Clo information booklet final version 2017

Province of East Kent

CHAPTER LIAISON OFFICER Information Booklet

JOHN BAKER

Introduction Any organisation whether in the private, public or voluntary sector achieves more when everyone in it is working together towards a ‘common cause’ In the Province of East Kent our ‘common cause’ is strengthening membership in the Craft and the Holy Royal Arch, both of which are inextricably entwined by the ‘indissoluble link’.

The strength of our membership has a fundamental impact on everything we do, it enables us to run our Lodges, Chapters and our Province effectively, achieve our charitable goals for Masonic and Non-Masonic causes, and make freemasonry enjoyable for us all.

As far as the Holy Royal Arch is concerned the key players involved in strengthening membership are Craft Chapter Liaison Officers, and Chapter Almoners/Membership Officers. Chapter Liaison Officers have a responsibility to enlighten and enthuse Brethren about the Holy Royal Arch and encourage them to join the Order, while Chapter Almoners/Membership Officers have the responsibility of ensuring that every Companion receives the necessary help and support to enable them to fully enjoy it.

However we must not forget that everyone has a role in attracting and supporting new Companions, as well as retaining those we already have. We need to attract new candidates with the appropriate attributes as opposed to recruiting at any cost. It’s not just about quantity it’s about identifying the right people; identifying the most appropriate Chapter for them; identifying the appropriate time for them to be exalted; and supporting and guiding them through the recruitment process, which includes protecting them from being unduly pressured by others to join Royal Arch Masonry.

It is within this context that the booklet has been written; it contains no magic solutions but aims to provide a focus for the efforts of Chapter Liaison Officers in understanding and carrying out their role. It contains ideas and suggestions, which hopefully will be of assistance. We hope that in due course these can be expanded through the sharing of good practice and feedback will therefore be welcome.

Key Elements of the Role Positively promoting the Holy Royal Arch.

Promoting the Holy Royal Arch is one of the key elements of a Chapter Liaison Officer’s role and there are a number of basic things that can be done to help achieve it, these include:    

Putting the name and contact details of the Chapter Liaison Officer as a standard item on the Lodge Summons, Including the initials “RA” on the Summons after the names of those members, who are also Holy Royal Arch Companions, (better still curiosity can be stimulated by including each Member’s Chapter Rank).

Including a Royal Arch Report on the Agenda in the Lodge Summons also helps reinforce the relevance and importance of the Order.

If as a Chapter Liaison Officer, you happen to be seated next to a Brother who has





not yet joined the Holy Royal Arch, this provides an ideal opportunity for you to start a conversation with him about the Order.

Exploring the possibility of holding joint social events between Lodges and Chapters, which are designed to promote closer ties between them, such as a ‘Red Table’ meeting, can be beneficial. Some Provinces even host an annual ‘Dine a Master Mason’ evening to promote close ties between the Craft and the Holy Royal Arch.

Even though the importance of the Chapter Liaison Officer is clearly acknowledged, it is important to stress to all Companions that they should be able to demonstrate they are proud to be Members of the Holy Royal Arch and accept a responsibility for promoting it.

Taking wine at the Festive Board with Companions is a relatively widespread custom throughout many Provinces, but unfortunately it has caused embarrassment and discomfort to some Brethren, particularly so to former Companions or to others who have a firm intention not to join our Order. These difficulties have from time to time been exacerbated by thoughtless jokes and humour at the expense of those who are not Companions. A number of variations of this ‘Wine Taking’ have been tried with a view to making it less divisive, but none totally resolve the discomfort that is caused. Accordingly in the Province of East Kent the practise is not encouraged.

Making sure that Initiates are aware of the existence of the Holy Royal Arch, particularly at an early stage of the recruitment process.

All potential initiates to the Craft should be made aware of the Holy Royal Arch as early in the recruitment process as is practicable, so that it doesn’t come as a ‘surprise’ after they’ve joined a Lodge or when they become Master Masons. They need to know that they will be encouraged to join the Holy Royal Arch at a time, which is right for them and understand that all Master Masons may become Royal Arch Masons 28 days after being raised to the third Degree.

In addition it is important to ensure that when a Master Mason receives his Grand Lodge Certificate, he is presented with the Grand Superintendent’s Letter and the Holy Royal Arch Booklet, (The Provincial Office sends these to the Lodge Secretary). Whoever is presenting the Certificate should introduce you to the recipient, but if by any chance this doesn’t happen, introduce yourself.

Being able to explain, in simple terms, the role and relevance of the Holy Royal Arch in Freemasonry and in particular its relationship to the Craft.

In the Royal Arch, we are invited to reflect and contemplate on our own spiritual well being and our individual relationship with God in whatever form our Supreme Being presents himself to us. In the three Craft Degrees, we illustrate our teachings through the reenactment of the building of King Solomon’s Temple. In the Royal Arch, we adorn that magnificent edifice with spiritual awareness and meaning. The Holy Royal Arch provides the vehicle by which the last part of the journey through Pure Ancient Masonry is completed. It is not seen to be an optional extra but the means by which a Master Mason completes his basic Masonic knowledge and experience. Appendix A provides more comprehensive information from Supreme Grand Chapter.

Providing appropriate support for potential Holy Royal Arch candidates.

A Master Mason’s Personal Mentor will know him well and it’s important to liaise with him

as to when the time is right to take the step of joining the Holy Royal Arch. This may be a matter of months or even a number of years. Discreetly ensure that Lodge Members understand there is no virtue in a Candidate joining the Holy Royal Arch when the time is not right for him, and likewise it makes no sense for him to join a Chapter, which is not suitable for him. At all times it should be the interests of the potential Candidate that are paramount, and not the interests of the Chapter. If, after being exalted, a Companion leaves the Holy Royal Arch because of disillusionment it will not only have an adverse effect on him but also on his friends. In this scenario everyone loses, the individual, the Chapter, and the Holy Royal Arch in general.

Reporting on Royal Arch Matters at Lodge meetings.

Give a short report or presentation on Royal Arch matters at each Lodge meeting, making sure that it’s meaningful and helps to remind Brethren of the special place that the Royal Arch occupies in Craft Masonry. Look at the Provincial Website for news, which may be of interest or relevance to the Brethren, (avoid giving news which will only be of specific interest to those who are already members of the Holy Royal Arch). Local news, which relates to Members of your Lodge, will be of most interest, but also include any relevant news from Province or Supreme Grand Chapter. A regular report, which is repetitive or gives little information, is not really desirable.

Identifying Brethren who are not Royal Arch Masons and providing encouragement to them as prospective candidates.

A simple first step is to observe which of your Brethren are not wearing a Royal Arch Breast Jewel in Lodge Meetings. Discrete enquiries of fellow Companions in the Lodge is another useful approach. Talk to the individuals who are not members, and keep a note of their reasons for not joining; remember their circumstances may change.

Maintaining up to date information about Lodge Members who are Members of the Holy Royal Arch in order to complete the Annual CLO Installation Report Creating and maintaining an up to date list of all Lodge Members, indicating those who are not members of the Holy Royal Arch, provides the simplest way of knowing those to whom you need to talk. A sample Membership Register Form is shown at Appendix B. Maintaining this basic information will help you to:  

Look further at every individual’s situation and assess their potential interest in being Exalted into the Order. In the first instance this will help you to target your efforts to most effect.

Accurately complete the annual CLO Installation Report.

However, it must be emphasised that maintaining and using such a list should be undertaken with the utmost discretion. Nothing is more likely to undermine your endeavours than a belief by the Brethren that you are maintaining clandestine records of their activities and thoughts.

Providing information and promotional material.

Promotional booklets about the Holy Royal Arch are available from the Provincial Office and should be available from dispensers situated in each Masonic Centre. Keep a stock of Application for Exaltation Forms, assist candidates to fill them in and if necessary help to find a Proposer and Seconder. Have a Provincial Year Book handy to provide dates, place of meetings, and the address of the Scribe E to which the completed Form is to be sent.

(Bear in mind that you may be doing many of the things, which a Proposer for an Exaltee should normally do, Indeed you may even end up being his Proposer yourself!). Notify any Chapter in which the Candidate expresses an interest, so the Scribe E can deal promptly with any application.

Encourage those Brethren who express an interest in the Holy Royal Arch to explore all available sources of information.

Inform them of events such as the ‘Talking Heads’ presentation, the Provincial Pamphlet on the Holy Royal Arch, the Supreme Grand Chapter Website, the East Kent Provincial Website, other Provincial Websites and the Freemasonry Today Website etc.

Understanding the rationale for directing a potential Exaltee to the most suitable Chapter.

Chapter Liaison Officers should not be seen to be solely as recruiters for their own Chapters, although there will be an obvious temptation to recommend such a course. It is important to consider which Chapter(s) may best suit the Candidate (dates, places of meeting, etc.), consider also any Chapters, which have a special need for Candidates by assessing and recognising all the appropriate factors and, if necessary, arrange for a suitable Proposer and Seconder.

Responding to enquiries about the Holy Royal Arch and answering questions. 

At what point in my Masonic career should I seek Exaltation?

The Royal Arch Regulations state that no Candidate shall be exalted until he has been a Master Mason for at least four weeks, but there are differing opinions as to the optimum point in time at which this should take place. One view is that it is best for a Master Mason to be exalted as early as possible. The reasons for supporting this view are that it gives the new Companion time to sit back and absorb the working of the Royal Arch before achieving the Master’s Chair in his Craft Lodge. The teachings of the Royal Arch will also be of benefit to him in his appreciation and understanding of his Craft Masonry. The other view is that it is preferable to allow a Master Mason to concentrate solely on progressing through the Offices in his Craft Lodge before he is exalted. It is for each Brother to choose the best route for him as long as over time, he joins the Royal Arch! The most sensible answer is that it all depends on the personal time, which the individual has to allocate to his masonry, and his personal inclination to further his Masonic knowledge.



What is this greater understanding of Freemasonry, which is to be found in the Royal Arch?

If you think about the Third Degree, the Lodge is opened with the stated intention of seeking the genuine secrets of a Master Mason. Having worked the Degree, the Lodge is closed with an acknowledgement that only ‘the substituted secrets have been found, until time or circumstances shall restore the genuine’. Exaltation in the Royal Arch is the circumstance whereby the Master Mason, now a Companion, is assisted to continue his research into the mystery brought to his attention in the Third Degree.

Note: One should not get drawn into what could become an involved philosophical discussion. What is important is to make it clear that the genuine secrets do not solely

consist of some more signs and words of recognition. 

The Royal Arch is ‘Spiritual’. Does this mean that it is religious or solemn?

The relationship of the Royal Arch to religion is no different to that of the Craft. The Royal Arch is open to all Master Masons regardless of their personal religion. The teachings of the Royal Arch are distinct from material or physical values, and explore what the Master Mason has been exhorted to contemplate. Far from being solemn or gloomy, the Royal Arch unites its Companions in an enhanced and personal enjoyment and sense of fulfilment in their Freemasonry, which in turn may enable them to better develop their potential ability.



If I have not been exalted into the Holy Royal Arch, will it affect my appointment or promotion to Provincial Grand Rank, or my enjoyment of the Craft?

Selection for appointment to or promotion in Provincial or Grand Rank is based on the ability and suitability of the individual to fulfil the duties and responsibilities of a particular rank. There is nothing in the Book of Constitutions, which requires a Brother to be a Member of the Royal Arch as a qualification for appointment to or promotion in the Craft.     



Masonry is free and requires a perfect freedom of inclination in every candidate for its mysteries.

This is why there is no Regulation requiring any Brother to proceed further than he wishes Obviously, if a Brother does not go on to complete his Second or Third Degrees, he is not qualified to participate when the Lodge is working in those Degrees.

Likewise without the Third Degree, he is not qualified to be the Master of a Craft Lodge.

However, if a Master Mason does not choose to take the final step in Pure Antient Masonry by being exalted in the Holy Royal Arch he has not yet attained all that Pure Antient Masonry has to offer. He may well go forth to practice and progress in Craft Masonry. However, he will do so without the benefit of the further knowledge and understanding of the whole of Pure Antient Masonry. His understanding and appreciation of Craft Masonry is therefore unlikely to be as great as it would otherwise have been.

Why is the Royal Arch Ceremony not worked in a Craft Lodge?

The superficial answer is simple - expediency. The beautiful Royal Arch Ceremony requires an entirely different setting to that which a Craft Lodge can conveniently provide with its Officers and furniture. It is carried out in a Chapter with its own Officers, furniture and regalia. This setting is required to illustrate by allegory and symbolism the ceremony of Exaltation and its teachings. The progress of a Brother to Exaltation in the Royal Arch is marked in a Craft Lodge by the wearing in Lodge of the Royal Arch Breast Jewel. Full Royal Arch regalia is only worn at a Royal Arch Convocation.

However the real answer requires some knowledge of the history of Freemasonry under the English Constitution. Prior to the Act of Union in December 1813 there were two rival Grand Lodges of England (the Ancients and the Moderns). Each held differing views regarding a number of issues including the importance of the Royal Arch and its place in Freemasonry. In particular as to whether it should be worked in a Craft Lodge.

It was necessary to take into account and resolve these sincere but different views. The solution is set out as follows in the Book of Constitutions: “By the solemn act of union between the two Grand Lodges of Freemasons of England in December 1813, it was declared and pronounced that pure ancient masonry consists of three degrees and no more. Viz: those of the Entered Apprentice, the Fellow Craft and the Master Mason, including the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch.”

In 2003, in the light of increased experience and understanding regarding the status and place of the Royal Arch, the United Grand Lodge of England issued the following statement: “At the Quarterly Communication of 10 December 2003 the United Grand Lodge of England acknowledged and pronounced the status of the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch to be an extension to, but neither a superior nor a subordinate part of, the Degrees which precede it'."

The declaration and subsequent statement, clarify how the Royal Arch should be described. It is not the completion of the Third Degree, nor is it the Fourth Step in Freemasonry. It is a continuation of all that has been taught in the three Degrees preceding and the completion of Pure Antient Masonry. 

What is the difference between the Royal Arch and the other Degrees and Orders which I am now eligible to join?

There is an indissoluble link between Craft Freemasonry and the Holy Royal Arch, which is explained above. There are other Degrees and Orders in Freemasonry with different requirements for membership. All Candidates for membership are required to be Craft Freemasons, and a number require applicants to be have been exalted into the Holy Royal Arch. However the Rulers have let it be known their expectation is that all Candidates should be exalted into the Holy Royal Arch before seeking membership of the other Degrees and Orders in Freemasonry.



Why are the organisation, management and administration of the Royal Arch separate to the Craft?

Today the United Grand Lodge of England and the Supreme Grand Chapter work together in harmony from joint headquarters. However, as envisaged in the Act of Union 1813 their organisation, management and administration remain separate to cater for their special needs. The Royal Arch offers its own opportunities for members of merit and ability to progress in Office.

Nevertheless as evidence of the indissoluble link, the MW The Grand Master and certain other senior officers in the Craft, are also appointed to comparable offices in the Royal Arch. A further example is that every Royal Arch Chapter must be affiliated to a Craft Lodge using the same number, and although not obligatory many Chapters also bear the same name.

Dealing with objections There are a variety of reasons, which may be given by those not wishing to be exalted into the Holy Royal Arch. It is important to listen sympathetically to all such reasons in order to show that you are not just brushing the reason aside, and then attempt, in a considerate way, to deal with the objection.

Probably the most difficult objection to deal with is ‘I’m not interested in joining Chapter’. If this situation occurs ask if the individual would mind telling you why he has no interest.

Should the lack of interest be due to any misunderstanding about the Royal Arch, try to gently explain the basic facts. If the individual still says that he is not interested, or that at present he does not have the time or money to spare, explain that you understand and that he is entitled to make his own decision. Don’t get into a confrontational situation; tell him that if he ever does feel inclined to reconsider the matter in the future you will always be pleased to discuss it further with him. Make a note that the conversation has taken place on the Membership Register Form (Appendix B), so that you can follow it up again at a later date.

Appendix A ‘What is Royal Arch Masonry’? - Extract from Supreme Grand Chapter Website The Royal Arch is the continuation of Craft Freemasonry. Its members, called Companions, meet in Chapters under a Grand Chapter. Chapters are ruled over by three Principals, who rule conjointly, and the Grand Chapter is ruled over by three Grand Principals, with a Pro First Grand Principal when the First Grand Principal is a Royal Prince.

Chapters at home are grouped as a Metropolitan area or Provinces (based on the old Counties) and Chapters overseas are grouped in Districts. Metropolitan, Provincial and District Grand Chapters are ruled over by a Grand Superintendent who is appointed by the First Grand Principal as his personal representative for the particular area.

In England the Royal Arch has four ceremonies: the exaltation ceremony to bring in new members and an installation ceremony for each of the three Principals. The exaltation ceremony is in two parts: a rather dramatic presentation of the principles of the Order followed by three Lectures in which the history, symbolism and principles of the Royal Arch are further explained. Like Craft Freemasonry, the Royal Arch is open to men of all faiths.

The allegory of the exaltation ceremony is based on the Old Testament telling of the return to Jerusalem from the Babylonish captivity to rebuild the city and temple. In clearing the ground of the original temple for the foundations of the second temple, the candidate makes a number of discoveries which emphasise the centrality of God to man's life and existence and, without transgressing the bounds of religion, lead the candidate to a consideration of the nature of God and his personal relationship with Him, whatever his religion might be.

In England, the Royal Arch is considered to be the completion of ‘pure ancient Masonry’. In the Craft the Candidate is presented with a series of eminently practical principles and tenets which if he practises them he may hope to live a life pleasing to his God, however he worships him, and of service to his fellow man. But man is not simply a practical being; he has an essential spiritual aspect to his nature. That spiritual aspect is introduced in the Third Degree, in which the candidate is led to a contemplation of man's inevitable destiny, and becomes the central message of the Royal Arch. In that sense, ‘pure ancient Masonry’ can be seen as a journey of self - knowledge and discovery with the Royal Arch completing the practical lessons of the Craft by a contemplation of man's spiritual nature, not replacing but reinforcing and supporting what he has learned from his religion.

Appendix B CRAFT ROYAL ARCH MEMBERSHIP SHEET

Lodge No______ Date ______ _

Craft Membership Total ______ Chapter Membership Total ______ Unattached Total ______ Non-Members______ Percentage of Chapter Members ______ Lodge Member Name

Chapter Status

Chapter Number

Last Discussion Date