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Posted: 12/19/2016 11:05:56 AM EDT
[#1]
In Wisconsin, you cannot be the Master unless you have already been elected and served as one of the Wardens. There is no mandated "progressive line" for appointed officers. Some Lodges do start at the Tyler. Most don't because it puts the new guy outside.
When I was Master I appointed a PM. So far, all the Masters since me have done the same. I just got reappointed for the secind year. It's probably just to keep me out. :) if we have a candidate for a degree, I stay with him before his admission. If we have one working on his Posting, I work with him. Generally, most Lodges start at Junior Steward for the line. |
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Posted: 12/19/2016 11:28:25 AM EDT
[#2]
In Utah we do not have a set progressive line. Typically I see JS->SS->JD->SD->JW->SW->WM. You cannot be elected to WM unless you have previously been elected JW or SW. I am not a fan of sticking the new guy in Tyler and make him sit outside the door. Secretary and Treasurer I think are best performed by a PM or longer time member. Some lodges appoint an Assistant Treasurer or Secretary. We might use that as a testing ground for future officers.
WM's cannot be installed without a Certificate of Qualification from the Grand Lecturer (which happens to be me this year). That confirms that they are proficient in the Utah Standard Work, have at least one degree lecture memorized and are familiar with Grand Lodge Code and the Trial Code. Sadly, many of our SWs wait until they are elected in Nov. to start working on much of this stuff. It baffles me how someone can get to SW and not know any of the MM degree work, have never opened/closed a lodge, never obligated and have never cracked open the Grand Lodge Code book. I created a "Ritual Path to the East" document this year that suggests which parts should be learned as one progresses through the chairs. Grand Lodge line is a little trickier. Only PMs can be appointed/elected to GL. The GM appoints all positions except JGW, SGW, DGM, GS and GT. We do not elect a GM. Our DGM is our GM-elect. Historically, we have three "hot seats" from the appointed line that usually garner the majority of votes for JGW (Grand Marshall, Grand Orator and Grand Lecturer) but any PM in the state could be elected up. |
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Posted: 12/19/2016 12:04:53 PM EDT
[#3]
We are a very small lodge (around 90 dues paying members) so the JS and SS are usually held by PMs who enjoy cooking. The Marshal, Tyler, Secretary, and Treasurer are usually PM who wishes to stay involved and help train, but does not want to sit in the east again. Usually we move from JD,SD,JW,SW,WM. I was told to start working on my certificate once I reach the JW position since it is only good for three years.
Medicmandan: You are only required to have one degree lecture memorized before you get your certificate? I was told that we needed three. Thanks for the information. I am still new to everything and this is really an exciting time for me. I enjoy being involved and since I have some time, what better way to spend it. |
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Posted: 12/19/2016 12:08:31 PM EDT
[#4]
One of my biggest issues with Lodges lately, including mine, is Brothers skipping over the SD and never learning the part. I skipped it because the SD wasn't ready to move on, but I still learned the part. It teaches the foundation of what the work entails and puts the officer on the spot in a position that isn't as essential to the craft as the top 3 officers.
I'm seeing guys skipping chairs and others entering the line and not following through/dropping out and the weight falls on the Past Masters of the Lodge. That sort of thing will kill a Lodge. |
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Posted: 12/19/2016 12:35:03 PM EDT
[#5]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
We are a very small lodge (around 90 dues paying members) so the JS and SS are usually held by PMs who enjoy cooking. The Marshal, Tyler, Secretary, and Treasurer are usually PM who wishes to stay involved and help train, but does not want to sit in the east again. Usually we move from JD,SD,JW,SW,WM. I was told to start working on my certificate once I reach the JW position since it is only good for three years. Medicmandan: You are only required to have one degree lecture memorized before you get your certificate? I was told that we needed three. Thanks for the information. I am still new to everything and this is really an exciting time for me. I enjoy being involved and since I have some time, what better way to spend it. Just one. Legislation was proposed to make it all three but it didn't get very far. |
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Posted: 12/19/2016 12:35:21 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
One of my biggest issues with Lodges lately, including mine, is Brothers skipping over the SD and never learning the part. I skipped it because the SD wasn't ready to move on, but I still learned the part. It teaches the foundation of what the work entails and puts the officer on the spot in a position that isn't as essential to the craft as the top 3 officers. I'm seeing guys skipping chairs and others entering the line and not following through/dropping out and the weight falls on the Past Masters of the Lodge. That sort of thing will kill a Lodge. SD was probably my favorite job. |
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Posted: 12/19/2016 8:09:26 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
SD was probably my favorite job. Mine also. You have a special bond between the SD and the Brother who conducted you and who you conducted. |
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Posted: 12/20/2016 2:34:43 PM EDT
[#8]
In South Carolina there is no set line of progression. You cannot be WM unless you have been elected as a Warden or are a Past Master. Generally my Lodge starts people as the Junior Deacon. That may vary if we have a lot of newer guys that want to start through or older guys that want another go. We elect the WM, SW, JW, Treas and Sec. in SC, all others are appointed. I had two guys that wanted to get into line, but they don't show much dedication to attending practice. I stuck them in the Steward chairs, since I expect both of them to wash out before they get to JD. In my Lodge, we figure that once you get to JD, you are planning to go to WM. We also expect you to attend practices, work days, fundraisers etc. if you are going to the East.
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Posted: 12/23/2016 3:20:26 PM EDT
[#9]
we have 500 members... there's never a chair empty. There is no set progression, but to be Master, you have to have been a Warden for at least a year, like the others above me have stated.
I started at JMC, then SMC for 2 years, then SD for 2 years, then I jumped out because another guy wanted to fast track it to the East and I really didn't want to go that far anyway. Now I am a mentor and im fine with that. I attend school of instruction every month too. Our Lodge has a permanent Tyler, who is also a chef and does our meals, which BTW are top notch. That way he can come and go to the dining room as needed... sometimes he sits in lodge for the better part of the meeting. |
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Posted: 12/23/2016 7:55:09 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
we have 500 members... there's never a chair empty. There is no set progression, but to be Master, you have to have been a Warden for at least a year, like the others above me have stated. I started at JMC, then SMC for 2 years, then SD for 2 years, then I jumped out because another guy wanted to fast track it to the East and I really didn't want to go that far anyway. Now I am a mentor and im fine with that. I attend school of instruction every month too. Our Lodge has a permanent Tyler, who is also a chef and does our meals, which BTW are top notch. That way he can come and go to the dining room as needed... sometimes he sits in lodge for the better part of the meeting.  What is your average meeting attendance?
We only have 1700 Masons in the entire state. |
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Posted: 12/23/2016 8:05:07 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
What is your average meeting attendance?
We only have 1700 Masons in the entire state. 10% just like every other organization. It kind of depends.. last night we did a 3rd on a cop.... in our state we have something called the "PIN Club" its a degree team made up of all cops/detectives/atf/fbi, etc. The President of that is in my district... he brought at least 25 LEO Brothers with him, 15 guests and our Officers were there, so it was a big turnout for the new MM. |
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