Good luck. I was pretty reluctant to take office, but felt the Lodge needed my support so agreed to become Inner Guard (Inner Sentinel to many of you Yanks :) . Four years latter I have just been installed as JW and have loved every minute while in office. It can be a bit of a challenge at times but I have found it very rewarding! I am sure you will find it the same !!!

Let us know how you go !

i've recently been installed as the JD & am enjoying the role. there's a lot to say during opening & closing though. i believe that the JS works with incoming candidates primarily...<checks the ritual>... also, i am a PHA mason, so i'm not sure how the JS functions in four letter lodges...

besides that, be willing to ask questions when necessary. we're all brothers & there's no need to feel clumsy or awkward in lodge read through the ceremony before tuesday & ask questions about what you may or may not need to do/say...

j

Well.....so much for JS. Lately I've been tasked with performing as Senior Steward, not only in stated meetings (like tonite) but also for the next upcoming degree work for three 3rd degrees over the next two weeks and maybe two 2nd the following week. I did a stint as Junior Deacon for a stated meeting as well.

I think our SW (who will be taking the big chair in December) is conspiring with our WM just trying to see how far they can "push" me. It's all good fun, though. I am enjoying the challenge.

We'll see where this leads soon, I hope.

Well.....I took my first turn as the SS during the entire 3rd degree tonite. I can't say I did everything perfect.....there is room for improvement. It didn't help that the DDGM and a Past GM of Kansas were visiting the lodge tonite. But, they're gonna let me do it again next Tuesday. So....I'll try to be better then.

It was fun, though. And now I'm no longer the rookie MM in our lodge. WOO HOO!!!

Our annual communication is coming up in December and our WM will be stepping down. The SW will be taking his place in the East, and I have a good idea who will be filling the other big chairs. What our SW won't tell me though is where exactly he will be assigning me.

We had discussed starting me in the JS position, but then he worked me as the SS for quite a few work nights. Then I filled in as JD for stated meetings and work. And last night (after telling me we were opening on 3rd and I'd be JD) he informs me that he meant to tell me that he would like me to do SD spot and we're opening on the 1st. This I find out 18 minutes before we begin.

Now I'd sat JS, SS, and JD....and these I had time to study the ritual and the floorwork for the ceremonies and work - at least a few days notice. The SD chair is one I'd always looked at and thought I would have plenty of time to learn it and was secure in that fact.....until last night. I looked over the cipher, but there was no floorwork manual available, so I was relying on my own memory and advice from the current SD (who was sitting in for the JW).

Fortunately, there was no work, but there were visitors and a ballot.
I was told afterwards that I did very well and folks wondered how long I'd studied for last night. When I told them 18 minutes, they said I'd make a fine SD.

I don't mind filling in, and it's actually kinda flattering that they feel they can depend on me for such a thing. But, it does have me wondering what is going on in the mind of our SW....and just what he has in store for me for the next year. I'd like a little notice....so I can work on things and set an example my brothers can be proud of.

I don't know whether to sigh or cheer.
I just found out tonite that I will be installed as an officer in our lodge this Saturday. My dilemma is that it will not be as the SS as I expected. I have been appointed to Senior Deacon instead.

While I know this shows great confidence in me by my brethren, I am not sure I am ready for such an active role. I suppose I'll take it and run with it, but I'm out of my comfort zone with it.

We'll see how it goes, eh?