Could someone list the various certificates and requirements for each? Thanks!
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Certification
- Thread starter Blake Bowden
- Start date
E
eagle1966
Guest
class c questions and answers all three degrees
class b q&a alll three degrees opening closing lodge conferring all 3 degrees
class a all of the above plus all the lectures
class b q&a alll three degrees opening closing lodge conferring all 3 degrees
class a all of the above plus all the lectures
A Certificate- Open and close all four lodges. Questions and answers for all three degrees. Confer all three degrees. Lectures for all three degrees.
B Certificate- Open and close all four lodges. Questions and answers for all three degrees. Confer all three degrees.
C Certificate- Open and close all four lodges. Questions and answers for all three degrees.
Note: When testing, you must know all the parts, not just WM.
B Certificate- Open and close all four lodges. Questions and answers for all three degrees. Confer all three degrees.
C Certificate- Open and close all four lodges. Questions and answers for all three degrees.
Note: When testing, you must know all the parts, not just WM.
jonesvilletexas
Premium Member
A Certificate- Lectures for all three degrees.Esoteric only.
B Certificate- Confer all three degrees. All parts.
C Certificate- Open and close all four lodges. Questions and answers for all three degrees. Tillers oath
Note: If you have a C or B when testing again to get an A you have to start from a C and move up to the A.
B Certificate- Confer all three degrees. All parts.
C Certificate- Open and close all four lodges. Questions and answers for all three degrees. Tillers oath
Note: If you have a C or B when testing again to get an A you have to start from a C and move up to the A.
Thanks!
The law states that the WM-elect must be certified by a member of the Committee on Work OR by the District Instructor. A current "C" certificate or higher constitutes being certified by a member of the CoW.
Good answer Bill...
Just got this from R:.W:. Sessums:
"At the 2008 Grand Lodge the Grand Master's Recommendation #2 was adopted.
Art. 276a now says " Prior to his installation as Worshipful Master, a Brother shall in all circumstances first be qualified as follows:
1. He shall be proficient to open and close an EA, FC, MM Lodge, and a MM Lodge of Sorrow in the manner prescribed by the Committee on Work and approved by this Grand Lodge.
With this in mind I would like to extend a special invitation to all Wardens to attend a Forum and Exam this year.
We will specifically cover those areas and answer any questions you may have in the Forum. If you then feel ready to be certified we will have a separate group for that certification only during the afternoon Exam time.
If you have an Esoteric Certificate (A, B or C) you have already been certified."
Sincerely & fraternally,
Bill Sessums, Sr
713-771-7226
Committee on Work
Grand Lodge of Texas A.F. & A.M.
"At the 2008 Grand Lodge the Grand Master's Recommendation #2 was adopted.
Art. 276a now says " Prior to his installation as Worshipful Master, a Brother shall in all circumstances first be qualified as follows:
1. He shall be proficient to open and close an EA, FC, MM Lodge, and a MM Lodge of Sorrow in the manner prescribed by the Committee on Work and approved by this Grand Lodge.
With this in mind I would like to extend a special invitation to all Wardens to attend a Forum and Exam this year.
We will specifically cover those areas and answer any questions you may have in the Forum. If you then feel ready to be certified we will have a separate group for that certification only during the afternoon Exam time.
If you have an Esoteric Certificate (A, B or C) you have already been certified."
Sincerely & fraternally,
Bill Sessums, Sr
713-771-7226
Committee on Work
Grand Lodge of Texas A.F. & A.M.
Moved to Sanctum...
Brother Lins,
At an esoteric class in San Antonio this week, Brother TK Anthony (chairman, committee on work) advised us that the Jr. and Sr. Wardens will also have to be certified before taking office. This surprised me because everyone had been saying just the WM would need to be certified. TK noted the articles in the law book to prove his statement. Just thought I would pass this along because I think most had the same understanding that I did. I think it is probably a good idea since the Wardens could have to open Lodge due to absence.
david918
Premium Member
Bro Bill and I were at a forum today with RW Bill Sessums and he told us the opposite.I know that you will be shocked but there seems to be a conflict in the Grand Lodge law book
I was told by numerous DDGM's and a GL officer that the JW, SW and WM need to be certified. If this is the case, I agree with it 100%. Those officers should know how to open and close all four lodges.
david918
Premium Member
I think I found the answer to the Warden's certification question . Form 101 Installation Requirements For the lodges of Texas A.F.&A.M. the last sentence on the form reads:
Note: In 2009, Lodge Wardens should complete these requirements, but may
be installed if they have not.
Note: In 2009, Lodge Wardens should complete these requirements, but may
be installed if they have not.
Seems like Grand Lodge has a great big can of open worms on their hands with this one.....
We have received communication from the Jurisprudence Committee on the Grand Master's Recommendation adopted at the 2008 Grand Lodge concerning Article 276A as well as input from the Grand Secretary.
Below are listed updated questions and the answers as I now understand them.
If you have more questions please let me know and I can add them to the list.
This is a developing situation and none of these answers are cast in stone, stay tuned for further developments.
Sincerely & fraternally,
Bill Sessums, Sr
713-771-7226
Committee on Work
Grand Lodge of Texas A.F. & A.M.
(New Q&A additions are in Red)
Who has to be Certified?
Just the Worshipful Master.
Don't the Wardens have to be Certified?
(After all they may have to preside if the Worshipful Master is absent)
NO, just the Worshipful Master
Will the officers elected in June need to be certified?
YES, just the Worshipful Master Elect.
If a serving Master has to carry over a year does he have to be Certified?
YES, unless previously certified.
What happens if he does not want to be certified and know one else will take the job?
Way above my pay grade, Please contact Grand Lodge.
Do I have to be certified in all stations & places or just the Worshipful Master's station?
Just the Wording & Procedures for the Worshipful Master's Station.
What is covered in the "certification"?
MM, MM LoS, EA & FC opening & closing. Calling a MM LoS from & to labor.
Opening an EA or FC with a double order & from refreshment.
Do you have to attend a Forum & Exam to be "Certified"
NO, a District Instructor or a member of the Committee on Work can certify a Brother anywhere.
Who can "certify" someone?
A District Instructor or a member of the Committee on Work.
Is there a particular form that must be used?
Yes, See Form 101 attached.
Has a method to notify Grand Lodge of the Worshipful Master's certification been laid out?
Yes, See Form 101 attached.
Can the Wardens or a Past Master who are certified pro-tem for the the Worshipful Master?
If a Brother can Pro-tem under the Law he does not need to be Certified
Does a Past Master need to be Certified to serve as Worshipful Master again?
YES, if he was not Certified for his previous term.
If I have an Esoteric Certificate (A, B or C) do I have to be certified again?
NO, the Esoteric Certificate is a more stringent qualification and will be accepted.
If I have had an Esoteric Certificate in the past but it is not current, does this count?
Yes, Once Certified = Always Certified
What is going to happen if a Lodge has no one that can certify
Darned good question - way above my pay grade.
Please contact Grand Lodge.
Is the LIFE program part of this process?
NO, the LIFE program is separate and the Committee on work is not involved with it.
Does participation in a Warden's Retreat qualify them in lieu of LIFE Program?
The LIFE program is separate and the Committee on work is not involved with it
(but I think the answer is YES)
If I went to a Wardens Retreat, am I certified?
No - certified alludes to the Esoteric opening & closing of the 4 lodges.
The Wardens Retreat has to do with education regarding lodge administration & planning
***********************************************************************************************************************************
The individual members of the Masonic Jurisprudence Committee have been asked the same questions that you pose here. So, in an attempt to address what we believe was passed by the Grand West in approving Grand Master's Recommendation No.2 in' 08, we offer the following. Before doing do, however, we want to make it clear that we do not know what the intent of the then Grand Master was. We can only address the plain reading of the Recommendation that was passed. Some members of our Committee believe, as do I, that the intent of the Grand Master was to require, by the mandatory "Shall", that all Wardens and Masters be certified proficient in their individual stations. However, the Recommendation that passed was not that broad. It was quite specific, leaving the permissive "should" intact in Article 297a.
We believe that only the WM is required to be certified.
Art. 291 Qualification for Lodge Office
Art. 291 says "any member in good standing" is eligible for office, limited only by Art. 276 and 276-a "which apply to the offices of WM and both Wardens of the Lodge".
.
Art. 297a Requirements for Installation as Worshipful Master or Warden
This article currently has the words "should be in compliance" and refers to Art. 276a. (which is now "Shall be in compliance") with the provisions of Art. 276a of the Laws of this Grand Lodge. Are the Worshipful Master and both Wardens required to be in compliance with Art. 276a? Art. 291 Qualification for Lodge Office
Art. 291 says "any member in good standing" is eligible for office, limited only by Art. 276 and 276-a "which apply to the offices of WM and both Wardens of the Lodge".
Art. 297a Requirements for Installation as Worshipful Master or Warden
Art. 276 applies only to WM's.
Art. 276-a also applies only to WM's. It has been amended to say ("shall be proficient").
Art. 297-a states that prior to installation as WM or SW or JW he should be in compliance with 276-a.
Therefore, it the opinion of the Jurisprudence Committee that the Laws of the Grand Lodge direct, that, as to SW & JW only, there is no change in proficiency/certification requirements or qualifications were made by the amendment to Art. 276-a.
Art. 276a Additional Qualifications (Worshipful Master)
It would be our further opinion that plain reading of the Recommendation directs that the WM should be certified in his station (that of Master) and not all three stations.
OPINION ONLY AND NOT LEGAL ADVICE:
Ideally, he would know all three stations, but we are talking about qualifications to fill his office for one year.
We do not find any guidance in the law for this, but the statutory requirements of Art. 276-a can be satisfied if WM can properly open and close an EA, FC, MM and MM LOS without knowing the SW or JW's stations.
We believe that this completely addresses all of your questions (and probably some that you did not ask). It is the universal opinion of the Jurisprudence Committee that this is really a matter for the Committee on Work to address in terms of actual mechanics. However, we appreciate the consultation as to whether or not we believe that the Recommendation mandates a revision of existing statutes. We believe that it does not and is very specific, clear, and unambiguous in its directive that only the WM "Shall" be proficient and is required to be certified. Only 276a was amended.
Form No. 101
INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE LODGES OF TEXAS, A.F. & A.M.
This is to certify that Brother ____________________________________ ID # ______________
( Print Full Name)
a member of ____________________________________________Lodge No. ________, located
(Name of Lodge)
at________________________________, Texas, Masonic District No. .
(City)
q Has met the requirements of Article 276a of the Grand Lodge Laws as follows:
1. Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Lodge
Examined by ___________________________________________ Date _________________
(Print Name)
q Member of Committee on Work District Instructor – District No. _________
Signature___________________________________________ Date ___________________
We have received communication from the Jurisprudence Committee on the Grand Master's Recommendation adopted at the 2008 Grand Lodge concerning Article 276A as well as input from the Grand Secretary.
Below are listed updated questions and the answers as I now understand them.
If you have more questions please let me know and I can add them to the list.
This is a developing situation and none of these answers are cast in stone, stay tuned for further developments.
Sincerely & fraternally,
Bill Sessums, Sr
713-771-7226
Committee on Work
Grand Lodge of Texas A.F. & A.M.
(New Q&A additions are in Red)
Who has to be Certified?
Just the Worshipful Master.
Don't the Wardens have to be Certified?
(After all they may have to preside if the Worshipful Master is absent)
NO, just the Worshipful Master
Will the officers elected in June need to be certified?
YES, just the Worshipful Master Elect.
If a serving Master has to carry over a year does he have to be Certified?
YES, unless previously certified.
What happens if he does not want to be certified and know one else will take the job?
Way above my pay grade, Please contact Grand Lodge.
Do I have to be certified in all stations & places or just the Worshipful Master's station?
Just the Wording & Procedures for the Worshipful Master's Station.
What is covered in the "certification"?
MM, MM LoS, EA & FC opening & closing. Calling a MM LoS from & to labor.
Opening an EA or FC with a double order & from refreshment.
Do you have to attend a Forum & Exam to be "Certified"
NO, a District Instructor or a member of the Committee on Work can certify a Brother anywhere.
Who can "certify" someone?
A District Instructor or a member of the Committee on Work.
Is there a particular form that must be used?
Yes, See Form 101 attached.
Has a method to notify Grand Lodge of the Worshipful Master's certification been laid out?
Yes, See Form 101 attached.
Can the Wardens or a Past Master who are certified pro-tem for the the Worshipful Master?
If a Brother can Pro-tem under the Law he does not need to be Certified
Does a Past Master need to be Certified to serve as Worshipful Master again?
YES, if he was not Certified for his previous term.
If I have an Esoteric Certificate (A, B or C) do I have to be certified again?
NO, the Esoteric Certificate is a more stringent qualification and will be accepted.
If I have had an Esoteric Certificate in the past but it is not current, does this count?
Yes, Once Certified = Always Certified
What is going to happen if a Lodge has no one that can certify
Darned good question - way above my pay grade.
Please contact Grand Lodge.
Is the LIFE program part of this process?
NO, the LIFE program is separate and the Committee on work is not involved with it.
Does participation in a Warden's Retreat qualify them in lieu of LIFE Program?
The LIFE program is separate and the Committee on work is not involved with it
(but I think the answer is YES)
If I went to a Wardens Retreat, am I certified?
No - certified alludes to the Esoteric opening & closing of the 4 lodges.
The Wardens Retreat has to do with education regarding lodge administration & planning
***********************************************************************************************************************************
The individual members of the Masonic Jurisprudence Committee have been asked the same questions that you pose here. So, in an attempt to address what we believe was passed by the Grand West in approving Grand Master's Recommendation No.2 in' 08, we offer the following. Before doing do, however, we want to make it clear that we do not know what the intent of the then Grand Master was. We can only address the plain reading of the Recommendation that was passed. Some members of our Committee believe, as do I, that the intent of the Grand Master was to require, by the mandatory "Shall", that all Wardens and Masters be certified proficient in their individual stations. However, the Recommendation that passed was not that broad. It was quite specific, leaving the permissive "should" intact in Article 297a.
We believe that only the WM is required to be certified.
Art. 291 Qualification for Lodge Office
Art. 291 says "any member in good standing" is eligible for office, limited only by Art. 276 and 276-a "which apply to the offices of WM and both Wardens of the Lodge".
.
Art. 297a Requirements for Installation as Worshipful Master or Warden
This article currently has the words "should be in compliance" and refers to Art. 276a. (which is now "Shall be in compliance") with the provisions of Art. 276a of the Laws of this Grand Lodge. Are the Worshipful Master and both Wardens required to be in compliance with Art. 276a? Art. 291 Qualification for Lodge Office
Art. 291 says "any member in good standing" is eligible for office, limited only by Art. 276 and 276-a "which apply to the offices of WM and both Wardens of the Lodge".
Art. 297a Requirements for Installation as Worshipful Master or Warden
Art. 276 applies only to WM's.
Art. 276-a also applies only to WM's. It has been amended to say ("shall be proficient").
Art. 297-a states that prior to installation as WM or SW or JW he should be in compliance with 276-a.
Therefore, it the opinion of the Jurisprudence Committee that the Laws of the Grand Lodge direct, that, as to SW & JW only, there is no change in proficiency/certification requirements or qualifications were made by the amendment to Art. 276-a.
Art. 276a Additional Qualifications (Worshipful Master)
It would be our further opinion that plain reading of the Recommendation directs that the WM should be certified in his station (that of Master) and not all three stations.
OPINION ONLY AND NOT LEGAL ADVICE:
Ideally, he would know all three stations, but we are talking about qualifications to fill his office for one year.
We do not find any guidance in the law for this, but the statutory requirements of Art. 276-a can be satisfied if WM can properly open and close an EA, FC, MM and MM LOS without knowing the SW or JW's stations.
We believe that this completely addresses all of your questions (and probably some that you did not ask). It is the universal opinion of the Jurisprudence Committee that this is really a matter for the Committee on Work to address in terms of actual mechanics. However, we appreciate the consultation as to whether or not we believe that the Recommendation mandates a revision of existing statutes. We believe that it does not and is very specific, clear, and unambiguous in its directive that only the WM "Shall" be proficient and is required to be certified. Only 276a was amended.
Form No. 101
INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE LODGES OF TEXAS, A.F. & A.M.
This is to certify that Brother ____________________________________ ID # ______________
( Print Full Name)
a member of ____________________________________________Lodge No. ________, located
(Name of Lodge)
at________________________________, Texas, Masonic District No. .
(City)
q Has met the requirements of Article 276a of the Grand Lodge Laws as follows:
1. Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Lodge
Examined by ___________________________________________ Date _________________
(Print Name)
q Member of Committee on Work District Instructor – District No. _________
Signature___________________________________________ Date ___________________