MASONIC ETIQUETTE Welcome Lodge 255 (Outline copied from Saddleback Laguna Lodge 672)

Manners In and Around the Lodge Building  Courtesy and Respect  People and Property  Manner of Addressing Masonic Brothers  Grand Lodge; Officers; PM’s; Brothers  Grand Master and Past Grand Masters: Most Worshipful  Dep. Grand Master, Senior Grand Warden or Junior Grand Warden: Right Worshipful  Grand Treasurer, Grand Secretary or Grand Lecturer: Very Worshipful  Grand Chaplain: Very Reverend  All other Grand Lodge Officers: Worshipful  Master of the Lodge: Worshipful Master or Worshipful  Past Masters: Worshipful  All Others: Brother  Guest  Keep them Engaged and/or Hand off to another Brother.  Don’t let them feel like a stranger  Be Aware of your surroundings  Appropriate Topics and Language  Never talk about Religion or Politics  Always use appropriate language within the lodge and with guest  Clean up is Everyone’s responsibility

Definitions and Occasions for Dress  Formal:  Tuxedo (Installation, Reception of Grand Lodge Officers, Hiram Award)  Business:  Suit and Tie (All Degree Nights (for Officers), Semi-Formal Events)  Dressy or Business Casual:  Slacks and Dress Shirt or Sport Jacket, Slacks and Polo Shirt. No Tie, Jeans or Shorts. (Stated Meetings, Degree Nights (for Sideliners))  Casual:  Polo Shirt and Slacks, Jeans and Shorts OK. (Informal Events, Untiled Meetings, School of Instruction)  Western:  Western Shirt and Slacks, Jeans OK. (Stated Meetings, Degree Nights (for Sideliners), School of Instruction)

Manner of Dress and Personal Hygiene  Clean and Neat; Well pressed and groomed.  Business Casual  Jacket and Tie Preferred for Ritual  Business Casual if necessary.  Shoes Polished  No Hats permitted in Lodge during Tiled meetings.  Except for religious or Health Reasons.  The Master is the only person in the Lodge to wear a hat.

How to Enter the Lodge  Be on Time  Officers in place 5 minutes early (set up earlier).  Apron Worn (Outside all other Garments)  Not to be worn outside the building  If you are Late  Check with the Tiler  Check Columns and Jewels for Labor or Refreshment;  SW Column up, the lodge is at Labor.  JW Column up, the lodge is at Refreshment.  If the Jewels are broke, the lodge is at Refreshment.  Giving the Sign at the Altar  Depending on Which Degree.

Lodge Meeting Etiquette  Addressing the Worshipful Master.  Addressed by Worshipful or Worshipful Master.  Address only the WM unless he gives permission.  Do not Address other Brethren unless requesting permission to do so.  Side Conversations During the Meeting  Hold conversations until “free from restraint” or “refreshment”.  Electronic Devices  Turn Cell Phones Off, or Silent.  Joking and Horseplay  Be Respectful of Candidate Degrees  Returning from “at ease” or “refreshment” promptly.  No joking or laughing during degrees. Candidates don’t understand.

How to Exit the Lodge  Pedestal Stations never Vacant while Lodge is at Labor.  During Refreshment periods, the Master must remain in the lodge or someone must fill in as Master if the Master needs to leave the lodge room.  Nobody Exits the Lodge while Balloting is underway.  Approach and Sign at the Altar.  If nothing is going on at the Altar.  Approach and Sign by the Door.  If something is going on at the Alter.  Always return your Apron to the Apron Stand.

Manners for Masons Outside the Lodge  Be On Time (Integrity)  Confirm Social Commitments and Appointments.  Call well ahead if you are going to be late or to reschedule or cancel.  RSVP All Invitations Promptly  Yes I/We will attend.  Thank you for your invitation.  No I/We will be unable to attend.  Thank you for your invitation.  Bring a Small Gift for Formal Event invitations.

Manners for Masons Outside the Lodge  Treat others with courtesy and respect.  Have good personal hygiene.  Have good table manners.  Be aware of special situations.  They have unique etiquette attached to them.  Send Thank You Cards/Notes, s Promptly  Reciprocate when possible, Bring something when appropriate, or ask if anything is needed.

Protocol  Channels of Communication  Brother/Brother  Seek Guidance from Coach  Lodge Officer / Master  Tiler, Chaplain or PM  Inspector  If Candidate Problem  Senior Warden / Master  Ritual Correction  Should ONLY come from Officers Coach, Coach, Senior Officer  Candidate Correction  Should ONLY come from the Coach  Prompting in Lodge  Officers coach or designated by Speaker ONLY.

Resources  Purchase a good book on Etiquette.  Other Modules available (eventually)  Tiler  Investigations  Coaching  Officer Duties  Chaplain

Famous Quotes  Manners easily and rapidly mature into morals. Horace Mann  Politeness and consideration for others is like investing pennies and getting dollars back. Thomas Sowell

Welcome Lodge 255 Masonic Etiquette Thank you