Universe

During a stated meeting of Jose Abad Santos chapter (first chapter in the far east) in the philippines, a mason, who is the executive officer of the metro manila of the supreme council of hte philippines, grabbed the a gavel from the master councilor, who happens to be his son, and presided over the meeting. his stated reason for doing this was, because the meeting started late and it would take too long for us, active Demolays to conduct the meeting. He wants to get over it soon.

Is that allowed?

Is it right?

What can we (active De Molays) do about it?

What can the supreme council or anyone cvan do about it?

Please help?

Things are starting to stink here.

Whoa... this is sad..

Just give the the benefit of the doubt... maybe he has something better in mind like... he wants all of you to go home early or have the fellowship early... This is really irregular.. but if happens just once.. I think you can forgive or tolerate it.

With his reasons, I hope you have learned your lesson here brother... be on time and start on time in order for this kind of thing from happening again... Also, maybe he want to show you an example of how to preside over a meeting :-)

One last thing, be thankful that the Executive Officer in your Jurisdiction makes time to attend your chapter's stated meetings..

Hope you find this post helpful...

Well,

sometimes, when the meeting had an authority, (but active DeMolay authority - Regional Master Councilor, State or National or maybe International MC), the MC of Chapter can pass the gavel to him like a "nice act" of hierarchy order, but it returns to MC after. Only if the event have a special jurisdictoin the gavel stays with the authority.

Masons can receive the gavel like a simbolic act, but they must give it back.

Wow, now thats something that you don't hear about everyday... and in this type of situation, and not to mention this type of senario, this shouldn't have taken place... but here are a few things that were wrong with the matter...

Now as far as my knowledge, it is stated that the Executive Officer may indeed run a Stated Chapter meeting. The Master Councilor should indeed weild the power of authority to the EO, and in most cases the EO denys the authority and has the MC proceed with the meeting... This is actually a guideline in our Monitor of Ceremonies...

Now this is were the negative aspect comes in, more of the double edge sword... yes he has the authority to, but it was the fact that the MC was his son which made it controversal... there have been many times when I've seen the MC and Dad Advisor or Chairman of the Board be father and son during a term, and when they go at it, they do it infront of the boys, which in turn, don't know who to defend... in the end luckily enough, non of the advisors stepped into the MC's authority power and had taken control of the meeting...

I would have to say, if this happens again, first ask what the situation was, if it was simply about starting the meeting late, then start it earlier, it isn't that hard, but in my opinion, he stepped outta line as an Advisor, and EO, and more of a controllable parent...

This is of course my opinion from the information given to me... nothing more...

Any questions, concerns, help, advise, please feel free to ask...

Observer,

In every situation there are three sides to the story. Your side, His side and the Truth. (exaggerated to prove a point)

I cannot tell you if the XO acted within his powers, I was not there. But, he does have the power to intervein.

I cannot say that the MC was conducting his office as he should, I was not there. But, he must uphold the rules and regulations.

I tell you this as a lifes lesson. If you have a problem with the way a person executed his authority or any matter that bothers you; you should respectfully, ask to talk to them privately and state the situation, tell them how it made you feel and then, ask why they did it.

YOU DO NOT NEED the Supreme Council or anyone else to satisfy this problem. You have the solution.

Example: Go to the XO and say "Dad Joe, when you took over the meeting from the MC, you hurt my feelings because... I felt... etc." Never state accusations like, "you were out of line" or "you don't have the authority." State your concern. Control your emotions and discuss the topic with a calm outward attitude and open mind. You may change your mind once he has explained himself. Otherwise, you might agree to disagree. Sometimes, he may not give you a reason; but he should appreciate your concerns. And, sometimes we are too young to understand why things have to be done, that is wisdom.

Sometimes, we need to be compassionate and dismiss a persons outburst. Everyone has bad days. He might be concerned about an ill relative or something. Be compassionate and understanding.

Maybe the root problem is ... Stop messing around and state the meeting on time. Just maybe? I don't know. Do you always start late and unnecessarily drag it out. But that is really not my point here.

If you have an advisor/officer/etc, who does not have the patience to teach the DeMolay members ideals like temperance. Who, does not exhibit normal tolerance by yelling or insulting. If he is detrimental to the Good of the Order, then discuss the matter with your Chapter Dad or Advisory Council Member. Start at the lowest level and go up from there. Never start at the top and go down. Rarely in life will you need a mediator. Most problems will solve themselves with communication.

I think an important question is: How does the MC, the son, feels about this situation. Have you talked to him? Maybe he feels he deserved it. Maybe not. Never try to figure out another persons feelings without talking to them. You may feel differently after talking to him.

I tell you this... you will not find the answer on a forum like this. Communicate: Use the words... when you said or did this, I felt... Again, be nice and have an open mind. This holds true of friends, strangers and especially in marriages. But, that is a whole different topic..........

Fraternally Yours,
Cash Stocker