Masonic Leadership Training

1. Masonic Leadership Training Planning Your Year

2. Agenda • Introductions • Time Management • Planning Your Year • Eight Step Planning Process • Workshop Topics • Publications

3. Introductions • Your Masonic Leadership Training Team • Honored Guests • Attendees • Name • Lodge & Location • Title and Position, if any

4. General Info • Restrooms • Cell phones/PDA’s • Sign-In Sheets

5. Resources • Florida Digest of Masonic Law • Lodge Officers Handbook • Masonic Leadership Training Manual • Lodge Secretary Administrative Guide (GL215) • Worshipful Master’s Program Notebook (GL218)

6. Time Management • The Lodge is yours for 365 days, 8760 hours and 585,600 minutes • Master your own schedule or let it master you • Schedule a portion of each day for Lodge business • No phones, visitors, distractions (ask wife to watch kids)… • Pass schedule to your Officers so they know • Keep updated priority list of things to do each day • Keep any calls during this time short and to the point • Don’t procrastinate & follow your set times

7. Time Management, cont • Waiting for perfection can cause missed timeframes, you may never have all the information • Learn to say No – you can’t accomplish everything everyone wants to do • Be decisive – delaying causes waste of valuable time, don’t revisit past decisions • Delegate, you can’t do everything • Make and keep appointments – your time is important and those you spend it with • Cross examine and re-evaluate your time management

8. Planning Your Year • Four ways to help your Lodge • Enlist the commitment and participation of your Brothers and Officers • There are many activities outside that compete for the attention of today’s men, how many can you fulfill at your Lodge • Plan activities and events that are rewarding to your members • Involving your Officers ensures consistency over the years and leaves the Lodge in good shape when you leave the East

9. 8 Step planning process • 1 - Worshipful Master’s Direction • When I have completed serving as Worshipful Master, I want the year to be remembered for… • 2 - Every member has something to offer and in return, they desire: • To meet new friends • To have fun • To feel proud • To be well led • A role for their family • A Lodge active in the community

10. 8 Step planning process, cont • 3 - Identify key areas of work • Meet with your incoming Wardens and identify key areas • Each of the Senior Officers individually plans their year in the East • Ensues continuity • Promotes long term goals • Create a Planning Team • Effective Past Master • Businessman or Owner • Recently-joined, young Mason • Effective committee chairman • Skilled financial planner • Experienced planner • Good communicator • Interested member

11. 8 Step planning process, cont • Brainstorming • Strengths & weaknesses • Meetings • Work • Fellowship • Membership • Community service • Communications with Members • Fundraising • Prioritize results & identify current and out years

12. 8 Step planning process, cont • 4 - Refining the plan • This planning team consists of key members excited and committed to achieve their goals • The members of the planning team will make excellent members of committees to implement the plans • Involving your Wardens (especially the items marked for future years) ensures a long range plan for success of your Lodge

13. 8 Step planning process, cont • 5 - Preparing the initial calendar • Have Wardens draft their own as guidelines for their term • Add top priority items from Planning Team • Add historical Lodge activities (meetings, dinners…) • Add Grand Lodge activities & events • Add Masonic charities (MMRL, Child ID, etc.) • Additional items PRN (civic, military, etc.)

14. 8 Step planning process, cont • 6 – The final plan • Bring the three calendars into one document (Incoming WM & Wardens) to present to the craft • Enlist assistance to head or sit on committees in support of the calendar • 7 – The big announcement • Present your plan to the craft • Make copies for the members • Print out a one page calendar on the back of the trestleboard • Hand it out at installation • Place it on the Lodge’s web site • Send in an e-mail to the members

15. 8 Step planning process, cont • 8 – Launch the plan • Appoint committees to support the plan • Talent and abilities of the member • Interest in the committee • Responsibility • Willingness and ability to devote the time necessary • Ambition for leadership, teamwork • Only one event per night (no widows & PM night) • Allow sufficient lead time to organize the event • Plan event around purpose (widows’ lunch vs. dinner as many do not like to be out at night)

16. 8 Step planning process, cont • Food – type and style (hint – work closely with your JW) • Location (how accessible for widows’ night) • Plan the theme for the event • Invitations & coordination for attendees • Entertainment • Call & remind guests a week (or less) in advance of the event • Logistics (supplies purchased, Bldg opened early, greeters placed) • Make the guests feel welcome • Send thank-you letters after the event

17. Publications • Grand Lodge planning publications • GL-218 Worshipful Master’s program book • GL-215 Lodge Secretary’s administration guide • Masonic Renewal Committee of North America (MRC) www.masonic-renewal.org • Masonic Leaders planning guide • Getting set for success • 101+ Ways to Improve Interest and Attendance in your Lodge • 75 Ways to Attract and Retain New Members

18. Questions?

19. The End • Thanks for Attending!!