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FACING  THE  EAST

 A WARDEN'S  CHARGE

From  a  booklet   by  the  Fraternity  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  of Pennsylvania.

May be used by the DDGMs for their Workshops, and should include all who are Senior Wardens, Junior Wardens, and those who aspire to these positions and then as Master of their Lodge.


TABLE OF CONTENT

Forward

Introduction

A Worshipful Master of a Lodge in England Speaks

Qualifications of a Worshipful Master

On Presiding

Set the Craft At Work

Programs

Assimilation of New Members

Conclusion

Special Events

Articles

Lodge's Functions


FORWARD

This publication is designed for the Senior Wardens in an effort to help prospective Worshipful Masters.   No claim of originality is made.   The publications of other Grand Lodges have been studied and their ideas and phraseology used.

In the ACGL and in other Masonic Jurisdictions, attendance at Lodge meetings, except on very special occasions, usually represents a small percentage of the membership.

Lodge meetings should be so designed as to attract the attention of the membership, so that a large percentage of them will be in attendance.

The prospective Worshipful Master must plan now to bring about Lodge meetings that are attractive to the membership.

*        Whenever and wherever our ACGL members meet, in Lodge assembled or in any other place for any event sponsored by a Lodge; wherever we are identified as Freemasons (and we should ever conduct ourselves as befitting that title of Ancient Free and Accepted Freemasons) it must be above all things Friendly.

*        All of our undertakings must contribute to the betterment of every participant and attendee, most especially of our members.  That necessitates a Friendly environment where productive professional programs are conducted.  These programs must contribute toward the improvement of each attendee.  We have associated ourselves with this institution for different reasons.  Those reasons are known only to each of us individually, they are private and are accepted as such.  Let’s discuss a basic function of our Fraternity.  That function is to make good men better.

*        First off, we can not attract ‘good men’ if they do not know that Freemasonry exist, and that Freemasons are in fact ‘good men’ and they have a favorable opinion of our institution.  That equates to them having a favorable opinion of us and what we stand for and what we do not stand for.  Every gathering, every effort, every action by each Lodge and each member must be in making our communities and our families and ourselves better.

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INTRODUCTION

To  All  Senior  Wardens

 In almost all instances, you as Senior Warden have reason to believe that next September, there will fall to your lot the highest honor and the greatest responsibility which your Lodge can confer; that of electing you Worshipful Master.   To be worthy of that honor should be the aim of every Senior Warden.

The duties are numerous and important, extending far beyond the conferring of degrees and the conducting of meetings.   It is within the capability of every Worshipful Master to perform his duties with real distinction if he realizes that his primary function is to serve, and if he has prepared himself for the opportunity.   This booklet is dedicated to you as Senior Warden, in the hope that it may be of assistance in that preparation.

You, as Worshipful Master of a Masonic Lodge, will have duties, powers, responsibilities and privileges not accorded to presiding officers of other societies and organizations.   They preside but do not govern.   You will do both and your decisions and orders will be absolute and can be overruled only by the Most Worshipful Grand Master, his personal representative, your District Deputy Grand Master (DDGM), or by the Grand Lodge.

You should therefore be very careful that your decisions are wise and just.   Some of them will be made on the spur of the moment without the opportunity for counsel and advice.   In a few cases the circumstances cannot be foreseen.   The majority of decisions to be made, however, can be anticipated, thus giving you time to prepare for them.   The importance of preparation cannot be stressed too much.   You should study The ACGL Code, The Lodge Officer Handbook, ACGL Masonic Protocol, The Lodge By-Laws,  and The Lodge Secretary's Handbook of Administrative Procedures & Forms.   Most importantly never forget the Moral Lessons our institution has taught you.   Always treat others as you would like to be treated, especially a Brother Mason, weather he is a member of your Lodge or a visitor.   Always be kind, be a Gentleman in all your doings.   Do not postpone this until you become Worshipful Master.

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A WORSHIPFUL MASTER OF A LODGE IN ENGLAND SPEAKS

The following statement by the Worshipful Master of a lodge in England, should be of value to all who are elected to serve in the East.

"This in an ancient office, and it’s antiquity is at once a Worshipful Master’s despair and his hope; his despair because he cannot expect to measure up to the standards the centuries have set; his hope, because he has a beaten path to follow.  It is not necessary for him to discover his duties, to create his authority or to invent the functions he is to perform; long ago they were instituted and defined.  It is only necessary for him to follow a chart laid down by The wisdom of many generations.”

“The office belongs to Freemasonry.  I am only to well aware that it is not my personal possession.  I shall not presume to undertake to revise or reform it to suit my private personality; whatever idiosyncrasies of manner or peculiarities of character I may have, you will expect me to set aside.  The man is not the jewel for which the office is a setting.  I shall not seek to make the office conform to me; I shall try to conform myself to it.”

“No man sits in the East in his capacity as a private person. He is no longer himself; he is the Worshipful Master of his Lodge.  The private man with his predilections and prejudices must disappear in order that only the officer may remain.  He is not to play a part; he is to be a part.  To a superficial view this may mean nothing more than the glamour which goes with the place of power; to the incumbent himself it is one of the most humbling and exacting of all the duties his position places upon him.  It means that if his most intimate friend deserves to be rebuked he must rebuke him; it means that if he must give instructions to those who are far wiser than himself he must instruct them; it means that whatever limitations, whatever sense of failing and short coming he may be conscious of, he must sacrifice to the demands of his position.”

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QUALIFICATIONS OF A WORSHIPFUL MASTER

The question is sometimes asked, “What are the qualifications of a Worshipful Master?”   Actually they are both Masonic and personal.  He should have those virtues which are normally associated with a member of the Masonic Fraternity, being upright before God and of good repute among men; obedient to the moral law, and possessing the respect and confidence of his fellow men.  He should know the Ritualistic and Lodge Work and be able to teach it to others.

 Likewise he should be familiar with the working tools provided by the Grand Lodge – The Standard Works, The Code, The Lodge Officers Handbook, The Lodge Secretary’s Handbook of Administrative Procedures & Forms, ACGL Masonic Protocol, Masonic Management Memos, and his Lodge By-Laws.  These ‘must’ be cemented with ‘Moral Values’, and ‘deep Brotherly Love.”

 Also, he should have certain personal qualifications.  No one man can be expected to possess all the personal traits that are so highly desirable, but many can be acquired.  Self-evaluation will point out faults that can be corrected.  An efficiency expert once proposed a number of questions all of which should be answered in the affirmative by an effective manager of men.  Most of them apply equally to a capable Worshipful Master.  It may prove helpful to review the following questions, with the idea of preparing yourself to become an outstanding Worshipful Master.

 1.     Can you express your own ideas without causing others to fell you are overbearing and narrow minded?

 2.     Do you control your temper and not become overly upset when things go wrong?

 3.     Are you usually cheerful?

 4.     Do you think for yourself, and not let the opinions of others unduly influence you?

5.     Are you give credit where credit is due?

6.     Are you calm when your own mistakes are pointed out?

7.     Do your men respect you and cooperate with you?

8.     Can you maintain discipline without resorting to the use of undue authority?

9.     When thrown in with a group of strangers, do you adjust yourself readily?

10.   Can you adjust a misunderstanding and retain the friendship of the person with whom you have differed?

11.   When speaking to superiors, do you feel free from embarrassment?

12.   When interviewing subordinates, do you put them at ease?

13.   Can you meet opposition without becoming confused and saying things you wish after-wards you had not said?

14.   Are you sought by your friends to handle delicate situations because of your ability to do so?

15.   Are you patient when dealing with people who are hard to please?

16.   Do you make and retain friends easily?

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ON  PRESIDING

Most of the duties of a Worshipful Master are enumerated in the various ACGL Documents and in the Ceremony of Installation.  It seems unnecessary to dwell upon them here.  There are, however, certain rules and maxims concerning the conduct of the office, the observance of which will be valuable in officiating effectively as Worshipful Master.

In the first place, be punctual.  The By-Laws prescribe that the Lodge shall be opened at a specific hour.  See to it that this is done.  Conduct the business of the Lodge with as much dispatch as is consistent with dignity and decorum.  Make certain that the Ritualistic and Lodge Work is of the highest type.  It should be as nearly letter-perfect as is possible, but above all, it should be impressive.  If it does not create a favorable impression on the Candidate, it has failed in its purpose.

Be kind and courteous but firm, in making such decisions as may be required.  Do not, however, be hesitant in asking for advice from experienced Brethren.  What seems like a difficult situation to you may be quite common place in the light of wider experience.  Be certain that the Candidates are being properly instructed both in the Ritualistic Work (Proficiency requirements), and also in connection with the Candidates Packets (Introduction to Freemasonry, etc) supplied by the ACGL.  Whether or not a novitiate becomes interested in Freemasonry and an active Member of the Lodge often depends upon the attitude and influence of his instructors during his first few months as a Freemason.  His instructors therefore should be selected with the greatest of care.  To insure that the Lodge has good instructors, in fact to improve the quality of every Member, they should attend the many formal Masonic Educational Programs by the Lodge, the District, and the Grand Lodge.  This also accomplishes, or aids in the accomplishment of, our making good men better.

As Worshipful Master, it will be your duty to appoint certain Officers and Lodge Committees.  Here again, you should seek the Members most qualified and willing to serve.   An appointment made as a favor to a friend, might not be in the best interest of the Lodge, nor should you feel obligated to reappoint Members that have been previously appointed if in your judgement other Members could better serve the Lodge.

Your Lodge Committee on Masonic Education can prove to be one of your most important Committees.  The Members appointed to this Committee should be selected with great care.  Such appointments should be made strictly on the basis of the Member’s ability and willingness to serve.  Members of this Committee should have a reasonable knowledge of Freemasonry and be well acquainted with the program and procedure set forth by the Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic Education.  Your selection for Chairman for this Committee should be a Member you are convinced will instruct each Candidate and new Member in the basic teachings of Freemasonry.  This Committee should have programs of instruction for the general Membership that refreshes their knowledge, contributes to their continued growth in Freemasonry, and keeps them current with new data.  These could be with short talks during meetings, the showing of videos, or special Masonic Education Programs scheduled when no Lodge work is required or on other dates designated for that purpose.

Every effort should be made to induce new Members and all Members living within a reasonable distance to attend Lodge meetings and other Lodge activities.  Learn the names of those Members who attend regularly and address them by name, whenever possible.  Everybody appreciates this type of attention.

Under the “good of the Order,” do not feel that it is necessary at Lodge meetings to call upon everybody in sight.  In addition to starting on time it is highly desirable to close at a reasonable hour.  Be courteous to the visitors and to your Past Masters, but if the hour is late, keep the speaking to a minimum.  Don’t kill a good meeting by talking it to death!

Before entering your term as Worshipful Master, establish certain standards in various phases of Lodge activity which you would like to attain during your year.  Be reasonable in this.  Do not seek the impossible, but make your standards as high as you can possibly hope to reach.

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SET THE CRAFT AT WORK

The lack of interest in some Lodges may be due to the fact that the Worshipful Master has not “set the Craft at work.”  It has been said that no man is truly happy unless he is doing constructive work, and Freemasonry must afford opportunities for such work or it will suffer.  Men, as a rule, do not like to be simply spectators.  Give them something to do; make them responsible for it and you will revive their interest in the Lodge.  This does not mean that you should assign tasks indiscriminately.  Study your Members, find out what each one likes to do best, and try to give appropriate assignments to as many Members as possible.

There are numerous ways in which this can be done.  A few are herein listed:

1.        Encourage a greater number of Members to interest themselves in Ritualistic Work.  Assign parts to them and then be sure that, after having become proficient, they have a chance to take that role in actual Degree Work.

 2.      Have Members act as a Welcoming Committee.  It will not only give them something to do, but will develop many new friends.

3.        If there are Members with dues arrearages, have a Special Committee visit them.  Possibly these Members are actually unable to make payment, but are too timid to make their circumstances known; or they may have lost interest.  Quite often a friendly visit by this Special Committee will revive their interest and enthusiasm.

4.        Practically all lodges experience poor attendance at meetings.  A visit by one or more Members of a Special Committee may cause the chronic non-attendance to change his habits.

5.        A Committee specially appointed to visit the sick would perform a worthwhile function.

6.        In many localities, there are numerous Members living a distance from their own Lodges who seldom, if ever, attend Lodge meetings.  A Special Committee to search out these Brethren could do a real service in bringing such Members back into Masonic fellowship.

7.        Every Lodge has Members who are capable of presenting a program for the information and enjoyment of their fellow Members.  Find out who they are and use these talents.

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PROGRAMS

Do not underestimate the importance of having interesting programs for all Stated Meetings to entice and inspire the Members to be present.  When Members of a Lodge learn that the Worshipful Master has planned programs that are worthwhile, they will make a greater effort to attend Lodge meetings.  A successful year will follow such planning, but do not assume that this can be accomplished without serious thought and a lot of work.

At the beginning of his term of office, the Worshipful Master should know what his program is to be for the year he will preside over the Lodge.

 As far as programs are concerned, there is a wide field.  A number are enumerated below and briefly discussed.  They have been tired and found to e effective.

1.   ANNIVERSARIES:   The date of the Constituting of the Lodge is an important Anniversary.  Many Lodges celebrate with a dinner meeting, or a Festive Board, while others have an appropriate ceremony in the Lodge Room, i.e. a Rededication Ceremony.

2.        PAST MASTER’S NIGHT: A Degree could be conferred with Past Masters in all the Stations and Places.   Various Past Masters may be designated to speak on their recollections of Lodge activities of the past, or give timely advice for future improvement.  A memorial service could be held for the deceased Past Masters.

3.        BOOKLETS and PAPERS: The various booklets and papers, published and issued by the Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic Education, provide excellent material for review in the Open Lodge Meeting.  A brief review of the “Introduction to Freemasonry,” especially the popular “Questions and Answers” portions, and also “The Lodge Officer Handbook”,  “ACGL Masonic Protocol”, or “The Lodge Secretary’s Handbook Of Administrative Procedures & Forms.”  These can prove to be most enlightening and interesting if spread throughout the Stated Meetings during the year or for meeting nights set aside for Masonic Education.  The many enlightening videos on Masonry are recommended for their value and as a variety.  Members of the Lodge Committee on Masonic Education and other Members, acquainted with the contents of these booklets and papers, could be scheduled to present five or ten minute reviews.

4.        PATRIARCHS:  Twenty-five and fifty-year Members could be the invited guests at a meeting in their honor.  One or two of them could be scheduled to make a special address to the Brethren in the Open Lodge.

5.        OPEN FORUM: Three or four well-informed Brethren could form a panel and answer questions on all phases of Freemasonry.  There are numerous ways in which this can be accomplished.  A question-box could be placed in the Ante Room for several prior meetings where questions could be deposited.  “Planned” questions plus those asked from the floor could also be used.  The Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic Education will supply questions and answers, which can form the basis for a program of this kind.  The moderator of the panel should be a knowledgeable Mason such as a Grand Lodge Officer, a Member of the Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic Education, a District Deputy Grand Master, Past District Deputy Grand Master or a Past Master approved by the District Deputy Grand Master.

6.        MASONIC EXPERIENCES: Members of the Lodge who have traveled extensively, could be scheduled to relate their Masonic experiences while visiting Lodges or Masonic functions in other Jurisdictions of the United States or in foreign countries.  Members returning to Lodge after vacationing or business in other countries have interesting Masonic experiences to relate and could be invited to share those brought about by Masonic Membership.  We have such a variety among our Members who visit or are members of other Grand Lodges and have much to share.

7.        RECOGNITION:  A special program, set aside to recognize or honor a Member of the Lodge on his achievements, preferably Masonic, although this could be done for other attainments in various fields of endeavor.

8.        GRAND LODGE VISITATION: A visit arranged for a Grand Lodge Officer or Officers on the occasion of presenting a Grand Lodge twenty-five year Masonic Service Emblem or for some other special event.

9.        INVITATIONS EXTENDED: A Special Meeting could be set aside to which Members of the Craft who are employed in the fields of Medicine, Science, Technology, The Humanities and Service Organizations could be invited.  This would enable our Brothers to invite other Masons with whom they are associated in their work places to this special meeting.  If numbers permitted, they could be requested to assemble in the Ante Room and be admitted in a group.  A guest speaker could be scheduled to address the Brethren on such occasions.

10.   VISITORS’ NIGHT: A Special Meeting night, or on a none meeting day, to extend a special invitation to Members living within commuting distant who are members of other recognized Lodges to visit.

11.   OPEN HOUSE: A Special Meeting night set aside, or on a none meeting day, i.e. Saturday, to extend a special invitation to the Community, or selected persons, where Freemasonry is both explained and pamphlets are provided for them on Freemasonry.  Much planning needs to be done prior to this being offered.

12.   MASONIC INSTITUTIONS: A discussion could be scheduled on some outstanding Masonic institution, such as the Masonic Service Association of North America, the George Washington Masonic National Memorial at Alexandria, Virginia, etc.

13.   FOUNDER’S NIGHT: A special program to honor and recognize the Warrant Members of the Lodge.

14.   FATHER AND SON NIGHT and/or KIN NIGHT: A Special Meeting could be set aside to extend special invitations and recognition to father and son combinations within the Craft.  Where father and son combinations neither does nor attract too many, the invitation could be extended to family combinations that would include sons, brothers, nephews, sons-in-law, brothers-in-law, fathers-in-law, etc.

15.   FAMILY TEAM NIGHT: Same as above but for the Members of the Masonic Family, i.e., Lodge, Eastern Star, DeMolay, Rainbows, Scottish Rite, York Rite, Shrine, etc.

16.   MASONIC CELEBRITIES: A guest speaker could be scheduled for a Special Meeting using as the subject of his address such Masons as Washington, Franklin, Warren, Revere, Burns, Kipling, Truman, Lindbergh, and other great men who where Members of the Craft.

17.   MASONIC BIRTHDAYS: A greeting specially designed and signed by the Worshipful Master, could be mailed to a Member prior to the Stated or Special Meeting of the anniversary month in which the Member was Entered or Raised.  This greeting should congratulate him and also urge him to be present at the Meeting of his anniversary month so that special recognition could be extended to all Brethren celebrating the memorable occasion.  When the Member is introduced in Lodge, the number of years he has been a Member should be mentioned.  The entire group could be given a seat of honor at the hour of refreshment.

18.   Formal lodge debate: Arrangement could be made to have four Members of the Lodge discuss and debate some Masonic subject that shares different opinions.  Effort must be made, however, to keep this within reason so as not to disturb harmony and good order of the Lodge.

19.   EXEMPLIFICATIONS: Time could be set aside at a Meeting to have qualified Members exemplify certain Masonic procedures such as Examination of a Visitor, Masonic Protocol, Memorial Service, Laying of Corner Stones, Lodge of Sorrow, etc.

20.   SHORT TALK BULLETINS: Copies of this month’s publication of the Masonic Service Association of North Americas are available.  These bulletins cover many phases of Freemasonry and furnish an excellent basis for brief and interesting talks at Meetings.  This would be an excellent opportunity to have Members subscribe to this publication.

21.   Attached is a partial listing of events that your Lodge could stage.  Neither those listed above nor those attached are all inclusive as we here outside of our native lands have special areas of interest.

The success of each of the suggestions for programs herewith listed and any other thoughts and ideas you may adopt will be assured only by proper and adequate promotion.  You must find ways and means of communicating with your Lodge Membership, both resident and non-resident Members.  This requires advance notice of what is coming.  Every monthly notice should include such announcements.  The delegating of certain details to other Members is essential so that all is in readiness well in advance of the Meeting.  Nothing should be left to the last minute.

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ASSIMILATION OF NEW MEMBERS

No Lodge can long endure without acquiring new Members, nor can it continue to thrive unless new Members are properly assimilated.  To aid in this process certain working tools have been provided.

Sets of materials, ACGL and from other Masonic sources are available which should be presented at proper intervals to each newly made Mason.  These should start prior to the Investigating Team’s visit to the Petitioner and his Lady.  In fact it should have started during the Public Relations efforts, during the ‘Open House Program’, and when the Petition was given to the person making the inquiry.  The Family Members, i.e. the wife and children, should be involved in the decision of the petitioner.  There is a great amount of material that is for the general public and this should include the family.  At each stage of the new Members progress materials are to be given to him, i.e. as soon as he is initiated our Standard Work states that certain materials are to be given the new Entered Apprentice.  There are some materials that are for him only and those should be identified, but these are few as are what he is authorized to discuss or tell his family or friends.

For bridging the gap between the Candidate and the Master Mason, other tools containing Masonic information are available to share with the new Member as well as the “rusty” Member. 

Listing’s of many Masonic books, pamphlets and other materials and where they may be obtained are available upon request.

As Worshipful Master it will be your responsibility to make certain that these working tools are used to the best possible advantage for indoctrinating the new Member and in stimulating his interest and enthusiasm.  Only then will he become a working Mason and an asset to the Lodge.

But the instilling of certain ideals and information is not enough.  He must see the beauty and idealism of Freemasonry before he will be truly sold on our Fraternity.  Continued tutelage and constant attention can accelerate this.  It is worthy of your efforts as Worshipful Master.

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IN CONCLUSION – A SUMMARY

“The Ideal Worshipful Master”

Perhaps the ideal Worshipful Master has seldom presided in any Masonic Lodge, for the ideal Worshipful Master would be perfect, and total perfection is not given to human beings.  But the clearer and more attractive his ideas and the more strenuously he strives toward it, the greater will be his success.

The ideal Worshipful Master knows his Freemasonry.  He has been inspired, not only from listening to well informed Master Masons, but he has read and studied Masonic books written and compiled by Masonic Scholars.

The ideal Worshipful Master looks at his Lodge and sees it wholly harmonious.  No rifts of schisms develop under him.  He is friendly with every Past Master, every Officer and every Brother.

The ideal Worshipful Master leaves his Lodge better off financially than he found it.  He spends less than the income and receives full value for monies expended.

The ideal Worshipful Master attends to the duties, which are his in Grand Lodge.  He attends all Grand Lodge Communications, the VGLvD Konvent when held during his year, and all Grand Lodge and District Meetings and Workshops.  He answers promptly all correspondence received from the Grand Lodge and governs himself accordingly.

The ideal Worshipful Master has interesting Stated and Special Meetings.  He is willing to work hard arranging programs, planning events which will not only be of interest to the Brethren but will also be instructive and for the good of the Craft.

The ideal Worshipful Master considers the sick and sorrowing as his personal care.  He is ever ready to visit a Brother, a Brother’s family, the Widow or Orphan of a deceased Brother in the hour of need.

The ideal Worshipful Master considers not his personal pleasure, nor his social engagements, nor his hours of rest and recreation when his Lodge calls.  He puts his Lodge first, except for his family, his job and his God.

The ideal Worshipful Master protects and endorses the Ancient Usage’s, Landmarks and Customs of the Fraternity.  He sees to it that the laws, resolutions and edicts of Grand Lodge are enforced and that the by-laws of his Lodge are meticulously observed at all times.

The ideal Worshipful Master is a guide, philosopher and friend to the Brethren in times of trouble.  Members of a Lodge will often turn to their Worshipful Master for counsel.  The ideal Worshipful Master is always ready and willing to help, aid and assist his Brethren in any way possible.

The ideal Worshipful Master is eager for suggestions even though he may not follow those, which seem to him unwise.

The ideal Worshipful Master is primarily concerned with policies rather than details.  He therefore delegates details to carefully chosen Members and Committees, however, he knows what is going on at all times.

The ideal Worshipful Master is humble.  He keeps ever before him the knowledge that although elevated to the most honorable office of the Lodge; he can fill the Chair only if he thinks first, last and always of his Lodge and his Brethren.

The ideal Worshipful Master is an ideal Master Mason.  Freemasonry is part of him – a large part.  With all his heart and soul and strength he strives to live a true Masonic life so that the Brethren may see that he is no mere figurehead, but a vital force for the good and welfare of his Lodge in particular and Freemasonry in general.

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ARTICLES  - SPECIAL EVENTS

FOLLOWING IS A LISTING OF SPECIAL EVENTS THAT HAVE BEEN STAGED BY LODGES, DISTRICTS, AND THE GRAND LODGE WITHIN THIS GRAND JURISDICTION.

THESE SHOULD BE DOCUMENTED AND PUBLISHED IN THE LODGE, DISTRICT, LOCAL, GRAND LODGE NEWSLETTERS / PUBLICATIONS.

THE USE OF PICTURES WITH CAPTIONS TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY THESE SPECIAL EVENTS IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.

THESE ARE BY FAR NOT A ‘COMPLETE LIST’, THERE ARE OTHERS ‘&’ SOME COULD BE COMBINED IN A SINGLE EVENING OR AFTERNOON.

A COPY OF EACH SHOULD BE SENT TO THE GRAND LODGE.

1.       Open House.

2.       Bring A Friend Night.

3.       Hold ‘Widows Night.’

4.       Honor Past Master with PM Night.

5.       ‘Our Readers Write’, - Letters from members.

6.       Installation of Officers.

7.       Past Officers Certificates / Awards, Apron, etc.

8.       Presents 25 / 50 Year Lapel Pin and Certificates.

9.       Poems.

10.     Young Peoples day.

11.     Lodge Celebrates 40th Anniversary.

12.     Lodge No. --- VISITS Lodges No. ---/

13.     Proficiency of new Master Mason in 3rd Degree Proficiency (Standard Work.)

14.     Grand Lecturer Certification.

15.     Honors Eastern Star - DeMolay - Rainbow - Etc.

16.     Festive Board / Table Lodge (Open or Closed.)

17.     Ladies at the Table.  (Open Festive Board.) (Honoring Ladies.)

18.     Open Festive Board honoring Community achievers.

19.     Lodge Master Honors Member (s).

20.     Lodge awards ‘Honorary Membership to ---.

21.     Lodge Workshops - District Workshops - Special Training session.

22.     Americanism Program (Flag Ceremony, George Washington Day, etc.)

23.     CHARITY Efforts.

24.     Skoglund Fund.

25.     PMR Fund.

26.     Care of PMR Grave Site.

27.     The George Washington Masonic Ball.

28.     The All Masonic Social.

29.     The Shrine (ESC) Annual Golf Classic.

30.     Prince Hall Social.

31.     Lodge Visits France, London, Hungary, Luxembourg, Belgium, etc.

32.     Lodge / District at GA Carnival, etc.

33.     Lodge sells Donuts, PopCorn, Root Beer Floats, etc for Charity, etc.

34.     Lodge / District has BBQ - Picnic, etc.

35.     Sponsors ‘Special Olympus’.

36.     Christmas / Thanksgiving, Valentines, etc Dinner & how it was special.

37.     FAMILY TEAM - Lodge, District, ACGL.

38.     The MSA.

39.     The Fischer House.

40.     Successful FundRaisers & to what end.

41.     Lodge, District, ACGL hosts Family Night.

42.     Pictures of Events: Lodge Officers, Ladies, Youth Groups, Grand Lodge Officers, etc.

43.     Rededication / Concentration of Lodges.

44.     Rededication & ReObligation Ceremonies for Members, Lodges, etc.

45.     Pre Paid Life membership Program.

46.     Awarding of PPLM to a member by Lodge.

47.     Lodge HONORS --- District HONORS ---

48.     Corner Stone Laying Ceremony.

49.     HONEST & INTEGRITY Award  - FIDELITY Award.

50.     Appendix Bodies - Publish their activities such as:

           Elections, Honors, Reunions, etc.

          AMSRB, Eastern Star, Demolay, York Rite, ESC, Mark/Royal Ark Mariners.

51.     Histories of: VGLvD, ACGL, LODGES, Masonry in America, England, Canada, Turkey.

52.     Father Raises SON  -- Son Raises Father  -- Brother, etc.

53.     Lodge confers ‘so many degrees this year’ and / or double MM Degree, etc.

54.     Lodge has special Entertainment.   Music, dancing, etc.

55.     Lodge Honors Boy Scout, Girl Scout, etc.

56.     Articles on GM, PGM’s, Etc.

57.     Highlights of a busy lodge --

58.     Lodge, District helps needy Children, old folks, family, etc.

59.     Lodge holds ‘Prospect Night.’

60.     Lodge, District hosts “BE PROUD” night, dinner, etc.

61.     Lodge is visited by --- from -----.

62.     Lodge's Visits, Trips, Outings, BBQ, Picnic, Dinner, etc.

63.     How the area in which the Lodge is located has changed. (Germany, etc.)

64.     Holds Dedication Ceremony to commemorate Lodge’s first meeting place.

65.     Sister Lodge(s) and activities between each and how each supports the other.

66.     Presents Apron, etc, to 4 time Past Master.

67.     Invites MILCOM Commander, etc and/or German Mayor, etc to ---.

68.     Lodge promotes Image of Masonry with Signs, etc.

69.     Lodge holds Thanksgiving Observance Dinner (Tabernacles.)

70.     Lodge elects Officers for Masonic year 2000-2001.

71.     So & so received the following Awards from GL, District, community, etc.

72.     Past Master so & so receives seven medals from WW II.

73.     So & so received the Lodge Achievement Award for ---.

74.     Lodge holds KNIFE & FORK Degree.

75.     Lodge holds Lodge of Confusion.

76.     Lodge holds Outdoor Degree.

77.     Lodge holds ‘MoonLight’ Lodge / Degree.

78.     Lodge holds ‘Lodge of Sorrow’, Memorial Service.

79.     Traveling Gavel.

80.     Lodge Honors KCCH’s, 33 ’s, Cross of Constantine, etc.

81.     Lodge participated in local (German or American) ceremony, fest, etc.

82.     Articles on VSL;  Bible, Koran, etc.   5+

83.     The Internet & Freemasonry.

84.     Lodge holds ‘Sweethearts’ Night Dinner.

85.     Lodge receives Grand Master.

86.     AMSRB holds one-day reunion in Frankfurt, Italy, etc.

87.     About the changes locally; i.e., Berlin Article.

88.     About the History of the Town, Area, etc; i.e., Shoe Industry (Primasens.)

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LODGE’S LIST

 1.     Open House.

2.       Bring A Friend Night.

3.       Hold ‘Widows Night.’

4.       Honor Past Master with PM Night.

5.       ‘Our Readers Write’, - Letters from members.

6.       Installation of Officers.

7.       Past Officers Certificates / Awards, Apron, etc.

8.       Presents 25 / 50 Year Lapel Pin and Certificates.

9.       Poems.

10.     Young Peoples day.

11.     Lodge Celebrates 40th Anniversary.

12.     Lodge No. --- VISITS Lodges No. ---/

13.     Proficiency of new Master Mason in 3rd Degree Proficiency (Standard Work.)

14.     Grand Lecturer Certification.

15.     Honors Eastern Star - DeMolay - Etc.

16.     Festive Board / Table Lodge (Open or Closed.)

17.     Ladies at the Table.  (Open Festive Board.)  (Honoring Ladies.)

18.     Open Festive Board honoring Community achievers.

19.     Lodge Master Honors Member (s).

20.     Lodge awards ‘Honorary Membership to ---.

21.     Lodge Workshops - District Workshops - Special Training session.

22.     Americanism Program (Flag Ceremony, George Washington Day, etc.)

23.     CHARITY Efforts.

24.     Skoglund Fund.

25.     PMR Fund.

26.     Care of PMR Grave Site.

27.     The George Washington Masonic Ball.

28.     The All Masonic Social.

29.     The Shrine (ESC) Annual Golf Classic.

30.     Prince Hall Social.

31.     Lodge Visits France, London, Hungary, Luxembourg, Belgium, etc.

32.     Lodge / District at GA Carnival, etc.

33.     Lodge sells Donuts, PopCorn, Root Beer Floats, etc for Charity, etc.

34.     Lodge / District has BBQ - Picnic, etc.

35.     Sponsors ‘Special Olympus’.

36.     Christmas / Thanksgiving, Valentines, etc Dinner & how it was special.

37.     FAMILY TEAM - Lodge, District, ACGL.

38.     The MSA.

39.     The Fischer House.

40.     Successful FundRaisers & to what end.

41.     Lodge, District, ACGL hosts Family Night.

42.     Pictures of Events: Lodge Officers, Ladies, Youth Groups, Grand Lodge Officers, etc.

43.     Rededication / Concentration of Lodges.

44.     Rededication & ReObligation Ceremonies for Members, Lodges, etc.

45.     Pre Paid Life membership Program.

46.     Awarding of PPLM to a member by Lodge.

47.     Lodge HONORS --- District HONORS ---

48.     Corner Stone Laying Ceremony.

49.     HONEST & INTEGRITY Award  - FIDELITY Award.

50.     Appendix Bodies - Publish their activities such as:

           Elections, Honors, Reunions, etc.

          AMSRB, Eastern Star, Demolay, York Rite, ESC, Mark/Royal Ark Mariners.

51.     Histories of  VGLvD, ACGL, LODGES, Masonry in America, England, Canada, Turkey.

52.     Father Raises SON  -- Son Raises Father  -- Brother, etc.

53.     Lodge confers ‘so many degrees this year’ and / or double MM Degree, etc.

54.     Lodge has special Entertainment.   Music, dancing, etc.

55.     Lodge Honors Boy Scout, Girl Scout, etc.

56.     Articles on GM, PGM’s, Etc.

57.     Highlights of a busy lodge --

58.     Lodge, District, helps needy Children, old folks, family, etc.

59.     Lodge holds ‘Prospect Night.’

60.     Lodge, District hosts “BE PROUD” night, dinner, etc.

61.     Lodge is visited by --- from -----.

62.     Lodge's Visits, Trips, Outings, BBQ, Picnic, Dinner, etc.

63.     How the area in which the Lodge is located has changed. (Germany, etc.)

64.     Holds Dedication Ceremony to commemorate Lodge’s first meeting place.

65.     Sister Lodge(s) and activities between each and how each supports the other.

66.     Presents Apron, etc, to 4 time Past Master.

67.     Invites MILCOM Commander, etc and/or German Mayor, etc to ---.

68.     Lodge promotes Image of Masonry with Signs, etc.

69.     Lodge holds Thanksgiving Observance Dinner (Tabernacles.)

70.     Lodge elects Officers for Masonic year 2000-2001.

71.     So & so received the following Awards from GL, District, community, etc.

72.     Past Master so & so receives seven medals from WW II.

73.     So & so received the Lodge Achievement Award for ---.

74.     Lodge holds KNIFE & FORK Degree.

75.     Lodge holds Lodge of Confusion.

76.     Lodge holds Outdoor Degree.

77.     Lodge holds ‘MoonLight’ Lodge / Degree.

78.     Lodge holds ‘Lodge of Sorrow’, Memorial Service.

79.     Traveling Gavel.

80.     Lodge Honors KCCH’s, 33 ’s, Cross of Constantine, etc.

81.     Lodge participated in local (German or American) ceremony, fest, etc.

82.     Articles on VSL;  Bible, Koran, etc.   5+

83.     The Internet & Freemasonry.

84.     Lodge holds ‘Sweethearts’ Night Dinner.

85.     Lodge receives Grand Master.

86.     AMSRB holds one-day reunion in Frankfurt, Italy, etc.

87.     About the changes locally; i.e., Berlin Article.

88.          About the History of the Town, Area, etc; i.e., Shoe Industry (Primasens.)

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