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"That's not how we do it..."

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
Cc'ed to a long email from a PM to the WM saying I was "running the lodge" - not true, beyond admin, all the stuff I was doing was at the request or with the express consent of the WM which completely legitimized what I had been doing. I am a big believer in letting the WM be the WM - and that as Sec I am his servant
I have nothing but the utmost respect for Secretaries.
Hopefully your WM straightened that PM out.
No - neither of us have been able too. Just giving it some time.. must be about 4+ months now.. The reality is, we cannot sort everything out - it is beyond our power, but nothing is done until it is done - so who knows where it will get to, hopefully somewhere better than now...
No matter how good and charitable an organization is you will always have things like this, internal politics. As long as what you are doing is at the will and pleasure of the WM you're good.
 

tldubb

Premium Member
I have nothing but the utmost respect for Secretaries.


No matter how good and charitable an organization is you will always have things like this, internal politics. As long as what you are doing is at the will and pleasure of the WM you're good.

So true!


Sent from my iPhone using My Freemasonry Mobile
 

LK600

Premium Member
Ofcourse you should have ideas and you should be bale to present them but do it first to your WM and WITH him to the rest of the lodge.

Yes, I will start presenting all ideas at the officer meetings (regardless of how minimal they may be).

what did you learn and how might you introduce such things more effectively in the future?

I have learned that power and control are closely monitored, in my view both legitimately and also at times ridiculously. I will stop making judgement calls on how minor or major an idea I may have is, an present all at officers meetings or directly to the WM. Time will tell one way or another.

(remembering as sec - your job is to administer and support the WM - not run the lodge

Never have I ever tried to "run the lodge". If running the lodge means putting forward ideas, or trying to provide something for Brothers not so inclined to read up on roles and rules; educating the new guys... then there's a problem, and I would argue it doesn't lie with me. I have never presented anything to anyone in the lodge (except the cheat sheet for new guys) without bringing it to the current Sec, WM, SW first. (it never gets further than them).

As a Freemason of two years, in the lodge culture you seem to describe - it might be that you are seen as lacking experience or legitimacy...

If I am seen as lacking experience or legitimacy... then asking me repeatedly to become the next Sec was a very poor idea.

Sounds like the first thing you need to do is pick your battles, and get the plan to change endorsed by the WM and others...

I haven't asked to change anything though (except in officer's meetings). The cheat sheet was a description of various roles and duties via the GL. I have lost every battle to date with a smile. I am frustrated Brother, that's all.
 

Bloke

Premium Member
Yes, I will start presenting all ideas at the officer meetings (regardless of how minimal they may be).



I have learned that power and control are closely monitored, in my view both legitimately and also at times ridiculously. I will stop making judgement calls on how minor or major an idea I may have is, an present all at officers meetings or directly to the WM. Time will tell one way or another.



Never have I ever tried to "run the lodge". If running the lodge means putting forward ideas, or trying to provide something for Brothers not so inclined to read up on roles and rules; educating the new guys... then there's a problem, and I would argue it doesn't lie with me. I have never presented anything to anyone in the lodge (except the cheat sheet for new guys) without bringing it to the current Sec, WM, SW first. (it never gets further than them).



If I am seen as lacking experience or legitimacy... then asking me repeatedly to become the next Sec was a very poor idea.



I haven't asked to change anything though (except in officer's meetings). The cheat sheet was a description of various roles and duties via the GL. I have lost every battle to date with a smile. I am frustrated Brother, that's all.
I understand. I remember 15 years ago in business, I fought and fought for some documentation which kept getting rejected and shot down by smarter and more experienced people than me; until the right person read it and it became the gold standard; your cheat sheet sounds like a good idea... I hope someone steps forth and supports you in your lodge... or you can find such a person..
 

Keith C

Registered User
Very interesting conversation.

I will note that our Secretary, who is a PM and has been Secretary for 7 years NEVER distributes ANYTHING to the Brethren without an OK from the WM and it being sent ahead of time for comment to the SW and JW. It is obvious to the observant that our Secretary is vital in assisting the WM in his role, especially the first few months. Correspondence, minutes, collecting funds maintaining the membership lists, all very important, but support and wise counsel to the WM are the most important duties, in my opinion.

We do not have a single Secretary in our District who is not a PM. It isn't a requirement here, but it is highly recommended.

This is just my opinion, but I see distributing something in Lodge, which would appear, coming from the Secretary, as coming FROM the Lodge, without the WM's prior knowledge and consent as a serious breach of protocol. Again, my opinion only, if this is the case, that you gave out this "cheat sheet" without the WM's knowledge and consent, than if I were you I would sincerely apologize and guard my actions going forward. NOTHING should happen in Lodge that is not at the Will & Pleasure of the Worshipful Master.
 

David612

Registered User
So other than being the target of criticism and large amounts of thankless work.. why take on the role?
What makes this worthwhile for you?
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
So other than being the target of criticism and large amounts of thankless work.. why take on the role?
What makes this worthwhile for you?
The Secretaries that I know do it out of a genuine desire to be of service to their lodge. Sometimes it is a thankless job but, in my opinion, the most important job in the lodge.
 

Bloke

Premium Member
So other than being the target of criticism and large amounts of thankless work.. why take on the role?
What makes this worthwhile for you?
The question was probably not directed at me, but it saved our Warrant. If we are supposed to be giving as Freemasons and interested in spreading our values, the benefit to our lodge was obvious
 

LK600

Premium Member
This is just my opinion, but I see distributing something in Lodge, which would appear, coming from the Secretary, as coming FROM the Lodge, without the WM's prior knowledge and consent as a serious breach of protocol. Again, my opinion only, if this is the case, that you gave out this "cheat sheet" without the WM's knowledge and consent, than if I were you I would sincerely apologize and guard my actions going forward. NOTHING should happen in Lodge that is not at the Will & Pleasure of the Worshipful Master

I might agree with you, though I am not the Secretary yet, nor was I for anything I put forward at the Officer's meetings, to include the "cheat Sheet" (which was not brought forward to the officers meeting due to in my mind, I only copied and pasted GL rules and descriptions). If your description is accurate, and no brother is allowed to contribute to each other regardless if it's only parroting GL requirements... I will have a sincere issue with this. I did not join Freemasonry to be a warm body with no voice who pays dues. In regards to the Secretary position, I would agree since the role is what the role is.

So other than being the target of criticism and large amounts of thankless work.. why take on the role?
What makes this worthwhile for you?

I agreed to take on the role to assist the lodge after being asked multiple times (for no more than 2 years).
 

LK600

Premium Member
We do not have a single Secretary in our District who is not a PM. It isn't a requirement here, but it is highly recommended.

I would completely understand why.

NOTHING should happen in Lodge that is not at the Will & Pleasure of the Worshipful Master.

Of course to qualify, as long as it is in accordance with GL, the digest, and the by-laws. I would argue that a WM that rules with such an iron fist to need to control EVERYTHING great or small is a piss poor Leader, but that is a separate subject entirely.
 
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David612

Registered User
I would completely understand why.



Of course to qualify, as long as it is in accordance with GL, the digest, and the by-laws. I would argue that a WM that rules with such an iron fist to need to control EVERYTHING great or small is a piss poor Leader, but that is a separate subject entirely.
Personally, I say F it.
If it’s not what you want, not appreciated and a PITA to navigate the lodge can find someone to conform to their way of doing things
 

Winter

Premium Member
I would completely understand why.

Most lodges I belong to or visit also have a PM in the Secretary position precisely because of the myriad rules and regulations (written and unwritten) they need to navigate. I also know some Brothers who have never been a WM and performed exemplary as Secretary. My home Lodge has had the same Secretary for well over a decade and he has never sat in the East. And I would put him against any other Lodge Secretary.

Of course to qualify, as long as it is in accordance with GL, the digest, and the by-laws. I would argue that a WM that rules with such an iron fist to need to control EVERYTHING great or small is a piss poor Leader, but that is a separate subject entirely.

From what you have said, it doesn't sound like a case of ruling with an iron fist. More a case of you accidentally taking action without the express permission or consent of the WM. Now that you understand better how it works you know how to avoid the situation in the future. We've all made faux pas. :D

Personally, I say F it.
If it’s not what you want, not appreciated and a PITA to navigate the lodge can find someone to conform to their way of doing things

Your comment serves no purpose other than as an example of how a Brother should not react to this situation. The Brother conforms to the Lodge. Not the other way around.
 

David612

Registered User
Most lodges I belong to or visit also have a PM in the Secretary position precisely because of the myriad rules and regulations (written and unwritten) they need to navigate. I also know some Brothers who have never been a WM and performed exemplary as Secretary. My home Lodge has had the same Secretary for well over a decade and he has never sat in the East. And I would put him against any other Lodge Secretary.



From what you have said, it doesn't sound like a case of ruling with an iron fist. More a case of you accidentally taking action without the express permission or consent of the WM. Now that you understand better how it works you know how to avoid the situation in the future. We've all made faux pas. :D



Your comment serves no purpose other than as an example of how a Brother should not react to this situation. The Brother conforms to the Lodge. Not the other way around.
If they aren’t going to take the time to teach him the role but get all pissy when he dosnt meet their expectations how is this an his problem, simply knuckleing under for the good of the lodge says that this behaviour is okay- which it’s not, badgering somone into a role in order to fill it is how you alienate new masons.
 

LK600

Premium Member
I thank everyone for their contributions to this. Understand I love my Lodge and the members in it. I have taken a great deal of time and effort to educate myself on the Digest and By-laws that govern my Lodge. What I was not expecting, and to be truthful which frustrated me to no end, is the unwritten, undeclared rules which may have been functionally in place for years. I would never attempt to put forth ANY new idea or changes to the existing method(s) in place without first taking it to the WM / Officers meeting. I'm unaware of any reason why I would need the permission from anyone to disseminate information which is ALREADY required by Law from the GL, especially since we are already functioning under the same. My goal was to educate the newer members in Lodge so they have a basic understanding on how things work. The more they understand, the more engaged they can be.

Anyway, it is over and I will not be passing out anything to anyone. I will follow through on my commitment and be installed on Saturday as Secretary. Whether the newer members are treated inclusively and/or have a basic understanding of events will be someone else's concern. I had no intention to bruise feelings or to be perceived (if I was) to be operating independently or counter to anyone's desires. This has been eye opening, and at minimum a learning experience.

Again, Thank you all for your thoughts and comments. I value them greatly.
 

Bloke

Premium Member
I thank everyone for their contributions to this. Understand I love my Lodge and the members in it. I have taken a great deal of time and effort to educate myself on the Digest and By-laws that govern my Lodge. What I was not expecting, and to be truthful which frustrated me to no end, is the unwritten, undeclared rules which may have been functionally in place for years. I would never attempt to put forth ANY new idea or changes to the existing method(s) in place without first taking it to the WM / Officers meeting. I'm unaware of any reason why I would need the permission from anyone to disseminate information which is ALREADY required by Law from the GL, especially since we are already functioning under the same. My goal was to educate the newer members in Lodge so they have a basic understanding on how things work. The more they understand, the more engaged they can be.

Anyway, it is over and I will not be passing out anything to anyone. I will follow through on my commitment and be installed on Saturday as Secretary. Whether the newer members are treated inclusively and/or have a basic understanding of events will be someone else's concern. I had no intention to bruise feelings or to be perceived (if I was) to be operating independently or counter to anyone's desires. This has been eye opening, and at minimum a learning experience.

Again, Thank you all for your thoughts and comments. I value them greatly.
Brother - the only way to avoid failure and criticism is do nothing, which will ultimately lead to failure.. .so I wish you luck and keep pushing on to try to make your Lodge a better one.
 

CLewey44

Registered User
Again, I think it was a great idea and it's a shame it's not a requirement to have that information available on election night. Probably wpuld help reduce the "guarantee to progress to the next chair" system we have now.
 

Rifleman1776

Registered User
Often new eyes see things with more clarity than than those who have become accustomed to the "way we do things here". In business, a smart manager will approach new hires after they have been on the job only a short period of time and ask their view of the situation. Hang in there, the know it alls will continue to be an aggravation. Ignore them and outlive them. Congrats on the new responsibility.
 
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