[FF Sparky]

My Lodge installed our officers a couple weeks ago making me a Marshal this year. Our Newly elected WM who was our acting WM for the previous year and did a wonderful job of filling the shoes on no notice was installed as his Shriner Clown character. Just the make up and wig, he still wore the tuxedo. Last night we had the GL entourage show up. It was originally a scheduled visit from them, but turned into a visit for a different reason.

The situation ended up being that the GM was not happy with our WM being installed with the Clown makeup on. He said he wasn't asked first(which he says he would have said no), but then said it was because of the picture in our Tresleboard with no explaination of why there was a clown in it.

He was very surprised that every officer and lodge member stood up for our WM, and he did mention this.

I don't agree with his first reasoning about not asking him, but I do see the second. I suggested going into the online TrestleBoard and putting in a paragraph explaining the Shriner Clown, the reasons for it and how it is linked to Freemasonry. I think it could be a good thing and not a bad.

Any Thoughts?

[Ashlar2006]

Need more information as to why he was wearing clown make up in a Masonic Lodge during something as important as officer installation . From your post I do not understand why he was wearing it in a lodge in the first place ( well I do not understand why one would wear it in a lodge , period) . Was he giving a talk on the Clown Unit of the Shrine ? Was he wearing it in support of the Clown Unit ?

[FF Sparky]

I see your point. He is very involved with the Shriner Clowns. Does partys and parades and special events. He is very good people and everyone that was there for the semi-public installation understood the reason of the clown makeup. It is what he is and how he is. He is bringing change into our lodge( long over due). Making it more family and social oriented. I didn't anything bad of it.

Shriners are an appendent body of Blue Lodge.

[Custer148]

Originally Posted by FF Sparky

My Lodge installed our officers a couple weeks ago making me a Marshal this year. Our Newly elected WM who was our acting WM for the previous year and did a wonderful job of filling the shoes on no notice was installed as his Shriner Clown character. Just the make up and wig, he still wore the tuxedo. Last night we had the GL entourage show up. It was originally a scheduled visit from them, but turned into a visit for a different reason.

The situation ended up being that the GM was not happy with our WM being installed with the Clown makeup on. He said he wasn't asked first(which he says he would have said no), but then said it was because of the picture in our Tresleboard with no explaination of why there was a clown in it.I don't agree with his first reasoning about not asking him, but I do see the second. Any Thoughts?

From your Grand Master's point of view -- any time something is done in Blue Lodge, I can speak only for Nebraska (ie. installing an elected officer out of time, or installing a clown character as Master) that goes against the way things are traditionally done - permission is supposed to be first obtained from him to do this. He, as GM has the right to refuse said permission. This installation was completed, and then pictures were posted on a public website. He may have felt that this was a "slap in the face" of his reign as GM and felt that it was necessary to visit your lodge and find out why proper procedure was not followed.


IMHO -- I also wonder why your Master thought it necessary to dress as his Shrine clown character in Blue Lodge for Officer Installation. Is he going to attend every regular and special communication as this Shrine Clown? By all rights it was his clown character that was installed as Master not the un-made-up man.

I fully understand your GM being upset, I also understand your point of view.

[dajofa]

I think it insults the position of Master, the tradition of the installation and the GM.

Shriners are indeed an appendent body of Blue Lodge, but, the top tier of Blue Lodge Masonary is the Master Mason not Shriners. I feel the decorum of the Master Mason Lodge should be followed and that Shriner decorum should be "left" in the Shriner Lodge. Indeed, I doubt that all of the MM's in the lodge during the installation where Shriners so it may have also been an insult to them and thier tenents as MM's.

I am not a Shriner but am working my way there through the various rites so I really cannot say what is and is not Shriner decorum.

Dave

[jaya]

@Dave, you only have to be a MM to join the shrine.

The lodge is not the shrine and he should not been in clown face. We are on the level in life. Dressing as a clown puts him different than the rest.

[removed12612]

I can understand the GM POV..... this was a Lodge Event and not a Shrine Event. I do also understand the ideas of the WM...just bad timing thats all.....I dont believe he did it maliciously.

AND FYI....according to the Shrine International....they are NOT an appendant body...they are totally independent and a sovereign entity. Being an "appendant" body would put them under the governance of the Grand Lodge in each state and subject to various rules and regulations. ( Freemasons For Dummies: Special Order Issued by Shriners in Arkansas Battle )

[Duncan1574]

Originally Posted by fireman99

I can understand the GM POV..... this was a Lodge Event and not a Shrine Event. I do also understand the ideas of the WM...just bad timing thats all.....I dont believe he did it maliciously.

AND FYI....according to the Shrine International....they are NOT an appendant body...they are totally independent and a sovereign entity. Being an "appendant" body would put them under the governance of the Grand Lodge in each state and subject to various rules and regulations. ( Freemasons For Dummies: Special Order Issued by Shriners in Arkansas Battle )

Independent group that, currently, has a requirement of a MM in good standing (At least in Wisconsin).

[removed12612]

Originally Posted by Duncan1574

Independent group that, currently, has a requirement of a MM in good standing (At least in Wisconsin).

Correct...."INDEPENDENT" is the optimal word..... I believe the Shrine International is attempting to make that word clear....

[PatrickWilliams]

Originally Posted by fireman99

Correct...."INDEPENDENT" is the optimal word..... I believe the Shrine International is attempting to make that word clear....

Erk. The system just ate a very nice reply I had written. Oh, well, here we go again ...

And the Grand Lodges of more than one state are making it equally clear that the Shrine IS an appendent organization, not an independent one. As long as a Grand Master may declare the Shrine clandestine and the membership of the Shrine comes exclusively from the Blue Lodge, then the Shrine is not, and cannot be, an independent organization. Pure and simple. I know that Shrine International doesn't like this much, but it is the simple truth.

Now, back to the thread of this discussion, already in progress ... For a new Master (or an old one) to appear at an installation in the character of a clown is simply inappropriate. An installation of officers is a solemn event and one where we present the 'face of Freemasonry' to the public. And particularly in light of the Shrine's claim to 'independence', well ... you know what I have to say about that.