|
Post by squared on Jun 19, 2007 19:47:21 GMT
What are the Stewards Duties at the festive board in your lodge? Having been a steward for a couple of years now, the main duties of our lodge stewards seem to be setting up of the Festive board, Uncorking of the wine Keeping the tables supplied with opened wine (But not pouring) selling raffle tickets, collecting Alms etc. For most meetings this is fine with 3 stewards (35-45 members, 20 or so being guests) however at installations, we usually receive 120 or so brethren, and the three of us struggle a bit! At installation, we need to turn the temple in to a dining room, lay out the name cards etc (caterers do all the food, plates etc) Supply the wine all night, pour port (Only) and sell raffle tickets. etc etc.. This Leads to a hectic night! (And occasionally indigestion!) Is there any ways of making the Stewards job easier?
|
|
|
Post by keith on Jun 19, 2007 21:50:06 GMT
Enlist the assistance of Brethren from neighbouring Lodges when you are expecting a large number of people, and in return, do the same for the other Lodges when necessary. It should be easy enough for you guys with umpteen Lodges all sharing the same venue. Not so easy for us where our Lodges are long distances apart although it does happen.
|
|
|
Post by maat on Jun 19, 2007 22:40:04 GMT
In our Lodge if the Stewards need a hand we give it to them - officers and all. Stewards are responsible, but all to assist when needed.
Maat
|
|
Tony Grimwood
Member
Asst. Steward, Lodge Howick No. 314
Posts: 190
|
Post by Tony Grimwood on Jun 20, 2007 1:07:25 GMT
Several Lodges share our Lodge Rooms, and we help each other. For instance, at the Installation for a sister Lodge that shares rooms with us, our lot provided stewards to help them out. This had the benefit of allowing their stewards to participate in the ceremony, while we looked after the refectory for them and got the festive board sorted out. Our Installation is next month, and their stewards will help us in the same way. Tony
|
|
|
Post by wayseer on Jun 20, 2007 8:26:42 GMT
I've been a Steward for a couple of years now during which time we have changed the whole arragement of the S. We have dispensed with tables, other than a couple to put the food on. The drinks are carried by a trolley and the Brethren stand around joking and laughing ... which has two wonderful effects - everyone gets to circulate and meet the visitors which results in a more congenial atmosphere - and, the cleaning up is done in a quarter of the time allowing the Stewrads to join the festivities. We do have chairs about for the more elderly to retire to. We retain the formal setting only for the installation - although at our last Installations things seems to move happily out of hand. But I lay a little wager - this could seriously catch on. But if you want formal stuffy affairs stick with the old drill. (Oh, if you thinking of visiting - bring a story or a song or some poetry.)
|
|
|
Post by Bettendorf on Jun 20, 2007 21:55:37 GMT
Our festive boards here are nothing huge or formal as I understand yours to be in England. In my Lodge, we usually make coffee for before and after meeting, and serve sub sandwiches and cake afterwards.
|
|
imakegarb
Member
One wee, sleeket, cowran, tim'rous beastie
Posts: 3,573
|
Post by imakegarb on Jun 20, 2007 22:44:32 GMT
In my jurisdiction, there are no stewards. I don't know why.
We usually study together after lodge and, often, we'll hit a Subway or some such place. Sometimes we'll take things with us, in a pot luck sort of way. But we don't do the festive boards that I hear about from my BB in Europe.
|
|
staffs
Administrator
Staffs
Posts: 3,295
|
Post by staffs on Jun 20, 2007 23:39:03 GMT
Our festive boards here are nothing huge or formal as I understand yours to be in England. In my Lodge, we usually make coffee for before and after meeting, and serve sub sandwiches and cake afterwards. You wanna try the festive board at Middlepillars Craft Lodge.. phew.......belt adjuster or what ??
|
|
|
Post by squared on Jun 21, 2007 16:44:25 GMT
Our Festive Board typically is a four course dinner with wine. Generally takes about 2 hours or so, and has much singing & jovality. Caterers sort out all of the food, and serve everything bar the wine, which is simply left on the tables for each to pour as they see fit. I usually save the Mints for the good lady as a treat for letting me out ;D
|
|
|
Post by Siontific on Jun 21, 2007 18:51:43 GMT
At the moment we are too small for the luxury of being able to appoint Stewards but we usually muster around 25-30 with guests for dining. As UGLE masons we have a full festive board of 3 courses (4 courses for Installation meetings) plus cheese and biscuits and coffee. Our Stewards, when we have them, only have to do the raffle. Serving is left to the caterers but we usually help a bit with the clearing away if the kitchen isn't locked up. We serve our own wine to our guests. If I took the mints home there would only be a fight, so, I just have to eat them!
|
|
|
Post by lewfinnis on Jun 25, 2007 20:27:54 GMT
There's that old saying: Once a Steward.....(You know the rest!). At most FBs in this area (Dudley excepted), the Stewards serve the wine. If there are insufficient Stewards, just about anyone will volunteer (or be volunteered!). I've even seen a Provincial Ruler (not in Craft, I hasten to add) doing some stewarding to give the Stewards a chance to finish their meal (well, that was his excuse anyway.....)
|
|
k31th
New Member
Posts: 3
|
Post by k31th on Jun 26, 2007 21:01:18 GMT
I am due to be invested as a Steward at our next meeting in October. I assisted our Chief Steward at our last meeting and had a thoroughly good time doing it. At my Lodge the Stewards sort out the seating plan for the FB and at the meal , go around with the wine and the raffle tickets at various times throughout the evening. As I said , I had a great time , because it gave me an opportunity to speak to each and every person in the room , be they Lodge members , P.I.G's or visitors. I am looking forward to my time as a Steward and am happy to assist wherever I am needed.
|
|
|
Post by keith on Jun 26, 2007 23:50:59 GMT
Seating Plan? There is software to work all that out for you (can't think why everyone shouldn't sit where they like, seats with the WM at his table by invitation at the time)
Raffles. Exactly what do you do with the proceeds of the raffles, where do the prizes come from.
We are specifically forbidden to run a raffle other than for a specific charitable puropse
|
|
|
Post by sid on Jun 27, 2007 4:08:33 GMT
(Oh, if you thinking of visiting - bring a story or a song or some poetry.) Veni Sancte Spiritus Come, Holy Spirit Holy Spirit, God of light, Fill us with your radiance bright; Gentle father of the poor, Make us, by your help, secure; Come, your boundless grace impart, Bring your love to ev'ry heart. Lord of consolation, come, Warm us when our hearts are numb; Great consoler, come and heal, To our souls your strength reveal; Cool, refreshing comfort pour, And our peace of mind restore. Light immortal, fire divine, With your love our hearts refine; Come, our inmost being fill, Make us all to do your will; Goodness you alone can give, Grant that in your grace we live. Come, our lukewarm hearts inspire, Mold our wills to your desire; In our weakness make us strong, And amend our every wrong; Guide us when we go astray, Wash our stain of guilt away. Give to every faithful soul Gifts of grace to make us whole; Help us when we come to die, So that we may live on high; Ever let your love descend, Give us joys that never end. ascribed to Stephen Langton, c. 1150-1228 (translated by Anthony G. Petti)
|
|
|
Post by penfold on Jun 27, 2007 12:54:11 GMT
Seating Plan? There is software to work all that out for you (can't think why everyone shouldn't sit where they like, seats with the WM at his table by invitation at the time) Raffles. Exactly what do you do with the proceeds of the raffles, where do the prizes come from. We are specifically forbidden to run a raffle other than for a specific charitable puropse there is usually quite a formal aspect to the FB under UGLE, seating plans are drawn up for the members of the lodge, the trick then is fitting in the visitors, making sure they sit near or next to their hosts, things like that. Also the wardens, IPM, and WM have set seats. The raffles are run at the FB and usually go towards either the Masters chosen charity or A N Other nominated charity.
|
|
|
Post by squared on Jun 27, 2007 16:57:44 GMT
The seating plan does indeed seem to be the bugbear of the entire night! Fortunately the senior steward takes care of all that side of things. Top table is always WM/IPM etc Usually we then have 2 or 3 formal sprigs of tables. Visitors usually sit with their hosts, SW & JW at the head of one sprig each. As for the raffle prizes, every other meeting or so, Members bring along some form of raffle prize. (Guests normally do not contribute) These are then clubbed together to form a reasonable amount of prizes for the evenings attendance. The proceeds usually go toward one of the current national charities (RMTGB 2010 Festival at the moment) but could equally be something else completely. Never been to a meeting without a FB, would seem a little odd I think.
|
|
|
Post by peterd on Jun 28, 2007 21:53:45 GMT
We have our FB in a restaurant so all the work is done by the restaurant staff. The seating plan is done by the secretary and Charity Steward. The Stewards here have an easy time and just sell raffle tickets and collect the dining fees before the meal. the wine is on the table and we help ourselves.
|
|
|
Post by waynecowley on Jul 2, 2007 7:54:55 GMT
None of our Stewards were at Lodge on Thursday so the DC and I did the raffle. Fortunately we have waitresses so there was no problem with serving the food and we are all big enough to look after our own wine glasses!
Wayne
|
|
imakegarb
Member
One wee, sleeket, cowran, tim'rous beastie
Posts: 3,573
|
Post by imakegarb on Jul 2, 2007 13:45:26 GMT
I am due to be invested as a Steward at our next meeting in October. Congratulations, Bro. K31th!! ;D
|
|
|
Post by keith on Jul 3, 2007 7:48:35 GMT
Waitresses? Wine glasses? Wow!
|
|