Provincial Grand Lodge of Cornwall

The Role

The role of the Provincial Membership Officer is part of the recommendations from UGLE, with the purpose being to help attract and select potential members, improve retention rates as well as aiding Lodges in developing and implementing a membership strategy, with a view to attracting suitable candidates and retaining existing members.

Membership Key Points

• To identify the characteristics of all Lodges and ensure each potential candidate would be the type of person that would fit.
• To communicate the need to introduce suitable candidates and keep recruitment high on Lodge agendas.
• To review, in conjunction with a Lodge committee, the recruitment activities of the Lodge: For example, introducing non-Masons to social events, open evenings, white table events, family events and activities within the local communities such as volunteering and supporting local charities.
• To review the process of interviewing a potential candidate and ensure Lodges adapt a suitable Q & A process.
• To make known to Members the process of introducing potential candidates and visitors to the Lodge.
• To assist the Proposer and Seconder in the initial preparation of the prospective candidates.
• To liaise with the Candidate between the Initial contact with the Lodge and his Initiation.
• To advise members of what is acceptable in terms of responding to requests for information from the public and answering the question: “What is Freemasonry”.

Online & Non-Sponsored Potential Candidates

• To act as first and Primary Point of Contact for all online and non-sponsored potential candidate enquiries for the Province of Cornwall received via the UGLE & PGL websites, social media, or other mediums.
• To make contact with potential candidates with a view to establishing their preferred meeting locations, venues and availability based on their personal profile and preferences.
• To refer potential candidates to suitable lodges and follow up on progress of said referrals.

Members Pathway

• To deliver, in conjunction with the Provincial Grand Mentor and other members of the Provincial Pathway Team, talks and presentations on the UGLE Members Pathway and Province of Cornwall ‘Pathway Bitesize’ under the four main headings - Plan, Attract, Engage, Retrieve.
• To encourage lodges to build a Lodge Profile and set up an annually reviewed Lodge Succession Plan.

Reporting to the Provincial Grand Master and Full Provincial Executive

As a member of the Executive, it is the responsibility of the Provincial Grand Membership Officer to report to and update the Executive team on membership matters and projects. In addition, to assist the Executive to raise the profile of Freemasonry in the community and build relationships with local organisations.

Reports are provided each quarter to the Full Provincial Executive in advance of the Full Executive meeting.

Reporting to UGLE

• To report back on a monthly basis the progress of candidates referred to Cornwall via UGLE via the ‘Members Tracker’ spreadsheet.
• To report back on the progress of various projects and schemes as delivered by UGLE.

Provincial Events

• To coordinate with the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies and Provincial Grand Secretary in facilitating operational support for provincial events and functions via the Trelawny Light Blues and Provincial Stewards Lodge.
• To provide any other support as required to ensure the smooth and efficient running of said events.
• To work with relevant members of the Provincial Executive in organising and delivering the Preparation for the Chair, Wardens Workshops, New Members and New Actives meeting.

Trelawny Light Blues

To act as Provincial Liaison Officer for the Trelawny Light Blues, aiding and advising as necessary to ensure they achieve the goals set out under their constitution, as well as administering and overseeing their various social media platforms.

Supporting Lodges and their Lodge Membership Officer

On top of the duties mentioned, the primary function of the Provincial Grand Membership Officer is to help lodges and their members as much as possible in ensuring their lodges thrive and are enjoyable places to attend.

The role of Lodge Membership Officer is a new one, and was instigated shortly after the return from Covid restrictions, as such many lodges have yet to appoint a Membership Officer. It is part of the Provincial Membership Officer role to ensure that where appropriate, lodges do have a LMO in place who can act as the primary lead for membership matters – it is important therefore to encourage lodges to appoint a suitable person to undertake this role, not just appoint to tick a box.

A full description of the LMO role is included as part of the Members Pathway.

General Responsibilities and requirements

• To Represent the Province of Cornwall.
• To attend shows, white table evenings and other events where appropriate to promote Freemasonry in Cornwall.
• Attend UGLE training and seminars.
• Attend Bi-annual UGLE Membership Conference.
• Attend quarterly (online) group membership seminars.
• Work closely with The Holy Royal Arch Chapter and the Mark Degree within the Province of Cornwall on membership matters (Archway for Royal Arch & The Three R’s Committee for Mark)
• It is possible to be in contact with local media and undertaking the UGLE training is useful.
• Be able to listen and communicate clearly when speaking.
• Be confident in preparing and delivering talks.
• Be patient and understanding of every member and every Lodge need.
• Be aware that when carrying out the duties as the Provincial Grand Membership Officer that the role represents every member within our province, and that personal opinions should be avoided.