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. 1 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) 2 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: 3 • 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: - 4 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.