Members’ Development Update

June 2012

Our Aim
“To provide the enquiring Masonic mind with information and motivation, thereby encouraging a deeper understanding of the role and organisation of the Fraternity”

Stop Press
The programme of workshops for Directors of Ceremonies, ADCs and those aspiring to those Offices has now collected most of those currently in Office in the ‘Craft’, but still has a way to go for those in the Royal Arch as well those aspiring to the ‘office’. These workshops are now held on a biennial basis and the programme for 2012 is listed under the “Directors of Cere,omies ” tab.

Details of the several combined Lodges/Chapters or Classes of Instructions being held around the Province are now set out on their own page under the “Members’ Development” tab. These groups offer advice and encouragement on the ritual and floor-work used within the Lodge/Chapter rather than the more general managerial support available from the other workshops and seminars on offer. Some of the groups have been operating effectively at their Masonic Centres for many years but are now included here to provide a complete picture of the support available to our members in all aspects of Lodge and Chapter life.

The aims of the North East Corner Clubs (NECC) and Combined LofIs have much in common and so have been integrated at some of our Centres.  Further news on this will be forthcoming in due course or, for the latest news, call one of the Centre NECC leaders.
Lodge Secretaries, Assistant Secretaries and those aspiring to that Office please note that the next series of workshops for you are booked for June and July this year. Check out the programme dates under the individual programmes’ tabs.
Royal Arch News – Seminars for Scribes E and Directors of Ceremonies are now incorporated with the Craft programmes and cover  generic issues with Chapter specifics  dealt with in ‘break out’ sessions’

The Programmes:
Within the Craft, there are now three core programmes on offer:

• The first is targeted at Masters Elect/Senior Wardens.
• The second is for Directors of Ceremonies and their teams (Preceptors, Assistant DCs) including those aiming to take on such offices in future.
• The third is for Lodge Secretaries, aimed at Secretaries, Assistant Secretaries and aspiring Secretaries.

Specialist programmes also exist for newer Masons in North-East Corner Clubs, for Lodge Almoners (under the Guidance of the Provincial Grand Almoner) and for Charity Stewards (under the guidance of the Provincial Grand Charity Steward) – for content and dates please refer to the separate NECC, Almoner and Charity Steward web pages under the main “Members’ Development” tab.
As the Orator and Mentor schemes mature around the Province, the Members’ Development Group will also support the teams delivering these important initiatives.

The Members’ Development Group aims to assist and support those hard-working volunteers who are increasing still further our opportunities for making a daily advancement.

All the programmes focus on advancing Freemasonry in the 21st Century, and are critically directed towards a greater and more meaningful understanding of our Ancient Institution.