In this article, we talk to Assistant Metropolitan Grand Master VW Bro Jonathan Hillman about the launch of New Leading Lights, its concept and its important role working ‘hand in hand’ with The New Members’ Pathway.

‘Leading Lights will have a wide brief ranging from providing inspiration to the Mason Power required to drive the toolkit of best practice in The Members Pathway. It will also look at ways of inspiring people to get involved in the vast range of activities provided by Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Chapter.’

HOW DO THE NEW LEADING LIGHTS FIT INTO THE NEW MEMBERS’ PATHWAY?

The concept

• • It is primarily a motivational concept complementing the toolkit provided by The Members’ Pathway or other initiatives.
• • A way of thinking and doing.
• • They are designed to inspire and promote teamwork at all levels using real examples of success.
• • To encourage individuals in Lodges & Chapters to take ownership of their Masonic futures using inspirational real case articles, podcasts & videos.
• • It is the cord that binds other Metropolitan Initiatives together.
• • New Leading Lights will provide the fuel, energy and mason power to drive the wheel of development, as illustrated in The Members’ Pathway.
• • Anyone can be a Leading Light! It’s not elitist!
• • A soft sell… A brand rather than telling people what is right and wrong.
• • Always remember that no one size fits all!

DO YOU FEEL LONDON MASONS REMEMBER THE ORIGINAL LEADING LIGHTS CONCEPT?

In my recent travels around MetGL, I always take the opportunity to ask this important question. I am delighted to report that many are familiar and have a positive take on the ‘original’ Leading Lights initiative introduced back in 2018. Just to recap, its original concept was to stimulate Lodges and Chapters to embrace constructive change so as to be a ‘match fit’ for the future. This message is as relevant (if not more so) than it was then. As you will recall, Leading Lights was usually delivered through presentations and group discussions in venues such as The Old Board Room in Freemasons’ Hall. Great ideas and thought-provoking discussions resulted, many of which were taken back to Lodges and Chapters.

However, our recent enforced time away from Masonry and the subsequent challenges have provided an opportunity to distil the best of ‘Old Leading Lights’ and enhance it with new ideas and methods of delivery to create ‘New Leading Lights’.

SO WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT NEW LEADING LIGHTS?

First and foremost, we wish to build and develop New Leading Lights into an inspirational ‘concept or brand’. It is designed to gently encourage London Masons to develop a sense of self-belief and ownership in the future of not only their own Masonic journey but, most importantly, of their Lodges and Chapters.

New Leading Lights is designed to enhance a ‘positive mindset’ and believe that ‘anything is possible’…… so long as we take ownership of the future.

New Leading Lights is a way of ‘thinking and doing’ either as an individual or collectively as a Lodge or Chapter.

New Leading Lights is designed to ‘inspire and encourage’ (rather than instruct) by providing real inspirational examples of success stories at Lodge and Chapter level. Always remember that no one size fits all!

TELL ME, CAN ANYONE ASPIRE TO BE A LEADING LIGHT?

Yes absolutely! ….. this concept is at the very heart of New Leading Lights…….we have taken on board the many comments made by London Masons who thought it was just about the ‘elite’ minority and was not relevant to them. Nothing could be further from the truth.

New Leading Lights is NOT elitist. Any London Mason has the capacity to be a Leading Light regardless of age, rank or time served in the Craft. All you need to do is to switch on ‘the Masonic lightbulb in your head’ and decide to make a positive difference. In other words, we want everyone to take ownership and get ‘stuck in’…….as the famous supermarket strapline says, ‘every little helps!

Always remember… You can make a difference!……….you CAN be a Leading Light!

SO HOW IS LEADING LIGHTS GOING TO BE DELIVERED?

In the first instance, through ‘branded’ articles in Arena and posts on MetGL Social Media platforms.

These will range from ‘good news items’ about individuals/Lodges/Chapters to ‘best practice’ case studies focusing on elements of The Members’ Pathway Toolkit. These case studies will feature real examples of Lodges and Chapters PLANNING AHEAD……. looking at ways of ATTRACTING new members, ENGAGING with the existing Membership and even looking at how to RETRIEVE lapsed or about to lapse members.

Going forwards, we are hoping to develop podcasts/videos which will ‘bring to life’ best practice examples and discussions with individual Leading Lights in Lodges and Chapters.

It goes without saying that we will need to have a constant supply of material to fuel social media and Arena. We now invite all Lodges and Chapters to get in touch and tell us what is working for them!

Please email leadinglights@metgl.com, and we will get in touch.

This article is part of the Arena Magazine, Issue 47 January 2022 edition.
Arena Magazine is the official magazine of the London Freemasons – Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London.

Read more articles in the Arena Issue 47 here.