more light #328
Masonic Education The Fun & Easy Way
by Ed Halpaus
Grand Lodge Education Officer
Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. M. of Minnesota
I’ve been asked many times to explain the duties of a Lodge Education Officer
(L.E.O.), and I’ve answered each question individually. This time I thought it
might be good to put some ideas regarding the Lodge Education Officer in this
issue of More Light.
Being a LEO and making certain there is good Masonic Education presented at
each stated communication of the Lodge doesn’t need to be complicated; it’s
really fairly simple and fun to do. Being a LEO is a great reason to indulge
into an activity you really enjoy; learning more about Masonry. Being a LEO
really is as simple as reporting to others what you’ve learned and found
interesting. If you find some information that’s good and pleasant to know
about, others will enjoy hearing you report on it.
An effective L.E.O. will become involved an a wide variety of activities that
are very enjoyable to be involved in, such as;
a. helping make the Worshipful Master’s job easier,
b. helping develop future Lodge Officers and Committee Chairs through his Lodge
Education Committee,
c. making certain that there is a part of every stated communication devoted to
Masonic Education.
Item C takes the cooperation of the Master to schedule adequate time in the
agenda, so the L.E.O. can provide Masonic information and education. Anyone (the
LEO or another Brother) who prepares something for Masonic Education in a Lodge
will spend hours (sometime many hours) in preparation, and it is very
discourteous to not allow adequate time for the presentation that has been
prepared.
That said Masonic Education and the delivery of it in Lodge should, and can
be fun and easy; the delivery of it should add to the enjoyment of the Lodge
experience for everyone. This can happen when all of us in the Lodge are willing
to pitch in and help the L.E.O. and the Lodge.
One truism about Masons is that if another Mason needs help he is willing to
step in and lend a hand; if his brother needs to know something that will make
his life better he’s willing to pass on information and good counsel. Freemasons
don’t like to keep secrets when it comes to helping a Brother learn.
Another truism is that every Freemason wants to learn about our Fraternity;
we all want to learn something of what Masonry has to pass on to us: And we all
love to attend a Lodge where we enjoy the fellowship and the learning. When a
Lodge is strong on fellowship and learning then more of its members will be
found attending. Actually if they aren’t able to attend Lodge they most likely
would miss not being there: Here’s a question; if you’re unable to make it to
one of your Lodge communications, do you miss not being there?
Another Truism is that every Lodge has many Masons who are quite
knowledgeable when it comes to things Masonic: Their participation is one
element that helps make Masonic education fun and easy.
Standing up in Lodge to relate to our Brothers something we know about, and
are happy to know it, is nothing more than talking with and informing a Brother
about something he will enjoy learning too. Masonic Education doesn’t need to be
of a certain length; it only needs to be long enough to communicate the
information, so that those hearing it will understand it: Communicating in that
way is better than trying to fill a certain length of time.
Another idea is for Lodges to have those who deliver some good and
interesting Masonic education to go to neighboring Lodges to deliver it there
too; that way more Masons will enjoy hearing it and getting to know a fine
Masonic Brother from another Lodge. It pays for the Masters, Wardens, and
L.E.O.’s of neighboring Lodges to phone and meet with each other regularly, so
that they can help each other in making Lodge Communications enjoyable to attend
for the members of their Lodges.
There is no reason to do things the hard way; Masons like to help one
another. Any Brother can deliver some good and interesting Masonic information
and education, he doesn’t have to be the LEO; the more participating in Lodge
for various reasons – including Masonic education presentations – the better,
and I know of no L.E.O. who would not welcome help and information from a
Brother.
Much Masonic Education doesn’t need to be in a tiled Lodge. There are many
times when having a more extensive Masonic education presentation may be better
delivered over the Lodge supper. When this is done a shorter bit on Masonic
education can then be presented during the communication.
Much good Masonic education and information can be passed from one brother
to another in a Masonic discussion group: A Masonic discussion group can be held
at the Lodge; either before or after a communication; at a restaurant after a
communication; or at another time during the week. A discussion group can meet
for 30 to 60 minutes or longer with one or more topics of discussion scheduled.
One good thing about Masons is that when we get talking about Masonry we can
have a very good and informative conversation where everyone has a good time
learning something new about our beloved Craft.
One Lodge I know of built a patio with a fire pit in it: What a great idea;
to sit in fellowship around a campfire discussing Masonic education. This kind
of Masonic discussion group could also be held in a Brothers back yard if the
Lodge doesn’t have the space.
The office of L.E.O. is an enjoyable and important office to hold. The L.E.O.
with some effort to involve other members of the Lodge in some way will help add
to the enjoyment of attending Lodge for everyone
We all love to attend a Lodge where we enjoy the fellowship and the learning,
and the learning should be as easy to deliver, and as enjoyable to receive, as
it is to participate with our friends and Brothers in fellowship.
Words to Live by: “Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner
everywhere.” Chinese Proverb
The Education Videos by the education committee of the Grand Lodge of
Minnesota can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/glmned
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