02C WM_s & SW_s Calendar Overview

Lodge Secretary’s HOW TO GUIDE

Melbourne Lodge No. 143, F. & A.M

WORSHIPFUL MASTER & SENIOR WARDEN’s CALENDAR

and

WORSHIPFUL MASTER-elect: PLANNING IDEAS

OVERVIEW

December is a busy month for the Senior Warden, who in most situations, is the soon to be Worshipful Master-elect. In recent years lodges have been electing members who have been Masons for fewer years than it takes to go through all the appointed and elected positions. This has resulted in Wardens and Worshipful Masters who are not knowledgeable in their duties and responsibilities. Fortunately, the Grand Lodge of Florida has developed a ‘Leadership Training Manual’. Many of us have been overwhelmed after attending any type of leadership training. With so much knew knowledge, it is sometimes difficult to get started. After many years of observing the confusion and stumbling of incoming Worshipful Masters, the attached calendar was prepared for the Senior Warden. This calendar, along with the ‘Worshipful Master-elect: Planning Ideas’ section, have proven invaluable to incoming Worshipful Masters.

Since the development of this special calendar and Planning Ideas guide, new topics and events are added as we move forward from year to year. Not all these calendar activities and Planning Ideas are used by each Worshipful Master. They have their own plan and this is meant as a starting point, and also a means of addressing the idea of planning with the Senior Warden. In as much as the Secretary is in office for many years, having documents such as in the content of this ‘How to Guide’ located in the Secretary’s office have proven to be a central point where information is easily recorded and retrieved.

It should also be noted that the Worshipful Master is reminded by Grand Lodge, and Zone and District Chairmen, when reports are due. Worshipful Masters and those members who are chairmen of committees required to submit reports should regard these reports as being very important. The information is used to evaluate the success of Grand Lodge programs and to provide information on how to improve applicable programs and information provided to the Craft by Grand Lodge.

Although Grand Lodge provides ample notices for reports due from particular Lodges, it is sometimes helpful to start early in order that you can plan your time. A lot occurs during the Masonic year and where possible, it is helpful to complete what is possible before being faced with a crunch for your time.

To copy and customize this Overview page for your Lodge, refer to the file listed in the footnote of each page.