First Rising #7: Further Lincolnshire-specific information
My Freemasonry Story: Matt Dunstan
October 4, 2020
If you watch one video on line today, make it this one…
October 7, 2020
Brethren, you will now all have had a chance to read the First Rising #7, issued ahead of the introduction by the MW The Grand Master of new temporary emergency measures which come in to effect from 7thOctober 2020.
I wanted to take this opportunity to add the following Lincolnshire-specific information, which I trust you will find helpful, bearing in mind that it has been designed to ensure the continued safety of our members, the need for which remains paramount. Where I mention ‘Lodge’, please understand that I mean ‘Lodge and/or Chapter’, and ‘Secretary’ also includes ‘Scribe E’.
Suspension of Lodge meetings
Written acknowledgement of the temporary suspension of Lodge meetings will be sent by the Provincial office, to Lodge secretaries, provided that:
- procedures outlined in the Temporary Emergency Measures and the accompanying guide have been adhered to
- all subscribing members, including those not on email, have been contacted to ascertain their views
- members not responding are counted as having voted against the suspension
It should be noted that any suspension can continue for no more than three months, after which a new agreement must be sought. This will once again require a response in favour of suspension from two thirds of the members.
If a majority of two thirds of the members cannot be secured to allow suspension of Lodge meetings, Secretaries should continue to send summonses in line with the rules introduced when the original four-month suspension came to an end.
Dispensations for an alternative venue
If a Lodge based at a Masonic Centre, which is otherwise closed, wishes to hold meeting, a dispensation permitting a meeting at an alternative venue may be sought, bearing in mind that:
- requests for dispensations are unlikely to be granted if they involve proposals to meet at venues other than one of our own Masonic Centres which has not been closed as a result of the pandemic.
Audio/Visual communications
If a meeting involves an audio-visual element such as via Zoom, the procedures in Item 8 of the Guide to the Temporary Emergency Measures must strictly adhered to.
The Provincial Office is open between 9am and 1pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays only, should Lodge Secretaries require further advice or assistance.
Finally, it is understood that whatever actions we take will be within the law. Freemasons must on no account be seen to be ‘bending the rules’.
Yours S&F
Dave Wheeler,
Provincial Grand Master
Most Excellent Grand Superintendent
