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Surprise!! You're elected to S.D.

amaya14

Registered User
Congrats to those new selected Officers. I wa salso was selected as the SS for this new year 2015, as SS I know I will learn more than just sit on the side line and been active in the ceremony its a better way to learn and become familirized with the rituals.

so yes I am also excited to begin as an officer. and I will also ask to be part in any of the three degrees

Jose A. Amaya
Sinior Warden
A.F & A.M, St. Clair, lodge 24
 

nixxon2000

Premium Member
If you're in Texas, get started on your LIFE program and plan on attending next year's Warden's Retreat. If you're not in Texas you still want to use you time as SD to prepare and qualify for advancement. Watch and listen to everything the JW says and does in his role. Ready, set, GO! And good luck!
Thanks I think it's going to be a great experience.
 

Pscyclepath

Premium Member
About the second or third order of business after I turned in my MM proficiency a couple of years ago, I was called west of the altar and installed as junior deacon... that year being a sort of tough one where we had lost both the Sr and Jr deacons after the first couple of months of the year, and two others promoted pretty unexpectedly to the wardens' chairs. I moved up to Sr Deacon at the end of the year,and definitely enjoyed my year in that seat. I took it as an opportunity to master and get certified in the Work, and it made things a good bit easier this past year as the Jr. Warden. I am, though, looking forward to distancing myself a little bit from the pots and pans this coming year ;-)

Senior Deacon, if you work at your Work, is a really fun job, and a good opportunity to learn and gather more light.
 

Brother JC

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
The year I was Raised is the only year I haven't worn an officer's apron.
My mother lodge starts it's line at Chaplain, which throws several long memorizations at young Masons right away. It's the only lodge I've seen that done in.
 

Bro. Staton

Registered User
I was raised this year in August and appointed to be the Senior Deacon as well. It's a great honor and pleasure to get in and start working. I have already become active in thinking what I can contribute to the growth of the lodge right now. I think the earlier you start and people see your work and dedication to the craft the less likely it will be doubted as you progress from seat to seat. Now that means each seat you take you put all the effort you can in the pure growth of the lodge and not for self fame or glory. My mind is running wide open with ideas and improvements for the lodge which I pray is well accepted. Best of luck in your newly appointed or elected position.
 

Bro. Staton

Registered User
About the second or third order of business after I turned in my MM proficiency a couple of years ago, I was called west of the altar and installed as junior deacon... that year being a sort of tough one where we had lost both the Sr and Jr deacons after the first couple of months of the year, and two others promoted pretty unexpectedly to the wardens' chairs. I moved up to Sr Deacon at the end of the year,and definitely enjoyed my year in that seat. I took it as an opportunity to master and get certified in the Work, and it made things a good bit easier this past year as the Jr. Warden. I am, though, looking forward to distancing myself a little bit from the pots and pans this coming year ;-)

Senior Deacon, if you work at your Work, is a really fun job, and a good opportunity to learn and gather more light.
I was appointed to be the Senior Deacon of my lodge after being raised. The lodge and many of my members have faith in what I can do and I am starting now as S.D. with no hidden agendas other then promoting brotherhood, establishing more charitable events and getting money back into the lodge. Thanks for the words spoken!!!
 

Ripcord22A

Site Benefactor
I was raised last year and was immediately asked if i wanted too be the SD, as the incoming WM was a friend i accepted. I loved it! Hope u will too!
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
Just got back from a lodge meeting and at the meeting I was shocked to be nominated for the S.D. Chair.

This is my first chair so I'm excited and nervous at the same time. Has anyone else been surprised and elected to a chair?
Anyone have any advice?

What was your first chair?
Same here. Was raised in August 2014 and appointed Senior Deacon in December. I was very surprised!
 

jwhoff

Premium Member
Ouch! They threw the second heaviest load on your shoulders Brother. Not fair to throw the SD chair at an unexposed brother. But there it is.

Okay. You're going to have to bone up on your work! Know your opening (there is one if sanctification cannot be obtained) and closing duties. Know who you actually report to, and what are your duties with visitors and candidates. Heavy work, unless you can pass it off, in degrees. You should learn and perform your work in the degrees. It will teach you everyone else's esoteric work, save your consummated buttock as the work grows heavier in the higher chairs, and not leave you wishing you could participate in the degrees. Honest.

Duties include making sure visitors are identified, tested, and vouched for. Get with a learned brother and learn how to screen visitors. If you are in Texas, you will have a special duty to TMWPHGLoTx and TMWGLoTx. You cannot let a clandestine or expelled mason into the lodge room. Spend lots of time learning this duty. It is critical to your lodge and jurisdiction's sovereignty.

If you aspire, or expire in my case, to move up the line make sure you are at lodge each time the door opens (or as close to that as possible.) You must "learn the ropes" from the Master, SW, and JW. Senior Deacon is a serious position and should be taken as such. Learn it, realize that you are beholding to the Master and the lodge for the next four years of your life. If you can't comment, get out of the way the next year. No need compounding a mistake. It may be that you can't devote the time, or, that you don't have the experience as a mason to fulfill the post. If either be the case, don't fail your lodge and brethren, get out of the line of fire as soon as possible. Take another shot when you are better prepare and, or, can enjoy it.

Are you ready? Find out yourself by pouring over your Monitor. Study your duties and those of the WM, SW, and JW. If you are not ready to take them all on with much study, learning, and growing, don't make a bigger mistake pushing forward. Remember, the lodge, district, and jurisdiction will be counting heavily on you.

Growing? No, I don't mean in belt size like myself. Brother you better get humble if you aren't humble. Anything less smells to high heaven and will be resented by others. Though there are those who are too small to notice, it makes the journey tougher on a man aware of his surroundings. How soon? Sometimes getting off on the wrong foot is the last opportunity. The peanut gallery can be callus.

Finally, if you are new to masonry, you must know that being thrown in halfway up the line will leave you unfulfilled once you've stepped down from the East. You will then realize that you missed several learning experiences further down the line. Don't think so, wait and see. Happens too often to be only "plausible."

Don't get me wrong, if you have to you have to. But make the sacrifice because the lodge needs it at this critical time. Skipping around in the journey leaves gaps that you may not be allowed to go back and experience. Learn your work, grow in masonry, and become a learned brother among us. Enjoy the road. You will find out that it goes much too fast.

Get some sleep Brother. But just before you nod off tonight, think of the toughest, smartest, brother in that lodge of yours who carries most, if not all, of these values just listed. Yeah, you might even call them a combination of WISDOM. You're going to need his selfless help over the coming months. You might have to bribe the old fart now and again but it promises to be worth it for you and the lodge in the end.

GIT ER DUN!
 

Roy Vance

Certified
Premium Member
I have been reading everyone's posts and find that I am not at all unique in that I was appointed as Jr. Deacon in June after being raised as a MM at the end of May. That was an energetic start to my Masonic journey. I was in that chair for two years.
 

jwhoff

Premium Member
The Tiler is elected in my two lodges, at least they were last year. That is what I will probably be elected as when I finish my year in the East this June.

That's a very safe place to spend the year as JPM Brother. Very safe indeed.
 

jwhoff

Premium Member
Yeah! Ya'll pay close attention to Wild Bill_Lins' comment above.

I can't think of a more qualified "musty" ole fart mason you could obtain more knowledge from that himself.

If you don't personally know Bro Bill you'd be well advised to meet his acquaintance in the lobby area between sessions at the Grand Lodge of Texas some first weekend of December. This fellow has been through the ropes and knows his stuff. And, if you're lucky, you just might make a TRUE and lasting friend.:)
 

jwhoff

Premium Member
I have been reading everyone's posts and find that I am not at all unique in that I was appointed as Jr. Deacon in June after being raised as a MM at the end of May. That was an energetic start to my Masonic journey. I was in that chair for two years.

That was my timetable as well Brother.
 

jwhoff

Premium Member
The Tiler is elected in my two lodges, at least they were last year. That is what I will probably be elected as when I finish my year in the East this June.

Good deal. Did either, or both, of your two lodges mention anything about PAY. Many lodges forgo the due of the Tiler as well.
 

Roy Vance

Certified
Premium Member
Good deal. Did either, or both, of your two lodges mention anything about PAY. Many lodges forgo the due of the Tiler as well.
Both of my Lodges have ammended the By-laws to reflect that the "compensation" for the Secretary and the Tiler has been suspended or done away with.
 
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