Public Speaking

This weekend, my lodge hosted 2 other area lodges and the public for our annual Officer “Installation”. This event is held in public or private by all 811 lodges in Texas between June 24th and July 31st each year. They range from intimate affairs for Master Masons only to public galas with community guests and speakers. For the 3rd consecutive year, the two lodges in Temple and the lodge located in Holland worked together to put on the event.

I served as the Master of Ceremonies for the day – which broadly put me in charge of the schedule, orchestrating hand offs between all the visiting officers, and making sure things happened in the right order.

You see in the attached picture me standing at the front of the room addressing a crowd of 60-70 people. What you don’t see is how uncomfortable I would have been with this a few years ago. You don’t see that because I am comfortable. Masonry has given me that – I now have no problem getting in front of a group and delivering a prepared speech or improptu remarks. Some might say the problem now is getting me to sit down!

Looking back, 5 years ago I was appointed to serve as a Deacon in the lodge. My first office, in my first full year as a Master Mason. At installation, I was seated, and the new Master asked everyone to introduce their families. I stumbled through a painful introduction of my wife and daughters. It was a struggle. Later that year, I was asked to deliver an educational program at the lodge. That was also a struggle. Suffice to say, it gets easier if you keep doing it.