Provincial Grand
Mentor's Newsletters
Grand Lodge is anxious that we try and stem the flow of resignations. All Provinces were asked to set up a Mentoring Scheme. We have followed that recommendation. A committee has been working hard over some months to set up a system that will work in this Province.
W.Bro Arthur Evans has been appointed as the Provincial Mentor and he will be available to any Lodge which feels that it requires assistance. Every Lodge in this Province should appoint a Lodge Mentor to work in conjunction with the Proposer and Seconder.
It is most important that the Proposer
and Seconder do not neglect their duty towards their candidate. It
is also important that the Mentor does not take their duties from
them. Let us all remember our duty to look after each other and ensure
that all remain interested.
W.Bro Arthur Evans can be contacted by the following methods:
Telephone: 01492 860223
E-mail: prov.mentor@nwmasons.org
Newsletter No. 3
May 2010
Welcome to our Newsletter written particularly for those of you who have volunteered to be Mentors.
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Telephone 01492 860223
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Provincial Mentor (Hint)
Since my last News Letter a number of activities have taken place. Early in February I attended the second of the Mentoring Seminars at Great Queens Street, London. A delegation of over eighty was present with some coming as far afield as Barbados and other parts of the Commonwealth. An instructive day was had by all.
V.W.Bro Nigel Brown the Grand Secretary opened the meeting and introduced W.Bro Jon Leech who gave a talk on the Metropolitan Mentoring Guide as well as Mentoring Initiates Guide and also A guide for Royal Arch Masons. We were also encouraged to visit www.3rlibrary.org.uk for information and this website can be used by the Mentoring team to post comments and to read useful literature from around the Provinces.
During the break for lunch those Provinces that had brought sample copies of their Mentoring books and pamphlets were able to share best practice and exchange thoughts and ideas which were most interesting and educational. On conclusion of the day´s proceedings it was decided to have another Seminar again in London next February and also continue to have half yearly Regional meetings.
These will take place in Birmingham; Manchester; Cambridge; Bristol; Leicester; London and South Wales. The dates vary from early June to late July. I anticipate being present at the one being arranged in Manchester.
Mentoring Seminar.
The first North Wales Province Mentoring Seminar which had been arranged for the 9th January 2010 was cancelled due to the bad weather at the start of the year. However it was rearranged for the 6th March and 75% of Lodges in the Province was represented at the meeting that took place in Llanrwst.
This being the first “get together” I was encouraged by the turn out and the feedback at the end of the session was very encouraging and the delegates requested a repeat seminar next year. Now is the time for forward planning and think about next year´s Seminar.
Please contact me if you have any ideas or wish to participate in 2011´s meeting.
The Mentoring Role.
Many of the Lodge Mentors are doing excellent work in their Lodges. It is encouraging to see that the system is picking up pace. One or two Mentors are already producing a communications letter for Lodge members. Others are giving regular reports at Lodge meetings on current progress. Other Lodge members are encouraged to ask questions to the Lodge Mentor on Lodge evenings. This can only be good practice and should be encouraged.
I am indeed encouraged by what I observe during the time I visit Lodges. To date I have visited eighteen Lodges and one visit has already been arranged for the start of next season in the Autumn. Remember the 3R´s. Recruitment; Retention and Retrieval.
Since the start of 2009 there have been a number of Initiations. Unfortunately there have been losses too. Make sure that the right calibre is accepted to our Fraternity. Recruitment must not be regarded as a means of increasing Lodge numbers. Considerable care must be taken to ensure that a Candidate´s background is well known.
A. W. Evans.
Provincial Grand Mentor.
Newsletter No. 2
December 2009
Welcome to our Newsletter written particularly for those of you who have volunteered to be Mentors.
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Telephone 01492 860223
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Provincial Mentor (Hint)
I have visited a number of Lodges in the Province to deliver a talk on the subject of Mentoring entitled “The Practical Implications of Mentoring”.
It has been a pleasurable experience for me during this my first full year as Provincial Grand Mentor and the talk has been welcomed and well received by everyone who have heard the talk.
I have seen at first hand that a number of Lodges in the Province have embraced themselves and are very supportive of the Mentoring scheme and are encouraging their new members to take part in the ceremonies.
A glorious example of this was at Pegasus Lodge recently when the RWPGM visited on the 25th Anniversary of the Lodge and to dedicate a new Lodge Banner. Their youngest EA took part in the ceremony and it was a pleasure for all to see the young Mason carrying the New Banner into the Lodge.
Another example was at Kelsterton Lodge when W.Bro G J C Edwards the Assistant PGM visited on the occasion of their 50th anniversary and the presentation of two new chairs presented for use in the Lodge room. Kelsterton´s newest MM was called upon, at short notice, to take on the office of Tyler due to the imposition of the appointed Tyler. Two Lodges indeed encouraging their young members to take part and it was evident in both cases that they enjoyed the experience.
Mentoring Seminar.
There will be a Mentoring Seminar on Saturday the 9th January 2010 at Llanrwst and it is my hope that appointed Lodge Mentors will be able to attend. Its purpose will be for me to meet you and to explain in more detail the importance of the scheme and to deliver the RWPGM vision for having the Mentoring programme in the Province of North Wales.
There is a small percentage of Lodges who have not appointed Mentors. I urge you to do so. From the up turned “pyramid” the scheme is supported from the highest level and from Grand Lodge itself.
The Mentoring Role.
The role of the Mentor is to act as a trusted advisor and friend and ensure that the new brother becomes engaged into the ideas and aims of our Order.
Mentoring is widely used in the business world as part of a person´s career development. What we are trying to do is to map that process into our Masonic Lives.
The role of a Mentor is a very responsible one, it has however been designed not to be overly time consuming or burdensome and it should give immense satisfaction to the candidate to grow in knowledge, involvement and confidence in masonry so that he can benefit and enjoy his membership.
I must stress that the Mentor in no way takes the place of the proposer or seconder but is there to provide support and guidance.
A more detailed explanation of the Mentoring role will be given at our seminar in the New Year.
A. W. Evans.
Provincial Grand Mentor.
Newsletter No. 1
Spring 2009
Welcome to our Newsletter written particularly for those of you who have volunteered to be Mentors.
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Telephone 01492 860223
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Provincial Mentor (Hint)
I have delivered a short talk on Mentoring and the importance of appointing a Lodge Mentor to Lodge Secretaries at the Provincial Grand Secretary´s forum.
It has been my privilege also, having attended a number of Lodges, to deliver a presentation on the “Practical Application of Mentoring”
The majority of Lodges in this Province have appointed a Lodge Mentor and it is my hope to meet them at a “Workshop” environment sometime during the close season.
To those Lodges that have not to date appointed a Mentor I urge you to do so. The Order must retain its new and existing members by making Freemasonry a rewarding and lifelong experience.
It is envisaged that the success of this scheme will be measured by the reduction in the number of members resigning and that as many Candidates as possible enjoy a lifelong association of the Order.
There are three stages to consider when contemplating new members, which are :-
Recruitment; Retention; Retrieval.
The Mentoring scheme consists of two parts.
Local Delivery backed up by Central Support.
The Lodge is to implement the system and appoint a Lodge Mentor.
The role of the Province is pivotal to the success of the scheme. Its role is to manage the system locally.
The role of Grand Lodge would be to provide continuing sponsorship of the system.
It is often said that everyone in the Lodge is an Almoner. It can also be said that everyone in the Lodge is a Mentor.
The role of a Mentor is to ensure that the new brother becomes “engaged” into the ideas and aims of our Order.
Being “engaged” we mean someone who is committed to their Freemasonry; regularly attends Lodge and takes an active role in Lodge life.
“…it calls on you to afford assistance and instruction
to the Brethren in the inferior Degrees. ”
• Approved by United Grand Lodge of England •
Copyright 2010: The Provincial Grand Lodge of
North Wales
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