Masonic Ladies Night

Hi,
I have been with my partner for less than one year and have to give a speech at the Ladies Night Festival as he is Master of the Lodge. I don't know anyone there or they me. I don't have a clue where to begin! I'm not asking for someone to write the speech, but just give me a couple of suggestions re topics. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Susie

What have some of the previous ladies night topics been?
Are you being asked because of who you know...or what you do?
Alot of these groups are mostly professionals, community leaders, most travel alot to help others, and they give alot of their time/money to charities etc. etc...so I would try to find something that they can relate too without pitching one more cause their way.

As its your night, some one else gets the tricky job of toasting the ladies, normally one of the officers of the lodge.

You get to respond on behalf of the ladies, and yourself-

Some write themselves short poems, most keep it simple

Thank you for your kind words....thank you for the help arranging the night.... thank you all for coming....have a jolly evening.....don't steal the cutlery, etc.

Its your night and its not meant to stress you up.

Don't worry too much. I have also to make this year's Ladies' Night speech on 28th April. If only we could do this before the meal so that we could taste our food! The speech is best kept short, usually people remark on how the wm has been talking to himself all year while he learns his words. I haven't sorted mine out yet but I heard a very good speech two years ago. After all the preamble, the speaker asked the ladies to each put a hand on the table in front of them. Then their respective gentlemen were asked to lay their own hand over their lady's hand. All very romantic. This done, the speaker told the gentlemen they must make the most of that moment, as it was the only time they would have the upper hand.
This went down very well to finish the speech. I cannot use it as several people will be present who were also present on that occasion, but if you are out of Suffolk it might be worth considering. All the best.

Hello,
Just wanted to let you know that i am also in he same position as yourself, however i have to do the speech for my dad as it is his time to be worshipful master. I have no idea at all where to start, and i really dont want to let him down. Any suggestions? Ladies night is saturday !!!!!!!! Help!!!!!!!

hi i also have my ladies night this saturday and i am trying to find out the history of the first ladies night, thought it would pass the time if you know what i mean have just finnished wrapping the ladies gift's feels like bloody christmas with all these presents around, no one said it was going to be easy eh !!!!!!!

I have to give the Ladies Speech on behalf of myself and the ladies at my Ladies Festival, my husband being the Worshipful Master. How do I register on this site to get help?

i have to make a speech this weekend 16th feb 2008 so i have written a poem about a wedding day which is quite touching also humerous as we eloped it is quite different so go on a theme about something you did together that is memorable and funny good luck

I have a 'Toast to the Ladies' speech/poem which does not mention ironing white shirts etc. so if you are a lodge officer who has to propose a toast to the ladies and is looking for something to say, it is available on ebay for a small fee which will go to a good cause.

My ladies festival is in two weeks and I am already stressed out. I don't know where to begin. My partner has been a mason for ten years.

I have a 'Toast to the Ladies' speech/poem which does not mention ironing white shirts etc. so if you are a lodge officer who has to propose the toast, this poem in celebration and gratitude of the ladies is available on ebay for a small fee which will go to The Kerry Green Trust. which benefits children with terminal or life threatening illnesses.

WORTH A FIVER FOR A WORTHY CAUSE.

Does anyone have a program outline that they might want to share?
Our lodge is lokking to do a Ladies Night in May 2009, and we haven't for at least that last 25 years, (long over due)!
Not looking so much to copy but something that will give us some ideas & guidance!

Thanks!
Mike P.

Mike

Everyones ladies night will be very different, depending on how traditional/modern you want to make it. Our lodge is quite young, and I was Master at 36 so reletively young, and wanted to keep things simple and more modern.

We only had 2 toasts, The queen, and the president and the ladies which I replied to rather than my wife, as my wife was very nervous about giving a speech. No one should feel obliged to do this, unless they enjoy it.

We sang grace, had the meal, then did a raffle, and auctioned a painting which was painted and donated by a guest. Then a disco/band etc.

If you are having the event in a hotel, then many are used to doing these, and they have a program which you can add to or deduct from. They often have their own Master of Ceremonies which is also handy.

I hope that this is of some use to you.

Fraternally

Rob Jones
Wyke Green Lodge 8208

I think that you should check that the Venue has a Toastmaster for the Occasion. Most do or know one to hire. He or she will guide you through the plan for the evening. Generally the MC will do the following:

Introduce Guests to the President & his Lady
Liaising with the Photographer
Calling Guests to Dinner
Announcing the Entrance of The President & his Lady
Announcing Grace by Lodge Chaplain
Announcing Wine takings between courses
Lead the singing of Grace
Announcing The Loyal Toast by The President
Calling Stewards to collect Ladies Gifts
Announce Charity for selling of Raffle Tickets
Announce Speeches & Sing Ladies Song
Lead President and Lady from Banquet
Announce first dance of President & his Lady
Draw Raffle

If you feel you can get by without one ask the DC of the lodge to do it for you. Speeches are always difficult but shouldn't be. My wife nearly had kittens doing her reply to the Ladies Toast but she was brilliant and you will be the same too. Remember, everyone watching and listening is on your side. Don't make it a long speech. Short and thankfull is all it has to be.

Good Luck

Eric Gill - The Lodge of Concorde 632

Not being the most confident of speakers I worried an awful lot on the run up to our weekend. I spoke with the gentlemen at Square Events who organised our weekend and he furnished me with a selection of suggested speeches which I could elobarate on. The template enabled me to flesh out a good speech and although I still shook throughout delivering the speech it was well received.

The speech, the weekend and in particular the organisation by Square Events were all first class. I enjoyed myself far more than I thought I would!

I've had to make several speeches / replies to the toast on behalf of the ladies during our time in Table and Lodge and always found it useful to make husbands speech and mine tie in somehow.
There are some great ideas around on the net - we have used the 'advice to a 50's housewife' article a couple of times (hubby almost lynched by one group of ladies over that one) linked with a piece on upgrading computer (or boyfriend) to husband 1.1 etc. Sounds wierd but always got a laugh.
Also did a she says / he thinks thing.
Basically, if you are not enjoying giving the reply, other people will feel your nerves so best advice - if you don't like public speaking or get really nervous keep it short (love the idea about the 'upperhand') but if you like speaking and are amongst friends, try something a bit funny and they will lap it up (especially as they have all been drinking while you stayed sober for the speeches!)
Good luck

There is a really useful book now available that gives lots of advice and some examples of talks for Ladies Night. My husband bought it for me and I used alot of the ideas this year - it is called 'A Handbook for the Freemason's Wife' by Philippa Faulks and Cheryl Skidmore. They are two Masons wives who wanted to write something that would make the whole thing simpler! I think you can get it from amazon?