Document library
Resources
Every Grand Lodge approved document for Lodges of Instruction, in one searchable place.
Language
Showing 48 of 48 documents
Governance
Lodges of Instruction Operating Manual (v1.1)The governing manual for how a Lodge of Instruction is chartered, organized, and run in each district.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentationLOI Attendance SheetEditable Word form for recording who attended an LOI session and reporting it to the district.DOCXUpdated Feb 2024DownloadLodges of Instruction OverviewA short introduction to what a Lodge of Instruction is and what it is expected to teach.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentationIntroduction PrefaceThe preface to the instruction program, explaining its purpose and how the manuals fit together.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentationDistrict Framework ExampleA worked example of how one district structures its LOI calendar and instruction schedule.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentation
Candidate instruction
First degree
Manual of Instruction: First DegreeThe approved Entered Apprentice manual used to instruct candidates after the first degree.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentationFirst Degree Candidate InstructionCandidate-facing companion to the first degree manual, for the Brother to read between degrees.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentationFirst Degree Instructor NotesTeaching notes for instructors leading Entered Apprentice instruction sessions.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentationFirst Degree Resources HandoutOne-page handout of further reading to give an Entered Apprentice after instruction.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentation
Second degree
Manual of Instruction: Second DegreeThe approved Fellowcraft manual used to instruct candidates after the second degree.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentationSecond Degree Candidate InstructionCandidate-facing companion to the second degree manual for private study.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentationSecond Degree Instructor NotesTeaching notes for instructors leading Fellowcraft instruction sessions.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentationSecond Degree Resources HandoutOne-page handout of further reading to give a Fellowcraft after instruction.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentation
Third degree
Manual of Instruction: Third DegreeThe approved Master Mason manual used to instruct candidates after the third degree.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentationThird Degree Candidate InstructionCandidate-facing companion to the third degree manual for private study.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentationThird Degree Instructor NotesTeaching notes for instructors leading Master Mason instruction sessions.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentationThird Degree Resources HandoutOne-page handout of further reading to give a Master Mason after instruction.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentationManual of Instruction: Third Degree (Português)Portuguese translation of the Master Mason manual for Portuguese-speaking candidates.PDFPortuguêsUpdated Nov 2023Document unavailable in this presentation
Officer instruction
Officer Instruction TopicsA menu of ready-made officer instruction topics an LOI can schedule through the year.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentationOfficer Leadership InstructionLeadership session covering the habits expected of officers progressing toward the East.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentationKnock on the Door to InitiationSession on how a lodge should receive and prepare a man from first contact to initiation.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentationCivility Topics for OfficersDiscussion material on civility and conduct for use in an officer instruction night.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentationOfficer Mentoring ProgramOutline of how officers should mentor the Brothers coming up behind them in the line.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentationPublic Relations: Officer TrainingGuidance for officers on representing the lodge publicly and working with the community.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentation
Cable Tow mentoring
Lodge Mentoring ProgramThe Cable Tow lodge mentoring program in print form, for pairing new members with mentors.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentationMentoring BrochureA short printable brochure explaining the mentoring program to members.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentationNew Member QuestionnaireForm for learning a new member's interests so the lodge can involve him well.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentationMentoring Check-off ListSpreadsheet checklist a mentor works through with a new Brother, step by step.XLSUpdated Jan 2023Download
Reference library
Glossary of Masonic TermsPlain definitions of the terms newer Brothers hear in lodge and in the ritual.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentationMasonic EtiquetteHow to conduct yourself in lodge: salutes, addressing officers, and courtesies.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentationRetention and SolutionsPractical ideas for keeping members engaged and reducing suspensions for non-payment.PDFUpdated Apr 2023Document unavailable in this presentationMemorizing RitualStudy techniques for learning ritual work accurately and retaining it.PDFUpdated Oct 2022Document unavailable in this presentationDiscussion with Non-Masons (2010 Protocol)What may be discussed outside the lodge, and how to answer common questions.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentationMasonic QuizA quiz an LOI can use to test and refresh general Masonic knowledge.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentationGuide for Building Association Board MembersDuties and best practices for Brothers serving on a lodge building association board.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentationEntered Apprentice: Allegory and SymbolsExplanation of the allegory and symbolism found in the Entered Apprentice degree.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentationEntered Apprentice: Claudy ForewordForeword to Claudy's Entered Apprentice commentary, setting up the degree study.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentationEntered Apprentice: Claudy ContentsContents listing for Claudy's Entered Apprentice material, useful for planning lessons.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentationFellowcraft: Claudy ForewordForeword to Claudy's Fellowcraft commentary, introducing the second degree study.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentationFellowcraft: Claudy ContentsContents listing for Claudy's Fellowcraft material, useful for planning lessons.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentationFellowcraft: Middle of the ThreeClaudy's essay on the Fellowcraft as the middle degree and what it asks of a Mason.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentationMaster Mason: Allegory and SymbolsExplanation of the allegory and symbolism found in the Master Mason degree.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentationMaster Mason: Claudy ForewordForeword to Claudy's Master Mason commentary, introducing the third degree study.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentationMaster Mason: Claudy ContentsContents listing for Claudy's Master Mason material, useful for planning lessons.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentationMaster Mason: The Sublime DegreeClaudy's essay on the meaning of the sublime degree of Master Mason.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Document unavailable in this presentationMackey's Encyclopedia of FreemasonryThe classic two-volume reference encyclopedia, hosted by the Grand Lodge of Iowa.PDFUpdated Jan 2023Hosted externallyDocument unavailable in this presentation
Trestle board examples
14th District Trestle Board, Sept 2023An example district trestle board showing how to lay out events and instruction dates.PDFUpdated Sep 2023Document unavailable in this presentation22nd District Newsletter, April 2023An example district newsletter, useful as a template for communicating with lodges.PDFUpdated Sep 2023Document unavailable in this presentation
Elsewhere
Useful sites and podcasts hosted outside this Resource Center. These open in a new tab.
Grand Lodge of MassachusettsThe official website of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.LinkOpen linkSpeakers BureauDirectory of Brothers available to speak at lodge and district events.LinkOpen linkThe Masonic RoundtableLong-running Masonic discussion show and podcast.LinkOpen linkThe Winding StairsPodcast on Masonic education, symbolism, and practice.LinkOpen linkWhence Came YouWeekly Masonic education podcast covering history and ritual.LinkOpen linkAfter LodgeConversational podcast on lodge life and Masonic practice.LinkOpen linkTraveling Man PodcastMasonic podcast on Spotify covering Craft topics and guests.LinkOpen linkMasonic MuscleMasonic podcast on Spotify focused on self-improvement themes.LinkOpen link