Mentor’s Handbook – Grand Lodge F&AM of Wisconsin GRAND LODGE of WISCONSIN, F&AM MENTOR’S HANDBOOK “The most rewarding activity in Masonry” 1 Created: May 26, 2015 Mentor’s Handbook – Grand Lodge F&AM of Wisconsin TO OUR MASONIC BROTHERS ................................ ................................................................................................................................................ 3 A WORD TO THE MENTOR ................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ 3 THE EXTRA MILE ................................ .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 3 THEN WHAT DO I DO? ................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 3 MENTORING TOOLS IN WISCONSIN ................................ ............................................................................................................................................................... 4 GREAT RESULTS COME FROM GOOD MENTORING ................................ ................................................................................................................................. 5 INTRODUCTION TO MENTORING ................................ ............................................................................................................................................ 6 BEING A MENTOR ................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ 8 MENTOR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ................................ ................................................................................................................................................... 8 MENTOR AND MENTEE CHARACTERISTICS ................................ ............................................................................................................................................ 10 MENTEE’S ROLE ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 12 ESSENTIALS OF A MENTORING RELATIONSHIP ..................................................................................................................................................................... 12 MENTORING SKILLS ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14 TYPES OF MENTORING ................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................... 17 MENTORING STAGES ................................ ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 19 OBSTACLES IN A MENTORING RELATIONSHIP ....................................................................................................................................................................... 20 BENEFITS OF MENTORING ................................ ............................................................................................................................................................................. 21 Mentoring Checklist ................................ ................................................................................................................................................................... 22 Stage 1 – Prior to any Degrees ................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ 22 Checklist for Stage 1 ................................ .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 22 Stage 2 – During the Degree Process ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 23 Checklist for Stage 2 ................................ .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 23 Stage 3 – Post Degrees ................................ ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 24 Checklist for Stage 3 ................................ .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 24 Stage 4 – Further Light ................................ ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 25 Checklist for Stage 4 ................................ .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 25 APPENDIX A – BASICS OF FREEMASONRY ...................................................................................................................................................... 28 APPENDIX B – THE ANCIENT LANDMARKS OF FREEMASONRY ................................ ................................................................................ 33 APPENDIX C – LODGE COURTESIES ................................ ................................................................................................................................... 34 APPENDIX D - FAMOUS FREEMASONS ................................ ............................................................................................................................... 37 APPENDIX E - ANNOTATED MASONIC RESOURCE BIBLIOGRAPHY ................................ ......................................................................... 39 APPENDIX F – ELECTRONIC MASONIC EDUCATION RESOURCES ................................ ............................................................................ 45 APPENDIX G - ASHLAR AWARD PROGRAM OF WISCONSIN ................................ ....................................................................................... 46 APPENDIX H – ROOKIE MASON OF THE YEAR AWARDS ................................ .............................................................................................. 50 APPENDIX I – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) ................................ ............................................................................................... 53 2 Created: May 26, 2015 Mentor’s Handbook – Grand Lodge F&AM of Wisconsin TO OUR MASONIC BROTHERS It has often been said that the best way to learn is to teach. Masonry has a long history of one brother reaching out to a new brother and sharing with him his knowledge, wisdom and friendship. When we learned everything “mouth to ear” two Masons, one experienced and knowledgeable and one new and eager, would converse for hours on our gentle craft. As the weeks and months rolled by lifelong friendships were forged. Today with our ciphers and modern technology the need for this type of teaching may not seem important. Yet today it is more important than ever. The new Mason will be hit with hard questions from coworkers, friends, and family members whose only knowledge of Masonry comes from the internet, books, and “those” documentaries on T.V. His life is busy and he probably does not have a job that will allow him to study during his work hours. This is where you come in. This handbook has been prepared to assist you in your position as a Mentor and to answer general questions asked by your Mentee and be his guide as he moves along his journey in Freemasonry. If a conflict arises between items in this handbook and the Wisconsin Masonic Code, this handbook will take a secondary position. Thanks go out to the Grand Lodges of New Mexico, Maine, Texas and Washington for having large contributions to this handbook. Please refer to the Wisconsin Grand Lodge Website (www.wisc- freemasonry.org) in the Publications tab for the Masonic Code, and in the Officers tab for contacts if you have questions or issues. A WORD TO THE MENTOR THE EXTRA MILE This handbook has been prepared to provide helpful information for a Mason who is willing to go an extra mile. Perhaps you are that kind of Mason. But, unless you are willing to travel an extra mile -- to