In lodge culture, practices are usually a great way to sharpen ritual skills and create an atmosphere of togetherness and cohesion among the officers of the lodge. However, practices are usually done just for one specific degree, and oftentimes, it’s usually done weeks before a particular degree conferral.

Officers training, on the other hand, are meant to ensure that all of the officers of the lodge understand their respective responsibilities and as well as sharpen floorwork that are used in all degrees.

Sharpening skills was basically the theme at Kenton lodge this week as the lodge not only held its traditional officers’ training (held every third Thursday in January) to prepare the new corps of officers for the year ahead, but a few members of the executive committee also attended the Grand Lodge Secretary’s Seminar held at the new Robert M. Richmond Memorial Library in Forest Grove last Saturday.

The officers training was led by WB Dale Palileo and focused on proper decorum in the lodge with a specific attention to opening and closing, as well as other odds and ends that pertain to the chaplain and senior deacon work. The training also included specific portions of the Third Degree with the aim of improving performance and creating a consistent and repeatable experience for future Master Masons.

On Saturday, WB Ian Cawley, honored Brother Junior Warden Ryan Whittenburg and WB Dale Palileo attended the Grand Lodge Secretary’s Seminar. The seminar was meant primarily as a refresher course for secretaries of all Oregon lodges. Also discussed were items of importance such as insurance and tax filings, but the main focus of the day was the capabilities of the Grand View lodge management software.

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