Page 8 - Keystone Summer 2020 Issue 5

The Future as seen by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master

The events of the last 6 months or so have been, to say the least,
tumultuous. The General Suspension, announced on March 17th and
lifted 4 months later, combined with the traditional summer break of July
and August has meant there have been no Mark or Royal Ark Mariner
meetings in Somerset and indeed most other Provinces since.
The Provincial Grand Master and I have been keeping in touch with
Lodge Secretaries with weekly, then fortnightly phone calls before the
summer break. Individual Lodges have done a great job of keeping in
touch with all of their members throughout this incredibly difficult
period.
Nobody really knows where we will be in September and things
obviously become even more difficult to predict as we progress towards
Christmas and then beyond into 2021. Hopefully, the New Year will
bring a slow return to normality however, the spectre of localised
lockdowns (already seen in many areas) and possibly the dreaded
second wave may well see the re-introduction of tighter restrictions.
In the short term at least, it looks highly unlikely that the Lodge Meeting as we know it, with a goodly
number of Members enjoying an Advancement Ceremony or the Installation of a new Master
followed by an enjoyable Festive Board will be happening and because of this, it’s incredibly
important that we try to maintain as much interest and enjoyment for our Members whilst maintaining
a safe environment for everyone.
The pandemic has seen a massive increase in the use of online video conferencing (if you don’t
believe me just check out how the Zoom Inc share price has done over the last 6 months or so!) and
it is proving to be an incredibly useful tool for keeping in touch. I know that many Lodges have been
using Zoom and other platforms to hold online “get togethers”. The Mark Executive have held
several online meetings over recent months. The PGM and I plan to hold regular Zoom conference
calls with the Secretaries between now and Christmas and of course the Province will be hosting a
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virtual Provincial Business Meeting on September 5 in lieu of the now cancelled Royal Ark Mariner
Assembly which would have been held at The Webbington on the same date.
In order to transact necessary Lodge Business, Mark Grand Lodge allowed individual Lodges to hold
online Virtual Business Meetings (VBM) during the general suspension and this has been extended
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until at least December 31 . Secretaries have been sent details of how these VBMs should be
conducted and you can all find that guidance on the Somerset Mark Website. The video
conferencing environment however does take a little while to get used to. There are certain things
which, in my opinion are better online and other things that don’t work quite so well but as we adapt
to using them, their productiveness will undoubtedly improve. Regardless of how the Covid 19
pandemic develops I strongly believe that Zoom and other similar platforms will be of great benefit.
The “in person” Lodge Committee Meeting for example, post pandemic, may become a thing of the
past by taking it online with no more travelling, no requirement for a Meeting Room and the biggest
advantage of all…… the host being able to mute anyone he wants to! Having now taken part in
many Zoom calls and presentations I think that they are a wonderful tool, and whilst they certainly
aren’t a replacement for a Masonic meeting, they really are the best way we have at present of
keeping everyone connected, whilst also keeping everyone safe and I think, will continue to play a
role in the future of Freemasonry.
There’s absolutely no doubt that the events of 2020 have been and continue to be, unprecedented.
Who could have possibly imagined 12 months ago just how each and every one of our lives would
change so drastically? I am absolutely certain however, that Freemasonry will adapt and overcome.
Our great Fraternity has proven time and again just how resourceful it can be and I will leave you
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with this rather appropriate quote from the 26 President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt
who said; “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are”.
Tony Guthrie DPGM

Summer Issue 2020 Page8