The key message of my 2012 Prestonian Lecture, “Scouting & Freemasonry: two parallel organisations?“, is that these two membership organisations share many parallels, including exactly the same values and contemporary challenges.
I make the case that they can be of great help to each other at every level, if members reach out, build relationships and find ways to collaborate.
Since 2008 I have been meeting with senior staff and volunteers in The UK Scout Association and the United Grand Lodge of England to discuss their challenges and shared interests.
In 2024 I was appointed the Scouts UK Liaison with Freemasonry and set up Square & Compasses National Support Team, a national membership unit for Freemasons and their partners to enable them to support Scouting on an ad hoc or occasional basis, in their capacity as Freemasons.
The leaders of many Scout Counties (County / Area Lead Volunteers) and Masonic Provinces (Provincial Grand Masters) have also formed mutually beneficial relationships. There are many good examples of Scout Groups and Masonic Lodges forming connections at local level.
Building these relationships creates mutual benefit and much promise for the future.
Please click on the button below to download guidance that will help you form local connections between Scouting & Freemasonry. It includes links to both organisations’ websites and an offer of help from me.
