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Post by Mikepm on Jul 4, 2006 23:22:40 GMT
Just an idea, what about a data base of Freemasons that like to visit, and would be willing to visit other lodge and give support, untill that lodge can get back up on it's feet. There are some great comments on here, but we can and do offer more to attract candiates but it's always the same people that put in the effort, whilst others sit back.
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Post by Mikepm on Jul 4, 2006 23:09:40 GMT
Staffs you have stirred up a Hornets nest,,,Buzz Buzz, Oh well a great debate by all, thats the Beauty of Freemasonry.
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Post by Mikepm on Jul 2, 2006 23:00:35 GMT
Funnily enough the same thing was done in my Province last year where Lodges were invited to bid for the Prov Executive to perform a ceremony. The ProvGM acted as JD for the candidate who would have initiated into the Lodge anyway as his father is a member. It may be a fine dividing line but I don't have a problem with this. I would have a serious problem with auctioning off the Candidate though and in that respect concur with what others have written. Cheers C BTW this local event also raised a significant sum for the RMTGB. Cheyham I'm in the same province, and the FMT did state that the Met G Lodge did use the idea from Surrey. The idea in Surrey came from the exec as they thought it would be a good idea to raise money for Charity (Relief). They are brothers just as we all are, and i see nothing wrong with the exec performing a ceremony. If a lodge didn't want to take part or objected then they didn't have to bid simple as that. It's irrespective who the candidate was, it just happened to be a chap from TV who's lodge he was joining won the ballot from a 150 other lodges simple as that. Looking at this from a different angle lodges that are in difficulty or haven't performed a ceremony for many a year get support from other lodges. EG: Our Great great, Grandmother lodge hadn't had any work, other than lectures for 5 years, we had a candidate that was due to be passed to the 2nd but couldn't make our meeting so we asked that lodge if they would like to carry out the ceremony which they were only to glad to do. I know this happens in other provinces so whats the problem with a ceremony for charity to what i have quoted.
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Post by Mikepm on Jul 2, 2006 23:15:58 GMT
MMM Was short black balled, this bloke is a complete twit, he should loook into other societys
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Post by Mikepm on Jun 19, 2006 22:41:27 GMT
I asked.
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Post by Mikepm on Jun 21, 2006 22:30:13 GMT
I'm all for change if it's for the good, but don't fix it if it aint broke, or, don't change just for changes sake. Interesting what is said about the royal arch, as some who i have been speakng to think it was wrong to change the ritual.
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Post by Mikepm on Jun 25, 2006 22:20:56 GMT
I've got to say it............. What a load of Old Boloxxxxx ;D
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Post by Mikepm on Jun 15, 2006 8:13:07 GMT
Ok, let's can the statistics and the boring semantics and cut to the chase. Firstly, although there are thousands of nice guys from Lord Northampton to the newest EA just Initiated last night , these alas are eclipsed for the victim when he is abused verbally, perhaps in the hearing and sight of others, by some jumped up bag of wind over some pecadillo. It is no defense that people were prepared to take this in the past, that would excuse Transportation, Slavery, Children working down mines, Racism etc. If nothing else Humanity is capable of progressing and conduct that was perfectly acceptable in former times is now beyond the pale. In my own case the man in question , a Provincial Officer not a Grand Officer though he may be of that latter Rank by now, I neither know nor care about him, not only humilated me at a Committee Meeting over administrative matters which did not satisfy him and which were also the fault of another Officer but then shouted at me in the bar in front of my guests over a small protocol mistake by a very new MM who had come into the bar still wearing his Apron, hardly a Mortal Sin and easily dealt with by a quiet word in the man's ear. This got worse in a series of e-mails couched in very abrasive language. Thankfully I removed myself from that scenario and have had no further contact with this person and trust I never will. It also had a very adverse effect on the new MM and ruined what should have been a big night for him. One of this man's cohorts then had the temerity to phone me at home and demand in a most unfriendly manner that I attend a Meeting when I had already resigned from that Lodge. I told him where to get off in his own language! That is my own personal experience but I have seen others suffer. One very nice Brother but who was a nervous man tried his best at a Ceremony but got a bit tongue tied and dried up. Afterwards, again in the earshot of others , I heard the DC/Preceptor of that Lodge flaying this poor chap with his tongue in a manner that stripped off his self respect and destroyed his confidence. I subsequently heard from a Member of that Lodge that the victim never did any Ritual work in that Lodge again. All this is WRONG and totally unnecessary! We are not in National Service in the 1950s, this is half a century later and the world has changed, the day of the dinosaur is at an end. If a Manager or Supervisor spoke to workers in the manner of some of these bullies they would themselves be subject to discipline and an Employer pays the worker to perform a task, in Freemasonry we pay them handsomely to be members! It is a voluntary activity, not Conscription! It is up to Freemasonry to root out these bad apples, correct and re-train them as Stewart would suggest or kick them out as I would . Modern men simply will not tolerate such verbal thuggery and will vote with their feet. Again I re-itterate that this problem, albeit small in percentage terms, exists and should be acknowledged not denied, and dealt with. Other organisations are tackling such bad conduct even the Armed Forces and the Police which one would expect to be "Bully Central". I thank Stewart for sticking to his guns and not allowing himself to be steamrollered on this issue. Well Said Steve, i have seen this on very rare occasions but at the time was very new to Freemasonry and didn't speak up as i didn't know what the protocol was, but now i have gained more knowledge and respect of others if ever i heard that sort of nonsence now i would be having a quiet word in that persons Shell Like. One other comment, well done Steve for coming out of that lodge what a loss to them, and although we have only met on one occasion, it waas great being in your company and i for one will be inviting you to a meeting or two as many others can learn from your example, regards Mike.
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Post by Mikepm on Jun 14, 2006 21:53:37 GMT
What about a Rollocking?
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Post by Mikepm on Jun 3, 2006 18:22:06 GMT
Basta, basta, Gio, ciao
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Post by Mikepm on Jun 3, 2006 18:18:09 GMT
Over the last couple of years we have started to change Loi. EA used to turn up to be told 'we are doing a 2nd or 3rd for the next few weeks don't bother coming! This has now changed as everyone benefits from attending, and EA & fc now attend, and if required a PM goes outside to carry on instruction. Also after a meeting the next Loi is just rehersing opening & closing in the various degrees as this helps all and a better understanding of what we are doing.
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Post by Mikepm on Jun 6, 2006 20:06:01 GMT
Gio, at the end of the day the majority get carried away with the Frenzy that is created by Nazi's and the like and fight for that cause even if it's wrong in the majoritys eyes.
My Sisters God mother was German and during the war she knew nothing different even at the age of 11 at the start of the war, but as war progressed witnessed the persecution of ordinary German people who had the courage to resist. At the end of the day Patrotism touches us all and we defend, protect our countries. There are many stories over the last few hundred years where masons on opposite sides have helped each other, example, George Washington, whose army surounded the British but realising that most of the regiment were masons let them have safe passage.
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Post by Mikepm on Jun 3, 2006 18:23:56 GMT
mikepm, I understand the argument for uniforms in both schools and in Freemasonry: they are claimed as a 'leveller'. It was a delight, however, to visit Lodges overseas that did not have such superficial levellers, but rather a manifested deep respect for both the individual difference in each human being, and individual variation in dress. Here in the Male Craft in Victoria, Masons wear dinner suits and black bowtie (as I too do when either attending my own Lodges, or visiting - after all, that is our 'uniform'). When visiting interstate or overseas, I generally wear a more 'casual' afternoon 'reefer' suit and tie (and stand out as a consequence - simple reason is that it is one less dress item to carry). If you have worked in the fashion industry, or have come from a family that has, you will also instantly recognise a suit that appears also black, but you can just see the quality of the material, and know that this brother next to whom I seat is wearing something worth ten or more times what I bought - and that he has replaced his in the past couple of years whilst the brother on my other side is wearing his suit from 30 years ago, and initially bought as cheaply as possible: the uniform does not provide a leveller, unless it is made by the same people from the same materials. In any case, the fine talk, the general comportment, and the ease with which a brother addresses various items of discussion are what will distinguish him or her more so than the dress - and on that I trust no great 'leveller' is brought to bear whilst living. As to schools... I'm not going to enter into a discussion about what is also my work. Suffice it to say that uniforms solve no problems that are inherent in group that encourages one-upmanship: it then becomes 'competition' about which iPod, cellphone, ear-rings, laptop or, once of age, car being driven to school. Good comment.
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Post by Mikepm on May 22, 2006 18:40:57 GMT
Uniforms! Why have them? The Masonic 'dress' to be worn is the Apron, nothing more. errr... perhaps I should rephrase that. Whatever else is worn could well be left to the discretion of the individual, but the Masonic Apron is the badge that transforms the dress of an individual to being masonic. I have never understood the enamouration of uniforms in schools and clubs in many anglosaxon countries. School uniforms are worn so that everyone is equal. There was a time in the early 90's when certain schools dropped uniforms, which then led to a trend of £50/£60 trainers being worn to school and designer clothes, by those who had parents with a few bob, this in turn led to presure on parents who couldn't afford these over priced items, so the school uniform IS a good leveler and it identifies which school pupils attend,and worn with pride. The same can be said for Freemasonry, wear what you want could lead to no dress code what so ever, when you enter and leave the lodge you are equal as at the festive board, you could be sitting next to a top stockbroker or a builder but we all wear a similar dresscode take that away and those that can afford it will wear designer clothes. So IMO some of the comments on this thread are misplaced, regards Mike
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Post by Mikepm on May 7, 2006 11:09:08 GMT
Steve a valid point, now is an opportune moment to do this, regarding the job i think i will put my name forward as the salary is £100k per Annum.
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Post by Mikepm on May 4, 2006 21:44:57 GMT
Steve a great speech, i think that it says it all, regards Mike.
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Post by Mikepm on May 7, 2006 21:39:15 GMT
Giovanni I'm coming out to Italy in July for 3 weeks staying at our friends near Perugia, Lago Tresimeno, Mike
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Post by Mikepm on May 7, 2006 11:04:22 GMT
Middlepillar, every picture tells a story............. To much Vino Rosso?
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Post by Mikepm on May 7, 2006 10:58:42 GMT
There was a detailed report in the Guardian, there is a link on another site (The Freemason) Typical press coverage.
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Post by Mikepm on Apr 25, 2006 22:34:12 GMT
Enjoy every moment, as it goes in the blink of an eyelid regards Mike
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