Thursday evening, we’d just started our Lodge Meeting in Magna, Utah when the Chaplain’s cell phone went off during one of the more sober parts of the Lodge opening ceremony. The ring was an “Island” Reggae beat – a catchy little tune – and the Chaplain hurried to retrieve and turn off the offending phone.
The Chaplain sits in the east of the Lodge room, in front of and to the left of the Worshipful Master facing the rest of the Lodge. To add to the solemn nature of the opening, the Master was joined by the Grand Master of Utah who is also a member of our Lodge, and he was standing almost directly behind the Chaplain.
I’ve seen many ways that “people in charge” deal with ringing cell phones and so have you. Often their methods include a disgusted glare, deep sighs, shakes of the head, anger, and almost always, words which embarrassing the cell phone owner. There is generally a lecture for the rest of the audience and a stern order to “turn off your cell phones.” Then, the meeting truly off to a bad start, it’s leader now in a foul mood not only because of the cell phone but also because they realize that they over-reacted, it seems as if a damp blanket has been thrown over all the participants.
When the Chaplain’s phone went off, human nature took over and we all looked to the Grand Master to see what would happen next. What we then saw was an impressive piece of leadership. Instead of bringing all his Masonic power to bear on the offending brother, the Grand Master spontaneously lifted both hands into the air with his index fingers pointed up as if they were drum sticks, rocked his hips in time to the reggae beat while drumming his fingers in the air – the slightest hint of a smile on his face.
We all chuckled a bit, and then we checked our own phones while our Chaplain turned his off and shoved it back into his suit pocket. The mood was not ruined, the Chaplain was only embarrassed by his phone, and the meeting went on without further interruption. By the time we started on our first order of business just minutes later the incident was forgotten.
Our Grand Master has a light touch. He is very effective. And one of the finest leaders I’ve had an opportunity to observe.
