Favorite Chair?

I have a question, brothers? What was/is your favorite chair that you have held (other than WM, but if WM was/is your absolute favorite, then that is fine also)and why? I can't give an answer, because I have only been in one chair so far and I don't want to be biased, but I would like to add that I really am enjoying my year in my chair. What say ye, brethern?

Candidate isn't a chair and can't be repeated in anything like the same way. ;^)

I rather liked the in person contact with candidates as I walked them around while SD. Only one lecture to learn and time to study the obligation section in preparation to move up.

I must have liked the WM chair as well having been nuts enough to take that chair 3 years so far ...

I agree on SD. You're a significant part of the degree work, and in my humble opinion the Middle Chamber Lecture is one of our most beautiful pieces of ritual. What you learn in that chair is that you really can learn a long piece of ritual, and that readies you for the chairs that lie ahead.

dfreybur said:

I must have liked the WM chair as well having been nuts enough to take that chair 3 years so far ...

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Same

I liked all the chairs (never sat in Sec or Tres or Chaplin or Organist though).. Deacon work in our Jurisdictions is very cool, always like going in as Deacon for a Degree.

WM was may favourite, because I got to fix and organise and massage with no higher authority. My style is collegian (which I think is good for a master) but I am willing to make fast decisions, always keeping my finger on the pulse. Different masters work in different ways, but I guess one of the big things I brought to the WM role was to encourage the hell our of everyone and a unwavering willingness to put time in the right places; key to being a good Master.... That said, every chair is important. That's why we call it "the team". Ceremonial is like a well oiled machine, it needs all its parts in tip top condition. Wherever I sit, I try to do my best. As a PM, many watch closely to copy me... As a MM, i concentrated on mastering (and enjoying) the jobs I had, knowing each was a building block for a foundation to be good in the East. (only ever really got IG faultless as a PM).

In my mother lodge, I've been a floater for the last few years (this time ADC, last time they stuck me in as head steward)... I like swapping between jobs and refreshing my skills, now days I seem to always be the DC, that's been a learning curve...

Simply, I am at the disposal of the lodge, just dont ask me to play the organ (cant) and don't put me in as chaplain unless just opening and closing because I do not know the work, otherwise, my favourite chair is where the lodge (or master) wants me to be.

If you are asking as a MM who is moving up the ranks- just enjoy the one you are in and try not to skip any of the progressive line. If a lodge can't wait for your to develop properly to be the best Master you can, it's in trouble and kidding itself to solve a long term problem (membership and membership development) with a short term solution; installed a WM before he is ready. Unless you are ready

I enjoyed both Warden's places, particularly Senior during the First. Being a Chaplain was an honour but often heartbreakingly difficult. More recently I was Marshal, and in a TO lodge that comes with some very fulfilling duties.

SD for me!

Bloke said:

As a MM, i concentrated on mastering (and enjoying) the jobs I had, knowing each was a building block for a foundation to be good in the East.

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Duly noted, as I am definitely breeding myself, of course with the help of knowledgeable Past Masters to be good in the East, whenever that time may come.

Bloke said:

My favourite chair is where the lodge (or master) wants me to be.

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That was certainly my mind frame when I was filling in after being raised. I got a feel for a few different seats on various meeting nights

Bloke said:

If you are asking as a MM who is moving up the ranks- just enjoy the one you are in and try not to skip any of the progressive line. If a lodge can't wait for your to develop properly to be the best Master you can, it's in trouble and kidding itself to solve a long term problem (membership and membership development) with a short term solution; installed a WM before he is ready. Unless you are ready

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Here's where it gets tricky. I am in my first year of being in the craft. I was elected to serve as the Junior Warden this year (which I am really enjoying, by the way). I definitely strove and worked hard and took things seriously when asked to sit in various seats among being raised, so I'd like to think that the lodge made their nomination and election based on my enthusiasm and my desire to want to be a great MM by watching me closely and coaching me through what I didn't understand, but I usually pick up on things pretty fast by you know, being young and all . I believe they thought I had/have great potential and that I could handle the job and would do very good at it. I also feel as if attendance from said officers the previous years had a bit to do with it as well, but not entirely (can't discredit the work I put in). The lodge was pretty much filled with PMs who attended regularly filling majority of the seats due to low attendance, and me coming in, I paid attention that, and wanted to take the load off of them in any way that I could, so I pushed myself to making it happen so that I could be in the position to take a chair, had I been nominated and elected, though it wasn't the sole plan, but I thought its better to be prepared anyway just in case. So if I am ever blessed with the wonderful opportunity to hold the gavel and wear the hat, I will take it on the best way I can, as it is pretty much a very big deal. I would have liked to start at JD, but of course it isn't what you want, it's about what the lodge wants.

dfreybur said:

Candidate isn't a chair and can't be repeated in anything like the same way. ;^)

I rather liked the in person contact with candidates as I walked them around while SD. Only one lecture to learn and time to study the obligation section in preparation to move up.

I must have liked the WM chair as well having been nuts enough to take that chair 3 years so far ...

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You were doing something right!

But @Bloke, if that does end up happening in the next few years or so, I would probably be terrified on one hand, leading alot of 20, 30, 40, 50+ year members and I hadn't even hit 10 myself, being not even 30 years of age myself (assuming, of course. I'm 25, now.) But, on the other hand, I truly feel, I wouldn't have that opportunity unless, the brothers of my lodge absolutely felt I was ready, so I would be honored more than anything.

Derinique Kendrick said:

But @Bloke, if that does end up happening in the next few years or so, I would probably be terrified on one hand, leading alot of 20, 30, 40, 50+ year members and I hadn't even hit 10 myself, being not even 30 years of age myself (assuming, of course. I'm 25, now.) But, on the other hand, I truly feel, I wouldn't have that opportunity unless, the brothers of my lodge absolutely felt I was ready, so I would be honored more than anything.

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Tell you a masonic secret ? Everyone I know who's gone through the chair for the first time gets scared; including me.

Age ? Who cares. You just need the capability and the respect of your brethren.. probably even more important is integrity , heart and a passion for the Craft and you sounds like you are doing well in those areas Brother Derinique

Bloke said:

Tell you a masonic secret ? Everyone I know who's gone through the chair for the first time gets scared; including me.

Age ? Who cares. You just need the capability and the respect of your brethren.. probably even more important is integrity , heart and a passion for the Craft and you sounds like you are doing well in those areas Brother Derinique

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Thanks for that feedback, brother! I'm working very hard to s***** my p******* and i****** myself in masonry.

I would say JW

Blake Bowden said:

I would say JW

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Why so, brother?

Although I have had to fill in almost every chair in the lodge other than the WM, I always go in with the attitude of where does the Lodge need me. I enjoy almost all the chair that I have sat in. I don't really care much for keeping up with the minutes though. One of my favorite parts about being in the Lodge is watching the elderly brothers speak their mind. I know I shouldn't laugh during the meetings, but I can't help it sometimes.

Travelling Man91 said:

Although I have had to fill in almost every chair in the lodge other than the WM, I always go in with the attitude of where does the Lodge need me. I enjoy almost all the chair that I have sat in. I don't really care much for keeping up with the minutes though. One of my favorite parts about being in the Lodge is watching the elderly brothers speak their mind. I know I shouldn't laugh during the meetings, but I can't help it sometimes.

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I had that attitude as well. When I filled in I was at either SW (More than other times. Really enjoy the West. I believe when my lodge brothers saw how well I handled it being newly raised, one of them actually nominated me to take over that chair for this year, but one of our PMs who also happens to be DDGM shut that down. Apparently protocol prevented me from getting it because he felt I hadn't been in long enough to make that jump, but he allowed me JW, which in my opinion isn't all that different.) JD (Enjoyed this seat too.) and one meeting I sat as acting Secretary so I definitely can attest to not being a big fan of minute taking, but if my lodge needed me to do it, I'd gladly do it. We also have those elderly members who do the same. I normally chuckle to myself and get back focused on the meeting.

In our Ritual it is the JD who conducts the Candidate in the EA degree - the SD does it in the other 2 Degrees. I found carrying out that duty particularly fulfilling.

When I was a MM for about 6 months I was asked to take office as the Secretary! Talk about being 'thrown in the deep end'! However, afterward I realised I had a much deeper appreciation for how a Lodge operated. I found that invaluable when I went to the Chair.

As to which office I enjoyed most - impossible for me to decide - I enjoyed each for different reasons.

Canadian Paul said:

In our Ritual it is the JD who conducts the Candidate in the EA degree - the SD does it in the other 2 Degrees. I found carrying out that duty particularly fulfilling.

When I was a MM for about 6 months I was asked to take office as the Secretary! Talk about being 'thrown in the deep end'! However, afterward I realised I had a much deeper appreciation for how a Lodge operated. I found that invaluable when I went to the Chair.

As to which office I enjoyed most - impossible for me to decide - I enjoyed each for different reasons.

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I believe the secretary is a good seat to have. As you stated, it gives you a better sense of appreciation for how the lodge is operated and in turn it could help you out tremendously by building up administrative skills.
I can also understand the liking different chairs for different reasons answer.

I liked the interaction with the candidates so I would have to say SD

From the candidate perspective, I enjoyed the assurance from the JD, Stewards, and SD that I was in good hands.

I have held several seats in a lodge but I will say my favorite seats were Junior Warden & Secretary.