Former Rossendale MP is new Grand Master of Freemasons

Technically incorrect, of course. This concerns the appointment of a Provincial Grand Master rather than the Grand Master, who is the Duke of Kent.

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/9547583.Former_Rossendale_MP_is_new_Grand_Master_of_Freemasons/

Otherwise a good article. The tone shows the progress we have made in a 'public understanding of Freemasonry' (a phrase I have borrowed a 'public understanding of science'). Freemasonry suffers from what economists call 'asymmetry of information'. A term used for principal-agent theory.

Here it is about 'insiders' who have a fairly clear idea about what Freemasonry is about (though even this varies markedly) and 'outsiders' who try and double-guess the nature of Freemasonry. After the second world war Freemasonry did not manage its boundaries particularly well. It ignored the outside world and gained a reputation as a secret society.

When I first became interested in Freemasonry in the early 1990s the only decent book I could find was The History of English Freemasonry, a rather dry read by John Hamill. Now with the wealth of information it is possible to download 180 titles onto my Kindle.

Craftaphobia strikes again - this time in Gloucestershire

I have coined the term "craftaphobia" to indicate an unjustified fear and prejudice of Freemasonry. However, I am disappointed that stories like this are still being perpetuated in the media:

http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/reveal-Gloucestershire-councillor-links-secret/story-15232874-detail/story.html

If Freemasonry is a "secret society" it is not a very successful one! Rather Freemasonry is a fraternity; it is a "gated community" in the sense that admission is based on certain criteria, and what goes on behind the gates if for the large part our concern. However, there is nothing illicit, illegal or untoward.

Furthermore, I think the requirement to register membership is a breach of human rights. However, I think we should all work to a time when the purpose of Freemasonry is more open, more widely understood, where registers are not necessary and the label of "secret society" will be considered as outdated as other forms of prejudice that has no place in this world, such as racism, sexism and ageism.

Having said that, there has been a noticeable change in balance that is reported, which at least suggests we are making progress. My view is that such a change would take at least a generation, and I would think we are about half way there :-)

Enhancing our Masonic Experience

In yesterday's post I pondered what makes a Lodge a successful Lodge. Organisations only exist so long as they continue to attract resources from the environment. This needs to provide a sustainable coalition; a community. For a commercial organisation this includes customers, employees, shareholders and business partners. For an organisation such as Freemasonry the resources it needs to attract and retain are members. Thus, more successful Lodges, I believe, as those with an active and flourishing membership.

A key question to sustain this, therefore, is what are we doing to enhance our Masonic experience? Is there something we could be doing that will help enrich our experience of Freemasonry for all our stakeholders (spouses, family, friends, community)? Is there anything we should STOP doing to enrich our Masonic experience?

This awkward and penetrating question helps move us beyond any complacency that tradition creates. We need not be a hostage to history.

What makes a successful Lodge?

I have been doing quite a lot of visiting recently. At the back of my mind I have been considering the question of what makes a successful lodge as opposed to one that is struggling. (Of course, the question of successful and unsuccessful is a very arbitrary one and there is actually a continuum of success.)

Among the successful Lodges around where I live would be Mirfield Lodge 1102, Lodge of Peace 149 and Rugby Football Lodge No. 9811. There is little to discern from the Lodge number as one is a very old Lodge, and one a very new one. All have high numbers of members and a number of regular visitors (we might say fans).

Amongst successful Lodge there appears to  be a virtuous cycle: its success leads to greater enthusiasm, this greater enthusiasm leads to more energy. This energy produces a greater attention to detail, which is rewarded by being part of a successful organisation, which then leads to greater enthusiasm.

Amongst the least successful Lodge there is the opposite: a viscous cycle. There seems to be an air of despondency and hopelessness amongst such Lodges. In a successful Lodge they will tell you how they are going to make it work: in less successful Lodges they will tell you why it will never work. This is underpinned by  some fairly internecine battles in less successful Lodge where it is clear there is never going  to be any consensus.

However, successful Lodges are not necessarily without their disagreements. The point is they can get beyond the disagreement to some form of accommodation.  As somebody one said, those who are ruled by their passions are sometimes marginalised by their passions. Passion is a good thing to have, in fact it is the first characteristic of a successful Lodge. However, it is of little use without some form of resolution amongst the brethren.

Successful Lodges are, therefore, successful  communities first and foremost. It is important not to put the cart before the horse. They are not successful because of the age of their warrant, whether they have a ladies circle, whether they meet on a Saturday, because they have stewarding or because they have an active social calendar. These are manifestations of success: it works because the arrangements are agreeable to the members, their partners and their friends.

The question one needs to ask oneself, therefore, is what can we do to enhance the masonic experience of our members? What can we add or subtract that will enhance people's engagement with the Craft? There is no universal answer to this, only what works for different people in different contexts.

Tracing Board - Mirfield Lodge 1102

Last night I visited Mirfield Lodge 1102 where the ceremony was the presentation of a First Degree Tracing Board. It was an excellent evening :-)

Aurora Lodge 4047 - Visit by the Assistant Grand Master

Last night I was privileged to attend a meeting of Aurora Lodge 4047 (http://www.auroralodge.org/). At the meeting were the Assistant Grand Master, the Provincial Grand Master for Yorkshire West Riding and the Assistant Provincial Grand Master. The occasion was to celebrate Aurora Lodge officially joining the University Scheme for Leeds, and a good night was had by all.

The Conspiracy Theorists are at it again! This time it's the superbowl.

A delightfully entitled article called "The Secret Satanic Conspiracy Behind Madonna’s Halftime Show".

http://io9.com/5883292/the-secret-satanic-conspiracy-behind-madonnas-halftime-show/

Really, chaps. You're way off the mark, stick to flying saucers and such like ;-)

Lodge of Hope No. 302

On Monday I attended the Lodge of Hope No. 302. (http://lodgeofhope.com/) which is the University Lodge for Bradford. The ceremony was a raising and I was privileged to respond on behalf of the visitors.

Lodge of Connaught & Truth No. 521

Last night I attended the Lodge of Connaught & Truth Lodge No. 521 (www.truth521.org.uk) where I acted as Director of Ceremonies. We were delighted to admit a new member into the Lodge; the ceremony was an initiation.

Albert Edward Lodge No. 1783

On Wednesday I was delighted to attend the 132nd Installation meeting of the Albert Edward Lodge No. 1783, which meets at Greenhead Masonic Hall, Huddersfield.