REGULAR MEETINGS
Regular Meeting Location and Facilities
The Lodge Regular Meetings take place at The Masonic Hall, Windmill Street, Hythe, Kent CT21 6BH, telephone 01303 268128. Please refer to the Contact page of this website for further details.
The Masonic Hall also provides dining and bar facilities and is available for social events.
Regular Meeting Summons / Details
A Summons will be circulated by the Lodge Secretary prior to each Meeting to give notice of the Meeting and provide all necessary details, including the Agenda.
Regular Meeting Schedule
The Regular Meetings of the Lodge of St Mark are held on the first Wednesday of each month from October to May, with the Installation Meeting being in October. If any individual Meeting date is to vary from those stated, this will be advised on the Summons and through other means of communication such as this website. The scheduled day for a Regular Meeting may, for instance, need to change if this coincides with a public holiday.
The Installation Meeting is when the Member elected as Worshipful Master for the ensuing year will be Installed and he invests his Officers.
Regular Meeting Dates
The Meeting dates for 2022 – 23 are as below.
Wednesday 5th October 2022 (Installation) 6.15pm
Wednesday 2nd November 2022 6.15pm
Wednesday 7th December 2022 6.15pm
Wednesday 4th January 2023 6.15pm
Wednesday 1st February 2023 6.15pm
Wednesday 1st March 2023 6.15pm
Wednesday 5th April 2023 6.15pm
Wednesday 3rd May 2023 6.15pm
Regular Meeting Start and Finishing Times
Meetings start promptly at 6.15pm, apart from the Installation where the start time is 5.30pm prompt or as otherwise advised. Admittance to a Meeting can still be arranged for Members who find their arrival unavoidably delayed. If these times are to vary for any individual Meeting, this will be advised on the Summons and through other means of communication such as this website.
The administrative and Ceremonial part of Regular Meetings is normally completed by around 8.00pm, and those staying to dine at the Festive Board can anticipate that the evening will be completed by around 10.00pm.
Regular Meeting Attendees, Agenda and Activities
The Regular Meetings are open only to Members and invited Visitors and Guests.
At these Meetings the Lodge will
– conduct Ceremonies for admitting and progressing new members or
– conduct the Ceremony for the annual Installation of the Master of the Lodge and investment of his Officers or
– conduct demonstrations or practices of Ceremonies
– receive talks and presentations on Masonic topics.
Those at the Meeting will also conduct normal administrative procedures such as
– reviewing the Minutes of the previous meeting
– proposing and balloting for new Members
– discussing and voting on the annual accounts and other matters
– receiving news about charitable work and reports from the Almoner and Lodge Mentor
– receiving other Masonic news and communications.
The above will then be followed by what is referred to as the ‘Festive Board’. Please see below for further information in this regard.
Lodge Officers and Members Unable to Attend a Regular Meeting
If any Lodge Officer is unable to attend a Meeting, they are requested to provide prior notice as soon as possible to the Secretary or to the Director or Assistant Director of Ceremonies, in order that alternative arrangements can be made.
For other Members apologies for absence at a Regular Meeting can be provided to the Lodge Secretary (by phone or email) or through a Member who will be attending.
Regular Meeting Festive Board and Dining
After each Regular Meeting, a dinner will normally be available to all Members and invited Visitors and Guests in the Masonic Hall dining room, this being referred to as the ‘Festive Board’. This will be a happy occasion, which will include Masonic toasts and wine takings (soft drinks available).
Meals will normally consist of a starter, main course, sweet and cheese and biscuits, followed by coffee or tea. Wine, beer and soft drinks will be available from the bar.
All those wishing to dine are to book themselves in with the Dining Steward (details on the Summons) by the Friday prior to the Meeting. Members can book in their own Masonic Guests.
All Lodge Officers and those Members who have requested to go on the permanent dining list held by the Dining Steward will be booked-in automatically, unless they have given prior notice that they are unable to dine at the Meeting concerned. They will need to book-in any Masonic Guests that they may invite.
Where any Member who has been booked-in to dine is then unable to do so, they are asked to provide reasonable notice of booking cancellation to the Dining Steward. This ensures that the Lodge and the Member do not incur the cost of meals not taken.
LODGE OF INSTRUCTION
Lodge of Instruction (LoI) Location
The St Mark LoI is held at the same location as the Lodge Regular Meetings.
Secretary and Director of Ceremonies for LOIs
The Lodge Assistant Secretary is the Secretary for the LoI and the Lodge Assistant Director of Ceremonies will normally direct proceedings at these evenings.
LoI Details
Notice of the next LoI will be provided on the Summons issued for Regular Meetings and further details may be distributed by the Lodge Assistant Secretary and, or Assistant Director of Ceremonies. Details will also normally be available through other means of communication such as this website.
LoI Schedule
LoI is held on the second Monday of each month from September to April. If any individual LoI date is to vary from those stated, this will be advised on the Summons and through other means of communication such as this website. The scheduled day for a LoI may, for instance, need to change if this coincides with a public holiday.
LoI Dates
The LoI dates for 2022 – 23 are as below.
Monday 12th September 2022 7.00pm (Installation)
Monday 10th October 2022 7.00pm
Monday 14th November 2022 7.00pm
Monday 12th December 2022 7.00pm
Monday 9th January 2023 7.00pm
Monday 13th February 2023 7.00pm
Monday 13th March 2023 7.00pm
Tuesday 11th April 2023 7.00pm (to be confirmed)
The September 2022 LoI will be concerned with preparations for the October 2022 Regular Meeting for the purpose of Installation.
LoI Start and Finishing Times
The LoI starts at 7.00pm, although if a Member’s arrival will be delayed they will still be welcome to attend. If this time is to vary for any individual LoI, Members will be provided with suitable prior notice.
A LoI is normally completed by 8.30pm to 9.00pm, depending upon the Ceremonial work to be practiced.
LoI Attendees and Activities
All Lodge Members are welcome and encouraged to attend these evenings.
The LoI is held regularly to enable Members to receive guidance for and to practice the Ceremonies worked by the Lodge.
The LoI is conducted in a relaxed atmosphere and is intended to help develop the Masonic confidence and understanding of each Member, so that they are better prepared to contribute to Lodge activities.
Each Officer with Ceremonial responsibilities will normally be provided with an opportunity to practice the next Office that he is likely to be offered.
There is no Festive Board or other dining at LoI.
Members Unable to Attend LoI
Any Member who has been offered the opportunity to take an Office at a LoI, but then find themselves unable to attend, are requested to provide prior notice as soon as possible to the Lodge Assistant Director of Ceremonies, in order that alternative arrangements can be made.
For other Members apologies for absence at a LoI can be provided to the Lodge Assistant Secretary or Assistant Director of Ceremonies (by phone or email) or through a Member who will be attending.
LODGE OFFICERS’ REHEARSAL
Officers’ Rehearsal Location
The St Mark Officers’ Rehearsals are held at the same location as the Lodge Regular Meetings.
Secretary and Director of Ceremonies for Officers’ Rehearsals
The Lodge Secretary is the Secretary for Officers’ Rehearsals and the Lodge Director of Ceremonies will normally direct proceedings at these evenings.
Officers’ Rehearsal Details
Notice of the next Officers’ Rehearsal will be provided on the Summons issued for Regular Meetings. Details will also normally be available through other means of communication such as this website.
Officers’ Rehearsal Schedule
Officers’ Rehearsals are held from September to April on the Friday immediately prior to each Regular Meeting and will therefore normally occur on the last Friday of the month or first Friday of the following month. If any individual Officers’ Rehearsal date is to vary from those stated, this will be advised on the Summons and through other means of communication such as this website. The scheduled day for an Officers’ Rehearsal may, for instance, need to change if this coincides with a public holiday.
Officers’ Rehearsal Dates
The Officers’ Rehearsal dates for 2022 – 23 are as below.
Friday 30th September 2022 7.00pm (Installation)
Friday 28th October 2022 7.00pm
Friday 2nd December 2022 7.00pm
Friday 30th December 2022 7.00pm
Friday 27th January 2023 7.00pm
Friday 24th February 2023 7.00pm
Friday 31st March 2023 7.00pm
Friday 28th April 2023 7.00pm
The September 2022 Officers’ Rehearsal on the 30th of that month will be concerned with preparations for the October 2022 Regular Meeting for the purpose of Installation.
Officers’ Rehearsal Start and Finishing Times
Officers’ Rehearsals start at 7.00pm, although if a Member’s arrival will be delayed they will still be welcome to attend. If this time is to vary for any individual Officers’ Rehearsal, Members will be provided with suitable prior notice.
Officers’ Rehearsals are normally completed by between 8.30pm and 9.00pm, depending upon the Ceremonial work to be rehearsed.
Officers’ Rehearsal Attendees and Activities
Officers’ Rehearsals are held prior to each Regular Meeting to enable Lodge Officers to rehearse their roles at that next Regular Meeting. However, all Lodge Members are welcome and encouraged to attend these evenings.
All Lodge Officers will assume their current Lodge Office at Officers’ Rehearsals.
There is normally no Festive Board or other formal dining at Lodge Officers’ Rehearsals. However, on the evening of the Officers’ Rehearsal held for the purpose of the May Regular Meeting it is an established Lodge custom that there will be an Officers’ Rehearsal Supper held immediately after the Rehearsal. Regular attendees at Officers’ Rehearsals will be able to attend what is normally a very entertaining and informal event. This will be publicised and the Lodge Dining Steward will request bookings from those wishing to attend.
Members Unable to Attend Officers’ Rehearsal
Any Lodge Officer who is unable to attend an Officers’ Rehearsal are requested to provide prior notice as soon as possible to the Lodge Director of Ceremonies, in order that alternative arrangements can be made.
For other Members apologies for absence at an Officers’ Rehearsal can be provided to the Lodge Secretary (by phone or email) or through a Member who will be attending.
LODGE COMMITTEE MEETINGS
In common with most clubs and similar organisations, the Lodge has a Committee (normally referred to as the ‘General Purposes [GP] Committee’) who have scheduled meetings and whose responsibilities include considering and reporting to the Lodge on proposals for Membership and upon other matters specifically referred to it. The Committee consists of those Members stated in the Lodge Byelaws.
The Lodge Secretary will provide notice of and an agenda for such Meetings through normal communication channels. The Meetings will normally be held on a mid-week evening at the Masonic Hall, Hythe, commencing at 7.00pm and with business generally being concluded by no later than 8.30pm. Minutes will be recorded and approved for each Meeting.
LODGE SOCIAL COMMITTEE MEETINGS
The Lodge of St Mark have an active elected Social Committee, who co-ordinate and arrange all social events held for the enjoyment of the Members, their family and friends. Being a member of the Social Committee is not a Lodge Office, although those elected may also hold Offices in the Lodge and the Social Committee do have their own Constitution and Officers, and maintain their own accounts. Those who may not actually be a member of the Social Committee can still agree to be co-opted onto the Committee to assist with certain events.
The Social Committee will hold Meetings as and when required, dependent upon the needs and demands of events being organised. Notice of such Meetings and other details, including the venue, will be provided by the Social Committee Chairman or other designated Member of the Committee.
Lodge of St Mark 