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Message for Dec.05

MENTORING RE-VISITED

Mentoring, defined as the guiding role performed by a Trusted Senior, in overseeing the personal and career development, of a subordinate or junior in a like profession or activity, has been practised in one form or another, for centuries. Whether it was our Indian Guru-Sishya parampara or the more modern versions practised in commercial enterprises or even in the sports arena, mentoring has always been around. We recently had a visit by the former Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr. Lee Kwan Yew who is now Mentor – Minister of the Singapore Cabinet – another important acknowledgement, in public life, of this role.

In Masonry, likewise we have all received guidance in one form or another from senior Brethren, and in some cases, have ourselves performed a similar function, in respect of those of more recent membership of our fraternity. As in many other well-meaning initiatives, there are always risks and dangers, for instance of a Mentor becoming a Tormentor!

Currently, your District is trying to give some shape and form to the concept of mentoring by trying to encapsulate in a guide, useful pointers for potential mentors to follow, in respect of their charges. While there’s a lot that can be done, and doubtless is being done, on explanations of the Ritual, it would be even more useful to the learner, if the contextual references are amplified in order to put the accompanying ritual in its proper setting.

Again, the mentor can be useful in expanding upon and explaining symbolisms, which not only opens the gates to more practical ethical codes, but can give special meaning to the words, which are otherwise just learnt by rote, without quite getting their essence.

Nothing gives any Mentor greater pleasure than seeing the results of his guidance in the further development and success of his fraternal pupil. Moreover, the pupil then, one day transforms himself, into a Mentor, mindful of the happy learning process from which he benefited in his progress up the ladder. I, for one, can remember with pleasure all my mentors in my passage through the echelons of masonry. Hence I do want to emphasise that this is an inter-active process, and every contribution helps. Not all pupa become butterflies of course, but the effort is worthwhile.

I close with the Seasons Greetings, wishing all my Brethren and their families, Happy Festivities and a Great New Year while sparing a thought through generous contributions, to our Charities and to those whom they serve.