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Masonic Membership: To Tell or Not To Tell?
I conceal my Masonic membership
I tell anyone who will listen
I don’t hide it, but I don’t advertise it, either
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Go to his blog today and vote !

How to become a Master Builder

A Master Builder is a Brother who is actively involved with the present work of his Lodge, his involvement and Legacy will help build the future of his Lodge and Community. Every brother that successfully completes nine of the eleven steps in this blueprint will receive an award. The first 10 successful applications will be awarded a special limited edition Grand Master’s jacket.* This jacket will be emblazoned with the Masonic Square and Compass and contain the words, “Master Builder” along with your name. So how can you qualify? Keep reading. Here are the specific criteria that you need to complete to become an official “Master Builder.” **

 

1. Recruit at least one new member and be the top line signer on his petition for the degrees of Masonry. The prospective member must receive the Entered Apprentice degree prior to August 31, 2011 for this requirement to be met.

 

 

(Consider using the tools that are available, such as the Prospect Prompter, Ten Reasons to Become a Mason and the Invitation to Petition to attract new members.)

 

 

2. Participate and effectively handle one or more ritual parts in each of the three degrees in your lodge prior to August 31, 2011, OR assist another lodge in conferring their degree work.

 

3. Being a Mentor builds bonds between Brothers that last a life time. You are asked to personally provide the educational guidance for at least one new Mason (preferably the new brother who joined in step 1 above)

 

4. Assume responsibility to personally participate in visiting a potential member and discovering his values, wants and suitability for joining the Fraternity.

 

5. Assume responsibility and participate in planning at least one event for the lodge that includes widows and/or families and/or candidates for Masonry.

 

 

(Review “Ten Steps to Lodge Renewal” for ideas.

 

 

6. There are Brothers who have lost contact with the Lodge for a variety of reasons, who if asked can be reactivated and engaged. By extending the hand of Brotherly Fellowship we invite them to become involved. After revisiting the Lodge and becoming reacquainted with the traditions and members of the Lodge they will find it easier to return and be a participating member.

 

7. Participate in a Lodge event or project, or assist in a volunteer program to benefit youth. Consider working through a local school—such as being a volunteer. (An example would be going to a school to read (or listen to a student read to you) for a specified amount of time each visit for a specified duration of time (usually six to ten weeks). Other examples include: assisting with a scholarship program, coaching a youth athletic team, working with a Masonic youth organization, or providing adult leadership for groups like scouting, 4-H, FFA, YMCA.) .

 

8. Participate in at least one Lodge event or activity for community improvement. This may be met by establishing the communication and cooperation with another community organization on a project, and assuring that your lodge is actively involved in bringing that project to completion. (Review “Ten Steps to Lodge Renewal” for ideas.)

 

9. Assume responsibility to conduct or arrange an education program at a regular meeting. This may be fulfilled by you personally preparing and presenting the program or by you personally arranging for an outside presenter to provide an educational program.

 

10. & 11. Building personal associations with other Mason’s helps your Lodge build a support and information network with like minded individuals in your area. Making visitations and attending Masonic Events and Meeting allows you to get information and build relationships.

 

Submit Application for Master Builder Award before August 31, 2011 to:

 

Grand Master Craig L. Davis

 

PO Box 279

 

Cedar Rapids, IA 52046-0279

 

*

 

 

 

The number of jackets awarded will be limited to the first 10 brothers who qualify for this prestigious honor.

**Master Builder qualification period is from September 01, 2010 to August 31, 2011.

The article linked below highlights the history and issues affecting lodges across America.

http://www.kccommunitynews.com/miami-county-friday-community-living/27624809/detail.html

Sincerely,

Brother Thomas J. Kedley

Brothers – I wanted to post some dates of when the Grand Master will be in the area in the month of May.

 2 – GRUNDY CENTER – Friendship Night hosted by Emerald Lodge No. 334 at the United Methodist Church, 707 Sixth Street, with a potluck dinner at 6:30 P.M., and program to follow

21 – CEDAR RAPIDS – Grand Master’s One-Day Class at the Masonic Temple, 210 Sixth Street NE.  Registration table opens at 8:00 A.M.  G.L.O. dark business suits.  No plans for ladies.

I hope to have a little program put together for the May stated meeting.  Hope to see you there.

http://freemasonsfordummies.blogspot.com/2011/03/atlantic-brotherhood-summit-in.html#links

This event is not far away, Would you be interested?

May your pockets be heavy- Your heart be light And may good luck pursue you Each morning and night

I thought I would wish everyone a Happy St. Patrick’s Day and maybe share some information I found online from the Grand Lodge of Ireland website and on Wikipedia.

The Grand Lodge of Ireland is the 2nd oldest Grand Lodge in the World.  1725 is the year celebrated in Grand Lodge anniversaries, since the first evidence for its existence comes from the Dublin Weekly Journal of 26 June 1725.

There are records of a Lodge meeting in Trinity College, Dublin as far back as the 1680s. The oldest artifact of Fraternal Masonry in Ireland, and one of the oldest masonic artifacts in the world is the Baal’s Bridge Square, which dates from 1507. The brass square was recovered from Baals Bridge in Limerick during excavations and is inscribed with the phrase, “I will strive to live with love and care, upon the level and by the square.”

It is said that the sun never sets on Irish Freemasonry.

Here is a link to see pictures of the Grand Lodge room. 

 http://www.irish-freemasons.org/Phototour_Pages/Grand_Lodge_Room.html

Today Chris Hodapp had a post about another attempt at starting an academic lodge.  Please check it out here : http://freemasonsfordummies.blogspot.com/2011/03/plans-to-reopen-boston-university-lodge.html#links

This would be an interesting endeavor to have on the UNI campus. 

Here is more on Academic Lodges on the UGLE website: http://www.ugle.org.uk/how-to-become-a-mason/university-section/

I got this from Donald Heller,PM  Tujunga Lodge #592, CA, Pasadena SR, 32° KCCH, who posted it on the Masonic Society forum.

Enjoy !

I got this from the post of the Missouri Research lodge post on facebook.

With the recognition of “The King’s Speech” as best motion picture of 2011, it is interesting to note that both George VI (1895-1952) and his speech therapist, Lionel George Logue (1880-1953) were Freemasons. Initiated in Naval Lodge 2612 in 1919, King George VI was an active member holding many of the highest offices in England and Scotland. WB Logue was initiated in 1908 in St George’s Lodge (now JD Stevenson St. George’s Lodge 6, Western Australian Constitution), where he served as Worshipful Master in 1919. King George VI said he considered Masonry to be one of the strongest influences in his life, “The world today does require spiritual and moral regeneration. I have no doubt, after many years as a member of our Order, that Freemasonry can play a most important part in this vital need.”

Don’t forget you can join the Missouri Research lodge as an Iowa Mason!

 

Here is an awesome resource from the GL of Nebraska

http://www.nebraskamasoniceducation.com/coursecatalog.html