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Post by leonardo on Nov 27, 2004 19:50:35 GMT
I was thinking recently about new lodges: How are they set up, how many members do you need, etc before being granted a warrent? Also what sort of costs are involved?
Naturally as I live in Europe I'd appreciate the European perspective, but I would also welcome contributions from further afield.
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Sensei
Member
Website: www.tskc.co.uk TAIRYOKU SKC
Posts: 40
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Post by Sensei on Nov 27, 2004 20:02:15 GMT
Leonardo,
This is a difficult question to ask any Brother unless he has been privy to the core consecration committee itself.
I was a Founder member of SKL 9752. I know of some of the costs involved; The warrant (around £300 I believe) The hiring of the Temple Meals for the Consecration Team Lodge Furniture (That doesn't come with the Temple) VSL W.T's Founders Jewels etc etc.
The more Founders, the lower the personal financial committment.
We managed to recycle stuff from a Lodge that had to hand it's warrant back.
There were 40 Founders in our Lodge but I believe you need a minimum of 24 - 26 members but when you go this low, they ALL need to be committed 150%. We lost a few members before the end of the first year - Brethren that just wanted their CV to read: Founder of a Lodge.
If I think of more I'll post or if someone else's reply prompts me .....
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Post by leonardo on Nov 27, 2004 20:33:06 GMT
Lester, Thank you for your very detailed response. I was not aware that so much is involved. As you say members would need to be very commited. Would there be many in the consecration team? I can imagine the meal bill being fairly huge
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Post by taylorsman on Nov 28, 2004 5:43:07 GMT
Firstly, under UGLE these days, and especially in London it is very difficult to get permission to found a new Lodge as there are too many established Lodges failing. Grand Lodge prefer that such Lodges are rescued.
It is an expensive process as has been detailed and needs a lot of careful thought and solid committment especially to find Candidates and ensure that the Lodge thrives and grows after the initial burst of enthusiasm.
I did have some thoughts about the Foundation of a Taylor's Lodge in Berkshire where, with one exception, all the Lodges are the dreaded Emulation.
The Consecration Team is usually quite Large. As well as PGM, Deputy and Assistant PGM(s), sometimes the entire Provincial Team including Both Prov Wardens, Deacons, Sword and Standard Bearer, Chaplain, Tyler and Prov DC and ADCs and even a Provincial Steward or two and many new Lodges grant them Honorary Member Status. It has to be said that it is a lovely Ceremony redolent in Symbolism and well worth attending for those who have not yet been to one. It is very long though as it contains not only the Consecration of the New Lodge, itself a long Ceremony, but a full Installation of the Charter Master and his Team of Officers. Most sensible Lodges will "Call Off" at a convenient point for "Comfort Breaks" etc, a practice I very strongly commend, especially at ordinary Installations as many of our Brethren especially Elderly do have problems in that department.
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Post by middlepillar on Nov 28, 2004 8:51:16 GMT
Leonardo The consecration of a new Lodge is indeed a wonderful ceremony, like Lester I have been a founder member, although not a craft Lodge. I am a founder of 2 Mark Lodges and 1 Royal Ark Mariner. The expenses literally depend on the amount of Founders you get to sign the petition. Like everything if you get the right people you can save money on certain things. In one of my Mark Lodges, we have a skilled Carpenter and he made a lot of the furniture (we were the first Mark Lodge at this centre and it didnt have anything we could borrow). One of the founders presented the Tracing Board and others presented things like Working Tools, Stones from the Quarries etc. The biggest thing donated was all the Collars and Jewels for the officers. So this Mark cost every founder a fee of £50.00 plus a surcharge on the consecration night to pay the consecration teams meals. The first Mark Lodge however cost each founder £150.00 founders fee (that was in 1994). I think the Royal Ark Mariner Cost each Founder £75.00 so you see as Lester said it is really a difficult question to answer! Now the process; First you have a group of people who think its a good idea to start a new Lodge. They form a Consecration Commitee, one of these would be the Founding Secretary and they start asking around for founders, they also contact Provincial Grand Lodge to get permission (normally only in principle-until there is enough founders). Once you have all the founders you then have a meeting to select all the first officers of the Lodge (The 3 Most important of course are The WM, The SW and The JW.) All 3 I have been involved in have already nominated the 1st (Primus) Master. You sign the petition and send it To PGL and await their approval! Once that is officially obtained you have the exciting prospect of organising the actual day, which is always memorable. I have also been lucky enough to have been invited to 3 other consecrations, 1 Craft, 1 Chapter and another Mark. Finally, Steve I regularly attend The Slough Centre (not far from Sindlsham) to visit a Taylors Lodge. I think it would be great to have another one at Sindlesham/Wokingham, so go for it. (You may get interest from Slough)
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Post by taylorsman on Nov 28, 2004 9:09:30 GMT
Masonically, Slough is still in the Province of Buckinghamshire as Freemasonry took no notice of the 1974 changes to Local Government Boundaries which truncated Berkshire and spawned abominations such as Humberside, Avon, and a load of Welsh administrative areas with unpronouncable names.
I will be at Slough Masonic Centre for entry into ROS in Spring 2005.
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staffs
Administrator
Staffs
Posts: 3,295
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Post by staffs on Nov 28, 2004 9:32:35 GMT
Steve ,congratulations in ROS i know you were being balloted so i am glad to hear it all went well.
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staffs
Administrator
Staffs
Posts: 3,295
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Post by staffs on Nov 28, 2004 9:36:15 GMT
A senior member of our lodge is a founder of a new proposed MarkMark Lodge Clifford w.Jeapes.
He informed me yesterday that he has just been awarded Mark provincial Honours and is Provincial grand Senior Warden. Which is very high
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Post by leonardo on Nov 28, 2004 9:58:13 GMT
Thanks men. Wonderful replies and thank you for you openness and in-depth explanations. To be honest I am delight by this frankness in discussing these procedures - it goes to show that freemasons are willing to talk openly about such matters. I for one appreciate it. Reading all that’s involved in the setting up of a new lodge shows the sincerity and seriousness required by those who take on such tasks. (Perhaps “tasks” is not the right word, but you know what I mean) I have little doubt it is well worth the effort put in by all concerned. Steve. Heartiest congratulations
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Post by atarnaris on Nov 28, 2004 16:03:41 GMT
Steve ,congratulations in ROS i know you were being balloted so i am glad to hear it all went well. What is ROS?
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Post by middlepillar on Nov 28, 2004 16:34:43 GMT
Andrew
ROS; Royal Order of Scotland
You need to be a Master mason of at Least 5 Years standing.
Most Royal Orders require you to also be in at least 1 or 2 other Christian Degrees, some require 30th degree Rose Croix. Mine required an association with the City of London (I am a Freeman of The City).
It is by invitation only. And consists of 2 degrees, one held in Provincial Grand Lodge, the other in Provincial Grand Chapter.
All Royal Order units are Provincial and are ruled over by a Provincial Grand Master. He holds the Warrant for 5-7 years and it can be renewed.
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staffs
Administrator
Staffs
Posts: 3,295
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Post by staffs on Nov 28, 2004 18:57:46 GMT
Steve,another apron another case and another subscription
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Post by leonardo on Nov 28, 2004 19:18:55 GMT
Will Steve have to travell to Scotland?
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Post by taylorsman on Nov 29, 2004 22:16:45 GMT
I won't HAVE to go to Scotland but of course will be very likely to attend there.
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Post by leonardo on Nov 30, 2004 17:56:17 GMT
At least another golden opportunity to go visit a lovely part of the world
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