FVNews Daily.  COMBINED EDITION No 110. Monday-Tuesday, September 21-22, 2020
• From the Communications and Marketing Volunteer Action Team• Email: editor@FVNews.com.au or Ash@Long.com.au
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UPDATED DAILY. What’s On (46 listings)
Please notify us about your event. Email: editor@FVNews.com.au

Monday, September 21
• 7.15pm. Gippsland Forest Lodge. 8pm. Open To Visitors. 8.10pm. Lecture: District Commander Very Illustrious Brother Michael Hyland 33°, Sovereign Grand Inspector General, Victoria Eastern, with the Supreme Council of the 33° of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite for Australia, Grand Secretary General HE Most Illustrious Brother Dominic De Candia 33° and Eminent Brother P.J. Milne to conduct a “Lecture on the Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Australia”. LINK
•7.30pm. King David Lodge. Talk: Hillel Benedykt, ‘Musings of a Past Grand Master’. LINK. Meeting ID: 7873848487
• 7.30pm. Maribyrnong Mark Lodge. Talk: Thoughts on the Historical Origins of the Mark Degree. Masons Only. You do not have to be a MMM to attend this lecture. LINK
• 7.30pm.Gippsland Lakes Lodge. Speaker: John Glover ‘The quest for missing children’, A talk on facial reconstruction. .All welcome, including ladies and non-Freemasons. LINK
• 7.30pm. St George Lodge. Talk: Nicholas Derecki, The Difference Between Metropolitan and Rural Policing. LINK
• 7.30pm. Lodge of Good Companions. Includes casual 10 minutes on Fishing Hotspots and Tactics. All welcome. LINK
• 7.45pmfor visitors.Warrnambool Lodge. Talk: Richard Elkington, Grand Master. LINK

Tuesday, September 22 
•10.30am. Kyneton Gentlemen’s Club. Kyneton Pizza Shop, 40 High St. Limited numbers because of COVID-19 rules. Attire: Smart Casual. LINK
• 7pm.Peace and Loyalty Lodge. Speaker: Myles King: President Board of General Purposes. LINK
• 7pm. Richmond Lodge. DETAILS
• 7.15pm for 7.30pm. Mount Scopus and Collegians Lodge. Talk by Dr Philip A. Quadrio from Lodge Galileo who is the Director, College of Masonic Studies and Grand Lodge Membership Officer, NSW and ACT. ‘The North East or Charity Charge. The History and Inclusion of the Charge in Modern Freemasonry’. LINK: Meeting ID: 899 3672 5896. Passcode: 140108
• 7.30pm.Middle Park Lodge. Talk: Barry Minster, ‘Electric Vehicles – Why not?’ Non-Masons welcome for talk. Attire: Dinner Suit, no regalia. LINK: Meeting ID: 846 6432 2019, Password: 247321.

Wednesday, September 23
• 11.15am. Funeral Service for Wor. Bro. Ray Thomas. LINK• 2pm.Funeral Service for Bro. Greg Romanes. LINK
• 7pm. Dimboola Royal Ark Mariners No 132 and West Wimmera Mark Lodge No 132 meetings. Talk: Craig Spendlove, ‘Craig Spendlove, ‘The Origins of the Mark Degree’. LINK
• 7.30pm. Communications and Marketing Volunteer Action Team. Members’ Meeting. Invitation to Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master and Grand Secretary. LINK
• 7.30 pm. Keystone Mark No 1. Short business meeting. Talk: Bill Jones, Grand Master Elect, ‘Women Freemasons’. All Freemasons, ladies welcome. Attire: smart casual. LINK
• 7.30pm. Communications and Marketing Volunteer Action Team. Members’ Meeting. Invitation to Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master and Grand Secretary. LINK
• 7.30pm. Western District. Open Online Forum. Guest: Greg Goding, Past Assistant Grand Master (Qld). PRE-REGISTER
• 8pm. Healesville Lodge. Talk: Dr Dan Eddy, AFL writer, speaking about his new book Crimmo, the life and death of Hawthorn star Peter Crimmins. LINK

Thursday, September 24
• 10.30am. Kyneton Gentlemen’s Club. Kyneton Pizza Shop, 40 High St. Limited numbers because of COVID-19 rules. Attire: Smart Casual. LINK

Friday, September 25
• 7.30pm. The Victorian Lodge of Research. Talk: Lewis Allan, ‘Paschal Beverly Randolph’. LINK Password if required – 510249

Monday, September 28
• Time TBA. Spring Vale Lodge. Virtual Tour: Chapel of St John, Scotland. LINK TBA
• 7.30pm. St Andrews In The South, Geelong, Holy Royal Arch Chapter. Talk: Ruary Bucknall and Comp Fred McAnda, the Fundamentals and Importance of Mentoring. Open to all members of the Craft. Meeting ID: 983 0762 7500. Passcode: 286 730
• 7.30pm. South Gippsland Mark Lodge. Talk: Grand Lecturer, ‘Relationship of Mark Freemasonry and that of the Ark Mariners Degree’. LINK

Tuesday, September 29
• 10.30am. Kyneton Gentlemen’s Club. All Welcome. Attire: Smart Casual. LINK
• 7pm. Richmond Lodge. DETAILS
• 7.30pm. Werribee Mark Lodge. Talk: Barry Minster, ‘Development of the Electric Vehicle’. EA, FC, MM also welcome. LINK

Wednesday, September 30
• 7.30pm. Freemasons Victoria Business Meeting (Quarterly Communication has been postponed until December). LINK to come. 

Thursday, October 1
• 10.30am. Kyneton Gentlemen’s Club. All Welcome. Attire: Smart Casual. LINK
• 7.30pm. Ivanhoe Grammarians Lodge. Talk: Wayne Motton, ‘How To Conduct The Best Zoom Meetings’. All Welcome. Attire: Smart Casual. LINK to come.
• 7.30pm. Killara Lodge. Talk: Anthony Bucca, Deputy Grand Master. ‘Post COVID Freemasonry’. Richard Elkington, Grand Master, will be in attendance. Zaidee night: wear a rainbow bow-tie, in remembrance of the girl, 7, who died of a blood haemorrhage in her brain.

Friday, October 2 
• 7pm. Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Victoria. Gardenvale, Shepparton, Geelong, Maroondah, Sherbrooke, Mornington and Wimmera Councils.

Sunday, October 4
• 2am. Daylight saving time will begin in Victoria. 

Monday, October 5
• Time TBA. Williamstown Lodge official visit to Rosebank Lodge. LINK to come.

Tuesday, October 6
• 6pm. Mentor Training Program. Launch. LINK
• 7pm. Old Melburnians Lodge. 7.30pm. Mitchell River Lodge (Bairnsdale) visiting. Discussion: “If individual lodges hold true to the ‘landmarks of the order’ should they be able to make individual decisions about the running of meetings and internal lodge administration rather than having them prescribed centrally by the United Grand Lodge of Victoria?” Attire: Neat Casual. LINK
• 7.30pm. Hearts Of Oak. Talk: Paul Brennand, Chair, Membership Volunteer Action Team. LINK to come.

Wednesday, October 7
• 7pm. Old Scotch Collegians Lodge. Proclamation of Joseph Morrow as Patron. Attire: Smart casual with a touch of tartan. LINK

Friday, October 9
• 7pm. Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Victoria. Victorian, Kerang, Oakleigh, Ballarat, McMillan, South Gippsland and Adoniram Councils. 

Wednesday, October 14
• Time TBA. Traralgon Lodge. Talk: Anthony Bucca, ‘How To Create A Better Lodge Experience’. LINK to come. 
• 7.30pm. Williamstown Lodge. Talk: David Newgreen, ‘Visiting Lodges Nationally and Abroad’. LINK

Thursday, October 15
• 7pm. Prospect Hill Mark Meeting. Opening and closing. Talk: Craig Spendlove, ‘Mark Masonry Prior to 1813. Attire: members jacket and tie, visitors smart casual. Open to non-Mark brethren. LINK

Wednesday, October 21
• 7pm. Grand Lodge Library/Museum Talks. ‘A Discussion on Masonic Etiquette’. LINK

Thursday, October 22

• 7.30pm. Communications and Volunteer Action Team. Members only. LINK to come.

• 7.45pm. Royal Ark Mariner Bayside trio meeting. Talk: Craig Spendlove, ‘In the Footsteps of Noah’. Current MMM, Former MMM, Current RAM, Former RAM only. LINK

Saturday, October 24
• 2pm. Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Victoria. Video Event in place of Annual Assembly which cannot be held due to COVID-19 lockdown. LINK to register, link TBA.

Videos
• The Masonic Leader’s Mindset – Purposeful Action. (02:01) LINK
• Freemason Leadership. (02:02) LINK
• Freemasons Today. Carmel Lodge (US). (09:20). LINK
• Online Masonic Leadership Course, 2020. Masons of California. LINK

Reading
• A New Mason Encounters A Group of Past Masters. MasonsLeadBetter.com LINK
• Masonic Leadership. It’s Time To Set The Pace. LINK
• What Is Leadership? The Midnight Freemasons. LINK

The Leadership Issue
• In addition to our growing What’s On guide, and general news sections each issue, FVNews Daily publishes occasional features about Masonic Life. In this special edition, we examine the subject of leadership, its essential attributes, and the unique skills required to be a leader in a volunteer organisation. This feature offers 10 discussion points, with links:
• 1. What Is Leadership?
• 2. What Is A Leader of Volunteers?
• 3. A Duty To Encourage
• 4. ‘Old Fashioned’ Leadership
• 5. Working Tools of Leadership
• 6. The Pen Is Mightier Than The Sword
• 7. Make People Feel Valued
• 8. Essential Truths About Good Leaders
• 9. Good Leadership Qualities
• 10. Earning Respect As A Masonic Leader

• “Leadership is not a Masonic virtue. We should separate our expectation of Masonic attributes and when leadership qualities are missing, we should be willing to become involved and offer our leadership knowledge to help fill the gap.” – Bro. Alden H. Jones, Past Grand Master,Washington, in Who Leads The Leader? LINK

What Is Leadership?
• “Leadership! It is Loyalty, it’s Energy, it’s Attitude, a positive attitude, it’s Dynamic, it’s Enthusiasm, Risk-taking, it’s Strategy, Honesty, it’sInspiration and it’s Prestige.” – Bro. D.A. Bruce, Past Grand Master, The Masonic Trowel. LINK

• I’d rather watch a winner, than hear one any day 
I’d rather have him walk with me, than merely show the way 
The eye’s a better pupil, more willing than the ear 
Find counsel is confusing but example’s always clear 
The best of all the coaches, are the ones who live their creeds
For to see the good in action is what everybody needs 
I can soon learn how to do it, if you show me how it’s done 
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run 
The lectures you deliver may be very wise and true, 
But I’d rather get my lessons by observing what you do 
For I may misunderstand you, and the high advice you give, 
But there is no misunderstanding how you act and how you live, 
Yes, I’d rather watch a winner, than hear one any day
I’d rather watch a leader, modelling the way.
– Bro. Edgar Guest

What Is A Leader of Volunteers?
• “The role of a leader in a volunteer organisation is a special challenge. It requires thoughtful understanding of the group to be led. This is especially true in a Masonic organization, because the lodge in most instances is com-posed of some members who have proven capacities for leadership, and others who may have had no training or experience in any type of leadership role. Your role also requires an understanding of Masonry, its tenets, its teachings, its practices, its organization, and the authority and responsibility of the Worshipful Master and other officers of the lodge, both elected and appointed.” – Bro. E. Doyle, Louisiana Freemason.
• Bro. Freeman says: “Outstanding leaders of volunteers are realistic people who can measure themselves and their goals for the lodge in relation to the facts around them: that is, the resources and manpower they have to work with, chiefly their committee chairmen. Such leaders are able to keep their forces in balance and to work to increase their assets and diminish their liabilities.”

A Duty To Encourage
• Speaking to the Grand Masters of Canada, Bro. D.A. Bruce, in Leadership And The Survival of Freemasonry, spoke of the necessity of true leaders to encourage the heart: “I believe it was James Barrie who once said. The first secret to total success is self esteem; – feeling good about oneself – that is the role of Leaders; to help people to feel good about themselves; to know that they are part of the process; that they are part of the organisation; that they count; that they are appreciated.” 
• There is also a responsibility to enable: “Enabling others to act; to give them the tools and the power and the authority to work up the action plan for the vision.” LINK

‘Old Fashioned’ Leadership
• Bro. Freeman adds: “”Old fashioned leaders have a “heroic” concept of their role. They must be everywhere at once and do everything themselves. This is unfortunate because it stifles their committee members’ initiative. On the other hand, successful leaders in a volunteer organisation are friendly and understanding; communicate frequently and openly with their committee members; provide frequent encouragement and motivation; praise lodge members for a job well done; harmonise differences; attempt to enable team members to work to their full potential; take pleasure in developing the leadership talents of younger members in the lodge.”

Working Tools of Leadership
• According to Masonic Leadership by MWor. Bro. E. Arthur Haglund, Past Grand Master of California, in the Scottish Rite Journal, March 2000, the five tools of leadership are:
• Planning – set directions and destinations, but allow for changes.
• Organisation – prioritise, address all things as needed
• Promptness – timeliness and courtesy
• Inspiration – meaningful tasks and delegation
• Encouragement – to reach full potential; encouragement beats admonition 

• Warren Bennis, in his book On Becoming A Leader, differentiates leadership from management : “Managers administer, focus on systems and structure, rely on control, and keep their eye on the budget. Leaders are interested in direction, vision, goals, objectives, effectiveness and purpose. Leaders innovate, focus on people, inspire trust, and have their eye on the future.”

The Pen Is Mightier Than The Sword• A truncheon is a short, thick stick carried as a weapon. A staff or baton acts as a symbol of authority. “The sword has been known to symbolise strength, authority, protection, and courage … the history of the sword is full of contradictions. It has a classic duality to it. On the one hand, a sword was used to destroy and kill and represented battle and destruction. On the other hand, a sword was used to protect and was seen as a sacred symbol of chivalry”. LINK
• A Masonic leader also has a pen at their disposal. “The office of Lodge Secretary calls for a Brother who is highly efficient and who would be a success in any field of endeavour where tact, efficiency and friendliness are qualifications,” says 
Bro. R.A. Tate of the Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan. LINK

However, even writing and poorly written emails have their dangers and can be easily misconstrued.
• Better still are the efficient use of speech and listening. Best in person (in times other than COVID), but also by phone or video conferencing, a good Masonic leader will employ supportive one-on-one conversations to enquire, support and enthuse his peers.

Make People Feel Valued
• The Lodge of The Royal Secret offers this advice to Masonic leaders: “In today’s world, it is difficult for men to come together in a way that enables them to develop true and lasting connections. Increasing demands from our careers and family makes camaraderie difficult to establish and maintain. Masons develop a connection built on shared beliefs and experiences. This creates a profound bond that transcends ordinary kinship. Brothers support and challenge one another, share knowledge and wisdom, and provide light and hope in times of darkness. As a Masonic brother, you will always have a network of peers who care about you, no matter the hardships you may face.” LINK
• “That’s the essence of friendship – making sure the person you’re talking to feels valued.” – Raphael Awuku

Essential Truths of Good Leaders
• “Leadership skills are developed by Freemasons in their search for truth. As we learn and grow, we become mentors to others. Freemasons share their knowledge and skills with other Masons and with the community as a whole. Within Freemasonry, there are ample opportunities to learn the leadership skills that you may have never recognized you possessed. This includes leadership positions available at the lodge, District, and Grand Lodge level.” LINK

Good Leadership Qualities• Freemasons New Zealand offers these examples of Good Leadership
• Ensure leadership development and awareness• Lodge leaders need to set good example
• Facilitation and balanced delegation is important to encourage involvement
• Need to have empathy, tolerance, harmony demonstrated• Requires confidence of/in Worshipful Master
• Identify up and coming Leaders: have self confidence
• Recognise the different Leadership styles of the brethren
• Good communication required – encourage listening
• Ensure variation of activities – have social activity involvement• Involve all brethren with a consistent approach
• Know product – and have background knowledge• Everyone using the same “song sheet”

Earning Respect as a True Masonic Leader
• “Listening is a powerful leadership and communication skill. When we listen with the intent to understand, rather than with the intent to reply, we begin the process of true communication and relationship building. Listening with an attentive ear takes skill and patience but it leads to understanding and earns trust. Once we truly understand another’s point of view, we can then seek to be understood by the skillful use of grammar, rhetoric, and logic. Leaders with an attentive ear gain high admiration and respect.” – Bro. L. Arby Humphrey, Grand Master, Wisconsin Freemasons. LINK

About The Editor
• Bro. Ash Long is the current Chair of the Communications and Marketing Volunteer Action Team of Freemasons Victoria. He has a 51-year career in senior roles in the Australian media industry, and he is Chairman of the Melbourne Press Network, and Managing Director and founder of Local Media Pty Ltd. He is a Past Director of the Allied Suburban Newspapers network, and a former National Marketing and Promotions Board member of the Australian Suburban Newspapers Association. He was named Victorian Country Press Association winner of the statewide Westpac Award as ‘Best Local Reporter’ across Victoria. He is a former Manager of Leader Newspapers, Northcote.
• Bro. Long is former Chairman of the Rotary District 9790 Public Relations Committee, and a former Charter Member and Past President of the Rotary Club of Yea. He was awarded as a Paul Harris Fellow. Bro. Long is a Past President of the Preston and Reservoir Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and a Past President of the Bayswater Chamber of Commerce and Industry. As a lad, he was School Captain and Head Prefect of Ivanhoe Grammar School, and for his sins he is long-standing Secretary of Ivanhoe Grammarians Lodge No. 584. Each weeknight, he willingly contributes at least two hours in compiling FVNews Daily, “a daily advancement in Masonic Knowledge”.

Postscript: Lessons In Leadership
• Q – How many Masons does it take to change a lightbulb? A – Twenty
2 to complain that the light doesn’t work. 
1 to pass the problem to either another committee, Temple Board or Master of the Lodge. 
3 to do a study on light in this Lodge. 
2 to check out the types of lights approved by Grand Lodge. 
3 to argue about it. 
5 to plan a fund-raising dinner to raise money for the bulb. 
2 to complain that “that’s not the way we did it before.” 
1 to borrow a ladder, donate the bulb and install it. 
1 to order the brass memorial plate and have it inscribed.

• So which Mason out of the 20 are you? Freemasonry needs people who have good leadership skills, even if they don’t want to be leaders. Rank is the weakest form of leadership and a leader can be any member of the lodge who is driven to action. They see a need, take action and then withdraw back into the multitude without seeking reward.

Masonic leaders display …
• A strong sense of responsibility
• A meticulous attention to detail
• An ambivalence about recognition
• The traits of productive Masonic leaders: they are collaborators and consider themselves part of the lodge, chosen to serve rather than being elevated to a high office, with emphasis on “we” rather than “I”, “me” or “my”. Often an individual’s leadership abilities and tendencies can be easily identified by how many times they refer to themselves in this way.
– West Gate Lodge, Ontario, Canada. LINK

No ‘crimethink’ accusations here
• Richard Burman, Secretary of Old Melburnians Lodge, says “no-one will be accused of a ‘crimethink’ for expressing views that are different to the current orthodoxy when his Lodge discusses the topic of ““If individual lodges hold true to the ‘landmarks of the order’ should they be able to make individual decisions about the running of meetings and internal lodge administration rather than having them prescribed centrally by the United Grand Lodge of Victoria?”
The meeting plans to cover areas such as:
• Read or Recite Ritual
• Ritual and Ceremonial generally
• The South
• Masonic Education
• Getting members and retaining them
• Installations.

Welcome to our newest subscribers
• We have set ourselves a target to add 7 extra opt-in subscribers per issue over the next 12 months. We want to reach 4000 readers each day by August 31, 2021. Will you help us reach our goal by telling others?Today, FVNews Daily welcomes Bob Pierce, David Jordaan, Johnny Dunstan, Peter Turnley, Graeme Weber, Xavier Murtagh and Lance McGregor.
• Are members of your Lodge receiving FVNews Daily?Please let them know that they can subscribe, free, HERESend Your Summons please
• Lodges can assist by sending emails about every lodge meeting and event to editor@FVNews.com.au 
Please include us on your Lodge Summons mailing list.

Famous Freemasons
•Fairbanks Senior, Douglas (Real name: Douglas Elton Thomas Ullman) (1883-1939) – Actor, screenwriter, director and producer, earlyAmerican silent film actor, Douglas Fairbanks wowed the ladies with his athletic prowess in swashbuckling adventures such as The Mark of Zorro (1920), Robin Hood (1922) and The Thief of Bagdad (1924). A consummate businessman, Fairbanks founded the United Artists motion picture studio with Charlie Chaplin in 1919 and The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Oscars), hosting the first Oscar ceremony in 1929. Douglas Fairbanks Sr. was a Freemason in Beverley Hills Lodge No.528.
– Timothy Horton

Masonic Knowledge
• “I consider leadership a game of addition, not subtraction. Bringing people together around a unified goal is as much an art as a science. Can you articulate a clear vision of what you or your lodge is hoping to accomplish that will help inspire others to want to be part of it? When you approach your brothers for assistance, are they willing to jump in and help? While Freemasonry can help the individual man grow, I am of the firm belief that the strength of our fraternity is the collective influence we have on each other in achieving this growth.” – Bro. Gregory J. Knott, Ogden Lodge, Illinois.

Masonic Wisdom
• “Give the brethren a chance to do something, anything, no matter how small or unimportant. A brother convinced that he is helpful is enthusiastic.”– Bro. Theodore Roosevelt

Ourselves
• The next issue of FVNews Daily will be published on Wednesday (Sept. 23).
• A few members reported not receiving the Thursday and Friday editions of FVNews Daily. If you experience email problems, we suggest you check your Spam folder, or alternatively you can always access all back issues at https://fvnews.com.au/wp/back-copies/

INFORMATION TO KNOW
FVNews is published by Bro. Ash Long, Chair of the Communications and Marketing Volunteer Action Team of Freemasons Victoria. 
Phone: 0450 399 932.
Web: www.FVNews.com.au Email: editor@FVNews.com.au
FVNews is an opt-in email. If, for any reason, you would prefer not to receive our emails, simply reply to editor@FVNews.com.au or fill out the Unsubscribe form at https://fvnews.com.au/wp/subscribe/  – type OPT OUT in the subject line, and please include your email address. Or use the unsubscribe option at https://fvnews.com.au/wp/subscribe/