A Grand Master’s itinerary is a schedule of official visits, events, and meetings that the head of a Grand Lodge attends during their term in office. This calendar is a mix of both public and private events.
You can typically find a Grand Master’s itinerary on the official website of the Grand Lodge for that jurisdiction. The level of detail provided varies by Grand Lodge, but these calendars often include:
- Official Lodge Visitations: When the Grand Master or a representative visits a local lodge to preside over a meeting or a special ceremony.
- Anniversary Celebrations: Attending anniversary celebrations for individual lodges or appendant bodies, such as the Scottish Rite or York Rite.
- Grand Lodge Sessions: Meetings of the entire Grand Lodge, which are often held annually to conduct business, elect officers, and vote on legislation.
- Charitable and Community Events: Attending fundraisers, cornerstone ceremonies for new buildings, or other public events to represent the fraternity’s charitable mission.
- Leadership and Training Events: Retreats and seminars for lodge officers and members, which are often open by invitation only.
For example, the Masons of California website provides a detailed event calendar that lists the Grand Master’s itinerary, including dates, locations, and the nature of each event, such as anniversary celebrations and leadership retreats. Similarly, other Grand Lodges, like the Grand Lodge of Manitoba and the Grand Lodge of Texas, also make their Grand Master’s schedules publicly available on their websites.