LMCP_Member_Experience

INTRODUCTION:

Why you’re taking this course

Course outcomes

This course is intended to provide lodge officers and members the information they need to ensure a good member experience focused on making true friends, learning and improving oneself, and making a difference in society. • Examine the three distinct phases of becoming a Mason (prospect, applicant, candidate) and use best practices to elevate the experience. • Create meaningful ongoing Masonic education for members. • Build a robust program plan using a collaborative planning process. • This course supports the “rewarding member experience” priority of the current fraternity plan. In this course, we will cover lessons on how to:

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LODGE MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

This course is approximately 90 minutes in length, and successful completion and certification in Lodge Administration is awarded when you complete a multiple choice exam for this course with a score of 70% or higher. To complete the test, use all resources available to you, including the California Masonic Code (CMC), the fraternity’s strategic plan, and other resources linked throughout this course.

RESOURCE: California Masonic Code

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1: BECOMING A MASON: THE PROSPECT PHASE The “Take 5” Model 1 Prospect 2 Hosts 3 “Get Acquainted” Meetings 4 Lodge Events 5 Months CHAPTER 2: BECOMING A MASON: THE APPLICANT PHASE Application Background Check Character Investigation Balloting CHAPTER 3: BECOMING A MASON: THE CANDIDATE PHASE Degrees Coaching Advancement

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CHAPTER 4: CONTINUING MASONIC EDUCATION Statewide Scholarships Lodge Programing

CHAPTER 5: PROGRAM PLANNING Gather Ideas and a Team Start Planning Calendar of Events Roster of Officers and Committee Appointments

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CHAPTER 1

Becoming a Mason: The Prospect Phase

The “Take 5” Model

The first step a man takes in becoming a mason is looking for a lodge to join. A lodge can make the process of finding the right fit easier and more meaningful for each prospect by following a model that introduces the prospect to the lodge, and the lodge to the prospect. This process is one

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of the most important activities a lodge can focus on, because this is when prospects are cultivated for a rewarding long-term commitment to the lodge.

The “Take 5” model is made up of the following steps: • 1 prospect • 2 hosts • 3 “get acquainted” meetings • 4 events • 5 months

RESOURCE: The Leader: Prospect experience

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1 Prospect

Prospects come to our lodges in a variety of ways, such as personal references, or visiting the hall. Interestingly, the majority of prospects today come through the Internet, through the lodge or Grand Lodge websites or social media. This is why it is important to make sure that your lodge website and social media channels are up-to-date to make the best possible introduction to your lodge. The Grand Lodge has website templates and hosting to make this easier for lodges. It is important and respectful to have a plan to respond to a prospect within 48 hours of him reaching out. This response can be from the lodge secretary, a Membership Committee member, or another person from the lodge. You may need to help dispel myths about what it means to be a prospect. For example, many people believe that prospects have to be invited to join, or have to be related to a Mason to join. Below are a few good resources to share with prospects when they reach out to your lodge.

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RESOURCES:

Discover Masonry Grand Lodge social media:

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2 Hosts

Meeting a new group of people can be challenging and intimidating for some. Help the prospect get to know your lodge and its members by appointing two brothers to host the new prospect and potentially serve as his recommenders. Hosts serve as liaisons and ambassadors to the lodge, greeting the prospect at lodge events, helping to integrate him in activities, and setting up three “get acquainted” meetings with other members. Hosts can answer common questions, and share the expectations of membership in your lodge, including • The stated meeting schedule and special meetings • The time commitment and participation expected of members • Degree and memorization requirements • Financial requirements such as dues and fees

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3 “Get Acquainted” Meetings

The two hosts set up three “get acquainted” meetings for the prospect, inviting at least one other brother to join them for each meeting to help broaden the circle of members the prospect knows. Everyone has a favorite restaurant, coffee shop or park in your town – take your prospect there, and let him get to know you as a person and not just as a member of your lodge. These meetings are opportunities to learn about the prospect through natural conversation. Here you can observe his character and how he interacts with others, get a feel for what he might bring to your lodge and Masonry and understand his reasons for approaching Masonry.

You can also share key information about Masonry, the lodge, and yourself, including:

• What Masonry is and isn’t • Who you are and why you became a Mason • Why you remain active in Masonry, and what you value about the fraternity

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• What you’ve learned and gained from Masonry • The process of becoming a Mason • Time commitment as a candidate, application and annual membership fees, memorization component of advancement, and ongoing participation

RESOURCE: Member Prospecting Guide

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4 Lodge Events

Lodges host a variety of events every month, from stated meetings and dinners, to social outtings both at and away from the lodge. Invite the prospect to at least four lodge events to let him expand the number of members he knows, and to give him a good feel for the kinds of activities your lodge does regularly.

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Below are a few events that lodges have invited prospects to recently: • Stated meeting dinner • Community service event

• Public Schools Night • Educational speaker • Installation of officers

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5 Months

Friendships take time, and we should take our time with prospects as well, because that’s what they are – friends, before they come our brothers. A minimum of five months is a good amount of time for a prospect and the lodge to mutually decide if they are a good fit for one another. After all, this is likely to be a lifelong commitment to each other. Talk with the prospect upfront about the length of this process. Explain that when he asks for a recommendation, he should feel that he is already friends with the recommender. Emphasize that this is the start of a lifelong attachment to the lodge.

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CHAPTER 2

Becoming a Mason: The Applicant Phase

Once a prospect has decided that he wants to join your lodge, and two brothers are willing to sponsor him for

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membership, he enters the applicant phase of his journey to membership.

The applicant phase includes:

• Application • Background check • Character investigation • Balloting

Application

The two recommenders complete the first page of the application, and give it to the prospect. The “prospect” is now referred to as the “applicant”. The applicant completes and signs the rest of the application. Once it completed and signed, it should be returned to the lodge with the application fees. At the next stated meeting the lodge will read the application aloud, which signifies that it is formally received. The secretary then enters the application into iMember, which is important, because it triggers the criminal background check and produces the applicant

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investigation forms for the committee that will do the character investigation. If you ever have to read the application to the lodge, the bold text is the only text that needs to be read to the lodge.

Background Check

We want to ensure that only men of good character find membership in our fraternity. For this reason, the Grand Lodge initiates a criminal background check with county, state, and federal sources on each applicant. This is the case for applications for the degrees and for applications to affiliate from outside of the Grand Lodge of California. Our principle concern is whether the applicant has ever committed a crime of moral turpitude, as defined in the California Masonic Code: a crime of malicious intent to defraud or harm another person, but; all crimes are

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reported to the lodge. Some crimes that do not involve moral turpitude, such as a DUI, are not an automatic rejection, although the lodge may still take such information into consideration when balloting. It is important to note that the lodge cannot vote on the candidate until the background check is completed, which usually takes two weeks – though in some cases, it can take longer depending on the candidates previous residences.

One of three results are returned to the lodge:

• Eligible: Nothing was found and the lodge can move forward with a vote.

• Eligible with findings: A crime was found on the applicant’s record, but not a crime of moral turpitude. The applicant is eligible, and the lodge may proceed to vote, but can consider this information and determine if he meets the lodge’s requirements for membership. • Ineligible: The applicant is ineligible for membership because a crime of moral turpitude was discovered (a crime with the intent to harm or defraud). The Grand Lodge will update iMember and reach out to explain this to the applicant directly. The lodge does not need to

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take any further action, but can contact Member Services with any questions.

Character Investigation The character investigation is carried out by a committee of three members, known only to the Master of the lodge. This investigation should be thorough, and the members of the committee should be diligent, unbiased, skilled communicators who are knowledgeable about masonry. Because of its short duration, this can be a great way to engage a member who has a busy schedule but wants to contribute. To protect both the applicant and the lodge from errors of individual bias, the identity of the three investigators are known only by the master and the applicant. They are not even known to each other or any other lodge members. The secretary produces character investigation forms for the investigators to use when meeting with the applicant, asking questions that help determine the applicant’s character and intent, such as:

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• Why is the applicant seeking membership? • Does his reason for joining align with our mission? • Verify the character of the applicant: ▪ Does he share our Masonic values? ▪ Will he share our fraternal responsibilities?

RESOURCES:

Applicant Character Investigation Form

Guide to the Applicant Character Investigation

Character Investigator’s Guide

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The investigators complete their separate reports and turn them in to the master.

• If any one of the investigators says that the individual being investigated is not worthy of membership, his application is rejected. • If only two investigators can complete their investigation in time and report back to the master, and they are favorable, the master may simply accept those two reports, and the report to the lodge is favorable. • If all three investigators make a favorable report to the master, then the report to the lodge is full and favorable.

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Balloting

When the character investigation and background checks are completed, the lodge holds a ballot upon the application. Prior to the ballot the Master reads the applicant’s name and essential information (which is in bold text on the application’s first page), and shares the results of the investigation committee (unfavorable, favorable, or full and favorable). Should a member request, the Master can share facts from the investigation committee’s reports.

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Ballots are taken using the ballot box, and can be taken either on a single applicant, or at the Master’s discretion, a collective ballot on several applications. The Master declares the applicant is elected if a unanimous vote in favor of the applicant is received, or rejected if any brother casts a black cube against the applicant.

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CHAPTER 3 Becoming a Mason: The Candidate Phase

Degrees

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Every candidate should feel that his degrees are meaningful, memorable, and transformative. A best practice is to help prepare the candidate before the degree. Help orient him, understand if he has an alternative holy writing he would prefer to have on the altar, and know that his candidate’s coach is prepared to connect with him following the degree. Many lodges celebrate following the degree with a memento or token of the degree, a special meal, and/or a thoughtful presentation to help mark this as a moment of celebration in his life. In scheduling the degrees, set dates for all three degrees and proficiencies as a part of the lodge’s activity calendar. Allow for flexibility if a candidate needs more time. Consider the availability of officers and sideliners, and how many degrees you can meaningfully host in an average year, and perhaps aligning special degrees with a tradition like the Feasts of the Sts. John.

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Give time between degrees so the candidate can enhance his self-transformation through personal study, reflection, and contemplation, and use that time to make sure the candidate, coach and officers are committed to the degree dates. Finally, promote the degree for the person, not just the occasion – that is to say “John Smith’s Fellow Craft degree,” not just a generic degree.

RESOURCES:

The Leader: Elevating the material culture of the lodge

Lodge Guide to Making Masons

The Leader: Support candidates between degrees

The Leader: Inspire candidates through ritual

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Coaching

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Coaches help candidates achieve a deep, personal understanding of Masonry. This is a collaborative effort among the senior warden, coaches, and other lodge brothers who provide support. In most lodges, the senior warden is responsible for assigning a coach to each candidate and overseeing their progress, though, some lodges assign a head candidate coach to assist the senior warden. In addition to learning his proficiencies, the coach helps the candidate complete the Basic Masonic Education Program in the online Candidate Learning Center . A best practice is to ensure that each coach has only has only as many candidates as he can comfortably devote himself, and build a personal relationship with through that experience. Coaches should not only focus on teaching the proficiencies, but help channel the candidate’s innate instinct for self-improvement.

RESOURCES:

Candidate Learning Center

The Leader: Candidate coaching

The Leader: Enrich your coaching program

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Advancement

The candidate demonstrates his proficiency in learning as he advances to each new degree and feels that he has grown by the experience.

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Requirements for advancement:

• Recite the obligation from memory • Give signs and modes of recognition • Pass multiple choice Basic Masonic Education Course in the online Candidate Learning Center

Many lodges ask candidates to deliver papers or other work as part of their degree progression to show how the degrees have impacted their lives.

The rules for objections to advancements are:

• Anyone may raise an objection: Masons of the lodge, Masons from other lodges, or non-Masons who know the candidate. • Before the initiation: Lodge members can raise objections with the master before or after the ballot is taken, at any point before the initiation, without being required to share a reason. • After the initiation: Lodge members can raise objections with the master after the candidate’s initiation up to the time that he is raised to Master Mason. After the initiation, they are required to share their reason, and the master appoints a committee to determine the objection’s validity. • This part of the process is important to protect the fraternity’s reputation and strengthen trust among brothers.

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CHAPTER 4

Continuing Masonic Education

Lodges should be dedicated to the attainment of a deeper knowledge and understanding of Freemasonry by all members and not just candidates. To this end, lecture, discussions, and the interpretation of Masonic symbols,

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lessons and rituals all play an important role in the growth of a mason and a lodge. Use a variety of Masonic education programming to tap into the reasons why members became Masons and to deepen their experience.

Masonic education takes numerous forms:

• Statewide scholarship • Programming in the lodge • Applied Freemasonry

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Statewide scholarship

California has the benefit of a wide variety of scholarly resources for your lodge to access. You can purchase a subscription to a Masonic research organization (such as the Philalethes Society or

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the Southern California Research Lodge), or plan lodge trips to events such as the UCLA International Conference on Freemasonry or the California Masonic Symposium.

STATEWIDE RESOURCES INCLUDE :

The Henry Wilson Coil Library and Museum of Freemasonry

California Freemason magazine

California research lodges

The Philalethes Society

The Masonic Society

Quatuor Coronati Correspondence Circle

Scottish Rite Research Society

UCLA International Conference

California Masonic Symposium

The Fraternal Review

RESOURCES:

Masonic Education Speaker List

Leader: Masonic education resource round-up

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Lodge Programming

There are a number of things which you can do in your lodge to create a vibrant Masonic education program or enhance your existing one. Invite a speaker to your Lodge, hold a discussion group on an article from the California Freemason magazine, screen and discuss a popular movie with Masonic connections, or share information about and encourage attendance at educational events hosted at

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nearby lodges. Get member input to help create a new Masonic education program or enhance your existing program in a way that will inspire your members.

RESOURCES:

Leader: Create a Masonic education program

Leader: Host a discussion forum

Leader: Host a speaker series

Leader: Expand Masonic education

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CHAPTER 5

Program Planning

Masons come together to seek fellowship and fraternity in a common pursuit of virtue and improvement. Lodges should make regular time for embracing social activities. Create an annual plan that establishes unique customs and traditions, and nurtures strong relationships between brothers.

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Parts of a program plan are:

• Annual goals • Calendar of events • Roster of officers • Roster of committees

A program plan is more than just a calendar of events. It’s a blueprint for the year ahead, so members can plan their lives in harmony with the activities of the lodge. It breaks large goals into achievable tasks, ensuring that the lodge is continually moving toward its vision and living up to its mission on a day-to-day basis.

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Gather Ideas and a Team

Executive Committees can develop plans for three to five years out as concepts, and begin real planning of events two years out. People who have been part of the planning process tend to help achieve success of those plans, so enlist a diverse group of members to support the executive committee in the planning, such as future officers, past masters, committee chairs and others in the lodge or community.

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Talk to your members about what is important to them, why they came to the lodge, why they stay and what they would like to see in the lodge’s future. Consider the bigger picture when planning events, think about how this fits into the overall vision of your lodge for the next three to five years, and how this fits into activities you are already hosting, like prospecting, socializing and charitable giving. Identify any budget requirements for events early, so that they can be accounted for in the appropriate year’s annual budget.

RESOURCES:

Long-Term Planning Guide

Guide to Lodge Culture and Identity

The Leader: Define your lodge identity

The Leader: Identify lodge strengths and weaknesses

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Start Planning

Once you can clearly communicate what your lodge stands for, select activities to support those priorities throughout the year. If you wish, choose a relevant focus or theme for the year. Consider scheduling in regular time for simple fellowship, whether a dining event after meetings or a recurring social activity like cigar night. Remember: Friendship is one of the most rewarding aspects of the member experience.

RESOURCE:

The Leader: True fellowship

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Calendar of Events

A best practice for beginning to prepare your calendar of events is to write out what common and recurring events happen in a year that you already are aware of, such as:

• Stated meetings • Degrees and proficiencies • Rehearsals • Executive Committee meetings • District officer meetings • Recurring fellowship events

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• Recurring lodge family and Masonic family events • Recurring community events • Recurring Masonic education events

From there, begin to fill in other important dates, such as the installation of officers, holidays, annual lodge traditions, such as a Feast of Saint John or an outdoor degree. Add other educational events from lodges nearby, and grand lodge events, such as the leadership retreats or California Masonic Symposium. Once finalized, publish the calendar in a variety of places so fraternal family as well as members of the public can access it, such as the lodge app and Trestleboard. Consider building the calendar as a Google calendar, which can automatically update across linked platforms (website, lodge app, social media, etc.).

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Roster of Officers and Committee Appointments

Get a range of members involved in the life of your lodge. Engage members and develop their leadership skills by delegating them to lead activities that are important to them. Ask lodge officers to share the calendar of activities with members who haven't been active in awhile, and to alert them about new opportunities for involvement. Build in regular opportunities to acknowledge member efforts throughout the year. Sharing the roster of officers and

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committeemen helps to connect the lodge, and also to provide recognition for the service they are providing.

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Taking the Exam Congratulations! This concludes the instructional portion of the Member Experience course. You may now take the exam. When taking the exam, you may refer to any section of this book to aid you.

To begin the exam, click on the link below or visit the LMCP page on freemason.org. Should you have any questions, be sure to reach out to Member Services at memberservices@freemason.org.

Test: Member Experience

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