November 18-21, 2015 • San Francisco, California
The Chain of Union: Strengthening Fraternal Bonds in a Changing World

The Chain of Union: Strengthening Fraternal Bonds in a Changing World

ABOUT XIV WORLD CONFERENCE
The XIV World Conference of Regular Masonic Grand Lodges is a rare opportunity for Masonic leaders from all parts of the globe to exchange ideas, build relationships with fraternal families, and unite the fraternity. For California Masons it offers the privilege of representing Golden State Masonry as we welcome brothers from other jurisdictions.
CALL FOR PAPERS
To enhance the collaborative nature of the Word Conference, relevant papers are welcomed from Conference attendees on seven topics related to our theme. Selected papers will be presented by writers at the conference, either in their entirety or summarized for a panel discussion. All papers received by the deadline (see below) will be printed in the conference proceedings.
Topics for Submitted Papers
The seven topics complement our conference theme:
- Tools and Implements of the Information Age - Technology and the fraternity
- Quality Versus Quantity - Membership standards in the 21st century
- On the Level? Tolerance in contemporary Masonry
- Legacy of Liberty - Masons and the path to freedom
- Universal Benevolence - The charity of modern Masons
- Family Ties - The relationship with concordant and appendant bodies
- A World-Wide Connection - The role of the World Conference
View the Schedule for detailed descriptions of each topic.
Submission guidelines
- Papers are accepted from the grand master (or his representative) and grand secretary from each jurisdiction, as well as other Masons who have received their grand master's approval.
- The preferred length is 1,300-1,500 words; 2,000 words is the maximum allowed.
Submission deadlines
- May 15: Deadline for papers to be considered for presentation at the conference.
- August 31: Deadline for papers to be printed in the proceedings.
- After August 31: Papers will be printed and made available at the conference.
Registration
Venue
California Masonic Memorial Temple
1111 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94108

The California Masonic Memorial Temple is situated at the top of San Francisco’s famous Nob Hill. The building is a beacon of Masonry in the state and is home to the Grand Lodge of California administrative offices, the Henry Wilson Coil Library and Museum of Freemasonry, as well as the Masonic Auditorium, an important community resource. Built in the 1950s, the white marble building is heralded as an icon of mid-century, modernist architecture.
The Schedule
The mornings will follow a structured schedule, leaving afternoons free for networking and exploring San Francisco. Language translation services will be available in English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Early check-in is on Tuesday, November 17 and Wednesday 18 starting at 1 pm.
7:30 am
Check in and Registration

9:00 am
Opening Ceremony

10:30 am
Break

11:00 am
A world-wide connection/The role of the world conference
The World Conference explores the rich variety of our global fraternity, from what makes us different to what keeps us united. It is the start of a dialog that can continue and grow, reaching around the globe as we return home to contemplate the ideas exchanged here and continue the work we’ve begun. What impact has the World Conference made in the global fraternity? What have we learned? What might be the role of the conference in the next 25 years?

11:45 am
Quality versus quantity/Membership standards in 21st century lodges
Some lodges strive for membership rolls hundreds of names long. Others recommend a friendly split at 50 members. Some lodges confer all three degrees in one day; others require years. Do these differences represent a choice between quality and quantity – and what are the arguments for each? What does quality mean to the fraternity today: Does it change with the size of a lodge? How can lodges be selective without becoming too elitist; inclusive without becoming diluted? What are we looking for in our members, and what are young men today looking for in us?

Special Events
Welcome Reception
- Wednesday, November 18
- 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Dinner Cruise on
San Francisco Bay
- Thursday, November 19
- 6 pm – 10 pm
Spouse and Family Brunch
- Friday, November 20
- 10 am – 11:30 am
Banquet & Entertainment
- Friday, November 20
- 6:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Gala & Closing Ceremony
- Saturday, November 21
- 6:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Pre-Conference Events
San Francisco Opera:
The Magic Flute
- Tuesday, November 17
- 7:30 pm