The Universities Scheme Conference

Yesterday, the Universities Scheme Conference was held at Freemason's Hall in Manchester. I went. It was rubbish.

Okay, that was a complete lie (and a bit of an in-joke)! I've blogged previously about the Universities Scheme and what it's all about, so I won't re-iterate that here.

The previous Conference and General Meeting was held in Sheffield eighteen months ago, when there were nine lodges operating in the scheme. Fast-forward eighteen months, and there were twenty-nine scheme lodges represented, as well as a number of representatives from a number of other lodges considering joining the scheme. I was officially there representing Grey Friars, but I was also there as a member of Tetragon.

The conference gave a fantastic opportunity for all the brethren who were representing the various lodges - it not only re-affirmed the aims and objectives of the scheme, it also allowed the committee to report on the progress of the scheme. However, where I personally felt I got the most value out of it was the opportunity to meet both the members of the committee guiding the scheme, and also representatives from other lodges. To me, this is one of the most fascinating things about Freemasonry - seeing how lodges do different things.

The main advantage to this was to discuss how all the various lodges in the scheme are doing things, and the taking different approaches being taken. In one of the talks, one committee member made the point that the committee are not there to "spoon feed" the lodges participating, but merely to offer guidance. Indeed, it was pointed out that what may work for one lodge may not necessarily work for another.

I personally felt that the day was well organised and provided a focus for ensuring that the various lodges in the scheme would work together in the sharing of ideas and building up bonds. Certainly, I think that this will result in some inter-visitation amongst lodges where there was little or no connection at all.

In all, the day was extremely worthwhile and very well organised. It was my first time up at Freemasons' Hall in Manchester, which is the administrative HQ of the Province of East Lancashire, and what a fantastic building it is! Built around the same time as Freemasons' Hall in London, whilst not quite as grand, has a lot of the same art deco influences, and it was a marvellous surrounding for the conference to take place in.