Discussion Paper – Official Visit Muskoka Lodge #360 – March 7, 2007
By R.W. Bro. Garnet E. Schenk, DDGM

Communications and the Ritual

The following paper addresses three questions relevant to Masonry. They are:
1. How do we define communications?
2. Why is communications different for Masonry from that of most other organizations?
3. What are some of the challenges?

Introduction
The basic aim of Freemasonry is to teach a way of life and build character. Teaching and building character imply that instruction and information must be communicated. Perception plays an important role in Masonry. The personification of brotherly love, relief and truth require the use of our senses, awareness, comprehension and insight. They all come into play as the work proceeds.

What is Communications?
The New World Dictionary defines communications as the act of transmitting information, signals or messages, by talk, gesture or writing. (To impart, reveal or make known.) That is a workable definition for the purpose of this paper.

Why do communications in Masonry differ from that of communications in other organizations?
The difference in communications in Masonry arises out of the tension between the pressure to change with the times and our abiding respect for the ancient landmarks of the Order that we are required to protect and uphold. We hear in the 1st degree that Masonry as a beautiful system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols. That apt description indicates that there is a challenge that few other organizations face when it comes to both internal and external communications.

Masonry as an organization is a principle centered fraternity. Brotherly love, relief and truth are set out as ideals in the charge 1st degree and also in the final charge in the installation ceremony. That distinguishes Masonry and sets it apart from many organizations.

Much of the process of communications for learning and growth in Masonry is lateral rather than upward or downward. Examples are B2B, F2F, mentoring and floor work.

What are the challenges?
Non verbal communications are more important in Masonry that many of realize. Facial expressions, tone of voice, hand gestures and nodding, etc., make up a large portion of effective communications in the lodge. Our conduct, what we do and how we act are important aspects of communications. The sense of commitment, our energy level and emotional conviction that we display add to the impact of how we portray and convey an idea. The range of interpretation we can bring through non-verbal communications is a powerful toll.

The outcomes of Masonry are intangible in a sense; they can be observed in active operation, they can be understood and lived but not handled or touched. We are instructed to let our actions distinguish us as men and as Masons by our conduct for the cause of good. We are never to proclaim what we have done, will do or can do but where need is we take up the challenge and accomplish our work in the sphere of our daily life.

The essential task of Masonry is strengthen the fundamental principles of the Order, brotherly love, relief and truth and bring into operation the four cardinal virtues, temperance, fortitude, prudence and justice. That in effect is the main communications task for a Mason. To communicate effectively we need to strengthen the art of rhetoric. Rhetoric adds force and elegance to our words and as we improve we captivate the hearer with the power of our ideas and the beauty of our expression. That is the biggest communications challenge for Masonry today.

The ritual, properly understood and applied aids communications. The challenge is understand the ritual as a teaching resource and guideline. One of the basic lessons is to comprehend the idea that to understand, we must experience.

Marshal McLuhan, a former communications guru is coming back into vogue. He rode to fame on the phrase “the medium is the message.” Nowhere is that more true than in Freemasonry. We are the messengers and we are the medium. It is how we are perceived, how we act, live and conduct ourselves that will raise and confirm the profile of Masonry or detract from it.

The interpretation of the word ‘work’ is another challenge. The Discipline of ‘work’ is often restricted to the things of the ritual. It has a much wider application in Masonry; it means all kinds of work, for example, the work of conducting effective meetings, working in committees and educating our members. The Grand Lodge of Canada has given us a wide range of communications tools; B2B, F2F, Mentor and Officer Progression. They are tools in the communications kit that aid in transmitting the message of Masonry.

We can apply the old 80-20 rule to a lodge. 80% of the work is done by 20% or less of the members. The trick for all communications efforts is to expand the percentage of those members that are actively engaged in lodge work, e.g., B2B, F2F, mentoring, floor work and Masonic Education. The lodge must be prepared to respond to the members who want to learn. The task is to expand the circle of influence to beyond the 20% with members who are committed to Masonry and are prepared to go the extra mile. The Grand Lodge communications tolls are there, let us use them effectively.

Final Thoughts
Interpretation is always in the ear of the listener not in the speaker.

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.

The four cornerstones of communications are: consistency, sincerity, courtesy and friendliness.

Things that matter most must never be at the mercy of things that matter least.

We make a living by what we get but we make a life by what we give. Sir Winston Churchill. – Like him let us give communications our best effort.

References: The Book of the Work, Meeting the Challenge. Masonic Manual and Seven Habits of Effective People by Stephen R. Covey