A Message from Provincial Grand Master - R.W. Bro. John Michael
Webb
It is a sad fact that recent years have seen a steady decline in the number of
Freemasons within the United Kingdom. That is not all; two further worrying
trends compound the situation. Many of our newer brethren leave within the
first 5 years of their Masonic life and the number of active masons in each
Lodge is often declining.
It is this situation that has prompted me to refresh the current Provincial
Mentoring Scheme as an integral part of the development of Freemasonry in our
Province.
The role of the Province is pivotal to the success of the scheme. I have
appointed W. Bro. John Davies APGM as my Provincial Mentor reporting to me. W
Bro John is assisted By W Bro Alan Clark APGM and is responsible for managing
the scheme and to:
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Support Lodges.
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Provide advice and guidance and training to Lodge Mentors.
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Arrange Masonic awareness and development seminars for young masons.
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Listening to Lodges' experiences.
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Provide booklets for each applicant, candidate, etc.
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Measure effectiveness of scheme in the Province.
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In future, to provide feedback to Grand Lodge.
I have requested each Lodge to embraces the scheme and appoint, or confirm the
appointment of the current Mentor, as Lodge Mentor.
The Lodge Mentor has essentially an organisational and support role. He is
responsible for the operation of the scheme and:
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To make sure that all the members of his Lodge are aware of Mentoring and what
benefits it will bring to their Lodge.
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To appoint and match individual Personal Mentors to Candidates and Initiates.
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Guide and support the initiate.
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Encourage wavering or lost members to attend Lodge meetings.
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Most importantly, try to make sure that this is all done in good heart and with
fun. Mentoring exists to help develop good masons and support your Lodge. If it
works, everyone wins, and the Lodge Mentor has the enviable position in making
that happen.
I encourage Lodges to 'publicly' appoint their Lodge Mentor at the annual
Installation Meeting, named on the summons but not as an officer of the Lodge
and to amend their ceremony of Initiation to allow the introduction of the
individual Mentor to the Candidate immediately after the 'Charge' is delivered.
The whole focus of Mentoring is to enable the new mason to grow in knowledge,
involvement and confidence in masonry so that he can benefit from and enjoy his
membership.
I do urge the Lodge to fully embrace this scheme and to give it their complete
attention.
John Michael
Webb
