Tessellated Tales - February 2012

February 2012

TESSELLATED TALES

Volume 1, Issue 3

Newsletter of the District Grand Lodge of North Island, New Zealand

A New Year Message from the District Grand Master RW Bro Brian James Westhead

I hope you all have had a pleasant Christmas break, making the best of the mixed weather our country has experienced.

Planning is also well under way for the appointment of a Board representative to each Lodge for this year, and these will be finalised at the March Board meeting.

Our Masonic year begins with lodges already preparing to hold their first meetings.

I am anticipating that as Lodges come together for the first time after the break, each of the Lodge officers will be busy preparing their programme for the coming year.

This will include the major District events, planning for a good attendance at District Communi­ cations and Port Chalmers Marine’s 150­year celebration in November. Port Chalmers brethren are well ahead in their organisation for the weekend of the 3rd November, and Lodges need to be making plans to join with them in Napier for what is looking to be a very memorable weekend.

A number of important projects will continue on this year, including the Characters of Freemasonry which will capture the story of some of the people who have shaped our Lodges and District.

As 2012 will see the start of the role of the District Grand Mentor within the District, it is great to see that in this third issue of our District Newsletter “Tesselated Tales”, a feature interview with W Bro Roger Everest, our first District appointee to this role.

What this issue is, and what it’s not!

We had been planning our next issue for April. Then it just seemed to be too long to wait, so we thought it would be opportune to bring out this “Tessellated Tales Lite” as well, just before the tempo of Masonic life begins to pick up after the so­ called “summer”. And we thought the message about mentoring just had to be rolled out to the brethren as early as possible, in order that brethren can start to take it on board in their respective Lodges.

The next issue, a fuller one as usual, will follow in a month or two.

And here’s the best bit, brethren.

You are going to contribute. Yes, you really are. Oh yes you are!

What we want are all sorts of pieces, notes, about what is going on.

Not just the “official communiqué’ stuff from the Board (though that is important too, and this newsletter aims to help in rolling information out), but real stories, ideas, triumphs and even failures.

We all need to understand better how much we have in common, not just within our respective Lodges, but around the District. In a way, it will be like a continuing Festive Board, because we’ll be meeting each other here as well as in person. You know, when you come away having enjoyed a good old chinwag. And here, you get a chance to air your opinions without any interruptions from the DC for toasts and such like! So, brethren, your e­mails please, and keep them coming.

In this, the Chinese Year of the Dragon, representing vitality and strength, may all Lodges go from strength to strength. I was very happy to see the way Remuera Lodge, assisted by a number of other Auckland Lodges, has taken the initiative to host a fund­ raising gala for the Charitable Trust in March, and I trust that it will be well supported. (Refer to the poster At District level, planning has further in the Newsletter). Perhaps other begun for the first meeting of the lodges in different parts of the District Charitable Trust and the Board of would like to look at similar projects?

General Purposes in early March, and the agendas for both these I look forward to meeting as many of you meetings will be sent out shortly. It as possible during the year, either at has been pleasing to see the new Lodge visits or at District Communications. investment policy of the I wish all brethren and their families Charitable Trust has been happiness and good health in the year Ed. implemented, and to watch the ahead.

Inside this issue on­going work being done to A Great Masonic Installation shape the future of the Yours sincerely and fraternally, administration and functioning of Brian Westhead, (Provided by W Bro Tony Mansfield) the Trust.

District Grand Master.

Mentoring Upcoming Events

Great Masonic Installation

Published in the Observer, Volume XXVII, Issue 26, on the 16 March 1907, Page 18

A GORGEOUS SPECTACLE. [BY OUR GOATIVEROUS GOLLYWOG] [Note:­Our goativerous gollywog hereby tenders his insincere apologies to the members of the Masonic craft for divulging the secrets of their order.

He had the abject pleasure of viewing the proceedings through a kink in the roof of the Choral Hall.]

The installation of Major­General J. R. Reed as District Grand Plasterer took place last Saturday at the Choral Hall.

The arrangements for this impressive ceremony were well carried out by W Bro Lieutenant­General A. S. Bankart, Deputy D.G. Plasterer, W Bro Colonel Arthur Wright, D.G. Hood­Carrier, and W Bro Lieutenant­ Major W. W. Daw, D.G. Scratcher. W Bro Admiral R. Wright Hunt, D. G. Barrel Organist, (assisted by a worshipful grand monkey kindly lent for the occasion

by Bro General Paul Hansen, D.G. Scribe), played the accompaniments while Bro. Adjutant Frank Whittaker, D.G. Chestnut Provider, played some embarrassing selections on the accordion. Bro Major T. Gresham, D.G. Skull Bearer, was present in the hope of accidents.

The D.G. Plasterer elect entered the hall on his head, having been placed in that position by a goat, kindly lent for the occasion by W Bro Captain J. M. McLachlan, D.G Goat Leader, who was leading the animal at the end of a piece of string which proved quite unable to sustain his charge, being utterly prostrated by the goat’s emotion.

On resuming an upright position the D.G. Plasterer elect opened the lodge in a very warm degree, his oration being chiefly directed at the goat. As the Major­General's speech was couched in Masonic language, it has been deemed prudent not to publish it. Some military phrases were also introduced with great and blasting effect. {Editorial Note: Our goativerous gollywog probably means “lasting” not “blasting”. The major portion of his notes was almost undecipherable, having, apparently, been written subsequent to the Masonic banquet.

This will explain several seeming

inaccuracies in what is otherwise an slaughtered as a sacrifice, according example of sweet and touching to Masonic rites. veracity.} The Deputy Grand Plasterer, W Bro On concluding his oration, the D.G. Lieutenant A. S. Bankart was then Plasterer elect retired to invest himself propelled into his seat by the Deputy with some very necessary regalia, certain Grand Goat. It is understood that W portions of his apparel having suffered Bro Bankart has lately installed some through the tactics of the goat, which extra soft cushions into his office chair. evidently did not believe in the theory of a frontal attack. The Major­General, The installation ceremony having though a military man himself, appeared been completed, a procession was to be singularly unappreciative of the formed to march to the Central Mission Hall, where W Bro the Ven. A. goat’s tactical genius.

J. Black was to give a sermon to men While the D.G. Plasterer elect was robing only upon the subject of "How to be himself in the usual regalia of sticking Happy, Though a Mason.” The plaster, the Masonic Ode “Let Brotherly Procession was headed by W Bro Love Continue And Salaries Increase” herd of elephants, followed by District was sung by W Bro Major George Grand Plasterer Right Worshipful George, D.G. Bicyclist, and W Bro Field Brother Major General Sir John Marshal L.J. Bagnall, D.G. Suppressor of Ranken Reed, V.C., D.S.O., A.D.C., Genius. The effect of this item was, K.S., K.T., K.C.M.G., etc., etc.,who however, somewhat marred by the noise rode in the ambulance, and wore a of an altercation between W Bro beautiful regalia of sticking plaster Adjutant Frank Whittaker and Bro General and lint. W Bro Adjutant F. Whittaker E. Canavan­Smith as to which was really followed, bearing the volume of the entitled to the position of Chestnut sacred chestnuts in a green frying Provider. W Bro Major F. Prime, D.G. pan. He was followed ­ with a Pacifier of Rumpuses, upon being called tomahawk ­ by W Bro Admiral S. D. in as arbitrator, award the palm to Bro Hanna, J.P., D.G. Director of Fisheries, accompanied by the D.G. Boxing Whittaker.

Kangaroo. Several other freaks of On the return of W Bro Major General nature were also present, and a John Ranken Reed, District Grand unique feature of the procession was Plasterer Elect, the warrant from the more the presence of a considerable or less Worshipful Grand Master, H.R.H. the number of Worshipful Grand Idiots, a Duke of Freeman’s Bay, was read. The type of Masonry which is rarely seen Major General was then, after the usual in public. custom, anointed with ink by Bro Rear Admiral M.R. Keesing, D.G. Ink Splasher. On arrival at the Central Mission Hall, Owing to the Major General’s military title the Ven. A. J. Black, under and warlike propensities, red ink was chairmanship of W Bro Lieutenant­ Colonel W. H. Smith, D.G. Destiny used.

Controller, preached an eloquent The Major General then rode the goat sermon. The venerable gentleman round the hall by deputy, the deputy exhorted his hearers to abstain from being W Bro Colonel W. Hooker, D.G. worldly snares, such as billiards, tennis, Director of Coffee. Bro Hooker expressed staying out late at night, etc. By himself as being greatly pained by the attending to his teaching, they would goat's behaviour and it is understood gain happiness. that the Board of Benevolence is considering the advisability of presenting At the termination of the service, a Bro Hooker with a new pair of canopies banquet was held at the Choral Hall, for his nether alleged limbs as some small the first dish being “Fricasse D.G. Goat a la Frying Pan". The termination compensation. of the banquet is fitly veiled in W Bro Commander J. H. Bradney then Masonic obscurity. sung "Let Not Honour and Truth and Concrete Virtues Forsake the Harbour The original article can be seen at: Board", after which he was skilfully http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz

Mentoring

An Interview with W Bro Roger Everest PAGDC PADGM, the newly­appointed District Grand Mentor.

Following the appointment of a Grand Mentor in London last year, and the visit of the MW Pro Grand Master during which time he encouraged our District to appoint a District Grand Mentor, ‘Tessellated Tales’ asked Bro Derek Sendrove to interview W Bro Roger Everest PAGDC PADGM. Roger was invested at the November Communications as our District Grand Mentor, and we thought you would like to read what he had to say, after all it’s not every day that a new position is created at Grand and District Grand Lodge.

Derek: Firstly, why were you appointed to this new position?

Roger: Ever since I was appointed as President of the District Board of General Purposes in 2000, I, as well as my predecessor W Bro Bill Andrew, and indeed subsequent Presidents of the Board, have been pushing the need for mentoring in our Lodges. I guess I am being given the official opportunity to practice what I have been preaching.

Derek: What is mentoring?

Roger: In two words “Brotherly inclusion”.

It means keeping an eye on a Brother’s progress through the Craft. The mentor keeps a watchful eye, answering questions when required, and just as importantly stepping in to ensure a brother is getting the best experience from his masonry and contributing to his Lodge with those ‘particular talents wherewith God has blessed him’. Some of us may be brilliant ritualists; others may have more of a social inclination. We are all different! It really is a fundamental tenet of our Freemasonry that we look after our Brethren. It doesn’t impinge on the great work our Lodge Almoners do, but rather addresses the day to day Masonic activities of our Brethren. It requires skill too, to sense when to intervene and when to back away, and how to answer the myriad of questions the inexperienced and those at risk may pose.

Derek: Where has the idea worked? How do we know that it will achieve results?

Roger: A few of our Lodges have been practicing mentoring unofficially for some time now. Other Lodges do practice it in fact, even though they may not realise it! But sadly, most of our Lodges still don’t. Those Lodges that have would, no doubt, say the idea works. I haven’t really thought about how to measure the results scientifically but I do know that not practicing it will lead to a loss of membership. Every one of us has experienced – probably first hand – the loss of a new candidate, perhaps even before he has completed his third degree.

Examples abound where we have lost members due to a lack of attention from other members of his Lodge.

Derek: How do we know it will be taken seriously and carried on after an initial launch?

Roger: Where the Lodges embrace the idea and make an effort to make it work, I am certain it will be taken seriously. If there are any cynics I would say “try it”. It is, after all, a real foundation stone of Masonry.

Derek: How do you see it working in practice in the Lodges?

Roger: I would like to see each Lodge create a new position of Lodge Mentor, much the same as our District Grand Master has done for me. This Brother would probably be an experienced Past Master – not essential but a good place to start. He would be listed as one of the Officers of the Lodge on the Summons. Ideally his name and phone number would be included on the Summons, you could say as a safety valve. He would be invested as an Officer at Installation. I guess from here on it would depend on the size of the Lodge and the number of vulnerable members as to whether he appoints individual mentors or looks after it himself.

Derek: How committed are UGLE to the concept?

Roger: The sleeping giant has woken! I would say very committed. They have appointed a Grand Mentor and were quite staunch in their support for us doing the same here. I understand that other EC Districts world wide will be ‘encouraged’ to do the same. UGLE will also be pushing the Provincial Lodges along the same path as we are. It will be very interesting to watch the feedback we get over the next few years.

Derek: How committed are the Board of General Purposes to developing mentoring in our District?

Roger: Without doubt, total commitment. I am aware of the hard work put in by our current President of the District Board, W.Bro Warren Weir, behind the scenes in getting the position of District Grand Mentor off the ground. Our Board have already introduced a form of mentoring by Board Members essentially looking at Lodge issues with which the Board can help. Clearly this next step of appointing a Lodge Mentor will tick all the boxes.

Derek: Will all English Lodges be expected to take part?

Roger: Yes, I sincerely hope so. I see this not as an imposition but as an opportunity. In my experience an imposition rarely works in Lodges.

Mentoring cont.

Derek: How will it be launched in our District?

Roger: I need to think this through.

My first reaction is that I would like to have discussions with individual Lodges, probably at a quiet meeting with few or no visitors.

Like most things in Masonry, one size doesn’t always fit all.

Upcoming Events

Derek: Does every Mason need a Mentor?

Roger: No! There are a number of Masons in our District who are completely self sufficient and already know where to go directly to resolve an issue.

Derek: I always thought a Mason should look to his proposer for advice. Why a mentor as well?

Roger: This is a good point, but quite often the proposer is young and may not know where to go for assistance. Certainly due to their friendship the proposer may well be the first port of call. Don’t forget that we are not only concerned with new candidates but others who may well need help.

Derek: How will each Mason’s mentor be chosen? What if they don’t get on?

Roger: I will leave this entirely to the Lodge Mentor to decide, after all he will have been chosen by his Lodge WM as the person most fit for the job.

Derek: Are there any other advantages to Mentoring?

Roger: No doubt all your readers have visited other Lodges and perhaps felt neglected and wondering what on earth they are doing there. How nice would it be to extend our mentoring to our visitors to ensure someone was looking after them?

Derek: I like the idea. Where to from here?

Roger: I have a lot of work to do, I know with all the support out there we will make it happen.

The next District Communications of this cations will be held in Kerikeri.

District Grand Lodge will be held at the EMC in Auckland on Saturday the 5th of Finally I would like to thank all the Board members for their continued May 2012. efforts on behalf of the District, May I remind brethren for their future especially my Vice President W Bro planning, that on the weekend of the Farouk Khan.

3rd November we will be in Taradale, Napier for the November Communi­ The Charitable Trust, and the Board cations, and to celebrate Port Chalmers of General Purposes will meet in Marine’s 150 years. I am pleased to say early March and the agenda for that the Port Chalmers brethren are well both these meetings will be sent out ahead in their planning for this shortly. weekend, and Lodges need to be making plans to join with them in what is Yours sincerely and fraternally, looking to be a very memorable Warren Weir, President, weekend.

District Board of General Purposes In 2013, the May District Communi­

If you have an interesting or amusing masonic related story you would like to share, we would like to hear from you.

Contact Us Editor: W Bro Tim Stansfield (tim.stansfield@vodafone.co.nz) Co Editor: Bro Derek Sendrove (dsendrove@gmail.com) Freemasonry Today, the Official Journal of the United Grand Lodge of England is now available online at www.freemasonrytoday.com