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

1. INTRODUCTION

The RWPGM has consistently reminded us, at Provincial Grand Lodge and in his numerous visits to Private Lodges, that Freemasonry should be fun, and in particular we will only attract and retain new members if it is fun.

The DPGM also points out that the challenge of performing our ritual to the best of an individual's ability gives us a special “buzz” at the Social Board afterwards. In modern terms, it is a Unique Selling Point (USP) of the movement.

The role of the DC in helping members achieve the latter is clear. However the purpose of this booklet is to point out ways in which the DC can help achieve both aims of our leaders. Your attention is particularly drawn to section 5 on the Social Board for help and advice in this area.

You are welcome to read this booklet from cover to cover. It is my aim to hold Road Shows around the Province to present its key ideas and to receive feedback from the Lodge DCs in the Province. However I have included a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section (Appendix 1) where I hope you will find answers to your question of the moment. I have also put a great deal of the detail into Appendices so that the busy DC can more easily find the guidance he needs. See in particular “Timesavers” in Appendix 12.

It is not in the job description of the ProvGDC to tell other DCs within the Province how to conduct their lodges. Indeed another USP of Freemasonry is the independence of the Private Lodge, subject to preserving inviolate the Landmarks of the Order. However my experiences, and those of my predecessor W Bro Bill Waite, as ProvGDCs and as Lodge DCs, have taught us many lessons which we offer here for guidance.

Many parts of this Guide are adapted or copied from the earlier version produced in July 1999 by Bill Waite, now a Ruler in the Craft, to whom my thanks are offered. I would welcome constructive criticism or comments; feel free to email me at stephen.blank@lab.co.uk.

Stephen M Blank

AGDC, ProvGDC

May 2003

Back          Contents          Forward