Cell Phones

[Warrior1256]

there are appropriate and inappropriate ways of using any technology. It is simply understanding the decorum, and acting accordingly (which I would phrase as respectfully).

Exactly!

One Stated our secretary was on vacation and I was requested to take the minutes. I did it with my phone and a Bluetooth portable keyboard. Typed the minutes up in an email to the secretary, capturing them on-the-fly during the meeting. Worked great. I type at a pretty decent speed (as I've been pounding on a keyboard since the 70's), but being left handed don't chicken scratch all that well with a pen. If I had to do it on paper it would have been a disaster. If I'd had to drag along a computer to do the work I probably would have requested someone else do it. A 4 ounce Bluetooth keyboard in my apron case made this work - and my phone, being on silent, didn't ring once during the meeting.

This is totally understandable. When I talk about disrespect and cell phone use in lodge I am mostly referring to checking e-mail and texting.

 

[Carl_in_NH]

When I talk about disrespect and cell phone use in lodge I am mostly referring to checking e-mail and texting.

I couldn't agree more, my Brother. I've seen it many times - 'I'm bored, so I'm checking my email and sending the dog a text'. Just shows no respect for the proceedings, and the man in the East (and his office) conducting things. Decorum, plain and simple.

Subdue those passions, especially as they involve cell phones, my brothers!

 

[CLewey44]

Honestly, you're correct about the 'security' issues and I don't think 99.999% of masons would ever do anything like that but the likelihood does increase. The main issue with it is the distraction. Obviously if the secretary uses a laptop to keep notes as some lodges do, that's not a big deal. It's other officers and sideliners texting or whatever they are doing on their devices. Some situations are different. One man had to for his business because he guarantees a 10 minute response etc. Or attorneys, doctors, on-call nurses etc. Obviously you wouldn't risk your career over the lodge. I think the primary issue is just loosely allowing people to text or stare at their phones and whatnot. I think as humans, it'll ultimately be a problem. How many people do you know that can't go more than 3-5 minutes without checking their phones or it has to be sitting out in the open on the table next to them always. Facebook, twitter, email, text, snapchat, whatsapp, whatever else there is are all potentially distractions for some people in lodge. If it's ok to look at your phone to enter information, why isn't ok to send a quick text back to your sister, friend or cousin? New guys see that, then all of the sudden it's ok and 20 years from now, we'll be all staring at our phones while the ritual is going. It's sort of like sideline chatting. Distracting. It's situational, but overall and typically a bad practice...just my honest opinion.

 

[Warrior1256]

It's other officers and sideliners texting or whatever they are doing on their devices.

I think the primary issue is just loosely allowing people to text or stare at their phones and whatnot.

How many people do you know that can't go more than 3-5 minutes without checking their phones or it has to be sitting out in the open on the table next to them always. Facebook, twitter, email, text, snapchat, whatsapp, whatever else there is are all potentially distractions for some people in lodge.

Agreed! This is what I am talking about.

 

[Bloke]

Such an interesting discussion with varied (justifiable) views..

When in the East, I always use an Tablet for the my agenda. It comes from being a company director (and committee chair) where we have hundreds of pages. Some people still walk in with folders full of papers but most walk in with a device. I don't even have a printer connected at home so if I needed notes for a lodge talk, I'm going to use my tablet or ask Blake to print them for me

We had a sec who would type the minutes in lodge, that sounded super alien in the lodge room.... i tried typing minutes during (work) meetings - does not work for me, generally I take notes and type after. Sometimes for an interview I will record audio so I'm concentrating on the conversation.

I guess there is a lot of styles (and the "security risk" didn't even cross my mind) but if someone asked me to be Sec, regularly chair a meeting, or attend meetings that had discussion papers, minutes and agendas, and said I could only use paper, I'd probably decline.

All these things are tools, it's why I carry a pen and often a very small notepad- best tool for a job, but I think it suits me best for the summons and agenda to be on my phone (or tablet if complicated)... and I'm not a millennial.

I'm my experience, people's approach to technology it often shaped by how you use it in your job... but that's changed in the last decade, kids (< 30 yo, hahahah!!!! Im gerting old ! ) now use it in a way we never did

 

[BullDozer Harrell]

You're right, Brother Blake, it's been awhile since you've been in lodge. This happens as frequently as people speaking from a sitting position, pacing the floor and chewing gum during opening& closing of the lodge.

It's alot to do with the WM. I think unless he's of a certain disposition like the old Masters then it's increasingly becoming the norm.

For these types of lodges, it's not given much concern. They're going to continue until either one day, a GL official drops by for business or they behave the same at Annual Comm and receive reprimands.

Android OS Nougat 7.0

 

[Brother_Steve]

If there is a security risk by having an electronic device in lodge, the security risk is with the man you let in the west gate, not the inanimate object.


Sent from my iPhone using My Freemasonry

Shame on that Duncan guy. If his cell was off, we'd have one less expose` on the net.

I have my cell on vibrate. I use my phone as a device for recording events. If someone else's preconceived notion is that I'm texting, then that is on them. In fact, if said individual cannot extrapolate the intention of the device based on the context of what is being discussed, then I'd have to question the problem-solving capabilities of that individual.

We can all say that Lodges existed and worked without the use of electronic devices. Men were out of touch with their families before the invention of the telephone. I get that. However, I took a shower with hot water, shaved my face with engineered razors in front of a mirror that had lights over it in the environmentally controlled room. I kissed my wife and son goodbye as they snuggled on a couch in front of the TV so he could watch Thomas and Friends before he goes to bed. I then walked out of my house, got in my SUV and drove to Lodge at night with the aid of headlights. I walked into a collation room and ate food that was prepared in gas-fueled stoves. Then, after all that, we're expected to go upstairs and leave "technology" behind? How do I explain to my wife that in case of an emergency, she won't be able to get a hold of me? We can certainly leave cell phones off. However, the ability for others who have become reliant and expect that fast response may not tolerate that disconnect.

I will agree without hesitation that cell phone use in Lodge has run rampant. It is counter productive and counter to our teachings when we separate ourselves from the outside world for that hour or two for a meeting. That being said, the technology is here. It is part of our life just as is every other convenience we utilize in Lodge. The gentle keystrokes of the secretary's and treasurer's laptop. The hum of a printer for an investigation report, and the occasional lit faces for inputting data for upcoming events. The key is setting a limit as to what it could be used for. A gentle reminder before the meeting to place your phone on vibrate is all that is needed. The guy's phone that goes off mid-meeting has to put ten dollars in the charity box!

All that being said, I would do whatever the Master of the Lodge requested.