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CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
by W:.Tim Bryce, PM, MPS
timb001@phmainstreet.com
Palm Harbor, Florida, USA
"A Foot Soldier for Freemasonry"
"Progress is arrested when we surrender to the status quo, that we no longer strive to exceed it."
- Bryce's Law
As Masons we are admonished to seek further light; to continually learn and grow as Masons
for the purpose of developing ourselves, thereby improving our communities, Lodges, and
the world overall. Even the old expression, "Freemasonry takes good men and makes them better,"
implies a learning experience.
Let me say from the outset that the burden of responsibility for continuous improvement
in Freemasonry rests with YOU and nobody else. Your Lodge may offer supplemental education,
but more than anything YOU are responsible for your development, not anyone else. YOU
must take the initiative. In most cases, your Brothers will assist you in your development,
but YOU must demonstrate your willingness to learn and improve. If you believe your Masonic
Education was concluded upon completion of the Master Mason degree, and if you do not possess
the intellectual curiosity to learn more about Freemasonry, then perhaps you have joined it
for the wrong reasons. Continuous improvement is an inherent part of being a member of the
Craft.
There are numerous sources available to you for ongoing Masonic development:
- Personal Observations - there is probably no better instructor than your own power of
observation as you will be able to watch others succeed and fail in their Masonic assignments,
their work habits and ethics, as well as their Lodge politics. This requires an attention
to detail, the ability to detect changes, and an inquisitive mind that constantly asks, "Why?"
When studying people, consider their strengths and weaknesses, what motivates them, their
character, and their formulas for success or failure, e.g., what worked and what didn't?
Never hesitate to ask questions, particularly as a new Mason.
- Publications - the fraternity offers a wide variety of publications, everything
from Lodge newsletters, to printed magazines, and eZines available over the Internet
(such as this one). The Internet also provides news services to stay abreast of
Masonic activities (see Google and Yahoo!). There are also a considerable number of Masonic
blogs, discussion groups, videos and podcasts available to you.
The point here is you should develop a habit of staying current in Freemasonry.
- Participation in other Masonic groups - other Masonic bodies are available to
you for participation, including Masonic Research institutions and libraries,
Masters and Wardens Associations, the allied and appendant bodies, e.g., York Rite,
Scottish Rite, High 12, Easter Star, Grotto, Shrine, etc.
- Training - Masonic schools of instruction are quite common in just about every
jurisdiction and are primarily concerned with ritual work. Sometimes there are other
programs available aimed at developing the skills of Lodge officers.
- Certification Programs - certification programs authenticate your level of
knowledge in a subject area. Such programs typically require the person to take a test
or examination, which can be rather extensive. In Freemasonry, you are often
certified in terms of your level of expertise in ritual work, lectures, or knowledge
of Lodge operations. If you have any interest in becoming a Lodge officer, you would
be wise to pursue the certification programs of your jurisdiction.
It is one thing to earn certification, quite another to maintain it. Most certification
programs require people to renew it periodically, such as every three years. A lot can
happen in three years, which is why you should constantly stay abreast of developments
in the fraternity.
- Mentors - years ago there was a period where mentors were assigned to new employees
to chaperone them on their journey through the corporate world. Mentors were basically a
"Big Brother" program where senior employees would offer sage advice to neophytes on
adapting to the corporate world. But this is a program that has slowly been phased out
over the last few years. Interestingly, some Masonic jurisdictions offer a mentor program
but very few people are aware of it. Nonetheless, if you find a Brother you respect who
is willing to act as your mentor, by all means listen to them carefully. A mentor has
three primary duties to perform:
- Role Model - a mentor has attributes the subordinate wants to aspire to attain.
- Teacher - a mentor has to be able to teach, not just academic or technical lessons
but also those pertaining to Masonic life; e.g., policies and procedures, protocol,
socialization, politics, etc.
- Guidance Counselor - to guide the subordinate on their path through the fraternity,
explaining options and making recommendations.
Very important, both the mentor and the subordinate must realize the mentor will not
have all of the answers, but should be able to point the subordinate in the right direction
to get the answers they need. The mentor also has to know when their work is complete and
allow the subordinate to move on to the next stage of their Masonic life.
- Other Vehicles - there is a variety of other ways for perpetuating Masonic development:
Again I remind you, your Masonic development is up to YOU, not your Lodge. In most cases,
your Lodge will encourage and support you in your professional development, but they
cannot spoon-feed you. YOU must show the initiative. To assume your Masonic development
was finished upon being raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason would be a mistake and
would do an injustice to yourself, your Lodge, the fraternity overall, and the world at large.
Keep the Faith.
Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.
This story is fictitious. As such, the names of the characters and institutions
in this story are also fictitious. Any resemblance to any person or entity either
living or dead is purely coincidental.
NOTE: The opinions expressed in this essay are my own and do not
necessarily represent the views or opinions of any Grand Masonic jurisdiction
or any other Masonic related body. As with all of my Masonic articles herein,
please feel free to reuse them in Masonic publications or re-post them on Masonic
web sites (except Florida). When doing so, please add the following:
Article reprinted with permission of the author and www.FreemasonInformation.com
Please forward me a copy of the publication when it is produced.
To receive notices of Tim's writings, subscribe to his Discussion Group.
You can also "tune in" to Bro. Tim's audio podcasts at the "Lodgeroom International" (UK):
http://podcast.lodgeroominternational.com/
Also be sure to check out Tim's "Pet Peeve of the Week" (non-Masonic related) at:
http://www.phmainstreet.com/timbryce.htm
Copyright © 2007 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.
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