Transcript Name of presentation - Masonic lodge Vidisha

Director of Ceremonies
W. Bro. Dr. Yagnesh Thakar
The Director of Ceremonies shall
have the arrangement and
direction of all processions and
ceremonies of the lodge.
Jewel: Two rods saltire – wise tied by a
ribbon.
Characteristics
• Fully conversant with rituals
• Know the rules of Masonic etiquettes
• Thorough knowledge of Book of Constitution
• Preferably a past master
He is near the WM
He can see all
parts of Lodge
Situation
South East Corner
Wand: Hold the wand in Right hand
with its crown always upwards.
D of C should have his wand always
with him all the time.
D of C carrying his wand does not
salute the WM; nor does he turn
towards the WM or gives a ceremonial
bow in going about his duties.
Before
opening
the lodge
Duties
After
closing
the lodge
During
the lodge
meeting
Before Opening the Lodge
• Good rehearsals of rituals
• Effective communication with brethren
• Co-ordination with WM and Secretary
As D of C enters the lodge premises
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Sign attendance register
Prepare list of substitute officers
Regalia, Jewels & Emblems of office in proper place
All that is necessary for degree working in proper places
Lodge banner – North East Corner
National flag – East
VsSL and Sq & C: Properly laid down.
Where the WM enters in procession
A D of C
D of C
JD
SD
JW
SW
SWD BR
WM
Where the WM exits in procession
D of C
A D of C
SW
JW
WM
SWD BR
SD
JD
Opening & Closing
• Not much to do
• Observe: Wardens have attended to respective columns
& lights
• As IPM kneels and deacons cope, D of C says: ‘To order
brethren’
• At the end he calls upon the brethren to turn to the east
and sing National Anthem.
After the lodge opens
• Salute the WM
• In temporary absence of WM, D of C sees to it that IPM takes his place
• Admission of candidates and overseeing preparation of Tyler
• Direct and guide the deacons during perambulations
• Aprons for candidates / newly installed master: Ceremoniously handed
over to SW / I.O.
• When more than one candidate: Assist WM during entrustment, assist
wardens in giving grips, signs etc.
• WM leaves chair for a PM to occupy, WM will be seated to the left of
IPM.
After the lodge opens
Visitors
• Visitor unknown to Lodge
• Supervise entry of visitors, conducts and show them their
places.
• Visitors duly introduced to WM: Full name, Rank and no. of
Lodge (name of brother, if visitor invited by him)
Advice
• D of C should be able to advise WM on matters
of: Law, Bye laws of Region & lodge, decisions of
Grand lodge, details of all ceremonies,
requirements of all lectures, any points of
procedure in any ceremony.
After the lodge opens
• Prompting: Must be avoided as for as possible.
• A method successfully adopted by many Lodges is:
• The Master is initially prompted by the IPM.
• Should the IPM fail to provide the correct prompt, the D of C
should then prompt.
• The DC should be prepared to prompt all the other Officers.
• Giving a loud prompt across the Lodge is often undesirable
• Consider asking an experienced Past Master to sit nearby to
prompt when necessary.
Installation Meeting
Ensure:
Square & Compasses placed of VSL of faith of
Master Elect
Copy of B of C, RGL Bye laws, Lodge Bye laws on
WM’s pedestal
Imm. past master’s apron
All officers leave their collars while leaving
When brethren return, they form semicircle with EAs
in south, FCs in west and MMs in north.
During Installation ceremony D of C assists I. O. till the incoming D of C is invested.
Receiving R.W. the RGM / M.W. the GM
• Prepare the Order of Procedure
• RGM /GM always to be received in Third degree.
• Advise WM that the lodge has to be closed in third and second
degree as per rituals after receiving the distinguished visitor.
• WM reads the item on the agenda.
• WM asks D of C to retire and inform RG D of C / G D of C
• D of C does so. Returns on being Report given by Tyler of D of C
on his return.
• D of C need not salute WM while retiring or entering.
Receiving R.W. the RGM / M.W. the GM
Tyler knocks
RG D of C / G D of C enters and
informs WM that RGM/GM/
Representative desires admission.
WM instructs lodge D of C to form
suitable escort.
Receiving R.W. the RGM / M.W. the GM
PM5
PM6
PM3
PM4
PM1
PM2
SD
JD
D of C
PM1: Senior most Past Master.
In smaller lodges PMs can be reduced to 2/4 and stewards may be deputed.
A Steward in attendance must be provided to R.W. the RGM / M.W. the GM
Receiving R.W. the RGM / M.W. the GM
Escort halts at the head of RGL / GL procession
PM1 & D of C are escorted to meet RW the
RGM / MW the GM by RG D of C / G D of C
Lodge D of C now takes instructions from RG D
of C / G D of C
Escort is reversed; but deacons again leading
lodge D of C on left and RG D of C / G D of C
on right
RGM’S VISIT TO LODGES
FORMING THE DEPUTATION
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All seniors at the back and juniors in front.
While pairing juniors on the left and seniors on the right (of RGM)
Sword Bearer ready with the sword.
Give knocks of the degree on the door.
Go inside. Salute the WM with sign of the degree and announce.
WM…….
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Salute and withdraw.
Lodge escort will come out. Only head of the escort meets the RGM.
Escort duly arranged.
Say: Bro. Sword Bearer take your position.
ENTERING THE LODGE:
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Give one knock on the door and enter while announcing….
After deputation enter inside, All salute WM.
Escort the RGM to the left of WM’s pedestal
RGM takes seat and bow to him.
Come back and say: W. Bro. Sword bearer, deposit the
sword.
Escort all the members of the deputation up to past rank of
ARGM.
Stand in the centre and Bow to the remaining officers to sit.
Nod to the lodge D of C to conduct the escort to their seats.
All brethren will salute RGM keeping time with D of C.
SECOND RISING:
• Rise immediately and Say: ‘WM’. Then say: All Regional
Grand Lodge officers in proper regalia upstanding. (The
greetings will be offered by RW the RGM.)
• Come to the centre of the lodge and inform WM that RGM
would retire.
• Lodge D of C will form lodge escort
• Escort will be sent to the door.
(RGM may dispense with lodge escort.)
RETIREMENT:
• Lodge inner guard, upstanding at their place and deacons at the door.
• Call junior most member of the deputation by name and make him
stand on your right in front of the IPM. Second on his right and likewise
up to the ARGMs.
• Escort all ARGMs to the floor.
• Ask Sword bearer to take charge of the sword.
• Upstanding brethren.
• Escort the RGM.
• Ask the Sword bearer to turn and proceed.
• When RGM reaches the head of the deputation ask the deputation to
turn and proceed.
• Ask the Lodge Inner guard to untile the lodge and deacons to cope
(only on RGM).
• Come back and thank WM.
• Before retiring bow to the JW and SW.
Installation Meeting
You will need to advise the Worshipful Master that he should offer the gavel to the
RGM /GM and welcome him to the Lodge.
If RGM or his representative is
conducting the ceremony of
Installation the RG D of C will
present the Master Elect and not
the lodge D of C
While Retiring: Same escort is
formed and taken to the door. D of
C at the back.
Receiving Grand Lodge Deputation
PM5
PM6
PM3
PM4
PM1
PM2
RG3
RG4
RG1
RG2
SD
JD
Lodge D of C
RG D of C
G D of C conducts PM1, RG1 &Lodge D of C to GM to greet
Escort reversed, deacons in front, Lodge D of C on left and G D
of C on right
Fellowship session
does not exceed a
reasonable time.
Seating
arrangements are
as per protocols.
At the
Festive
Board
Toast – list is with
WM
Stewards circulate
amongst brethren
and look after them.
If GM is present, GM followed by
officers sit on the right of WM and
RGM on left next to IPM
If RGM and officers present, the
RGM sits on right of WM, then
ARGM and so on.
Recipient of LTS jewel sits on left
of IPM
At the
Festive
Board
If there is candidate after
initiation, he should be seated
right after RGM / GM
JW is seated in the south
SW is seated in the west
At the Festive Board
All brethren
are seated
before the
dignitaries
occupy the
main table
The brethren
stand to order
when
dignitaries
arrive and
leave
The gavel is
with WM
Call attention
of brethren as
soon as WM
uses gavel
If the GM is
present, no
toast is
proposed to
the other
officers
except the
WM of the
lodge.
If RGM is
present, no
toast is
proposed to
the other
officers.
The brother
responding
to the
visitors’ toast
should be
briefed
ahead.
In absence
of Tyler, D of
C should be
ready to
propose the
Tyler’s toast.
At the Festive Board
Proper
decorum is
maintained
at the
banquet
table.
Never call out in harsh voice
Never speak in loud
commanding voice
Careful planning ensures
smooth running of lodge and
festive board proceedings.
D of C acts under the direct authority of WM, yet he
must be permitted to a great extent to develop his
own methods.
Ensure that the Members WANT to attend
• The Lodge meeting should always be a pleasurable
experience for the Members
Demonstrate
• Demonstrating procedures while instructing the members
will often convey ‘best practice’ with little effort.
• A visual demonstration frequently has a more lasting effect
when coupled with the spoken word.
Man Manager
• Be sympathetic and understanding. D of C needs to know
all the strengths and weaknesses of Members.
• Encouraging Members who find difficulty in learning the
ritual will probably be the greatest challenge.
Commitment
• Prepared to commit to attend meetings and rehearsals.
Know your Lodge
• Lodge Ritual will often vary from the Ritual Book.
• D of C is the custodian of the Lodge ritual and he should
consider recording all the small variations that have
occurred over the years.
• In some instances he may consider that changes are
desirable, but he alone must not make that decision,
involve the senior Members in discussing any changes
and obtain the approval of the Lodge Committee before
proceeding.
Encourage
• Attendance at rehearsals by all officers and active assistance
from Past Masters.
• Involvement by the junior Members in presenting small charges.
• Involve junior Past Masters in presenting addresses at Installation
Meetings.
• Involving the Past Masters that currently do not hold any office to
keep them active in the Lodge.
• Never press the less able ritualist to perform beyond his means.
Your Successor
• Identifying your successor and training him for his future role.
• Ensure that you allow your A D of C to take an active part in all
the proceedings.
Deportment
• Endeavour to carry your wand vertical and ensure that all
Officers hold them at the same height
• Perform your tasks with decorum.
• Observe and emulate others, particularly the Regional or
Grand lodge Team.
• “What you find praiseworthy in others, you should carefully
imitate”
Attitude
• A successful and popular D of C will have a calm and gentle
attitude towards his task.
• Try to remember “Humility in each is an essential
qualification”
Ancient Investiture
Brother, I have the pleasure of investing you a the Director
of Ceremonies. Your jewel the cross staves is an emblem
of authority. It will be your duty to see that everything be
done decently and in order and there be no confusion or
mismanagement in the ceremonies, or other business of
the lodge. You will be expected to see that the lodgeroom is properly prepared for all Masonic meetings; to
receive visitors and assign them their places in
accordance with the rank in the lodge, and to give the
honours at Masonic festivals. In addition to these your
regular duties, you will be expected to render assistance
(when needed), to the Deacons and other officers and to
generally to see that the ceremonies are decorously and
correctly conducted. In order that you may be duly
qualified for the performance of these multifarious duties. I
would recommend to you to a diligent and careful study
of the practical working of the ceremonies, as well as
with the ancient usages and established customs of the
fraternity, in order that you may with due authority, correct
that which may be wrong and while encouraging and
directing enlightened and progressive improvement, you
may guard against unconstitutional innovations in the
body of freemasonry.
D of C is not a Superhuman. He is like any other common
brother who can commit mistakes at times.
References:
• A Paper on Director of Ceremonies: R.W.Bro. R. Sushil Raj
• The Director of Ceremonies: A Hand Book of RGL of SI
• Points of Procedure and Protocol for the Guidance of Members of the Craft: Grand Lodge of India
• Book of Constitution: Grand Lodge of India
• Information for Lodge Director of Ceremonies: The Masonic Province of West Kent