Category Archives: Uncategorized

(Richard H. Ryder, 2017) In January I contrasted management with leadership, quoting Admiral Grace Hopper when she said “managers manage things; leaders lead people”. Things don’t have emotions, dreams, thoughts of failure, joys of success, or egos. But people do, … Continue reading →

Onboarding Single Point of Contact  (Richard H. Ryder, 2017) In the first article of this series I discussed how, as the new Lodge Ambassador, I created a team to develop a 5 year lodge strategic plan, which resulted in the … Continue reading →

(Richard H. Ryder, 2017) So, what’s up with all the walking around?  Why do we, as Masons, ceremoniously process clockwise around the altar, always keeping it on our right side? The answer: CIRCUMAMBULATION. “Circum” means around, or about; “ambulate” means … Continue reading →

RICHARD H. RYDER (January, 2017) This is the first in a series of occasional articles focusing on the application of leadership skills to Freemasonry.  Whether you are new to the Craft, a seasoned Mason, a line officer, event organizer, or … Continue reading →

Tips for Receiving the District Deputy Grand Master At least twice per year your lodge will receive the District Deputy Grand Master.  Here are 10 things to keep in mind; Practice prior to the District Deputy Grand Master’s visit, especially floor … Continue reading →

RICHARD H. RYDER (January, 2017) It is common knowledge that Paul Revere was a prominent Mason and an even more prominent figure in American history.  But there may be one part of his story that is unknown to most people – … Continue reading →

Richard H. Ryder, 2017 Maven is derived from the Hebrew word “mevin”, meaning “one who understands based on an accumulation of knowledge”. According to Malcolm Gladwell in his book The Tipping Point, Mavens are socially motivated. They are not content with … Continue reading →

Attract and Retain – Part 1 – Where to Begin RICHARD H. RYDER (JANUARY, 2017) If attracting and retaining members were easy every lodge would be doing it well, but that’s not always the case.  Each lodge has varying degrees of … Continue reading →

The Senior Warden, in anticipation of being selected Master-Elect, should follow the time line, starting in January of the year he expects to sit in the East.  The timeline reflects three paths: budgeting, plan strategy, and installation planning.  The Master’s Trestle Board series of … Continue reading →

RICHARD H. RYDER (JANUARY, 2017) We say that Freemasonry started in the east and traveled to the west, which brings us to the first chartered lodge in the western hemisphere. It was in the Massachusetts Bay Colony that the Grand … Continue reading →