Long Range Planning

Mandate:
Long Range Planning is mandated by the Grand Lodge in the following statement; “The Grand Lodge committee on Long Range Planning is a Standing Committee of the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario and receives its authority from Section 136 (i) of our Constitution.

Simply stated the Committee identifies, studies, and assesses any matter that may affect the future of Freemasonry in our jurisdiction. It is also responsible for producing a five- year plan and to make recommendations to Grand Lodge annually for the long term benefit of the craft.

General Overview
It is important to understand and appreciate the general overview of long range planning. It is also important to notice the linkage that exists between long range planning and the programs that are offered to Lodges in the Grand Lodge jurisdiction. When one examines in detail the Grand Lodge of Canada programs it becomes apparent that they require ‘work and instruction’. ‘Work and instruction’ does not land as a finished product in the midst of any Lodge ready to use; it does not happen on its own. Planning is required to bring quality work to the ritual, to provide each and every member the experience and the satisfaction that they are seeking and help them become an active productive member of the Masonic family.

Strategic Framework
The strategic framework proposed by the Grand Lodge committee provides a structured way of guiding lodge planners through the process of developing a plan.

• Vision: To be the foremost Fraternal Organization.

• Mission: To encourage a Way of Life, promote Fellowship, and practice Universal Benevolence and one’s Faith for the Cause of Good.

Key Focus Areas Strategies

Fraternal Environment An Environment where Masonry can flourish.

Membership Programs Develop a strong active membership base.

Communication
Establish effective communications between, Grand Lodge, Districts, Lodges, members,
Concordant bodies and the public.


For each of the Key Factors and the Strategies both the District and Lodge planners set objectives and priorities along with a time frame for implementation. The objectives selected for each Key Factor define in a general manner the path to achieving the Strategies. Long Range Planning is not a one time shot, it is an on-going process that is evaluated at preset intervals to see if the targets have been achieved and what if any modification must be made.
An important point to keep in mind is “Plan your Work, Work you Plan.”
The question has to be asked “Are we paying the members of the Craft their wags, if any be due, that none may go home dissatisfied?” Good planning will help pay those wages that none go home dissatisfied.

Some thoughts about Planning
There is no question that the Masonic ritual is the foundation of the Craft. If one knows the lessons fully and completely he is indeed a wise man. The sooner we stop blaming poor attendance on the failure of the Craft to modernize, the better. The sooner we drown out the murmur saying “something must be done” with clear resolute voice “I’m going to do something about it”, we will set up the climate for long range planning.

Do we need to change the ritual or do we need to change the way we deliver the message that the ritual contains so that non go home dissatisfied? If the ritual is the foundation and provides the structure than good planning, both short and long range will revitalize and renew. Planning provides the scope and the opportunity to develop a dynamic organization rather than a static one.

At the opening of lodge we learn that W.M. has the duty to “employ and instruct the brethren in M…”. Are those just idle words that one repeats or does the phrase have instruction for us with regard to planning? WE must plan for the outcomes of employing and instructing the brethren.

The assumption must be in my view, that we must teach members to apply Masonic knowledge in their daily lives. The lodge is not simply a place to initiate candidates. It must train its members to understand the truths contained in the ritual, show benevolence, cultivate social virtues and bring to life the fundamental tenets of Masonry. To do those tasks we need to plan.

Attitudes are the life blood of a lodge. How do they become the life blood?
Discussion questions will be available with this hand out.
R.W. Bro. David Mahon will lead the question and answer period based on prepared and impromptu questions. We want you to go home satisfied.
 

Resources: Ritual, Grand Lodge Strategic Plan, Grand Lodge Programs, Facili-Facts, Masonic Manual, Dare to be Different by Jordan S. Levitan, P.M., And Give Them Proper Instruction by W. Bro. Alphonse Cerza
 

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