Hornsey Lodge

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W Bro. Tony Harvey, PJGD, 2012 Prestonian Lecturer, writes…

If I had known thirty-four years ago what I know now about Freemasonry, some of my early experiences as a new member could have run rather more smoothly than they did. There were a couple of times back then when I almost left. Thankfully, I stuck with it.

Since then, Freemasonry has since given me some of the most satisfying and enjoyable experiences of my life.

For the last twenty years, I have focussed on membership, mentoring and improving the management of our Lodges. Based on my experiences, I am now sharing my personal seven top tips for new Freemasons, to help you get the most value and satisfaction from your membership.

In this first article in the series, I will share my first two tips. The remaining ones will follow in later editions of Arena.

1: Understand what it is you have joined

Did you know that, when you became a Freemason, you actually joined two quite distinct things? The first is a worldwide brotherhood or fraternity built on enduring principles, which communicates the moral lessons of Freemasonry to its Initiates through ritual.

The second is a 300 year old membership organisation which has a member of the Royal Family at its head, a well-defined set of rules, a hierarchical structure and a distinct culture and methods of working.

Within the universe, or possibly multiverse, called Freemasonry, there are many facets, versions, interpretations, branches and approaches. Some of these are legitimate, regular or recognised. Others are not.

One thing is constant. Having taken your obligations, you will always be a Freemason. You cannot undo this. And the obligations you took are binding on you, as a matter of honour and trust, for as long as you live and wherever you go in the world.

You have also joined a Lodge, which is one part of a larger membership organisation called a Grand Lodge. My Lodge is part of The United Grand Lodge of England, or UGLE, whose origins date back over 300 years. It is one of many Grand Lodges around the world. Indeed, it is the oldest Grand Lodge in Freemasonry.

Incidentally, most Grand Lodges have several regional bodies between them and their Lodges. These might be called Metropolitan, Provincial or District Grand Lodges. Metropolitan Grand Lodge includes all Lodges within five miles of Freemasons’ Hall. Provincial Grand Lodges cover areas approximately equivalent to the county and area boundaries in England and Wales. District Grand Lodges cover our overseas Lodges.

You have promised to abide by the rules of your Lodge and your Grand Lodge, and you were presented with a copy of these at your Initiation. They are in the Book of Constitutions. Being a member of a Lodge, and of the United Grand Lodge of England, gives you certain privileges, including being able to visit other Lodges. You can join additional Lodges and you can resign from one or all of them. However, if you resign – or fail to pay your annual subscription – you lose the privileges that come with membership.

Some of the things you will experience as a Freemason will be a result of joining the worldwide and lifelong brotherhood. Other things will be because of the membership organisation. I will highlight some of these points as we progress.

There is one thing I should explain now. The worldwide brotherhood, the ritual and its meaning, are timeless and enduring. It has changed very little over time, and that is part of its appeal. The membership organisation, however, like all organisations, evolves and changes, to remain relevant and aligned to our changing lifestyles.

Regrettably, many of our Lodges changed very little in the latter half of the 20^th century, so we are now playing catch up. Today, UGLE and Met are instituting consistent changes. However, some of their Lodges have still not adjusted their practices to suit 21^st century lifestyles and mindsets. Many of their processes may need updating and improvement. Let me assure you, change is happening so please be patient, and understanding of others, while also making your own views and needs clear.

So, what is my next big piece of advice?

2: Engage with your Lodge, its activities and members

Lodges are fundamental to Freemasonry. They are where Freemasonry happens. They are where we learn what being a Freemason means, where we experience the ritual, and where we form our closest bonds.

The first Lodge you join is your “mother Lodge.” I hope you chose well, because your mother Lodge is very important. Whatever other Lodges you join in Freemasonry, and however your circumstances change, try to remain with your mother Lodge, even if you can only attend on occasions.

Your Lodge, being a membership unit within an organisation, relies upon its members taking part in its activities for it to function. Therefore, I recommend that you attend as many activities as you can, whether they be Lodge meetings, Lodges of Instruction, committee meetings, rehearsals, and social events. Wherever possible, book or submit your apologies early, so that others can make the necessary arrangements. If you are uncertain whether you can be present, let them know that too. Get into the habit of keeping in regular contact with your Lodge Secretary. The more they understand you and your circumstances, the better.

In your early meetings you should have an experienced member sit with you (if this is not happening, please ask to sit with a more senior member – your Lodge should be grateful for the enthusiasm and pleased to help). Observe what is going on and follow the advice you are given. Someone should also accompany you out of the Lodge while it is conferring degrees you have not yet received. Use the time to ask them questions about what you have observed and anything else you wish to know.

Try to get to know as many different members as you can. Good ways of doing this are by becoming a Lodge Steward, by selling raffle tickets, offering to help set up a meeting or organise a social event. If you would like to sit with different people at each Lodge meal, make this known to your Lodge Secretary. Lodge life is definitely most fulfilling when you meet new Brethren.

In many Lodges, the key offices tend to be occupied by experienced and older Freemasons. As in any organisation, they may have forgetten what it was like to be new. They may not understand your circumstances and the pressures on you. They may assume you know and understand things which are still foreign to you. Bear in mind we are all volunteers, and that – especially in smaller Lodges – some officers are very stretched. Sadly, the quality of the member experience is not always what it should be.

So, while you might feel frustrated at times with your Lodge, please remember others are doing the best they can. The more you engage, the more others will understand you and the more you can be a positive influence in your Lodge (and of help and use to those stretched officers!).

If you believe you can contribute to the life of your Lodge, please offer your time and skills. Some of the things that need doing require knowledge, skills and experience specific to Freemasonry and these can only be acquired over time and with practice. However, other tasks require generalist skills that you may already possess and bring with you. To give a personal example, as a newly Raised Master Mason I was asked to be my mother Lodge’s Charity Steward, as well as to follow the progressive offices to the chair. Some of the traditionalists sniffed a little – after all, it was over thirty years ago – but I persevered. It led ultimately to my becoming a trustee of four charities related to Freemasonry, including the Masonic Charitable Foundation and Lifelites, of which I am now Chair.

My final point, under this tip, is: make sure your activities in Freemasonry have the support of your partner. The nature of that support is a private matter, but it is difficult to get the best out of your membership if your partner does not support your involvement. Many Lodges are “family friendly.” They make it easy for our families to get involved, to enjoy the social if not esoteric aspects of Freemasonry – if they so wish. However, some partners tell us they feel left out, and this can lead to problems. Remember, you can talk about all aspects of Freemasonry with your partner, providing you don’t reveal the signs, tokens and words of each Degree.

So, if they are to function well in the 21^st century and create great experiences of Freemasonry, Lodges need time, skills, energy and enthusiasm. If you, and perhaps your family, can give these, please do so.

These are the first two of my seven top tips for new Freemasons, the things I wish I had learned as a new member. The next two will appear in the next edition of Arena. In the meantime, I would be delighted to hear your thoughts. Please feel free to write to me, care of the editor. I will respond in the next edition.

A lifelong Scout, Tony Harvey was Initiated into Pioneer Lodge No 9065, the Derbyshire Scout Lodge, in 1991. Specialising as a Lodge Secretary and Charity Steward, his active Provincial roles have been as a Mentor, Warden, Secretary, Membership Officer, Learning & Development Officer and Communication Officer. He was the Prestonian Lecturer for 2012 with, “Scouting & Freemasonry: two parallel organisations?” and has held many other Masonic lectureships. He has served as a trustee of the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls & Boys, the Masonic Charitable Foundation and Lifelites. He is currently Chair of Trustees of Lifelites and Deputy Chair of the Grand Master’s Keystone Fund Awards Panel. Tony is a Past Junior Grand Deacon in UGLE and a Grand Officer in four other Orders.

Tony conceived and was the main author of UGLE’s Members’ Pathway. He also developed the Seven Habits of Highly Successful Lodges, which has become a Lewis Masonic best seller.

For twenty years Tony has concentrated on membership development and the modernisation of lodge management. His books, talks and articles combine historical analysis with an understanding of organisational development to promote a forward-thinking approach to Freemasonry, based on the evolution of our Lodge practices while retaining our fundamental meaning and purpose. He encourages Lodges to adopt a member-centric approach, more suited to 21st century lifestyles.

This article is part of Arena Magazine Issue 59 – Christmas 2025.
Arena Magazine is the official online magazine of the London Freemasons – Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London.

Read more articles in Arena Issue 59 here.

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