Last night (Wednesday) we held an officers meeting at the Lodge. The center of conversation primarily addressed what was to be done when the Lodge goes dark for the summer months, which will be after next Monday's FC degree. Of course, we discussed financial matters, but basically we're in pretty good shape.
The Secretary has a few tasks to perform this Summer, such as distributing the first wave of letters to those members who haven't paid their 2009 dues yet. Our Finance Committee has to meet to look over our finances, but other than that, there isn't much left to do administratively.
During the quiet summer months there are a couple of small maintenance projects for us to tackle, such as stripping and waxing the floors, a touch of paint here and there, but nothing too serious.
The question though is, "Just because the Lodge goes dark, does all Masonic activity cease?" Actually, No, it doesn't, and any Lodge who goes completely to sleep during this period is being foolish. Now is the time to focus on your junior officers and prepare them for next year. This could involve ritual practice, but more importantly we need to start teaching the duties and responsibilities of the other offices and, as such, we will be implementing a Lodge Officer Training program during the summer. In addition to our own officers, we will be opening this up to neighboring Lodges as a good will gesture and to enjoy some Brotherhood.
Our Grand Lodge also has a Wardens Workshop planned for August in our area, but I think it is probably more important for the junior officers to learn to work as a team, which is the point of the Lodge Officer Training program.
Also during the summer, when I'm off on sabbatical, I want to develop a new in-house degree, a "Dunedin" degree, which would be delivered to all Master Masons shortly after their raising. As I see it, the degree should discuss four things: A brief history of the Lodge, the duties and responsibilities of the officers, some Masonic etiquette when in Lodge, and a description of other Masonic organizations (with a reminder that their allegiance should be with their Craft Lodge). I envision a degree patterned slightly after the FC degree with the exception that several people, not just one, participate in it. This is something I have been thinking about for a long time as I don't believe we do enough to properly educate our junior members. Catechisms are nice, but I think we have to do more.
I guess my message here is simple, while the Craft gets a break, the officers shouldn't squander their time. They should use it wisely to maintain and improve the Lodge, particularly their junior officers. After all, they are the future.
The Secretary has a few tasks to perform this Summer, such as distributing the first wave of letters to those members who haven't paid their 2009 dues yet. Our Finance Committee has to meet to look over our finances, but other than that, there isn't much left to do administratively.
During the quiet summer months there are a couple of small maintenance projects for us to tackle, such as stripping and waxing the floors, a touch of paint here and there, but nothing too serious.
The question though is, "Just because the Lodge goes dark, does all Masonic activity cease?" Actually, No, it doesn't, and any Lodge who goes completely to sleep during this period is being foolish. Now is the time to focus on your junior officers and prepare them for next year. This could involve ritual practice, but more importantly we need to start teaching the duties and responsibilities of the other offices and, as such, we will be implementing a Lodge Officer Training program during the summer. In addition to our own officers, we will be opening this up to neighboring Lodges as a good will gesture and to enjoy some Brotherhood.
Our Grand Lodge also has a Wardens Workshop planned for August in our area, but I think it is probably more important for the junior officers to learn to work as a team, which is the point of the Lodge Officer Training program.
Also during the summer, when I'm off on sabbatical, I want to develop a new in-house degree, a "Dunedin" degree, which would be delivered to all Master Masons shortly after their raising. As I see it, the degree should discuss four things: A brief history of the Lodge, the duties and responsibilities of the officers, some Masonic etiquette when in Lodge, and a description of other Masonic organizations (with a reminder that their allegiance should be with their Craft Lodge). I envision a degree patterned slightly after the FC degree with the exception that several people, not just one, participate in it. This is something I have been thinking about for a long time as I don't believe we do enough to properly educate our junior members. Catechisms are nice, but I think we have to do more.
I guess my message here is simple, while the Craft gets a break, the officers shouldn't squander their time. They should use it wisely to maintain and improve the Lodge, particularly their junior officers. After all, they are the future.
Until next time.
Tim Bryce, PM, MPS, MMBBFMN
timb001@phmainstreet.com
Dunedin Lodge No. 192 F.& A.M.
http:/www.dunedin192.org/
Dunedin, FL, USA
"For the Good of the Order"
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