“…and to improve myself in
Freemasonry.”
Adapted by Brian C. Coffey from “Continuous Improvement” by Tim Bryce
https://timbryce.com/2018/02/02/continuous-improvement/
Reprinted and modified with the author's permission.
I start with this truth: the responsibility for improving yourself in
Freemasonry rests with you, not your Brethren. Your Lodge may offer Education
but more than anything you are responsible for your development, not anyone
else. You must take the initiative. Often, your Lodge will assist you in your
development, but you must show your willingness to learn and improve.
Regardless of your “age” as a Mason, your perceptions of the Craft will
change over time. This is because as you mature, your needs change and
perceptions change; what was vital 10 years ago is now routine and you have
moved to other areas where you need self-improvement. Improvement is a normal part
of growth. You must either evolve and
adapt, or be left behind.
There are numerous sources
available to you for ongoing Masonic development:
1. Personal Observations –
there is probably no better instructor than your own power of observation as
you will be able to watch others succeed and fail in their positions in the
Lodge and other Masonic Appendant and Concordant Bodies, their work habits and
ethics, as well as their interactions with others. This requires an attention
to detail, the ability to detect changes, and an inquisitive mind that
constantly asks “Why?”
When studying people, consider their strengths and
weaknesses, what motivates them, their character, and their formulas for
success or failure, e.g., what worked and what didn’t? Never hesitate to ask
questions, particularly as a new Mason.
2. Masonic Journals and
Magazines – Just about every Masonic body has some form of publication,
either printed or in some electronic format, to report news and discuss trends.
These are invaluable in order to stay abreast of what is going on in your
organization.
There is also considerable information made freely
available to you over the Internet, such as the Grand Lodge web sites, along
with pertinent blogs, discussion groups, and podcasts. Use discernment to
determine if the information is accurate, if you have questions ask a
well-informed Brother for help.
The important point here is that you should develop a
habit of staying current. It also helps to associate with Masons from outside
your Jurisdiction to gain different perspectives, understanding that the rules
of your Jurisdiction are your Law.
3. Lodge Education – Your
Lodge should have Masonic Education sessions at each Regular Lodge Meeting. The
Worshipful Master is charged to “set the
Craft at Labor under good and wholesome direction or cause the same to be
done.” If your Lodge is not conducting Education, work with your Worshipful
Master to institute it; teach it yourself if necessary. You will grow by the
research and study to present topics to others.
4. Participation in Research
Lodges and Masonic Study Clubs – Most Jurisdictions have Research Lodges
that delve deeper into the philosophical, esoteric areas of Freemasonry. If
there is no Masonic Study Club in your area, start one. Such groups typically
offer its members monthly/quarterly meetings to listen to guest speakers,
workshops and seminars, and access to a library of research papers. More
importantly, it provides a venue for its members to network and compare notes
pertaining to their Masonic journey. Participation in such groups is a great
way to support your continuing education.
5. Visit – Travel to other
Lodges in your area, visit Lodges in other Jurisdictions. Meet your Brothers
that you do not know; your life will be enriched. Find those things in other
Lodges that you can use to enhance your own. The Craft grows stronger, as a
whole, through the free flow of ideas and the exchange of practices.
6. Leadership Training – The
Georgia Masonic Leadership Conference is an excellent instructor-led workshop
held annually under the auspices of the Masonic Education and Leadership
Development (MELD) Committee of the Grand Lodge. It is open to Senior and
Junior Wardens and Senior Deacons to help them prepare for the possibility of
leading their Lodge as Worshipful Master.
7. Certification Programs – The
Masonic Education and Leadership Development Committee has six self-study
Certification courses: Georgia Masonic Code; Georgia Masonic History; Masonic
Etiquette; Georgia Masonic Manual; Symbolism of the Three Degrees; Masonic
Rules of Order. They also offer Instructor led Certification courses: Masters
and Wardens Workshop; Deacons and Stewards Workshop; Masonic Investigation;
Masonic Mentor.
These programs train you and authenticate your level
of knowledge in a subject area. As a new Mason, you should pursue these
programs. Not only will you personally benefit from it, but it could greatly
benefit your Lodge and Brethren as well.
8. Mentors – In the Grand
Lodge of Georgia, we are required to assign mentors to Masons chaperone them on
their journey through the Degrees and beyond. According to the Georgia Masonic
Mentor Manual, a Mentor is “’a wise and
faithful adviser, friend or teacher.’ In the old operative Lodges of
Scotland, the officer entrusted with the task of instructing the new
apprentices bore the title of Intender. It was his duty to intend, increase and
intensify the knowledge of the new Craftsman. The Mentor, in our present
system, will seek to expand and intensify the Masonic instruction imparted by
the ritual, adding many other points which will enlarge the new brother’s
understanding of Freemasonry and its relationship to life in this twentieth
century.” I know that this program has not been properly executed in many of
our Lodges, or for us as we began our Masonic journey’s, but the Grand Lodge
feels strongly enough about it to include it in our Masonic Code.
A mentor has three primary duties to perform:
Role Model – a mentor has attributes
the subordinate wants to aspire to attain.
Teacher – a mentor has to be able to
teach, not just academic or technical lessons but also those pertaining to Masonic
life; e.g., etiquette, ethics, history, organization, etc.
Guidance Counselor – to guide the new
Mason on their journey through their Masonic life.
Very importantly, both the mentor and the new Mason
must realize the mentor will not have all of the answers, but should be able to
point the Brother in the right direction to get the answers they need. The
mentor also has to know when their work is complete and they can move more to
the role of Brother than Mentor, but in Freemasonry Mentorship should be for
life.
9. Other Vehicles – there are
a variety of other ways for perpetuating development in your Lodge:
Member
education or roundtable discussions – held on a regularly scheduled basis
to discuss pertinent subjects. In other words, your own in-house study group.
The only problems here are: scheduling (we are all very busy), and getting
people to participate (many of whom will not attend outside of Regular Lodge
meetings.) But if you can develop such a forum, it can become invaluable as a
learning aid.
Private Blog or
Discussion Group – to use as a clearinghouse to discuss your journey and
learn from the journeys of others.
Again I remind you, your improvement is up
to YOU, not your Lodge. In most cases, your Lodge will encourage and support
you in your self-improvement, but they cannot spoon-feed you. YOU must show the
initiative. To quote my Senior Warden, Brother Jerry Wood, “The process isn’t just about YOU changing YOURSELF. If you have a real
and genuine interest in Freemasonry, you will inevitably change your Lodge,
your mentor(s), and your Brethren for the better, too. Learning is reciprocal;
it’s a two-way street. When we set out to learn, invariably, we also teach
through the process.”
The Author, Tim Bryce, is a
writer and management consultant who writes commentaries about the times we
live in be it in the corporate world, the Masonic world, or our personal lives.
His writings are well known on the Internet and are humorous, educational, and
at times controversial. You won’t always agree with him, but Tim will
definitely get you thinking. For more of Tim’s columns, see timbryce.com
