Education

The Mentor Program

The Mentor Program is the most useful aid for assisting Lodges to bond with their new members. It assists with the new member’s Masonic education and gives him pride in being a Mason. The bonding that happens between two Masons when the mentor program is used will continue long after the degrees are completed. The Master should pick a well-informed brother to be a Mentor who has a positive attitude and who wants to contribute directly to the Lodge’s future.

The 5 Steps of the Mentor Program

Step One:

Upon the candidate’s election

  • A mentor should be appointed for the candidate
  • A cover letter should be given to the new candidate informing him that he has been elected to receive the degrees in our fraternity by unanimous ballot and include the date and time of his first degree.
  • Send in ‘Candidate’s Registration Form’ to the Grand Lodge
  • The Mentor should meet the candidate in person and answer any questions he might have about his first degree.
  • The Mentor should offer to take the candidate to his first degree.
  • Quest books Number 1 & 2 should be given to the candidate by the Mentor.
Step Two:

The Entered Apprentice Degree

Before the degree
  • The Mentor meets with the candidate one hour beforehand, answers his questions and introduces him to the others in attendance.
  • The mentor should give a tour of the facility and casually discuss Quest books #1 and #2 with him.
After the degree
  • The Mentor should review the Sign, Word, Grip; how to enter and retire from a Lodge of Entered Apprentices; and the symbolism of the apron.
  • Quest book Number 3 should be given to the candidate.
Step Three

The Fellow Craft Degree

Before the degree
  • The Mentor should meet with the candidate in the Lodge room to discuss the opening and closing of the Lodge, the form and contents of the Lodge and the officer’s stations, and places.
  • Quest book Number 3 should be discussed
  • Mentor answers all of the new brother’s questions
After the degree
  • Explain the Signs, Words, Grips; how to enter and retire from a Lodge of Fellowcrafts; symbolism of the apron; and the Obligation.
  • Plan ways to keep the new brother involved in Lodge activities.
  • Quest book Number 4 should be given to the candidate.
Step Four

The Master Mason Degree

Before the degree
  • Meet with the candidate in the Lodge Room and explain related objects of the 2nd degree including the working tools, including the pillars, winding stairs, and letter G.
  • Quest book Number 4 should be discussed
  • Discuss the differences between the Entered Apprentice Degree and the Fellowcraft Degree including the cable tow, circumambulation, Masonic light, the apron, and the working tools.
After the degree
  • Teach the new brother how to prove himself to be a Mason when he visits another Lodge.
  • The differences between the three Degrees should be discussed including the cable tow, circumambulation, Masonic Light, the apron, and the working tools.
  • Discuss the events of the second section of the Master Mason Degree:
  • Commit with the new brother to attend the next stated communication as well as to become active in other Lodge activities.
  • Quest book Number 5 should be given to the candidate.
Step Five
  • Accompany the new brother to his first regular stated communication and answer all questions.
  • Make plans to keep the new brother involved in Lodge activities should be ongoing.
  • Give the candidate Quest book # 6.
  • Plan a visit to a neighboring Lodge.
  • Explain all Masonic recourses.
  • Discuss the Signs, Words, Grips, and Obligation.
  • Inform the Master that the new brother has completed the Mentor Program. The Lodge Secretary then completes the compliance sheet and returns it to the Grand Lodge.
  • Present the Masonic Achievement Award to the new brother in open Lodge.
  • Continue to meet with the candidate at or away from Lodge for at least a year.