Welcome! The Board of Directors of Ashlar College of Freemasonry (ACF) is proud to announce that the concept that began within the Grand Lodge Committee on Education and Research in 2003 (Masonic Diploma Program) has now reached the stage whereby first semester courses were offered, for the very first time, in February 2011. The creation of an educational body, providing courses in Freemasonry within the Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon has been in development for some years. It became a reality at the Grand Lodge Annual Communication in 2009, at which time our Constitutions was amended to permit the Grand Master to license such a body. This licensing took place in early 2010, when MW Bro. Brian Tuckey, on his official visit to Greater Victoria on 8 March 2010, used the opportunity to present the license to operate to representatives of the College, VW Bro. Norman McEvoy and MW Bro. Stephen Godfrey. The formal opening of the College took place at the Official Visit of MW Bro. J. Alan Cross to District 5 in Nanaimo on Saturday, 26 February 2011. The objective of the College is to offer the brethren of this jurisdiction the opportunity to earn a "diploma", to be achieved through a planned developmental program of masonic knowledge and and understanding of our jurisdiction through a curriculum of written papers, suggested readings and personal submissions on assigned topics. The diploma program is being developed by volunteers at a grass roots level and it is probable that some growing pains will be experienced; we therefore ask in advance for your patience and understanding. It is possible that brethren may identify ways in which courses could be improved. Suggestions will be gratefully received, reviewed by the Board, and implemented if deemed appropriate. VW Bro. Norman McEvoy Chairman The Program The Ashlar College of Freemasonry (ACF) program of instruction has been structured to cover a three year period containing six semesters, of three courses each, for a total of eighteen courses. The courses will be presented in three specific categories—History; Governance, and Philosophy—with one course from each of these categories required in each semester. Volunteer adjudicators are now being sought, and interested brethren are asked to contact the Dean of the College, MW Bro. Stephen Godfrey. The program will be progressive, with the completion of each course mandatory before moving forward. All coursework and correspondence will be electronic. Adjudicators for each course will be assigned to each student to assist him in the satisfactory completion of that particular course. In addition to the course work itself, students will be provided with a list of reference books on the subject and encouraged to add those books to their own personal masonic libraries. Texts History of Grand Lodge of BC 1871-1970 PDF Book of Constitutions (2010) PDF Recommended reading Registration Our first semester commenced in February 2011 and registrations are now being received for January 2012. To qualify as a student in the College the applicant must be a Master Mason and be in good standing in a lodge warranted by the Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon. Fees The ACF requires a program fee of $100, followed by a $10 fee for each course taken. A cheque or money order for $130 ($100 registration plus $10 for each of the first three courses) must be remitted with the registartion form. Registration Form Download the registration form, and forward the completed form, with the appropriate fees, to MW Bro. Stephen Godfrey, Dean of the College, 5365 Alderley Road, Victoria, BC, V8Y 1X9. Questions Questions should be directed to the Dean. Course evaluation and completion An assignment is attached to each course, upon the satisfactory completion of which, the student will receive credit and move forward. Satisfactory completion of Years One and Two will entitle the student to receive the designation of AACF (Associate of the Ashlar College of Freemasonry). Upon completion of Year Three he will receive the designation FACF (Fellow of the Ashlar College of Freemasonry). Appropriate certificates for AACF and FACF will be presented during the Annual Communication of Grand Lodge. SEM HISTORY GOVERNANCE PHILOSOPHY 1A 1A.1 Origins and history of Freemasonry to 1649 - [Legend, myth, history] 1A.2 Jurisprudence and Constitutions 1A.3 Philosophy, ethics & principles 1B 1B.1 History of Freemasonry in Canada 1B.2 The Five Pillar Plan: Lodge strategic planning 1B.3 Masonic symbolism [Setting up a lodge - basic requirements and their significance] 2A 2A.1 Origins and history of Freemasonry 1649-1717: The Age of Enlightenment 2A.2 Forms and Ceremonies, Lodge Officers Guide, Protocol Manual 2A.3 Masonic lectures and catechisms: Emulation rituals 2B 2B.1 History of the Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon 2B.2 Effective and dynamic leadership and communication 2B.3 Masonic lectures and catechisms: Antient rituals 3A 3A.1 Origins and history of Freemasonry 1717-2011: Modern era 3A.2 The masonic family: concordant bodies 3A.3 History of initiation through various cultures, a comparative study to our initiating process 3B 3B.1 World Freemasonry: Fraternal Relations - Fraternal Commission of USA, Global Freemasonry] 3B.2 Comparative Study of jurisdictional structure: choice of jurisdiction compared to British Columbia and Ykon 3B.3 Developing our own philosophy of Freemasonry: Why should men join Freemasonry?

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