Mentoring

Mentoring Policy

Mentoring in Freemasonry involves us all, in how we look after our members - particularly our new members – how we nurture them… that is the secret of success. But Mentoring is not the responsibility of the Mentors alone; it falls on the shoulders of every member of the Lodge, and even its Visitors, to embrace the concept that we are all members of the same Brotherhood or family, and that we are all bound to do to others as in similar circumstances we would wish they would do to us.

A successful Mentoring Policy is dependent on the performance of Mentors at all levels, Provincial, Lodge and Personal. A fundamental measure of its success is that every member of every Lodge feels that he belongs to his Lodge; is involved in its life and understands why he is a Freemason. If this can be achieved in all its members, the Lodge will be strong, possess a happy and welcoming atmosphere, and induce its members to introduce their friends and colleagues into its circle.

This new Mentoring Policy for the Province of Shropshire is an excellent guide, and its adoption will be a major factor in ensuring the continuing success of our Province for generations to come.

I enthusiastically endorse our Mentoring Policy and commend it to you all.

Roger Pemberton, Provincial Grand Master

The Members’ Pathway

Freemasons have traditionally mentored their newer members through the support of the Proposer and Seconder who vouched for him when he applied. This relationship remains of key importance, and one of these Brethren will often act as Personal Mentor to the Mason within his Mother Lodge.

It is also acknowledged that circumstances may change; a Proposer or Seconder may pass away, move out of the area, become disabled or otherwise unable to maintain the level of care required. Accordingly, an initiative was launched recently, founded upon best practice from up and down the country, to ensure that each Lodge follows a series of steps that begin even before a Candidate is recruited, and which continue to retain his interest through his early career. This set of guidelines even looks into the question of retrieving Brethren who may have lost interest.

The steps known as the “Members’ Pathway” are a key part of United Grand Lodge’s development guide, and are recommended strongly to all Lodges, as is the appointment of a Membership Officer responsible to the Provincial Membership Officer (PMO). The “Members’ Pathway” may be downloaded by clicking on the button below.

Frequently Asked Questions

For members to share with people asking questions about Freemasonry:

The following questions and answers document has been compiled by the Provincial Grand Mentor to encourage and help us all to talk openly about Freemasonry with our family, friends and colleagues. In doing so, we will become ‘Ambassadors for Freemasonry’ and actively support our policy of openness.

The answers to this collection of frequently asked questions should be supplemented with personal experiences where possible. Their use will ensure our message is both factually correct and interesting.