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Greetings from the Grand Secretary

 
The Grand Lodge Messenger
 
March 2020
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - CANCELLATION OF ALL MASONIC EVENTS 

 
Brethren, 

Due to the continuing health and safety concern over the COVID-19 outbreak, I am directing that all Masonic activities cease immediately including but not limited to Lodge meetings, District Meetings, Lodge Leadership Retreat and any other Grand Lodge or Lodge associated activities. This directive will remain in effect through March 31, 2020. A separate message regarding how we will handle refunds and future dates for the Lodge Leadership Retreat will be coming out shortly. Please do not call the Grand Lodge office. 

Furthennore, the Grand Lodge office will remain open, however, the office will be closed to visitors. You will be able to contact the Grand Secretary and staff via phone or email. 

This is a very difficult decision for any Grand Master to make and I have not made it lightly. However, the health and well-being of the Brethren of our Fraternity is my number one priority. Remain safe and vigilant and we will get through this crisis together. 




Fraternally,
MWB Charles Wood
Grand Master

 
From the Desk of R.W. Chris J. Coffman
Deputy Grand Master



 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - POSTPONEMENT LODGE LEADERSHIP RETREAT 


Brethren, 

Your Grand Lodge elected and Lodge Leadership team have been monitoring developments around the COVID-19 virus for a long time. On March 12, our Grand Master cancelled all Masonic events through the end of March. 

After careful consideration and working with the hotel and convention center in Wenatchee, it has been determined that this year's Lodge Leadership Retreat will be held on the weekend of August 28-30, 2020. 

For ease of administration, we are assuming that Brothers who are registered will attend on the new dates. However, if you are unable to attend a refund can be issued. We can also accommodate substitutions, if you or your Lodge desires. Either request must be in the form of an e-mail to Lynne Blaylock. Phone calls cannot be accepted for these purposes. Lynne's e-mail is LynneB@freemason­wa.org. 



Fraternally,
Chris Coffman 
Deputy Grand Master 

 
Message From M.W. Charles E. Wood
Grand Master


 
Brethren, 
 
From the table of Grand Master

While visiting the Grand Lodge of British Columbia & Yukon, the Grand Master posed the following questions to the brethren prior to closing lodge. Therefore, I am asking you to consider the following and ask yourselves how you would answer them.

1. Suppose your Lodge was limited to 25 Members. Would you be in or out?

2. Suppose you had to run for membership, as a candidate runs for office. Would you win or lose?

3. Suppose your membership was for one year, and then you had to be re-elected depending on your service. Would you be re-elected?

4. Suppose you were called upon to explain why you should be retained. Do you have a record of service to help in your defense?

5. Suppose every member did as you were doing. Would your Lodge be the most active one around? Or would it disappear into obscurity?

6. Suppose you were charged with being a member. Would there be enough evidence to convict you?

7. Suppose a young man asked you what Freemasonry is, and what it is about. Could you answer him?
 
It is my firm belief that every once in awhile we need to stop and evaluate ourselves to ensure we are truly living by the Three Great Tenets and the Four Cardinal Virtues of a Mason.  Masonry is a lifelong process and performing a self-evaluation can help us remain focused.

 
 



Here is an update on the Grand Master’s Challenge to raise $40,000.00 by contributing directly to Washington Masonic Charities. The drive currently stands at 86% or $ 34,251.00 this is an outstanding accomplishment and we still have 3 months before our next Grand Lodge Communication. Thank you one and all.

To paraphrase a former President, “Ask not what Masonry can do for you but what can you do for Masonry.”  It is up to each Mason to “Be the Difference”.



Fraternally,
MWB Charles Wood
Grand Master

 
From the Desk of R.W. Clint M. Brown, Jr.
Grand Secretary

 
Brethren,

As we continue to feel the increased impact of the COVID-19 virus in our communities, I want to let you know that the Grand Lodge office will remain open to assist the Brethren of our Grand Jurisdiction.  I am taking every precaution to try to keep the staff safe and healthy.  The Grand Lodge staff is very small and if one of us were to get sick, it could shut the office down for weeks. 

We will continue with business as usual with one exception.  The Grand Lodge office will not be open to visitors until further notice.  I am sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause.  However, the health of my office staff and the continued operation of the Grand Lodge of Washington are my highest priorities.  We will continue to operate during normal business hours.   We will continue to answer phone calls, emails and fill orders and requests as they are received. 

This is unchartered territory for us all, and I appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate this challenging situation and determine how best to continue serving the Brethren of our Grand Jurisdiction.



Fraternally,
Clint Brown
Grand Secretary

 
From The Desk of Bro. Kenneth L. Gibson
WAMC Executive Director




Brethren,
 
Effective Friday March 13, Washington Masonic Charities offices will continue operating, but our offices will be closed to visitors. Staff and volunteers will continue to report to work and serve in the field, but we are asking visitors to refrain from dropping in.
 
We are actively in contact with our Outreach Services Clients, and coordinating with our school district partners to support our homeless youth clients. Our community orphans are especially vulnerable because of school closures – if you would like to help, please contact Kurt Miller at 844.288.3531 X 108 or visit our Facebook page for more information. We are working with school districts on food, transportation, and other supports for these youth.
 
To reach any of our staff, please call, toll free, 844.288.3531. We will do our best to continue to provide services and support during this uncertain period.  Regular updates will be posted on our Face Book page at https://www.facebook.com/wamasoniccharities/.
 

 
From The Desk of V.W. Clayton LaVigne
Assistant Grand Secretary

 

 
              

Greetings, my Brothers!

Over the last couple of articles, I have covered the topic of Fraternal recognition, as the subject has come up from time to time in my travels and in my conversations with several Brothers at the Grand Lodge office. For this article, the topic will revolve around our classification as a nonprofit organization.

Most of the time, when people think of a nonprofit organization, they tend think of the famous 501(c)(3), the type from which you can deduct your contributions to from your taxable income. There are numerous nonprofits in the 501(c) classification, and three of them are pertinent to our Masonic family. The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington is classified as a 501(c)(10), which is a domestic Fraternal Society. To qualify for this classification, the nonprofit must be a fraternity that operates under the “Lodge system;” a parent entity with subordinate branches, or Lodges, chartered under the parent organization and which are largely self-governing, under a set of constitutions unique to each subsidiary. In our case, the parent is the Grand Lodge, while the subordinate bodies are our Lodges. In addition, a 501(c)(10) must have a Fraternal purpose and be based in the United States.
 
You might have heard of the 501(c)(8), which is a Fraternal Benefit Society. It is very similar to the 501(c)(10), except the organization also provides benefits to its members. The Fraternal Order of the Eagles is a good example of a 501(c)(8), but the Freemasons are not in that classification.
 
Washington Masonic Charities is the 501(c)(3) in our Masonic family, and contributions to this organization can be deducted from your taxable income. Your Lodge might have a foundation set up under the 501(c)(3) as well.
 
Lastly, there is the classification of 501(c)(2), which is the title-holding corporation for the nonprofit organization. Our Temple Boards and Building Associations fall into this category. One important item to note on this topic is how your 501(c)(2) is registered with the Washington Secretary of State. They used to be filed under RCW 24.03, nonprofit corporations, but the Secretary’s Office has shifted the filings into RCW 24.24, building corporations composed of fraternal society members. While almost all our building associations have made the necessary shift from 24.03 to 24.24, not all of them have. I suggest checking on the Secretary of State’s web page and using your UBI number to find how your Building association is filed. If you have any questions on this subject, don’t be afraid to contact the Grand Lodge office for assistance.

Remember, your Lodge and Title-holding association might be linked with each other, but they are distinct organizations which business cannot be commingled. Be sure to review WMC Sec. 21.09 B.L. for more details on the how your Building association is to be managed.

I hope these last three articles have provided you with some clarification on how our Grand Lodge interacts with its fellow Grand Lodges, and how it’s classified with our Government.



Fraternally,
VWB Clayton M. M. La Vigne
Assistant Grand Secretary

 

Sickness & Distress – Masonic Outreach Services is Here to Assist

 
Do you know a Mason, Masonic widow, or member of our Masonic family who needs assistance due to age, illness, disability, or hardship?  Maybe you could use a little help yourself? Masonic Outreach Services’ Care Coordinators and Certified Senior Advisors spend time visiting with our clients to tailor solutions that help them lead dignified and meaningful lives by remaining independent or finding the right solution for their daily needs.

Please, if you know someone who can use our assistance, help them connect with us by calling, toll free, (844) 288-3531 or outreach@masonscare.org

 
Technology Committee
 

We are looking for Brothers who have a background in audio visual production and social media who would like to be considered for the Technology Committee. If any Brother would like to join the Grand Lodge Technology Committee, please send your name and contact information along with a brief description of your experience in these areas to the Grand Secretary at: 

grandsecretary@freemason-wa.org.

 
Grand Lodge Events






All Events Postponed Through March 31st, 2020



 

The Grand Lodge Offices will be closed on Friday, April 10th
in observance of Good Friday

 
Lodge Secretary Corner
 
 
2019 End of Year Report
Thank you to all of the Secretaries who have submitted their End of Year Report!  Per Sec. 14.11 B.L., the end of the year return must be submitted (or postmarked) to the Grand Lodge office no later than February 1st to avoid the $5.00 per day late fee.  Reports can be sent via email to lynneb@freemason-wa.org.
 
Grand Lodge Fees - Please remember your Grand Lodge Fees are due on or before April 15, 2020.  Thank you to all of the Lodges that have paid their invoice.



Thank you

 
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