The Trestle Board
How To Grow & Strengthen Your Lodge
- ATTEND AS MANY MEETINGS & FUNCTIONS AS POSSIBLE
- SHOW UP EARLY, STAY LATE.
- SUPPORT & PARTICIPATE.
- READ, STUDY, LEARN, DRILL, DISCUSS, TEACH, GROW, IMPROVE.
- BE PREPARED! BE OFF BOOK. KNOW THE RITUAL AND DUTY OF 3 CHAIRS: LEARN THE ONE ABOVE YOU; KNOW THE ONE YOU OCCUPY & THE CHAIR SUBORDINATE TO YOU. TEACH THIS SAME PRACTICE TO ALL OFFICERS.
- STRENGTHEN THE CHAIN. COMMIT TO IMPROVING THE LIVES OF EVERY OFFICER AND BROTHER YOU MEET.
- LIVE MASONRY OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE LODGE, 24/7, 365.
- ACCEPT AN OFFICE, TAKE A ROLE, VOLUNTEER, AND DO YOUR BEST!
- ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES AND HELP OUT! STAY HUMBLE....GIVE BACK.
- ABANDON ALL EGO AND FOOLISH PRIDE.
- INVITE AND INVOLVE CANDIDATES AND BROTHERS ALIKE. ENCOURAGE THEM TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THE LODGE & THEIR JOURNEY.
- AVOID THE "RUMOR MILL" AND AVOID GOSSIP.
- BUILD ON THE STRENGTHS OF OTHERS. ENCOURAGE PASSION AND NEW IDEAS.
- ALL HANDS ON DECK! MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK.
- NEVER SPEAK NEGATIVELY ABOUT AN OFFICER OR COMMITTEE MEMBER.
- BUILD UP THE OFFICERS OR COMMITTEE MEMBERS TO THE BRETHREN.
- PAY YOUR DUES IN ADVANCE, AND DONATE OFTEN.
- TREAT EACH OTHER LIKE FAMILY; WITH THE HIGHEST REGARD, ESTEEM, AND RESPECT.
- PLAN, PRACTICE, PREPARE, AND PERSEVERE.
- HONOR THE PAST, PRESERVE THE CULTURE AND TRADITION OF THE LODGE.
- LEAD BY EXAMPLE. BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE IN THE LODGE.
- ASK NOT WHAT FREEMASONRY CAN DO FOR YOU; BUT ASK WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR FREEMASONRY.
- FOLLOW THE CODE: THE GREAT LIGHTS, THE OBLIGATIONS, CHARGES, OLD CHARGES, ANCIENT LANDMARKS, TRIAL CODE, GRAND LODGE CODE, BY-LAWS, MONITORS, CEREMONIES, LECTURES, AND SEVERAL RITUALS OF FREEMASONRY SHOULD BE YOUR CONSTANT GUIDE; YOUR MODIS OPERANDI; YOUR STANDARDS OF OPERATING PROCEDURES. IF YOU DISAGREE, STUDY THE CODE AND TAKE THE PROPER STEPS, WITHIN THE PROPER VENUE, TO CHANGE THEM.
- BE POSITIVE; NEVER SEE A SITUATIUON AS IMPOSSIBLE. ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE, OVERCOME EVERY OBSTACLE, AND PRODUCE POSITIVE RESULTS THAT BENEFIT EVERYONE.
- EMBODY DUE ORDER AND DECORUM. FOLLOW PROPER PROTOCOL AND ETIQUETTE. AVOID PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS DURING MEETINGS AND DEGREES.
- NEVER HARBOR PIQUES OR QUARRELS AGAINST ANY BROTHER. GO TO HIM. SOLVE THE ISSUE. MAKE AMENDS. HEAL ALL WOUNDS. STRENGTHEN THE BOND.
