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masonic program planning
CHAPTER v
THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER'S
HANDBOOK
Grand Lodge, F.A.A.M. of the
District of Columbia
A successful Worshipful Master must begin his term of
office with a well-developed and well-organized program, The program
provides the officers and members of the Lodge with the information
they need to plan their schedules and perform their duties and
assignments throughout the year.
Program planning is not difficult, It is, however,
the most important administrative duty of the Senior Warden. The
Senior Warden? Yes, the Senior Warden. The program for his year as
Worshipful Master should be finalized before he is installed in the
Oriental Chair. Several aspects of Lodge operations are dependent on
the development of the year’s program.
The program, for example, provides the basis for the
development of the Lodge’s annual budget. The activities outlined in
the program generally require the expenditure of funds for honoraria,
refreshments, special supplies, etc.
The program also provides a basis for identifying the
ad hoc committees, or manpower, needed to make the planned activities
happen, Responsibilities can be assigned, interim or progress reports
required and, most importantly, the work divided to insure that
everyone is kept actively involved in the Lodge, To paraphrase a
well-known expression, "The Lodge that works together, grows together"
conveys the concept of program planning.
Where do I begin; how do I start? Easy. Start with
the calendar for the upcoming year. Try to use a calendar that
identifies both religious and secular holidays to avoid conflicts.
Step One: Identify the dates on which your Stated
Communications will occur.
Step Two: Resolve the conflicts occurring between
those dates and the religious or secular holidays which occur on
them. There may be no alternative to calling off some of your Stated
Communications. You should consider, however, scheduling a Special
Communication to replace the canceled meeting if a Special
Communication will serve the purpose.
Step Three: Identify what will occur at the
remaining Stated Communications on your calendar and at any Special
Communications which you decide to call because of the canceling of
Stated Communications. How is this done? Not easily. But with a
little imagination, some input from the officers and brethren, and
cognizance of annual or traditional activities in your Lodge, it is
not as difficult as you may anticipate.
A. Mandatory Activities
The Masonic Code and your Grand Lodge’s Bylaws and
traditions may require that certain activities occur at specific Stated
Communications of your Lodge (for example, elections, installation of
officers, etc.) Enter these mandatory activities on the dates when they
must occur. Evaluate the activity to determine if it will require the
entire Communication to complete. Identify and schedule another activity
if the mandatory activity does not require a large amount of time during
the Communication.
Also include the dates of other activities and meetings
at which the Lodge must be represented in addition to the dates of your
Stated Communications on the calendar. Examples of such activities and
meetings include the Veterans Administration Hospital Visitations; MESH
Residents Program; Grand Lodge Communications and School of Instruction;
Masonic Board of Relief, and St. John’s Mite Association meetings; MESH,
Inc. meetings; your Lodge’s officers’ and committee meetings; rehearsals,
etc. The inclusion of these meeting dates provides a reminder to both you
and your representative regarding the responsibility to attend.
B. Optional Activities
Identifying and planning the optional activities of the
Lodge is the most difficult and the most important aspect of Masonic
program planning. Optional activities are the most important aspect of
your program because they are the motivators which provide members with
the incentive they need to attend and participate in the Lodge.
Feeling Perplexed? Relax. Use your imagination. Talk to
your officers. And, more importantly, talk to your members and give them
the opportunity to input into your plan. You may decide to include some or
all of their suggestions. Their input makes your task easier and affords
the suggestor reason to make the function a success.
Do not forget the wives! Spouses are probably the chief
determinants of a Brother’s attendance and participation in Lodge
activities. Visit or phone the ladies and request their input. Active,
positive spouse-support and the involvement of the entire family, on
appropriate occasions, can assure Lodge growth and development.
Put your imagination to work when you have enough
information. Examine the suggestions you receive to assess their appeal to
a significant number of members and, where applicable, to their families;
their cost, to determine if they can be implemented within the Lodge
budget and resources; and their feasibility.
Let us take a look at some of the activities you might
consider. We will group them into four broad categories for discussion as
follows:
1. Entertainment
Entertainment is a broad category which includes social
and educational activities. Try to plan activities which afford maximum
benefits and encourage greater participation. Consider scheduling
entertainment and educational activities in which families and friends can
and want to participate. For example, a trip to a Masonic or historic
building or to a recreational center. The George Washington Masonic
National Memorial; the International Eastern Star Temple; the House of the
Temple of the A.A.S.R., S.J.; Mount Vernon; Atlantic City (for the beach);
the U.S. Capitol Building; Monticello; the Gettysburg battlefield; and the
Inner Harbor and Fort McHenry in Baltimore are some of the places which
members and families might enjoy. Make the trip one on which you can enjoy
a pot luck picnic. Alternatively, include lunch at Lodge expense, if the
budget will permit.
Inclusive entertainment and educational activities can
make the Lodge an integral part of family life and, in turn, to Lodge
growth. You are limited only by your imagination.
2. Civic Service
Civic Service by the Lodge and members of the Lodge is
always in order. If well planned and organized, such services can be very
beneficial to Masonry. Worthwhile civic activities can result in favorable
publicity, esprit de corps, team building, spousal participation, and new
members. Let the world know that your Lodge makes a difference in your
community.
3. Athletics
Athletics? Why not? You may be surprised to learn that
many of your members, their families, and friends would enjoy
participating in organized athletic activities.
Ask to determine the types of athletic activities that
are of interest to your members. Bowling, softball, volleyball, etc. are
examples of team sports which may interest your members and their
families.
Form Lodge teams when enough Brothers, family members,
etc, desire to play. Challenge other Lodges or organizations. Athletic
activities, in particular those between different fraternal organizations,
can be used effectively to promote charitable objectives. The same type of
benefits are realized by the Lodge in a planned athletic program as those
that are gained in civic service activities.
4. Miscellaneous
Everything else! Fund-raising activities; special
interest groups, such as a Fellowcraft Club; special commemorations, such as the
chartering anniversary of the Lodge; the Solomon II Program; etc. All
these types of events can be developed and included in your program.
Pick up your calendar. Identify the number of Stated
Communications you have free for optional activities and the weekend days
on which ladies and family activities will occur. Match the activities and
the dates. End result -- your program for your term as Worshipful
Master.
The program which you have just completed can now be used
to plan your budget; to identify committees; to order special items needed
for identified events, such as favors; etc. Publish your program as early
as possible, preferably before your installation.
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