Page 10 - 2018 Summer

Once I received the request for assistance,
Masonic T r i bune having discussed the entire situation with
Masonic Tribune
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Brothers familiar with it, I arranged for a
summons to be sent to each of the Broth-
ers.
JUNIOR Grand WARDEN The men involved, the Master of the
Lodge, a couple other Brothers who both
JGWCANDIDA TES of the men admired and myself sat down
and reasoned together.
F O R U M By sitting down together, and discuss-
ing the situation in its entirety, and in a
non-emotional manner, we were able to
Assume that two Brothers who have been pinpoint where the problem had started,
Secretary and Treasurer of the same rural why the relationship had broken down, and
Lodge. They have held these offices for how silly the whole thing actually was.
many years and worked together amicably. This ended the conflict and led to apolo-
However, a recent personal dispute be- gies. Both men involved still sit together in
tween them has boiled over into the Lodge harmony, in Lodge, to this day.
and is affecting morale, attendance, and
usefulness of the Lodge. We need to recognize that none of us are
perfect. We may say things in anger, or
• How would you as Grand Master we may have our feelings hurt when such
address the problem and its im- was not the intention. Conflicts arise be-
pact on Masonry? cause while we are learning to subdue our
passions, none of us will ever be able to do
hortly after being appointed Deputy of so perfectly.
Sthe Grand Master in District 17 I was
faced with a very similar problem. Two Recognizing that we are not perfect, and
very well liked, and active members of the that we will sometimes hurt people, inten-
Lodge were at each other’s throats, and tionally or not, we need to all learn to be
their fight was having a negative impact quick to offer sincere apologies, quick to
upon the Lodge. offer the hand of forgiveness and brother-
hood. That is how we can overcome our
From my perspective, the prob- own shortcomings and create peace in the
lem had started out as a minor world around us whether it may be in our
disagreement with a good deal Lodges, and/or outside of them.
of misunderstanding thrown in,
but from there it had grown into The ability to sit down and dispassionately
a major problem as extremely reason with otherwise good Brothers who
harsh words were spoken, de- may be in conflict is I think a vital skill for
mands were made, and anger a Grand Master to possess, and that such
had grown. conflict resolution is a good and proper
When the situation seemed use of a Grand Master’s time, for as noted
in the example above, an individual con-
to be heading towards hope- flict can do tremendous harm to an entire
lessness, I was asked by the Lodge.
Lodge to try and assist.
That is, I think, an important step in this VWB Cameron M. Bailey
entire process. Our Lodges should be DDGM 17
self-governing within our Masonic Law. I
don’t think that a Deputy, or even the Grand
Master, should jump into an internal Lodge
conflict, unless a violation of Masonic Law
is taking place, or without an invitation to do
so. Lodges should have full opportunity to
solve problems on their own, without inter-
ference, unless and until they decide that
outside help is needed.

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