Master's Message - Everybody, Somebody, Anybody & Nobody. Installaiton, Aug 2018

From WBro Stuart, WM Lodge Devotion 2018-2019

Brethren all,

I will firstly start by thanking all those that came to my Installation, wrote, text or emailed their support to me on being placed in to the Chair of King Solomon, as I said on the night, it is a humbling experience knowing you are following in the footsteps of such esteemed forbearers, but doing so with the support of your fellow Brethren.

On the evening itself I told the following story:

There is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody.

There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure Somebody would do it.

Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it.

Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody’s job.

Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realised that Everybody wouldn’t do it.

It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.

The reason I told this story is that it can be easy for us to sit back and watch as others take the lead, this can be as something as simple as washing the dishes or setting the agenda and strategic plan for the lodge. We are at a turning point, a once in a generational change is happening and it is our opportunity to improve the Craft for future generations, we must not forget our roots but this is an opportunity for us to let our voices be heard and be a meaningful part of a conversation about men, men’s issues and how we interact with the new world.

Therefore if a job is always seen as someone else's then nothing will be achieved, we will sit on our laurels and be in the same mess, or worse.

It is my job to ensure our Lodge, and by extension Freemasonry in general, is better than when I became the custodian of its Warrant, therefore I repeat my words from my Installation and I charge you to increase our engagement with our community and to help me to make this Lodge the best it can be.

Fraternally

WBro Stuart

WM Lodge Devotion 723