Greetings from the Grand Secretary

The seasons change and so should we. I know that for many of us, technology is not our friend. Where time and expense are not a consideration, the ‘way we have always done it’ may suffice. Ask yourself why we don’t build in the old style with all the cornices, fretwork and Masonry. Though beautiful as well as functional, the cost of labor and materials prevents construction of a new building in those styles and the cost of maintenance (as many Lodges are fully aware) is making it difficult to keep what we have.  All I am saying is that new and different may not be such a bad thing when it comes to saving time and controlling expenses.

Listening to the Lodges and keeping up to date with the way most need to operate, many ‘new’ features and ‘new’ functions are being considered or implemented within the Grand Lodge systems and processes. Without waiting for the return of the plastic dues cards, the member verification phone number is currently being tested. The bar code on this year’s dues card will make your registration at Grand Lodge much faster and smoother. The availability of information and flyers for special Lodge events on the Grand Lodge web site is near completion. Lodge forms are being reviewed; downloadable and online education and training for candidates and members is under construction; new communication tools are being evaluated. As the Lodges and members are sharing with us the issues and problems they are facing and how they might possibly be resolved, we in the Grand Lodge Office take note and work with other Brothers to develop a solution.  So, as often said is, “Keep them cards and letters a-comin’.”

A last observation.  There is nothing routine about the Grand Lodge Office daily routine!

Civility – A Masonic Characteristic

I recently was made aware of a petition being circulated to request that all debate moderators demand civility from the debates. Wouldn’t this be a different political year if, from the beginning, the presidential debate moderators had required that all candidates act in a civil manner; not interrupting, not raising their voices, not making personal attacks, but showing courtesy and restraint. I am so glad to be a part of an organization that holds civility as a virtue and essential character trait. If the world, who must be laughing hysterically at our ‘leaders’ and their behavior, would only look to Masonry and Freemasons.  Brethren, I have included the link below to share with you only one of the tools being offered by the National Civility Center, of which your Grand Lodge has involved in.

CLICK HERE to link to the tool

Many Lodges are wondering how they can improve their community exposure, and I would offer this as one of the most beneficial ways to show who Masons are and what they are about.  More, much more, can be found at http://www.masoniccivility.org/lodge-resources.html and  www.civilitycenter.org  (note the joined hands).  Just a “did you know” moment.  It is only through the efforts of the Masonic Civility Taskforce (consisting mainly of the Western Conference Jurisdictions including us) that there is a Wikipedia definition of civility.  See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civility for a Masonic surprise.

New Public Meeting Hall Exemption Guidelines 

• Lodge’s EIN:  Did you know that your Lodges EIN is on your Lodges Homepage on the LSI?
• Member Contact Info Report:  If you just select “get report” this report will list your members more than once if they have numerous phone numbers etc.  To get the report to only list the members once and combine all of their information on one row, click Show PFE Columns in the options before choosing get report.  
• Member Contact Report: now has a column for PM (Past Masters)