It’s true that we can’t always get along with everyone that we meet, but there’s no room for bad blood in the Lodge. If two members happen to fall out, they aren’t allowed to carry the conflict over into the lodge.
Any ill-feeling must be left at the door, as it could potentially cause disruption. If it’s unresolvable, then one or both of them will have to abstain from the meeting!
The events of every meeting are transcribed by the Lodge Secretary who sends out draft minutes after the meeting giving everyone the opportunity to examine them and request corrections. At the meeting, the Worshipful Master asks if every Brother is satisfied with the accuracy of the minutes recorded and if so, they are signed at…
Would your nearest and dearest describe you as a bit chatty? Well, you had better practice holding your tongue as Freemasons must remain silent when “Degrees” are worked. An officer may address you, or the Worshipful Master can grant you permission to speak if you rise. It’s very much like a chaired business meeting where…
One aspect of Freemasonry is ‘networking’. You can meet two dozen new people at each meeting and easily befriend a couple of them over a dinner. You might sit next to a dustman on one side and a high court judge on the other and Masonically speaking, the dustman may far outrank both you and…
Voting is an essential part of Masonry, as it allows every individual to have an equal say in all votes and resolutions all of which keep the Lodge running smoothly. A vote might be to increase the subscriptions or to include a new member. So how does someone get ‘black-balled’? It’s simply a vote against…
We all know the power of the gavel, right? That simple tool has helped to pass important rulings in courtroom chambers and committee rooms alike, throughout the centuries. It’s much the same in our Lodges. The Worshipful Master wields his gavel when presiding over meetings and once sounded, the gavel is repeated in different parts…
Remember when your teacher made you stand up in front of the class to read something? It was dreadful, right? Well, we Freemasons have to experience that all over again if we want to address the Lodge. Members can’t just sit in their seats and speak, without being seen as being disrespectful to the Worshipful…
