Masonic Leadership Training Becoming the Worshipful Master

Agenda Introductions Preparing for your Year in the East Authority vs. Leadership Training your Officers Eight Step Planning Process Workshop Topics

Introductions Your Masonic Leadership Training Team Honored Guests Attendees Name Lodge & Location Title and Position, if any

General Info Restrooms Cell phones/PDA’s Sign-In Sheets

Resources Florida Digest of Masonic Law Lodge Officers Handbook Masonic Leadership Training Manual Lodge Secretary Administrative Guide (GL215) Worshipful Master’s Program Notebook (GL218)

Preparing for your Year in the East Plan your year early and recheck frequently Ask for advice and help early Plan your meetings and follow your plan Educate, train and meet with your Officers Be worthy of the honor which your Brethren have conferred upon you

Prior to Installation Select Installation Team Plan Installation Dinner Officer & Committee Appointments Calendar for Ensuing Year Trestle Board Notification Officers Meeting Rehearsal Select/Purchase Worshipful Master’s hat

Installation Open in MM Degree Close Funeral Lodge Dinner Installation Use Past Masters in Installing Seats Thank Installing Officers & Past Masters in seats Introduce Wife & Family Worshipful Masters Message Introduce Lodge Officers & their family/guests

After Installation Presentations Closing Prayer Refreshments & Excuse non-Masons Close Lodge & Reopen Funeral Lodge You’re Now the Worshipful Master!

Impressions Does your Lodge reflect the beauty our rituals dictate Is every Brother and their family greeted in a manner that promotes brotherly love Are you and your Lodge fulfilling the needs and aspirations of every member

Leading your Lodge One Worshipful Master per Lodge Build your team A Lodge of volunteers willing to do everything they can to assist, even wield the unseen gavel The buck stops with you! Build your team First string– installed Officers Active reserves – capable Brothers on the sidelines Inactive reserves – Brothers not in Lodge

Continued Leadership Delegation – you can’t do it all Authority & responsibility KISS – don’t micro-manage Provide resources needed Stay in touch Praise & recognition

Training Suggestions Provide duties & descriptions to all your filled positions Hold frequent Officer’s meetings Each position is responsible to train their follower Require each seat to explain their duties to you Allow junior officers to perform the duties of the next higher seat

Training, cont Use Grand Lodge materials & training sessions Plan a trip to Grand Lodge Train your Officers to the next position Communicate training opportunities to the craft

Time Management The Lodge is yours for 365 days, 8760 hours and 585,600 minutes Master your own schedule or let it master you Schedule a portion of each day for Lodge business No phones, visitors, distractions (ask wife to watch kids)… Pass schedule to your Officers so they know Keep updated priority list of things to do each day Keep any calls during this time short and to the point Don’t procrastinate & follow your set times

Time Management, cont Waiting for perfection can cause missed timeframes, you may never have all the information Learn to say No – you can’t accomplish everything everyone wants to do Be decisive – delaying causes waste of valuable time, don’t revisit past decisions Delegate, you can’t do everything Make and keep appointments – your time is important and those you spend it with Cross examine and re-evaluate your time management

Planning Your Year Four ways to help your Lodge Enlist the commitment and participation of your Brothers and Officers There are many activities outside that compete for the attention of today’s men, how many can you fulfill at your Lodge Plan activities and events that are rewarding to your members Involving your Officers ensures consistency over the years and leaves the Lodge in good shape when you leave the East

8 Step planning process 1 - Worshipful Master’s direction When I have completed serving as Worshipful Master, I want the year to be remembered for… 2 - Every member has something to offer and in return, they desire: To meet new friends To have fun To feel proud To be well led A role for their family A Lodge active in the community

8 Step planning process, cont 3 - Identify key areas of work Meet with your incoming Wardens and identify key areas Each of the Senior Officers individually plans their year in the East Ensues continuity Promotes long term goals Create a Planning Team Effective Past Master Businessman or Owner Recently-joined, young Mason Effective committee chairman Skilled financial planner Experienced planner Good communicator Interested member

8 Step planning process, cont Brainstorming Strengths & weaknesses Meetings Work Fellowship Membership Community service Communications with Members Fundraising Prioritize results & identify current and out years

8 Step planning process, cont 4 - Refining the plan This planning team consists of key members excited and committed to achieve their goals The members of the planning team will make excellent members of committees to implement the plans Involving your Wardens (especially the items marked for future years) ensures a long range plan for success of your Lodge

8 Step planning process, cont 5 - Preparing the initial calendar Have Wardens draft their own as guidelines for their term Add top priority items from Planning Team Add historical Lodge activities (meetings, dinners…) Add Grand Lodge activities & events Add Masonic charities (MMRL, Child ID, etc) Additional items PRN (civic, military, etc)

8 Step planning process, cont 6 – The final plan Bring the three calendars into one document (Incoming WM & Wardens) to present to the craft Enlist assistance to head or sit on committees in support of the calendar 7 – The big announcement Present your plan to the craft Make copies for the members Print out a one page calendar on the back of the trestleboard Hand it out at installation Place it on the Lodge’s web site Send in an e-mail to the members

8 Step planning process, cont 8 – Launch the plan Appoint committees to support the plan Talent and abilities of the member Interest in the committee Responsibility Willingness and ability to devote the time necessary Ambition for leadership, teamwork Only one event per night (no widow’s & PM night) Allow sufficient lead time to organize the event Plan event around purpose (widow’s lunch vs. dinner as many do not like to be out at night)

8 Step planning process, cont Food – type and style (hint – work closely with your JW) Location (how accessible for widow’s night) Plan the theme for the event Invitations & coordination for attendees Entertainment Call & remind guests a week (or less) in advance of the event Logistics (supplies purchased, Bldg opened early, greeters placed) Make the guests feel welcome Send thank-you letters after the event

Publications Grand Lodge planning publications GL-218 Worshipful Master’s program book GL-215 Lodge Secretary’s administration guide Masonic Renewal Committee of North America (MRC) www.masonic-renewal.org Masonic Leaders planning guide Getting set for success 101+ Ways to Improve Interest and Attendance in your Lodge 75 Ways to Attract and Retain New Members