*****
Steven K. Robison, PM
Jackson Lodge #146
Seymour, IN
*****
Serving your Lodge as Worshipful Master can be, and should be, a high point in
your Masonic career. Few other secular events in my life has meant as much to
me as the privilege of serving as Worshipful Master of Jackson Lodge #146.
Yet, for many who have served as Worshipful Master, that year In the East was
a trying and frustrating experience. "One crisis after another;" "The Lodge
wouldn't respond to me;" "I had to do everything myself;" "I had good ideas
which the Lodge just didn't listen to"--I'm sure there are other, equally
discouraging, comments that almost every Master Mason has heard from those who
have served as Worshipful Master.
This article aims at providing a brief overview of some considerations that
(hopefully) will help you in your upcoming tour of duty In the East in your
Masonic Lodge. Included are suggestions, both mine, and those of seventeen
(17) other Past Masters, who responded to my request on the Internet
Freemasonry List for input, on helping an incoming Worshipful Master both
enjoy his year In the East, and perform creditable service to his Lodge in the
position of Worshipful Master.
I wanted input on this topic, aside from my own ideas, for a very compelling
reason, perhaps best illustrated by:
The Blind Men and the Elephant
It was six men of Indostan To learning much inclined,
Who went to see the elephant (Though all of them were blind),
That each by observation Might satisfy his mind.
The First approached the elephant, And, happening to fall
Against his broad and sturdy side, At once began to bawl:
"God bless me! but the elephant Is nothing but a wall!"
The Second, feeling of the tusk, Cried: "Ho! what have we here.
So very round and smooth and sharp? To me 'tis mighty clear.
This wonder of an elephant Is very like a spear!"
The Third approached the animal, And, happening to take
The squirming trunk within his hands, Thus boldly up and spake:
"I see," quoth he, "The elephant Is very like a snake!"
The Fourth reached out his eager hand, And felt about the knee:
"What most this wondrous beast is like Is mighty plain," quoth he;
"'Tis clear enough the elephant is very like a tree!"
The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear, Said: "E'en the blindest man
Can tell what this resembles most; Deny the fact who can,
This marvel of an elephant Is very like a fan!"
The Sixth no sooner had begun About the beast to grope,
Than, seizing on the swinging tail That fell within his scope,
"I see," quoth he, "The elephant Is very like a rope!"
And so these men of Indostan Disputed loud and long,
Each in his own opinion Exceeding swift and strong,
Though each was partly in the right, And all were in the wrong!
So, oft in theologic wars The disputants, I ween
Rail on in utter ignorance Of what each other mean,
And prate about an elephant Not one of them has seen!
--John Godfrey Saxe
Obtaining or following ideas from only one Past Master, or other source,
limits and narrows your focus, and leaves you lacking the broad perspective
that the position of Worshipful Master demands. Obtain counsel from as many
Past Masters, both in your Lodge and other Lodges, as you can. You won't like
all of their ideas; and, not all of their ideas will work for you. But, your
progress through the Officers' Line should have given you some insights and
instincts for the position of Worshipful Master.
You should have no trouble separating the wheat from the chaff in evaluating
the advice and counsel of those who have gone before you In the
East--especially in your Lodge. No such list or group of suggestions as this
can be complete or all-encompassing, and no list or group will help you deal
with all that you may confront as Worshipful Master of your Lodge. But, I hope
that the materials you will find below will provide you a good foundation, on
which you can build a successful year In the East.
A. What It Means to Be Worshipful Master
For starters, here is one PM's description of the position:
"To become the model Master of a Lodge should be the ambition of every
brother; and to discharge with efficiency and zeal the duties of that office
should be his most anxious desire. "These duties are not confined to the mere
repetition of a few phrases learned by rote, but he should be able to instruct
the Craft, not only as to the meaning and origin of our ceremonies, but also
to explain to them the philosophy which is veiled in its allegories and
illustrated by its symbols.
"He should be able, also, to convince his brethren, that all science and all
art, legitimately directed, are but lines that radiate toward the great 'I
AM'; that the sciences are the media by which we are led to contemplate the
goodness, greatness, wisdom and power of the Great Architect of the Universe;
and that the arts are the modes we have developed of expressing our sense and
admiration of the wondrous glories of an Almighty Father which are scattered
around us.
"The Master of a Lodge should also, in his life and in his conversation, be a
model for his brethren to admire and imitate, and should himself practice, out
of the Lodge, those great moral doctrines and virtues which he inculcates
within its walls. He should be punctual and methodical in all things and, both
by his character and conduct, command the respect, the esteem and the
good-will of all men; for as the Master is supreme in his Lodge and
distinguished by his position in the Craft, so should he also be distinguished
as the possessor of an irreproachable character, a dignified demeanor, an
expanded intellect, and a liberal education.
"...The Worshipful Master who presides over his Lodge with ability, firmness
and decision (for without force of character, there can be no force of
expression); whose manner is courteous yet dignified; whose decisions are
consonant with reason and Masonic law; and who dispenses light and information
among the Craft, will ever be regarded by his brethren as one who is entitled
to their highest respect and most fraternal regard."
These eloquent words were written by William Mercer Wilson, the first GM of
the Grand Lodge of Canada, about 130 years ago. (I have found no better
description of what a Worshipful Master's aspirations should be upon ascending
to the Throne of Solomon than Br. Mercer's words.)
Another source (Anderson's Book of Constitutions) says that the Worshipful
Master should be "of good morals, of great skill, true and trusty, and a lover
of the whole Fraternity, wheresoever dispersed over the face of the earth."
And, on such recommendation, it was expected that he would "discharge the
duties of the office with fidelity."
If this is too esoteric for you, and you want a "nuts and bolts" description
of the position, here's an outline of a speech made in 1941 by PM in British
Columbia, to a Lodge there, posted by Br. Frank Kendrick:
1. Study the books of ancient lore and modern proceedings in order to qualify
for the high and important office of Worshipful Master.
2. Get to know, really know, all the members of the Lodge.
3. While serving as Senior Warden, learn all the Master's Ritual and so have
time when Master to plan the program and prepare the speeches.
4. Before assuming office settle with ye Little Woman, ye Boss of ye
Household, that Great Question of going out nights.
5. Stow away in the Grey Matter of the Cranium a set of five minute speeches
for various occasions, and thus be ready whenever called upon to do justice to
the Lodge and Office.
6. Consult the Chairman of Committees before appointment of members, and
afterwards keep them active by calling for regular reports of progress.
7. Many members working means much enthusiasm in the Lodge.
8. Have all the Officers and the Chairmen of Committees meet together on
convenient occasions.
9. Plan the program of the Lodge meeting and harmonize its details with the
Great Masonic Design, then go over the Agenda with the Secretary before Lodge
and thus avoid those irritating delays, whispered consultations and mutterings
in the East.
10. Keep a timepiece always at hand and let not procrastination become the
thief who robs the Brethren of their beauty sleep.
11. The visitors are honored guests of the Lodge, therefore proclaim a welcome
to them with happy words and smooth phrases, and never call upon a visitor to
speak in Lodge or at the Festive Board without previous notice and due enquiry
as to his ability and willingness to do so.
12. Preserve the Dignity, Courtesy and Privilege of the East at all times. Let
no matter of personal modesty affect those Ancient Rights and Prerogatives of
the Oriental Chair which must be handed on untarnished to those who follow.
(I'll have more "nuts and bolts"-type materials later, although I do not
intend to write strictly a "nuts and bolts"-type article. Rather, I aim to
give you a "big picture" of the position of Worshipful Master. Almost any
facet of this "big picture" could be subjected to a "nuts and bolts"-type
analysis.)
B. Preparing for the Position
You cannot start too soon preparing for the position of Worshipful Master!
Hopefully, if you are reading this article with a view toward structuring your
year In the East, you are progressing through the Officers' Line, and are not
facing imminent election to or installation in the position of Worshipful
Master. Begin thinking NOW about what it is that you want to do as Worshipful
Master-- If you wait until you are elected or installed, you have simply
waited too long, and will spend your year In the East reacting to situations
that you might have anticipated, and playing "catch-up."
My sense is that far more WMs who do their Lodges disservice by inaction
rather than by poor action; by simply trying to "get through their year,"
rather than by trying to "do something" In the East.
Ask yourself, for starters: What ideas do you have for the Lodge? What do you
want to accomplish? How do you want your year as Worshipful Master to be
remembered?
[I'll have more questions for you to ask yourself, and more for you to think
about, later.]
And, do not wait for the position of Worshipful Master to come to you-- It
won't. TAKE the position. Within some fairly broad parameters, in most
jurisdictions, you can largely define the position of Worshipful Master during
your year In the East. Those who have gone before you In the East have in fact
defined the position during their respective years. It has been defined in
different ways by different Worshipful Masters.
With each succeeding Master having additional years of service performed by
other Past Masters, and additional ideas used by other Past Masters, to review
and draw on, the performance of each succeeding Master, in each Lodge, should
be better and better in the position. Note that I said "should be." In fact,
we all know it does not happen that way.
Look back on the years of those who have served previously as WM of your
Lodge. Some had good years; some had bad years; some had indifferent years.
What makes a WM's year good, bad, or indifferent?
That is the big question, I think. If I had a perfect answer to that question,
I'd turn cartwheels. But, I don't. However, some general factors HEAVILY
influence the answer to this question:
1. The WM's ability and willingness to assess his own human strengths and
weaknesses candidly.
2. The WM's ability to "play to his strengths."
3. The WM's willingness to seek help to cover or minimize his weaknesses.
4. The WM's ability to determine who to seek out for that help.
5. The WM's ability and willingness to set goals and determine what he wants
to do during his year In the East.
6. The WM's ability and willingness to craft a plan for his year In the East.
7. The WM's ability and willingness to seek help from constructive Brothers
and PMs to aid in the crafting and execution of that plan.
8. The WM's ability and willingness to master the Degree work and ritual work
of the Lodge.
9. The WM's ability to inspire the Brothers.
10. The WM's ability to lead by example.
11. The WM's ability to anticipate problems and events, and to plan for
contingent ways to respond to them.
12. The WM's ability to make decisions.
13. The WM's ability to be flexible and accommodating.
14. The WM's level of interest in the position.
15. The WM's ability to evidence enthusiasm for the position.
16. The WM's willingness to listen to suggestions and comments made by others.
17. The WM's ability to separate the wheat from the chaff, in receiving advice
and counsel.
I'm sure there are others--these are the ones that occur to several of the
Past Masters who provided input, and to me.
What does it mean to be Worshipful Master? What can the Worshipful Master do?
What programs or projects can the Worshipful Master advocate or sponsor? How
far can he lead his Lodge? In what direction? To what end?
The answers to these questions, and others, are largely up to each Worshipful
Master during his year In the East. For your year In the East, the answers to
these questions are largely up to YOU.
Why is that? Why isn't the position more clearly defined? Why isn't there
something, somewhere, that tells a Worshipful Master what he needs to do to
have a good year In the East?
The answer to these questions is something alluded to above, and which will
not be obvious to you, AND which you MAY need to "be there to know."
What didn't immediately dawn on me--and it took about a month of being In the
East to realize this--is that the WM has tremendous powers in a Masonic Lodge.
Unless the WM does something so outrageous that it prompts an appeal to Grand
Lodge by a disgruntled Brother or group of Brothers, nothing the WM does can
be effectively challenged. And, those appeals are very rare.
That doesn't mean, of course, that you should let the powers of the position
go to your head. That wouldn't be healthy or constructive. But, when I began
to realize the scope of my powers as WM, I began to take initiatives that I
thought would be in the best interests of the Lodge. While I sought, and
listened to, advice from PMs, and others, I made my own decisions.
You should, too. The Brothers of your Lodge will elect you to the position of
Worshipful Master with the expectation that you will lead the Lodge during
your year In the East. They will not expect--and almost certainly will not
appreciate--your deferring critical decisions to others, be it a Lodge
Secretary, or a Past Master, or a group of Past Masters.
Making those decisions is no small task! While your instincts will be of some
help to you, gained through progress through the Officers' Line, you doubtless
will benefit from some more "formalized" insight into the decision process.
Several written resources are available to you, both as to making these
decisions, and with respect to ideas for your term as Worshipful Master. They
are discussed in the next section.
C. The "Working Tools" of a Worshipful Master
Once I had adjusted to the position of Worshipful Master--and, even with the
best of preparation, that adjustment will take some weeks--I crystallized a
mission statement for my year as Worshipful Master, from the ideas I had been
working on. Here it is:
I want to make Jackson Lodge a better place to be associated with (to be a
member of); a better place for its Brothers and families to spend time
(attending meetings and special events and banquets); and, a better Community
asset; and, I want to try to showcase these achievements in a TrestleBoard
that will be the best one published by any Indiana Lodge.
Once you have formulated a mission statement for your year In the East with
which you are comfortable, it will make the remainder of your task in defining
your year MUCH easier! Indeed, the mission statement for your year In the East
is arguably the most important Working Tool you will have as a Worshipful
Master-- because it will tell you, to a very large extent, how to use the
other Working Tools that are available to you.
[You didn't realize that being Worshipful Master involved creating a
mission statement? Neither did I, going in. I wish someone had told me! I
stumbled onto the concept of a mission statement almost by accident; but, was
glad I did. Essentially, your mission statement should answer the question,
"What do you want to do, as Worshipful Master, during your year In the East?"
That answer should be a single sentence (although I will admit that I
compounded my single-sentence mission statement). A detailed discussion of
mission statements is far beyond the scope of this article, but several
recently-published books describe the process of creating a mission statement.
I liked Laurie Beth Jones's book, "The Path," and found it quite readable.]
Some of the other Working Tools that you will have available to you as
Worshipful Master will be obvious to you--the written resources set out above;
and, the Past Masters of your Lodge, for example. Let me go next, though, to
one that may not be obvious to you: your Lodge newsletter, or TrestleBoard.
You probably haven't thought about your Lodge TrestleBoard in the least. Let
me tell you why I think that is a mistake. For starters, try thinking of each
issue of the TrestleBoard during your year as WM an opportunity to get your
program across to the Brothers of the Lodge. From there, try thinking of each
issue of the TrestleBoard as an opportunity to advance the stature of the
Lodge, the Fraternity, and even the Community, during your year as WM. Next,
try imagining the appreciation the Brothers, the ladies, and the widows of the
Lodge for the insights and entertainment items you can include in the
TrestleBoard.
The TrestleBoard is the "public face" of the Lodge. It will be seen in the
homes of every Brother by his non-Masonic friends; and, if it is picked up by
them, and glanced at, will make a significant impression on them--positive or
negative--and likely will influence their views of the Lodge and what it's
about.
USE the TrestleBoard. Express your opinions; stimulate discussion among the
Brothers; educate the Brothers; set out your mission statement; state your
goals and aims as WM; encourage the Brothers to get active or stay active in
Lodge affairs. The TrestleBoard is a tremendously powerful tool for you, as
Worshipful Master, to make almost any constructive use of that you see fit.
Most of the time, and with most Worshipful Masters, that tool is wasted. There
is almost no limit to what you, as Worshipful Master, can do with the
TrestleBoard of your Lodge! And, a bonus: Unlike some of the other Working
Tools of a Worshipful Master (those Past Masters, again, for example), the
TrestleBoard is completely flexible--it will not resist your use of it at all;
and, it will not try to use you!
Written materials from others constitute another Working Tool for the
Worshipful Master. I found Carl Claudy's "The Master's Book,"
especially helpful, although it is a bit dated. Other helpful works would
include PGM Dwight L. Smith's collections, "Whither Are We Traveling?,"
"Why This Confusion in the Temple?;" and, "Look Well"
(written from the perspective of a Past Master providing a series of letters
to a Senior Warden throughout his year as SW, designed to help him prepare for
the position of Worshipful Master). Further, "Macoy's Worshipful
Master's Assistant," rev. by the late Allen E. Roberts, contains valuable
insight into the prerogatives and duties of the Worshipful Master, and other
resource material.
The Masonic Service Association, 8120 Fenton St., Silver Springs, MD
20910-4785, publishes numerous materials that will be of use to you. The
Philalethes Society, Drawer 70, Highland Springs, VA 23075-0070, publishes a
quarterly magazine which I think would be highly beneficial to an incoming
Worshipful Master, although I was unaware of it until after leaving the
position of Worshipful Master; and, sponsors a Masonic Leadership course. Your
Grand Lodge, in addition, may have a Masonic Leadership course or a Warden's
Retreat that will provide insight to you.
Here are two additional Working Tools for a Worshipful Master that may not
occur to you: Your computer, and the Internet. The larger and more active your
Lodge is, the more use you will want to--and need to--make of a computer. At a
minimum, the computer can help you keep track of Lodge events--I used the
computer as my only calendaring tool during my year as Worshipful Master,
determining to keep no paper calendar at all. From there, the computer can be
used to help you keep notes of meetings, special
events, and the like. It is invaluable as a Working Tool for a Worshipful
Master. I did all my letters as Worshipful Master on computer, prepared
reports to the Lodge on computer, and kept program notes on computer.
Additionally, I appointed myself Chairman of the Lodge Publications Committee,
and edited the Lodge TrestleBoard on computer. Let me summarize the importance
of this Working Tool by stating simply: I do not think I could have functioned
effectively as a Worshipful Master without a computer. Also, with the computer
can come access to the Internet. I obtained Internet access shortly after
being installed as Worshipful Master. I find the Internet one of the most
important technological innovations since the invention of the printing
press--and, in time, its utility to mankind may surpass that of the printing
press. It is too early to make that call, but its potential for doing that is
clear, at least to me. Numerous newsgroups and web sites pertaining to Masonry
exist, and others are being created. They provide insight, ideas, (usually)
constructive criticism, and valuable information on almost any Masonic topic
imaginable. Many Grand Lodges, and quite a few local Lodges, have web sites on
the World Wide Web; many of these provide links to other Masonic sites.
Explore the Internet well in advance of your installation as Worshipful
Master! You should have no trouble locating sites that interest you, and with
which you are comfortable. You should avoid the temptation to spread yourself
too thin on the Internet, and this valuable Working Tool lends itself to that
temptation!
I have mentioned the Past Masters of the Lodge already. They are an obvious,
and quite valuable, Working Tool of the Worshipful Master. Almost all of the
Past Masters who responded to my request for input mentioned the availability
and willingness of the Past Masters to help you have a good year In the East.
Your progress through the Officers' Line, and your familiarity with each of
the Past Masters of your Lodge, should suggest to you which Past Masters can
be most helpful with particular projects or programs, which Past Masters can
be most informative with respect to ritual or Degree work questions, which
Past Masters have the time necessary to commit to specific tasks, and most
other questions which will come up with respect to obtaining assistance,
guidance, or advice from the Past Masters. One contributor referred to the
Past Masters as the real "ancient Landmarks" of the Lodge. Some of these
ancient Landmarks, in some Lodges, have a tendency to forget that they are no
longer In the East. Your use of Past Masters as Working Tools must be tempered
with the realization that the Past Masters have minds of their own; and, that,
on occasion, it may be necessary to gently remind them of who is In the East.
(Ever so gently!--Your year In the East will be a struggle, and your Lodge
will suffer, if you do not have the cooperation and support of these Working
Tools.)
Programs, projects, and banquets constitute another class of Working Tools for
the Worshipful Master. The magnitude and scope of these will necessarily vary
with the size, location, and resources of your Lodge. However, if you believe
your Lodge is not capable of doing much along these lines, you will never know
until you try! Also, consider joining with other area Lodges in cooperative
programs, banquets, and activities. Pooling resources and talent can have a
synergistic effect which may surprise you. You probably are better suited than
any article writer to judge what programs and activities will interest your
Lodge Brothers; here are just a few of the suggestions from some of the
contributors which worked for them in their Lodges:
A Law Enforcement Night
A Teacher Appreciation Night
A Citizen of the Year Banquet
A Adopt A School Program
A Adopt A Highway Program (Lodge responsible
for picking up litter on a particular street)
A Bears on Patrol (Lodge furnishes stuffed
animals to police officers to provide to children who are involved in
traumatic events--wrecks, fires, domestic quarrels, etc.)
A Christmas Miracle Program (providing
Christmas gifts to needy families in the local Community)
A A "Masonic Minute" in each stated meeting
(a "mini" Masonic Education item)
The Brothers and other people associated with the Lodge "vote" on the WM's
programs, and on Lodge activities generally, with their feet--they vote by
attendance, in other words. Keep track of attendance at the first few programs
you sponsor. You should be able to tell whether you are on the right track
with your programs and activities in this way.
The Brothers of the Lodge are a vital Working Tool for the Worshipful Master;
they are the reason for his existence and for his holding the position of
Worshipful Master. They will elect you to the position because they have
confidence in you and will want you to succeed in the position. They (most of
them) will be willing to help you in any way you need. Be reasonable and
prudent in your requests to them; be specific in what you ask them to do; and,
be appreciative when they do it.
I have tried to mention the most helpful Working Tools which occur to me, and
which were suggested by other contributors. Still other Working Tools may be
available to you--a District Deputy Grand Master, a Lodge Development
Representative, or some other representative from your Grand Lodge, for
example. Use any Working Tool that you believe will help you fashion a good,
successful year In the East constructively!
D. Some General Pointers for the Worshipful Master
Once you have assumed the position of Worshipful Master, you will find a
myriad of expectations, duties, responsibilities waiting for you. How you
discharge those duties and responsibilities, and measure up to those
expectations, is largely up to you. As PGM Dwight L. Smith put it, in his "Look
Well" collection, addressed to an imaginary Senior Warden named Tom:
'Why are you here, Tom?' They want to know. 'What can we expect from you? A
year of zealous, inspired leadership? Twelve months of casual, half-hearted
coasting? An apologetic year in which everyone governs the Lodge except the
Brother who was elected to do so? Or are we just giving you the opportunity to
get your name on the list of Past Masters?'
A list of specific advice and suggestions for you, once you have assumed the
position, would likely be virtually endless, and no such comprehensive or
all-inclusive list is possible in an article of limited scope, such as this. I
will include, in the next section, some of the specific advice and suggestions
received from other contributors. But, here are five general pointers which
you would do well to remember and practice:
1. The WM must evidence enthusiasm for the position by showing up at the
various Lodge meetings, programs, and banquets throughout the year. This
position requires a significant time commitment which you must be prepared to
make, and which probably will interfere with other things that are important
to you in life. (Be sure those in your household understand this, before you
assume the position!)
2. The WM must demonstrate support for the youth programs that the Lodge
sponsors by his presence and attendance. Yes, the Lodge provides a place for
them to meet, and (usually) some funding. But, BE THERE for them! This will
pay dividends, both in their lives as they move to adulthood, and in the life
of the Lodge and its Appendant bodies. (Our two newest EAs, for example, are
Senior DeMolays from our Lodge DeMolay Chapter.)
3. While it is good to seek advice and counsel, the decisions need to be
yours, and not someone else's. (I hope you've picked up on that!) The Brothers
will react negatively if they perceive that the Worshipful Master is only
"doing the bidding" of anyone else. Having a WM "under the thumb" of someone
else (usually that "someone else" is a Past Master who thinks he knows it all)
reflects poorly on the WM and the someone else.
4.
Each and every decision you make will leave at least one Brother who would
have done it differently unhappy. You simply cannot make every one of the
Brothers happy. There are a number of paths to a successful year as Worshipful
Master, and you will need to find one with which you are comfortable. One
certain path to an unsuccessful year is to try to please everyone.
5. Along with #4, you will make mistakes. Expect to. No one learns anything
without making mistakes. "A man should never be ashamed to own he has been in
the wrong, which is but saying, in other words, that he is wiser today than he
was yesterday."-- Jonathan Swift
When it becomes clear to you that you have made a mistake, examine it, rethink
it, learn from it--but do not wallow in it. Move on.
E. Kernels of Wisdom & Insight
What specific insights and suggestions can those who have occupied the
position of Worshipful Master give you? Here are some of the succinct points
made by the contributors, in no particular order:
1. Seek advice from the Past Masters and other learned Brothers--you'll know
which ones to go to.
2. Put your heart, soul, and toenails into your Lodge TrestleBoard.
3. Have a term plan, in addition to your mission statement, that includes
Masonic education, Lodge visitations, and social events, and be sure your Line
Officers, including the Secretary, have copies well in advance of your
installation.
4. Know your ritual work before being installed, and ask for help if you
don't.
5. Read, and re-read, your Lodge by-laws and the Book of Constitutions, your
Grand Lodge Constitution, and Book of Regulations.
6. Use common sense.
7. Communicate with your officers and candidates.
8. Be organized and efficient at meetings.
9. Be prepared for emergencies--expect Brother Murphy (Murphy's Laws) to be a
regular visitor to your Lodge.
10. Be patient with the Past Masters who think they know it all.
11. Find at least three Past Masters and ask them to help you put together a
program that will make the Lodge much better by your term's end.
12. Concentrate on what the Lodge needs, not just what interests you.
13. Take your wife, if you have one, on a mini-honeymoon before your
installation, and promise her another after your successor is installed.
14. Direct and lead with the gavel, but avoid dictating with it.
15. Have a solid handle on your Lodge's financial condition.
16. Try to get on the same page as your two next likely successors, your SW
and JW.
17. Listen to everyone, even the jerks.
18. If it's important, it needs to be done. Now. Waiting for consensus is
procrastination. You were elected to lead, so lead!
19. Think marathon, not sprint.
20. Try asking people to do specific, achievable things--"Would you write to
these three Brothers (addresses attached) whom we haven't seen for several
meetings?," not "Would you contact some of the guys who haven't been coming to
Lodge?"
21. Have fun with your year In the East!
22. Use the phone, in addition to putting Lodge events in the TrestleBoard.
Use a phone committee, with specific Lodge members for each committee member
to call.
23. Hold officer rehearsals at least monthly.
24. Keep the business part of the meetings as short as possible.
25. Analyze what programs have worked for Past Masters, and what programs
didn't work.
26. Be prepared to be in control of your Lodge during your year as Worshipful
Master.
27. Learn the ritual work, and (unfortunately, given the aging Masonic
population) the Funeral Service.
28. Have your committee appointments lined up before you are installed.
29. If you desire to make significant changes, do so in a way that avoids
alienating the Brothers who have brought your Lodge as far as it has come.
30. Try to respond to the desires of the majority, but do not sell yourself or
your program down the river to do so.
31. Seek input from others to define the needs of the Lodge, and formulate a
program responding to those needs.
32. The key to success is planning, planning, planning.
33. Involve your Line Officers in your planning.
34. Sponsor and plan for interesting Masonic education programs, with outside
speakers if possible, as well as Past Masters and other Brothers interested in
specific Masonic topics. Avoid non-Masonic topics; leave those to the service
clubs.
35. Have education programs for topics of interest, including non-Masonic
topics such as heart disease. [The topic of non-Masonic education &
information programs brought sharply divided input from the contributors. Some
recommended them; some condemned them. You know your Lodge; use your
judgment.]
36. Keep in touch with all Brothers if possible, paying particular attention
to shut-in or infirm Brothers, and to those who have been regular in
attendance but who suddenly stop coming. This could be a sign of health
problems of which you may not be aware.
37. Utilize a transportation committee to provide transportation to those
Brothers who may be unable to drive to meetings or events.
38. Be practical in your planning for your year In the East.
39. Hit the ground running! You can't afford to spend two or three months
figuring out the position of Worshipful Master.
40. Utilize a calling list for your officers, passing calls down the Officers'
Line to the Tyler, and have the Tyler report back to you.
41. Take a humble pill immediately after your installation, and remember that
Masonry is a volunteer undertaking. Don't make it a drudge, and make it
interesting for the Brothers.
42. When conflict arises, be prepared to deal with it quickly, before it
becomes a problem for the Lodge.
43. Don't try to turn a failed program into a success. Admit the failure,
learn from it, and move on to something else.
44. Vow to love all of the Brothers--the good, the bad, and the ugly. This
will get harder as your year goes on!
45. Deal with all Brothers out of love, fairness, and honesty, and don't play
politics with them.
46. Let the Brothers know when you are pleased with them, and let them know
(constructively) when you are displeased. Don't expect them to read your mind.
47. Pay attention when a Brother wants to tell you something, even if you're
occupied. It may be important to you; it's definitely important to him.
48. Don't let anyone rush you into snap decisions. But, when a decision has to
be made, make it. Get to know the Secretary. Be mindful of the Secretary's
many responsibilities, and use him sparingly and efficiently. Every request
you make of the Secretary causes him extra work. Any Master or Brother, in
about fifteen seconds, can think of projects that will require several hours
of the Secretary's time. He is busy enough!
49. Any request by a Brother for something extra from the Secretary should
come through you as Worshipful Master. The Secretary can make or break your
year as Worshipful Master, not only by what he does, but by what he does not
do, or does not inform you about.
50. Be flexible in your planning. Changes are inevitable, and will need to be
made.
51. Include the Lodge Widows in your plans, with several-more than one--
events for them during the year.
52. Spread the work around. Asking that marginally-active Brother to
participate in a project may be just the thing that will cement his
relationship to the Lodge, and will spark his interest to the point of
becoming an active regular.
53. Spend time getting to know the new candidates and Brothers. They are the
future of your Lodge.
54. Masonic Lodges are not ruled by the membership but by the Master. The
members expect the Master to rule and lead, and the Lodge suffers when he does
not.
55. Try a community activity with some other organization, such as Knights of
Columbus, Elks, etc.
56. Remember the "back bones," who do all the work, and the "jaw bones," who
gripe about the work that the back bones do.
57. Remember the story about Anybody, Somebody, Everybody, and Nobody; and,
remember that there are really only two: Somebody and Everybody. [See Sec. F.]
58. Plan your work, and then work your plan.
59. Remember the concepts of courtesy, Masonic etiquette, and protocol, and
know what they are for each situation that you know you will confront as
Master.
60. Be prepared for your meetings, with a definite program and agenda.
61. Avoid trying to be "one of the boys" to curry favor with the Brothers or
to get them to like you. It is more important that they respect you in the
position of Worshipful Master, and you need to earn that respect by the
example you set. If they respect you, be assured, they will like you.
62. Be sure visitors are made to feel welcome.
63. If you have a Festive Board, be sure it is done properly, with all
required protocol and ceremony.
64. Be mentally prepared for the position of Worshipful Master. Care for the
Brethren. Care for the Lodge and its work. Care for your candidates, and be
sure your Degree work is done properly and with the necessary decorum.
65. Read your Lodge's minutes book, especially during periods of growth, to
get a feel of what True Masonic Charity is all about. This will give you a
feeling of appreciation for the efforts you are being allowed to follow--along
with a sense of humility.
66. Be sure each Brother receives recognition during the month of his Masonic
Birthday. If a Brother cannot attend, ask him for a written greeting to the
Lodge that can be read at the recognition portion of the program.
67. Do not try to do everything yourself.
68. Solicit ideas from others, including your Line Officers. Give them a feel
for what you are going through in the decision-making process as Worshipful
Master.
69. Be sure to visit the Lodge's youth groups. You will receive special
recognition as the Lodge's representative, and your interest and support by
your presence will be appreciated.
70. The most important part of the Worshipful Master's position is having a
sense of vision, a sense of direction, and a sense of purpose. The Worshipful
Master must know where he wants to take the Lodge, how he is going to
accomplish that task, and who he can go to for help. Having a sense of vision,
direction, and purpose will be appreciated, and will draw support from the
Brothers, even if they do not necessarily agree with all the points of the
Worshipful Master's program.
71. Avoid taking on too many responsibilities in other Appendant bodies.
72. Try to build continuity into your programs, to the extent possible,
without leaving your successor lacking in flexibility.
73. Have contingency plans for the unexpected collapses of events or programs.
74. Don't try to do too much--concentrate on a few core items and goals.
75. Your purpose as Master is to motivate, stimulate, and coordinate the
Education and Leadership activities of your Lodge.
76. To get help--Seek, Ask, and Knock.
77. Invite the Brothers to "Dream Along with Me," in imagining a better course
for the Lodge.
78. Bring the bare words in your ritual and Degree work to life; this will
reveal a wealth of deeper meaning for the Brethren, and for you.
79. Try to find constructive things for the Past Masters to do, so that they
will not wind up having finished their years as Master, and then vanishing
from the Lodge.
80. Remember that you are in charge of a management team, and that other
members of the team will eventually lead the Lodge. Do what you can to help
them develop their respective styles of leadership, and to encourage them to
accept the responsibilities that go with the position of Worshipful Master.
F. Some Final Thoughts
I hope this article has given you some insight into the position of Worshipful
Master in your Lodge, and how that position can be filled. I would leave you
with three parting pieces of thought and insight:
1. This is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and
Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that
Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody
got angry about that because it was Everybody's job. Everybody thought Anybody
could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it. It ended up
that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.
2. Here is a posting I made to the Internet Freemasonry List, describing what
I thought of the position of Worshipful Master at Jackson Lodge #146, and the
continuity of effort in the position:
I am the I[mmediate] P[ast] M[aster] of Jackson #146. I had a very good, very
helpful, group of PMs from which to draw talent, help, and (when needed and
asked for) advice. At no time did I feel that any PM was trying to 'run the
show' from the sideline. At no time did I feel that my toes were being
'stepped on' in the East. This was my feeling in spite of the fact that we
have some pretty opinionated PMs who, I am sure, would have done things quite
differently from the way I did them.
I set out to ambitiously expand our TrestleBoard; I set out to initiate a
series of banquets and special events to try to draw Brothers and their
families back to Lodge functions; I set out, as much as anything, to try to
show the Brothers at Jackson #146 that there was more than one way to fill the
East in a Masonic Lodge.
The problem, though, that I think ambitious and progressive Masters will
encounter in almost any Lodge is that there is no way to ensure continuity of
direction. Perhaps this is as it should be; no Master should try to tie the
hands of those who come after him. The best he can hope for, as I see it,
looking back at the East, is that, by his example and direction, he can show
those following him a path that worked for him.
The man who sits in the East in any Lodge, in any year, will bring his own
strengths and weaknesses to that position. It is up to him to 'play to his
strengths;' the PMs are there to help him deal with and overcome his
weaknesses--or, at least, to see to it that those weaknesses do not interfere
with his year as Master, or cause lasting problems for the Lodge.
But, the Master needs to run the Lodge. I found that, with a definite sense of
direction and purpose, and with a mission statement set out early in my year,
I got good support from almost all the Brothers in the Lodge, and from all the
PMs whom I approached for assistance. (By the same token, I suspect that a
Master who tries to simply fill the chair, with no program, with no ideas, and
with no purpose other than putting in time, will have problems. Those
problems, in my opinion, are of his own making.)
The Master of a Masonic Lodge has tremendous powers. Used for the benefit of
the Lodge, and with a definite purpose and program, those powers enhance the
Lodge and the sense of belonging that all Brothers should feel. Misused, or
not used, those powers are simply wasted--and the Brothers are left feeling
that they are being dictated to, or are without a sense of direction. Either
way, the Brothers, and the Lodge, lose.
3. The Greek philosopher Aristotle tells us that there are three kinds of
friendship:
A We have friends who make us laugh, whose
company we enjoy.
A We have friends who are useful to us, who
lend things to us, who do things for us that we cannot do well for ourselves.
A Finally, we have "friends in the good." This
friendship occurs when we are united with others in a common undertaking,
which lifts us to another level, giving us a desire to strive for something
beyond our own lives. This is the highest form of friendship, and we seek it,
says Aristotle, because we quite simply become better people for having
"friends in the good."
If you will take care that the Masonry practiced in your Lodge, during your
year In the East, is reflective of Aristotle's third kind of friendship, a lot
of things that could go wrong will take care of themselves!
A A A A A
I hope you enjoy your tenure In the East as much as I did. I wouldn't have missed the year I spent as Worshipful Master for anything, and will have good memories of that year for the rest of my life!
