FROM THE METGDC'S TEAM…
T
he MetGDC and MetDepGDCs are often asked
exactly what Lodges and Chapters should be doing if they want to implement Project Streamline and this is an appropriate place to give some more detail and thinking on the subject. The project was born from the quandary that younger working Masons can find it difficult to arrive in time for meeting starting at 4pm or 4.30, but that has to be balanced with those who are retired and can have an early start, but do not wish to be travelling home after 9pm or so, especially in the winter months. We need to make our meeting accessible to all Masons regardless of age or working situation, and be mindful of pressures outside of Masonry in our private and public avocations. The idea then is to organise our meetings to “streamline” their running and using the useful Metropolitan adage that less is more. So in practical terms what can
W. Bro Simon White, SLGR, MetDepGDC, highlights the use of Project Streamline in London Lodges…
be done? Well, a start time of 5pm or later would be a good place to begin. Cutting down processions into a meeting saves time, and can then be used perhaps only for Installation, or special visits. Salutations can be avoided; again unless it is a special occasion, for instance the first meeting after the annual appointments or promotions. Minutes, reports from the Charity Steward and Almoner can be pre- circulated, and only updates need be given at the meeting. Alms can be collected at the festive board, especially if a gift aid envelope is used as this saves the time waiting for them to be completed, likewise the rising information can also be pre-circulated. A short procession out is also acceptable.
44 DCs can streamline meetings by
making sure ceremonies are known and well practiced – after all every time a worker needs to be prompted it doubles the time taken for that part of the ritual. Other business items can be managed to save time too; proposers and seconders, auditors and committee members can be agreed in advance so a discussion or nomination in open forum is rarely needed. One of the big ways of including everyone is to leave the actual ceremony until last on the agenda, allowing everything else to have been dealt with first. This has the added bonus of allowing any brother who arrives late to be able to see the meat of the meeting, rather than miss it. For an initiation, the candidate, I am sure, would welcome the meeting finishing after his ceremony is complete so that he can immediately relax a little and socialise with his fellow brethren straight away. Festive Boards can also be streamlined with a little care, by managing the number of wine takings, and making sure speeches are sincere, to the point, but not too long. There are a number of other
suggestions made by the Streamline team and the summary is available on Porchway for anyone to view. Of course these are all suggestions only, and no in any way prescriptive, but nevertheless have the full support of the Executive, and are there to help in making Masonry more accessible and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of their individual circumstances.
ISSUE 19
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