Midlothian Lodge 211 Officers & Committees

Discussion Groups -

Goal 4 small discussion, 1 large group, 2 Ritual discussions in the year.

  1. Small Groups of Masons - Not a called meeting.
    1. Socrates Cafe -
      1. Website:  http://www.philosopher.org/uploads/3/4/7/5/34753531/tips_for_starting_and_facilitating_a_socrates_caf.pdf
      2. Other Lodges who do these discussions
        1. Arts & Sciences Lodge 792 Ohio  - danhrinko@verizon.net
        2. ERAC Lodge #163 Rochester, NY - http://www.erac163.org
        3. Tabula Rosa Lodge, Nebraska - http://www.tabularasalodge.org/index.html
    2. Book Club -  See Ed Cohen of Grand Lodge of Virginia edmundcohen@verizon.net
  2. Large Group -Outside Resource - Non Masons and Masons - Do One of these in the year.
    1. This is great for invite a friend night.  A lively discussion could interest.
    2. Pick a topic that is easy and enjoyable for many.  Two examples. A local minister or psychiatrist could facilitate a discussion on:
      1. Courage - Have a three "experts" talk about what courage is in their field - Doctor, Veteran, Firefighter.  Then get the audience share their stories of courage through sickness, loss of loved one, etc.
      2. Service to others - Have someone tell stories of others in your city or community of how the serve others.  Again, facilitate a discussion about serving others.
      3. Civility - Historian, Social Worker, Psychiatrist discuss the value of civility in a time when our ears are filled with divisive language.
  3. Ritual Discussion - Done the night of a Ritual Practice - Do two of these in a year.
    1. See Grand Lodge website for comments on ritual.
    2. Prepare questions to ask to facilitate a discussion.  This should not be a lecture.
  4. Ask the Ground Committee to organize a place in lodge where a small group discussion can happen comfortably.  If they resist, explain that it is where we can point to when potential candidates visit.
  5. Prepare the Brethren for the discussion - Ask the facilitator to prepare two things two weeks prior to the event.
    1. Prepare a one sheeter on the topics that will be discussed.
    2. Find a video like a "Ted Talk" on the subject to help facilitate thought.
  6. Once you have those items, send them to your technology team to put on Website, Facebook, Instagram, etc.