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Post by taylorsman on Apr 8, 2005 7:26:45 GMT
The line for the old song "Bless em all " highlights the important point made by the PGM of Sussex in a recent address to Brethren in his Province and from which I quote.
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" I wish to mention first the Provincial appointment and promotions. You will recall that last year Grand Lodge altered the basis upon which honours could be conferred. The DPGM wrote to the Lodges and an article appears in the Year Book. This year we can see the effect. Provincial honours were often described of by London Masons as being bloggins turn - if you do not blot your copybook you will get Provincial Honours of some sort. That is no longer the case. There are cases where a brother who still attends his Lodge of which he was master will not be receiving a letter. There must be choices. My advisers and I will rely on the Lodge through the Secretary to supply the relevant factual information. It is most helpful to receive background information, such as explanations for prolonged absences. This can help when weighing the merits of two brethren from different Lodges for one appointment. Brethren who move away but still retain their membership but do little else probably will not receive an appointment. The knock on effect on promotions is even more pronounced. The number of brethren who can be promoted must not exceed 80% of the number appointed. Consequently many brethren may be disappointed. Consideration for promotion may have to be postponed to subsequent years. One clear effect is that brethren who are appointed to acting rank as Standard Bearers, Assistant Standard Bearers, Pursuivant, and Stewards will not receive now the automatic promotion to Past Senior Grand Deacon after their year in office. To do so would mean that 14 other brethren would be deprived of their promotion. "
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Now Sussex is not the only UGLE Province thus affected, and other PGMs such as Buckinghamshire's have made similar speeches. The whole basis on which Appointments and subsequent Promotions are calculated has been changed by UGLE from the number of Lodges in a Province to the number of Brethren and as many are members of more than one Craft Lodge the number of "Dark Blue" Collars to be handed out has reduced in most cases, some quite drastically.
It can be argued that this has brought English Craft Freemasonry more into line with other Constitutions and that such Honours are now to be earned on Merit and not gained automatically as part of "Buggins Turn". I have sat in the bar in various Masonic locations and heard Brethren talking, "Oh you'll be up for your Honours this year Bill, it's seven years since you were in the Chair, hope you get a good one" However I can feel some sympathy for those given an Acting Rank who will now lose out as this can be quite a heavy committment in time and money for that year and it was accepted that the Promotion the following year to PPSGD was recompense for that hard work.
There is a letter in the recent Issue No 32 of "Freemasonry Today" where the writer (NOT myself I add), mentions Brethren who left the Craft after failing to receive an Honour or Promotion. He comments that there should be more transparency regarding how Honours/ Promotions are awarded, what criteria are used etc.
Now I know many will say that wearing a fancy Dark Blue Apron and Collar, having letters after one's name on the Summons and being Saluted with Three in Lodge is not the be all and end all, but human nature being as it is, this does appeal to many who join The Craft. I have also noticed with a wry smile that many who "pooh - pooh" the Honours System in Craft have already made it there and have the "Past Provincial Grand whatever" and the appropriate Regalia.
So what do you feel about this? Should the present UGLE Honours systen stay as it now is, perhaps with more transparency regarding the Objective Criteria used to award an Honour? Should it be streamlined along the London System with only Three ranks rather than the Ruritanian and convoluted proliferation of Ranks in the Provinces? Should we adopt the GL of Scotland idea where all Provincial Offices are Working Offices and an Honorary Rank is only given after the Active Offices have been performed? Or conversely should we go in the other direction and give every PGM one Honour for each Lodge in his Province so that come 7 years after being in The Chair "everyone's a winner!".
Comments from UGLE Members and comparisons from Brethern in Scots and other Constitutions most welcome.
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staffs
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Post by staffs on Apr 8, 2005 7:43:32 GMT
Wearing the dark blue does not mean diiddly to myself.
Also with Provincial honours who really takes notice what rank / honour is, All i see is the dark blue colour and take no notice of the collar.
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Agent J
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Post by Agent J on Apr 8, 2005 7:55:43 GMT
I had a letter published in Freemasonry Today a few years back on this subject. Looking back I've moderated my opinion a bit, but my basic point remains, which is that if the honours system exists, so be it, but what annoys me is those who actively seek recognition and who can be heard complaining when they didn't receive the rank they thought they were due. To my mind, any recognition received thereafter is devalued to the detriment of the Lodge (etc.) and Freemasonry in general. And that is a real shame, because many who have been so Honoured fully deserve it.
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Post by mrmason on Apr 8, 2005 8:25:48 GMT
Most lodges in Scotland have 5 active PGL members. That does not include any past members who have been through all the offices. I can tell you now that you will be hard pushed to find any lodge in my area who has 5 brethren in PGL. In my own lodge there are 2 including myself. The reason being is that you have to attend those meetings of PGL in order to stay in line. Many when asked to take office in PGL either run a mile or don't bother to turn up. The only past ranks are those of PPGSW( and obviously PPGM) who have sat in PGL for approx 15-20 years and done every office. Very rarely is an hononary rank given out. Even then it is only a small collar jewel that is worn by the brother concerned,with that particular jewel of office.
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Post by middlepillar on Apr 8, 2005 8:30:42 GMT
Wearing the dark blue does not mean diiddly to myself. Also with Provincial honours who really takes notice what rank / honour is, All i see is the dark blue colour and take no notice of the collar. You know, this subject always seems to stir up feelings, I just cannot get my head around the fact that some people seem to get upset that they havent got the'right' honour! I have always thought any honour is just that and should be appreciated and enjoyed. I agree with A J that if it is not then it just devalues the whole thing. I am a London Mason and I received LGR after 11 years through the chair, I can honestly say I never felt a twinge of envy for those Provincial brethren who received an honour after 7 years, just good luck to them. I can tell you a truly horriffic story about Provincial Honours. A Bro who shall remain nameless was exceptionally ill, so ill that his Lodge Secretary and other Past Masters thought he was dying and would petition Prov Grand Lodge to give him an honour (4 years after the chair not the obligatory 7). The Secretary of the Lodge even went before a 'panel' of High Prov officers to justify the petition. Sure enough this guy was sent a letter appointing him to Past Assistant Grand Standard Bearer. Do you know he wrote back turning it down, saying it was not a high enough appointment! (I saw the letter!). And this chap made a full recovery and we are now 8 years on! Honours are there to show appreciation for what you have done for your Lodge and FM before and more importantly what you are going to do from now on. If you are so honoured wear it with pride and do not look enviously at the Bro standing next to you! Lee I would think that every Mason of less than 3 years experience has the same opinion as you, I certainly did and to an extent still do, however if you have put in 10-15 years active membership to this wonderful institution, it is a wonderful feeling of pride when you are invested with an Honour. It has been said so many time that the London Honours system is much fairer, this is because there is only 2 Ranks London Grand Rank (takes 10 to 15 years and you must be active) and Senior London Grand Rank (another 5 years of active service). I know we have London Rank but that is for Brethren who havent gone through the chair who have given exceptional service. The fact that in the Provinces you often hear 'how did so & so get that rank'? just shows that brethren do notice what badge is on the apron and that if anything Provincial Honours should be modified? My only real comment is if anyone lets a thing like Honours spoil thier outlook on Freemasonry, then they are not really practisiing the teaching of the Craft are they?
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Agent J
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Post by Agent J on Apr 8, 2005 8:34:51 GMT
absolutely..."humility in each is an essential qualification"...
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Post by taylorsman on Apr 8, 2005 8:45:34 GMT
Lee, I can assure you that those who do receive an Honour in the Provinces often make a lot out of the differences between PPAGDC and PPAGJD, I have heard some really bitchy comments at Honours time when some Brother got a Rank lower than he felt himself to deserve and the more so when another man he felt to be unworthy had received a higher one than himself.
I know of a case of a man from another Province who had been awarded PPSGW there and refused a lower Honour when offered him from the Province he had moved to as it was "beneath his Rank". I honestly feel that the London System (apart from the Acting Metropolitan Officers) of London Grand Rank, then if promoted Senior London Grand Rank , with London Rank as the Rosette Honour for those who have not gone through The Chair, is far better and cuts all this petty bickering out.
Agent J, you get that type in all Organisations I'm afraid, be it at Work, a Golf Club, a Masonic Lodge, etc. The crawlers and sycophants who curry favour with the Powers that Be , who slavishly follow and are seen to follow their every whim. At Work it may well be the "eager beaver Supervisor/ Junior Manager" who dutifully laughs at the lame jokes told by the MD or Senior Management at a Staff Briefing or Meeting, attends the Staff Dinner Dance and makes a point of buying drinks for the Bosses, in the hope of Promotion or other favours. In the Golf Club he is more interested in getting on the Committee and fawning to the Captain and President than actually playing and in Lodges the same type of toady is always seen to be at Receptions and Events where the PGM and the Chain Gang are present, will make a really gooey and creeping Toast to them if he gets the chance at the Festive Board following the Installation and if in the Chair he will OF COURSE nominate the PGM's suggestion for his Master's List where other WM's will choose some Local Good Cause or a Charity dear to his own heart. This type of "Lion Hunter" will be seen to be seen and will always ensure that he is observed to be backing any changes or even suggestions from above , whatever the effects on his own Lodge or his true feelings. Alas, and we all know of them, these types DO seem , like the Vicar of Bray , to gain preferment.
The problem, Agent J, is that whatever the Official line, such people do NOT regard the Honour as being "to the Lodge" but to THEMSELVES and act accordingly if they feel they have been shortchanged. I feel that the simplifed London Rank System would go a long way to prevent this abuse.
Human Nature is like that I'm afraid and despite the pious pleas of some it is not likely to change. The only way round it is to change the system to block such "social climbers" and have a transparent honours system with the objective criteria clearly set out for all to see and understand.
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giovanni
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Post by giovanni on Apr 8, 2005 9:08:09 GMT
Steve, "gavelite" is a bad desease... After the last Grand Lodge of GOI, I am no more judge of the Central Court of GOI since judges cannot be reelected. So what? I will come back to my studies, trying to help myself and my younger Brethern to reach Truth.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2005 10:29:33 GMT
Steve, you probably know my views:-
a) The proliferation of Provincial honours are confusing and cause unnecessary competition / bad feeling
b) We should adopt the KISS principle - simplicity such as that we see in the London system.
c) Active officers should be rewarded after their year with an suitable honour.
d) Award of merit and service to the craft only, not time served
e) Make the selection process transparent so that all can see why Bloggs has been awarded such and such an apron
Kevin
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staffs
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Post by staffs on Apr 10, 2005 10:59:02 GMT
Can anyone list the ranks in order from top to bottom ??
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Post by taylorsman on Apr 10, 2005 14:03:41 GMT
I'll try my best Lee.
We all know the nice straightforward London system, apart from those Metropolitan Officers actualy DOING the Job, there are the three Ranks of LGR, SLGR and LR for those not Past Masters.
You will get the following in a Province both as Acting Officers and as "Past" that is Honorific Honours. The number of these latter titles bestowed depends on the number of Members in a Province and not as used to be the case on the number of Lodges. Thus Surrey will have more Honours to give out than Berkshire as an example.
It is not usual for any rank higher than PPJGD to be given as a First Appointment .
Here Goes top to bottom:-
PPG equals Past Provincial Grand, if acting it would be Prov and if he once did the job it would be P Prov.
PPSGW PPJGW PPG Chaplain Prov Grand Secretary, Treasurer, Charity Steward, Almoner (Not awarded as Past ranks but actual Admin jobs) PPG Registrar PPGDC PPG Sword Bearer PPG Superintendent of Works PP Deputy Grand Chaplain PP Deputy G Registrar PP Deputy Grand DC PP Deputy Grand Sword Bearer PP Deputy Grand Supt of Wks PPSGD PPJGD PP Assistant Grand Chaplain PPAG Registrar PPAGDC PPAGSwd B PPAGSupt Wks PPGOrganist PPG Standard Bearer PPAGStB Prov Grand Steward/P Prov Grand Steward Prov Grand Pursiuivant (equivalent to IG at Prov GL) Prov Grand Tyler
Now not all of these are awarded as Past Ranks and although Prov Grand Steward might appear to be lower than some of the others it is actually a much sought after Honour allowing the holder to join that Province's Grand Stewards Lodge if he wishes to and is often the stepping stone to Higher Office even to the Chain Gang itself as Prov Grand Stewards accompany the Chain Gang to Installations, Banner Dedications etc and have a Ceremonial Role at Prov Grand Lodge Meetings . As you are probably aware , Prov Stewards wear a distinctive Dark Red Collar and Apron.
Likewise Prov Grand Tyler is usually awarded to a Brother of long experience and probably one who has Tyled for Lodges. PPAGStB is he lowest usually given to a PM and PPAGStB is normally kept for Brethren who have not been through the Chair but have rendered service to their Lodge over the years.
Hope this helps Lee and as you can see it's far too convoluted and almost Ruritanian. I would be quite happy to swap my PPAGDC Apron for one which said PGR (Provincial Grand Rank) copying the London System and in the highly unlikely event of getting a Promotion in about 7 years or so then SPGR (Senior Provincial Grand Rank ) .
You will find these ranks listed in the B of C, and in the Sussex Year Book.
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Post by PaulS on Apr 10, 2005 17:33:18 GMT
East Lancs announced a change in its honours system over a year ago. at the last Provincial meeting there seemed to be twice as many recieving honours than normal, was it to get them in before the new rules come into force!
I was amazed to find people getting up set because they have been missed or not recieved the promotion they think they deserve.
IMHO the honours system has tarnished English Freemasonry making it more of an elitist club where many (not all) members only continue their membership in the hope of promotion.
We are supposed to be Brothers, By all means promote /honour people for service to Freemasonry and the community, but don't do it just because he was WM 7 or 8 years ago.
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Post by taylorsman on Apr 10, 2005 17:48:37 GMT
Paul, I totally agree, but there are too many who would wish to see it continue, not only those who covet a High Honour but the Regalia Manfacturers would lose out if there were only six variations apart from Acting Officers. It's a pity and yes, you are correct, we ARE all supposed to be Brothers but alas I have seen this break down over such matters as somone getting a "better" honour than another. Now exactly what determines if a Brother gets, PPGStB, PPAGDC or PPAGReg? I haven't a clue. I really feel that having dealt with the governance of London Freemasonry and the situation of Royal Arch, Lord Northampton ought to turn his sights on this archaic Provincial Honours System and simplify it to match that of the London Three Ranks.
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Post by a on Apr 10, 2005 18:28:54 GMT
It is this sort of issue that makes me realise just how unsuited I am for the UGLE brand of Freemasonry.
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Post by taylorsman on Apr 10, 2005 18:52:43 GMT
Exultate, jubilate! At last the penny has dropped Stewart.
Go you forth in Peace and with a firm but humble confidence, petition and enter a Co-Masonic Lodge where you will be welcomed, be happy and be fulfilled!
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Post by Mikepm on Apr 17, 2005 22:06:29 GMT
Steve, i agree with what you say. I'm all for recognition, but to many times i have heard the moans & groans of not receiving the 'Right' Promotion! All these comments have lead me to peruse my 2004 provincial handbook, to see exactly what goes on. For everyones info, (and most of you will know this) you qualify for honours as soon as you come out of the chair of King Solomon. Glancing through the pages there are a few who have gained honours after 3 years out of the chair, i'm sure for the right reasons?
Talking to one who has an active rank, he told me he made noises in the right places!! (only out of the chair 3 years) Another brother gained Grand Lodge Officer rank, by working at Great Queen Street!!! But i'm sure that gaining an Honour, is an Honour Confered.
At the end of the day it should be a privilage to receive an honour, not expected.
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Post by taylorsman on Apr 18, 2005 4:16:23 GMT
Mike, I have always cast a wary eye at these accellerated appointments to Provincial/Grand Honours.
I can accept if a man is very talented at Ritual or Administration or has some professional capabilty which is of use to a Province he may be bumped up the ranks, likewise if someone actually works at Grand Lodge it is desirable that the appropriate Rank goes with the position to give it gravitas. However I know of examples where this is not the case and one cannot but suspect that favour has been curried , the right person has marked their card and it is this which causes ill will amongst those who have worked hard and waited for their Dark Blue Apron and Collar.
I am satisfied with what I got, PPAGDC, it was neither above nor below what was the norm for a PM who had been 7 years out of The Chair . I do still feel however that the whole system requires reform and one of the first steps would be to adopt the London 3 Rank system in the Provinces, then, actiing Officers aside, everyone would get the "Right" Honour PGR, or SPGR as a Promotion.
I'm afraid that as long as the current Provincial Honours system remains , and especially as these are now fewer under the new basis of calculation, it will continue to be a source of disatisfaction and rivalry.
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Post by Proton on Apr 19, 2005 23:34:43 GMT
I agree Steve, but it is the problem with an organisation that is based upon a meritocracy! Individuals will always assume that they will receive this or that rank because they feel that they have earned it. Often they are blissfully ignorant of the process that is involved in selecting them for being eligible for whatever rank they think they deserve.
My first honour in the Craft was PPrAGDC, just like yours. Was I dissappointed, well... no. I was of the view, it's PPrAGDC, and that is a start! I received a similar promotion in the RA. From then after I listened to the commentary as to who would get this and that etc. each year! People do not realise that there is a quota system in place based upon what work is done in Lodge/Chapter, offices held as well as the fact that a contribution is made to charity. PGMs now have a set quota of Active and Past ranks that they have available and it is now based upon the number of members in a province rather than the number of lodges or chapters.
This is a big change and it will mean that the total numbers of promotions and first appointments will fall, or rise in line with the number of members in the province.
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Post by taylorsman on Apr 20, 2005 4:22:36 GMT
I certainly wasn't disappointed by my Honour, far from it! I didn't expect a Dark Blue Apron as I had moved from the area and had not therefore been able to attend my Mother Lodge as often as I would have liked. I was well satisfied to say the least!
I do feel that now as there will be fewer Honours / Promotions available in most Provinces that greater Transparency is needed so that Brethern especially those NOT so rewarded are aware of the Objective Criteria used to make such awards.
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Post by mrmason on Apr 20, 2005 6:34:10 GMT
Could the problem be that everyone seems to keep calling these titles "promotions" Up here no office is seen as a promotion because no-one is better than anyone else. We also don't refer to advancing in office in the lodge as promotion either. Perhaps thats why everyone is called Bro, first then their title even the GMM Just a thought
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