PROGRAMMING POTPOURRI
One of the most frequent requests made to
The Masonic Service Association is from Worshipful Masters, "Can you give me some ideas
for lodge programs?"
It's a good question. It deserves a good
answer. This Short Talk Bulletin is designed to
provide a variety of suggestions and ideas from
which to choose. It would be impossible to use
them all. In selecting a program, the Master (or
the program committee) must determine how a
particular program can be adapted to the tastes,
character and traditions of the lodge; how
much work and planning must be done in
preparation; and if it will be a motivating and
interesting experience for those attending.
Any program designed for use in a Masonic
lodge must have in it an element of Masonic
education--something that will be meaningful
and that will add to one's Masonic knowledge
and experience.
Certain programs are more adaptable to
certain months or seasons. Others are of a
nature suitable for "Ladies Nights." Care must
be exercised in selecting appropriate programs
at appropriate times.
No effort has been made in this Short Talk
Bulletin to give full scripts for meetings. Instead, we have provided the " foundation
stones." It's up to you to build them according
to the "designs" on your own "trestleboard."
For additional information be sure to read
the M.S.A. Pocket Digests, "Think Tank for
Junior Wardens" and "Hat and Gavel."
A WORD ABOUT PROGRAMS
Meeting programs require a lot of thought,
a lot of planning and a spirit of cooperation to
ensure they go off "without a hitch." One man
can't do it all. The wise Master will select a
hand-picked committee to plan, organize and
conduct each program.
Programs fall into several broad categories:
Speakers, "fun" programs, instructive programs, and "ladies night" or social programs.
Following, you will find examples of these
discussed. How effective such programs will be
depends entirely upon how well they are planned and presented.
Planning is the most important fact. Does
the program fit into the "theme" of the Grand
Master? Does it help to promote the areas of
emphasis of Grand Lodge programs? How
long will the program be? Will it be of interest
to the members? Care must be exercised that a
program does not embarrass or offend any of
your members. Each program must have a
Masonic message.
"The Rusty Nail Degree"
A simple, entertaining and instructional
program is one based upon an "in lodge"
demonstration of the examination of a
"visitor." It serves several purposes: as a
"training aid" for those called upon to serve on
the Examining Committee; to demonstrate that
there's no need to worry about being "rusty"
when visiting.
Emphasis, of course, must be placed upon proper decorum in the examining room;
that the sole duty of the Examining Committee is to satisfy the lodge that a
visitor is a Master Mason in good standing--not to see how much--or how
little--the visitor knows. If well-planned, this program can be one that
generates a great deal of interest, discussion and participation. Many
variations can be used to show proper--and improper procedures. It is usually good to open the floor for
a question and answer session after the
demonstration.
MASONIC HOME NIGHT
If your lodge is located near a Masonic
Home, you might consider entertaining some of
the guests at the lodge. Many of them relish the
opportunity to "sit in lodge." Prior arrangements have to be made with the Home
Administrator for them to attend. And arrangements have to be made to transport them
to lodge and back to the Home. Strict
adherence to the Home's rules must be kept as
to times the guests must be returned. It gives
everyone a boost if you can get one of them to
speak about his Masonic experiences.
When it isn't practical for the guests to visit
lodge, another great thrill for them is to have
the Brethren from the lodge visit with the guests
at the Home.
Don't neglect this important part of "the
Masonic family."
VISITING DEGREE TEAMS
For an extra-special event, there are a variety of Degree Teams that will insure a big turnout.
(CAUTION: Some Jurisdictions do not approve the use of degree teams.) There are
several Indian Degree Teams; State Police Degree Teams; The Virginia Craftsmen;
Royal Canadian Mounted Police; Military Degree Teams, etc. . . Be sure to check
with your Grand Lecturer or Grand Secretary before inviting a Degree Team. Usually it requires a
Special Dispensation from the Grand Master if
they are from another Jurisdiction.
And, of course, there is frequently a great
deal of expense--transportation, meals, and
lodging. Be sure to check this all out in advance
to be sure your lodge can cover the expense.
Banquets are frequently used to raise the
necessary funds.
TABLE LODGE
In those Jurisdictions where it is permitted,
the Table Lodge can be a useful and enjoyable
way of promoting Masonic knowledge and
good fellowship. Some Grand Lodges have
prescribed rituals for use at Table Lodges, and
strict guidelines for the conduct of Table
Lodges.
A Masonic digest, entitled "Masonic
Feasts, Banquets and Table Lodges" is available from the Masonic Service Association
which describes these festivities and their
histories.
CANDIDATE RECEPTION
A successful program which originates in South Carolina is one which is a
"Reception" in honor of the Accepted Candidate given between the time he is
accepted and when he is initiated .
His family, friends and fellow workers are
invited to the reception at the Masonic Temple.
A carefully prepared program, consisting of
short talks about the history and purposes of
the Craft are given emphasizing that he is
becoming a part of a "Universal Brotherhood"
--not just another Men's Club--and asking for
understanding as he mumbles to himself over
the coming weeks. Everyone is treated to a tour
of the Temple; and, then, over coffee and
doughnuts, there is a question and answer session.
We're told that frequently one of the questions asked is, "Where can I get a petition?"
This is fully discussed in the M.S.A. Digest,
"Tried and Proven."
SPEAKERS
Masonic speakers can be big "drawing
cards" for Masonic meetings and banquets.
For some tips on "the care and handling" of
speakers, you'll find the Short Talk Bulletin,
July, 1978, "The Masonic Speaker," most
helpful.
One caution! It's not wise to have speakers
too often. The Brethren get bored with
speeches. Some speakers tend to be longwinded. It's best to tell them well in advance
what their time-limit is. And it is a good idea to
give them an outline of your program so they
will know just when and where they fit into
your plan.
PAST MASTERS' NIGHT
This is the night when you recognize the
Past Masters of your lodge and the contributions they have made to the Craft.
There can be many variations of the program. A great deal will depend on how
many of your Past Masters can attend. Some lodges have made it traditional that
the Past Masters assume the stations and places of the lodge officers for the conferral of a degree.
Note, however, if there is no candidate, the
Past Masters really don't need the experience of
doing an exemplification. Then you can use one
of the variations.
In one, the Past Masters are lined up west of
the Altar, called by full name and years of service. Then they are each greeted individually by
the Master (and sometimes presented with a
token gift to mark the occasion.) Frequently,
one Past Master is called upon to respond for
all of the Past masters.
Sometimes the oldest past master is singled out for special recognition, with a
short biographical sketch given on his Masonic career. Other times the Past
Master is specially recognized who presided when the current Master was raised.
One successful twist on this was a "This is your Life" type program honoring the Past Master. (It was a beautifully planned audio-visual presentation.)
It's always a nice gesture to recognize all
Past Masters who are present at a Past Masters'
Night. And don't neglect the Past Masters of
your lodge who couldn't be present. You might
consider having everyone present sign cards to
be sent to them.
There are so many ways a lodge can honor
its Past Masters. Think about it! One of these
days you'll be a "Past Master." So why not
plan a program that would be meaningful to
you if you were on the receiving end?
(For additional ideas, see the Short Talk
bulletins of January 1931, April 1945, February
1941 and October 1943 .)
PATRIOTIC OBSERVATIONS
Washington's Birthday--February
Law Day--May
Memorial Day--May
Flag Day--June
Fourth of July (Independence Day)
Veteran's Day--November
Patriotic programs are always popular. You
can get a lot of people involved, especially the
Youth Groups. You can usually get some good
publicity on well-planned patriotic activities.
"Love of Country" is still a basic emotion that
needs "recharging" frequently.
Programs can be planned around the
specific event with appropriate speeches, plays,
skits, flag displays, oratorical contests, etc. Use
your imagination.
YOUTH NIGHTS
In most Masonic communities there are (or
should be) youth groups which are sponsored
by Masonic Bodies. The most popular of these
are the Order of DeMolay, the Job's
Daughters, and the Order of Rainbow for
Girls. In some jurisdictions, you will find the
Order of Builders, The Order of the Constellation of Junior Stars, The Order of Girls of the
Golden Court, and perhaps others. And, of
course, there are the Boy Scouts and Girl
Scouts .
All of these organizations promote and teach the social virtues and are worthy
and deserving of our support, concern and encouragement. Lodge programs which recognize
the accomplishments of these groups will do
much to show that interest and concern.
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