Page 18 - 2015 Winter

and Lodg
Grand Lodge of Washington In conclusion: I believe that by com-
Gr
e of W
ashingt
on
r
Masonic T
Masonic Tribune pleting the Proficiency in Lodge Man-
ibune
olume XCV No.2 - W
V Volume XCII No.1 - Summer Issue - Page 3 agement Exam the member/officer
inter Issue - Page 18
(continued from page 17) will become familiar with the Washing-
ton Masonic Code. You need to give
an individual a reason to open up the
stitution, usages and customs. The reason for this is it takes Washington Masonic Code and offer-
the “all or nothing” with 100+ questions out of the equation ing up a challenge as stated above
(the perfect as the enemy of the good). will do just that.
There would be no requirement but
some “wearable” recognition would Fraternally: VWB Charles E. Wood
be provided for each level. The time
needed to pass level one should be
such that Lodges recognize that this
level is reasonably attainable by any
Brother. Further levels are visibly rec- Masonic Etiquette
ognized and may indicate the Brother
aspires to appointment(s) in the Grand Learn the Do’s and Don’ts
Lodge. of Masonic Etiquette
Fraternally: VWB Paul Waadevig Note: This article was acquired from an internet web site and is a
public free downloadable material.
Response of VWB Charles Wood: To read more: http://www.Masonic-Lodge-of-education.com/
Masonic-etiquette.html#ixzz3EWg63Qp1
ne way to encourage members/officers to be proficient is
Oto lead by example. You should complete the Proficien- asonic Etiquette, for the most part, is merely good man-
cy in Lodge Management Exam yourself before challenging Mners and respect for your Lodge, its members, its Wor-
others to do so. A good leader leads by example and by do- shipful Master and the convention of FreeMasonry, in gen-
ing so I believe others will follow your example. Before you, eral.
challenge a person to do so, print out the question and an- Unfortunately, Masonic Etiquette ...or Blue Lodge Etiquette,
swer portion of the exam. Then sit down with that individual (as it is called in the United States) is largely unpublished as
and explain what the program is all about and how it will help well as unspoken, therefore, up until now, it has been more
him to become a better-informed member of their Lodge. Let difficult to learn its rules and nuances.
the individual know that, other members of the Lodge have
completed the Proficiency in Lodge Management Exam, and You may study ritual work, Degree work, floor work and know
have found it to be a worthwhile process. That there are re- all Masonry’s glorious history, Masonic symbols, jewels, etc.
wards for doing so, especially if you desire to take on a more but there is very little written about how to comport yourself
active roll is Masonry in the future. so you do not look foolish or be regarded as disrespectful.
Some are small things, and some are not, but your Lodge
This next step, I believe to be the most important, is to pro- conduct is continually on display.
vide the member with the tools to complete the challenge. Few Masonic mentors include a list of proper Lodge behavior,
You cannot challenge a person to do so without the prop- as they have learned it, themselves, incident-by-incident, and
er tools to do the work. That includes a current copy of the usually learned by them after their having made an error and
Washington Masonic Code, Lodge Officers Hand Book, and being kindly informed by another member as to the correct
Standard Work and FreeMason’s Guide. I would also sug- Masonic etiquette of the situation.
gest that each Lodge purchase a Lodge Officer’s Package
from Masonic Services Association of North America. These CONFORMING TO MasonIC ETIQUETTE
digests individually will help the Lodge member/officer pre-
pare for additional duties. It shows the member/officer that Over time, and by watching others, members conform them-
you care about their future in Masonry. selves to exhibit proper Masonic etiquette behavior to learn
Lodge customs.
The next step, if he accepts you challenge, is to give that As a newly Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft or Master Mason,
person the e-mail address for Ray Zimmerman in order to it is expected that you will exhibit the proper decorum and pro-
gain access to the Proficiency in Lodge Management Exam priety in observance of the formal requirements which govern
on the Grand Lodge website. Set up a meeting with the Dis- behavior in polite societies... BEFORE someone takes you
trict Deputy so he will know that the Lodge member/officer aside to explain your errors...or you wouldn’t be reading this.
is now going to complete the Proficiency in Lodge Manage-
ment Exam. Let the member/officer know that you will be RULES OF MasonIC ETIQUETTE
there for him as he completes the first portion of the exam.
Let the member/officer know that when the time comes to THE MASTER’S AUTHORITY:
practice the practical portion of the exam, you will be avail- During his term in office, the Brother who has been elected
able to do so. as Master is the most powerful member of the Lodge. He also
shoulders all of its many responsibilities.
The last step is to routinely follow-up and see how the in-
dividual is progressing so he will know that you are taking The Worshipful Master has the authority to:
an active roll in this challenge. When I was District Deputy, 1. Rule any Brother out of order on any subject at any time.
I found that this process was very successful. The major-
ity of the members/officers that completed the Proficiency in 2. Decide what can and cannot be discussed. Should a
Lodge Management Exam where later installed as Worship- Brother believe that the Master is arbitrary, unjust or unfair
ful Masters of their respective Lodges. (continued on page 19) Table of Contents
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