In the year and a half that I've been doing this, the weirdest thing for me was to certify a member of my affiliate lodge, Chip Stamm. Why was that weird? Because not only is he a Past Master, he is also a Past Grand Master. But rules are rules, and there's no reason that former Grand Lodge officers should be exempt from them, right?
Anyway, I figured that would be about the weirdest thing that I would face in my current duties, and frankly, I haven't thought much about it since last year.
Until now.
A couple of months ago I was at a GL Seminar given for incoming Masters. After the seminar, I was outside the door selling books, trinkets, car decals, and the various other things that we Masons like to buy, when a tall gentleman tapped me on the shoulder and said "Tom, can you get me your contact information?"
"Sure thing, Bro. Jake," I responded. I wrote my phone number and email down on a notepad and handed him the paper. "Don't tell me," I joked, "You need me to come up and certify you for ritual, right?"
He smiled. . . well, more like winced.
"Yeah, it looks like I might be going to the East again," he said.
My jaw dropped open. You see, Bro. Jake - that is, Right Worshipful Jake - was the District Grand Lecturer who certified me.
Back then, the DGLs didn't have much of a job. It wasn't until the end of 2005 that Connecticut made ritual certification a requirement, so there are a number of other Grand Lodge officers who have not had a ritual certification because they weren't planning to be Master of a lodge.
Anyway, that's how I ended up at Evening Star 101 on one of their degree rehearsals.
I remember this time three years ago, when I was one of the first Senior Wardens to be certified. RW Jake visited, along with a couple of District Deputies, an Associate Grand Marshal, and the GL officer for our district. A few Past Masters dropped by, and some of the junior officers were on the sidelines. In contrast, Jake and I just grabbed a table in the corner and went back and forth, with the both of us playing all the parts. We were done in 10 minutes, the quickest I've ever seen it in my short career. Afterwards, I went upstairs to watch them rehearse for a Master Mason degree.
Yes, he passed.
I like Evening Star lodge; while it doesn't have the cadre of younger members that Friendship does, it has a down-home, meat & potatoes feel to it that is comforting. Being on the edge of the more rural area of Hartford County, I can imagine that the lodge hasn't changed much in a generation or two - not in the sense of being stagnant, but in the good way, in that you know that things will be done right, with a minimal of fuss and fussiness that one often see in other lodges.
I'm looking forward to visiting next year; I know that they will have a Master who is experienced, and who has a good sense of humor.
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7 Comments:
I gather by your post Connecticut has only been doing this for three years, so it's relatively new there, but still a much more formal process than we have in Missouri. Here, our process of certifying an incoming Master for the position consists of figuring out if he's breathing. I really don't mean that to sound as negative as it does, but it's true. Many Masters, in fact I'd say most I've seen, do a fine job, but there are those who stumble and fumble around like they've hardly read the ritual, let alone worked on it much.
Add to this the issue of the upcoming line officers that don't know their parts and it can get pretty bad. Here, we have study clubs which in my opinion are very good, but not all officers attend. When I go to a Lodge where the officers are not well-versed in their parts (and I do, regularly) it generally means two things. First, it completely destroys any continuity in the opening and closing, not to mention degree work. Things quickly become disorganized and if the Lodge does not assign and enforce a proctor the corrections and catcalls from the sidelines make it worse, not better.
Second, all the stammering around, starts and restarts almost always lead to a very long meeting. One Lodge I attend it's so bad right now I've sworn off meetings until later in the year when I hope the new officers have learned their parts better which, in this particular Lodge at least, will significantly shorten the meeting.
Hats off to Connecticut for its certification program. At least that takes care of the Masters. I understand it may be a formality and even a pain in some cases, but I think it would be a good idea in my state, too.
Steve
Missouri
Steve - I have this theory that when you have a few officers that are good, who enjoy ritual, then the newer officers coming up in the line behind them will learn and hopefully emulate them. It seemed to work in our lodge, and in a few others that I can think of.
The trick, of course, is to get a few ritual junkies who are going to be dedicated enough to stick with it long enough to be mentors.
Hey VWB Tom,
I'm going to add to your weirdness meter a bit. Last year, I had the privilege of certifying our outgoing Grand Lecturer, who was of course both of our boss at the time in the GL. Speaking of which, I still need to present him with his certificate ;)
Of course I also have my often-told story of how the certification process began in the middle of my two year stint in the east. I was currently sitting in the east and I had to be certified to sit in the east for a second year! On several occasions, I asked our District Grand Lodge Officer what would happen if I failed *wink* *wink*. To that, he threatened me with a third year in the oriental chair. I happily complied after that threat! ;)
VWB Charles
Not that I'm criticing how you do things where you are, Tom, but it seems to me the 24-inch gauge reminds us our valuable time should not be wasted doing stupid stuff.
Time could be more constructively spent than recertifying people who used to do the certifying.
Justa
Justa -
I don't disagree with you. However, the idea is to make the GL officers accountable to the same rules that they are passing along to the Craft. I think that's worth a few minutes of my time. I just wish that some of the Wardens wouldn't wait until the last minute before asking to have it done.
As you have mentioned change in our fraternity is sloooooooooow and it took a few years for them to realize the error of their ways in requiring Past Masters to become certified and now it is no longer a requirement. Change is also on the horizon for the District Lecturer and AGM positions. I am sure that you are very helpful to your district, however most serve little purpose other than inspecting once a year for what ever purpose that serves.
In my humble opinion individuals can make a difference and we all know who the difference makers are in our lodges. I say if you are a strong officer and a good ritualist affiliate with a lodge that needs the help. There are plenty of lodges that "are looking for a few good men". I have seen the results, it works.
Paul, a few years ago, a couple of us affiliated with another lodge that was having some difficulty in keeping their officers line consistent, so we were over there rather frequently helping out. They are now in a better position, and a few of our officers now tend to assist in other lodges.
I know that some people complain about the lack of relevance of Blue Lodge Councils, but in my opinion, that is the place to get together with your peers in other lodges, so you know where you can ask for help (or offer it) if need be.
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