MasonicMinute.com

aedifico42| The Past Master…

Posted at: 11:30 pm

What exactly is the role of the Past Master?

Mentor to members, counselor to current leaders and institutional memory.  These qualities are what we expect from those who have “been there, done that.”

But often we get interference, pettiness, jealousy and greed.  There are men out there who have a hard time letting go of the mantle of leadership…sometimes manipulating the body politic from behind the curtian.

There are, however, many Past Masters who quietly give counsel when asked…and support the current leadership among the current Craft.  They know that new members (which include young men who are more than willing to learn from their own mistakes) will make decisions which may backfire.  Instead of stopping the learning process, they wait and watch, and after the dust settles, they counsel with care.

Not all Past Masters are mature enough to let go of the control they once had, but by the same token, not all Past Masters make an effort to manipulate their Lodge years after they have vacated the oriental chair.

I have commented to my Senior Warden the following: “When I leave the East, I will not attend your first three stated meetings.  You will only see me after you have established yourself as the leader of the Lodge.”

It is a small token of respect, and a nod to his time in office.  I have granted him a warning and a blessing.  The blessing is obvious…there will be no me for folks to cry to when they don’t get their way under the new Master.  The warning is also pretty clear…it’s going to be your show pal…plan well.

This kind of love, harsh as it may seem, is far more respectful than the situation where a Past Master puts ’one of his guys’ in the line of officers, and tells him what to do through that man’s tenure in the East.  There is no respect for the one being led by the nose.  Mostly, these situations are very bad for Lodges, and can be the result of, or a warning of, some division or real factionalization in the Lodge.

Strong leadership that remembers its place is essential.  Letting the next man do his thing is a sign of respect and love.  Putting yourself in the mix, without being asked, well…that’s just crappy.

In defense of some of the Past Master interlopers, one can say ‘well, somebody has to tell that moron what to do!’ 

Balderdash.

In that situation, the manipulator usually put his guy there so he could be controlled.  The worst part is that by the end of the manipulee’s tenure, he has been ruined…by those who put him in office.

Petty politics and influence peddling is not unusual in Masonic Lodges.  We can, however, rid ourselves of this time-honored practice by being honest and open with each other.  Tell the moron that he is being manipulated.  Tell the Past Master that he is doing ill.  Call on the other Past Masters, who are patiently waiting out the current storm, and ask them to have a word with the problem people.

If we don’t take affirmative steps to solve problems when we see problems, we are just complicitors in the bad acts…and are equally culpable.

Look to the good examples of Past Masters…find them, call them, visit them.  They are the greatest and most underutilized resource that Lodges have.  Many, if not most of them, will get involved again if you ask them.  These are men who gave many many years of effort to the Craft to attain that title. 

Bring the Past Master back into Lodge, and watch the relationships between old and new enrich your Lodge.

Sometimes it only takes a phone call. 

MasonicMinute.com