Freemasons Victoria
Policy re Grand Rank and Other Service Awards
1. This document will take effect on the 1st October 2019 and supersedes the policy statement of June 2011.
INTRODUCTION
2. Grand Rank remains an important and significant cultural element of our Craft which is deeply embedded in our organisation’s history. Any conferral of rank in Victoria must be based on a robust system of reward for merit, recognising not only a member’s past contribution, but also their ongoing commitment to the positive development of our Craft and its brethren.
3. The reviews conducted in 2004 and 2011 were appropriate and necessary to address the challenges that existed at that time. However, recognising that our fraternity is continuing to evolve, in 2018 it was considered timely to revisit the system and extent of awards.
4. In September 2018 the Grand Master convened a committee: -
“To recommend to the Grand Master, the appropriate means to recognise and reward brethren, for significant service to Freemasonry’’.
5. The Terms of Reference were: -
• To examine current modes of recognition and their appropriateness and effectiveness, including contribution to the culture of the fraternity; • To examine the organisational response to the 2011 review; • To examine alternative modes of masonic recognition; • To seek opinions and suggestions from all levels of the fraternity; • To examine alignment between recognition of service and maintaining the principles of the fraternity; • To examine the circumstances of wearing appropriate forms of recognition; • To recommend revised modes of masonic recognition; • To recommend an implementation schedule and program.
6. The formation of this consultative group was announced and submissions from interested brethren sought during November 2018. Some 35 individual submissions were received. These were considered by the group and an interim report submitted to the Grand Master in February 2019. This interim report with recommendations was then published and disseminated to the general membership for comment in March 2019 and further submissions from brethren were received and considered at that time.
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7. From this interim report, some recommendations on Grand Rank were implemented in April 2019.
8. However, it was clear that some of the more significant recommendations required more detailed investigation. In particular, a revised system for awarding grand rank and a new category of awards, aimed at encouraging and recognising the efforts of members who are helping to build our organisation for the future were recommended. Grand Rank by its very nature is a restrictive system of recognition. It is therefore appropriate that there should be additional awards available to recognise personal endeavour of brethren and indeed non- freemasons who have given valuable support to the Craft.
9. The overarching principle which the consultative group have emphasised is that: -
“The system for the conferral of awards for meritorious service must be based on a qualitative, rather than a quantitative framework. The method by which such awards are bestowed must be in a form that will give weight, respect and appropriate authority to the award being granted. Freemasons Victoria’s aim must also be to increase the standards expected of applications for conferral and adopt clear criteria for selection.”
10. Finally, given that many of our fraternity will be unable to reach fifty (50) or more years of service, it was recognised that the years of service awards should be reviewed whilst not detracting from our most senior members’ achievements. As a result, this policy will bring in a system for the recognition of each five (5) years of service with major awards at the twenty-five- and fifty-year anniversaries and beyond.
11. Having identified these two distinct bodies of work, the Committee was divided in to two groups, one to consider Grand Rank and the other to focus on the complimentary awards system. This policy now combines the findings of the two groups. This policy provides for the continuation of Grand Rank, in a revised format and a new system of awards which appropriately recognises years of service and greater numbers of deserving individuals.
12. It should be noted that some distinct points of difference from the 2011 policy are to be adopted.
• The imposition of arbitrary waiting periods or timelines before promotion in grand rank, is abolished. • That any award and any later promotion is based solely on merit. • That no arbitrary number of conferrals or award is set. Rather there will be a recommendation of numbers for conferred rank and the Freemasons Order of Service provided to the Grand Master, annually by the respective Honours Review Committees.
POLICY ON GRAND RANK (2019)
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13. The principle to be applied is that Grand Rank is a significant honour bestowed on a freemason and it should therefore be awarded based upon a brother having given meritorious service, based upon a qualitative, rather than a quantitative framework.
14. In addition to those recommended by the Panel, The Grand Master has the prerogative to honour an individual by conferring Grand Rank (Past Grand Rank) or other award, in recognition of service to freemasonry over a lengthy period, or to enable a brother to carry out a specific function on behalf of Grand Lodge.
15. Set out below, are the new guidelines for the policy, relative to each category of recognition: -
ACTIVE GRAND RANK
16. The Grand Lodge Ceremonial Team is formed on an annual basis, from current grand officers and suitably qualified past masters and master masons.
17. Nominations for consideration in the Ceremonial Team on a form obtainable from the Grand Secretary’s office, must be submitted to the Grand Secretary’s office by 1st August each year, unless otherwise confirmed by the Grand Secretary.
18. The following are eligible for consideration by the Grand Master for inclusion in his Ceremonial Team: -
• Past Masters or Sitting Worshipful Masters nominated by their lodge, whom they consider would bring credit to Freemasonry as members of the Ceremonial Team.
• Past Masters nominated by experienced senior freemasons such as Past Grand Masters, Past Grand Directors of Ceremonies and other similarly qualified freemasons.
• Individual Past Masters or Worshipful Masters who nominate themselves.
19. The final selection of the ceremonial team members will be determined by the Grand Master.
20. The Grand Master can also appoint brethren, as a Senior Grand Officers in accordance with the Constitution and subject to the approval of the Board of General Purposes, to take specific responsibility for Volunteer Action Teams.
21. Past Masters and Master Masons selected to the Ceremonial Team will hold active Grand Rank during their term of office.
22. On completion of their term of office as an active Grand Officer (normally one year), in accordance with Rule 16 of The Book of Constitutions the Grand Master may:
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• Grant the brother the rank they held as an active Grand Officer with the prefix of Past;
For example, Grand Steward will become “Past Grand Steward”, etc.
• Promote those that may have served in previous teams or rendered exemplary service to warrant a promotion;
• Withhold the award of grand rank, or a promotion.
23. In recognition of the brother having served in an active Grand Rank Role he will, after having received a letter of approval from the Grand Secretary and paying any fee due, be entitled to be referred to by his new rank.
24. Upon retiring from the active team, the brother shall henceforth: -
1. Be expected to wear appropriate regalia of their choosing.
2. Be permitted to place a single crest on their undress and dress apron, in recognition of them having served in an active grand team. This also applies to members of previous grand ceremonial teams who can apply to the Grand Secretary for the issue of a crest.
25. The Crest will be worn as follows: -
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CONFERRAL OF CONFERRED GRAND RANK
26. The Grand Master may confer Grand Rank on past masters and in some circumstances, master masons, based on their contribution to Freemasonry in Victoria. It must be emphasised that there is no right or entitlement for Grand Rank. It will be bestowed by the Grand Master, solely on merit.
27. To assist in the Grand Master’s decision on the conferral and/or promotion of Grand Rank the “Conferral of Grand Rank Review Panel” will be formed and empowered to make recommendations to the Grand Master for the conferral and promotion of grand rank. 28. The Panel will be as follows: -
• Panel members will be appointed by the Grand Master, in consultation with his successor and serve at his pleasure, and his successor, for three years.
• A Past Grand Master will be the non-voting chair of the panel.
• There be a maximum of seven (7) members, comprising four (4) from Metropolitan Lodges and three (3) from Regional/Rural Lodges.
• A quorum will exist when no less than five (5) panel members are present.
• Should a panel member resign or be unable to fulfil his role, due to ill health, the chair may, with the approval of the Grand Master, appoint a replacement to the casual vacancy, for the remaining term of appointment. Replacement panel members will be selected to ensure the same balance between metro and regional brethren is maintained.
• The members appointed will be experienced freemasons, with a good understanding of lodge and Freemasons Victoria operations, but this will not preclude non-grand officers from being on the panel.
• The Panel’s deliberations will be conducted in strict confidentiality.
• The Panel should meet at least once in mid-January each year to provide recommendations to the Grand Master no later than January 31st.
• That the District Coordinator (or equivalent), relative to the nominee’s lodge, will be consulted by the Panel on the merits or otherwise of the application.
• That decisions be made by consensus, where possible but with no less than a two thirds majority in favour.
• That criteria for the conferral or promotion of grand rank be published each year.
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• The Panel will liaise with the Freemasons Order of Merit Review Panel and together submit their reports to the Grand Master.
GRAND RANK – PAST MASTERS & MASTER MASONS
29. The conferral of Grand Rank on Past Masters and Master Masons will be based on their contribution to promoting the aims of Freemasonry in Victoria and very active support of Freemasonry.
30. Nominations, on a form obtainable from the Grand Secretary’s office, must be submitted to the Grand Secretary’s office by 30th November each year.
31. The attached example Nomination Form sets out the factors that will be considered by the Honours Review Panel and the Grand Master when assessing the suitability of the nomination.
32. The point is strongly made that there is no right or entitlement for conferred Grand Rank. It will be awarded by the Grand Master based solely on the overarching basis that the member has demonstrated a contribution worthy of merit to the craft. Furthermore, the award of Conferred Grand Rank will only be granted where an applicant can satisfy, to an objective standard that the requisite level of meritorious contribution has occurred.
33. The intent of this policy is to recognise those that have given outstanding service and to encourage the recipient and others, to strive to further the aims of the craft.
34. There are no restrictions on how frequently a lodge may nominate one of its brethren for conferred Grand Rank, but it is essential that all nominees demonstrate a significant contribution to Freemasonry and the wider community, as evidenced by their answers to the questions in the application form, and other relevant documentation appended thereto.
35. Length of service, regular attendance, delivering ritual and the holding of any particular office for lengthy periods of time will not in themselves be criteria for conferral, they are what is expected of being a freemason.
36. Unless there are exceptional circumstances, the rank to be conferred on a Past Master as his first conferral under this category, will be Past Grand Standard Bearer.
37. The ranks of Past Grand Chaplain, Past Grand Director of Music, Past Grand Organist, Past Grand Herald and Past Grand Tyler may be accorded to Master Masons who have fulfilled the role as an active officer in these positions.
38. In addition, the rank of Past Grand Tyler may be conferred on Master Masons who are considered by the Grand Master to be worthy of that honour.
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39. Should a holder of the rank of Past Grand Tyler subsequently be installed as Master of his lodge, he will be promoted to Past Grand Standard Bearer on his installation.
40. The lack of success of a nomination in any particular year does not necessarily mean that a nominee was unsuitable to have grand rank conferred, and it may be appropriate to re-submit his nomination in the future
PROMOTION IN GRAND RANK
41. Promotion in Grand Rank is not automatic. A brother who has past Grand Rank may be eligible for promotion if he continues to demonstrate the same meritorious conduct and qualities that earned him his first appointment either as an active Grand Officer or from conferred Grand Rank.
42. Recommendations for promotion, on a form obtainable from the Grand Secretary’s office, must be forwarded to the Grand Secretary’s office by 30th November each year. If there is insufficient room on the form or if there is additional relevant material to support the nomination, then further supporting documents may be attached.
43. The qualification criteria for promotion in grand rank are identical whether a brother acquired his Grand Rank either from membership of an active Grand Team or from conferral.
44. It must be noted that the effluxion of time alone is not a qualification for promotion. Indeed, it is considered unnecessary to limit promotion where outstanding service has been provided, nor give an expectation that simply by the passage of time a brother may consider himself entitled to promotion.
45. A brother who holds a current Grand Rank, will normally be promoted to the next higher rank, in the order of precedence of Grand Lodge as set out in the Book of Constitutions.
46. Promotion to Past Senior Grand Warden and Past Deputy Grand Master will be at the sole discretion of the Grand Master and nominations will not be accepted from any lodge or other Masonic body or individual.
47. Note that all applications for conferral of and promotions in Past Grand Rank must be submitted by Lodges, on behalf of one of their members (in some specific cases, without that individual’s knowledge), to the District Coordinator, who in turn will submit all applications to the Grand Secretary. The Grand Secretary will confer with relevant Past Deputy Grand Masters on the applications received
48. Individuals, Masters’ Groups, Lodges of Instruction, Demonstration Teams and similar bodies may not submit nominations, though they may add their support to nominations submitted by Lodges.
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REMOVAL/DEMOTION OF GRAND RANK
49. In exceptional circumstances members with Grand Rank can be demoted or have their Grand Rank removed by the Grand Master.
50. Such situations will only arise when a brother is found guilty of a masonic offence by the Complaints Committee, the Complaints review committee or where a brother is expelled by the Board of General Purposes. In such circumstances the Grand Secretary would refer the decision, concerning a recommendation for removal or demotion from one or more of these groups to the Honours Review Panel, which in turn would make a recommendation to the Grand Master.
PRONOUNCEMENT OF GRAND RANK
51. At an appropriate date near to the Grand Installation/Proclamation, there will be a gazette published including all conferrals and promotions, as well as any removal/demotion of Grand Rank.
52. However, as the conferral or promotion of such honours should be celebrated, it will be the expectation that the first announcement of a brother’s grand rank will be by either:
I. Awarding in the brother’s own Lodge, or II. Awarding the recipients at the March QC preceding the Grand Installation/Proclamation, or III. Awarding the recipients at the Grand Installation.
HONOURARY PAST GRAND RANK
53. The Grand Master may grant honorary past grand rank to the following brethren: -
• A brother who holds grand rank elsewhere and who either becomes affiliated with a lodge in Victoria or who has rendered some service to Freemasons Victoria. • A brother who holds grand rank, provincial grand rank or district grand rank who is resident in another jurisdiction and has rendered some service to Freemasons Victoria. • Any brother so honoured must be a member in good standing of a grand lodge in amity with the United Grand Lodge of Victoria.
54. The honorary past grand rank would be equivalent to the rank conferred in his own jurisdiction but in the situation where no equivalent position exists, then the absolute discretion of the Grand Master would be used to determine an appropriate rank.
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55. The honorary past grand rank does not have any position in the order of precedence and does not afford him any privileges other than honorary past grand rank. POLICY ON OTHER HONOURS/AWARDS (2019)
56. In keeping with the principle of having a system of honours that recognises not only past contributions, but also ongoing commitment to the positive development of the craft, it has been determined that a broader awards system be created.
57. This is in addition to Grand Rank and it is particularly aimed at encouraging lodges and districts to celebrate the achievements of more brethren and the invaluable contribution that is often overlooked as a consequence of grand rank being intentionally restrictive in its application.
58. Therefore, the policy on honours/awards now includes: -
THE GRAND MASTER’S ORDER OF SERVICE
59. As per the Constitution, the Grand Master may, at his discretion, confer on any brother who in his opinion, has rendered special service to the Craft, a distinction entitled the Grand Master’s Order of Service to Freemasonry. No particular rank or precedence is conferred with this order. However, the brother is entitled, for masonic purposes, to place the letters ‘’O.S’’ after their names or other post nominals, indicating their masonic rank.
60. Recipients of the Grand Master’s Order of Service to Freemasonry will be presented with the prescribed collaret and jewel (at no cost to the recipient).
FREEMASONS ORDER OF MERIT
61. It has been considered for some time that there must be a way of better recognising and celebrating the many brethren and non-freemasons that give great service to the fraternity.
62. It has therefore been determined that a new awards system will be established, known as the “Freemasons Order of Merit”.
63. This is represented in the diagram below: -
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64. The Freemasons’ Order of Merit is designed to reflect the Order of Australia style arrangement where a vast range of conduct constituting worthy meritorious service can be captured. The awards will be tiered, each with different criteria. Awards will be designated according to its tier, as “member, fellow or companion”, with appropriate masonic post nominal and a distinctive form of recognition provided.
65. It is expected, though not prescribed, that: -
• 70% of total awards recipients in any year of award, should be Members • 20% of total awards recipients in any year of award should be Fellows • 10% of awards recipients in any year of award should be Companions
66. The award of Companion of the Freemasons’ Order of Merit should be for the most outstanding contribution that does not meet the standard of an award of Grand Rank.
CONFERRAL OF FREEMASONS ORDER OF MERIT PANEL
67. This Panel will be comprised five (5) members of the District/Regions. Three (3) from Metropolitan Lodges and two (2) from Regional/Country Lodges with the same principle guidelines as the Conferral of Grand Rank Review Panel, except it will be chaired by the District Coordinator (or equivalent) appointed by the Grand Master.
68. Any nomination for consideration for these awards will be submitted to the Grand Secretary on the prescribed form by the 30 November.
69. The Awards are as follows: -
Companion of the Freemasons’ Order of Merit: Strategic Goal and Purpose
70. The strategic aims of this high tier award is to recognise the highest level of worthy meritorious contribution exhibited by a member, possibly prior to becoming eligible for an award of conferred or a promotion in Grand Rank. However, it can also be awarded in addition to Grand Rank.
71. The contribution of service rendered by members who are nominated for this tier of award should be of such as nature as to recognise exceptional, novel and important contributions made by members. The contribution should have positively advanced the Craft’s interests, for example overcoming a significant organisation problem or contributing in a measurable way to the organisation’s growth and longevity.
72. The holder of such an award will be entitled to wear a collaret with jewel and adopt the masonic post nominal ‘OMC’. Fellow of the Freemasons’ Order of Merit: Strategic Goal and Purpose
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73. The strategic aims of this mid-tier award is to recognise the commendable and significant contributions by a member. Whilst not necessarily awarded for the highest of contributions, this award should be conferred on the basis that a member has made a contribution of importance and of strategic value either at a state-wide, district or lodge level.
74. The ultimate aim is to recognise service that is fundamentally important to the desirable advancement of the interests of the craft, that although not necessarily novel or jurisdiction wide, forms an essential pillar of desirable conduct for the Craft.
75. The holder of such an award will be entitled to wear a pocket jewel and pin and adopt the masonic post nominal ‘OMF’.
Member of the Freemasons’ Order of Merit: Strategic Goal and Purpose
76. The strategic aims of this lower-tier award is to recognise the commendable and noteworthy meritorious contributions exhibited by a member. This award should be conferred on the basis that a member has made a contribution of importance or is exhibiting characteristics that are desirable to promote, recognise and encourage as of future value to the Craft.
77. The ultimate aim is to recognise service that is desirable to the Craft in achieving its long-term interests and which should be recognised, fostered and encouraged so as to enable continued contribution and positive contribution growth.
78. The award of The Member of the Freemasons’ Order of Merit will be established as an award that recognises the contributions made by freemasons and also non-freemasons such as family and partners who dedicate countless hours to freemasonry over a period. 79. The holder of such an award will be entitled to wear a pin and adopt the masonic post nominal ‘OFM’.
Method of Selection Generally
80. As the purpose, criteria for selection and strategic objectives for each tier of award are distinct, so will be the nomination process and specific aspects of the method of selection.
Companion of the Freemasons’ Order of Merit: Method of selection and nomination process
I. As the Companion of the Freemasons’ Order of Merit is one of the highest non-Grand Rank award available to a brother, recommended by his brethren the following nomination process will apply:
A member may not nominate himself for this award.
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II. The member must be a Master Mason of at least 5 years standing to be eligible for nomination.
III. The member must be nominated by:
a) A proposer who is either: i) A Companion of the Freemasons’ Order of Merit; or ii) Has been conferred Grand Rank; or iii) A past master of at least 10 years standing.
b) A seconder who is either: i) A Fellow of the Freemasons’ Order of Merit; or ii) A master mason of at least 5 years standing.
c) Four (4) supporting referees who are the rank of Master Mason with at least 2 years standing.
d) Either a written endorsement of the District Coordinator or a supporting resolution passed by the majority of the member’s lodge which he most regularly attends.
81. Should the nominee satisfy the criteria and nomination process and the Panel deem him suitable for conferral of the award of Companion of the Freemasons’ Order of Merit, this may only be granted by approval of the GM on recommendation of the Panel.
82. The award is conferred by the Grand Master in writing and at his complete discretion.
Fellow of the Freemasons’ Order of Merit: Method of selection and nomination process
83. As the Fellow of the Freemasons’ Order of Merit is an intermediate award available to members, the following nomination process should apply:
I. A member may not nominate himself for this award.
II. The member must be a Master Mason of at least 3 years standing to be eligible for nomination.
III. The member must be nominated by:
a) A proposer who is either:
i) A Fellow or Companion of the Freemasons’ Order of Merit; or ii) Has been conferred Grand Rank; or iii) A past master of at least 2 years standing.
b) A seconder who is: 12
i) A master mason of at least 5 years standing.
c) Three (3) supporting referees who are the rank of Master Mason with at least 2 years standing.
84. Should the nominee satisfy the criteria and nomination process and the Panel deem him suitable for conferral of the award of Fellow of the Freemasons’ Order of Merit, the Panel may confer the award.
85. Or alternatively by:
i) Resolution supported by a majority of a member’s lodge and of which is approved in writing by Grand Master after considering the recommendations of the Panel.
ii) The award is conferred by the Grand Master in writing and at his complete discretion.
Member of the Freemasons’ Order of Merit: Method of selection and nomination process
86. As the Member of the Freemasons’ Order of Merit is an entry level award available to members, the following nomination process should apply:
I. A member may not nominate himself for this award.
II. The member must be a Master Mason of at least 1 year standing to be eligible for nomination.
III. The member must be nominated by:
a) A proposer who is either:
i) A Member, Fellow or Companion of the Freemasons’ Order of Merit; or ii) A master mason of at least 5 years standing.
b) A seconder who is: i) A master mason of at least 2 years standing.
c) Two (2) supporting referees one of which must be a Master Mason with at least 1 year standing and the other being either a Worshipful Master or Past Master.
87. Should the nominee satisfy the criteria and nomination process and the Panel deem him suitable for conferral of the award of Member of the Freemasons’ Order of Merit, the Panel may confer the award.
Or alternatively by: 13
i) Which is approved in writing by Grand Master after considering the recommendations of the Panel.
i) The award is conferred by the Grand Master in writing and at his complete discretion.
REMOVAL OF FREEMASONS ORDER OF MERIT AWARD
88. In exceptional circumstances Freemasons Order of Merit Award can be removed by the Grand Master.
89. Such situations would only arise when a brother was found guilty of a masonic offence by the Complaints Committee, the Complaints review committee or where a brother is expelled by the Board of General Purposes. In such circumstances the Grand Secretary would refer the particulars of such a brother to the Panel, which in turn would make a recommendation on a removal of an award, to the Grand Master.
YEARS OF SERVICE LESS THAN 50 YEARS ETC
90. For many members, one of their lifetime’s ambitions is to achieve 50 years of continuous service and to receive the jewel to mark this remarkable achievement.
91. However, society has changed a great deal since this award was first introduced in and for many newer freemasons, that join the fraternity, often later in life, the prospect of attaining 50 years of membership is often not possible. So, whilst retaining the significance of the 50-year jewel it is now considered appropriate to broaden the scope to recognise years of service, and also to encourage continuing service.
92. A member will therefore be entitled to wear a prescribed pin (available from Grand Lodge) in recognition of each period of 5 years of continuous membership, up to 20 years of service. Only one pin is to be worn at any time. This pin need not be presented in open lodge but rather worn as a badge of pride for members. This will serve a great practical use by enabling MM’s to be able to distinguish the length of each other’s membership for mentoring and development purposes.
93. A 25-year jewel will be introduced. Accepting the world has changed and membership is more transient means achieving 25-year membership is quite an achievement. For each subsequent 5-year anniversary up to 45 years the number on the jewel can be changed to reflect the period of service. The first 25 years of a brother’s membership will likely be his most active, he likely will have gone through the chairs, become master, served in other others, been on a grand team (possibly) and it is hoped, will encouraged to aim for his 50 year jewel. The 25- year jewel will be distinctively different to that awarded for 50 years or more service.
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94. A 50-year jewel be awarded to brethren who have 50 years continuous service. For each subsequent 5 years of service, the number on the jewel can be changed to reflect the period of service.
95. The recipients of anniversary awards will be gazetted each year.
96. It is expected the anniversary awards will be presented in the recipient’s lodge on a suitable occasion.
97. All pins, jewels and numbers will be available from Grand Lodge by application including the relevant fee. Grand Lodge will issue an appropriate certificate for 25, 50 and subsequent 10-year anniversaries.
AWARD OF LEWIS PIN
98. A Lewis Pin has been introduced, to recognise the unique bond between a father and son and also between a grandfather and grandson with two alternative ways this pin can be awarded: -
a. This pin can be worn by a father and son who are members of freemasonry, regardless of the age of the son when he joined.
b. This jewel or pin will made available to the grandsons of freemasons who join the craft whilst their grandfather is a member.
99. Pins are available for purchase from Grand Lodge and it is expected these will be presented in the members’ Lodge.
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