West Kent Mentoring Part 3. Supporting Documentation. John Perkins Provincial Grand Mentor

Transcription

1 West Kent Mentoring Part 3 Supporting Documentation John Perkins Proincial Grand Mentor Issue No 5 = 30 th May 2016

2 Contents 1. Introduction 2. Before Initiation 3. The Interiew 4. Preparing for the Initiation 5. Initiation Ceremony 6. After Initiation 7. After Passing 8. After Raising 9. Beyond the 3 rd Degree 10. Maintaining the Relationship 11. The Installation Meeting 12. Reference and Support 13. Suggested Reading List 14. Ealuation and Reiew 1

3 1. Introduction This part of the West Kent Mentoring Scheme, "Mentoring Aids", contains a suggested programme of Masonic discoery for a Lodge to delier to a potential applicant, then candidate and, in time, new Mason. It draws on examples discoered by the Rulers' Forum Working Party on Mentoring among the ast collection of Mentoring booklets and experiences shared by other Proinces. Mentoring Aids proide a starting point to support the four stages of Masonic discoery described in the Mentor s Checklist See Part 4 Supporting Documentation. Many items are aailable for download, either for direct use or to be refined and expanded for use in a new or refreshed Mentoring scheme. No Mentee will remember eerything that is said to him by his Personal Mentor. There are a series of booklets and/or hand-outs to support the Mentoring Scheme. These are for use by the Personal Mentor and, subsequently, can be left with the Mentee for their own use. As with all content of the West Kent Mentoring Scheme, this section is not prescriptie. It is a check-list that can be used in the preparation or maintenance of a Mentoring program, to be augmented with material specific to your Lodge, or moderated to tie in with local Membership Deelopment initiaties, or existing local practices. Just as it is not prescriptie, this section is not complete. It is a starting point to be added to wheneer further material, success and experience is shared with the mentoring community and with the Proincial website. 2

4 2. Before Initiation No two potential candidates are the same and it is ital to ensure that all are suitable to become Freemasons, before welcoming them into the family of the Lodge. After all, we would not welcome someone unsuitable into our family home. For some of course, the mystery of the unknown will be the attraction. Others will be intrigued by rumours. Most join because they see that friends, whom they respect, are proud to be Freemasons and clearly enjoy their membership of the Order. To decide whether a man is suitable for Freemasonry, or indeed that Freemasonry is suitable for him, it is of course necessary to get to know him and his family and this is best achieed initially by initation to Lodge social eents. A subsequent meeting in the family home is recommended, but this has to be by initation and must neer appear to be intrusie. At all such meetings it is helpful for the wies/partners of Lodge members to be present so that the wife/partner of the potential candidate does not feel intimidated in any way. The high standards of behaiour we expect from all members of the Craft make it necessary for us to know something about the applicant before we can accept him. Howeer, questioning should not be inquisitorial, but instead the potential candidate and his wife/partner should be encouraged to actiely engage in two way communication. Whilst we need to establish that the candidate is suitable, it is also essential that he is made fully aware of what membership of the Order entails and what it does not, for failure to fully inform him will not ensure his on-going commitment. (Information is readily aailable on the UGLE's website: What is Freemasonry? & Becoming a Mason). The Candidate and his family will get their first impression of the Craft from this meeting, so ensure that it is a faourable one. If after attending Lodge social eents, the initial meeting was a home interiew, then the potential candidate may well be asked to attend a further interiew by the Lodge Committee. If such is the case, he should be adised at the end of the Initial Meeting, the reasons explained and a mutually conenient date and time agreed. The Lodge Mentor, who will hae been present at the Initial Meeting, should accompany the candidate to the interiew and stay with him throughout. Only by so doing, will he be able to best judge which member of the Lodge is most suitable to allocate as a Personal Mentor for the particular candidate. 3

5 3. The Interiew Applicants are often interiewed at Lodge Committee Meetings where an extensie alternatie agenda has also been tabled for discussion. The candidate will hae been gien a specific time for the interiew and you should adhere to that time, een if it means you must break off from your discussions and resume later. Whilst the presence of the Lodge Mentor and the Proposer/Seconder will be a calming influence, the candidate may neertheless be a little nerous and you should not keep him waiting. We are all aware that interiews of any kind can, on occasion, be somewhat daunting. Good interiew techniques are essential, allowing information to be elicited in a friendly and informal manner. Always remember that if the potential candidate is relaxed, you are more likely to be seeing the real man. A defensie interiewee may try to hide his true self. It is of course necessary to establish - Does he beliee in a Supreme Being? Are his moral and mental standards satisfactory? Haing adised him of the subscription and other costs, will his acceptance create any financial or domestic problems? Haing explained the frequency of Lodge Meetings, Lodges of Instruction/Rehearsals, is he prepared for the time commitment that membership might inole? Is he prepared to support the charitable aims of the Order, proided it is without detriment to his family and connections? What are his moties for joining Freemasonry? What are his wife's/partner's iews on Freemasonry and his proposed membership of the Order? Will he participate in the social actiities of the Lodge and is his wife/partner aware that there are such opportunities to be inoled? In particular we need to be satisfied that he is not seeking to become a Freemason because he expects that membership will adance him in his business, or proide him with a material gain or preference. Interiew Questions are aailable See Section 4G Information for the Master of a Lodge. 4

6 It is important to read and fully appreciate the iews of the MW Pro Grand Master, as reflected in this extract from his Address to Grand Lodge on 14th March "Although the number of Grand Lodge Certificates issued in 2006 showed a drop of nearly ten per cent oer the preious year, this is an exciting time for Freemasonry. I beliee we are at a turning point. This is a turning point for the better. With this in mind we should all be renewing our efforts to find men of quality to join us. To do so we need to be able to openly oice the objecties and merits of our Freemasonry. We need to do this from the ery beginning. By beginning, I mean from the moment we first interiew a potential candidate. I am looking at initiaties to help this process. It has always seemed strange to me that, for example, we ask the candidate those three ery important questions after the ceremony has begun. He is in a state of darkness, has little understanding of the criteria for membership and een less chance of giing a reasoned answer. So what we need to do is to gie clear guidelines for these interiews. We must tell the candidate what he can expect from us and what we will expect from him. I am on record as saying that in this age of openness we should be able to discuss the purpose of our rituals with a candidate before he decides whether to join. To put it another way, no thinking man is going to join and then stay committed to an organisation that cannot talk about itself openly and with clarity. So we hae to be clear in our own minds what the purpose of Freemasonry is and what our ritual means. When we are clear, we need to become good at marketing ourseles. Then, in the interiew we can explain our Freemasonry in a way that fits the twenty first century and why it will be releant to the candidate. That will allow us a better chance of competing for his leisure time, his finances and his intellectual stimulation." The importance of good selection cannot be oeremphasised. Failure to recruit men of real quality, whilst temporarily alleiating falling membership leels, will not proide the future quality of leadership your Lodge requires. Furthermore, it is likely that such recruits will fail to stay the course and will ultimately add to the retention problem we are specifically trying to address. Ask yourself 'When did my Lodge last reject an applicant?' 5

7 By the end of the interiew process, the Committee members should know enough about the applicant to decide if he is suitable. For his part, the applicant should hae receied sufficient information to decide whether Freemasonry is for him. It is only at this point that the Interiew Panel will proceed to an explanation of the balloting procedure and why balloting is necessary to ensure harmony is maintained at all times within the Lodge. It is strongly recommended that the ballot should not be held on the same eening and immediately prior to the ceremony of Initiation, as to do so assumes the decision of the Lodge will be faourable. A member who is reluctant to accept the candidate into the Lodge should ideally speak in confidence to the Lodge Secretary or Worshipful Master so that they may coney those reserations to the Proposer and Seconder and gie them the opportunity to withdraw their candidate in order to presere the harmony of the Lodge. Unfortunately, this does not always occur and there hae been instances of a fully prepared candidate waiting outside the door of a Lodge when a ballot has proed unfaourable and this is of course inexcusable. Similarly, it would seem sensible to leae at least one clear meeting between each adancement ceremony, so that the candidate has time to learn and consider his new status. When the candidate is balloted for and initiated on the same eening, or adanced from one degree to another extremely quickly, it is usually because the Lodge sees a need to hae a ceremony. The progress of a Candidate should not be goerned by the needs of a Lodge that wants something to do, but rather should at all times be geared to the needs of the Candidate. 6

8 4. Preparing for the Initiation Upon election, the Lodge Secretary should send the Candidate a congratulatory letter, which should also confirm Date, time and enue of ceremony. Dress code. Whether Candidate has any friends or associates he would wish to inite to attend as his personal guests. Financial matters needing to be addressed on the eening. Contact details for Lodge Mentor, or Personal Mentor if one has been appointed. A Personal Mentor, or the Candidate's Proposer/Seconder, must meet with him to explain the general format of the eening and to prepare him for the toasts and for the brief response he will be called upon to make. Inform him that it is usual to thank the Proposer and Seconder and also the Junior Deacon, bearing in mind that at this point he will hae little or no idea of the contribution which will be made by the Junior Deacon on the eening. The Candidate may not hae any experience of public speaking, so emphasise that the response need only be ery brief, as you do not want him to feel anxious about any aspect of the eening. Arrange to collect the candidate from his home. If it is not possible for you to do so, arrange for another member of the Lodge to pick him up. This is a wonderful opportunity to answer last minute questions and to put him at ease. 7

9 5. Initiation Ceremony Upon arrial at the Lodge building, ensure the Candidate is welcomed by the Worshipful Master and some of the members. Haing been through an Introductory Meeting and/or Interiew, not all will be strangers to him, but neertheless, a few kind words will not go amiss and will help him relax. Do not let anyone joke with him about the ceremony and therefore expose him to false information (e.g. goat). Remember, he does not know what is humorous and what is not at this point of his Masonic career. Show the Candidate where he is to be prepared and explain to him what the presentation entails. Introduce him to the Tyler and to the Junior Deacon. If he is to use his own clothing he should not wear a singlet/est and should remoe any personal jewellery, such as rings, neck chain etc. If this is not entirely possible, use sticking plaster to coer the jewellery. It is important to be sensitie at this time as the Candidate may well not wish to remoe a wedding ring for example and should not under any circumstances feel pressurised to do so. Be sure that his own clothing is arranged in such a way that it will remain in position and will not unrael during the ceremony, possibly causing embarrassment. Tell the Candidate what is expected of him and assure him that he will be told exactly what to do and when to do it. Naturally, you will undertake some of this work in conjunction with Bro Tyler, being careful not to usurp his position. Howeer, as the Candidate may hae been introduced to the Tyler only a few minutes earlier, it is important you stay with him during preparation and enter the Lodge behind him, although this may be impossible/difficult for smaller lodges. It is recommended that the Mentor assigned to the Candidate should be formally identified by the Worshipful Master, inited to the pedestal and introduced to the Candidate immediately after the Charge is deliered. See the recommended wording for this introduction Part 4 Supporting Documentation Section E - Information for the Master of a Lodge. 8

10 6. After Initiation Arrange to meet with the Candidate as soon as possible after his Initiation ceremony. The meeting should be held in a quiet enironment where you are both able to talk freely without embarrassment. The candidate's home, your home or the Masonic Hall are all suitable options and indeed the Masonic Hall has the added adantage of allowing you to point out many of the features you will be discussing. It would be strange if the Candidate did not hae many questions at your first meeting and it will therefore be necessary to display considerable patience and understanding, if you are to bring some structure to the meeting without appearing to disregard the Candidate's immediate thirst for knowledge. You should start by congratulating the Candidate on taking his first step in Freemasonry. Then embark upon a step by step explanation, encouraging the Candidate to question what is being said on each subject - Brief history of Freemasonry and of your own Lodge. If a history of your own Lodge has not been written, then steps should be taken by the Lodge to do so, for the benefit of future generations. (See example Lodge Leaflets) Organisation of the Lodge and duties of the Lodge Officers. (See example Lodge Leaflets) Proide contact details for the Officers of your Lodge and arrange to introduce each of them to the Candidate at the next Lodge meeting. (See example Lodge Leaflets) Discuss where the Officers are seated and proide a schematic layout of the Lodge Room. (See Information Leaflets) Symbolic explanation of the Initiation ceremony (two alternaties). In many Lodges, a Candidate does not hae access to the printed ritual until he is presented with, or allowed to purchase, a ritual book following the completion of his Third Degree. Ensure he is proided with a copy of the ritual immediately following the ceremony of Initiation, so that he may read it and raise any questions while the eents are reasonably fresh in his mind. 9

11 Applying the principles of Freemasonry to our eeryday lies. The Charge after Initiation spells out the way in which we should lie our lies, so proide a copy and discuss it with the Candidate. Why we use ritual rather than more modern day terminology to coney the aims and ideals of Freemasonry. Basic Masonic etiquette (See Information Leaflets) Festie Board Initing Guests brings with it certain responsibilities Arrange for the candidate to make an accompanied isit to a Lodge conducting an Initiation Ceremony as part of the learning process. See Visiting other Lodges & Mentoring Calendar Proide the Questions and Answers with which the Candidate must be conersant before he is Passed to the Second Degree and help him to learn them. The Personal Mentor should discuss with the Candidate the meaning of the questions and answers rather than merely proiding the missing words. Ensure the Candidate is proficient in the First Degree signs, so that he (and you) will not be embarrassed when he leaes the Lodge after answering his questions and when he re-enters the Lodge before the ceremony of Passing. Proide the words of any Opening and Closing Hymns that are traditionally sung in your Lodge. (See example Lodge Leaflets) The Candidate will eentually need to be familiarised with other elements of the First Degree Ceremony, such as the First Degree Tracing Board. It is howeer, important not to oerburden him at this early stage when he has so much to learn. An explanation of the First Degree Tracing Board is an excellent subject for an eening when the Lodge has no ceremony to perform and will be found interesting by all the newer members and een by those not so new! The explanation can be diided into constituent parts to inole many members of the Lodge in the work of the eening. 10

12 7. After Passing The 2nd Degree Tracing Board Start by congratulating the Candidate on taking his second step in Freemasonry and becoming a Fellow Craft. Embark upon an explanation of the Second Degree ceremony and endeaour to impart as much general Masonic knowledge as the Candidate is able to assimilate without oerburdening him. As a conscientious Mentor, you will be ery aware that it is essential to hae at least one clear meeting between the stages of adancement if the Candidate is to progress satisfactorily, haing regard to the sheer olume of information with which he is faced. Symbolic explanation of the Ceremony of Passing (two alternaties) The Tracing Board in the Second Degree is quite a long piece of ritual, and it is therefore not always deliered when a Candidate is Passed. In some Lodges, it is explained on an eening when there is little other work and, as a result, may be witnessed by seeral Fellow Crafts for the first time. An optional shorter explanation of the Tracing Board is attached. Applying the principles of Freemasonry to our eeryday lies. The 2 nd degree working tools of this Degree spell out the way in which we should lie our lies, so proide a copy and discuss it with the Candidate. 11

13 In many Lodges, a Candidate does not hae access to the printed ritual until he is presented with, or allowed to purchase, a ritual book following the completion of his Third Degree. Ensure he is proided with a copy of the ritual immediately following the ceremony of Passing, so that he may read it and raise any questions while the eents are reasonably fresh in his mind. Ensure the Candidate is proficient in the Second Degree signs and remind him of those in the First. Make him aware that he will be called upon to demonstrate both, when he leaes the Lodge after answering his questions and when he re-enters the Lodge before the ceremony of Raising. The Candidate may not hae been too aware of his surroundings during and immediately after the Ceremony of Initiation, but will certainly hae taken note of many features in the Lodge Room by the time he becomes a Fellow Craft. It is a good time to talk about the Symbolism which forms such an important part of our Freemasonry. Arrange for the candidate to make an accompanied isit to a Lodge conducting an Initiation Ceremony as part of the learning process. Charity is at the ery heart of Freemasonry. It is practiced through the work of the four National Masonic Charities, many Proincial Charities and indiidual Lodges across the length and breadth of England and Wales. The relationship between the United Grand Lodge of England and the Proinces, in terms of respectie roles. Explain the different Masonic Clothing and Regalia Proide the Questions and Answers with which the Candidate must be conersant before he is Raised to the Third Degree and help him to learn them. The Mentor should discuss with the Candidate the meaning of the questions and answers rather than merely proiding the missing words. Discuss with the Worshipful Master the need for him to delier a Royal Arch Chapter Address to the Candidate at the conclusion of the Ceremony of Raising and/or introduce the Candidate to the Royal Arch representatie. Be especially igilant after the Second Degree ceremony, as the Candidate may not hae been quite the centre of attention he was on the eening of his Initiation when eeryone wished to talk with him. It is important he does not feel any sense of anti-climax. 12

14 8. After Raising The 3rd Degree Tracing Board You should start by congratulating the Candidate on taking his next step in Freemasonry. Then embark upon a step by step explanation, and encourage the Candidate to question what is being said on each subject Symbolic explanation of the Third Degree ceremony (two alternaties). Applying the principles of Freemasonry to our eeryday lies Ensure the Candidate is proficient in the Third Degree signs and take the opportunity to remind him of those in the First and Second Degree. It is also a good time to remind him of the grip and words of each of the three Degrees. Ensure that the candidate owns a ritual book of his own. Encourage him to read it in short passages oer a period of time and to discuss with you the meaning of those passages and any abbreiations he is as yet unable to understand. Life as a Master Mason Lodge of Instruction 13

15 Grand Lodge Certificate Visiting other Lodges Encourage the Candidate to engage in social actiities at eery opportunity. These may ary considerably from relatiely low key Lodge gatherings such as Treasure Hunts, Craft Fairs etc, through Ladies' Nights, to eents such as Dinner Dances, Spring Fairs, North East Corner Club meetings, the Way Forward eenings, etc., organised at a Proincial leel. Inolement of the family is important - remember a mason with a supportie family tends to remain a mason. Conclusion - being a Mason in the world 14

16 9. Beyond the 3rd Degree Answering the Questions of Family and Friends As the Candidate becomes accustomed to life as a Master Mason, he will naturally wish to talk about Freemasonry within the circles he keeps both at home and at work. Indeed, he will doubtless face many questions from both family and friends, curious to learn about his new found interest. As a relatiely new mason he will likely be unsure as to what he may diulge to others about Freemasonry, perhaps taking his Obligations too literally. It is important to discuss this particular issue with him, for if through lack of knowledge or confidence he responds to questions negatiely with 'I cannot tell you, it is a secret', he will of course be perpetuating the ery myth we are trying so hard to dispel. It is only by talking about Freemasonry, that we are able to conince the uninformed and popular world of the benefits of our ancient Institution. See Part One Annex E Ambassadors for Freemasonry and Part Four Supporting Documentation. The Holy Royal Arch Upon becoming a Master Mason, the Candidate may well be approached by friends who, with the best of intentions, may encourage him to join other Orders and there are many. All these Orders are no doubt enjoyable, they will increase his general Masonic knowledge and he may eentually join some of them. At this point howeer, you must issue a word of caution. Remind the Candidate that he must neer inole himself in Freemasonry to an extent that compromises the interests of his family and business and that it is, therefore, unwise to become oer inoled too quickly. Encourage him to deelop his knowledge of Freemasonry one step at a time and impress upon him that the next step in Pure Antient Masonry is the Holy Royal Arch. It is ery important to ensure that the Candidate becomes a Royal Arch Mason before considering membership of any other Order. You should therefore proide him with an explanation of the relationship between the Craft and the Holy Royal Arch and encourage him to take that next step as soon as he feels ready to do so. Introduce him to an enthusiastic Royal Arch mason, of a similar age, if possible. (If you, the Personal Mentor, are not a Royal Arch Mason, you must enlist the assistance of the Royal Arch Representatie and/or a Companion of the Order to explain its relationship to the Craft) 15

17 10. Maintaining the Relationship One question that may be asked is "When does mentoring come to an end?" The truth is that there may be no single answer to this question. It will all depend on the type and strength of the relationship that has been built up between the Candidate and his Personal Mentor. The initial aim of the mentoring programme is to ensure a new brother enjoys his first few years in the Craft and becomes a regular and actie Freemason. He may not wish to commit to any further actiity, such as taking up an Office or performing ritual. If this is what he wants, and he will still attend his Lodge when he can, the mentoring relationship will probably start to wind down at this point. Howeer, it would be unusual indeed if he had no further questions and did not direct these towards his Personal Mentor. Of course as well as a more formal mentoring relationship, bonds of friendship may also appear which may continue for many a year. Howeer, the new mason may wish to pursue a more actie Masonic career by either taking up an office, performing ritual or working his way towards the Chair of King Solomon. In such a case, mentoring should continue to support his deelopment. It may be that the Personal Mentor has no experience in the role that the new mason aspires to; Worshipful Master, Treasurer, Charity Steward etc. In such a case, it may be better that 'the mentoring baton' is passed to a brother who has the necessary experience. The Lodge Mentor will reiew, on an ongoing basis, the suitability of Personal Mentors he has allocated to particular new members. Dealing with signs of Declining Interest If a Personal Mentor is meeting regularly with the new member, he should be able to pick up any signs of potential disinterest at an early stage. This may manifest itself in many ways, but may include: missing Lodge meetings, not attending social eents, or neer staying for the Festie Board. The first thing to do is to talk, and listen, to him. It may be that his domestic and/or working circumstances hae changed and he has no longer the time to attend as regularly as he would like. 16

18 If this is the case, re-assure him that family and work must come before his Freemasonry and that he is doing the right thing. Let him know that when his circumstances change, he will be welcomed back into his Lodge with open arms. If he feels that it will be a long time before he can re-attend his Lodge, discuss with him the potential of attending/joining another Lodge that meets at a time more conenient for him. Howeer, it may actually be the case that he is losing interest in Freemasonry. Speak to him and try to find out why. It may be that he has fallen out with someone, that he is being pushed into doing something (ritual/an office) that he does not want to do. These are issues that can be remedied and it is the Personal Mentor who must help him do this as he may not hae the confidence to speak up for himself. If the problem results from a clash of personalities in the Lodge and cannot be resoled, similarly for any other distinctly Lodge related problems, then as a last resort you can always recommend that the Candidate try another Lodge. If necessary, isit with him and introduce him to anyone you might know in the Lodge. It is better that he is lost to your Lodge, than to Freemasonry as a whole. Do not blame yourself if this happens, as we all experience situations when we are unable to correct a problem. In the final analysis, you may regrettably hae to accept that the Candidate is not the right sort of man to be a Freemason or, that Freemasonry is not the right organisation for him. If you beliee this to be true and hae tried all that you can, it is better he leaes the Order in good standing and with good heart. It is not in anyone's interest to hae a disinterested person in the Lodge. At least you will know that you hae done all that you can. 17

19 11. The Installation Meeting Eery year, each Lodge holds an Installation, when a new Worshipful Master takes up his role and appoints his Officers for the year ahead. It is a big eent in the Lodge's calendar, as it is an opportunity to gie thanks to the outgoing Master for all his hard work, to gie best wishes to his successor, and to pledge the support of the brethren to the new 'team'. As it is such an important eent, a lot of preparation is put in by eeryone, particularly the Worshipful Master, Secretary and Director of Ceremonies. Howeer, as a newer mason you will also hae an important part to play. You represent the future of the Lodge and, as the eent is largely about looking forward, your presence will certainly add to the sense of occasion. Before the eening, check the dress code with your Personal Mentor, as Lodges sometimes hae a different code for their Installation meeting. Also check the start time, as that is also sometimes changed. On the eening itself, make sure you arrie in good time as Installation meetings often attract larger attendances and you do not want to find yourself caught up in a last minute rush to get ready. Take your seat in good time, remembering to check that it is not spoken for, as some may be resered for use during different parts of the ceremony. You will be asked to leae the Lodge Room at some point in the eening, as the Master Elect in presented whilst the Lodge is open in the Second Degree and is installed by a Board of Installed Masters after all Master Masons hae been asked to withdraw in the Third Degree. Attend the rehearsal if at all possible and talk with your Personal Mentor to make sure you are aware of the correct modes of exit from and re-entry to the Lodge (signs, steps, positioning etc). Hopefully, you will not be alone when you leae and re-enter the lodge, but there is a possibility that your Personal Mentor may not be able to come out with you on this particular occasion, as he may hae a job to do in the Lodge. When you do leae the Lodge Room, you should stay within close proximity, for you will be called back in and need to be ready when that happens. When you re-enter, you will be asked to pass round the Lodge and salute the Worshipful Master in the degree in which the Lodge is opened. 18

20 This may sound somewhat daunting, but you will be well briefed by the Director of Ceremonies and it is unlikely you will be called upon to walk round on your own. In some Lodges, the perambulations are accompanied by music and the singing of the Masonic Hymn, 'Hail Masonry Diine'. You will then witness the Installing Master presenting the Warrant of the Lodge, the Book of Constitutions, the By-laws of the Lodge and possibly the By-laws of the Proince, to his successor. The new Worshipful Master will then appoint and inest his officers. When the officers hae all been appointed and inested, there will be three Addresses gien - Address to the Worshipful Master Address to the Wardens and Address to the Brethren (Print-outs of the aboe Addresses should preferably be gien to the Candidate immediately after the ceremony of Installation, rather than before it, in order to maximise its impact) As an Installation Meeting is such a special occasion, it is more than likely there will be a distinguished isitor present. Be prepared to be introduced to him as he will no doubt wish to meet and talk with the newer members. The Installation is an important eent in the life of your Lodge, play your part and most of all - enjoy yourself. 19

21 12. Reference & Support Peterborough Booklets Literally thousands of books hae been written on the subject of Freemasonry oer the course of the last 300 years and, in more recent times, the World Wide Web has greatly added to the olume of material aailable. Not all of it is good; indeed not all of it is comprehensible. It is important to ensure that the Candidate is not inundated with large amounts of information he is unable to understand. Start him reading slowly and there is probably no better place to start than the Peterborough Booklets published by QCCC Ltd. "After 1st, 2nd & 3rd Degree", these wonderfully useful booklets hae been produced to welcome the new made Mason and prepare him for his Passing - explain what the Passing ceremony actually meant and a general look at the Raising ceremony plus more information for the Master Mason. Daily Adancement Booklets 20

22 Following on, there are good booklets aailable which proide a Daily Adancement in Masonic knowledge and books aailable giing information on other Orders. Beyond The Craft Some Lodges are extremely musical whilst others are less so. The amount of singing which takes place during the eening aries greatly, not just geographically, but een between Lodges meeting in close proximity to each other. If the new member is to feel comfortable and part of the family, it is important that he is able to join in rather than feel apart because he does not know the words. It is therefore important to proide him with details of any Masonic Songs and Anthems that are used in your Lodge. (See example Lodge Leaflets). 21

23 13. Suggested Reading List Suggested Reading List to help Lodge and Proincial Mentors The "Peterborough Booklets" are brief guides that proide aluable guidance for a masonic candidate's first steps in Freemasonry. They were written by Richard Sandbach when he was the Proincial Grand Master for Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire and are regularly updated by him. They are cheap and readily aailable from Quatuor Coronati Correspondence Circle Ltd. Sandbach, R. Notes for a Candidate for Freemasonry After the First Degree After the Second Degree After the Third Degree Letter to a Master Elect Why Join the Royal Arch Notes for a Newly Exalted Companion The following two books are a good place to start in trying to answer most of the questions that a young or inexperienced mason is likely to ask: Carr, H. The Freemason at Work (1976) Smyth, F. A Reference Book for Freemasons (QCCC Ltd., 1998) Both of these books contain short passages on a multitude of masonic topics. They are both easy to read and proide ready answers to hundreds of questions. Both authors are reliable and highly respected authorities. 22

24 For further and deeper reading the following works are suggested: Carter, C.J. The Director of Ceremonies (Lewis, 1989) The Inner Guard and the Deacons (Lewis, 1990) The Lodge Almoner (Lewis, 2001) The Lodge Secretary (Lewis, 1991) The Wardens, the Chaplain, the Immediate Past Master, the Past Masters (Lewis, 2001) Coil, H.W. Coil s Masonic Encyclopedia Dyer, C. Symbolism in Craft Freemasonry (1976) Hamill, J. The Craft (Paperback 1986) Hamill, J. & Gilbert, R.A. Freemasonry: A Celebration of the Craft (1992) World Freemasonry: An Illustrated History (1991) Horne, A. King Solomon s Temple in the Masonic Tradition (1971) Jackson, K.B. Beyond the Craft (2nd Edn Reised - Paperback1982) Jones, B.E. Freemason s Guide and Compendium (Reised Edition 1956) Freemason s Book of the Royal Arch (1957 Reprinted 1980) 23

25 MacNulty, W.K. Freemasonry: A Journey through Ritual and Symbol (1991) Freemasonry: Secrets, Symbols, Significance (2006) Pace, M de Introducing Freemasonry (Paperback) Pick, F.L. & Knight, G.N. The Pocket History of Freemasonry. (8th Edition - Reised by Frederick Smyth. 1991) Steenson, D. The Origins of Freemasonry (1988) Ward, J.S.M. The EA s Handbook (1923 Aailable in Lewis Paperback) The FC s Handbook (1923 Aailable in Lewis Paperback) The MM s Book (1923 Aailable in Lewis Paperback) [Note: This series gies a different approach to interpreting the role of the arious officers. It should be used in conjunction with the handbooks by Charles Carter, which should be used for the work of the officers] Wilmshurst, W.L. The Meaning of Masonry (1925) 24

26 14. Ealuation and Reiew One of the key roles of the Proincial Mentor is to monitor all mentoring actiities within his Proince. By receiing Lodge Mentoring Report from indiidual Lodges, he will be able to compile an annual report for the Proincial Executie. The format of this report will depend upon the amount of information requested by the Executie, but as a minimum it should include the following: Number of Lodges actiely employing Mentoring within the Proince. How many Lodge Mentors there are within the Proince. Any training/workshop/road show actiities within the last year. Any feedback receied on such actiities. Best practice identified. Any notable successes to be celebrated. Improements identified for next year. In addition to the aboe, the Proincial Mentor should consider proiding data relating to how successful Lodges are in retaining their members - and by definition, also measuring the loss of members. Membership Turnoer; this is calculated by the following method: Number of Leaers in Year * x 100 (to gie %) Total Lodge Membership ** * Resignations + exclusions + expulsions ** Membership at start of Masonic year + joining members + initiates For example a lodge with 65 members and 3 leaers will hae a loss ratio of 4.6% 25

27 It is accepted that this is the ultimate 'big picture' measure, as there will be many reasons for people leaing the Lodge. Howeer, one may note the following points: As the ultimate aim of mentoring is to help secure the future of masonry, what better way to see if it is working than this figure If mentoring is working, it will contribute towards a more dynamic, ibrant lodge. If this is so, it may preent other, longer sering members from leaing as the Lodge eening becomes more enjoyable. What may be termed 'knock-on effect' This top line figure will gie a good indication of which Lodges to look to for 'best practice' (what are they doing right?) and will also identify those needing further monitoring and possible support from Proince It will gie a Proincial aerage with which to compare all Lodges within the Proince If all Proinces were to do this, it would not only gie a national aerage, but also highlight regional ariations 26