From the East:
Brethren
My time has arrived to pass on the role of Master to my successor. I must fraternally thank all the members of this lodge and the many others who have been at my side to ensure that Harry S Truman Lodge endures into the future.
Behind me is a line that is as strong and competent as any this Lodge has seen in the past. Extremely talented men who have embraced Masonry and all it’s tenants. While it is not always politically correct to mention the following, I must do so now, as it needs to be said. Most of the present line and those whom seek to be part of this outstanding line are also members of all the concordant bodies, and are recognized as such in all the chairs they occupy. Talent seeks venues!
Regardless of how talented our new line is and will be, they are not the Lodge, we are, they have only agreed to take on a role of leadership to ensure that protocol, ritual and Masonic tenants are the hallmark of this institution of ours. These Bothers are fueled by your accolade and presence, and are always open to your suggestions and willingness to support the operation of the Lodge as well as it's programs.
Our new Master has a full trestle board of programs designed to provide Masonic as well as personal education and entertainment. You my Brothers are the reason behind these programs, and no program can be successful without your presence and support. Your presence is explained by attending meetings and functions. Your support is by far another subject. Each of the members of a modern lodge come from all walks of life, vocations and religious backgrounds. We each posses life skills, stories and hobbies gained through a lifetime of experience that truly would be of interest to the Lodge and the craft. While the line for the ensuing year is making every preparation to provide an exciting trestle board and Masonic experience for you, what will be your role, attendee, participant or committee member or even worse, absent? Vote with your voice, not your feet!
Lodges of the past were the center of community, based in a community, and involved the community as a whole, which has been lost to the passage of time and and changes in social structure. We are now diverse by geography of home, work and Lodge, with the resultant issues of travel and time allocated to the craft.
In these economic times it becomes harder to participate in anything beyond survival. Longer hours on the job, higher stresses at work and home and we find our cable tows shortened, finding escape through the many reality shows and diversions offered through the many media's available to each of us at our residence today!
If we perceive the Lodge to be one of the reality shows, American Idol, 2400 etc., each of you has a role to be played, and if the world is a stage, Masonry is the playhouse for each of you to perform while in the Lodge or out and about in the world.
Ritual is paramount in Masonry, a chance to perform, to stand up in front of groups of Brothers and others, and deliver your lines! Can one learn his lines overnight, I would think the general rule is NO, can we learn one line at a time over a month or two, or a year, the answer is Yes for most.
NOT everyone is a ritualist, or a leader, and it would be folly of the Lodge or the Fraternity to believe so, and then enforce the rule. Each of us posses a skill that is invaluable to the Lodge and Fraternity, either out and about, or within the walls of the Lodge which often is underutilized or unknown in general. |
Often through acquired friendships and associations, we begin to learn about our brothers and their skills, and develop necessary trust of person and abilities. He CAN DO IT as I know what he is capable of, and his level of integrity. Sometimes we are selected by our skills, other times by our person, and yes sometimes we are the only one left standing. Are you ready to support because you want to, or the event needs you. The answer is yours!
The issue of CLICKS is often discussed or perceived in many Lodges and requires a few lines here. I had read somewhere about the ten that do everything, men whose fervency for the craft place themselves into the role of, need a job done, ask a busy man to do it. Men who are called upon degree after degree, program after program and duty after to duty to get the job done, to ensure the health of the Lodge. In doing so they form what is perceived as the CLICK, due to their interaction with the other nine. This is a self defense mechanism that they employ, for time after time in order to get the work done, it is the same program year after year, until it is beaten and promoted to death, or until it is no longer supported by your attendance.
I'm sure that each of you could have done a better job, a new idea, another venue? Reality does set in, as you seek to break down the walls of not so much the CLICK, as the self defense machine. It is often far easier to do it yourself than to delegate and manage or pickup the last minute incomplete pieces. In defense of the so called CLICKS, participate in what exist and over time you will be accepted and allowed to innovate, and then take the reins. Time and staying the course is the rule, as things change slowly recognition and growth often comes slowly. However they do change as is the case of the recent Man of the Year Awards, and this did not occur overnight.
The Fraternity offers so many programs out and about in the world from the MSIP (child ID), visitation to VA Hospitals, Blood Drive, assisting the infirm and driving children to the Shiners Hospitals. So much more that can be found on the Lodge and Grand Lodge website as well as subscribing to the ATHOLL1781 user group. Often these events can and do involve the whole family, in charitable activities.
This is outside the Lodge, all of the before mentioned is available to you simple by associating with the event, providing your labors, learning the ropes. Then there is always your stamp, model train, planes, swords, aprons and other collections and knowledge that can be presented for your brothers entertainment, education and enjoyment as a program and one step of the round after round of the ladder that will lead to fame in our mystic circle. Have a friend or associate that can provide an interesting lecture to the craft and/or the public, plan the event, and present it to the Master. Not sure how to, ask the question, talk to the busy man, learn the process of planning, promoting and delivering your program, and thereby improving yourself through Masonry. Let us not forget the Annual Harry S Truman Picnic, in August, your support and participation is request, as well as any events you would like to chair for the kids and adults, which is the bases of this event, yours meeting ours, camaraderie and sharing the bonds of Brotherly love, which we share and others do not understand.
As this is my last communication, I would like once again to thank the many who have supported me not only during the last year, but all those I have met on my journey through the craft, for their friendship, support and the education I have received, and look forward to my continuing journey through the craft.
God Speed Brothers,
W.'.Matthew Donovan
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