MASONIC LEADERSHIP TRAINING Planning Your Year Agenda Introductions

MASONIC LEADERSHIP TRAINING Planning Your Year

Agenda • Introductions • Time Management • Planning Your Year • Eight Step Planning Process • Workshop Topics • Publications

Introductions • Your Masonic Leadership Training Team • Honored Guests • Attendees • Name • Lodge & Location • Title and Position, if any

General Info • Restrooms • Cell phones/PDA’s • Sign-In Sheets

Resources • Florida Digest of Masonic Law • Lodge Officers Handbook • Masonic Leadership Training Manual • Lodge Secretary Administrative Guide (GL 215) • Worshipful Master’s Program Notebook (GL 218)

Time Management • The Lodge is yours for 365 days, 8760 hours and 585, 600 minutes • Master your own schedule or let it master you • Schedule a portion of each day for Lodge business • No phones, visitors, distractions (ask wife to watch kids)… • Pass schedule to your Officers so they know • Keep updated priority list of things to do each day • Keep any calls during this time short and to the point • Don’t procrastinate & follow your set times

Time Management, cont • Waiting for perfection cause missed timeframes, you may never have all the information • Learn to say No – you can’t accomplish everything everyone wants to do • Be decisive – delaying causes waste of valuable time, don’t revisit past decisions • Delegate, you can’t do everything • Make and keep appointments – your time is important and those you spend it with • Cross examine and re-evaluate your time management

Planning Your Year • Four ways to help your Lodge Enlist the commitment and participation of your Brothers and Officers • There are many activities outside that compete for the attention of today’s men, how many can you fulfill at your Lodge • Plan activities and events that are rewarding to your members • Involving your Officers ensures consistency over the years and leaves the Lodge in good shape when you leave the East •

8 Step planning process • 1 - Worshipful Master’s Direction • When I have completed serving as Worshipful Master, I want the year to be remembered for… • 2 - Every member has something to offer and in return, they desire: • • • To meet new friends To have fun To feel proud To be well led A role for their family A Lodge active in the community

8 Step planning process, cont • 3 - Identify key areas of work • Meet with your incoming Wardens and identify key areas • Each of the Senior Officers individually plans their year in the East • Ensues continuity • Promotes long term goals • Create a Planning Team • • Effective Past Master Businessman or Owner Recently-joined, young Mason Effective committee chairman Skilled financial planner Experienced planner Good communicator Interested member

8 Step planning process, cont • Brainstorming • • • Strengths & weaknesses Meetings Work Fellowship Membership Community service Communications with Members Fundraising Prioritize results & identify current and out years

8 Step planning process, cont • 4 - Refining the plan This planning team consists of key members excited and committed to achieve their goals • The members of the planning team will make excellent members of committees to implement the plans • Involving your Wardens (especially the items marked for future years) ensures a long range plan for success of your Lodge •

8 Step planning process, cont • 5 - Preparing the initial calendar • • • Have Wardens draft their own as guidelines for their term Add top priority items from Planning Team Add historical Lodge activities (meetings, dinners…) Add Grand Lodge activities & events Add Masonic charities (MMRL, Child ID, etc. ) Additional items PRN (civic, military, etc. )

8 Step planning process, cont • 6 – The final plan Bring the three calendars into one document (Incoming WM & Wardens) to present to the craft • Enlist assistance to head or sit on committees in support of the calendar • • 7 – The big announcement • Present your plan to the craft • • • Make copies for the members Print out a one page calendar on the back of the trestleboard Hand it out at installation Place it on the Lodge’s web site Send in an e-mail to the members

8 Step planning process, cont • 8 – Launch the plan • Appoint committees to support the plan • • • Talent and abilities of the member Interest in the committee Responsibility Willingness and ability to devote the time necessary Ambition for leadership, teamwork Only one event per night (no widows & PM night) • Allow sufficient lead time to organize the event • Plan event around purpose (widows’ lunch vs. dinner as many do not like to be out at night) •

8 Step planning process, cont Food – type and style (hint – work closely with your JW) Location (how accessible for widows’ night) Plan theme for the event Invitations & coordination for attendees Entertainment Call & remind guests a week (or less) in advance of the event • Logistics (supplies purchased, Bldg opened early, greeters placed) • Make the guests feel welcome • Send thank-you letters after the event • • •

Publications • Grand Lodge planning publications GL-218 Worshipful Master’s program book • GL-215 Lodge Secretary’s administration guide • • Masonic Renewal Committee of North America (MRC) www. masonic-renewal. org Masonic Leaders planning guide • Getting set for success • 101+ Ways to Improve Interest and Attendance in your Lodge • 75 Ways to Attract and Retain New Members •

Questions?

The End • Thanks for Attending!!