Online With Light: For Freemasons

RWB Steven Allinson and WB Chris Ozog worked very hard to bring the language up to date in the instructional booklets we have distributed for years. You will find the newest versions on Grand View for members. There are five of them: 1-Accepted (once petition is approved) 2-EA, 3-FC, 4-MM and 5-Historical Information about the degrees. All of these are a great way to structure your lodge of instruction to help onboard your newest brothers to the fraternity we love so much. A big shout-out to Brothers Steve and Chris for over a year of hard work and collaboration! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nickives/message

Brother Benjamin Valinsky was recently raised to the sublime degree last April and now shares his thoughts as he transitions to the full wages of a Master Mason. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nickives/message

Sometimes we forget about what it was like to be a Fellowcraft. We see a number of degrees and they often run together. There is nothing like your first degree. I chat with Bro. Ben Valinsky, a member of Ouroboros No. 151 on his progress and what it is like to pass through the degree process at an especially strange time (COVID-19). --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nickives/message

It is not easy to get your lodge trustee account on track. We have lodges that have ancient accounts and there are often changes in leadership that can lead to confusion. Bro. Andrew Boone of Hiram Lodge No. 1 and UBS talks to us about how we can approach setting our lodges into a more advantageous place financially. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nickives/message

The role of the Marshall can be difficult to pin down. Sometimes, we find it as the beginning of the line, or it can be a place for a revered past master. However that role is defined, it is important to have the Marshall of your lodge contributing in a meaningful way to the life of your brothers. We discuss many of the options and the history of the position. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nickives/message

Many Junior Wardens worry about what they are going to produce for meals when they are feeding the lodge. As intimidating as this can be, RWB Jason Morse talks to us about how he did that job for two years at his mother lodge. We also explore the concept of a Festive Board and how that can be a fun alternative to traditional lodge dinners. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nickives/message

There are lots of ways that we can be nervous as we approach out time in the East. RWB James M. Anderson, the Deputy Grand Secretary, talks us through his process for coaching incoming masters so that they can be effective and relaxed at the same time. Jim is a valuable asset to the Fraternity and his wisdom continues to help many Worshipful Masters as they prepare to lead their lodges. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nickives/message

Bro. Chris Bolster, SW of Village Lodge No. 29 talks with us about how his experience in theater arts informs his memorization and performance of masonic ritual. Learn more about how you can calm your nerves and perform some great ritual in your lodge! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nickives/message

The author of www.masonicmentor.com MWB Mel is a past Grand Master of the state of CT. He invested a great deal of his time and effort into creating excellent experiences for Masons, particularly as they matriculate into the lodge environment. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nickives/message

WB Rob is the Associate Grand Tiler for the State of CT and is also the lodge education officer for Meridian Lodge No. 77 in Meriden, CT. For work, Rob is the Career and Technical Curriculum Coordinator for Wallingford Public Schools. Rob talks to us about how he structured his program and what key elements you should consider when constructing yours. you can get in touch with him by emailing Robertkovi@gmail.com and he would be happy to work with you to give a presentation to your lodge. It is great to be podcasting again! Expect a host of new podcasts on this next season as the CME revamps our seminar offerings. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nickives/message

As part of the Committe for Masonic Education RWB Nick Ives chats with WB Nick Valinsky and Bro. Chris Bolster about "The Meaning of Masonry" by Wilmshurst. Was/Is the craft misled from the spiritual path? We discuss. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nickives/message

RWB Andrew Melillo, the Grand Historian of CT, shares with us his historical findings on how our brothers were handling the Spanish Flu and how that relates to today's Covid-19 pandemic. He also talked about the importance of capturing the records of our past and present so we can better share our stories in the future. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nickives/message

The Deputy Grand Master RWB Bill Bohman talks with us about how important it is to have a process where we really get to know all potential candidates. We also chatted about what comes next when we return to labor and how excited we are to get back to it. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nickives/message

Have you ever wondered what comes after our time off? WB Nick and I discuss what it is like during these unprecedented times in #freemasonry and how he plans to rebound his lodge. WB Nick is Master of Meridian Lodge No. 77 and a millenial who is changing the paradigm of what a good meeting should be all about. WB Nick is also a member of the CME and SW of Ouroboros Lodge. We explored handshaking and how lodge will change with the onset of the global pandemic. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nickives/message

We often say that we don't have time to do the things we hoped to. Now we Masons have plenty of that on our hands. In the time of the lockdown, are we maximizing our potential? RWB Jason and I explore what can be done in the quiet of your home to make you an even stronger Mason when labor resumes. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nickives/message

RWB George Frascarelli reminds us all of ways that we can still be doing our duty as Masons even during Social Distancing times. Bro. George is a Past DD and a past Master of two lodges, Village and St. Andrews Lodge. George is a straight shooter and I will remember to heed his words! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nickives/message

Bro. Cyril is a member of Quinta Essentia Lodge No. 500 in New Haven, CT. His lodge utilizes technology to make their meetings short and to the point, which has translated to a wonderful experience online. Bro. Cyril talks about his work in technology and how QE makes their meetings short and effective whether in person or online with a focus of fellowship and discussion. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nickives/message

As a 6 Sigma Black Belt and an expert on Lean Continuous Improvement, RWB Scott Bumps has a lot to say about how lodges can work to improve themselves. Reach out to RWB Scott if you feel like you could use a facilitation to look critically at lodge processes and how you can reinvent your lodge. I learned a lot with Bro. Scott and will use him as a resource going forward! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nickives/message

The president of the Masonic Temple Foundation of New Haven, CT RWB Steve manages the building for five lodges, three York Rite bodies and a Scottish Rite Valley. Thousands of Masons come to his temple each year, which is truly a spectacle to see. We talked about the many challenges Masons face when it comes to keeping an aging building up to date and financially solvent. It was an eye-opener for me and I hope you enjoy this episode. Find Steve at his Law Firm, Allinson and Associates! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nickives/message

Now entered apprentice Ben Valinsky talks about his feelings about crossing over into becoming the first Entered Apprentice of Ouroboros Lodge No 151 U.D. I asked him about his impressions and learn a lot about what the new EA thinks and feels. Please send voice notes through Anchor if you would like to be included on this show! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nickives/message

RWB Nick Ives and RWB Jason Morse chat about their experiences in smaller lodges. Bro. Nick is WM of Ouroboros 151 U.D. in Wallingford, CT and Bro. Jason is WM of Quinta Essentia 500 in New Haven, CT. Each have memberships in many lodges, yet their view as leaders of smaller lodges may inspire others to consider including the small lodge experience as part of their own. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nickives/message

Prior to being initiated into the fraternity, Bro. Ben Valinsky sat down with RWB Nick Ives for a chat about his perceptions of the craft. He has since been initiated, so we release this podcast to share what he thought coming into the craft, a view we don't often get to hear. This will be an ongoing feature as he progresses, so we can learn more about what the incoming Freemasons think and feel on their journey. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nickives/message