Message from the Grand Master
Greetings to all my Maine Masonic brethren:
The following write up was intended for the January 2011 issue of "The Maine Mason." I was a little late with my submission, however, and
unfortunately missed the deadline for publication.
As you and I are receiving this first 2011 edition of "The Maine Mason," we are still settling down from our 2010 holiday festivities. My sincere hope is that each and everyone has fond memories of the season that you will hold dear for a long time. As well, we know that tragedy and sadness have come to some of us during the past few months. To you who start the new year with a heavy heart, may the hope that came to the world through the Christ Child in the manger-cradle be your comfort and strength in the days to come.
We have been busy travelling to a whirl-wind of district meetings the past several months. What a pleasure it has been to visit and experience new areas in our beautiful State of Maine and to be warmly and graciously welcomed in each district. The delicious meals, the informative reports, and the delightful entertainment have all added up to events to be very proud of. We appreciate the hard work and dedication that make these meetings successful. Also, my personal thanks to all the brethren who have so faithfully been in attendance to make up the Grand Master's suite at each meeting. All the districts have held their annual meetings except for three remaining. We look forward to those in the near future.
As I have been addressing Grand Lodge matters, there is an issue concerning delivery of 50-year membership medals that I think bears mentioning. It has come to my attention that we have many 50-year medals that have not been presented to deserving qualified brethren. We are working now to make improvements in the process of awarding these medals by clarifying how and/or when the medals are ordered and presented. We intend to make adjustments to resolve the problem of delays in delivering the medals. At this time, I would ask all Maine lodges (specifically, lodge officers) to ascertain if their lodge is in possession of any undelivered medal(s); and, if so, immediately forward same to our Grand Lodge office.
As I tried to prepare myself during the months leading up to my installation as Grand Master last May, little did I suspect that the issue of space for our Grand Lodge office would become the monumental issue that it is. Because the rental cost of the existing space at the Masonic Temple at 415 Congress Street in Portland has become a financial burden, the Finance Committee determined that the Grand Lodge budget could manage an amount in rental fees equal to just half of the current rental cost. Other factors contributing to the urgency of our situation regarding the present space accommodations were lack of convenient parking and badly-needed building repairs/restoration.
At our Grand Lodge session in May, the Finance Committee made its report. After a discussion, a motion was made, seconded, voted and approved:
". . . move that the Grand Master appoint a Committee to request proposals from Masonic bodies interested in locating the Grand Lodge offices, library and museum in Masonic buildings or in non-Masonic buildings and to assess lease proposals with respect to the satisfaction of required and optional space criteria, one-time and on-going costs, personnel staffing and any other criteria specified in the request for proposals. Furthermore, that said Committee shall make its report to the Grand Master within 180 days from this date, and that a vote to decide on the location of said Grand Lodge facilities shall take place at the Annual Communication in 2011,unless a Special Communication is sooner called by the Grand Master for this purpose, which shall be deemed sufficient to decide on the future location of Grand Lodge facilities."
Subsequent to Grand Lodge, I established a "Site Selection Committee" and appointed five members to serve. Keeping fairness of location in mind and to ensure that the new Committee was representative of all Maine
Masons, my choices for members were brothers who serve our Craft in locations state-wide from Portland to Presque Isle. I charged members of the Committee with the responsibility to examine options for criteria and
to explore resources for a recommended location. After much consultation, the Committee met on November 22 and unanimously (by sealed vote) recommended the Bangor area as a suitable community to locate the Grand Lodge office/library/museum.
Please keep in mind that we are talking specifically about the Grand Lodge office, library, and museum. THE MASONIC TEMPLE IN PORTLAND CONTINUES TO BE MANAGED BY THE MASONIC TRUSTEES OF PORTLAND.
A NOTE OF CLARIFICATION: Each year, the location of our annual stated Grand Lodge session is determined by the vote of the preceding Grand Lodge session. PLEASE REMEMBER THERE ARE NO CHANGES BEING PROPOSED THAT
WOULD EFFECT GRAND LODGE SESSIONS.
The Site Selection Committee is now challenged to determine a suitable location within the Bangor area that will be adequate to meet all the needs of the GL office/library/museum. When a specific suitable site is found, that space will need to be approved by a vote of the Grand Lodge communication. As we proceed, it may be necessary to call a special session of Grand Lodge in order to take a vote. In case it does involve a relocation, a special session earlier in the year would provide time for planning before our stated Grand Lodge session.
This is a time-consuming and complicated procedure. I can't over-state the importance of being thorough and appropriate with each step as we proceed. We want to achieve the best and fairest results for all Maine brethren, no matter where their lodge membership is. If and/or when this move comes to pass, it will be a very historical move because the Grand Lodge office has been ensconced at the Portland location for so many many years. We must focus on how we will ensure a smooth transition in all aspects: financial costs, staffing, plant facilities.
DID YOU KNOW: 1)The Grand Lodge office is presently staffed by two paid full-time elected Grand Lodge officers: Grand Secretary, and Grand Treasurer. Also there is one paid full-time employee and two paid part-time employees. In addition, there is a voluntary Grand Librarian/Museum Curator. 2) The space presently occupied is located on
the third floor of the Masonic Temple building at 415 Congress Street, Portland. 3) Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.
I want to assure all Masons in Maine that I am aware of the historical significance, the financial outlay, the inconvenience and disruption that the possibility of this move involves. I have begun to receive input from many of our brethren regarding the pros and cons of this issue, and I welcome them all.
My sincerest goal is that we will meet the challenges which are facing us now and which will have results for the good of Freemasonry in Maine. We want to be able to reflect in the years to come and know that our decisions are worthy and will stand the "test of time."
Just one parting note: REMEMBER TO MENTOR! ! !
W. Louis Greenier II
Grand Master
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