My Freemasonry | Freemason Information and Discussion Forum

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Becoming worshipful master of your lodge

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
Um, are you sure? My understanding is that no Mason has the right to speak in Lodge without the Worshipful Masters permission. Also, that the WM can instantly gavel down any member at any time. As I understand Masonic law, it is the WM job to direct and govern his Lodge as he sees fit. I am interested in having one of your civil discussions with any one who has a differing opinion.
I can’t answer for every jurisdiction. In some jurisdictions the “as he sees fit” part has limitations. In my mother jurisdiction, a WM can have his jewel suspended, that is, his right to act removed. If a WM was not allowing proper business to come to the floor, there could be a grievance filed for abuse of office.
 

TheThumbPuppy

Registered User
a can of peas & a can of hominy

The joke is wasted on me. Perhaps we don't have it over here.

I actually had to look up what hominy is. Never heard it before.

Could the can of peas have something to do with peace?

The only thing that I can think of that sounds like and hominy is ad hominem (latin: to the man)

Am I getting warmer?

Where's an EVIL PM when you need one?

EDIT: could it be and hominy = domini ?

EDIT2: ok, I got it, it's harmony, isn't ? Sorry for being sooo slow. My excuse is that it's sleepy time over here.

EDIT3: What do I win? : )
 
Last edited:

TheThumbPuppy

Registered User
Is hominy something typically Texan? In the UK, I've never seen it in a supermarket.

I could get a can of corn, but the joke wouldn't work – peas and corn?
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
Is hominy something typically Texan? In the UK, I've never seen it in a supermarket.

I could get a can of corn, but the joke wouldn't work – peas and corn?
Not limited to Texas. I’ve never seen it, or grits, in the UK. When my parents ran the Masonic Home for the Aged in Guthrie, Oklahoma, grits were expected.
 

Brother_Steve

Premium Member
While I understand the desirability of having anyone be heard, I also have seen meetings drag on for hours as anyone and everyone wants to bring up their pet project, complaint, charity or point of information. There is ample time between and before meetings to approach the appropriate committees or the WM or one of the Wardens to bring up whatever issue you may have and want to discuss. If a Brother stands and wants to discuss some proposal that has not been previously discussed preliminarily outside of the Tyled meeting, I will direct them to the appropriate Committee and the members thereof to discuss. I won't "gavel someone down" but will ask if they discussed it with "X" committee and if they haven't I direct them to do so and have the Committee bring forth a motion if appropriate.
pretty much what we do. I took the East and stuck with what works for our lodge as it has been done that way in the past since I joined. The members are happy and used to that method.
 

bro.william

Premium Member
Not limited to Texas. I’ve never seen it, or grits, in the UK. When my parents ran the Masonic Home for the Aged in Guthrie, Oklahoma, grits were expected.

You can get grits (and sometimes dried hominy) in asian/indian/pakistani supermarkets in big bags. East End brand is what my local sells. My Welsh-born boys regard cheesy grits as both comfort food and a breakfast staple. :D

As to the topic at hand, I don’t have experience chairing masonic things, but ample experience with parish councils. My policy is to give everyone his or her due, but not to set myself up to be blindsided. In other words, everyone has the right to speak, but i have the right to shepherd.

Standard practice is to require Any Other Business items to be presented seven days prior to the meeting. And the proposer must be there. (You’d be surprised how often I get a note from the secretary saying “Thus and such can’t be there, but they want us to talk about ...” The answer is no; you don't get to just assign me tasks for your own entertainment.)

I can often be persuaded to admit items at shorter notice because I try to be generous. But the policy is there not to slap people down. rather it’s there to (a) ensure that things better talked about privately or in committee are directed to those places before they arrive at the full council (if they even need to after being dealt with elsewhere), (b) allow me to think, consider, and prepare a response (or at least know where the meeting is likely to head), and (c) allow me to manage the meeting effectively. basically, everyone will be heard and should be heard. but i think it’s ok to ask them to take their proper turn, and to respect the chair.
 
Last edited:

jermy Bell

Registered User
I know this is off topic, but I've read older threads and someone tries to sneak in some kind of food references to or about , maybe someone should start a recipe thread. Lol
 

Brother_Steve

Premium Member
I can’t answer for every jurisdiction. In some jurisdictions the “as he sees fit” part has limitations. In my mother jurisdiction, a WM can have his jewel suspended, that is, his right to act removed. If a WM was not allowing proper business to come to the floor, there could be a grievance filed for abuse of office.

A Lodge cannot prescribe the duties of the Worshipful Master. (In New Jersey)

However, a Master that exercises his gavel too often will have an empty Lodge.

A Brother can stand up, but the Master does not have to recognize him. (I'm not saying it is right, but it is the Master's pleasure to do so if it is warranted.)

A Brother can make a motion. It can be seconded. The Master can gavel it down before it goes to a vote. (See above regarding duties)

A Master can Make, Second and Pass any motion. (Again, you will have an empty Lodge)

I can navigate the Edicts, Rules and Regulations of Grand Lodge, the By-Laws of my Lodge and be a dictator without repercussion. However, a Master that exercises this practice will have an empty Lodge room.
 

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
To build upon the above- it is easier to stay @ home than it is to go to Lodge. WMs, don't make things easier for your Brethren- give them reasons to come to Lodge, not to stay away.
 

GaTnMason

Registered User
Being elected WM of a lodge is not for every brother. It’s a long rugged road and you must be a team player. We’re not supposed to have politics in the lodge correct??. Well you start going thru chairs and the closer you get to becoming Worshipful Master you will see it happen, at least I did in my lodge. I’m the last generation of masons in my family. My brother and grandfathers did not have a chance to go through the line and be a WM. I have set bar higher and this year i am serving as WM of my lodge. I have had deal with lot of **** to get there. I’m the first new WM of my lodge in 5 years. Recycling PM cause no one wanted to be WM. WM is responsible for everything during his year whether he has a part in it or not cause he is WM of the lodge. Like I said earlier it’s not a position for every brother. I have had to let many things just roll off since I was junior warden and senior warden to be the WM.
 
Last edited:

Brother JC

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
Being elected WM of a lodge is not for every brother. It’s a long rugged road and you must be a team player. We’re not supposed to have politics in the lodge correct??. Well you start going thru chairs and the closer you get to becoming Worshipful Master you will see it happen, at least I did in my lodge. I’m the last generation of masons in my family. My brother and grandfathers did not have a chance to go through the line and be a WM. I have set bar higher and this year i am serving as WM of my lodge. I have had deal with lot of **** to get there. I’m the first new WM of my lodge in 5 years. Recycling PM cause no one wanted to be WM. WM is responsible for everything during his year whether he has a part in it or not cause he is WM of the lodge. Like I said earlier it’s not a position for every brother. I have had to let many things just roll off since I was junior warden and senior warden to be the WM.
I didn't even need to go through the chairs to see lodge politics in action, and when I did I saw Grand Lodge politics in action...
As to your first line it is absolutely true. Some of us are far better equipped to whisper good counsel. And some of us are wise enough to realize it.
 

Brother_Steve

Premium Member
I didn't even need to go through the chairs to see lodge politics in action, and when I did I saw Grand Lodge politics in action...
As to your first line it is absolutely true. Some of us are far better equipped to whisper good counsel. And some of us are wise enough to realize it.
I think I was lucky. I see the Grand Lodge aspect, however there was not any politics in my lodge. We went through the chairs, we all got along very well and we did what had to be done and enjoyed our time doing it.
 

Bloke

Premium Member
That seems to be the quickest answer. Raise the dues. We are at $55. And some say I pay over $200-300 . for that kind of money I hope your getting entertainment with dinner. If we keep raising dues to fix all the problems, it'll be like grand lodge. You will only have maybe 2 lodges in your state with a handful of 80 year olds. And the death of freemasonry dying with them. What gets me is that in today's world if you wanna play, how much are you willing to pay, then with no new members or interest, you have nothing but a memory. So start thinking outside your deep wallets

Our Lodge Dues are $250 AUD with GL $125. Our Lodge is part owner of the building. We pay rent, but that's the only financial contribution the lodge makes to the Building OR that the building seeks - we ask for co-operation and labour, but that's not cleaning, its generally business acumen in properly administering the hall and to see it generate an income to funds its operating expenses. Lodge dues are for running the Lodge, not the building. The Lodge does not pay a peppercorn rent anymore, but have long recognized that income derived from Lodges and Masonic Activity will not fund the building. Our biggest project over the last decade (as we have done a quite a few) was probably about $30K. Lodge rent is not going to fund that, so the building must generate an income and seek grants from other sources, mainly external users.

The Lodge and the Building Association (once a Trust but we converted it into a better structure) are run by two distinct legal entities with distinct roles and officers. Discussions on one generally do not enter the official meetings of the other, but sometimes they write to each other with requests, suggestions and information.

The main discussion which is useful in a Tyled Lodge is philosophical. Other discussions should be encouraged outside the lodge, and if necessary at specific meetings to talk about operational matters, for both the Lodge (being a separate meeting, WM generally presiding) and the Building (being a separate meeting again, President, a PM, presiding). Speculative Freemasons should not be talking roof repairs or plumbing works in their meeting.. that's for other forums and mixing the two sees competing goals, often with long and tedious "contributions" of very little worth. They are counterproductive. its a good way to kill a lodge.

If you want to address the building, keep it out of your Lodge meetings.. and lodge meetings, when it comes to any operational matter, should be to ratify a decision already thrashed out in other inclusive and open forums.
 

Brother_Steve

Premium Member
Our Lodge Dues are $250 AUD with GL $125. Our Lodge is part owner of the building. We pay rent, but that's the only financial contribution the lodge makes to the Building OR that the building seeks - we ask for co-operation and labour, but that's not cleaning, its generally business acumen in properly administering the hall and to see it generate an income to funds its operating expenses. Lodge dues are for running the Lodge, not the building. The Lodge does not pay a peppercorn rent anymore, but have long recognized that income derived from Lodges and Masonic Activity will not fund the building. Our biggest project over the last decade (as we have done a quite a few) was probably about $30K. Lodge rent is not going to fund that, so the building must generate an income and seek grants from other sources, mainly external users.

The Lodge and the Building Association (once a Trust but we converted it into a better structure) are run by two distinct legal entities with distinct roles and officers. Discussions on one generally do not enter the official meetings of the other, but sometimes they write to each other with requests, suggestions and information.

The main discussion which is useful in a Tyled Lodge is philosophical. Other discussions should be encouraged outside the lodge, and if necessary at specific meetings to talk about operational matters, for both the Lodge (being a separate meeting, WM generally presiding) and the Building (being a separate meeting again, President, a PM, presiding). Speculative Freemasons should not be talking roof repairs or plumbing works in their meeting.. that's for other forums and mixing the two sees competing goals, often with long and tedious "contributions" of very little worth. They are counterproductive. its a good way to kill a lodge.

If you want to address the building, keep it out of your Lodge meetings.. and lodge meetings, when it comes to any operational matter, should be to ratify a decision already thrashed out in other inclusive and open forums.
I love this. I have to look into promoting this. I'll also have to look into the legal aspects of it. We were forced to consolidate our Craftmans's Club account with our Lodge account by Grand Lodge. This meant that any money spent during our CC meetings had to be motioned for in a tyled meeting. So, as it stands now, any lodge repair has to be discussed in a tyled lodge...
 

Keith C

Registered User
I love this. I have to look into promoting this. I'll also have to look into the legal aspects of it. We were forced to consolidate our Craftmans's Club account with our Lodge account by Grand Lodge. This meant that any money spent during our CC meetings had to be motioned for in a tyled meeting. So, as it stands now, any lodge repair has to be discussed in a tyled lodge...

Very similar scheme here. The Hall Association manages the building and the Lodge pays rent to the Hall Association, as do the HRA Chapter and Commandery for use of the building. The Hall Association can spend the money they collect in rent on upkeep of the building without a Lodge vote, but any major expenditures require the Lodge to vote to move funds from a Trustee fund to the Hall Association. So fixing a toilet or replacing a light fixture, etc do not need to be discussed in Lodge, replacing the roof, redoing the mortar on the building exterior, replacing windows, renovating the Lodge Room, Social Hall or Kitchen need to be discussed and voted on in Lodge.
 

Bloke

Premium Member
I love this. I have to look into promoting this. I'll also have to look into the legal aspects of it. We were forced to consolidate our Craftmans's Club account with our Lodge account by Grand Lodge. This meant that any money spent during our CC meetings had to be motioned for in a tyled meeting. So, as it stands now, any lodge repair has to be discussed in a tyled lodge...
Be careful to linking it to a single Master's term.. it might take longer to properly manage the stakeholders, but also the Constitution (Rules of Association or what ever you need for the building in the State) must give the lodge members comfort the building will still be controlled by Freemasons and that the long term preservation of the building in Masonic Hands with Masonic Presence is key. Ironically, that often means our lodges are put second behind external hirers, esp when it comes to capital investment, but we're building for sustainability, not the comfort of needs of the Freemasons of today, but don't consider the latter and manage it, and you will loose the support of your stake holders. For me it was easy, "We can have quiet enjoyment of our building for a few years and see a For Sale Sign, or be inconvenience and many even suffer some damage to the hall, but we will have the cash to fix it, and be able to hand on our building to future generations".

We need to see ourselves as custodians of the future, not owners of assets. We need to turn them actually into assets, rather than liabilities.
 

Brother_Steve

Premium Member
Be careful to linking it to a single Master's term.. it might take longer to properly manage the stakeholders, but also the Constitution (Rules of Association or what ever you need for the building in the State) must give the lodge members comfort the building will still be controlled by Freemasons and that the long term preservation of the building in Masonic Hands with Masonic Presence is key. Ironically, that often means our lodges are put second behind external hirers, esp when it comes to capital investment, but we're building for sustainability, not the comfort of needs of the Freemasons of today, but don't consider the latter and manage it, and you will loose the support of your stake holders. For me it was easy, "We can have quiet enjoyment of our building for a few years and see a For Sale Sign, or be inconvenience and many even suffer some damage to the hall, but we will have the cash to fix it, and be able to hand on our building to future generations".

We need to see ourselves as custodians of the future, not owners of assets. We need to turn them actually into assets, rather than liabilities.
I was thinking of an Entity or Corporation where the WM, IPM and Three elected Members of the Lodge run the building. From there, the Lodge would pay a nominal fee to rent from the Entity. The "Entity" would then be free to make investments for the building over the long term without fear of the Lodge Membership voting to spend or raid those funds.
 
Top