Your Guide to Masonic Recognition

As we begin another Masonic Year

We want to share something that's been on our mind. You know that feeling when you see a Brother doing extraordinary work? Bet you're thinking of someone right now.... Too often, these everyday Brethren work without expectation of reward. However, as Masons, it’s our privilege, and our responsibility, to shine a light on their contributions.

Here's what we've learned: those Brethren we admire don't seek recognition, but they do deserve it. And did you know, you have the power to make sure they receive it.

Four Ways to Honor Excellence

Our Grand Lodge provides meaningful ways to do just that. Here are four awards designed to recognize outstanding service: the Joseph Warren Distinguished Service Medal, the Grand Lady Service Award, the Master Builder Award, and the Grand Master’s Award. Each honors a different kind of dedication, but all share one purpose: to celebrate those who exemplify the best and brightest of our fraternity. 

The Master Builder Award

The Master Builder’s Award is a personal challenge award: a checklist of activities that engages you more deeply in fraternal life. It’s designed to energize you or to re-energize those who are seeking a new challenge in Masonry. The Master Builder Award can be the perfect vehicle to pique your interest and a great start on the best year ever. This isn’t a nomination-based award but an individual achievement that you can earn with some effort and determination. Plus, there's a great celebration for our winners at Grand Lodge to add the icing on the cake! 

• Purpose: To keep motivating you to experience a broad range of fraternal life. In pursuing the Master Builder Award, you will attend events, help with programs, connect with others, and deepen your Masonic knowledge. This both benefits your Lodge and yourself.

• Who is Eligible: Those who want to become more active. It’s great if you're seeking involvement, or even just to stay active and make the most out of this Masonic year.

• Requirements: Complete 11 Masonic activities within a 12-month period. The program outline is: 6 required core activities + 5 elective activities of your choice:

  • The 6 Required activities cover a range of involvement. For example: attend a Grand Lodge educational program; visit another Lodge in your District (perhaps during the DD’s visit); attend at least seven stated meetings of your Lodge over the year; work on a Lodge social or charitable event; reconnect with an inactive Brother and bring him to Lodge; and sponsor a new candidate into your Lodge. These ensure you engage in education, fellowship, charity, mentoring, and growth.

  • For the remaining 5 activities, you choose from a list of 9 Electives to suit your interests. Options include things like: take a tour of the Grand Lodge building in Boston; assist the officers in setting up the Lodge room or in preparing a candidate for a degree; attend a Feast of Saint John or a District Exemplification; visit a DeMolay or Rainbow youth meeting or installation; attend a Masonic memorial service; help run a community Open House or membership seminar; or volunteer at a charity event or a blood drive. You get to pick the five that appeal to you most. Together with the core activities, that makes 11 in total (hence the name “Master Builder”).

• How to Achieve: Those pursuing the award should click the button below to download the Master Builder checklist and track your progress. You have one year to complete all items. Once everything is done, the checklist is signed off by the Worshipful Master and the Lodge Ambassador, verifying that you've met all requirements. The Lodge Secretary then submits the completed form (with a brief cover letter explaining why the Brother is worthy of the award) to the Grand Master’s Office for approval. (Mail to: Grand Master’s Office, 186 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02111.) After review, if all is in order, the Grand Master will approve your award.

• Award: A Master Builder Award certificate, issued by Grand Lodge, signed by the Grand Master and embossed with the Grand Lodge seal, will be presented to the Brother, usually during the District Deputy’s next visit to your Lodge. Imagine the pride of receiving this in front of your brethren, knowing it represents one of the most active years of your membership to date! By earning the Master Builder Award, you not only enrich your own experience but you're also inspiring others in the Lodge to get involved. It’s a win-win for all! 

• Note: The 12-month period for this award starts when you begin the program (with your Master’s approval). You cannot start before the Grand Lodge’s September Quarterly Communication of the current year. This ensures the checklist is aligned with the official program timeline. So plan your start accordingly, and finish all 11 tasks within one year of that start date.

The Joseph Warren Distinguished Service Medal

This prestigious award is given for exemplary service to the Fraternity, the community, and the member’s house of worship. If you are a Worshipful Master, it’s both your privilege and responsibility to recommend a truly deserving Brother for this honor.

• Purpose: Recognizes a Brother Mason’s extraordinary service to his Lodge, his community, and his place of worship; it's been described as a three-legged stool, meaning that you need to have all of these to be the best person possible. This Distinguished Service Medal is one of the highest honors a Massachusetts Mason can receive for service.

• Who is Eligible: Any Brother in your Lodge who is truly deserving of such recognition (a Brother who has consistently gone above and beyond the normal call of commitment).

• Who Can Nominate: Only the sitting Worshipful Master of the Lodge. The nomination is made by a private, confidential letter to the Grand Master. No other Brother (especially not the nominee) should be aware. You cannot delegate this duty.

• How to Nominate: Write a detailed letter to the Grand Master outlining the Brother’s contributions in all areas of his life: Lodge service, other Masonic bodies, community work, and faith involvement. Be thorough and specific: provide as much information as possible so those reviewing understand why he stands out (You may discreetly consult your District Deputy Grand Master to review your draft for strength and completeness before sending it in.).

• Award: Once the Grand Master approves the award, your District Deputy will inform you and coordinate the presentation. Often the Brother’s family and friends are invited, so he can be honored with loved ones by his side.

The Grand Lady Service Award

1 This is the pin our Grand Ladies receive as award winners.

2 A photo of the very first Grand Lady Award, presented to Mrs. Rin Chibiki. Rin was born in Aomori, Japan, on August 14, 1973. She is the wife of Rt. Wor. Michael Craven of the 32^nd Masonic District in Japan. 

We often say “behind every great man is a great woman,” and in our fraternity “working quietly behind the scenes is a Grand Lady”. This award shines a spotlight on those un-championed wives, ladies of the Lodge, and friends who give their time and love to the Lodge with little or no recognition. 

• Purpose: To recognize an “un-championed Lady” who supports the men and the work of the Lodge, often behind the scenes and without formal thanks. This award says “we see and appreciate you” to the women who bolster our Lodges.

• Who is Eligible: Any Lady with a meaningful connection to your Lodge who has given selfless support. She might be a Mason’s wife, a mother, daughter, or sister, or an Order of Eastern Star member. She could even be someone who has done something for the masons like helping with an event, or doing something extraordinary in your community, she doesn't need to be affiliated with a Brother in any familial sense! What matters is her service over the years. Grand Ladies often do countless small acts of kindness; they’re “always there” when needed.

• Who Can Nominate: The Worshipful Master of the Lodge. Each Master may honor only one Lady per year with this award, so choose the most deserving candidate for your term. The Worshipful Master may not nominate his own wife, which should go without saying. 

• How to Nominate: Write a letter to the Grand Master briefly describing who the Lady is and why she deserves the award. (There aren’t rigid criteria. It’s up to you as Master to decide what “above and beyond” means in your Lodge’s context.) Mail your nomination to the Grand Master at Grand Lodge (186 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02111). Once approved, the Grand Master’s office will send the award certificate and lapel pin to your District Deputy, who will coordinate with you to present it at an appropriate occasion.

• Award: A beautiful Grand Lady Service Award certificate, formally signed by the District Deputy Grand Master and your Worshipful Master, presented to the honoree. She will also receive a custom Grand Lady lapel pin as a lasting token of our gratitude. The presentation can be made at a Lodge event (perhaps your annual Ladies’ Night or another gathering) – a heartfelt surprise for someone who never asked for praise.

• Questions: If you have any questions about this award or the nomination process, help is available. You can contact R.W. Jim Orgettas in the Grand Master’s Office at 617-426-6040 or jorgettas@massfreemasonry.org for guidance on submitting a Grand Lady nomination.

The Grand Master's Award

The Grand Master’s Award is a prestige program that challenges a Worshipful Master and his Lodge to set and achieve lofty goals over the Master’s year. Its objective is simple: to help incoming Masters prepare for a successful term by outlining clear programs in key areas:

• Membership
• Community
• Ritual
• Education

• Purpose: To strengthen your Lodge through comprehensive planning and leadership. By participating, a Master commits to making his year one of growth, engagement, and excellence. The Grand Master’s Award program essentially guides you in creating a written plan for the year that covers the crucial areas of Lodge success (and following through on it). It’s about setting goals and working as a team to achieve them, which in turn makes the Lodge flourish.

• Who is Eligible: Any Lodge in our jurisdiction can work toward the Grand Master’s Award under its Master’s leadership. The Master, together with his officers, will drive the effort.

• Application: Planning starts right after the Installation of officers. Within 30 days of being installed as Master, you must submit a signed letter and a detailed plan of action for your year to your District Deputy Grand Master (with a copy to the Grand Master’s Office). This letter outlines the programs and goals you intend to pursue to qualify for the award. Your DDGM will review your plan, ensure it meets the guidelines, and may suggest tweaks so that your goals are realistic and aligned with the expectations. (Each year’s plan needs to be fresh; if your Lodge earned this award in recent years, you’ll need at least two new programs not repeated from the past three years, so be creative!)

• Goals: Your plan should address several required categories that the Program has identified as pillars of a strong Lodge. Specifically, include goals for:

  • Membership: e.g. develop a plan to re-engage inactive members, retain current members, revive lapsed members who left, and bring in quality new candidates. Set tangible objectives (X number of Brothers returning, Y new applicants, etc.) and track them.

  • Community Outreach: designate a Brother/Brethren/Committee to lead public awareness and plan some programs to raise the Lodge’s profile in the community. This might include public charity events, open houses, press releases, social media activity; anything that spreads positive awareness of Freemasonry locally. (At year’s end, you’ll report on what you did and how many people you reached.)

  • Ritual & Exemplification: commit your officers to ritual excellence. All line officers and ritualists should attend the District Exemplification led by the DDGM and Grand Lecturer. Plan to have your Lodge participate (provide a candidate for degree exemplifications, send a full suite of officers, etc.). Making ritual proficiency a focus ensures your degrees are impressive and inspiring as you pass down the values of Freemasonry to your newest Brethren.

  • Fraternal Involvement: ensure your Lodge is represented at every Grand Lodge Quarterly Communication. At minimum, the Master, Senior Warden, and Junior Warden should attend together at least one Quarterly Communication during the year, and at least one of the three (or their proxies) should attend the others.

  • Charity & Building Fund: demonstrate philanthropic charity by raising funds either for Grand Lodge charities or your own Lodge’s needs. Set a goal to contribute about $5 (or more) per member to a charitable cause (e.g. Grand Lodge’s Masonic charities like the Brotherhood Fund, the Lodge Building Fund, etc.). Also appoint a fundraising chairman to lead these efforts.

  • Member Retention: implement a plan to address the growing issue of suspensions or demits for non-payment of dues. In your plan, detail how you’ll keep in touch with Brethren who fall behind or grow inactive (e.g. a calling committee or personal outreach) and ensure no one is lost without genuine attempts to help. If any Brother does end up demitting or being suspended, you’ll need to document that you followed Grand Lodge’s prescribed process and did everything possible to prevent it.
    (Note: The Grand Master’s Award guidelines actually include a few additional categories and allow some flexibility. The above are the core areas. Remember to introduce at least two new initiatives that your Lodge hasn’t done in the past three years – it keeps your year fresh and innovative.)

• Review: Toward the end of your Masonic year, it’s time to report results. After your Lodge’s annual meeting (or the end of your term), you have 30 days to compile a summary of what your Lodge accomplished. In a letter to the DDGM (copy to Grand Master), review each goal from your original plan and explain the outcomes. Did you meet or exceed the targets? What programs did you execute, and what were the results? This self-evaluation is crucial. The District Deputy will go over your report and then forward his recommendation to the Grand Master on whether your Lodge should receive the award.

• Award: If you’ve met the requirements and the Grand Master approves, your Lodge will receive the Grand Master’s Award! The Master and Wardens will be invited to a Grand Lodge Quarterly Communication to be presented with the award. There, a specially framed Grand Master’s Award certificate (for display in your Lodge) will be presented. Additionally, the Grand Master typically gives each of you a personal memento of the achievement. Imagine standing with your Brothers, being applauded for a year of hard work this year! 

• Support: Masters pursuing the Grand Master’s Award are encouraged to involve the Wardens and all officers in planning and executing the program. Teamwork is key to success. If you need guidance at any point, reach out to your District Deputy Grand Master. He’s there to help you interpret the requirements and can answer questions or provide examples. You can also consult the Grand Lodge’s Training Department for advice on best practices. Don’t hesitate to use these resources – the goal is for your Lodge to succeed and thrive.

Why This Matters to You

We know what you might be thinking: "These awards seem subjective" or "How do I know if someone is truly deserving?" Here's the truth: these Brethren need your advocacy. The most deserving candidates are often the most humble and deserve to be recognized for their contributions.

Think about it this way: you already know them. You know their character. You've seen their work. You've witnessed their commitment. Speaking up about it is what allows us to fully recognize that person.

Your Action Steps This Year:

1. Identify that Brother or Lady you've been thinking about
2. Document their contributions (be specific and thorough)
3. Consult with your DDGM if considering for the Joseph Warren Medal
4. Submit your nomination following the exact guidelines
5. Maintain confidentiality where required

It's customary to submit your nominations during the first half of the Masonic year. And remember, these awards exist because people deserve recognition for their service. By nominating deserving Brethren and Ladies, you're participating in one of Masonry's most meaningful traditions; benevolent love for others.

A Personal Challenge

We challenge you to act on that instinct you had when you first started reading this. That name that came to mind? That's the person you should consider nominating this year! Even if it's just making a decision to pursue your Master Builders Award! 

Don't let another Masonic year pass without ensuring they receive the recognition they deserve.

Remember: the Grand Master's Office is at 186 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02111. For questions about any of these awards, contact R.W. Jim Orgettas, Grand Master's Secretary, at 617-426-6040 or email jorgettas@massfreemasonry.org.

Your Brethren are counting on your leadership. More importantly, that deserving Brother is counting on your recognition; even if they don't know it yet.

Will you make the nomination?