Part II - CE

All Lodges vary in their present state of organizational development, resources ($'s and manpower), and available time to commit to a focused effort of significantly working to improve their Lodge. Recognizing this and, at the same time, wanting all Lodges to have an opportunity to participate in Commitment to Excellence, Three Levels of participation have been designed. Each Lodge will voluntarily decide to participate at one of these levels or not at all. The choice is completely voluntary.

Similar to 1st Degree, 2nd Degree, and 3rd Degree, CE is a progressively advancing curriculum. There are three levels of CE participation implemented over two (seven month) years:

Year One - Effectively seven months: September & October plus January through May. Note: November and December are down times for holidays and Lodge elections - June, July, and August are set aside for the CE Committee to renew itself.

Months: September, October, January, & February

1st Level - Do We Need Improvement? Here a Lodge is first interested in CE, but not yet ready to commit to the full CE Program. However, they do want to investigate.

1. The Lodge would contact the CE facilitator (Click-Here) for their geographic area (Click-Here) and then set-up a Lodge CE Leadership team.

2. The CE facilitation team would require the Lodge to conduct a Situation Analysis (extensive questionnaire about the Lodge),

3. The CE facilitator would then meet with the Lodge CE Leadership Team and review the results of the Questionnaire.

NOTE: After the Lodge completes the 1st Level, they have done the work to advance to the 2nd Level (CE is voluntary and the Lodge may elect not to advance).

Months: March, April, & May

2nd Level - Building A Guiding North Star. Here the Lodge CE Leadership Team designs a long-range plan. They have seen where they currently are from the Situation Analysis in the 1st Level. Here the Lodge looks out to the future to dream and forecast where they want to be. The Lodge will continue to work with their assigned CE facilitator to:

1. Develop a customized Lodge Mission/Vision statement - Long-range goals that they wish to achieve. They will do this through facilitation workshops.

2. They will develop a long-range Strategy that can bridge the Lodge's situation found in the 1st Level and the Mission/Vision (Envisioned and hoped-for future) developed here in 2nd Level. This Strategy includes ensuring that the Lodge has an ongoing plan to build a solid foundation upon which and by whom the strategy can be implemented: Disciplined People, Disciplined Thought, and Disciplined Action.

3. Mission/Vision/Strategy combined form the Guiding North Star for the Lodge - long-range in nature and capable of informing and steering the Annual plans developed by each year's Worshipful Master. The continuity of the Guiding North Star ensures that Annual Plans build-upon each other.

NOTE: In the 2nd Level, there will be reading assignments: Two Books (Built to Last & Good to Great) will be read by the Lodge CE Leadership Team and discussed. This provides common language upon which to build the Guiding North Star.

Year Two - Effectively seven months (Like Year One,): September & October plus January through May. Note: November and December are down times for holidays and Lodge elections - June, July, and August are set aside for the CE Committee to renew itself.

Months: September, October, January, & February

3rd Level - Part One: Annual Plans & Performance Actions/Outcomes/Measures. Here the Lodge CE Leadership Team develops annual plans. This will provide the current SW with an Annual Plan to hit the ground running when he is probably elected to the East in the fall. The Lodge will continue to work with their assigned CE facilitator to:

1. Develop an Annual Action Plan that is guided by the Mission/Vision/Strategy (Guiding North Star) developed in the 2nd Level.

2. Develop solid implementation plans with clarity of Lodge processes and responsible people.

3. Develop Performance Metrics to ensure that progress - plans compared with results - is being measured.

NOTE: In the 3rd Level - Part One, there will be reading assignments: Three Books (Business Planning, Execution, and Balanced Scorecard) will be read by the Lodge CE Leadership Team and discussed. This provides common language upon which to build the Annual Action Plans and Performance Measures.

Months: March, April, & May

3rd Level - Part Two: Leadership Culture and Continuous Quality Improvement. Here the Lodge CE Leadership Team develops a culture that will keep the planning process moving forward in future years. Having a continuously renewing Lodge Leadership will eliminate the King-for-A-Year tearing down and annually starting over by having a succeeding Leadership team that - as a progressive line - developed the long-range plan together and now - WM by WM - help to build upon each year's success. This will move the Lodge forward. The Lodge will continue to work with their assigned CE facilitator to:

1. Develop Team Building Skills

2. Develop Processes to ensure Continuous Improvement.

3. Consult - Post-CE Curriculum to assist Lodge continued improvement, if so desired by the Lodge.

NOTE: In the 3rd Level - Part Two, there will be reading assignments: Two Books (Team Building and Continuous Quality Improvement Basics) will be read by the Lodge CE Leadership Team and discussed. This provides common language upon which to build the Annual Action Plans and Performance Measures.