Overcoming Mediocrity
Harry Truman once said, “Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better.” I have to admit that I chuckled a bit when I read this. I didn’t know Brother Truman, other than as the historical figure who died when I was 11 years old, but I knew enough Freemasons of his generation to know that change and Freemasonry of his day did not get used in the same sentence, except to say “We shall not change Freemasonry!” But there is one truism that we need to remember: That which man has made and does not change will not survive.
Recently, I posed a question on the York Rite Leadership Program Facebook page, asking what folks think are the top three issues, other than membership and ritual memorization facing Freemasonry in general or the York Rite specifically. The responses were both enlightening and not unexpected, and there were many excellent comments from which to draw material. However, I only have time to address one item here today, and that challenge is eliminating the mediocrity which has characterized the 20th century American lodge experience. (Proposed by Brother Robert Davis, whom is known to many of you.)
To be premier means to be the first or the best of something. We Templars claim that we see ourselves as the premier Masonic organization in the USA. However, we clearly have not been acting that way across our entire organizational structure all of the time. Now, let me be clear, there are pockets of excellence out there from whom we can all learn a great deal, but there is a lot of room for improvement.
Where can we begin to make our path from mediocrity to excellence? How might we make that happen? It cannot be imposed from the top. There is no program or action that the Grand Encampment leadership can dictate upon the Grand Commanderies and Subordinate Commanderies which will make change happen overnight, and let alone make things “excellent” across the board. Sure, suggestions and ideas can be offered, but the change can only happen where the rubber meets the road–in the local Commandery and, more precisely, in the mirror of every Knight Templar.
That’s right. The opportunity for progress and change for the better starts with the individual Knight. As Templar leaders (the overwhelming readers on this list are Past Grand Commanders or current Grand Commandery officers), it is incumbent on each one of us to take it upon ourselves to be that agent of change. It can start with the small–get your uniforms in proper, serviceable condition and wear them properly and proudly. Crack open that ritual book and get proficiency back up to where it should be. Seek out one newer Knight and offer to be his mentor and help him to walk the walk and talk the talk with you. Work with him and help him adopt the same standard of excellence and commit to sharing it with one other Knight.
At the Commandery level, stop accepting “OK” tactics and ritual. Schedule a practice. Gather officers together before a Conclave or stay after to work on mechanics so that the next Conclave goes smoother. Commanders can prepare written agendas in advance and share them with the membership so folks know what is happening and can be prepared for conversations. Build a calendar for the next 12 months and commit to adding at least one month every month to the plan. Work with your “feeder” Chapters and Councils to schedule degrees and Orders logically and timely. If necessary, get your good Commandery ritualists to help the Chapters and Councils, not only to get work conferred, but to help the Chapters and Councils fill their chairs and strengthen as well.
Grand Commanderies can step up to the plate, too. Help organize “dream teams” of ritualists and tactics experts to step up and help the local Commanderies where needed and to demonstrate what excellence looks like in practice. If your Grand Commandery has an inspection process, use it. Inspections are not “Gee, look how good that is!” events. Inspections are designed to inspect for neglect, and if the inspections don’t uncover issues that need to be fixed or can be improved, the inspection is helping no one. Certainly we don’t want to “rip people apart,” but it is necessary to be honest and accurate in inspecting our Commanderies if we are to rise above being mediocre and assume our stated place as the premier Masonic organization.
Some tough words today, some will say, but we cannot move forward and improve without identifying where we are falling short. Sometimes, making change happen is not a gentle activity, and it certainly isn’t always comfortable. However, together we can make it happen!