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What started/sparked your interest in going through the chairs

Bloke

Premium Member
I became an inner guard for one reason - the lodge needed me to... then I worked through the officers and was keen to take the chair to effect some positive change... as a PM I spend a lot of time encouraging the hell out of MMs to support the lodge and to see their own self development by going through all the chairs including the one on the East.
 

rpbrown

Premium Member
When I became a MM, most of our lodge was made up of PM's, however, I was part of a "younger" crowd coming in. By that, I mean we had 12 MM's raised in a 2 year period. After I was raised, our WM asked me to fill a different chair for absent officers each stated meeting. The following year, I was asked to become the Marshal in which I accepted. I have since moved through the chairs and am now sitting in the East. The "youth movement" that was going on slowed and some have moved away but others are now going through the chairs. FWIW, we are now having another growth spurt of "younger" Masons.

***By younger, I mean younger in Masonry, not age as I am now, lets say, over 60. But we are having some younger men come in as well.
 

Derinique Kendrick

Registered User
I would share something a good Mason shared with me: Do you benefit from going through the chairs, or does the Lodge benefit? If you think you won't be contributing to the Lodge in that role, then find someone who will.





:001_tongue:
Both, the individual brother as well as the lodge benefits from going through the chairs in my opinion.
 

dfreybur

Premium Member
I was raised in July of 2015. As I was going through my first degrees I noticed that we had about five or six different Past Masters filling in chairs. I felt as if no PM should have to take a chair if there are plenty of brothers around the lodge who hadn't held a seat. Shortly after I was raised I realized that attendance from some brothers wasn't dependable enough to place them in chair so those Past Masters Had to sit in. I immediately asked if I could be of service. Every meeting I attended after being raised I filled in for officers who either didn't show up or were late. I learned alot doing this and before I knew it I had learned the SW part for opening and closing almost word for word. Alot of brothers saw how much I was learning and putting into perfecting my craft and took note. This past December I was elected and installed as the Junior Warden for this year. It's a pretty big deal to me and something I don't take lightly or for granted. I'm glad the brothers saw something in me to bestow me with that responsibility.

Brother Derinique,

After you're a PM consider taking the chairs you have not yet been installed in. Save the chairs, collect the whole set. It can give you an added perspective on those PMs sitting in the chairs.

Going through the chairs in the order of the progressive line is like a compressed career from go-fer to CEO of a small company. Going through the chairs in a more random order isn't as organized but it's a worthy service to the lodge.
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
I was raised in November 2014 and was immediately elected Secretary of the lodge. It was excellent for me because I learned the business and administrative side of things. I had the opportunity to streamline some processes as my lodge had utilized antiquated methods up to that point. Seasoned past master's were sitting in seats. We're a lodge of 2 dozen brothers and we have 3 brothers who are 90+ in age. Another 8 who are 70+. My ideas were welcomed. I took advantage of the chance to make immediate contributions. Working at the WM's right hand was invaluable. In the meantime, I learned the opening and closing for all of the chairs. I was elected Junior Warden in October 2015. I intend to serve my lodge in whatever capacity the brothers deem fit.
Sounds great! Congratulations Brother.
 

Pscyclepath

Premium Member
Almost immediately after I turned in my Master's proficiency, I was brought back west of the altar and installed as Junior Deacon, to serve out the last six months of the year; our regular JD having quit coming to lodge after the second meting or so. Since then, I've served through each of the chairs and have just started my year in the East. Along the way, I've served in just about every chair, at least on a pro tem basis, and am one of the three or four dozen brothers who have both the blue and red instructor certifications from the GL.

We learn in the Fellowcraft degree that Freemasonry is a "progressive science"... Likewise, going through each chair progressively, not skipping any, is a progressive education in how a lodge runs. As JD, it's a good education in just how the lodge room and the meetings therein function. My year as SD was the time to learn the Ritual and all the floor work. As Junior Warden, I learned the logistics end of things, how to keep the brethren fed and happy, to search the Digest of Laws, and a little bit on the disciplinary end of things. As SW, I learned the operational end... coordinating work and service projects, director of work for degrees and other functions, and trying to find that happy medium of peace and harmony among the brethren and the appendant bodies that share our lodge. And now as Master, you're very much [finanlly] and "overseer of the work," keeping all the plates spinning and mentoring your subordinate officers and other brethren to be able to take your place this time next year...

It's a life-long journey and process. Next year, once out of the East, I'd like to travel a bit more, and spend my efforts helping out in the areas that I've found that I like most in my journey, helping out with the ritual program, and working in the dining hall and kitchens.

We each have our own journeys and experiences, so mileage may vary according to the individual brother...

Tom
 

Derinique Kendrick

Registered User
Brother Derinique,

After you're a PM consider taking the chairs you have not yet been installed in. Save the chairs, collect the whole set. It can give you an added perspective on those PMs sitting in the chairs.

Going through the chairs in the order of the progressive line is like a compressed career from go-fer to CEO of a small company. Going through the chairs in a more random order isn't as organized but it's a worthy service to the lodge.
Noted, brother! Thanks for the wise counsel!
 

Brother JC

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
It should be the goal of every MM to one day sit in the East
I disagree. A lodge should be led by someone with excellent leadership skills and a vision, who knows all parts of the ritual. Frankly, that is not "every MM," and is one of the reasons why I'm not a fan of a progressive line.
 

mrpierce17

KOP Council director / Lodge instructor
Premium Member
I disagree. A lodge should be led by someone with excellent leadership skills and a vision, who knows all parts of the ritual. Frankly, that is not "every MM," and is one of the reasons why I'm not a fan of a progressive line.
I did not say that every MM will make it to the East I said it should be every MM goal to one day sit in the East meaning every MM should strive to have all of the qualities you mention above remember the beehive my brother
 

Brother JC

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
Not every bee can be queen, my Brother.
I have no allusions regarding the East. I know I will never know all the lectures and have learned from experience that I am a far better advisor than leader. But I'm past my prime...
I do agree with you when it comes to younger Brethren; give them expansive goals and watch them grow.
 

Bloke

Premium Member
I disagree. A lodge should be led by someone with excellent leadership skills and a vision, who knows all parts of the ritual. Frankly, that is not "every MM," and is one of the reasons why I'm not a fan of a progressive line.

It's a tough one, but I can say this, as a PM it's my goal to try to develop every brother so he is capable of sitting in the East, but I do agree that not all are.... nor should they be seen as less if they do not aspire to do so....
 
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