Page 17 - 2015 Winter

Gr and Lodg e of W ashingt on successful Mason receives a certificate and pat on the back.
Grand Lodge of Washington
Masonic T r ibune If we deem it so important that our new leaders complete the
Masonic Tribune
V
olume XCV No.2 - W
inter Issue - Page 17
Volume XCII No.1 - Summer Issue - Page 3 PILM, then we should make the recognition much more sig-
nificant.
Lastly, it seems that the same level of
Junior Grand Warden emphasis to complete the PILM is not
there this year, as in the recent past.
Candidates Column Every member of Grand Lodge leader-
ship should, as a matter of policy force-
Question 1 fully emphasize the importance of com-
pleting the PILM, at every opportunity.
Every District Deputy should arrange
Resolution requiring first time Worshipful Masters to be for at least one presentation or training
A Proficient in the Lodge Management program has, on session each year. To do any less flies
several occasions, been voted down. Share how would you in the face of the importance we have placed in the program.
encourage a ‘Proficiency’ of the Washington Masonic Code
to better prepare the Lodge Officers and members? Fraternally: VWB Jim Kendall

Response of VWB Jim Kendall:
Response of VWB Paul Waadevig:
he Proficiency in Lodge Management (PILM) was de-
Tsigned as a tool to encourage familiarity with the govern-
ing documents for Free and Accepted Masons of Washington.
In the original format, the PILM was strictly hardcopy-based irst, let me relay two stories; one related and one direct-
and depended on District Deputies to administer the pro- Fly concerning the last time this resolution was in front of
gram. It was cumbersome and difficult for all parties, and Grand Lodge.
often resulted in frustration and rejection of the program by
those who would most benefit. Successful participants often When I was Master of Mt. Hood Lodge, No. 32 it was at the
did not see results for months. That situation has changed, beginning of the Great Recession and our Lodge investments
and changed dramatically for the better. had taken quite a hit. As a consequence, the officers had de-
cided to eliminate the $5000 we usually allocated for scholar-
In 2013 the Research & Education Committee in partnership ships in the proposed budget. Given the circumstances, as
with the Technology Committee spearheaded a complete the sitting Master I agreed this was the most prudent thing
update of the PILM program, including installing it as an in- to do. When the budget was presented before the Lodge, a
teractive online tool. The Mason can now “take” the exam on group of Past Masters who had a vested interest in the schol-
line and have it graded in real time, with corrections noted. arships had one of their number stand and make a motion to
Certificates of completion are issued in days, if not in hours. add back the $5000. Looking around, I realized that we had a
number of new Masons (EAs, FCs and MMs) in the room and
Completing the PILM does not make one truly proficient. It most had never seen any contention in the Lodge before. I
does, however, encourage prospective leaders to delve into cleared my throat and said the following, “For you young Ma-
the governing documents. The Lodge Secretary is espe- sons, I want to be clear. As Master, I don’t have to recognize
cially involved in applying the provisions of the WMC, and this motion. As it’s been said, ‘Robert’s rules of order have no
in conjunction with the Treasurer, is a key member of the place in the Masonic Lodge.’ However, it’s always been my
Lodge Management team. The responsibility for the proper belief that just because a leader can do something, doesn’t
governance of the Lodge rests with the Worshipful Master, mean a good leader will.” The motion was accepted and a
the Wardens, the Secretary and the Treasurer. Further, the vote taken after much discussion. The Lodge voted – by one
members of the Lodge need to involve themselves to the vote – to spend the $5000.
extent necessary to assure themselves that the Lodge is well
governed. A few years later, when I was Arrangements co-chair & Jr.
Grand Steward for MWB Mike Sanders, I wrote an email
“How would you encourage a ‘Proficiency’ of the Washington to the executive committee suggesting that we pull the re-
Masonic Code?” vote on the PILM slated for that year and, instead, propose
My rhetorical response is, how do you encourage anything? a means of recognition for completing it. This could be a pin,
What tools are available? What incentive is there, or should metal or name badge hanger. It wasn’t possible but I still
there be? believe in the concept.
Let’s start with our Annual Conference specifically directed Without being over-political, I think it’s fair to say some peo-
at Leadership; the Leadership Conference. There should be ple are for bigger government and others for smaller govern-
several sessions, that is, every timeslot for at least one day ment. When it comes to Grand Lodge, I’m a “small govern-
where a “complete the PILM” session is held. There should ment” type guy. Just because Grand Lodge has the right to
be no issue with “teaching the test” when it is used as a teach- impose something, doesn’t mean it’s good leadership to do
ing tool and the answers to the questions are discussed in so. I believe many Brothers agree, which is why this has
some depth. The goal is to help the Lodge leadership better been repeatedly defeated despite the fact that I have yet to
prepare to manage the Lodge, not demonstrate test taking hear a Brother say the PILM is a bad thing itself.
ability. Satisfactory completion of the session results in com- Specifically, my vision is that the PILM would be broken into
pletion of the PILM. three levels: 1) Essential knowledge for running a Lodge. 2)
Next, we should go to considerable length to formally rec- Proficiency of ritual 3) Full understanding of the Code, Con-
ognize individuals who complete the program. Currently the (continued on page 18) Table of Contents
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