‹header›

‹date/time›

Click to edit Master text styles

Second level

Third level

Fourth level

Fifth level

‹footer›

‹#›

Introduction

The California Masonic Candidate Mentor Program has been developed from a variety of successful instructional programs now in use in several Grand Jurisdictions; including Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York and Nevada. We have freely borrowed from their publications and those of the Masonic Service Association. It is not just a Lodge that the new candidate is joining, but a global fraternity. In participating with his Lodge, he participates with a universal brotherhood of men, of like moral character, integrity, and reputation. The California Masonic Candidate Mentor Program can be used by any lodge, large or small, and all lodges are urged to adopt it. This program is urgently needed for the advancement of Masonic knowledge so vital to the candidate, and consequently; for the success of your Lodge. The Mentor does not replace the Candidate’s Coach, but working with him; can be used as a part of your Lodge’s successful education and renewal efforts. Each Candidate who petitions our Fraternity is entitled to an explanation of the history, purpose, operation, symbolism, philosophy, obligation and ideals of Freemasonry by his Counselor. This is not to be confused with the necessary coaching of his ritual memory work by his Coach for advancement in the degrees. Members advancing to responsible positions in the Lodge should have sufficient knowledge to do an effective job. Many start through the chairs shortly after becoming members and are Masters of their Lodges within a few years. Giving the new Candidate as much information as time will permit will make him a better member. As he progresses, this knowledge will better qualify him to function as an officer, should the opportunity arise for him to do so. It is necessary to support the intense interest of the Candidate right from the start, and there is no better time to do so than when he is receiving the degrees, and immediately thereafter. It is believed that this plan for Masonic Education within the Lodge will do much to further the Candidates interest and increase his desire to take an active part in the functions and activities of the Lodge The Mentoring Program consists of assigning a well educated Brother to a Candidate, to act as his mentor, educator, and companion for a period of up to one year, thereby, creating an active, educated, and working Brother.
The Mentoring Program together with the Grand Lodge of California Masonic Education material provides the necessary methodology to guarantee that every candidate and/or Brother is properly instructed in the fundamentals and workings of the Craft. The program is simple, practical, and economical. It is operated by the Lodge for the candidate. It also creates a close personal relationship between Lodge, Mentor, and our new Brother. The letter to the Mentor from the Lodge Master explains what needs to be taught. Emphasis will be given during the training to that which is esoteric ritual and cannot be improperly revealed and that, which is exoteric and can thus be disclosed. Lodge Master assigns Mentor to Candidate upon election to receive the Degrees of Masonry. The Lodge Master sends letter (sample enclosed) to Mentor, letter (sample enclosed) to Candidate and letter (sample enclosed) to Wife of Candidate, explaining and outlining the process. The Mentor should make arrangements to either drive the Candidate to the Lodge or meet him there one hour prior to the Entered Apprentice Degree. It is intended in either case that the mentor should stay with the Candidate after as well as prior to each degree. He introduces Candidate to Lodge members and makes him feel comfortable and relaxed prior to initiation. After the Entered Apprentice Degree, the “Walkabout” may be performed. (See “Walkabout”) The Mentor will then meet with the Candidate and discuss the prescribed questions concerning the Entered Apprentice Degree. One-hour prior to the Fellowcraft Degree, the Mentor will meet with the Candidate and stay with him at the Lodge until he is prepared for passing, and then after the degree to answer any immediate questions. Prior to the Master Mason Degree, the Mentor will meet with the Candidate and discuss the questions concerning the Fellowcraft Degree. He will bring the Candidate to the Lodge for his Master Mason Degree and stay with him until he is prepared for raising, and then after the degree to answer any immediate questions. After being raised to Master Mason, the Mentor will meet with the Candidate and will discuss the questions concerning the Third Degree.

The Mentor will bring the new Master Mason to at least four Lodge functions.

The Mentor will accompany the new brother on a visitation to another Lodge in their area and instruct him on the proper use of the “Test Oath”.

What is Mentoring? Is it a Program?

No, not really. Programs are single events that a Lodge might undertake. Mentoring should be going on in all Lodges, all the time. More experienced Masons should Mentor less experienced ones, Past Masters should Mentor newer officers. Is it a Process? More than a program, yes. Mentoring *should* be the rule, not the exception. When it comes right down to it, what the Masonic Education Committee has done, as a service to our Lodges, is assembled is an assortment of resources that might be used in the Mentoring process. These resources have been assembled into a book, called the Mentor’s Manual. We may call it a Program, but it really is more of a tool box. Your Lodge may not have a formal committee for it, may not call it by the same name, but the *activity* should be happening – whatever the details. If you are providing Mentoring for your new members, - wonderful! Hopefully, this Manual will be helpful, and this section will give you some new ideas. If your Lodge is NOT Mentoring, please consider starting, and we have a *sample* program that you can use as a basis for the more customized one your Lodge will eventually develop.

How does it work? What is Mentoring?

The dictionary defines a Mentor as a trusted counselor or guide, tutor, coach
And that is what a Mentor is. A counselor, guide, tutor, coach, and most of all a friend.

MENTORING PROGRAM

The *sample* Mentoring Program is structured into FOUR PHASES:

Phase I is considered the formal training. It incorporates the “Seven Steps to Masonic Light” where the Candidate meets with the Mentor (and/or Education Team if the Lodge has one) for the purpose of reading and discussing the three degree booklets comprising “A BASIC MASONIC EDUCATION COURSE” published by the California Grand Lodge Masonic Education Committee. He attends four Lodge functions with the new Brother and arranges and accompanies the new Brother on a visit to another lodge.

Phase II is a recommended meeting that can be held as part of a Lodge program or as a Mentor and Brother program. It provides material every new Mason ought to know.

Phase III provides suggested information for a continuing Masonic Education Program as part of a Lodge Communication.

Phase IV is an extra added bonus. It contains suggestions for "The Masonic Minute"; a 10 to 15 minute Education segment for every Lodge Communication.

Phase I Seven Steps To Masonic Light
Step I. Mentee is elected, Master sends letter and Mentor arranges logistics with Mentee. Mentor invites other Master Masons who know Mentee. They meet 1 hour before Degree.

Step II. Mentor meets Mentee one hour before his First Degree, makes Mentee feel comfortable and relaxed, answers questions, shows the Lodge facility (other than the lodge room itself) and introduces him to other members. Mentor remains with Mentee until Degree begins, meets again when concluded.

Step III. Mentor meets with Mentee, at home or Lodge, before Second Degree to discuss and answer questions concerning the Entered Apprentice Degree. Meet again one hour before Second Degree to discuss Opening and closing Lodge, Form and contents of Lodge, Officers and stations, method of conferring degree, how he was dressed, divestment, rings, etc. Mentor stays with Mentee until Second Degree begins, and meets again afterward.
Step IV. Mentor and Mentee meet before Third Degree for more Q & A. Mentor meets Mentee before Third Degree, shows memorabilia, library, etc. Stays until Degree begins, meet again after conclusion.

Step V. Mentor meets Mentee after Third Degree, at home or Lodge, for Q & A on Master Mason Degree, and to discuss resources of Lodge and GL.

Step VI. Mentor and Mentee attend two Stated Meetings, one Degree (preferably an Entered Apprentice), and a Social, Family, or Installation Night. Discuss recognition, visitation, List Of Lodges, Masonic. Mentor arranges for committee assignment.

Step VII. Mentor and Mentee visit another Lodge for Stated Meeting or Degree, instructs Mentee on “Test Oath”, differences and similarities between Lodges, answer questions concerning history, customs, and traditions of their Lodge, visit appendant youth orders, invites Mentee to Grand Lodge Communications.

Phase II Meeting Number Five

Phase III For The Benefit Of All Lodge Members
Phase IV The Masonic Minute

Also in the Manual

Appendix A: Sample Letters from Master Candidates, Mentors
Appendix B: To The New Mason's Lady

Appendix C: Questions to advance Masonic learning and prompt discussion

Appendix D: A Basic Masonic Education Course – Entered Apprentice booklet, Q & A

Appendix E: A Basic Masonic Education Course – Fellowcraft booklet , Q & A

Appendix F: A Basic Masonic Education Course – Master Mason booklet , Q & A

Appendix G: Walkabout

Appendix H: Lexicon of Masonic-Related Words

Appendix I: Short Talk Bulletins

What is Masonry

Diligent Inquiry

The North East Corner

Fellowcraft

Master Mason

THIS IS A **SAMPLE** PROGRAM! It is NOT set in stone, but provided as a GUIDE. Take what you find useful, and use it.

*Note: Invite ideas, contributions, sharing, suggestions. Save time for “I am the guy!”

I'm The Guy

I'm the guy who asked to join your organization. I'm the guy who paid his dues to join. I'm the guy who stood up in front of all of you and promised to be faithful and loyal.

I'm the guy who came to your meetings and no one paid any attention to. I tried several times to be friendly to some of the fellows, but they all had their own buddies they talk to and sat next to.

I sat down several times but no one paid any attention to me. I hoped very much that somebody would have asked me to take part in a fund raising project or something, but no one saw my efforts when I volunteered.

I missed a few meetings after joining because I was sick and couldn't be there. No one asked me at the next meeting where I had been. I guess it didn't matter very much to the others whether I was there or not.

The next meeting I decided to stay home and watch TV. The following meeting I attended, no one asked me where I was when the last meeting was held.

You might say I'm a good guy, a good family man who holds a responsible job, loves his community, and his country.

You know who else I am? I'm the guy who never came back!

It amuses me when I think back on how the heads of the organization and the members were discussing why the organization was losing members.

It amuses me now to think that they spent so much time looking for new members when I was there all the time.

All they needed to do was make me feel needed, wanted and welcome!

Author Unknown

Open Discussion, what is being done? How is it benefiting Lodges?