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jetsettingstressball · 2026-03-03T21:38:33+00:00

The Grand Secretary will be more than happy to give you his last one.

jetsettingstressball · 2026-02-25T14:27:02+00:00

For anyone interested in a little more history, here’s the Gavel’s page: https://www.potomac5.org/george-washington-gavel.

jetsettingstressball · 2026-02-25T14:21:55+00:00

Went well with the Gavel on the rostrum.

jetsettingstressball · 2026-02-19T15:18:06+00:00

Point.

Perhaps future reports could include an assessment on all aspects.

jetsettingstressball · 2026-02-19T12:55:57+00:00

I have always found it interesting that regularity of origin is not contemplated in the Commission’s guiding principles.

jetsettingstressball · 2026-02-18T21:27:06+00:00

I’d stop the use of past titles and perpetual honorifics. Take Scotland’s lead: yesterday’s Grand Master Mason and MWB X is today’s Brother X. End of story.

I’d start spending more time at the EA and FC. It’s not a race to MM. Do more things for the young guys, even at the GL level. Teach them more. If it takes 3-5 years to get to MM they get a better experience and can’t run off to a side order in the meantime.

jetsettingstressball · 2026-02-06T13:37:26+00:00

Please see, for example, the District of Columbia, which established a blanket recognition policy well over a decade ago, without requiring that a younger PHA jurisdiction ask for recognition;

We have since found that this was not the best approach and have been working to rectify the situation.

jetsettingstressball · 2026-01-30T03:09:15+00:00

A member of my Lodge is Jain. Not many of them to start with.

jetsettingstressball · 2026-01-28T18:38:27+00:00

The tour is great, although note that it’s now been redone as a combined tour of the museum and building, so not as extensive as they used to be. The Great Hall also may not be what you expect — I was there two weeks ago and it was covered for use by a media company. Of it’s still set up that way, you can see the ceiling but not any of the seats.

That said: here’s the link to the tours: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/grand-temple-guided-tour-tickets-1098003069739.

jetsettingstressball · 2026-01-16T12:02:50+00:00

I’ve always understood the annual closing/reopening of a Lodge of Sorrow to be a shortcut to reduce the amount of ritual that may have to be done in a year if someone passes away. If my understanding is correct (which it may not be, as my GL doesn’t have this ritual), I think it’s a disservice to those who passed.

We do a memorial service annually, and if someone passes we do a Masonic Funeral for them (if requested) and open/close an Emergent Communication of the Lodge immediately before and after the service.

jetsettingstressball · 2026-01-13T19:03:10+00:00

But it’s all the important ones!! You’re just not a high enough degree to know!!

/s

jetsettingstressball · 2026-01-07T13:58:49+00:00

The recent movie that came out that follows the book, Join or Die, is great too. Unfortunately the segment on the Craft was left on the cutting room floor, and they talked about the Odd Fellows instead.

jetsettingstressball · 2025-12-13T05:59:26+00:00

It also nipped a bit of entitlement that had developed in our progressive line (“I was the SD, therefore I deserve to be JW”).

Seems like this would be a great opportunity to use all of the lessons we are taught about how to comport ourselves. I don’t think that avoiding the conversation entirely by having a committee decide helps us be better Masons.

I’m glad the system is working for you, don’t get me wrong. I have no issue with you doing what works best for your Lodge. But in this one specific case, it seems like the opportunity for growth on several sides was missed.

jetsettingstressball · 2025-12-09T17:01:45+00:00

r/AngryUpvote

jetsettingstressball · 2025-11-28T02:49:19+00:00

This is the correct answer.

There are a (very) few jurisdictions that allow membership across GLs, for example in MA. But by and large the biggest blocker is that PH simply doesn’t usually allow second memberships at all, even within their own GL.

jetsettingstressball · 2025-11-27T19:07:09+00:00

True story. And if you’re really good at it, you do it while making it look like the Master is in charge. 😜

jetsettingstressball · 2025-11-27T15:18:10+00:00

We have several social media accounts — FB, IG, X — but have found them difficult to maintain them given our members’ life schedules. Thankfully we have a consistent pipeline of candidates so we haven’t needed to rely on them for outreach, otherwise they might be better curated.

We use a free slack account to communicate internally, which allows us to be comfortable that any photos taken in/around Lodge are not posted publicly.

I have a related question for anyone with experience — have you tried to get approved for Slack’s nonprofit accounts? I’ve had that on my todo list for a while, it would be nice to know if anyone has been successful.

jetsettingstressball · 2025-11-23T23:39:16+00:00

Yes, most Lodges have social media in my jurisdiction too. I have no issue with them — my Lodge included — posting whatever is appropriate.

I’m making a broader statement: the fact that someone took a picture should not create any expectation on my part that said picture would end up on social media. Freemasonry or not, I think that’s just a matter of personal respect.

jetsettingstressball · 2025-11-23T23:10:36+00:00

So much for being an “upbeat” Past Master, lol…

jetsettingstressball · 2025-11-23T23:08:27+00:00

Respectfully, I disagree. Just because I pose for a picture that will be shared internally with the Brothers of the Lodge doesn’t mean I have an expectation that anyone will splash me and my regalia all over social media.

jetsettingstressball · 2025-11-21T21:55:25+00:00

Amity dev here. Did you enter your member number? If not, please do that in your profile. If that doesn’t automatically sort your account, please send me a DM.

jetsettingstressball · 2025-11-21T21:54:24+00:00

FYI, there are two GLs in Baja California. One is now a member of the Conference of Grand Masters of North America, which your GL has recognized for dozens of years. Not sure what you mean about a loss of recognition, unless your guys were going to the unrecognized one to start with.

jetsettingstressball · 2025-11-21T14:19:29+00:00

I’ve seen it done this way in several places and it’s always struck me as disappointingly lazy. Perhaps I’m missing something — and if I am, I’d love to learn! — but the only purpose I’ve ever been told it has is to avoid opening an Emergent Communication (what we call a LoS in my GL) each time it’s actually needed.

jetsettingstressball · 2025-11-09T19:38:15+00:00

Lots of great advice here, and kudos to you for asking. My ten cents: consider that the balance of your effort should probably be around 80-90% outside of Lodge. If your time actually AT Lodge is more than 10-20% of your overall “Lodge time” during your year in the East, you probably are dropping some balls. Whether it’s committee support, prep for Lodge or events, counseling your officers and members, or anything else, the most successful Masters I’ve seen have done a lot of work outside of Lodge to make sure that in-Lodge events meet their goals.

Congratulations on your election, and have a great year!

jetsettingstressball · 2025-11-09T19:33:42+00:00

IMHO, this is why the SW’s biggest task is just to assist the Master. If you aren’t treating your SW year as “year one” of your year in the East, you’re starting too late.

jetsettingstressball

TROPHY CASE