Welcome to the 2025 Lodge Leadership Retreats! Please download the presentations and materials from the retreat linked below.

Friday Night Presentations
Welcome!

Building a Lodge Together Part 1: Strength in Numbers

Handout: The Functions of a Lodge

Freemasonry and the Hero’s Journey

Saturday Morning Presentations

Talking about Freemasonry Session 1 – Who Are We?

The Executive Committee – The Heart of Planning for the Lodge

From Records to Relationships: Building a Connected Lodge

Introduction to iMember Accounting Part 1 and 2

Handout: Grandview/iMember Accounting

System Manual

Saturday Afternoon Presentations

Senior Grand Warden Keynote

Talking about Freemasonry Session 2 – What Do We Do
Keystone Initiative

Welcoming New Members: The Secrets of an Engaging Onboarding Process

Strategic Budgeting: Lodge and Hall Association Financial Planning

Talking about Freemasonry Session 3 – How Does Our Manifesto Comes to Life?
Saturday Night Presentations
Deputy Grand Master Keynote
Masonic Homes/Relief Report

Sunday Morning Presentations
Maximizing Retention

The Secretary as a Leader
Fraternal Updates
Building A Lodge Together Part 2

Risk Management and Insurance

Modern Tools for Lodge Management

How did you first learn about about Freemasonry? Was it by stepping into a lodge hall and meeting with members? At a community event? From a movie or TV show?
New! A Simple Guide to Freemasonry
Research shows that by far, the most common introduction that current members had to the organization came from a personal connection such as a relative or colleague. In other words, not from the Internet. That’s why it’s so important that current members feel comfortable talking about Freemasonry with the people around them—and that those searching for more information are provided with simple and accurate answer

To that end, this short booklet is designed to help current members answer some of the most common—but often confusing—questions about Freemasonry. Download and read through this guide to brush up on the basics. And share it with those around you who’d like to learn more.

Don’t worry about memorizing answers. The most powerful thing you can do is share your personal experience. Consider this a tool to help you get started.

As members, you’re encouraged to discuss your Masonic experience with people around you. It’s how the tradition stays alive, from one person to the next

The Library and Museum of Freemasonry is a world-renowned institution that serves as the official repository of Freemasonry’s history, archives, and artifacts. While there are several important Masonic museums and libraries around the globe, the one in London is considered the central institution of the fraternity.

Here is a summary of what it is and what it contains:

The Library and Museum of Freemasonry, London

• Location: It is located within Freemasons’ Hall in London, the headquarters of the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE).
• Purpose: The museum’s mission is to collect, preserve, and interpret the history of Freemasonry for both Masons and the public. It is a vital resource for historical research and education.
• Collections: The museum houses an extensive collection of Masonic artifacts, including:
  • Regalia: A vast collection of aprons, jewels, collars, and other ceremonial attire, some dating back several centuries.
  • Historical Documents: Rare books, manuscripts, and minute books from lodges, which provide a rich history of the fraternity.
  • Art and Decorative Objects: Portraits of prominent Masons, ceremonial furniture, and decorative items.
  • Personal Artifacts: Items that belonged to famous Masons, such as a set of tools used by Sir Winston Churchill.

Other Notable Masonic Libraries and Museums

While the London institution is the most prominent, there are other significant Masonic museums and libraries around the world that serve a similar purpose:

• The George Washington Masonic National Memorial (Alexandria, Virginia): This memorial not only honors George Washington as a Mason but also serves as a museum and library, showcasing his role in the fraternity and housing numerous artifacts.
• The Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania): Located within the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, this museum is home to one of the most comprehensive collections of Masonic history in the United States.
• Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library (Lexington, Massachusetts): This institution offers a wide range of exhibits on American Freemasonry, patriotism, and social history, with a focus on education.

These institutions collectively serve as guardians of Freemasonry’s history

The library serves as a research source for Masons, academic scholars, and others who wish to explore the history of Freemasonry in North America. The library is open to the public by appointment. Please contact Joe Evans, Collections Manager, to schedule an appointment at  +1 (762) 546-5346 or Info@grandlodgeofnorthamerica.org

Explore More

Leadership in Freemasonry is a unique and highly structured system that emphasizes service, mentorship, and a commitment to personal growth. Unlike many corporate or political structures, the path to leadership in a Masonic lodge is a journey of increasing responsibility and education.

Here is a look at the practices of Masonic leaders:

The Path to Leadership

A Masonic leader is not simply appointed; he is elected and ascends through a progressive series of roles. A typical path involves serving in various officer positions, such as Inner Guard or Secretary, before eventually being elected as a Warden. This process allows a member to learn the rituals and responsibilities of the lodge from the ground up.

The Principal Officers and Their Roles

The primary leaders of a lodge are the Worshipful Master and the two Wardens.

• Worshipful Master (The Master): The Worshipful Master is the supreme authority in a lodge for his term of office (usually one year). He is responsible for presiding over all meetings, overseeing the work of the lodge, and ensuring that the ancient traditions and laws of Freemasonry are upheld. He is not a dictator but a leader who governs with the consent and guidance of the members.
• The Senior and Junior Wardens: The Wardens are the Master’s principal assistants. The Senior Warden oversees the lodge when it is at ease and prepares to take on the role of Master in the future. The Junior Warden is responsible for ensuring the well-being and moral conduct of the members while the lodge is not in session.

Core Leadership Practices

Masonic leadership is less about command and control and more about guidance and example. A Masonic leader practices by:

• Serving as a Mentor: A key role of a Master and his officers is to mentor newer members, helping them understand the moral lessons of the degrees and guiding them on their journey.
• Leading by Example: A Masonic leader is expected to be a living example of the principles of the fraternity—integrity, honor, and compassion.
• Promoting Harmony: The ultimate goal of a Masonic leader is to ensure that the lodge operates in peace and harmony, resolving any conflicts and fostering a spirit of brotherhood among all members.
• Learning and Educating: Leaders are expected to have a deep knowledge of the ritual and history of the fraternity. They are responsible for educating the members and helping them grow in knowledge and wisdom.

Freemasonry uses the tools of the ancient stonemason as a framework for a system of moral and philosophical education. The rituals and degrees of the fraternity are designed to teach a man how to use these symbolic tools to build his character and live a life of integrity, purpose, and compassion.

The core idea is simple: just as a builder uses his tools to construct a physical edifice, a Mason is taught to use symbolic tools to build his moral and spiritual “temple.”

Here are a few examples of how Masonic education uses the tools:

• The 24-Inch Gauge and the Common Gavel: These are among the first tools a Mason encounters. The 24-Inch Gauge is a tool to measure time, and it teaches a Mason to divide his day into periods for rest, labor, and service to God and those in need. The Common Gavel is used by a stonemason to chip off rough edges from a stone, and it teaches a Mason to remove the faults and imperfections from his own character.
• The Square and Compasses: As the most iconic symbols of Freemasonry, these are the ultimate tools of moral education. The Square reminds a Mason to “square his actions” and live an honest and upright life. The Compasses teach him to “circumscribe his passions” and keep his desires and actions within proper bounds.
• The Trowel: This tool is used to spread the cement that binds stones together in a building. For a Mason, the Trowel symbolizes the spreading of brotherly love and affection, teaching him to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and community with every action he takes.

Through these and other symbolic tools, Masonic education encourages a lifelong journey of self-reflection and personal growth. It is a system designed not to teach a man what to think, but how to think, and to provide him with the moral instruments to build a better life for himself and for others.

Research lodges and organizations
Research lodges and organizations in California and worldwide hold discussions, gather and preserve Masonic information, maintain libraries, supply papers and speakers at the request of other lodges, and provide general knowledge in the field of Masonic education. Research lodges in California include:

El Camino Research Lodge – San Jose
Northern California Research Lodge – San Francisco
Orange County Research Lodge – Anaheim
Southern California Research Lodge – South Pasadena
Golden Compasses Research Lodge – Sacramento
Research organizations around the world include:
The Masonic Society
The Philalethes Society
The Masonic Restoration Foundation
Masonic Library and Museum Association
Association of Masonic Museums, Libraries, and Archives of Europe
UCLA Freemasonry and Civil Society Program
REHMLAC (Historical Studies Program of Freemasonry and Patriotic Societies in Central Scholl of General Studies at the University of Costa Rica)
The Scottish Rite Research Society

Thank you for your interest in supporting our charitable work. Your donation helps us fulfill our commitment to improving our community by providing assistance to those in need. Every contribution, no matter the size, directly supports our projects in education, community service, and youth development.

Your generosity changes lives. By making a donation, you are becoming a partner in our mission to build a more compassionate and supportive world. Your gift helps us provide vital resources, support families in crisis, and empower the next generation. We are deeply grateful for your support.

Support Our Most Vulnerable Today

Your generosity changes lives. By making a donation, you are becoming a partner in our mission to build a more compassionate and supportive world. Your gift helps us provide vital resources, support families in crisis, and empower the next generation. We are deeply grateful for your support.

The principle of Relief, or charitable giving, is a cornerstone of our fraternity. We believe in providing for the well-being of humanity through a quiet yet powerful force for good. We welcome your support, which will enable us to continue our work in service to others and uphold our timeless commitment to charity.