer positions in the lodge will ask, why can't we maintain new members long enough to replace us?
Leadership is the answer. When a lodge has a strong leader, brothers are heard, actions happen and feeling don't get hurt. Successful lodges should by teaching leadership as brothers progress through the chairs so that, by the time a master is elected, he is capable of managing this brother's question without upsetting the lodge.
BTW, I agree with the young brother. If a lodge does not incorporate education into their meetings, it's just a boys club with perhaps a charitable arm. That is something a young man can find anywhere...
A few years back I had an online discussion with a couple of Masons (younger) from Virginia, Florida and Texas (I was in Western Canada). I must say I do agree with the term that was used in a satire of the same name (Past Bastards) that has been taken down and the fellows from Virginia told us they had cordoned off seating in the Northeast corner of the Lodge for Past Masters… they called it The Bullpen and told the occupants that if their opinion was needed they would request it!
I was Secretary/Treasurer of my Lodge in Canada for 14 years… after I stepped down I was requested to do a write up on the 14 WM’s I had served under… I refused that request as I didn’t want to embarrass 11 of them. I have never believed that the SW should decide who the WM will be in 4 years hence! The automatic progression through the chairs is a poor way of doing things and ONLY encourages apron chasers.
I have lived in Mexico for the past 12+ years and it is even dumber down here… if you can believe it, the constitution states (word for word)… Nominations and campaigning are a Masonic offense… believe it or not. I understand campaigning BUT not nominations!
I have thought for years that all the “chairs” such as JS, SS, IG and perhaps even the Deacons be like a “bull pen” and two or three be nominated (based on how they perform and attend) and voted on for JW and perhaps proceed from there… but NOT at the will of the SW!
I can't disagree at all. I don't think that much has done more harm to our Lodges than our slavish devotion to the progressive line.
I see another side to that, from my limited experience in our tiny rural lodge. While we don't have any hard and fast rules about succession (it's hard enough to keep 5-7 regular attendees) as our lodge is growing we seem to be settling into a casual 2 year succession plan. For me this is pretty positive, as it seems to take me about 9 communications to really get my legs under me, so to speak; so the second year requires less focus on just learning the role. The succession plan adds some sense of responsibility to pay attention, get ready to step up... and i don't mind admitting that I look forward to the day when I'm ready for the next job!
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that the progressive line is always bad. It can be a good path to learn Lodge Leadership. It sounds like your Lodge is doing it well.
But, it can also be dreadfully harmful, if a Lodge is so devoted to it that they will install a WM, just because it is 'his turn' even when they all know that he is horribly unsuited to the roll. I've seen that happen many times. And unfortunately, a single unsuitable WM can destroy the good work of many years, can indeed completely destroy a Lodge.
>>>But that is not really what is at stake in this question. You have a new mason not getting >>>meaning out of his lodge membership.
Yes, this is exactly correct. And it is something that we must overcome if we are to have thriving Lodges.
I agree with what is being said here
Please take a look at this publication. Besides being a Past Master of Everett Lodge No. 137, I am a Past Master of Webster NY Lodge No. 538. This could be a good source for Masonic Education?
***** The 24 Inch Gauge - Masonic Resource Guide
Thank you. I found it here:
https://www.lulu.com/shop/john-zabel/24-inch-gauge/paperback/product-k777zj.html?srsltid=AfmBOopXtzN8cBUtPrY8spq2XbqEN9pLbcddW2HHdsHJaSpXAEKKcSJi&page=1&pageSize=4
For the past several yesrs my Lodge (Mississauga Lodge No.524 G.R.C.) has included a brief piece of Masonic Education at EVERY meeting. Usually at our Emergent Meetings, when we had no degree work, the education would be a bit longer and guest soeakers were invited to address us. It was quite well received and our newly installed WM has indicated that he will continue this concept.
Hello Andy,
You aren't too far from me. I'm at Belleville Moira #11.
So you have scheduled emergent meetings without scheduled degree work? Interesting if that's the case. We typically only have them for degree work.
Years ago the Lodge in my hometown would call what we refer to as a Special Meeting on every 5th Monday specifically for a significant educational program. Another area Lodge would do this every month.
Both Lodges lost members when these (and other activities) were not supported by incoming WM's.
This is at the heart of our very survival. The question mostly answers itself -- if old timers don't allow things new members want, they are killing the Lodge and rejecting new Brothers.
Exactly. Not providing what newer Masons say they want is the death knell of a Lodge.
Great topic! We have Masonic education at 8 of our 10 meetings a year. No more than 30 mins with discussion to follow. We only do 2 degree nights a year so we can have more education. All EAs & FCs must present a lecture on their topic of choice as part of their degree work. For new Brothers, it's a chance at public speaking and learning about the Craft.
Is you're lodge an observant one?
Not sure what you mean by observant, we may have a different term in our jurisdiction in Canada.
My Lodge is Belleville Moira #11 in Ontario.
From my experience, I haven't seen EAs & FCs present a lecture unless it's at a observant lodge. One example would be Templum Fidelis #746 in Bath Ontario.
Ah, yes, there is one lodge in Nova Scotia that would be described as an "observant" lodge, Sophia Perennis #139, but we don't call it "observant" in NS. Not sure why. It's a lovely Lodge to attend. My Lodge, Ad Astra #130 is the last military lodge in Atlantic Canada, founded by RCAF members in 1959. Funny thing is, we have more RCN (Navy) than Air Force members today! We are the only non-military organisation in Canada allowed to use the RCAF roundel on our aprons. https://www.nsmasons.ca/lodges/sophiaperennis139
>>>We are the only non-military organisation in Canada allowed to use >>>the RCAF roundel on our aprons.
That is quite an honor!
Lodges that require EA's and FC's to present a paper or a lecture in order to advance are quite rare in my corner of the world, but not unheard of. I think we would be very well served if we were to adopt this practice more widely. It provides the education that so many Brothers are craving, and makes the prospect of providing it much less nerve-wracking.
Speaking specifically to the question of ‘how’ to bring up new ideas, Lodges should consider formally appointing a Mentor for each new Mason and make them responsible for their development in the Craft as well as receptive to their wants and desires from it. Masonic Mentorship has a funny way of lasting long after a Brother is raised, and thus provides a true and trusty outlet for these types of concerns.
The Mason and the Mentor should be in communication with the Master on both points. By furnishing a Mentor, we not only provide our new Brother with a ready resource for Masonic knowledge, but with an effective advocate for good ideas.
The axiom “The squeaky wheel gets the grease” is true, because one doesn’t want ‘the wheel’ to fall off, and is thus compelled to act. Oh, how sweet and harmonious the sound of a squeak from a Past Master! One who can strike just the right chord to be effective and heard. Unfortunately, the trail of Masonry is littered with wheels that gave unheard squeaks and never returned to Lodge; Brothers whose expectations and desires were not met. We should be responsive to critical comments from our newer Masons, even if they’re sometimes ‘off key’.
However, bringing suggested changes to a Lodge’ s program during the meeting and without the Master’s prior knowledge would most definitely be ‘off key’. Any open criticism about the Lodge program, especially during a meeting, is overt criticism of the Master’s performance – during his performance. This should not deter a newer Mason from having criticisms or seeking change. Instead, suggest changes through more effective means.
>>>Lodges should consider formally appointing a Mentor for each new Mason and make >>>them responsible for their development in the Craft
I agree, 100%. When I became a Mason the Lodge appointed Andre Dewald as my mentor, and he and I have grown together in Masonry for a great many years now. It's a lifelong relationship.
>>>However, bringing suggested changes to a Lodge’ s program during the meeting and >>>without the Master’s prior knowledge would most definitely be ‘off key’.
I can see where it could tend to get hackles up. Sometimes that is required, but usually not.
Instead of asking, there is an opportunity for a brother to establish education in the lodge - if the WM isn't a complete jerk and gavels it down. When the WM asks "Does anyone have anything to offer for the good of masonry or this lodge in particular", the brother can simply stand up and respond with some good ol' education. I'd start off slow, maybe a presentation that is only a minute or so, but month after month, make it more deeper subjects.
"Do, or do not, there is no try"
--Master Yoda.
Agreed. This is an excellent way to start it out when faced with non-interest or non-cooperation. A WM would have no cause to object.
As odd as it may sound to some, I find the only true opposition to Masonic education in lodge is the time it takes. I know very well respected Freemasons in our Jurisdiction who have done quite amazing things for the craft and have impressive resumes as Freemasons, but when it comes to what happens in a Lodge, they caution the 'youngsters' to limit in-lodge to 1 hour and 20 minutes.
As someone who has seen and created a lot of agendas for Lodges, I cannot help but notice that going through opening, closing, treasurer/secretary reports, old business, and new business, that will get almost all lodges to an hour or more... and that is if everything is going quick and no one wants to stand up to declare that someone purchased spoons on the junior warden's budget rather than the temple board budget...
My point is that when you add 20 minutes of Education to an agenda, there will inevitably be setup for a presentation, and discussion that should happen with it, and once you start to hit the 2 hour mark at a stated meeting, you will get vocal complaints from a subset of Masons regardless of topic or engagement.
In my opinion, planning an agenda and warning Masons ahead of time that this will be a meeting that will last a scheduled amount of time will help to get people on board. You have to ease people into this, and I believe it starts with vocalizing an agenda, getting buy-in from your officers, and setting expectations with the Lodge Members.
...and if someone wants to aggressively discuss which budget spoons should be purchased on, just do everyone a favor and make that person the head of a committee to investigate the answer and report back to the lodge at a later time.
My solution is to throw out everything not needed in a stated meeting. Biggest time wasters are introductions and announcements. Another key is...know thy ritual. You should be able to open and close a meeting efficiently when you know the work. My current record for a stated meeting - with education (five minutes) - is 37 minutes from gavel drop to gavel drop.
It can be done.
If you have a lot of business scheduled for one meeting, find parts that can be tabled until the next month. We're not curing cancer here. Yes, some business, according to either bylaws or the jurisdictional laws, have to be done some months. Work around them.
And yes, assigning committees to argue about spoon purchases is the right way to resolve that problem.
Agreed. Unless the fellow is the GM or the DDGM on his Official Visit, introductions are best done at dinner. If they are done at all. I'm rather in the let's skip em altogether camp.
Announcements are terrible. No one has time to write down whatever the announcer guy is saying. Get a bulletin board, put it in the Tyler's room, and ask that announcements be posted.
Same with the minutes. Reading the damn things word for word? Insane. Post them on the bulletin board.
Communications and bills. Yep, post those too.
Now we've just cut 20 minutes out of the meeting, and importantly 20 minutes that almost every Mason dreads.
“In my opinion, planning an agenda and warning Masons ahead of time that this will be a meeting that will last a scheduled amount of time will help to get people on board. You have to ease people into this, and I believe it starts with *vocalizing an agenda, getting buy-in from your officers, and setting expectations with the Lodge Members*.”
This is how I ran Tenino Lodge in 2009. Centralia Lodge in 2017-2018. And the Centralia Temple Board meetings between those dates. And it works, WB Brett.
After your previous meeting, update the agenda accordingly, get the word out to the members (and other Lodges, depending on the information,) and if any have updates or new information, make sure they bring it up to you before the Stated Communication or else it’ll be addressed at the next one. Turnout was good, Brothers learned something, and visitation increased. But subsequent WM’s only communicated with their Brethren at the Stated Communications, and the Lodge attendance declined as the meetings started dragging. Frankly, if I followed a WM who had a winning formula, I’d continue with it or build on it, not return to a formula that doesn’t work.
It's not that hard. Set aside the time. Get things done between the meetings. It’ll clear up a LOT of time for the cool educational presentations or events.
Agreed. Proper agenda building is key. If guys know what is coming they are much more likely to buy in. Too many WM's plan their year as they go and their meeting while it is happening. "Sample Agendas" only add to this problem.
I'm one who believes in keeping meetings short, because of the attention spans that most of us have. Longer than an hour and a half and a lot of guys are lost.
And, I think it can be done. It can be done by handling the business efficiently, by putting some things at the dinner instead (introductions for example) and by not allowing that long discussion on spoons. That allows time for education. And, in my view, by placing education at the start of the meeting, before the business, it keeps those long talks about spoons at bay.
That said, properly done, in my view, a meeting can run longer and still retain attention. But, it has to be properly done. What I mean by that is it needs to be a change. Two hours of straight Masonic business will kill ya. But an hour of business followed by an hour of something a lot different won't.
I hear that quite often from new members entering the craft, usually about a year in. In NC we are required by Code to include Masonic education in the business meeting. That said, defining what that education is, it does not. We have a Masonic education committee with a chair that is charged with providing some topic or paper to present at each lodge meeting and for the most part, it delivers.
What I can say is, this all goes back to planning, and orchestration by the members of the lodge, the primary officers. I keep beating this drum but if the business of the lodge is not laid out with continuity in mind across officer corps changes, and operated accordingly no goal will be accomplished.
So far as a resource there are many online sources, podcast, blogs and books available for research. Some resources are quasi masonic and more mystical than masonic than others. I find that it is best to pair such a brother up with a mentor. That mentor should work with the brother and introduce them to topics, books, sources and thought. I was done as such and found it invaluable. Otherwise, one can be overwhelmed by the tomes of reading, video and literature out there and become confused or overwhelmed. I've also found that unstructured, young masons lacking foundational knowledge will go off on a subject and misinterpret meaning. Mentorship provides structure, a safe place of reflection, conversation and fuel for thought. Out of this, you will see young masons volunteer and bring topics for education.
During my early career in Lodge, as Master, I tried to force the lodge to host education, and speakers. What I found in my old lodge, the one prior to the one I am active in, was an unfortunate hostility to masonic education. Usually, the men who were not open to it were Shriners, and the elderly who really just wanted to eat a meal and go home. Disheartened I almost left the craft. However, after finding my mentor, it changed me. Wo. David L Hargett Jr. introduced me to study, peers who were knowledgeable, research groups and the history of Monroe Masonic lodge. I will forever be indebted to him for the change I discovered within myself and the fraternity.
David never directly answered questions, would always say "what do you think the answer is?" Then he pointed me to a new book only to discover for myself the answer. He was a great guide and mentor. Like Virgil, he guided me out of the pit of despair and in to further light. I first had to wrestle with my expectations and disappointment for those around me before came to the realization that this journey was mine to take.
Once I realized that all of the titles, plaudits, presentations, lapel pins, etc didn't matter, I could move forward. I was really on a journey of self-discovery under the framework of the craft and mentorship of wise men. We are all on that journey. Some of us never quest for more and that's Okay. A quest or a sojourn is one taken best with a guide.
I completely agree with you about the tremendous positive impact good mentorship will have. I was blessed with such as a new Mason. And, when I was moving through the Grand line, I would discuss it with the others. We all had good mentorship as new Masons. That is really telling, to my mind.
One part of good mentorship is, I think, an openness to letting the thing go where the new Mason wants it to go. Both my mentor and I were and are into esoteric aspects of the Craft. But, we quickly discovered that we were into different esoteric aspects of it. He tried to direct me into what he was into. I gave it a whirl, told him that it wasn't really my thing, but that I thought that this other thing was my thing. Instead of giving up or getting frustrated, he found good resources from within the Craft for the thing that I thought was my thing. In that way we grew together. I learned a bit about his thing, and he learned a bit about my thing.
And we still have a really solid relationship today, all these years later.
The Freemason at Work by Harry Carr obtainable from Lewis Masonic in London I found to be very useful in my early years in the Craft. Harry Carr was a Fellow of the American Lodge of Research NY and a Member other Lodges of Research ( Connecticut, Ohio,Oregon, Washington, Victoria B.C. , Quator Coronati Lodge and many other Lodges. A very experienced and learned Brother.
Other publications from Lewis Masonic include papers on the Craft , Royal and others by the V W Bro. the Revd Neville Barker Cryer.
Thank you for this recommendation! I've not read it, but look forward to doing so.
From Lewis Masonic:
https://www.lewismasonic.co.uk/the-freemason-at-work-the-definitive-guide-to-craft-freemasonry-paperback-.htm
If you are in the US, and don't want to order it internationally:
https://www.macoy.com/Masonic-Bible-Masonic-Books/Lewis-Masonic-Books/The-Freemason-at-Work-8995.aspx
If you are an Amazon junkie:
https://www.amazon.com/Freemason-At-Work-Harry-Carr/dp/0853181896