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Masonic Education |
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By: W. Bro. George Moore
Years ago, when I used to teach personal motivation, I became convinced that a person’s success in life could be directly attributed to how they felt about themselves. Those who liked who they were tended to be more successful than those who felt in some way inferior or threatened. I would tell people that the reason they were not successful was because they didn’t think they could be, and that was because they didn’t think enough of themselves. How could they expect anyone else to like them if they didn’t like themselves? There can be no doubt that once a person starts to change how they feel about themselves, their lot in life will visibly improve. I wonder if this could be true of Freemasonry today. Could it be that some of us don’t think enough of Freemasonry, of ourselves. When I go to lodge I always try to be well groomed, fresh shirt, shoes are polished and pants pressed if needed. Minor stuff to some perhaps but I am proud of my lodge and want to represent it with the best possible image. On special occasions, such as Installations or a visit by a Grand Lodge Officer, I try to make an extra special effort and have special attire that I only wear on these occasions. I want others to be proud of us also and the personal image we project is a large part of how we are viewed by those within our ranks and the public at large. To me, going to lodge is something special and well worth dressing up for. I think this is what our leaders want from us also, if not, why are we wearing tuxedos? When I see a brother at lodge that has not made an effort to present himself well, I can’t help but wonder what he thinks of our craft, if he knows that these things are expected of him, or if indeed anyone has ever told him what is expected of him, perhaps not. There has been a lot of talk recently and some articles have been written about the surge of interest in Freemasonry, particularly from those of a much younger age than we are accustomed to having. I have heard comments that indicate we should get them all initiated ASAP before they have a change of heart. Others want to investigate them to excess even to the point of asking them to agree to a background check. Many want to push them through the chairs quickly; I’m not quite sure why this is. I would like to suggest that caution be used in all of these undertakings. While I personally welcome this onslaught of young initiates, we have no way of knowing what impact they will have on our lodges 5 and 10 years from now. Many of them appear to be very bright, but this does not signify maturity, the type of maturity that is required to run a Masonic Lodge. Hopefully this is something they will achieve after a suitable internship. As in the past, we will not always initiate the right people. Some should never be admitted to Freemasonry and many mistakes will be made, conversely, we will lose others who may have been suitable but were not approached properly. Those that are rushed through the initiation process and then the chairs can have a devastating effect on a lodge later on. I suggest that several years can pass before one knows the true effect a Master had while in the East. How can we guard against these things? As I pause from this writing I can’t help but think of a long line of faces that entered the West Gate, some to stay with us a few months, others a few years, then never to be seen again. What was it that caused them to leave? What impression of Freemasonry did they take with them, and who are they relating that impression to today? What story are they telling the world about us? It doesn’t have to be this way! Remember; Freemasonry is not for everyone. So who is it for and how do we find out? Clearly, the better job we do at assessing candidates before initiation will only enhance the quality of our lodges and ultimately improve Freemasonry everywhere. To me, this is the most important and also the most critical time for all involved. We should take as much time as is necessary to ensure that we are initiating a mature, willing and fully informed candidate, no matter how long it takes. It is our responsibility - and ours alone – to decide who is worthy of joining our ranks. One way to help facilitate this might be to have a mandatory probationary period. This period could be for six or nine months, or even a year. It would have to apply to all applicants without exception and could be a lodge, district or Grand Lodge regulation. During this period the applicant might be required to attend, along with his family and whenever possible, at all lodge or district social functions, perhaps attend several informal meetings with different brethren from the lodge, meet personally with the DDGM, be assigned a mentor, and be given several research projects to complete to better inform him of Freemasonry. He could be asked to memorize a piece from one of his favourite books or other interests. Whatever the agenda; he would be involved and not sitting waiting for us to call. If he is going to drop out then let it be during this period and not after we have invested heavily in him. We have been successful at implementing mentorship programs for the different degrees, why not one, in simpler form, for the candidates, it could even include things like how he is expected to dress for lodge and how to behave while there. It might also be referred to as a waiting list and the candidate informed that while he is on the list there are some things that we would like him to complete. We might also tell him what is expected of him in the short and long term. I feel the knowledge that there is a waiting list of people wanting to join our craft would work wonders at enhancing the number and the quality of applicants. In the business world this is referred to as “negative closing” and has been known to work extremely well on most occasions. Personally I would not be opposed to a one year probation period with a structured agenda of tasks to be performed and milestones to be met. It would certainly separate the tire kickers from those who are serious. And how comfortable it would make us feel to initiate a candidate within whom we have confidence and who has proven that he can stay the course. Where else can he go and get what we have to offer? If we make it too easy it will have limited value. Take a long look at the list of distinguished brethren that you are inviting them to serve with, and I don’t mean those famous ones from the past, but current day giants such as: Peter Harrison, who set up his own charity to help people, mostly young people, overcome disabilities and disadvantage, and he did it with an initial contribution of $75 million dollars from his own pocket. Peter, a pioneer in developing the World Wide Web infrastructure, sold his business for $750 Million Dollars, Vice President of Chelsea Football Club, sponsor of the Americas Cup for 2002 and 2007, winner of the Cowes Week Britannia Cup and much more. Peter Harrison is an active freemason and serves on the boards of many Masonic Charities. And how about Michael Savory, a man who is a member of two Masonic Lodges and still finds time to host those famous black tie dinners that invite Royalty and the rich and famous to join with freemasons and provide those much needed funds for Masonic Charities everywhere. Incidentally, Michael makes the time for his Masonic duties on top of his day job as Lord Mayor of London. No man has donned the clown costume or performed as many magic tricks in the interest of Masonic charities as Carl E Jones. This tireless freemason has raised over $43,000 for kids hospitals by travelling from state to state entertaining kids and adults. Carl is also kept very busy hosting his own Masonic Website which is becoming quite famous all over the world. His favourite saying is “lets do more” and he is ready to visit your city upon request anytime in the interest of those kids that he loves so much. I could go on forever writing about the current day giants in Freemasonry but I am sure that you see what I mean. These are tireless proactive leaders in our society who give of themselves daily in the unselfish interest of those less fortunate. I am proud of these men. I am honoured to belong to the same fraternity that they do. I am honoured to have the opportunity to meet with them on the level if I so choose, and I have an obligation to them to keep the reputation of the fraternity, and by extension their reputations, unsullied. This obligation starts with the introduction of the initiate. I have been guilty in the past of not taking this obligation seriously and as a result was almost a party to a serious error that would undoubtedly have resulted in the admission of a candidate that was clearly unqualified. From now on I will always think of Peter Harrison, Michael Savory, Carl E. Jones and the thousands of others who have committed their lives to this great fraternity to which we all have the privilege of belonging, before I sign my name to another petition. This summer I spent some time meeting with potential petitioners who accessed our lodge web site. These young men typically do not know anyone in Freemasonry and have made blind contact with us. I have shared my Masonic experience with them as well as many books, magazines and other references. I have answered their questions and generated discussion on many topics, not all about our craft. I emphasized to them that Freemasonry was a lifetime commitment and hence the extensive due diligence period. It has been a very rewarding experience and I have met some very nice young men, some of whom I have no doubt will become excellent Freemasons. I have discussed this theory about probation with them and found them to be in agreement. One fellow said “Sure, there’s no rush”. I will take great comfort in the knowledge that I have spent this probationary period with them and that when I lend my signature to their applications, some months from now, it will be with the knowledge that they come well and truly qualified. Wor. Bro. George Moore
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