I have heard Masons let out a huge sigh of relief when their term was up as Master of their lodges . They state how much of a burden was on their shoulders and micromanaged their entire year , they either had too or wanted too . Now I love being Master . I have no problems making decisions , I read and stay up on my lodge by-laws and our constitution and , if I may so myself , am a pretty darn good ritualist . One thing I do not do is micromanage , I expect and allow my officers to do their jobs without looking over their shoulders , I will stay up to date with my committees between meetings but I do not constantly nag them as I expect them to do their jobs also . Good officers should make your time in the East a joy , good committee members should perform the tasks they have either volunteered or been appointed . Who found their time in the East enjoyable and who was glad that it was over when their term was up ?
Y'ever notice how, after you get rid of hiccups, you 'miss' them? I was pretty uncomfortable the first few months in the East, but got more accustomed and really enjoyed it. I feel I miss it, in that I wish, when a Master is going to be absent, he would invite me to preside in his place. But...unlike some PMs, I didn't wait until April to show my face in Lodge! S&F
Not having "officially" served time in the Oriental Chair, I dont know what it is like...............BUT... I would imagine if I gave it 110% I believe I would be happy and wouldnt mind the honor of serving as needed......
I haven't made it but I'm planning on serving my lodge likes EA's shoudl serve their masters!!!! To be honor by my lodge will be outstanding and I've listend to enough of the PM's I've run into that it goes by much too quick and to enjoy it.
Now that is funny . We have been lucky , most all of our last Past Masters in the last few years have remained active after their terms were up .
I loved my year as Master. I was so busy and had so much fun. I was honored with many firsts for my Lodge and my State. I wish I hadn't missed as many meetings as I did because of work, but my Senior Warden was amazing and helped out so much. I also had an amazing Secretary too.
The current Master and I had a discussion when I was deciding if I was going into the line. He told me he would not be around for a couple of months after the new Master is installed so that the lodge would become the new Master's. It drove him crazy when the past Master would sit on the sidelines and the members would turn to him rather than the current Master so he is going to avoid this situation by stepping aside for a while.
An excellent tradition. The implications made me smile. Such a graceful solution to a thorny problem.
Not sure if its tradition or not, but my lodge did that as well this past year. However, the Past Master has not yet showed up to a degree, even to be the Tyler.
I really enjoyed my time as Master (two years straight) because I had 2 officers drop out of the line behind me. I didn't sweat it though, I was comfortable and continued on with my plans. My guess is, once my kids are a bit older, I'll go back through, and maybe be Master again someday/some year
If it were not for other duties I am bound to I would have been Master of the Lodge of Research, but alas next year...maybe...if I stay in Idaho. At the installation, the Marshall said "who has been kicked out of the Lodge as Tyler for the ensuing Masonic year" instead of appointed. It's a good tradition and no Master has yet complained about getting a nice break. We still stay active though. When I'm home I usually give the 1st and 3rd lecture. It really is
