As I mentioned previously on this webpage (16th February), that I would be setting up Mentoring workshops/clinics during this Spring/Summer similar to those we held in 2009.

These will take place at each Masonic Centre in our Province and will be aimed primarily for all Lodge and Chapter Mentors and Brethren who have taken on the one to one role of Personal Mentor to a newer brother or companion.

As mentoring involves everybody in freemasonry, I also extend this invitation to anyone interested in the subject of Masonic Mentoring, in order that they may find out why it is so important for the future of Freemasonry and how they can be a part of it.

These sessions will be your chance to appreciate the role of a Masonic mentor and share your ideas with members from other lodges and Chapters in a more informal and intimate setting than is possible at larger gatherings.

Agenda

Introduction – Why Masonic Mentoring?
Workshop – The role of a mentor
Discussion - Questions & Answer’s

With the help of Area Mentoring Coordinators I now can confirm the dates and venues of some of these regional Clinics.

These dates/details will also be included on this web page in due course.

The above arranged details have been circulated to Lodge Secretaries and Chapter Scribe E’s. To book in or for more information please contact the Area Mentoring Coordinators direct. I do hope you can attend and I look forward to seeing you.

WBro David Lewendon Provincial Grand Mentor Email: dlewendon@ntlworld.com Tel: 0118 9785958

Worshipful Master, Distinguished Brethren, Brother Wardens & Brethren All :

I have recently spent some more time supporting a forthcoming candidate who will be initiated into St Hilda next month. I am pleased to report to the lodge that he remains very upbeat about joining such a fine institution as ours and he is also reassuringly a little less anxious than the last time we discussed his initiation!

I have also, following a very stimulating discussion with our Director of Ceremonies, begun to analyse the percentage of our membership who regularly attend our lodge meetings. On my very crude and rough calculations, I have found that of our current membership of 63, only 29 brethren (i.e. 46%) regularly attend meetings. I have now begun the next stage of this mini-research project which is to analyse WHY those brethren who are not attending regularly feel unable to do so. Knowing many of these brethren very well as I do, I am aware that the main reasons why they are unable to join us on a regular basis are probably one or more of the following :

• Illness or frailty (with a large number of members now having reached “old age”)
• Work commitments (several of our members have to travel long distances either to their normal place of work or in pursuit of business opportunities)
• The impact of the global recession and hence a reduction in personal income
• That they have moved away from the local area
• Lastly, and least positively, that they may have become somewhat disillusioned with the lodge and their place within it.

As a current Masters student, I now feel the need to adopt a slightly more scientific approach and to contact those brethren who are not regular attendees and confirm their specific reason for non-attendance, as well as to offer them any support they may need and, of course, to pass on the good wishes of all members of the lodge. I will naturally, wherever necessary, work closely with our zealous and very well-respected Almoner when I discover a Brother who is in need of our support but who is currently not in regular contact with us.

This process will inevitably take some time so do bear with me brethren, but I will update you all next month on my progress.

Thank you for your attention Brethren and may I wish you all health and happiness until we meet again.

W Bro Simon Osborne PM 1887
Lodge Mentor
St Hilda Lodge No 1887
14.03.10

Comment
Well done Simon for this constructive and informative Lodge Mentor’s report, you illustrate exactly the reason and usefulness to your members of making such a report. Thank you for sharing it. You emphasise the importance of spending time with the potential candidate to ensure that he is fully informed about Freemasonry and the commitments involved BEFORE he joins our Order. You also highlight why we should be aware of non-attendees at our meetings and to try and understand the reasons behind their absence. Teaming up with the Almoner may send a ‘caring’ message to the Brother who may need our support and encouragement.
David. ProvGMentor

I am often being asked about the content and availability of the Mentoring Booklets associated with The Berkshire Provincial Mentoring scheme. They comprise of the following:-

These book sets are printed on demand in two sizes A6 and A5 through the Provincial Grand Secretary’s office at Sindlesham Masonic Centre. Tel: 0118 9787625 / Email: provgsec@berkspgl.org.uk

These booklets are available on request in A6 size from the Provincial Grand Scribe E office, at Sindlesham Masonic Centre. Tel: 0118 9775662 / Email: pgse.bpgc@tiscali.co.uk

There are of course many other very interesting publications which are available through the Sindlesham Library.

The Worshipful Master, W Bro. Andrew Vernon, with his five new members of Greyfriars Lodge, Brothers; Alexandra Diaz, Jonathon Welfare, Laurence Smith, Glen Coleman-Cooke, and Jason Richards

On Wednesday 10th March 2010 Grey Friars Lodge performed a first for the Province of Berkshire when we initiated three candidates in a triple ceremony using the main Temple at Sindlesham with some 39 members and guests in attendance. Our Visiting Grand Officer, WBro. Brian Walsh, PAGDC, was in attendance representing the Provincial Grand Master, WBro. John Michael Hooton.

In addition we had the good fortune to be assisted on the floor by five members from the Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge. It has to be said that the organisation by our DC, WBro. John Tagg, with the assistance of the above mentioned Stewards was instrumental in the smooth running of the ceremony to the pleasure of all those present.

Our Worshipful Master, WBro. Andrew Vernon, having Initiated two University Undergraduates at the February meeting was well prepared for the triple which he cruised through with confidence and feeling. He was assisted by his IPM, W Bro Stan Crooks and WBro. Mark Hudson, who delivered the ‘Charge’, in addition, of course, to the Wardens and Deacons.

On this occasion the candidates were two more University Undergraduates and a close friend of the Worshipful Master.

It was evident that all present enjoyed the work in the Temple and the after proceedings at the Festive Board which included the well rehearsed “Chain”. An impressive sight and well received by the new members.

Peter Kean,
Lodge Secretary.

Comment:
Peter,
We welcome your new recruits into Freemasonry and especially into the Province of Berkshire. We hope they will find satisfaction and enjoyment from their membership, and be encouraged to contribute fully to Freemasonry in general and to the life of Greyfriars Lodge in particular. The task of coordinating this is in the very capable hands of W Bro John Kean, the Lodge Mentor, who I’m sure will get the generous support from all of the Lodge members.
David – ProvGMentor

Now with the feedback from the National Mentoring Conference and hopefully the end of the really bad weather, my team of stalwart Area Mentoring coordinators and myself, will as last year, be setting up another series of Mentoring Clinics in all the Provincial centres.

These Clinics (or forums) when held in 2009, although not overly subscribed in numbers at times, were very well received by those who did attend and a lot was gained from the interchange of ideas and opinions.

This year the emphasis will be on the role of the Mentors, but will include general feedback and Q & A’s as before. Although primarily aimed at the Lodge/Chapter mentors and Personal mentors, it is open to everyone, regardless of rank, especially those with an interest in this important subject, who can assist the mentors in its implementation. These sessions, located in your own meeting centre, will be your chance to share your ideas with other Lodge and Chapters in a more informal and intimate setting.

Starting in March, the dates of these clinics will be circulated within your Lodges and Chapters as well as locally within your centres.

As last year, WBro Ian Clark, secretary of the Berkshire Education Committee and myself, attended the conference as representatives of the Province.

The importance of the day was emphasised by the very large amount of delegates who attended, virtually all from the UK Provinces and many from overseas as well.

The day started with an opening address from Nigel Brown, the Grand Secretary, who described the importance of equipping our members to act as advocates and ambassadors of the Craft.

This was followed by a keynote presentation, entitled “The values and expectations of the 21st Century Mason”, by WBro Stuart Esworthy (Warwickshire).

The Metropolitan Grand Lodge then gave their “Training of Mentors in London,” presentation. They also sent (by Email) to every attending delegate’s home, a copy of this Power point lecture, complete with copies of the “Initiate Guide”, Guide for Royal Arch Masons and “Mentoring Officers (Lodge/Chapter Mentors) Guidance” notes. An excellent gesture.

During the lunch time break, there was a display table of many of the ‘initiatives’ that several of the Provinces have now introduced in their areas to promote Mentoring. Many of the items on view, we in Berkshire have already in place, but certainly there were lots of good ideas and initiatives on display which was there to be shared by all. All of course with the opportunity to discuss our common cause with the other delegates attending.

After lunch we had another enlightening Power Point presentation from Yorkshire West Riding, on why Masonry Matters, the benefits of sharing ideas between Lodges and providing stimulating roles for recent Past Masters.

The day concluded with an appraisal of the coming year by WBro James Bartlett, the national mentoring coordinator, where the roles of the 3R Library, the Internet, recruitment etc culminating in the endorsement by all for another national Conference in 2011.

As you can imagine the day was enjoyable, very interesting and extremely informative.

If you want to see the presentations, please go to the mentoring website www.3rlibrary.org.uk, where the report of the conference has already been posted, you can then download the PP presentations accordingly.

Key points for me from this conference were:-

1. The tremendous support from Grand Lodge in facilitating this conference and the Regional meetings we had during the year.
2. The ongoing development of the 3rlibrary website
3. The sharing of information generally without restriction.
4. Most Provinces appear to share similar problems and successes.

A strong desire to make Mentoring work for the future of Masonry.

All in all a very worthwhile day.

Just a reminder to everyone, of the value of the free issue of our own Magazine, “Freemasonry Today”.

Within its many pages are some very interesting and informative articles, especially related to the subject of mentoring and retention of our members.

On page 33 of the latest issue we have WBro. James Bartlett, the National Mentoring coordinator, giving an update of how the Mentoring Support system is working in many of the provinces.

Page 21 there is another short but interesting piece on Embracing Change, and how we should be aware of the important role of modern technology, especially the Internet, in helping recruit new members to find their way into Freemasonry.

The letter in the section ‘Letters to the Editor’ on page 61, entitled, The Lonely Entered Apprentice, this experience from a new mason must remind many of us when we first joined freemasonry and how effective and valuable one to one mentoring can be to the new recruit.

Also the positive feedback and message that was being conveyed in his letter – invaluable!

The Letter from the Editor, Michael Baigent, has always been an open view on Freemasonry issues and always a good starter.

There are of course many other subjects, many of whom are not only interesting, but full of our colourful history and heritage, which are ideal examples of putting more masonry into men.

Do take time to read them.

[This little story was posted on the newsletter, accompanying the summons of the Berkshire Masters Lodge No 3684, by WBro John Palmer Secretary.]

On my travels to South Carolina I came across the following story.

A member of a certain Lodge, who previously attended meetings regularly, stopped going. After a few months, the Worshipful Master decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening, and the Worshipful Master found his brother at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire.

Guessing the reason for the Worshipful Master’s visit, the brother welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fire place and waited. The Worshipful Master made himself comfortable, but said nothing.

In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After several minutes, the Worshipful Master took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth, all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent.

His host watched all of this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember’s flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow, and its fire was no more. Soon, it was cold and dead.

Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The Worshipful Master glanced at his watch and chose this time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember, and placed it back in the middle of the fire, immediately it began to glow once more, with all the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.

As the Worshipful Master reached the door to leave, his host said, with a tear running down his cheek, “Thank you so much for your fiery summons my brother, I’ll be back in our Lodge next meeting”.

Does this bring a tear to your eye or ring a bell ?

The Province’s youngest Lodge (Consecrated on 3rd September 2009) held its very first meeting at the Masonic Centre, Wokingham, on the 10th December, where they initiated their very first candidate into Freemasonry, Brother Jeremy Morley.

The ceremony was very ably led by the Worshipful Master WBro. Ken Cook and supported by his Lodge Officers with much style and fluency, to the appreciation of the many who attended on this special occasion.

Bro Jeremy was then presented to WBro Roy Stone, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, who welcomed him into Freemasonry in general and the Berkshire Province in particular. He was also given the booklet “ A guide to new Freemasons by the Lodge Mentor WBro Paul Bowman. During the meeting, WBro Roy also presented ‘Founders Jewels’ to the Founders of this new “Scouts” Lodge.

The meeting was rounded off with a splendid Festive Board where it was quite apparent that our new member had enjoyed his first experience of freemasonry.

Picture above right: Bro Jeremy receiving a book from WBro Tony Parker, his Proposer, also Secretary of the Lodge.

The Third Annual Mentoring Conference was held on the 18th November at the Berkshire Masonic centre, Sindlesham, where over fifty Lodge and Personal Mentors were in attendance.

The Conference was opened by Bro Raymond Head, who welcomed the participants and outlined the purpose of the meeting.

This was followed by Bro David Lewendon, the Provincial Grand Mentor who presented his introductory Keynote address in which he spoke on the following subjects:-

• Why Mentoring was introduced
  
• What is Mentoring?
  
• The structure of the Mentoring scheme
  
• The Mentoring Programme
  
• Mentoring activities in the Province during the past year and
  
• Plans for 2010

He also introduced draft versions of two new booklets to be used with candidates before Initiation. These two booklets together represent Stage 1 of 4 stages supporting a new Brother through to his Raising and beyond. More booklets will be produced during 2010 for Stages 2 to 4. Bro David asked for feedback from the conference on these new publications.

Finally, Bro David emphasised the importance of everyone being involved in progressing the Mentoring culture.

There then followed a series of group workshops led by Bro Ian Clark, each group working on questions on mentoring devised to draw out experience and share knowledge. The groups’ responses created much discussion which helped to focus minds on the practical ways to manage and promote our mentoring activities.

After a short but lively interchange of questions and answers the conference was finally closed by Bro Raymond Head, who thanked everyone for making the effort to attend and for their positive contribution to a most valuable evening.

Note; May I also add my appreciation to those who attended and for their constructive feedback and kind comments regarding the Conference. David Lewendon