Spotlight - June 2008

IT’S GOOD TO TALK – TO EACH OTHER!

When did the members of your Lodge (or Chapter) last sit down together and have a discussion about Freemasonry in general, the Province and even your own Lodge? Last month? Never?
My guess is the latter. There is so much for Masons to discuss yet they never seem to get around to arranging it. No candidate? Let’s have the boring old ‘practice Degree’ with good old Fred as the candidate. Note the fall-out of those who attend that meetng when the Summons is opened! Visiting a sick aunt in the Orkneys suddenly takes priority.
Why not put an item on the next appropriate Summons: “To have a general discussion about Freemasonry nationally, within the Province and this Lodge”. It could, for example, come under the Third Rising. Here is where the Master should take control – not the secretary or the ‘usual suspects’.
First, the Master could kick off the discussion with a couple of pointers: how many of the recent Initiates have attended the North-East Corner Club? Action required here. Second, how many individual Lodge members who are in a financial position to do so have not contributed to the 2010 Festival? The Charity Steward has the necessary form. Third, why not follow the example of other Lodges and raise money for a local non-Masonic charity? Any suggestions which charity? The list could be endless.
Crucially, the Master should not start with the ‘good and the great’ to open the discussion. Visiting Officers, Grand Officers generally and senior Provincial Grand Officers will learn much more by listening to the views of others, not least those who are new or relatively new to the Craft. After a warm-up, the Master should go round the Lodge room and ask each member – and guests as well – if they have anything to put forward.
It is surprising how people open up once discussion is underway. The Bucks Association for Masonic Research have held meetings with Lodges of Instruction – sometimes involving more than one Lodge at a time – to discuss Masonic matters, and within a few minutes views are coming thick and fast.
As the advert puts it: It’s good to talk. Communication is the lifeblood of any organisation, but when are some of us going to start communicating with each other? Views are usually forthcoming at the bar and the festive board, but why not in the lodge room?
Discuss!

JOHN JACKSON