The Metropolitan Learning and Development Officer writes:

 

Solomon has always embraced both the Craft and Royal Arch, promoting the ‘One Journey, One Organisation’ message. The content is structured in modules, allowing users easily to avoid material they are not yet ready for, such as Royal Arch material before their Exaltation.

Solomon is well signposted in both the Members’ Pathway and Archway. This article focuses on the modules known as Welcome Apprentice, Welcome Fellow Craft, Welcome Master Mason, and Welcome Companion. However, this is just a small part of what Solomon offers. Other areas of interest include:

  • Solomon Lives: A series of interviews with Freemasons who have fascinating stories to tell. A wide range of content is available to watch in the Solomon Live section.
  • Mentor’s Corner: Resources designed to support both Lodge Mentors and Personal Mentors in their work.
  • Lodge Matters: Practical guidance on running a Lodge.
  • SolomonGPT: A beta version of an AI tool to help users get the most out of Solomon.
  • In-depth modules: Covering the First, Second, and Third Degrees as well as the Royal Arch.
  •  

Solomon Academy

The Solomon team has recently launched Solomon Academy, which focuses on the four ‘Welcome’ modules and introduces two exciting features. Firstly, as users work through the modules, they gain ‘Badges’ for successfully completing parts of the modules. Badges are used widely in education and gaming to encourage motivation, activity, and engagement. Below is an example of a badge awarded for completing the Welcome Apprentice section on the Tracing Board:

Once a user has completed all parts of a Welcome module, they can take a quiz. The quiz is entirely based on the material throughout the module, and if the user scores 100%, they receive a certificate (the quiz can be taken as many times as needed).

Certificates are issued as A4 PDF documents, which users can print. Each certificate is signed by RWBro Anthony Howlett-Bolton OBE, Chair of the UGLE Learning and Development Programme Board, which curates Solomon. Below is an example of a certificate:

Upon earning all four certificates, the user also receives the Solomon Academy Diploma, signed by both an Assistant Grand Master (RW Bro Steven Varley) and the Third Grand Principal (E Comp Gareth Jones OBE).

 

Making the Most of the Certificates and Diploma

The Province of Yorkshire North and East Riding has trialled a scheme where certificates and diplomas are formally presented at Lodge and Chapter meetings, often by a senior member of the Province. The trial has gone well, and its success is being shared with Provinces, Districts, and the Metropolitan Area of London.

We in the Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Chapter of London are delighted to be implementing Solomon Academy, in a shared project between the Metropolitan Grand Learning & Development Officer and the Metropolitan Grand Mentor.

As Solomon does not inform the Metropolitan team of your successes, we rely on the member of a Metropolitan Lodge or Chapter to let us know they have been awarded it. Therefore, we ask those who receive a certificate to forward it to Solomon@metmentor.com  with along with the Name and Number of the Metropolitan Lodge (or Chapter) in which they wish to have the certificate(s) presented.

The Metropolitan Grand Mentor's team will arrange with the VO of the Lodge concerned to present it at a convenient future occasion.

Some Lodges have even introduced friendly competitions, challenging members to see who can achieve the most certificates.

 

Taking the First Step

Registering for Solomon is simple. Just visit the website or scan the QR code below to create an account. We recommend starting with Getting Started with Solomon, and then you are ready to go!

Register now. You were encouraged at your Initiation to make a Daily Advancement in Masonic Knowledge; this is your chance to do so and have that progress formally recognised.

https://solomon.ugle.org.uk/

 

 


This article is part of the Arena Magazine, Issue 57 Spring 2025 edition.
Arena Magazine is the official magazine of the London Freemasons - Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London.

Read more articles in the Arena Issue 57 here.