X-Oriente

What makes a good Worshipful Master?

On Sunday, I will be installed as Master of my Lodge, Oriental Lodge No. 33. As the date approaches there is much to do, and our very next meeting we'll be conferring a third degree! Yikes! I'm excited and a little trepidatious. More than anything I want to be a good leader for these guys. They're my guys. My peeps. My tribe. My brothers. I want to do everything I can to give them a good Masonic year. I'm going into this thinking it ain't about me, it's about them.

So how can I improve? What makes a good Master? I need your advice. Share your wisdom with me. Were you Worshipful Master? What worked? What didn't work so well? What would you do over if you had the chance? What should I watch out for?

Call the SkypeIn line at 847-380-1881 and leave a message, or send me an audio file with your advice. I'll put them all together and ask some of my friends and we'll talk about it on the show. I'll share some of my plans, and maybe we'll do a group chat or something over Skype. Thanks!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am thankful for (in no particular order, just stream of consciousness):

YOU, my brethren and listeners who challenge me to work hard on the show and make me feel like a rock star at least once a day.

My wonderful family, my beautiful wife who makes me laugh once a day at least, and a son who gives me joy with no end.

Oriental Lodge No. 33, my Mother Lodge and the best brothers a guy could have.

The Brothers of North Star No. 1, F&AM PHA

The Brothers of Old No. 2 in New York. My role models.

Technology which allows me to explore the world and communicate with Masons outside of my area.

The Blue Majesty, my maxi-scooter which gives me hours of fun and has lowered my blood pressure at gas stations.

WTF? Euclid? Halcyon? Bueller? BUELLER?

A number of you have been asking me about the events surrounding Halcyon Lodge in Cleveland and Euclid Lodge in Michigan. I am trying to research this but I could use your help. If you are close to either situation, I'd like to talk to you. It is to report on the situation in the podcast. You don't have to appear in the show, and I will be happy to keep your identity as privileged information both as a Mason and a journalist. But all the information on these important issues are coming from the blogosphere and rather than add more heat, I'd like to try and shed some light. So please, help me out. Contact me by email at xoriente@gmail.com or on the Skype actionline at 847-380-1881.

Episode 021: Speaking of Complete Idiots and the Media...

Listen Now

In this episode Dr. S. Brent Morris, Masonic spokesman extraordinaire, speaks on what it was like to write his book The Complete Idiot's Guide to Freemasonry, debunk myths, and appear in several documentary films about Freemasonry.

Special Thanks to Brent and the Illinois Lodge of Research. This presentation took place on October 5, 2007 at the Annual Meeting of the Illinois Lodge of Research. For more information about the Illinois Lodge of Research contact its Secretary, Ron Blue.