Who was on the Mace Committee?

When will we hear of the other recommendations of the Mace Committee?

Will this restructuring save us money?

Will this restructuring be more efficient?

Why are the Divisional Grand Masters not on the Board?

Will the new Board have better communication to Districts and brethren?

Why are there no Divisional Representatives on the Board?

How will the new structure hear the voice of the members?

Will these recommendations help the brother on the floor of the lodge?

Are we getting too top heavy or too commercial?

Who appoints the 3 Board members - what qualifications and term of office - 3-5 years?

How frequently will the "new Board" meet?

What can we do if a decision of the Board is 'unacceptable'?

How can we influence the Board on a policy issue?

How do we amend the Book of Constitution?

Will 'benevolence' be lost amongst the amalgamation of the two Boards?

What do I do if the Divisional Grand Almoner makes a decision that I don't agree with?

Who reviews the new Board members performance?

Any new or restructuring of an organisation costs money. Has that been costed?

Will this be like other grandiose plans - all talk - no action?

What part do the PGMs have in the new structure?

All major changes need a champion to drive them. Who is the champion of these changes?

What is the timetable?

1. Who was on the Mace Committee?

The committee was chaired by MW Bro David Mace PGM, and comprised R W Bro John Litton Dep GM, R W Bro Neil Ingram P Prov GM, V W Bro Steve Salmon District GM, and V W Bro Jim Harborow PDistrict GM. R W Bro Stan Barker P Dep GM attended, by invitation.

2. When will we hear of the other recommendations of the Mace Committee?

The Mace Committee are expected to continue their deliberations on other points, into 2008. Once their recommendations have been finalised and presented to the Grand Master and the two Presidents, further releases can be expected.

3. Will this restructuring save us money?

Reducing from two Boards to one governing Board, reducing the numbers on the Board, and reducing the frequency of meetings, will have an obvious reduction in costs.

4. Will this restructuring be more efficient?

A Board focussed on policy, and monitoring progress and performance, comprising suitably qualified brethren experienced in commercial and management fields, will serve the craft in a more efficient and effective manner.

5. Why are the Divisional Grand Masters not on the Board?

Divisional Grand Masters function at an operational level, and instead of having their efforts split between national and Divisional affairs, the new structure will enable Divisional Grand Masters to focus on the brethren, lodges and Districts within their Division.

The Divisional Grand Masters will however be Observers at the meetings of the Board, so their input is available as needed.

6. Will the new Board have better communication to Districts and brethren?

The proposed Board will be acutely aware of the importance for two-way communication - it will want to remain abreast of issues affecting brethren and lodges, and it will wish to ensure brethren and lodges are fully acquainted with the direction and policies it is formulating on behalf of the craft.

7. Why are there no Divisional Representatives on the Board?

The proposed Board will be a streamlined body, focussed on policy making. Communication with brethren is vitally important, but will not rely on Divisional Representatives, instead making greater use of the Divisional structure to keep brethren informed and to ensure the Board remains aware of the concerns of the craft at grassroots level.

8. How will the new structure hear the voice of the members?

Communication to and from the Board is essential if this model is to operate successfully. The Board will be aware of this and be expected to ensure steps are in place to strengthen communication. The primary channel will be through each Division, and thence through Districts.

9. Will these recommendations help the brother on the floor of the lodge?

A more efficient and effective structure for the governance of the craft cannot but help the members of the lodges throughout the country - a saving in costs; a more responsive and communicative Board; Divisional leaders with a focus on issues within Divisions and with the time and resource to assist lodges and brethren locally.

10. Are we getting too top heavy or too commercial?

The trimming down of our governance structure should see efficiencies benefiting the brethren and lodges. The danger of the Board becoming too commercial is recognised, which is why the appointment of suitably qualified brethren, with commercial experience but also with a depth of Masonic knowledge, is so important.

11. Who appoints the 3 Board members - what qualifications and term of office - 3-5 years?

A sub-committee will assist the Grand Master to make the initial appointments. It is proposed that appointments be for a maximum term of five years, with terms being staggered so there is a degree of continuity and stability at Board level. The brethren being sought for the Board would have management experience, a depth of Masonic knowledge and lore, an ability to identify issues and make decisions, and strong communication skills.

12. How frequently will the "new Board" meet?

The Board will set its meeting frequency, and initially may meet more often to set up its internal processes. However, the governing Board, focussing on policy and monitoring performance, should not need to meet more often than 3 times a year.

13. What can we do if a decision of the Board is 'unacceptable'?

At present, the Board of General Purposes makes decisions. If a brother or lodge is dissatisfied with such a decision, there are avenues available to express that discontent culminating in a worse case scenario with raising the issue at Communication when Grand Lodge, the ultimate controller of all we do, meets.

It is not intended to change any of those existing rights or avenues.

14. How can we influence the Board on a policy issue?

Communication to and from the Board will be a priority so as to ensure the channels of communication are strengthened from brethren and lodges, through Districts to the Divisions, and thence to the Board.

15. How do we amend the Book of Constitution?

No changes are proposed concerning the existing methods for changes to the Book of Constitution.

16. Will 'benevolence' be lost amongst the amalgamation of the two Boards?

The proposed Board will have one of its members specifically charged with administering the important area of benevolence. This is seen as fundamentally important to the craft at large, and so its importance is being enhanced in this restructuring.

17. What do I do if the Divisional Grand Almoner makes a decision that I don't agree with?

Divisional Grand Almoners currently make a range of decisions to assist those of our Masonic family in need. The proposed Board would have a brother charged with monitoring the performance of the Grand Almoners, and while there is no appeal from a decision of a Grand Almoner, there are opportunities for discussion on applications.

18. Who reviews the new Board members performance?

As is currently good corporate practice, the Board itself should conduct annual reviews of the performance of itself and its members. Further, regular reporting to brethren, and strong lines of communication will ensure brethren are also able to make assessments of performance, and the ultimate forum for review will of course be the Communication.

19. Any new or restructuring of an organisation costs money. Has that been costed?

Rough estimates of likely cost savings have been made, indicating the advantages of moving to the restructured model. Further, once a new Board is established, it will conduct a review of the role of Grand Lodge Office, and the job description for a Chief Operating Officer. It is not possible to pre-empt the outcome of that exercise, apart from suggesting that the "costs versus benefits" analysis is always to the fore in these deliberations.

20. Will this be like other grandiose plans - all talk - no action?

The proposals are being circulated widely to gauge brethrens response. A timetable is included setting a possible pathway for speedy implementation of the changes, if the brethren support this direction. Action will be swift.

21. What part do the PGMs have in the new structure?

Our Past Grand Masters have a wealth of knowledge and experience. Presently, their sage advice is called upon on an ad hoc basis and the new Board would continue to use our Past Grand Masters in a similar manner.

22. All major changes need a champion to drive them. Who is the champion of these changes?

These changes are being driven by a desire to put in place the most appropriate governance model for the craft as it faces the challenges of the 21^st Century. The Mace Committee have made their recommendations, and the baton has now been passed to the Grand Master and the two Presidents to gauge the reaction of brethren. If there is support for the restructuring, then changes will occur.

23. What is the timetable?

12 December 07 Combined meeting of Boards of General Purposes and of Benevolence. Discussion Paper presented by two Presidents.

15 December 07 Meeting in Wellington of all District GMs to brief them on the Discussion Paper. Discussion Paper available on website; letters to all lodges, enclosing a copy.

March/April 08 Divisional Conferences. Mace Committee representative to attend all 3, together with both Pres' if possible. Opportunity for debate and feedback. Grand Registrar to start drafting amendments to Book of constitution if feedback at Divisional conferences supportive of change.

May/June 08 Present proposed constitutional changes as per Grand Registrars draft. If principles agreed by brethren, then drafting exercise should be uncontroversial.

November 08 Constitutional changes put to Grand Lodge for approval. If approved, then following steps to occur.

December 08 Grand Master appoints Grand Superintendent of Almoners, to take office as from 1 January 2009. Board of Benevolence would cease to exist from 31 December 2008, and the Grand Superintendent of Almoners would become a member of the Board of General Purposes as from 1 January 2009.

Jan - June 09 Grand Master and the sub-committee assisting, consider nominations for appointment to the new Board. Appointments announced as soon as practicable, but in any event prior to 30 June 2009. Existing Board of General Purposes ceases to exist from 30 June 2009, and new Board assumes office as from 1 July 2009 (commencement of our financial year)