ALBERTA WORKSHOP BANFF
APRIL 19, 20, 21, 1991
Dr. W.R. Pellow
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO INCREASE YOUR MASONIC LODGE ATTENDANCE AND
YOUR LODGE MEMBERSHIP BY 50%? STARTING NOW!
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE YOUR MASONIC LODGE, YOUR MASONIC
FRATERNITY REGAIN THE SELF RESPECT, THE INTEREST, THE HONOUR AND
THE ELEVATED COMMUNITY IMAGE YOU ONCE THOUGHT IT POSSESSED?
WE ARE HERE TO "GRAB THE FUTURE" - BUT WHEN?..... APRIL 19-20th?,
MAY 1991?, SOMETIME IN 1992?, OR PERHAPS YOU ARE CONSIDERING THE
YEAR 2000 - THE TURN OF THE CENTURY??
I BELIEVE WE ARE HERE TODAY PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE. TODAY IS THE
FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF YOUR LIFE AND TUE ONLY DAY YOU CAN REALLY
COUNT ON.
YESTERDAY IS HISTORY. WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY IS WATER UNDER THE
BRIDGE. THE EVENTS THAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY CANNOT BE REWORKED OR
REMOULDED. IF PROGRESS WAS EXPERIENCED IN YOUR LIFE - WITHIN YOUR
SPHERE OF EXISTENCE, YESTERDAY THAT IS TREMENDOUS! ON THE OTHER
HAND, IF IT WAS A BAD DAY, FULL OF REVERSES, PITFALLS AND
NEGATIVISMS -- THEN FORGET IT. "THERE IS NO USE SAWING SAWDUST."
YOU ARE ONLY WORRYING, FRETTING AND CONSUMING VALUABLE ENERGY AND
VALUABLE TIME THAT YOU COULD BE UTILIZING TODAY TO MAKE THI S DAY
ONE OF YOUR MOST PRODUCTIVE, ONE OF THE BEST DAYS IN YOUR WHOLE
LIFE!
WELL, WHAT ABOUT TOMORROW??
WE ARE HERE TO "GRAB THE FUTURE" -- WHAT ABOUT THE FUTURE?
IF YOU THINK YOU CAN STEP INTO THE FUTURE FROM WHERE YOU ARE
SITTING -- IF YOU THINK YOU CAN FORSEE THE FUTURE FROM WHERE YOU
ARE LOOKING -- IF YOU THINK YOU CAN HEAR FUTURISTIC EVENTS FROM
WHERE YOU ARE LISTENING ----- THEN YOU REALLY ARE A MASON
EXTRAORDINAIRE! AND YOU ARE REALLY WASTING YOUR TIME ATTENDING THIS
SEMINAR. WE ARE ALL CLAIRVOYANTS; HOWEVER:
THERE IS ONE SURE THING WE CAN DO - TODAY. TODAY WE CAN ORGANIZE
OUR THOUGHTS, FORMULATE PLANS, ACTIVATE THESE PLANS AND SET UP AN
ORGANIZATIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SCHEME THAT WTLL HAVE A FANTASTIC
BEARING ON "GRABBING THE FUTURE".
TODAY, MY BRETHREN, WE CAN DISPELL, DISCOURAGE AND IRRADICATE
LETHARGY, COMPLACENCY AND APATHY WITHIN MASONRY AND WITHIN
OURSELVES. WE CAN EXCHANGE THESE INFECTIOUS SORES, THESE BLIGHTS
ON MASONRY WTTH ENTHUSIASM, MOTIVATIOM, PROGRESSIVE AND POSITIVE
IDEAS THAT WILL LEAD TO A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSTON TO THOSE IDEALS WE
ALL DREAM ABOUT!
IN THIS MASONIC SEMINAR, I WILL ADDRESS "GRABBING THE FUTURE" IN
TWO COMPONENTS. TODAY WE WILL FIRST TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT WE POSSESS
IN MASONRY WITHIN OUR ORGANIZATIONAL FRAMEWORK AND WHAT WE MAY DO
TO ENHANCE OUR POSITION INTERNALLY. TOMORROW I WILL ADDRESS THE
EXTERNAL PRESSURES, THE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND PSYCHOLOGICAL
ENVIRONMENTS THAT WEIGH HEAVILY ON OUR EXISTENCE, ON OUR VERY
SURVIVAL AS ONE OF THE OLDEST, LARGEST AND MOST BEAUTIFUL
FRATERNITIES IN THE WORLD.
I, LIKE MANY OF YOU IN THIS GATHERING OF MASONS, AM EXPERIENCING A
"PHASE" IN MY LTFE. I CALL IT "MALE MENOPAUSE", NOTHING, TO DO WITH
FEMALE MENOPAUSE. THERE ARE NO HOT FLASHES OR CONCERNS OVER THE
CESSATION OF CHILD BEARING -- MANY OF YOU HAVE ALREADY PASSED
THROUGH THTS PHASE, MANY OF YOU SHARE IT NOW WTTH ME -- ALL OTHERS
HAVE TT TO LOOK FORWARD TO. IT IS A PHASE OF ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENTS.
IN MY 30's, 40's AND 50's I NEVER FOR A MOMENT CONSIDERED MY AGE AS
A FACTOR IN ANYTHING I DID. NOW -- I AM BEING RE MINDED CONSTANTLY
THAT I AM A SENIOR CITIZEN AND OF COURSE I DO REAP THE LIMITED
BENEFITS -- THE DISCOUNTS AT THE THEATRES, ON PUBLIC
TRANSPORTATION, AT MY PHOTOGRAPHTC STORE. THEY HAVE A PROMOTIONAL
GIMMICK THAT IF YOU WERE BORN BEFORE THE CHAIN OF STORES WERE
INAUGURATED, YOU QUALIFY FOR A 15% DISCOUNT. I QUALIFY. WHAT
BEARING HAS THIS ON MY MASONIC ENDEAVOURS, MY MASONIC INVOLVEMENTS?
STEP BACK IN TIME:
REMEMBER WHEN YOU WERE A YOUNG MASON -- YOU LOOKED WITH ADMIRATION
TO YOUR ELDER BRETHREN FOR COUNSEL, GUIDANCE AND AUTHORITATIVE
JUDGEMENT. THE OLDER MEMBERS SEEMED TO KNOW ALL THE ANSWERS. THEY
SAID THEY KNEW THE BOOK OF CONSTITUTION FROM COVER TO COVER AND
THEY STOOD FIRM ON THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND CONVICTIONS. BUT THEY
DIDN'T. THEY SAID THEY KNEW THE OLD TRADITIONS, THE INTRACACIES OF
LODGE FINANCES, THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE WORK, THE RITUAL, THE
RULES OF ORDER AND THE COMPLEXITIES OF LODGE BUSINESS. AS I REFLECT
NOW -- DID THEY KNOW IT ALL? THEY DIDN'T. YOU MAY RECALL WHEN YOU
ATTEMPTED TO INTERCEDE, THE GREAT PRONOUNCEMENTS OF WISDOM WERE
UTTERED WITH DIRECTION.
YOU CAN NOT CHANGE ANYTHING
THIS, MY BRETHREN, IS OUR GREATEST INTERNAL HAZARDS IN MASONRY
TODAY. WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FORMATION OF KNOW-IT-ALL MASONS
AND THE INNATE FEAR OF CHANGE THAT BREEDS WITHIN THEM. ANY CHANGE.
CHANGE
MARK THIS WELL, AND CHISEL IT INTO YOUR MEMORY BANK NOW CHANGE IS
INEVITABLE IF WE ARE TO SURVIVE, IF WE ARE TO LOOM INTO THE 21st
CENTURY -- IF WE ARE TO STEADILY PROGRESS WITH SUCCESS IN THIS
TECHNOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF COMPUTERIZATION, ELECTRONIC MEDIA, WITH
ALL THE ALTERNATIVE INTERESTS AND PRESSURES THAT CONSTANTLY
CHALLENGE US DAILY FOR A PORTION OF OUR VALUABLE FREE TIME. IF WE
ARE NOT AMENABLE TO CHANGE, WE WILL MOST ASSUREDLY GO THE WAY OF
THE POCKET WATCH, THE COPPER BOILER OR THE FLAT IRON.
IT IS NO SECRET MASONRY CONSTANTLY NEEDS NEW CANDIDATES TO
PERPETUATE -- YOUNG, ENERGETIC, OPEN MINDED CANDIDATES, INTERESTED
CANDIDATES AND THOSE INTERESTS MUST BE MAINTAINED AND SUSTAINED. I
CAUTION YOU GOLDEN SENIOR CITIZENS, YOU "OLD" PAST MASTERS DON'T
STIFLE THE ENTHUSIASM OF YOUTH. IF THEY SPEAK, YOU LISTEN.
IT IS POSSIBLE TO PERMIT CHANGE IN MASONRY. NOT CHANGE FOR CHANGES
SAKE, BUT RATHER CHANGE FOR PROGRESSION AND CHANGE FOR ADVANCEMENT.
CHANGE FOR EFFICIENCY AND FOR DYNAMICS. MANY OF OUR YOUNG MASONS
HAVE EXCELLENT IDEAS BUBBLING IN THEIR CAULDRONS -- LOOSEN THEIR
REINS A LITTLE AND LET THEM RUN"!
WE ARE HERE TODAY TO EXCHANGE SOME IDEAS. IF YOU COULD, WHAT IDEAS,
WHAT PLANS, WOULD YOU INTEGRATE INTO YOUR LODGE TO IMPROVE THE
ORGANIZATION AND THE ADMINISTRATION TO CREATE AND STIMULATE
INTEREST, ENTHUSIASM AND EXCITEMENT? WELL, LET'S START SOMEWHERE.
LET US START WITH THE LODGE SECRETARY AS HE SITS AT HIS CLUTTERED,
DUSTY OLD DESK WITH THE LITTLE BRASS LAMP WITH THE GREEN SHADE.
HE HAS BEEN FAITHFULLY SITTING AT HIS STATION EVERY LODGE MEETING
FOR THE PAST FORTY YEARS ... AND I MEAN FAITHFULLY. SOMEHOW HE HAS
CONTROL OF THE LODGE SUMMONS PRODUCTION AND DELIVERY. THE SUMMONS
HAS THE SAME FORMAT NOW AS IT DID IN 1950 WHEN HE ENTERED OFFICE
AND HE COPIED THIS FORMAT FROM HIS PREDECESSOR.
NOW, HE DOESN'T READ ALL THE CORRESPONDENCE -- SOME OF IT IS TOO
LONG SO HE ONLY READS THOSE PARAGRAPHS HE FEELS ARE IMPORTANT.
SECONDLY, HE HORDES ALL THE DISTRICT AND LOCAL MASONIC SUMMONS',
NEWSLETTERS, PERIODICALS, JOURNALS, AND COMMUNICATIONS ADDRESSED TO
THE LODGE IN HIS LITTLE SUITCASE, THE CASE HE OPENS TO TAKE OUT A
PIECE OF PAPER THEN SHUTS IT AGAIN, THE CASE HE TRANSPORTS FROM
HOME TO LODGE AND THEN FROM LODGE TO HOME. THE MEMBERS NEVER GET A
CHANCE TO PEEK INSIDE THIS CASE. MY, WHAT A STOREHOU SE OF SECRETS
AND INFORMATION HE CARRIES IN HIS LTTTLE SUITCASE!
NO, HE WOULDN'T CHANGE FROM THE SMALLER NO. 6 ENVELOPE TO A
COMMERCIAL NO. 10 ENVELOPE. HE LIKES TO FOLD THE SUMMONS THREE
TIMES TO SQUEEZE IT IN. WHY SHOULD ANY LODGE USE PASTEL COLOURED
ENVELOPES AND LETTERHEAD? THAT'S RIDICULOUS! NO SIR, WHTTE IS
CLASSIC AND IT WILL REMAIN SO! THE PRINTING MUST BE DONE WITH BLUE
INK. BLUE IS THE COLOUR OF CRAFT MASONRY (IT MATCHES THE PLYWOOD
ON THE BOARDED UP WINDOWS).
HE HAS NEVER MISSED A MEETING IN 40 YEARS AND DOES NOT EXPECT TO
MISS ONE AS LONG AS HE HOLDS OFFICE.
WHO NEEDS AN ASSISTANT SECRETARY? NOT ME -- THESE YOUNG BUCKS WANT
TO PUT OUR MEMBERSHIP ON COMPUTERS TO BE COMPATlBLE WITH GRAND
LODGE. WHY DOES MY LODGE HAVE TO BE COMPATIBLE WTTH GRAND LODGE??
EVERYTHING IS GOING ALONG JUST FINE. THIS LODGE CANNOT AFFORD
THESE FANDANGLED CONTRAPTIONS ANYWAY!
SMILE -- I"M SURE YOU HAVE HEARD THESE WORDS OFT REAPETED!! SO,
WE MOVE FROM CHANGE TO PARTICIPATION IN LODGE WORK.
LET'S GET OFF THE SECRETARIES BACK AND SCRUTINTZE THE PAST MASTERS
OF THE LODGE. WHAT IS THE SCENARIO IN YOUR LODGE WHEN YOU HAVE
DEGREES TO PUT ON OR AN INSTALLATTON TO CONDUCT? THEY ARE HUDDLED
TOGETHER IN SMALL GROUPS OF THREE OR FOUR TALKING AND LAUGHING. I
KNOW THE VISITOR SITTING ALONE WOULD LIKE TO JOIN IN ON THE
ENTERTAINMENT BUT HE ATTENDS TO HIS GOOD MANNERS AND HE SITS ALONE.
AND, WHO WILL DO THE WORK FOR THE EVENING? -- OH, THE SAME OLD
GROUP. R.W. BRO. JOHN DOE HAS BEEN DOING THE FINAL CHARG E FOR THE
PAST 26 YEARS, HE IS GOOD, PROJECTS WELL, KNOWS THE WORDS. IT WOULD
BE EMBARASSING TO ASK ANYONE ELSE TO DO THE FINAL CHARGE. IF BRO.
DOE WASN'T ASKED, HE PROBABLY WOULD NEVER ATTEND LODGE AGAIN!! V.W.
BRO. SAM SMITH ALWAYS DOES THE WORKING TOOLS IN THE SECOND DEGREE
AND W. BRO. PATRICK HENRY ALWAYS DOES THE APRON CHARGE. THE
WORSHIPFUL MASTER NEVER HAS TO ORGANIZE ANYTHING, THE WORK IS ALL
COVERED AGAIN FOR THIS LODGE MEETING. THAT DOES N'T LEAVE ANYTHING
FOR THE YOUNGER MASONS TO WORRY ABOUT. THEY CAN JUST COME TO
LODGE, SIT AND LISTEN TO THESE ARTISTS OF THE RITUAL!
IF YOU FAIL TO HAVE A BROTHER PARTICIPATE IN LODGE ACTIVITIES OR
LODGE FUNCTIONS, YOUR LODGE WILL NOT GROW -- BUT FALL APART.
GET AS MANY INVOLVED IN THE RITUAL AND THE BUSINESS MEETING AS
POSSIBLE. BREAK UP THE LONG SECTIONS INTO TWO OR THREE PARTS.
DELEGATE.
FORM NEW MEANINGFUL, JOB ORIENTED COMMITTEES IN YOUR LODGE. GET
ALL MASONS INVOLVED. MAKE THEM FEEL THEY BELONG!!
WHAT ABOUT A RECEPTION COMMITTEE - FRONT DOOR GREETERS. ONE NEW
MASON, ONE SENIOR MEMBER -- THERE ARE A DOZEN EXCELLENT REASONS HOW
THEY COULD ASSIST THE W.M. ON LODGE NIGHT, AND ENCOURAGE STRONG
FRATERNAL BONDING.
I RECENTLY SAW A LODGE ROOM PACKED BECAUSE A W.M. STARTED A P.F.I.
COMMITTEE (ie) "PHONE FOR INFORMATION". SELECTED MEMBERS WERE
GIVEN NAMES, ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF 5 OR 6 MEMBERS.
THEY WERE TO CONTACT THESE MEMBERS, INVITE THEM TO ATTEND LODGE AND
EACH REPORTED TO THE LODGE THE RESULTS OF THE CONTACTS MADE.
DOES YOUR LODGE HAVE A BUILDING COMMITTEE? BUILDING COMMITTEES
SHOULD BE DIVIDED INTO TWO PARTS: (A) INTERNAL, (B) EXTERNAL --
EACH WITH A COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN. THE INTERNAL BUILDING CHAIRMAN
WOULD OVERSEE THE INTERIOR OF THE BUILDING. HOW OFTEN HAVE YOU
BEEN APPALLED AT THE LIBRARY OF A LODGE? A DISARRAY OF BOOKS NOT
ORGANIZED OR CATALOGUED IN A CUPBOARD WITH DIRTY GLASS DOORS -- AND
WHAT IMPRESSION DID YOU MAKE OF YOUR MASONIC HOME WHEN YOU WERE
ESCORTED INTO THE CANDIDATE PREPARATORY ROOM?? WOW! I WONDER WHY
THEY DIDN'T ADD A LITTLE CARPET TO THE FLOOR, HAVE A COMFORTABLE
CHAIR TO SIT ON, A LAMP AND A FEW CURRENT MAGAZINES -- MAYBE A
MIRROR, A COMB, OR SOME SPRAY DEODORANT, EVEN A COAT HANGER TO HANG
UP MY GOOD SUIT? WHY WERE THE OLD FLOOR MOPS AND SCRUB PAILS,
STACKS OF APRON CASES AND VACUUM CLEANER, SHOVED OFF IN THE
CORNER??
I WAS LUCKY I CIRCUMVENTED MY FIRST IMPRESSIONS. LET'S TALK ABOUT
THE EXTERIOR OF THE LODGE TOMORROW!
WHEN COMMITTEES SERVE, THE CHAIRMAN WILL POST THE DUTY ROSTER ON
THE LODGE BULLETIN BOARD ON A 12 MONTH SCHEDULE.
WHAT!! YOU DON'T HAVE A BULLETIN BOARD?!
NO WONDER THE SECRETARY KEEPS ALL HIS INFORMATION IN HIS BRIEFCASE.
NO WONDER I CAN'T RECALL WHO IS SICK OR WHERE THEY ARE LOCATED OR
IF THEY CAN RECEIVE VISITORS -- I DIDN'T CATCH THE ROOM NUMBER AND
I COULD NOT GET MY PEN OUT FAST ENOUGH TO WRITE THE INFORMATION
DOWN IN LODGE.
WHERE SHOULD THE BULLETIN BOARD BE LOCATED? MOST IMPORTANT, WHO HAS
THE RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP IT CURRENT AND PLEASANTLY ARRANGED?
ANOTHER JOB FOR ANOTHER MEMBER. AMAZING!! HOW DID WE DO WITHOUT
ONE??!
WHAT DID I HEAR YOU SAY ABOUT FLAGS - IN THE EAST - ONE CANADIAN
AND A PROVINCIAL FLAG? ARE YOU SUGGESTING WE BUY AN AMERICAN FLAG
IN RESPECT FOR THE TWO OR THREE AMERICAN MASONS THAT VISIT OUR
LODGE EACH MONTH? WHO NEEDS ALL THIS CLUTTER, AND FLAGS ARE
EXPENSIVE. I CAN THINK OF BETTER PLACES TO SPEND THE LODGE'S
MONEY. HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF. THE OLD ARGUMENTS ARE WEARING OUT.
IT CAN'T BE DONE -- IT WON'T WORK.
LET'S MOVE ON TO COMMUNICATIONS AND LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT OUR MOST
IMPORTANT LODGE SUMMONS. THIS MONTHLY INFORMATION SOURCE COMES IN
VARIOUS FORMS AND IN DIVERSE QUALITY. SOME ARE EXCELLENT. SOME
ARE GOOD. SEVERAL LACK INTEREST, SPACE AND INAUGURATION. MANY
LACK EXCITEMENT.
THE SUMMONS REVEALS THE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF THE LODGE. IN
THIS JURISDICTION, BY CONSTITUTION, IS YOUR W.M. RESPONSIBLE FOR
ITS CONTENT AND THE SECRETARY FOR ITS DISTRIBUTION? DOES ECONOMICS
INFLUENCE ITS PRINT, FORMAT, DESIGN, COLOUR AND SIZE?
IF IT'S COST, WHY NOT APPROACH 10 AFFLUENT, INTERESTED MEMBERS TO
DEFRAY THE COST FOR I MONTH EACH AND EXPERIMENT WTTH SOME CHANGES
IN YOUR LODGE SUMMONS NOW!
CHANGE THE SUMMONS?? -- NEVER!!
THE SUMMONS IS TANTAMOUNT TO MOTHERHOOD. WHAT SIZE DOES YOUR LODGE
USE NOW? WHY NOT USE STANDARD PAPER SIZES -- CHEAPEST WAY TO GO.
WHY NOT 14 INCH PAPER (CUT FROM 8 1/2 TO 6 INCH TO FIT IN YOUR COAT
POCKET)? THAT GIVES A THREE-FOLD NOTICE.
WHAT ABOUT THE OUTSIDE OF THE SUMMONS? SOME LODGES PRINT THE
OUTSIDE FOR THE ENTTRE YEAR COMMENCING JANUARY ONE. ISN'T THAT
EXCITING??? THE SAME REPETITIVE COVER TO LOOK AT ALL YEAR. IN SOME
LODGES, THE FRONT PAGE OF THE SUMMONS HASN'T CHANGED IN STYLE FOR
50 YEARS!
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU REALLY SCRUTINIZED YOUR LODGE SUMMONS?
HOW ABOUT GRABBING A LITTLE OF THE FUTURE! WHAT ABOUT A NEW CREST -
NEW GRAPHICS - NEW DESIGN. WHAT ABOUT A HARVEST SCENE. HERE WE
ARE IN ALBERTA -- WHY NOT THE BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAINS, LAKE LOUISE --
WHAT ABOUT AN OIL SCENE, DOWNTOWN CALGARY. THE POSSIBILITIES ARE
ENDLESS! SHOW YOUR LODGE BRETHREN YOU HAVEN'T A STAGNANT MIND.
HONOUR YOUR MOST RESPECTED MEMBER WITH HIS PICTURE ON THE FRONT
COVER. THE COST IS PROHIBITIVE YOU SAY?? I PITY YOUR THINKING IF
THIS IS YOUR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION. I PITY YOUR LODGE. A
PRINTER USING MODERN SCREENING PROCESSES CAN CHANGE THE FRONT COVER
FOR APPROXIMATELY $25-00. WHY NOT SPRUCE UP YOUR SUMMONS?! SEEK
PROFESSIONAL AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. EXPLORE INNOVATIVE IDEAS.
CAUTION: DON'T CLUTTER UP THE FRONT COVER -- KEEP IT SIMPLE: THE
LODGE NAME, NUMBER, ADDRESS, THE WORSHIPFUL MASTERS NAME, ADDRESS
AND POSSIBLY THE NEW GRAPHICS OR YOUR SELECTED MONTHLY AREA SCENE.
I RECOMMEND 7 PERMANENT NAMES AND ADDRESSES:
THE G.M. THE D.G.M. THE G. SECT'Y THE D.D.G.M. THE DIST. SECT'Y
THE W.M. OF THE LODGE THE SECT'Y OF THE LODGE.
WHY ADD THE D.G.M. AND THE DIST. SECT'Y? THE MEMBERSHIP SHOULD BE
COGNIZANT OF WHO THE NEXT G.M. WILL BE AND SOME MEMBERS DON'T KNOW.
AND THE DIST. SECT'Y IS THE LIASON PERSON TO THE D.D.G.M.
IF THE LODGE HAS A COMMITTEE SYSTEM, THEN WHY NOT LIST THE
COMMITTEE MEMBERS? -- THE CHAIRMAN AND, ABOVE ALL, THE TELEPHONE
NUMBER OF THE CHAIRMAN. HOW ELSE CAN YOU COMMUNICATE WITH THE MAN
IN CHARGE?
I HAVE SEEN 2 1/2 PAGES OF DECEASED P.M.'s LISTED ON LODGE NOTICES.
WHAT A WASTE OF VALUABLE SPACE. IS THERE A CORRECT WAY TO
ABBREVIATE MASONIC TITLES? BRO. IS ALWAYS BROTHER:
M.W. BRO. R.W. BRO. V.W. BRO. W. BRO.
HERE IS A CLASSIC:
BRO. PATRICK HENRY DIED - AUG. 10, 1990. WE CHERISH HIS MEMORY IN
OUR HEARTS.
HOW TOUCHING -- HOW RIDICULOUS -- HOW INCONSIDERATE OF YOU TO
PROVIDE SUCH AN INADEQUATE EULOGY.
WHO WAS THIS MASON?
WHERE WAS HE BORN?
WHERE DID HE LIVE (PLACE OR PLACES) ?
WHERE DID HE WORK?
WHAT WERE HIS INTERESTS, HIS HOBBIES?
HOW DID YOU PERCEIVE HIM?
DID HE JUST LIVE... AND DIE?
WAS HE MARRIED? HAVE CHILDREN?
WHAT CONTRIBUTIONS DID HE MAKE IN SOCIETY, THE COMMUNITY, YOUR
LODGE, THE DISTRICT, GRAND LODGE, CONCORDANT OR APPENDANT ORDERS?
WHEN YOU HAVE THIS TABULATED FOR THE NOTICE, PLEASE SEND A COPY OF
YOUR EULOGY TO THE WIDOW AND FAMILY.
PERHAPS YOU DO NOT HAVE SPACE IN YOUR EXISTING SUMMONS. USE 8 1/2
X 11" PAPER FOR THE EULOGY, PROPERLY DONE, WITH A TOUCH OF CLASS,
RESPECT AND ADMIRATTON. NOW ENCLOSE IT WITH YOUR SUMMONS IN --
YOUR #10 ENVELOPE.
WRITE A EULOGY THAT REALLY PAYS TRIBUTE TO THIS MAN's YEARS OF
DEVOTION, LOYALTY AND ONE THAT RECOGNIZES HIS ZEALOUS EFFORTS.
BELIEVE THAT HIS WIFE AND FAMILY WILL BE TELLING EVERYONE WHAT A
GREAT FRATERNITY WE HAVE. WHAT A SUPER SIMPLE METHOD OF BOLSTERING
OUR PUBLIC RELATIONS AND PUBLIC IMAGE.
DID YOU EVER SEE A LODGE SUMMONS CONTAINING HALF OR WHOLE PAGES OF
BLANK SPACES -"WHITE OUTS"? NO PRINT -- NOTHING BUT BLANK PAPER.
WHEN I SEE THIS I BOIL!! WHAT A WASTE OF PRIME SPACE THAT COULD
HAVE BEEN USED TO TELL OUR STORY.
WHEN THE SECRETARY OR THE W.M. GET REALLY DESPERATE TO FILL THE
SPACES, THEY INSERT A POEM. YOU HAVE SEEN THE SAME POEMS A HUNDRED
TIMES! WHERE IS THE LOCAL NEWS, THE DISTRICT NEWS, THE
INTERNATIONAL MASONIC NEWS? THERE IS TONS OF IT TO BE PRINTED.
WHERE DO YOU GET MASONIC NEWS??
WHAT CONSTITUTES INTERESTING ARTICLES?
WHAT'S NEW IN THE MASONIC LIBRARY?
WHAT WAS YOUR IMPRESSION OF GRAND LODGE?
WHO RECEIVED HONOURS AND WHY?
DO YOU EVER PLACE PHOTOGRAPHS IN YOUR SUMMONS?
DO YOU ADVERTISE THE SOCIALS AND WRITE ABOUT THE SUCCESSFUL EVENTS
AFTER THE FACT? THE GOOD TIMES?
DO YOU EVER PUBLISH THE COMPLETE DUES STRUCTURE OF YOUR LODGE? WHY
WOULD THAT BE IMPORTANT? BECAUSE EVERY NEW APPLICANT WANTS TO KNOW
AND MANY OF YOUR SEASONED MEMBERS FORGET OR JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT
THEY ARE.
SOME MATRIX DOT PRINTERS, POOR PHOTOCOPIERS, OLD TYPEWRITERS WITH
LETTERS MISSING OR WITH 10 YEAR OLD RIBBON, DO NOT PRODUCE LEGIBLE
PRINT -- ESPECIALLY FOR MY TIRED SENIOR EYES.
DON'T RUN OFF THE PAGE!!
USE BOLD HEADINGS AND PARAGRAPH FOR EASY READING.
DON'T USE SMALL PRINT TO SQUEEZE YOUR MESSAGE INTO YOUR ALLOTED
SPACE. USE AN ADDITIONAL INSERT IF NECESSARY WITH YOUR SUMMONS.
YOU SHOULD NEVER SEE WHITE SPACES IN THE LODGE SUMMONS AGAIN. IF
YOU DO, THEN LOOK FOR A NEW SECRETARY AND/OR PROMOTE A TEAM
MANAGEMENT STAFF FOR YOUR W.M.
WE ARE A CLASS ORGANIZATION. HOW WE COMMUNICATE AND WHAT WE
COMMUNICATE BY YOU TO OTHERS IS A DIRECT REFLECTION ON OUR CRAFT.
LEAVE YOUR SMUT, YOUR ETHNIC JOKES AND YOUR FOUR LETTER WORDS AT
THE OFFICE. THERE IS NO PLACE FOR SUCH IN MASONIC CIRCLES.
WHY DO WE HAVE SO MANY RESIGNATIONS, DEMITS, AND SUSPENSIONS??
THESE MASONS WILL ALWAYS BE MASONS IN THEIR HEART. IF THEY LOST
INTEREST OR BECAME BORED, THEN THE FAULT IS OURS. IF WE LET THEIR
DUES LAPSE WITHOUT A CONCERTED EFFORT ON OUR PART TO USE SOUND
BUSINESS PRINCIPLES TO COLLECT THEIR OVERDUE ACCOUNT AGAIN, THE
FAULT IS OURS.
DOES YOUR LODGE SEND OUT INVOICES?
DOES YOUR LODGE AGE THE ACCOUNT 30-60-90-120 DAYS?
DOES YOUR LODGE TRAIN THE FINANCIAL COMMITTEE TO COLLECT
OUTSTANDING DUES OR INVESTIGATE THE REASONS WHY??? IS THIS LEFT UP
TO THE SECRETARY? HOW MUCH ENERGY DOES HE HAVE LEFT?
THE OLD CITCHE "DUES, DUES, DUES" OFTEN SEEN IN LODGE SUMMONS -- IS
A WASTE OF PRINTERS INK! OR HOW ABOUT THIS PHRASE - "PLEASE CHECK
YOUR DUES CARD TO SEE IF YOU ARE CURRENT IN YOUR DUES"?? THIS IS A
COMPLETE REVERSAL OF ANY ETHICAL BUSINESS PRACTICE. NO WONDER WE
LOSE MEMBERS!!!
THE ONUS SHOULD BE ON THE LODGE NOT THE DEBTOR ONCE THE ACCOUNT IS
OVERDUE.
COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE MY BRETHREN!
FINALLY LET'S HIGHLIGHT LEADERSHIP.
I KNOW MEN WHO ATTAINED EXECUTIVE STATUS IN THE BUSINESS WORLD WHO
HAVE LEFT MASONIC LODGES BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF LEADERSHIP AND THE
INEPTNESS OF THE W.M.
MEN ARE NOT BORN LEADERS.
SOME MEN HAVE TO REALLY WORK AT BECOMING W.M. AND THE "LEADER" OF
THE LODGE. BUT WITH FORTITUDE, DETERMINATION, DESIRE AND STUDY --
EVERY MASON CAN BE A LEADER.
THE W.M. WHO THINKS A MASONIC LODGE IS ONLY A DEGREE WILL SOON FIND
EMPTY SEATS ON LODGE NIGHT.
THE MASTER WHO CALLS ON HIS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN FOR A REPORT ONLY TO
HEAR A FAMILIAR REPLY, "I HAVE NOTHING TO REPORT W. SIR" IS
BLATANTLY TELLING ME HE DIDN'T PREPARE HIS EVENING AGENDA
BEFOREHAND.
ALL TO MY DETRIMENT A WASTE OF MY PERSONAL PRECIOUS TIME. IF THE
W.M. IS NOT PREPARED FOR HIS MEETING, WHY SHOULD I ATTEND? THE W.M.
WHO RUNS HIS BUSINESS MEETING OVER THIRTY MINUTES PROBABLY OPERATES
ON OVERDRAFTS IN HIS PRIVATE LIFE. WE ARE NOT A CORPORATION LIKE
GENERAL MOTORS OR THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY. WE ARE A SMALL BUSINESS.
THERE IS NO NEED TO DRAG OUT THE EVENING OVER A FEW SMALL ACCOUNTS.
WHY DO THE SENIOR AND JUNIOR WARDENS MOVE AND SECOND ALL THE
MOTIONS? IS THERE NO ONE ELSE CAPABLE?
WHY PERMIT ANYONE TO SPEAK FOR THE GOOD OF MASONRY IN GENERAL OR
THIS LODGE IN PARTICULAR UNLESS YOU REALLY WANT TO INVITE
FILIBUSTERS TO BORE YOUR MEMBERS AND VISITORS TO DEATH.
WHY NOT COACH YOUR LODGE OFFICERS IN SIMPLE PARLIAMENTARY
PROCEDURES -- RULES OF ORDER. THAT WOULD PREVENT MANY HASSLES.
SLOPPY FLOOR WORK IS DIFFICULT TO WATCH. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE
REHEARSALS? IT IS PATHETIC BUT SOMETIMES HUMOUROUS TO SEE THE
DEACONS AND STEWARDS BUMPING INTO EACH OTHER TAKING UP A SIMPLE
BALLOT. IT'S NOT PATHETIC-- IT IS EMBARASSING.
I MARVEL AT A DEACON THAT MAKES A CANDIDATE "FEEL" COMFORTABLE
DURING THE EVENING; ONE WHO CUTS THE CORNERS SQUARE AND WHO HOLDS
HIS WAND AT A GOOD ANGLE, AND STEPS OUT WITH ASSURANCE. I LIKE TO
SEE MEMBERS TOGETHER -- NO ISOLATED MASON IN THE BACK ROW HIDDEN
BEHIND THE CHAPLAIN'S CHAIR.
I HATE READERS OF MASONIC EDUCATION WHO CAN'T READ OR WHO ARE
READING SOMETHING THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND, OR WHO CAN'T PRONOUNCE THE
WORDS PROPERLY. I ADMIRE SHORT, CONCISE, FACTUAL, WELL PREPARED
COMMITTEE REPORTING.
A REAL TOUCH OF CLASS IN SOME LODGES IS EVIDENT WHEN THE W.M., WITH
HIS SENIOR AND JUNIOR WARDEN (AFTER LODGE CLOSES), POSITION
THEMSELVES AT THE DOOR AND SAY GOODNIGHT AND THANK YOU TO ALL WHO
ATTENDED LODGE.
-- REMEMBER NOT EVERYONE GOES FOR COFFEE.
COFFEE -- THE SOCIAL HOUR. ACTUALLY, THE SOCIAL HOUR IS ONE THIRD
OF THE ENTIRE EVENING. TWO HOURS IN LODGE CONDUCTING BUSINESS -
PERFORMING DEGREES, THEN ONE HOUR FRATERNIZING.
WITHOUT LEADERSHIP - INVARIABLY, THE SOCIAL HOUR CONSISTS OF DONUTS
AND COFFEE AND HOME -- WHO NEEDS A LEAD DONUT WASHED DOWN WITH
COFFEE AT 10 P.M.? THAT MENU TELLS ME THERE WAS LITTLE OR NO
IMAGINATION EXPENDED BY THE JUNIOR WARDEN, OR WAS THERE ANY OVERALL
LEADERSHIP BY THE W.M. TO PERMIT SUCH A FLAT CLIMAX TO HIS MASONIC
EVENING.
FOR THOSE OF US WHO HAVE WITNESSED DRAGGED OUT BUSTNESS MEETINGS,
WITNESSED THOUSANDS OF DEGREES IN ALL CATEGORIES FROM EXCELLENCE TO
INDIFFERENCE -- WE ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD TO A HAPPY SOCIAL HOUR! HERE
IS WHERE MASONRY COMES ALIVE!
IF YOU WANT YOUR LODGE WELL ATTENDED AND YOUR MEMBERS TO INCREASE,
THEN CONCENTRATE PROPORTIONALITY ON A WELL ORGANIZED MEETING WHICH
MUST INCLUDE A WELL PLANNED SOCIAL HOUR.
NOW, MY BRETHREN,
LET ME SUMMARIZE BRIEFLY ON THE INTERNAL FACTORS OF A LODGE AS WE
"GRAB THE FUTURE":
TO STRENGTHEN OUR CRAFT -- WE MUST:
(A) BE OPEN TO PROGRESSIVE CHANGE AND DIPLOMATICALLY CONTROL THE
KNOW-IT-ALL MASONS.
(B) EXPAND ALL AVENUES TO INCREASE MEMBERSHIP -- PARTICIPATION IN
LODGE ADMINISTRATION.
(C) IMPROVE OUR COMMUNICATION BOTH PRINTED AND VERBAL.
(D) TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT LEADERSHIP AND CONCENTRATE ON THE
ORGANIZATION OF THE ENTIRE EVENING, THE BUSINESS AND DEGREE
PORTION, AND ESPECIALLY THE SOCIAL HOUR.
OFT TIMES HOW YOU VIEW THE LODGE MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN ITS
SUCCESS. YOUR VIEWS ARE NOT NECESSARILY THE SAME AS YOUR FELLOW
MEMBERS. KEEP THIS ALWAYS IN MIND TO FOSTER HARMONY.
(e.g.) A YOUNG MAN TOOK HIS YOUNG SON TO THE GROCERY STORE. HIS
LITTLE BOY SAW THIS HUGE LADY AND SAID TO HIS DAD: "DAD, LOOK AT
THAT FAT LADY!" IMMEDIATELY THE FATHER QUIETED HIS BOY AND
CAUTIONED COURTESY. THE DAD AND HIS LITTLE BOY LATER MET THE LADY
IN AN AISLE DURING THEIR SHOPPING. THE BOY SAID, "BUT DAD, SHE
REALLY IS FAT!" THE FATHER SPUN THE BOY AROUND TO AVOID FURTHER
EMBARASSMENT. AT CHECK OUT THE FATHER AND SON WERE DIRECTLY BESIDE
THE LADY AT COUNTER. THE LADY WORE A PAGER AND JUST THEN IT
STARTED TO BEEP.
"LOOK OUT DAD!!", YELLED THE LITTLE BOY, "I THINK SHE IS GOING TO
BACK UP!"
IT DEPENDS WHERE YOU ARE AND WHAT THE TOTAL PICTURE REALLY LOOKS
LIKE.
THIS SEMINAR HAS NO PLACE FOR THE PHRASES: "IT WON'T WORK IN MY
LODGE" "IT CAN'T BE DONE"
INSTEAD, LET THIS BE YOUR MOTTO: (10 WORDS) IF IT IS TO BE -- IT
IS UP TO ME.
IN CLOSING -- REMEMBER, WE MAY MOT HAVE IT ALL TOGETHER, BUT
OGETHER WE HAVE IT ALL!
