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First Month in The East

Keith C

Registered User
My first month in the East has been exiting, stressful, frustrating, rewarding and enlightening all at the same time.

It started off well enough. Here in PA Officers officially take their positions at High Twelve on St. John the Evangelist Day (December 27.) At that time I was at Grand Lodge for the Installation of our new RWGM, Bro. Thomas Gammon. So my first day was filled with fun, celebration and fellowship.

On the following Monday I found out that my Lodge had been requested to administer a Masonic Funeral Service for a Brother who was a Member of the Grand Lodge of NJ but resided in our area. It turns out that this Brother was a retired by disability Camden, NJ Police Officer who was injured in a shoot out in years passed. So the funeral was attended by a large contingent of Police Officers as well as a Past Grand Master of the GL of NJ. I was a little worried about trying to get a sufficient number of Brothers to attend given a mid morning service on a weekday, but it all worked out.

The first acts of our new RWGM was to issue edicts that changed the way we normally do things in our Lodges. Previously we had 2 options as to how to open and close the Lodge, Ancient Form and "The short way" with "The short way" usually done in order to allow time for other things. Now we are mandated to open and close "In Ancient Form." We had also been permitted to use a voice vote on petition ballots, now we are mandated to use the Ballot Box. We have also adopted new procedures for accepting Petitions. We are no longer permitted to accept a petition simply signed by two Brothers. The Officers and several Lodge Members must meet a potential petitioner, they must attend dinners and social event and we must also meet their families before we can offer them a petition.

As you might imagine a portion of my first Stated Meeting addressed these changes. Outside of that my first Stated Meeting went very well and I was able to keep things moving, have good education and discussion and still be done in 90 minutes.

We had a couple informal social gatherings and I am trying to get the Brethren to actually come together and bond with each other. Saturday evening we are having a "Dinner and a Movie" night at the Lodge.

I also just found out that I have to get back all of the Ritual Manuals that I distributed in order to turn them in to the DDGM on Monday, as new Ritual Manuals are going to be issued next month.

Hopefully come December I can look back and be satisfied with the year, but right now I guess I just have to "keep on swimming."
 

Brother_Steve

Premium Member
I'm going to guess MW David A. Dorworth...

As to short form closing, We have to do Long form for the month of January. After that, a sitting Grand Officer, District Deputy Grand Master or District Ritual Instructor has dispensation to close short form.

A Past GM has permanent dispensation. A DDGM has permanent dispensation if they completed three years of service. (Permanent meaning they do not have to ask the current GM as he signs off on those each year) A past DDGM who did not complete 3 years must ask for the dispensation from each new GM who may or may not renew it.

(unless the MWGM does what yours did. Then the point is moot.
 
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Keith C

Registered User
I'm going to guess MW David A. Dorworth... Not sure what you mean here.

As to short form closing, We have to do Long form for the month of January. After that, a sitting Grand Officer, District Deputy Grand Master or District Ritual Instructor has dispensation to close short form.

A Past GM has permanent dispensation. A DDGM has permanent dispensation if they completed three years of service. (Permanent meaning they do not have to ask the current GM as he signs off on those each year) A past DDGM who did not complete 3 years must ask for the dispensation from each new GM who may or may not renew it.

Here if the DDGM or RWGM are present they can close the Lodge by simply declaring it closed.

I am not sure if you have experienced Pennsylvania Ritual but short or Long we do what we refer to as "The Dance" where certain motions are made by the WM with his Gavel which are done simultaneously by the Wardens with their columns. In long we add the dialog between the Deacons, Wardens and WM mentioning locations and what is done, if you catch my drift.

Previous to this year how to open and close the Lodge (short or long) was at the discretion of the WM of the Lodge, provided they used the Ancient Form at least twice a year.


(unless the MWGM does what yours did. Then the point is moot.
 

Brother_Steve

Premium Member
You mentioned a past grand master. Most Worshipful David Dorworth is a New Jersey past grand master and if I recall correctly, a retired police officer from Camden. That was the reason for my guess
 
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Keith C

Registered User
You mentioned a past grand master. Most Worshipful David Dorworth is a New Jersey past grand master and if I recall correctly, a retired police officer from Camden. That was the reason for my guess

I get it now! I was being obtuse. Yes, that was the Past Grand Master. Super nice guy!
 
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