Festive Board

[Dow Mathis]

Has anybody hosted a festive board? If so, what can you tell me about it?

Thanks.

 

[chrmc]

Depends a little bit what you mean by a Festive Board. A lot of lodges use that work about the dinner after their Stated Meeting, especially if they go out to a more fancy place. Some also use it to refer to the traditional Ceremony of the 7 toasts, which is often mistaken for a table lodge.
However in order for it to be a table lodge it actually has to be in a lodge room, the lodge must be tyled etc.

So give us a little more info on what you're looking for and I'm sure someone can help you.

 

[Dow Mathis]

Then maybe that's not the right name for it. I've read where some lodges will have an annual formal dinner, offsite (I think), and bring in a Masonic speaker. Something like that.

Here's an example from Hillcrest Lodge's website: https://dallasfreemasonry.org/hillcrest-lodge-2015-festive-board-brent-morris/2072

 

[Glen Cook]

St Andrew's 9 in Utah held one last June at the Alta Club. The guest speaker was the Lord Lyon of Scotland who did a presentation on Masonic heraldry.

 

[Bloke]

Hi Dow

In European and Australian Lodges, dinner is generally a significant part of each meeting.

A Table lodge is something different, and as mentioned, the Ceremony of the 7 Toasts is usually performed. There is a script of that.

Both the above are "Festive Boards".

To assist, some questions from you might assist or your general aim and if you envision a mixed function with ladies

In terms of dinner at our regular meetings, we include Toasts and other items.

There typically include some or all of below;
Grace
Toast to the Queen ( Australia's head of State )
Toast to any candidates
Response from candidates
Toast to visitors
Response from Visitors
(Toast to ladies of Lodge, maybe a response from them).
Toast to Absent Brethren
Tyler's Toast (always at end).

At Installations we include
Toast to the Master (and his lady if present)
Toast to GM

 

[chrmc]

Then maybe that's not the right name for it. I've read where some lodges will have an annual formal dinner, offsite (I think), and bring in a Masonic speaker. Something like that.

Here's an example from Hillcrest Lodge's website: https://dallasfreemasonry.org/hillcrest-lodge-2015-festive-board-brent-morris/2072

A lot of lodges do these and I think they often work well. Having a well known speaker in to provide Masonic education is usually welcome. Naturally you have to fit it all with your membership. There is additional costs of flights, hotels etc. that have to be covered.
If you're interested in doing it, I'd suggest to try and set up a more formal dinner possibly in the lodge or a restaurant with a private room and then find a local speaker you know can do a good job.

Where in Texas are you, and we may be able to suggest someone?

 

[Dow Mathis]

Thanks for the responses, I'm in Boerne.

 

[Nestor Vargas]

Hello Brethren,

Can these festive boards actually be done at the lodge building? It seems to involve alcohol and my understanding is there is no alcohol allowed at the building?

 

[Bill Lins]

Hello Brethren,

Can these festive boards actually be done at the lodge building? It seems to involve alcohol and my understanding is there is no alcohol allowed at the building?

GLoTX does not allow alcohol in Lodge buildings. We've had festive boards in the past at either the Scottish Rite or the Shrine.

 

[Christopher Thompson]

My lodge Jewel P Lightfoot #1283 (Dallas, TX) has an annual Festive Board and we usually reserve a large room at a nice hotel or something like that. It is a black tie event in which we will bring in a Masonic speaker. There are various toasts throughout the night and since it is not in a lodge building, we are allowed to have alcohol. We will provide travel accomodations for the speaker and engage in contemplative Masonic dialogue over a great meal. If you go to www.DallasMasons.org you will se pictures posted of the recent Festive Board that just passed.

 

[Bloke]

Hello Brethren,

Can these festive boards actually be done at the lodge building? It seems to involve alcohol and my understanding is there is no alcohol allowed at the building?

Depends on where you are and the rules. In our location, no issue having alcohol but you would need to check..