Stewards

Current Master: WBro John Henry

The WM of the Durham Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge is not a successive post, but is appointed by the Provincial Grand Master. He serves in this post for two years.

The purpose of the Worshipful Master is to lead the lodge on behalf of the ProvGM, acting as the conduit for all messages and duties required from the ProvGM and his team to the Stewards.

The WM is the driving force behind the Lodge. He appoints the Project Managers/Team Leaders, and allocates the current Stewards to the required teams.

Current Secretary: WBro Neil King

The Secretary of the DPGSL performs many of the duties that the Craft lodge secretary carries out but tends to send out more general messages than they would do.

The duty of the Secretary during our meetings is generally the same as your Craft Secretary but he is not required to read out the general communications from UGLE & PGL, unless it is specifically of reference to the function of the Lodge.

The Assistant Secretary is an acting post that supports and assists the Secretary in all of his duties and succeeds to the senior position at the next installation.

The Leader for this group is the appointed Stewards Lodge Director of Ceremonies; currently WBro Richard Davison.

Four teams, organised geographically, nominally North West, North East, South West and South East, of Directors of Ceremony (DC) operate in support of a Representative of Provincial Grand Lodge at all Lodge Installations within the Province. Each team has a nominated mentor, an experienced DC whom the newer members can call on for guidance.

Although a member of a team, the DC works individually under the invitation of the lodge concerned. He is also expected to communicate with the Representative ahead of the meeting, to greet him at the meeting and then to ensure he is looked after during the meeting.

The DC performs the task of introducing the Rep to the brethren in the lodge, escort him to the Chair and to lead the salutations before passing over to the lodge DC at the appropriate time. The DC then concludes the work within the lodge by arranging the departure of the officers and the Rep.

The formal duties continue as he acts as DC at the festive board until the Rep completes his response, at which time he passes the gavel to the lodge DC.

DCs may also be called to perform particular duties at the Provincial Meetings and Convocations.

Current Lead: WBro Gary Roper.

All stewards are members of the Events Team, operating under the leadership of a Team Leader and his deputy.

Each event calls for different duties, ranging from car park attendant to brochure sales, guide and general dogsbody!

Provincial meetings require a lot of work from all who wear the collar and a flexibility to carry out whatever task is required of them.

The Team Leader liaises closely with those who have arranged the event and plans & organises the necessary attendance and duties, often requiring a number of prior meetings with the various people involved, including the building management and Provincial Grand Lodge.

Current Lead: WBro Nick Howell.

The Learning & Development team are responsible for the seminars and other training forums put on for the benefit of the brethren. These include seminars such as ‘Preparing for the Chair’ and training for lodge secretaries & treasurers.

The duties include the writing and preparation of the various sessions, including regular updates, and arrangements with buildings for the events.

The team reports not only to the WM but also directly to a representative on the Provincial Team and responds to their stated requirements.

Team members are selected for their various skills in their personal and professional lives and are expected to be flexible in their response to calls for their time and ability.

Currently under review.

Each demonstration involves four people who do readings from a prepared script relating to one of the three degrees in Craft masonry.

Each takes a position in the hall and reads from a script whilst the lodge moves through the particular degree. Whilst scripted, skilled oration is required, with proper intonation and an obvious prior knowledge of the words being spoken.

Currently under review.

All Stewards are members of this team, with the Team Leader overseeing the distribution of year books, Christmas cards and any other information and media that Province wishes to send out to the brethren independently of the regular postal system.

The TL prepares the information required, arranges the assistance necessary to complete the task and, importantly, maintains knowledge of the transfer of the ‘boxes’ and reports back to the WM and Provincial Office.

Current Officer: WBro Chris Fairs.

The Senior Steward in the lodge is responsible for the background work in the preparation of the festive board for lodge meetings, and also for larger gatherings of the Provincial Grand Lodge, such as the annual meeting and the promotions meeting.

PGL meetings require the Senior Steward to organise the seating plan for the festive board together with the preparation of name-plates. At the meeting itself, he will manage the placement of tables and name-plates, usually with the assistance of stewards under the direction of the Events Team Leader.