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B2B
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Brethren your Brother to
Brother Representative would like you to know the following: 4.3 Sponsorship Of Candidates: The Role of the Sponsor The Sponsors are the potential Candidate's bridge from darkness to the first light of Masonry. It is the Sponsors who likely created the favourable image of the Craft that has whetted the Candidate's desire to join Masonry. It is important to ensure that the matching of the man with the Craft is for the mutual benefit of both. 4.3.1 The Role of the Sponsor Take an inventory in your own mind and answer the following questions before you undertake sponsorship of a potential candidate. • What do you know about the man? His job? His family? His
interests? His abilities? • Is your lodge the right one for him? In districts where lodges have concurrent jurisdiction, groups of professional or trades people often congregate in certain lodges. A man may not be happy in lodge if he is not a part of that group. • Is the man right for the Craft? Why is he considering becoming a Freemason? How does his family feel about the fraternity? Has he been successful in other organizations? How does he conduct himself in the community? Will the brethren look to him with pride? Remember, each candidate is a potential Master of your Lodge. • Am I the right Sponsor? Do I have the time, skills and inclination to invest in his training and nurturing? There will be a need to assist him with the memory work and floor work, to advise him on the meanings of the various terms, accompany him to lodge and introduce him to his new network - his brethren. Am I prepared to invest the time and energy to see that this is done well? There are no right or wrong answers to these questions, except what you feel in your heart. 4.3.2 The Applicant Should you agree to act as a Sponsor, deliver the Application form with the second Sponsor and sit down with the applicant in a relaxed atmosphere. Review its contents and fill it out together. The applicant should know the manner in which his petition will be handled, this includes having it read out in lodge, a Committee of Inquiry appointed to inquire into his character and qualifications by interviewing him, his family and his references, a report on their findings and, pending a favourable report, a ballot on his application in lodge. Both Sponsors should be present in lodge at the time of the report and the ballot. 4.3.3 Initiation Night The night of the Candidate's Initiation should require the attendance of both Sponsors, who should transport him to lodge wearing proper dress and ensure that he is made at ease before the ceremony by introducing him to the members. Following the meeting, they should ensure that he meets as many of the brethren present as possible, so that he feels welcome and wanted and most important of all, a part of the entire scenario. 4.3.4 Progressing Through the Degrees The coaching and preparation of the Candidate for his subsequent degrees is imperative and a duty of the Sponsors, or a member assigned by the Worshipful Master, who should work in close co-operation with Lodge Mentor Chairman, to ensure the necessary co-ordination. One is not a substitute for the other, they play different , but complementary roles. The sponsors assist the Candidate in advance for what is upcoming, to apply for membership and to prepare for each Degree. The Mentor enters the picture after each step to explain and consolidate what the Candidate has just experienced, to assist him in understanding its historical background, its symbolism’s and its activities. When properly applied, this segregation of responsibilities between sponsors and the Mentor becomes integrated. What emerges is various lodge members working together to make the new member feel appreciated in his new surroundings. Maintaining an active interest in the Candidate’s progress and keeping in touch is an essential aspect of being a sponsor, even after the Candidate has received all of his degrees. The young Master Mason continues to need advice and support and the sponsor should take new members to a variety of Masonic events. The Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. M. of Canada in the Province
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Questions or problems regarding this web site
should be directed to
W. Bro. Ron Taylor
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