Masonic Etiquette Do’s and Don’ts

1. Masonic EtiquetteDo’s and Don’ts Brother Steve Fetherman Gulf Beach Lodge No. 291 In the Beautiful City of Madeira Beach, Florida October 2014

2. Masonic EtiquetteDisclaimer This is information and material researched from publications of the Grand Lodge of Florida, the Masonic Lodge of Education and the wishes of The Worshipful Master. Therefore is Official Masonic Policy on Behavior and Conduct for Members of Gulf Beach Lodge.

3. Masonic Etiquette What is Etiquette? The Random House Dictionary defines Etiquette as follows: • Noun • 1. conventional requirements as to social behavior; proprieties of conduct as established in any class or community or societyor for any occasion. • 2. a prescribed or accepted code of usage in matters of ceremony, as at a court or in official or other formal observances. • 3. the code of ethical behavior regarding professional practice or action among the members of a profession in their dealings with each other: medical etiquette. • Origin: 1740–50;  < French étiquette, Middle French estiquette  ticket, memorandum, derivative of estiqu ( i ) er  to attach, stick < Germanic. • Synonyms 1. Etiquette, decorum, propriety imply observance of the formal requirements governing behavior in polite society. Etiquette refers to conventional forms and usages: the rules of etiquette. Decorum suggests dignity and a sense of what is becoming or appropriate for a person of good breeding: a fine sense of decorum. Propriety (usually plural) implies established conventions of morals and good taste: She never fails to observe the proprieties.

4. Masonic Etiquette What is Masonic Etiquette? • There is not a great deal of published information concerning a prescribed definition of Masonic Etiquette. Information for this presentation was researched at the following: • “The Masonic Lodge of Education” • Grand Lodge of Florida booklet of “Masonic Etiquette The Lodge System of Masonic Education” 2010 • Masonic Etiquette, in general, are those good manners by which our society of fellows and brothers can best work and best agree with respect and dignity inside and outside our Lodge. • It also consists of those manners and practices concerning the fashion in which we communicate to Worshipful Master, the officers, and members of our Lodge and society. • It also includes the manner in which we behavior toward one another and within the Lodge.

5. Masonic Etiquette Where and How is Masonic Etiquette Taught? • During Mentorship of the Entered Apprentice (EA) the Junior Warden makes the first introduction of Masonic Etiquette to our newly Obligated Brothers. • Masonic Etiquette is also taught at every Stated and Called Communication in the manner in which the more learned Brethren interact with one another. • We, here at Gulf Beach Lodge in my experience, have taught Masonic Etiquette like we teach our Degree work – by observation and word of mouth from memory. • Most significantly, Masonic Etiquette is taught by our good Examples.

6. Masonic Etiquette Conforming to Masonic Etiquette • Even as a newly obligated EA it is expected that you will conform to proper Masonic Etiquette when you are in the Lodge. • The proper decorum and propriety of polite behavior is to be learned and extended to every Brother and visitor. • Observance and Imitation is the greatest form of flattery • Over the time you sit in the Lodge and observe the Brothers of this Lodge interact and communicate with one another you will observe both proper and improper Masonic Etiquette • Imitate Good Masonic Etiquette and DO NOT Imitate Bad Masonic Etiquette • Ask questions, if something is done that seems either new or unfamiliar to you and ask a more experienced Brother about it. • If you make an error in Masonic Etiquette, someone will quietly take you aside and explain how to do things in a proper manner. • This is all part of your Masonic journey • No one is perfect.

7. Masonic Etiquette There are 20 Basic Rules to Masonic Etiquette: • Walking between the Altar and the Worshipful Master • Sitting in the East • Always be Property Dressed • Speaking in Lodge • Stand When You Speak • Talking • Obey the Gavel • Turning Your Back • Saluting • Balloting is Mandatory • Voting is Mandatory • Smoking • Shouldering the Work • Correcting Verbal Errors • Exhibiting Good Posture • No Practical Jokes • Use Proper Masonic Names • Arriving After a Meeting has Begun • Entering the Lodge After a Meeting has Begun • Turn Off Cell Phones

8. Masonic Etiquette 1. Walking Between the Altar and the Worshipful Master • Brethren Do Not pass between the East and the Altar when the Lodge is Open. • Why? • As a courtesy to the Master, it is necessary that the three Great Lights shine upon the Master to help him govern the Lodge. The WM should never be in shadow from the three Great Lights, not even for a millisecond, during the processes of degree work and a stated communication.

9. Masonic Etiquette 2. Sitting in the East • Brethren Do Not sit in the East at any time unless invited even if all other seats in the Lodge are taken. • Why? • While all Brethren within a tiled room are equal to one another, the WM has labored long and hard to travel around the Lodge room, stopping at the several stations to labor, while making the journey from West to East. To casually “journey” to the East does an injustice to the WM labors. • It is the WM’s prerogative to recognize and honor a Brother’s labors and loyalty by inviting this Brother sit with him in the East. • To sit in the East uninvited is disrespectful to the WM and to be offered a seat in the East is an honor and respect from the WM.

10. Masonic Etiquette 3. Always be Properly Dressed – Part One. • Brethren should neither enter the Lodge room without an apron, nor do so while putting it on, nor tying the draw strings of their apron • Why? • In respect to the formalities of our Lodge, officers expect that the Brethren will have the courtesy to enter it fully dressed and ready for the labor. • They should not have to wait for a member to be fully "dressed," even just tying or adjusting their apron, to salute that member. It is expected that you will be properly and entirely dressed when you pass by the Tiler and enter your lodge room. Part Two • Brethren Should be properly attired during all Communications, conforming to the dress guidelines set forth by the Worship Master • Why? • Out of respect for the Worshipful, Brethren of the Lodge, and the Craft.

11. Masonic Etiquette 4. Speaking Part One • If a Brother wishes to Address the Craft with fore knowledge he should ask the Worshipful Master beforehand. • Why? • Advising the Master before the meeting that you intend to bring up a specific motion or a matter for discussion is an important courtesy. • Every WM has an agenda for every meeting and unscheduled presentation, discussion, or exhibition could be disruptive. Being recognized before hand will save "face" for both of you. • You may, indeed do so without advising him in advance, and you risk being gaveled down and embarrassing the WM. • You will not publicly be refused to speak in open Lodge.

12. Masonic Etiquette • Speaking Part Two • If a Brother wishes to Speak in Open Lodge he should stand, be recognized by the WM, address the WM and the Craft, say his piece, and sit down. • How! • You may speak after the WM has recognized you. • A Brother must Address the WM, Officers, and Brethren in a Proper Manner • To address the Brethren, you should say: • “Worshipful Master, Right Worshipfuls, Worshipfuls, Wardens and Brethren”. • If the Most Worshipful Master is in attendance, you should say: • “Worshipful Master, Most Worshipful, Right Worshipfuls, Worshipfuls, Wardens and Brethren. • Two brethren, both on their feet, simultaneously arguing a motion, who are facing each other and ignoring the Master is unacceptable. • Customs differ in various jurisdictions worldwide, in Florida it is not required to salute the WM with the duegard and sign after you are recognized to speak.

13. Masonic Etiquette 5. Stand When you Speak • No Brother should be recognized to Speak without Standing to gain the WM’s Attention, unless physically disabled. • No Brother sits while speaking in the Lodge room, no matter if he addresses the WM, an officer, or another Brother. • Why? • It is to and through the Worshipful Master as the Master of the Lodge that a Brother addresses the Craft. • It is simply a form of respect.

14. Masonic Etiquette 6. Talking • "Side" talk while a degree is being conferred is considered bad manners. • Why? • The Brethren within are laboring for benefit of the Craft, talking is a distraction, disruptive, and disrespectful. • Unnecessary talking without asking to do so shows irreverence for the proceedings. • In general silence is the rule. This also means no whispering.

15. Masonic Etiquette 7. Obey the Gavel • You must immediately obey the gavel. • Why? • As the Master of the Lodge, the WM’s word is final and he is responsible for the good order and conduct of the Lodge and Brothers within it. • The WM can put or refuse to put any motion with a rap of the gavel. • The WM can rule any brother out of order on any subject with a rap of the gavel. • When a brother is rapped down, he should obey at once, without any further discussion. It is ill mannered to ignore Gavel, to do so is Masonic offense.

16. Masonic Etiquette 8.Turning Your Back on the WM • Never turn Your back on the Worshipful Master • Why? • As a sign of Respect for the years of hard work and effort to attain the Chair of WM a Brother should always face the WM. • The exception is during Masonic Education with permission to speak for the WM

17. Masonic Etiquette 9.Saluting • Every Brother will salute the Worshipful Master when entering and leaving Lodge room. • Every Brother will salute the Ballot Box before casting his ballot • In Florida it is not necessary to Salute the WM after standing and being recognized to Speak within the Lodge. • Why? • Saluting the WM is your renewed pledge of fealty and service. It is your public display of decorum before all other Brothers of your obligation. • It shows your courteous respect for all that the WM stands for and shows that you acknowledge his authority. • A lazy, sloppy or improper salute is to be Masonically impolite and, thus, to exhibit poor Masonic etiquette.

18. Masonic Etiquette 10.Balloting • Every Brother of a Lodge must ballot when called upon to do so • No one leaves the Lodge room during balloting except the JD to replace the Tiler so that he may Ballot. • Each Brother salutes the Ballot box before casting his Ballot • Why? • Not to cast a Ballot for a petitioner, when you are present, is a failure of the basic duties and right of a Master Mason. Not balloting is discourteous and can skew a ballot • Leaving the Lodge during Balloting could corrupt the ballot by permitting unlearned eyes from witnessing the ballot or permitting undo influence upon the ballot by exposing a Brother to someone else’s opinion. • Each brother salutes the Ballot box as a sign of respect for the sanctity and integrity of the Ballot.

19. JD SD M M Masonic EtiquetteBalloting • The Members of the Lodge form parallel lines on the North and South of the Altar facing West in single file • When Called upon by the Senior Deacon, face toward the Senior Deacon, walk up to his side, face the altar/ballot box • Approach the Ballot Box, Salute with the Duegard and Sign, back off and return to your seat.

20. Masonic Etiquette 11.Voting is Mandatory • When a motion or issue is put to show of hands vote every Master Mason must vote as it is one of your Masonic Rights and Duties. • Why? • A Brother must vote either fore or against an issue, a non-vote is not counted by the Secretary. • No matter what reason you may privately hold about voting, it is poor Masonic Etiquette to fail to vote when requested to do so by the WM.

21. Masonic Etiquette 12. No Smoking in the Lodge • There is no smoking in the Lodge or the downstairs areas of Gulf Beach Lodge. • The designated smoking area for Gulf Beach Lodge is outside the front door and the Lodge has provided a Butt Kit at that location for this Purpose or Field Strip your Butts • Why? • Our Lodge Constitution and Grand Lodge of Florida edicts forbid it.

22. Masonic Etiquette 13.Shouldering the Work • Every Brother of the Lodge should endeavor to participate in the labors of the Lodge be they ceremonial, intellectual, educational, or physical. • If you volunteer to perform a task, complete it to the best of your abilities. • Why? • Out of respect for the WM a Brother should eagerly accept tasks from the WM, if within the length of your cable tow. • There is much work involved in the smooth and effective running of Gulf Beach Lodge. The WM requires, as do his officers, assistance from time to time in the execution of these arduous labors. • Many hands makes the work easier and smaller.

23. Masonic Etiquette 14.Correction of Errors • The correction of errors, particularly verbal errors, is the responsibility of the WM or his designee. • Corrections should be made upon request and quietly. • This is particularly so during Degree work. • Why? • It is discourteous and can be embarrassing to be publically corrected in open Lodge • Open and verbal correction can disrupt the sanctity of degree. • During degrees most candidates are yet uninformed and will not recognize the errors.

24. Masonic Etiquette 15. Exhibit Good Posture • Unless physically inhibited a Brother should reflect good and attentive posture while in the Lodge. • Why? • Because your Mother would tell you to “SIT UP STRAIGHT!”

25. Masonic Etiquette 16.No Practical Jokes • There are to be no practical jokes or unnecessary levity during degree work. • Why? • The great lessons of Masonry, which are taught by our rituals, should never be demeaned by levity or pranks. • The lodge room is neither the proper location for the telling of practical jokes, pranks, horseplay nor off-color jokes.

26. Masonic Etiquette 17.Use Proper Masonic Names • Whenever possible use a Brother’s proper Masonic title and Christian or Family name when addressing a Brother, an Officer, the WM, or the Craft. • Why? • It is common courtesy to be accurate in speaking a Brother’s name, so it is proper Masonic Etiquette to address officers, members, and visitors by their correct Masonic titles and addresses. • It also helps teach our younger Masonic Brothers the titles and names of our more senior members

27. Masonic Etiquette 18.Arriving After the Meeting has Begun • Whenever possible we shall arrive before the beginning of a Stated and Called Communication • After your late arrival, ensure your are properly dressed and report to the Tiler, he shall attend to your admission into the Lodge Room. • Why? • As a Common Courtesy to the WM and the Brethren of Gulf Beach Lodge to be on time.

28. Masonic Etiquette 19.Entering the Lodge Room After the Meeting has Begun • Whenever possible a Brother shall arrive before the beginning of a Stated and Called Communication • When your Cable Tow prevents an on-time arrival please adhere to the following: • After Reporting to the Tiler and he gaining your admission into the Lodge Room; advance to the edge of the tessellated border west of the alter. Salute the Worshipful Master with the appropriate Duegard and sign. Quietly and quickly proceed to the nearest seat available. • If the Meeting is not at pause, step inside the outer door face the Senior Warden, wait for him to stand and face you, and then salute him with the proper duegard and sign. Quietly and quickly proceed to the nearest seat available. • The salute should always be given properly and not in a careless or perfunctory manner. • Why? • As a Common Courtesy to the WM and the Brethren of Gulf Beach Lodge

29. Masonic Etiquette 20. Turn off your Cell Phone • All cell phones should be turned off before entering the lodge room as not to disrupt the proceedings. • If your Cable Tow Requires you to keep your cell phone on your person in the Lodge, put it in silent vibrate mode • Why? • As a Common Courtesy to the WM and the Brethren of Gulf Beach Lodge.

30. Masonic Etiquette • Aged and Infirm Brethren: Special attention is to be paid to those Brethren that are aged and infirm. Visit them, assist them in moving about the Lodge, with Dressing for Lodge, with the Balloting, and with their transportation to and from Communications. • Ante-Room: Special attention to proprieties and Masonic customs should be observed in the Lodge’s Ante-Room. This of particular note in the presence of Candidate and during the preparation of Brethren for degrees. It is the Tyler’s Duty to so enforce this Etiquette. • Your Apron: The Grand Lodge of stipulates that all aprons shall be plain white cotton, linen, leather, or sheep’s skin. • Addressing a Brother: In the Lodge and face-to-face one may refer to another as “Brother John Doe.” Correspondence is address to the “Honorable John Doe.” • Grand Honors: Grand Honors shall be conducted for all visiting Deputy District Grand Masters, Grand Masters, and Recipients of 50 year Service awards.

31. Masonic Etiquette • Funerals: In the unfortunate circumstance of the passing of a Brother, the following Etiquette is to and can be observed: • A Lodge of Mourning is Opened to provide our Brother his last Masonic Rites and Masonic Internment. • At the grave site a Masonic procession is conducted. No smoking, Loud Talking, Joking, Frivolity, or Laughter should be heard from any Brother participating in these ceremonies. • No Brother participating shall leave the line during these ceremonies. • The WM can place the Lodge in Mourning for a 30 Day period and the Charter or Warrant may be draped in black mourning cloth for the same period. • Speeches: All speeches of a political, sectarian, and controversial are prohibited within the Lodge. • Visitors: It is Gulf Beach Lodge Etiquette to warmly greet all visitors to our Lodge down stairs as well as in the Lodge room. A certain friendly grip with a “Welcome to Gulf Beach Lodge” accompanied by a smile has been our tradition for years. This what separates us from many other Masonic Lodges.

32. Masonic Etiquette Summary • Masonic Etiquette is simply the rules of good manners that makes Gulf Beach Lodge Great place to be a Brother. • The WM is the Boss. • Masonic Etiquette is the formal vehicle to ensure we endeavor to best work and best agree. • Masonic Etiquette is also Comprised of the Unique Gulf Beach Lodge Practices, Ceremonies, and Proprieties. • Masonic Etiquette is just plain Good Manners and implies observance of our proper behavior in polite society and instills the sense of what is appropriate and in good taste. • Masonic Etiquette reflects the spirit of brotherly love and affection, by which we are bound together. • Masonic Etiquette exemplifies from all outward appearances that… “…we are upright men and Masons.” • It is my hope that you will use your trowel to cement the stones of Brotherly love and affection for the “More Noble and Glorious Purpose” of exhibiting these rules of Masonic Etiquette toward all our Masonic Brethren, especially those of here at Gulf Beach Lodge.

33. Questions?