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!

What do you do with your phone during lodge meetings?

What do you do with your phone while in the lodge?

  • Silence it.

    Votes: 81 70.4%
  • Leave it in the car

    Votes: 26 22.6%
  • nothing...no one calls me anyway.

    Votes: 4 3.5%
  • What's a cell phone?

    Votes: 4 3.5%

  • Total voters
    115

4thGenMason

Registered User
Re: What do you do with your phone during lodge me

Normally I only set it to vibrate, because I don't get an urge to check it. But if a degree is being conferred, I either turn it off or leave it in my car.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Freemason Connect HD mobile app
 

RolandoG

Registered User
Re: What do you do with your phone during lodge me

Leave it out side, its disrespectful to the w.m and any brother who is speaking. Unless, I am expecting an important phone-call then I would excuse myself

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Freemason Connect HD mobile app
 

Benjamin Baxter

Moderator
Premium Member
Re: What do you do with your phone during lodge me

I put leave it in the car, but I leave it in the kitchen area with my hat and sunglasses. It lives on vibrate anyways because I work shift work.
 

4thGenMason

Registered User
Re: What do you do with your phone during lodge me

Leave it out side, its disrespectful to the w.m and any brother who is speaking. Unless, I am expecting an important phone-call then I would excuse myself

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Freemason Connect HD mobile app

How is it disrespectful if it doesn't go off? Or more importantly, if it does no one can hear it? Simply having it, or having it on silent is no more disrespectful than wearing a watch. As long as it isn't heard or seen, what's the harm?
 

RolandoG

Registered User
Re: What do you do with your phone during lodge me

I would find it disrespectful if a brother was having his separate function while the minutes are happening inside. But as I stated if its an emergency or I am expecting then it only be proper to excuse myself. I enter a different topic, I should of been more clear-my apologies

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Freemason Connect HD mobile app
 

4thGenMason

Registered User
Re: What do you do with your phone during lodge me

Fair enough. I just wanted to clarify. I too would find it completely disrespectful if a brother was not giving his undivided attention to the officers and brethren present. If an emergency were to arise one should excuse themselves appropriately and take the call or text only after leaving. I'm with you 100%.
 

urbrato

Registered User
Re: What do you do with your phone during lodge me

Ringing phone is to be rectified by gavel strike ))
I set it to flight mode. So I can use it as clock and as ritual book without interfering calls.

Sent from my GT-I8150 using Freemason Connect HD mobile app
 

Blake Bowden

Administrator
Staff Member
Re: What do you do with your phone during lodge me

Before opening, the Master should instruct the Brethren to put their ringers on silent. I would use my phone on occasion, mainly for updating my calendar. That being said, the Wardens and WM should call out any Brother distracting the Lodge by playing on their phone. Yes Wardens, you can wear big boy pants and bring the Lodge to attention ;)

I'm tired and don't have my GL (Texas at least) bylaws, but couldn't a W.M. instruct the Wardens to confiscate cell phones? That'd be funny.
 
Last edited:

marty15chris

Premium Member
Re: What do you do with your phone during lodge me

I used to leave it in the car, now I just turn it to silent. When any event or meeting is being discussed I use my calendar to keep track of the events.


Freemason Connect HD
 

txtraveller

Registered User
Re: What do you do with your phone during lodge me

I keep my phone with me because I feel that my family should always be able to contact me no matter where I may be. That being said, we are grown men who swore an Obligation and not one of us should have to be told to turn your ringer off during any Lodge business. It's simple respect for your Officers and Brethren. We're big boys now fellas, why is this even a question?


Freemason Connect HD
 

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
Re: What do you do with your phone during lodge me

Before opening, the Master should instruct the Brethren to put their ringers on silent. I would use my phone on occasion, mainly for updating my calendar. That being said, the Wardens and WM should call out any Brother distracting the Lodge by playing on their phone. Yes Wardens, you can wear big boy pants and bring the Lodge to attention ;)

I'm tired and don't have my GL (Texas at least) bylaws, but couldn't a W.M. instruct the Wardens to confiscate cell phones? That'd be funny.

He probably could upon a second offense after first having issued a warning. I think, instead, I would order the offending Brother, upon a second offense, to surrender his phone to the Tiler until the Lodge has been closed. Bet I'd only have to do it once. :wink:
 

morpheus19770

Registered User
Re: What do you do with your phone during lodge me

As a WM in my lodge, I have to give the example, leaving the phone in my room... And letting anyone out of the temple as his phone rings! :what::mad::mad:

Freemason Connect HD
 

Chillimaru

Registered User
Re: What do you do with your phone during lodge me

As a WM in my lodge, I have to give the example, leaving the phone in my room... And letting anyone out of the temple as his phone rings! :what::mad::mad:

Freemason Connect HD

When I first joined I would leave my phone in the truck, but even the WM of our lodge uses his phone for calendar dates such as floor school dates and Degree dates, I have since started using this app as well, I just make sure it's on vibrate!!!


Freemason Connect HD
 

hollywoodbwc

Registered User
Re: What do you do with your phone during lodge me

I leave mine in the car or turn it off during degree work. I leave it on vibrate in a regular communication in case I do need the calendar. If I am expecting an important phone call, degree or communication, I alert the W\M beforehand.

Freemason Connect HD
 

Silent_Knight

Registered User
Re: What do you do with your phone during lodge me

I leave it in my car. Giving my full attention to my lodge. Unless you are on call and then it should be Silent and on Vibrate. I would never check my phone at Lodge.


Freemason Connect HD
 

JTM

"Just in case"
Premium Member
Re: What do you do with your cell phone while in t

I actually use mine during Lodge to look up articles, mark events on my calendar, etc. If we're having a debate on pancakes or waffles for a fundraiser, I'll hop on this site..hah

this.
 

Panzertech

Registered User
Re: What do you do with your phone during lodge me

In our lodge if the phone rings its $50 in the Jr. wardens fund. Set to silent s okay, but no talking on it or texting in open lodge. The brethren understand that emergencies can and do happen. Dominion Lodge #117 Edmonton Alberta Canafa


Freemason Connect HD
 
Top