Page 22 - MFM July 2019 W

The Purple Of Our Fraternity
May Rest Upon Your Honored Shoulders

Compiled by Reid Gardiner, Editor

Let us consider what we want in a leader and look MWPGM Je Carlton of Arizona said: “As Masons,
again toward probably the most well known and we continue to trust each other when we should be
respected leader - George Washington, our Masonic testing. We need to take a long look at whom we are
Leaders, whether it be a Worshipful Master of a Lodge appointing and tendering to the Craft as appointees
or our Grand Master, should be capable and proven for their consideration as the future head of Masonry
leaders. Most all of us at one time or another have heard in our states. We have people who are dropping
a Grand Lodge O cer say that he was never trained to out of the line, who are not elected, and who are
be a leader and if that is so, we need to reassess how eventually removed from the line because they are not
we are selecting our Worshipful Masters and Grand quali ed. ey fail to meet our expectations, or we
Masters and stop just electing them because he is the have failed to make them understand that which they
next in line. Moreover, they should Lead Like George. are undertaking. Is this not a disservice to both the
We have many examples of how Brother Washington individual and to the ultimate welfare of Masonry? We
demonstrated exemplary leadership. need to put more time and e ort into vetting. Vetting
is the process of investigating someone thoroughly,
George Washington did not feel the need to put especially in order to ensure that they are suitable for
himself rst or make things all about him; he led a job requiring secrecy, loyalty, or trustworthiness.”
by example. He was always there with his men and
never asked them to do what he himself would not Before we can investigate and conduct our vetting,
do. Washington was a servant leader. He cared about we need to know what we are looking for and want.
his men; they knew he cared about them. Washington We need to know and address what we expect from a
led and set the example of what he expected. We too Grand Lodge O cer, we hope that we will nd those
expect that our Masonic Leaders will accomplish not who have some minimum known and demonstrated
only what is expected of a Mason but that they will leadership and management skills (though we seem
do so at a higher standard because we have entrusted to have a hard time nding such brothers), but they
them to lead. must have these minimum talents prior to becoming
an elected Grand Lodge O cer. As we look to those,
e various reasons for the revolutionary war who may in time become a Grand Master we need to
included rejecting the idea of a King who wanted to keep in mind that they will need to ll several roles,
force the concept that he was ordained by God to rule. that of the ceremonial head of the organization, and
Brother Washington also knew that the establishment also President of two corporations (as in Montana),
of a republic where the people were the sovereign was and also a duciary role and its responsibilities.
necessary for it to succeed and was more important
than having one man lead as a King. God does not MW Brother Carlton also said, “ e duties
ordain our Masonic leaders, including the Grand and responsibilities of the o ce determine the
Master; they are elected and installed to be stewards quali cations to be appointed a Grand Lodge O cer.
and servant leaders of the Craft. Washington was well Testing a man to learn how well he meets those
aware that both our civil and Masonic leaders need to quali cations is critical to ensuring quality leadership
be servant-leaders. We need our leaders to follow the for our Grand Lodges. Isn’t it an application of applying
example set by George Washington and assume the the level and the square?
role as a servant in his relation to all the members of
the Lodge and Grand Lodge, focusing on the needs of We need a plan for how we institute the vetting
the Craft. process for Grand Lodge O cers. Remember when
we appoint a Grand Lodge O cer, we are making a
Washington placed the welfare of his men ahead of statement to the Craft not only about ourselves but,
his own. What Washington demonstrated was why he that is our recommendation for your potential Grand
was willing to give everything, and it was not for his Master. ereby placing our integrity and judgment
glory, it was for the case and for the welfare of those under the scrutiny of the fraternity. e man who will
who looked up to him and trusted him. It is not about make the best Grand Master is the one who knows,
being a Worshipful Master or about being “the Grand and will never forget, that the most important apron
Master” It is about the Craft. he will ever wear is the one given to him as an Entered
Apprentice Mason.”
Leadership is a responsibility; it’s not about being
in charge; it’s about taking care of those in your
charge.

Montana Freemason Page 22 July 2019 Volume 95 No. 5