Newsletter from the Grand Secretary
Hollis G. Dixon, Grand Secretary
September 2006
Reminders: During the summer months [July and August]
Newsletters were sent to all Lodge Secretaries even though most of our lodges are
dark during those months. Some of the information contained in those Newsletters
was important enough to warrant being brought forward and read to your lodges now
that they are up and operating. I hope you will take the time to make your
members aware of those topics.
Ambassador Program: On May 1, 2006, a training program for Lodge Ambassadors was provided at the Sheraton Hotel in South Portland. Approximately 200 Masons attended the training and it was reported to be a great program. R. W. Robert R. Landry, our Deputy Grand Master, and R. W. Guy F. Chapman, P.J.G.W., are heading up this program and, with the approval of the Grand Master, are asking that every lodge in the state host an, “Open House” on Saturday, October 14, 2006. The Ambassador of your lodge should be called on to present a program during the Open House.
Masonic License Plates: The Maine Masonic Council has offered a proposal to adopt a Maine Masonic License Plate for motor vehicles registered to Maine Masons. This proposal has been published in the past two issues of the Maine Mason magazine and in Newsletters as well. You will recall that the Secretary of State requires that we have a minimum of two thousand Masons sign up and make a Twenty Dollar [$ 20.00] deposit for a Masonic Plate in order for the proposal to go to the Legislature for approval. Please promote this proposal in your lodge. The Maine Masonic Council hopes to fund its Public Relations activities with the proceeds of this project.
Application for A Dispensation: The July Newsletter contained information concerning a new form, which we have designed to facilitate the new process, which the Grand Master will require whenever a Lodge wishes to apply for a Dispensation. The Grand Master has directed that all requests for Dispensations must be pre-approved by the District Deputy Grand Master of the appropriate district. To make that process easier, we included an application form in with the July Newsletter. Additionally, the Application for a Dispensation Form has been placed on the Grand Lodge Web Page so that our Lodge Secretaries can download it.
2007 DUES CARDS – BAR CODES: The 2007 Dues Cards are now being mailed out to all lodges that have ordered them from Grand Lodge. You will note that we have added a Bar Code to each Dues Card. The intended purpose of adding the Bar Code is to enable Grand Lodge and Blue Lodges that wish to do so – to scan a visiting Brother’s Dues Card to verify his membership and access his Masonic Record. The Grand Lodge Credentials Committee will be scanning Dues Cards for the purpose of registering members that plan to attend the Annual Session in May of 2007. Advise your members that they must have their dues card with them when they come to Grand Lodge.
Fraternally,
Hollis G. Dixon
Grand Secretary
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