Your First 90 Days as Secretary: A Modern Mason’s Guide
05/12/25
Taking the role as Lodge Secretary is both an honour and a challenge. The role sits at the very heart of Lodge operations — managing records, planning meetings, communicating with members, and ensuring everything runs smoothly.
But for many newly appointed Secretaries, those first 90 days can feel like stepping into uncharted territory. This guide will help you start strong, stay organised, and make the transition as seamless as possible.
The First 90 Days: Common Challenges
Every new Secretary quickly discovers that the role is more than just paperwork. Common early challenges include:
- Understanding the full scope of responsibilities and annual deadlines.
- Keeping accurate, GDPR-compliant membership records.
- Managing summons, minutes, and communication efficiently.
- Coordinating with other Officers while maintaining clear documentation.
Without a structured system, it’s easy to become reactive rather than proactive — responding to issues as they arise instead of anticipating them.
Building a Strong Foundation
The key to success in your first 90 days is structure. Here’s how to set yourself up for success:
- Create a Secretary’s Checklist
- Document recurring Lodge tasks, such as meeting notices, Provincial returns, and reports.
- Add reminders for key events to avoid last-minute rushes.
- Centralise Information
- Keep all Lodge data — from member details to minutes — in one secure, accessible place.
- Avoid juggling multiple spreadsheets or paper files that can be easily lost.
- Automate and Delegate
- Use digital reminders and planners to manage events, tasks, and RSVPs.
- Delegate smaller admin duties to Officers when possible for shared efficiency.
These habits turn early uncertainty into confidence — helping you become not just a good Secretary, but an exceptional one.
How The Working Tools Simplifies the Transition
The Working Tools was designed by Masons who understand the real-world challenges of new Secretaries. Our secure, cloud-based platform helps you get organised from day one with:
- The 90-Day Forward Planner for clear visibility of all upcoming Lodge events and deadlines.
- Pre-built templates for summons, minutes, and official communications.
- GDPR-compliant member database to keep records accurate and secure.
- Role delegation and shared access, so Officers can support you without confusion.
With everything in one system, you’ll spend less time buried in admin — and more time focused on what truly matters: the success and fellowship of your Lodge.
Conclusion
Your first 90 days as Secretary set the tone for your entire term. With a structured approach and modern digital tools, you can turn a daunting responsibility into a rewarding experience.
The Working Tools gives every new Secretary the clarity, confidence, and control to perform their duties like a seasoned professional — because great Lodges start with well-supported Secretaries.
If you'd like more information on the project, or some support, please chat to us live on WhatsApp or email us at info@theworkingtools.co.uk and our team will get back to you as soon as we can.
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