Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lancashire><br /> <h1 class=Information for Lodge Officers
May 2003
A Guide for Directors of Ceremonies

3. THE INSTALLATION CEREMONY

•  The work of a DC starts well before the ceremony, probably weeks before in the case of the Installation. It is advisable for him to compile notes as to the correct sequence of events (see Appendix 3). A good working relationship with the Lodge Secretary is essential to ensure that the DC knows the full names and rank, including civil honours of any Officer of UGLE and/or the Senior Officers of Provincial Grand Lodge present. It is also necessary to know the number of any Senior Officers present in order to reserve seating and to organise both the seating and entrance procession in the correct sequence of seniority.

•  On the day of the ceremony the DC should arrive early and check that all equipment is in its correct place before the Lodge is opened. His prepared notes should be carried unobtrusively, possibly glued inside the Lodge Summons.

•  At an Installation Meeting it is normal for a Grand Officer to be the Representative of the RWPGM. However, if the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, the Deputy PGM or the APGM attends, they are Rulers in the Craft, they demand admission and must be offered the Gavel by the WM as soon as the Brethren are seated. The Gavel must only be offered to a Ruler. If the Dep PGM and/or the APGM attend, they do not attend as Representatives of the RWPGM, they attend in their own right and the expression “Representative” should not be used. The term Representative refers only to an Officer of UGLE or other Officer appointed to act in this capacity.

•  Salutations should be given in the first degree. The DC should stand in front of the WM's pedestal, court bow to the WM, turn to the recipient and court bow. After Salutations, he should ask the Brethren to be seated and having seen that they are, court bow again to the recipient to indicate that he may now reply. When giving Salutations remember that they should be given by name to the Senior Officer of UGLE present. See Appendix 5 for further details.

•  The Senior Officer of Provincial Grand Lodge present may not be a member of the Lodge. It is important for the Secretary and the DC to check carefully the names of all those attending such an important meeting as an Installation, to ensure that the Salutation is correctly given to the Senior Officer of the Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lancashire. Salutations should not be given to an Officer of Provincial Grand Lodge from another Province. If the Dep PGM and/or the APGMs are present, they of course also receive salutations similarly. A DepPGM/APGM from another Province is given the same number of salutations as our own – as a matter of courtesy.

•  A Representative of the RWPGM is entitled to sit at the right of the WM in the Lodge and at the Social Board, other Brethren sit in accordance to their rank. The AsstPGP is not a Craft rank and the position of District Chairman is not a constitutional rank but, as a matter of courtesy, the “patch” AsstPGP is usually placed in the next most senior position and next to him is the Chairman of the Lodge's district.

•  The Rep does not enter and retire from the Lodge in his usual order of seniority. See Appendix 4 (Processions) and 5 (Salutations) on how to treat the Rep. See Appendix 6 for details of seating.

• 3.8 Collars and Cuffs should not be placed on the backs of the Wardens chairs, but should be placed with the other collars.

• 3.9 On returning to the Lodge after the Inner Workings, it is often better that the ADC leads the junior Brethren and also takes the lead when the Brethren form in procession to salute the Master.

• 3.10 When Addresses are being given to the Master, Wardens and Brethren, the DC should conduct the Brother giving the Address to the appropriate place and stand behind him to prompt, if required. This means the DC should know all three Addresses. Addresses to the officers should be kept to a minimum; there is no need for an officer to be addressed on re-appointment.

• 3.11 During the Investiture of the Officers the DC should stand in front of the WM and wait for the Brother to come to him when his name is called. The Brethren (other then the Wardens) may also be lined up in the South to await their turn. This prevents a lot of unnecessary perambulation and saves time.

• 3.12 When the Installation ceremony is completed the DC should turn to the WM and say, “That completes the ceremony of your Installation”. After all the items of business there will be the First Rising and the Officers of UGLE will usually retire. Sometimes it is appropriate for GOs and Officers of Provincial Grand Lodge to retire after the Second Rising. When leaving the Lodge only the Senior GO or Officer of Provincial Grand Lodge (as appropriate) should salute. The other GOs or Officers of Provincial Grand Lodge should file out immediately after him.

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