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Just some cranial thoughts and ramblings

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Sec'yBob View Drop Down
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    Posted: August/15/2019 at 10:17pm
In my Chapter, after opening, and that takes a bit of time, we then introduce
all of the appropriate people within the room. Many if not all, are always there, they come to support and help us.

Anyway, my thought, a lot of time is spent introducing, and then reintroducing, meeting after meeting etc. It gets a bit tedious and takes a great deal of time.
Sometimes on occasion, we have upwards of 10-12 people who are Grand Chapter, Grand Rep. or Past WM/WP.

I understand recognition is important and polite, but after lengthy opening, then 30 minutes of introductions, the night is dragging along.


Anyone else have the same feelings, or am I just being and old fuddy-duddy
Raised 2001
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Past DDGM Dist #24
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Missouri Lodge of Research
O.E.S. Chapter 129 WP X3
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De Darrah View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote De Darrah Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/16/2019 at 10:06am
My dear brother
     You have it easy.  My first term back in the dark ages went like this.  Most nights long form opening, purging as we did initiation most meetings.  Then onto escort 2-2.5 hours.  We had to introduce everyone in the room, most more than twice, every possible office present and past no matter how many times someone was escorted & introduced.  On to business then initiation, back to business and forever long discussions on some trivial nonsense and finally closing and refreshments.  Rarely were we out of the building before 1:00am.  I was very happy we met on Friday and I didn't have to get up for work on Saturday.
     Our M & P Assoc. decided to ask our WGM if we could somehow shorten escort and behold a change came from on high.  We now only had to escort currant officers and we could introduce from the sidelines anyone below a DGM.  Escort became 30 minutes or less. 
     The result was many of the past officers who came only to be escorted and introduced stopped coming as we were insulting them.  Something else has taken place too, when escorted you may only be escorted under your highest title, so no more multiple escorts. 
     During the meeting if a discussion has more than three members wishing to speak, I started tabling the discussion and appointing a committee of three for and three against to bring a result back to our next meeting for voting when ever possible.  I got this idea from our GC as this is how it is done during our sessions.  By the end of my term we would be home before 11:00pm most nights.  Something else we have in CA is short form opening which we can use 3 times during the year, or on initiation evenings.  On these evening we recognize from the sidelines and no escort.  (WGM & WGP are always escorted.)  For party night we meet in a different room from our guests and have an informal opening the barest business and close.  All this gives us more time to socialize and enjoy being together in good company, and a lot less discord.
De
Past Matron New Hope Ch. #117 OES
PWHP Palm Shrine No.32 now Alchor #27 WSOJ
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In Beer there is Freedom
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Sec'yBob View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sec'yBob Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/16/2019 at 10:36pm
Thanks for your insight. We too can do short form, 3 times a year and that helps a little. I get terribly bored with all the escorts. We are about to bring in 7 new members, 5 of which are men and they already know about the introductions etc. and have stated, if that gets out of hand, they are not coming back.

I was a DDGM in my District a while back. Being recognized is nice, but I could easily lived without it. I know who they are and they knew who I was. lets leave it at that.
Raised 2001
PM Crestwood-Anchor #443
PM Meramec #313 X3
Past DDGM Dist #24
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Missouri Lodge of Research
O.E.S. Chapter 129 WP X3
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sec'yBob Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/28/2019 at 8:00am
Well my prediction has come true

Anyway, some of the new people show up for meetings, and begin to fall asleep and get bored. two are losing interest.

This introduction thing is a BPA. It really is. recognition is fine, but let's leave it to the Grand line people, like the WGP and WGM [or past].

We always have at last three Grand representatives on hand, and a few PWM's and they get introduced sometimes multiple times in an evening.

I joined to carry on the work of charity, fellowship, brother/sisterhood etc.
This pomp and circumstance is really archaic, and does not contribute to the flow of the meeting.

OK I will get off of my soap box now.

Edited by Sec'yBob - December/28/2019 at 8:20am
Raised 2001
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PM Meramec #313 X3
Past DDGM Dist #24
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Missouri Lodge of Research
O.E.S. Chapter 129 WP X3
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jdwalker519 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/08/2020 at 10:44am
Cosigned.  I'm a past Patron, Grand Chapter committee member, Grand Representative of Colorado in Virginia, and Associate Patron  pro tem.  Plus, when they introduce heads of other Masonic bodies, I'm the Worshipful Master of my Mother Lodge.  Enough already.  
J.D. Walker
Free and Accepted Masons of the District of Columbia
Royal Arch of the District of Columbia
Order of the Eastern Star, Grand Chapter of Virginia
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sec'yBob Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/23/2020 at 1:29pm
We had a meeting last week, and it was our official visit by the DDGM.
We couldn't just receive her, NO we had to do a mock election, a proficiency, and we had 13 visitors to be introduced.
It was after 11 before we got out of there. Plus we put on a big meal, with decorations, table cloths, bling hanging from the ceiling etc. After the meeting we had to clean and clear the dining room as other groups meet there. Two men have already said, the next time that happens, they are walking out. People do have jobs and must get up early.
I myself am thinking of my plan of action for me, currently the WP.
Raised 2001
PM Crestwood-Anchor #443
PM Meramec #313 X3
Past DDGM Dist #24
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Missouri Lodge of Research
O.E.S. Chapter 129 WP X3
Legion of Honor recipient
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote De Darrah Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/24/2020 at 1:19am
     Back in the days long ago and far away when I was just a kid, I would have to sit in the ante room with the Sentinel.  In those long ago days we had around twenty Brothers at each mtg.  Three of them would get to hang outside with us while the rest would huddle in the north west corner of the chapter room.  Well as the mtg. would drag on those brothers began to fall asleep.  It would cause a great laugh which we could hear outside every time the Matron rapped the gavel, one or more of the gents would wake up and yell Amen.  The north west corner has since been named the Amen corner and to this day most of the brothers who are not officers will retreat to that corner. LOL  You might consider this idea.  Oh and outside that door was great fun for me, the brothers would do my homework for me and they taught me to play poker, and a few games as well. Shocked
De
Past Matron New Hope Ch. #117 OES
PWHP Palm Shrine No.32 now Alchor #27 WSOJ
Y.B.Y.S.A.I.A.

As Brother Ben F. said
"In Wine there is Wisdom
In Beer there is Freedom
In Water there is Bacteria"
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote edwmax Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/24/2020 at 3:48pm
haha ... Play poker???? Did you take all their money?


Edited by edwmax - January/24/2020 at 3:48pm
"He who would assume to govern others must first learn to govern himself."





Thomasville 369
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De Darrah View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote De Darrah Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/24/2020 at 9:48pm
Sometimes I won sometimes not, still fun.  Years later on the night I was initiated it was those same brothers who interlocked arms and blocked my escape through the front doors of the Temple. LOL
De
Past Matron New Hope Ch. #117 OES
PWHP Palm Shrine No.32 now Alchor #27 WSOJ
Y.B.Y.S.A.I.A.

As Brother Ben F. said
"In Wine there is Wisdom
In Beer there is Freedom
In Water there is Bacteria"
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Sec'yBob View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sec'yBob Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/14/2020 at 4:18pm
My WM has been insisting that I attend other Chapter friendship nights, meetings, and other Chapter Official visits. Now with the pandemic, obviously we haven't done anything but she wants to start again soon. It has been hinted that I might be elected to WP again. So I did it. I resigned my post, I am now the Chapter musician.
Raised 2001
PM Crestwood-Anchor #443
PM Meramec #313 X3
Past DDGM Dist #24
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Missouri Lodge of Research
O.E.S. Chapter 129 WP X3
Legion of Honor recipient
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote De Darrah Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/15/2020 at 1:54pm
First, I understand completely, all the visiting can be tiresome.  Secondly, shame on you.  All the other gentleman need your attendance,  after all there is safety in numbers.  Thirdly nothing wrong with Chapter musician we honor the few we have.  Lastly we aren't allowed to get together for at least a year.  Our Grand Master and Worthy Grand Matron has stated that we will continue quarantine for the next year with everyone staying in their places.  Take extra care if you do go visiting.

De
Past Matron New Hope Ch. #117 OES
PWHP Palm Shrine No.32 now Alchor #27 WSOJ
Y.B.Y.S.A.I.A.

As Brother Ben F. said
"In Wine there is Wisdom
In Beer there is Freedom
In Water there is Bacteria"
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Sec'yBob View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sec'yBob Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/15/2020 at 6:15pm
Well I will be there, I like Star. I will not quit, just step down as it were.
I am a musician at heart, and perhaps I can do more for the Chapter playing music than being an unwilling ineffective WM.

Our music has struggled for years, so I intend to ramp it up a bit.
Raised 2001
PM Crestwood-Anchor #443
PM Meramec #313 X3
Past DDGM Dist #24
Lodge Education Officer
Missouri Lodge of Research
O.E.S. Chapter 129 WP X3
Legion of Honor recipient
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