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One of the avowed objectives of Freemasonry
is to make good men better. Therefore, it may be called
a Human Resource Development Institution and considered
as a Production Unit, since it produces a product called
'Freemasons'.
The first requirement of any Production
Unit is the availability of adequate quantity of good
raw material. Fortunately there is no dearth of raw
material for us and since we pick up only proved raw
material from known sources, generally speaking their
quality is also assured. The next stage is the preparation
of the raw material for processing. Here too we have
proper procedures laid out and if these procedures are
properly followed the raw material comes well prepared
to the Production Unit. At the Masonic Temple, which
is our Production Room, the gatekeeper receives the
raw material after being satisfied that it is well prepared.
The raw material is then placed on
a conveyer belt for value addition at different workstations.
The value added to the raw material at each workstation
can only be as good as the work put in and the sincerity
of the workman concerned and the overall quality of
the finished product can only be as good as the total
coordinated effort of all concerned.
Let us now turn our attention to those
who are involved in the production process in our 'Production
Unit'.
The most important aspect of any Production
Unit is ensuring the quality of the ultimate finished
product by the Quality Controller. In our Production
Unit, this role is to be performed by the Director of
Ceremonies. The Deacons are the shop floor assistants
who are to ensure smooth flow of the raw material from
one workstation to the other on the conveyer belt. The
two Wardens are the Works Managers to supervise the
effort put in at the different workstations and test
the product as it passes through their hands. Unlike
other Production Units we are not in a hurry to finish
our product but ensure that there is sufficient cooling
period for the semifinished product at the in between
stages.
The Worshipful Master is the General
Manager who is in overall control of the Production
Unit. The Secretary of the Lodge plays the role of the
Administrative Officer.
All Production Units make a product
to market it. It is here that we as Freemasons have
failed to a very great extent. We have allowed our product
to lie on the shelf and gather dust! Examples of half
finished products languishing here and there also abound
in some badly managed production Units. We as Freemasons
by precept and example are duty bound to spread the
message of Freemasonry so that we make an impact on
Society and make them take notice of us. This will enable
us to 'sell our product' in the same manner as some
established branded products sell without much effort
and advertisement. So let us strive to make each Lodge
a successful Human Resource Development Institution
and an efficient Production Unit.
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