Editorial

Lodge Secretaries and the 21st century!

A lodge secretary looks good to the brethren if the notice papers get sent

out on time and if the minutes bear some similarity to what actually

happened last month. Brilliant!

But the other 7/8ths of the secretarial iceberg are hidden. Of course, some things get done and others don’t. Grand Lodge doesn’t check the details of 250 lodges.

Then a new secretary takes over and discovers that the lodge records are incomplete. He quails at the thought of updating and correcting several years’ worth of errors and omissions.

This is all changing. The new improved

Grand Lodge database system went live on 27 February. From that date, or soon:

R Members have access to their own records and will be responsible for keeping their basic information up to date. They cannot blame anyone else now.

R Members can download their masonic history. If there are errors, these can be reported and will be corrected. R Secretaries are able to correct and change members’ details live. R Secretaries can submit the lodge monthly returns to Grand Lodge online without completing paper forms. R Membership applications can be submitted electronically and relevant documents such as police checks can be uploaded. R Eventually all forms will be able to be completed and submitted online. R Coming soon will be the ability to book online for events (and pay for them where applicable) and receive receipts and tickets. R Also, coming soon will be the ability for the secretary and members to make purchases from an online shop.

This will start with the normal lodge stationery items, books and rituals.

Other items will gradually be added. R There is a resource section which includes a training videos section;

initially videos are available on using the system. Content will gradually be increased to include training videos for members, secretaries, treasurers etc. R There are three special help desk email addresses for people having difficulties – MembersHelp@masons.org.au,

SecretariesHelp@masons.org.au and

DGIWSHELP@masons.org.au. People are encouraged to use these, with an expectation of having a reply within two business days. This will also help to keep track of common problems and fix them quickly.

Many lodges are creating new and attractive formats for notice papers and perhaps in the future we will see these being made available to all lodges.

Finally, the new database system will encourage all brethren to see what is available on the Grand Lodge website, and that can only bring us closer together.

AND... WE’RE BACK! R SEEKING THE GOLDEN LION R ORIGIN OF OUR RITUAL v53 n4 December 2020

PHOTO COMPETITION R THE STORY OF JEPHTHAH R LODGE VAUCLUSE v52 n3 September 2020

Integrity – Loyalty – Respect

www.masons.org.au

Integrity – Loyalty – Respect

OExample entries on back cover UGLQ CENTENARY FREEMASON FOTO COMPETITION!R WHO WAS HIRAM ABIF? R THE GUYOT BOOKPLATES LODGE ANTIQUITY R ORIGIN OF OUR RITUAL II R A PHILATELIC ERROR

Back v54 n2June 2021 v54 n1 March 2021

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