What goes on at a Masonic meeting?
The meeting is split into two sections. First there is the formal part conducted in the Temple itself. During this the following occurs: A short ceremony to ‘Open the Lodge’ Reading and acceptance of the Minutes of the previous meeting. Report on any meeting of the Lodge management or reference committee. Either: the initiation of a new Mason, the ‘promotion’ of a recently admitted Mason, the installation of a new Master of the Lodge, or occasionally a lecture. Any other administrative business, e.g. voting of donations to Charity, increasing of Lodge fees, balloting of a new member. Collection of ‘Alms’ or money for Charity. A short ceremony to ‘Close the Lodge’. The second part of the meeting is the ‘Festive Board’ and is normally a formal ‘sit down’ meal followed by short speeches and toasts. During the Festive Board there are generally further collections or raffles to raise money for Charity. Most meetings start in the early evening although some are held during the day. Typically
