Masonic Etiquette

1. Masonic Etiquette

2. What is Masonic Etiquette?

3. Worshipful Master • The Master in charge of his Lodge for the terms of 12 months is the most powerful of the  members as he has the authority to: • rule any Brother who is out of order on any subject and at anytime. • decide on what can and cannot be discussed. • if a Brother insists on speaking after the Master has ruled that he is out of order, he may be committing a Masonic offence • Courteous brethren accept the requests made by the Master to serve in various committees as determined by the Lodge’s need

4. The following items are not Masonic official offences but a display a lack of Masonic etiquette. In other words they are considered to be “bad form” or “bad manners”

5. WALKING BETWEEN THE ALTAR AND THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER

6. SITTING IN THE EAST • Brethren do not take a seat in the East without an invitation, even if all other seats are full. 

7. ALWAYS FULLY DRESSED • This does not refer to attire, as that is dictated by the Master of the Lodge. This refers to Aprons and Jewels. • Brethren should not enter the Lodge room without their apron already on. • The formalities of the Lodge demand that a Brother should enter the Temple only fully dressed and ready for the labor. Therefore when you pass by the Tyler and enter the Lodge room, ensure that all is as it should be.

8. STAND WHEN YOU SPEAK • No one sits while speaking in the Lodge room, no matter if he addresses an officer or another Brother (unless by permission of the Worshipful Master or infirmity not permitting).  This includes when: • Addressing the Lodge • Addressing a specific Brother (with permission of the Master) • Asking a question • Making a motion • Seconding a motion • Debating or discussing a motion • Etc.

9. TALKING • Talking to the Brother sitting next to you while a degree is being worked is considered bad manners and shows disrespect to the Lodge, the Brethren, and the Candidate.

10. SPEAKING • If you wish to offer a motion or discuss a matter , advise the Worshipful Master, in private, before the Lodge is open. • This affords him the opportunity to determine if it is a proper motion or topic and gives him the time to inform the Secretary so that it can be put on the agenda.

11. OBEYING THE GAVEL The gavel must be obeyed immediately. Failure to do so is a great discourtesy. • The Worshipful Master is all powerful in the Lodge and his word is final. He can put or refuse a motion, he can rule any brother who is out of order on any subject and at any time.  Only he can say what he will be permitted or not permitted to be discussed. • When and if a brother is rapped down he should obey at once, without any further discussion.

12. TURNING YOUR BACK • Never turn your back on the Master of the Lodge before you speak, unless he gives you permission to do so.

13. SALUTING • The  salutation to the Worshipful  Master shows your renewed pledge of fidelity and service. It is your public display of decorum before all the other brothers. • It also shows your courteous, heart felt respect for all that the Master stands for and shows that you acknowledge his authority.

14. BALLOTTING • When Balloting, the Lodge is guarded and no one is permitted to enter or exit (except in case of emergency) as doing so would cause the ballot to be void and the balloting repeated. • Only members of the Lodge may vote. • All members of the Lodge must vote. • Vote for the Good of the Order.

15. VOTING IS MANDATORY • When an issue is put to a vote, all brethren of the Lodge must vote if entitled to do so. • There are 2 votes that may be cast: • Aye (yes or affirmative) • Nay (no or negative) • If a Brother chooses to abstain from the vote, he should inform the Master before lodge and excuse himself BEFORE the vote is called.

16.  SHOULDERING THE WORK • It is good Masonic etiquette to accept a request made in the name of the lodge if it is within your abilities. • This applies to ritual, committees, officers duties, etc. If you are unable to perform the task asked of you by the Lodge, you should inform the Master so that he may ask or appoint another to complete the task and not be expecting results that you are unable to provide.

17. CORRECTION OF  ERRORS

18. GOOD POSTURE • Lounging, leaning and slovenly attitudes should be avoided.  Poor posture is considered poor Masonic etiquette.

19. NO PRACTICAL JOKES OR OFF-COLOR STORIES • The great lessons taught by our ritual must never be demeaned.  • The lodge room is not a proper location for the telling  practical jokes, pranks, or for horseplay, nor for  off-color stories.

20. USE PROPER MASONIC NAMES • It is common courtesy to be accurate in mentioning a brother’s name and  officers, members and visitors must be addressed by their correct Masonic titles.

21. ENTERING OR LEAVING  THE LODGE AFTER THE MEETING HAS BEGUN • If a brother should enter the Lodge after the ceremony has open, he should approach the Alter, salute the Worshipful Master with the Due Guard and Penal Sign of that degree, and quietly take his seat or place in the Lodge. The same should be done if the brother has to leave the ceremony before time.

22. ALL PRAYERS AT THE LODGE FUNCTIONS ARE NON-SECTARIAL Freemasonry holds no sectarian views.  Freemasonry embraces all religions.

23.   TURN THE MOBILE PHONE OFF • All mobile phones must be turned off before entering the lodge room so as to not disrupt the proceedings.

24. Masonic etiquette is simply the application of rules of good manners to Freemasonry and which make our Lodge meetings more pleasant, respectful, and efficient. The spirit of brotherly love and affection, by which we are bound together, is exemplified in our conduct, our carriage, and our behavior at all times.