Greetings! November is upon us and many have had below 32 degrees so the cold weather is coming. I hope your winter preparations are nearing completion. Let’s get to the business at hand…..
Constitutional Corner
7.1 The Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, Grand Wardens, Grand Treasurer and Grand Secretary, shall be chosen by ballot at the Annual Communication, as shall vacancies incurring or occurring on the Committee of Finance, and Board of Trustees of the Masonic Charitable Foundation. Ballots shall be printed by the Grand Lodge for all who have made their candidacy for the above positions known in writing to the Grand Secretary previous to the election but not later than March 15th.
I have received notification from several Brethren announcing their candidacy. In addition to the five elected officers we will elect two to the Committee on Finance and two to the Charitable Foundation Board of Trustees. We are always looking for Brethren to serve and if you have skill sets that you feel may help guide the Fraternity, please consider offering yourself as a candidate. With modern technology (we use video conferencing regularly) serving on a board does not mean regular trips to Holden! Please think about it!!
Friendly Reminders
First: In the last newsletter I mentioned the insurance bills. I’m pleased to report that we have less than $12,500 outstanding. If your Lodge or building association has yet to pay, please remind those responsible so we can finish this up. That way I’m not dunning people for money. I don’t enjoy dunning people for money but if you owe an insurance bill, I will be in touch.
Second: As we approach the end of the year, let’s not forget Annual Returns and while we are at it, please make sure if your lodge has elected AND installed new Officers, fill out the Certificate of Elections in MORI, or let us know the dates and names and we will take care of it. This goes a long way toward keeping our data base up to date. If you have questions, CALL US!! Please do not ignore it, it just doesn’t go away.
Third: Grand Master Pulkkinen reminds everyone that when any former Masons are returning to the Craft after receiving his letter, please consider for those who were suspended NPD, remitting old outstanding dues and charge only for 2017 and 2018. Also, please make sure that if a Mason does return that his status in MORI is changed to “Good Standing” and the appropriate date.
Save the Dates
Nov 3, 2017-District 23 Semi-Public Meeting 6:30 Supper, 7:30 Meeting, Ancient Brother’s Lodge, Auburn.
Nov 17, 2017-District 5 Semi-Public Meeting 6:00 Supper, 7:00 Meeting, Mt Kineo Lodge, Guilford.
Nov 18, 2017-Special Communication of the Grand Lodge of Maine. Consolidation of Amity Lodge #6 and St Paul’s Lodge #82 into Federal Lodge #6. 12:00 Lunch, work begins at 1:00. Rockport Masonic Center, Rockport.
Nov 23, 2017-Happy Thanksgiving!
Dec 2, 2017-District 7 Tyled Meeting 12:00 Lunch, 1:00 Meeting, Federal Lodge, Rockport.
Dec 8, 2017-District 16 Semi Public Meeting 6:30 Supper, 7:30 Meeting, Oriental Lodge, Bridgton.
Dec 9, 2017-District 14 Semi Public Meeting 6:00 Supper, 7:00 Meeting, Village Lodge, Bowdoinham.
April 30-May 1 2018-Portland-Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Maine. We will be staying at the Clarion Hotel in Portland and the Communication will be held at the Masonic Temple on Congress St. This will be a one day Communication. Business, elections, Installation of Officers and the Grand Master’s Banquet will be held on Tuesday, May 1 at the Masonic Temple. Stay tuned for more details.
Check out the Grand Lodge Calendar for more events happening in your area!
For the Good of the Order
On behalf of Mark, Ed, Theresa, April and me, I would ask that you take a moment and remember MW Gerald Leighton who passed to the Celestial Lodge Above on October 29th. As most of you know, Gerry was a Past Grand Secretary and served for about 6 months in 2012 during the stand up of this office in Holden. There were many difficult challenges in that process that he overcame by a mix of humor, firm words and an approach that left no doubt he would accomplish what was asked of him. While he contributed much over the years to our Fraternity and other groups associated with Masonry, for me personally he was a mentor and trusted confidant during my first year in this office. I enjoyed his company on several occasions when he would stop in, usually without warning. He would assume his “Top Sergeant” persona and give April an earful and then “clown” around with Theresa. As a fellow retired E-8, he and I would solve many of the world’s problems over just one cup of coffee. When Gerry hired the ladies here he told them to look for another job as there was no future growth in a job here. They are still here today and we are all grateful they ignored him. He holds a special place in the hearts of many in our Fraternity, none more so than us here at the Office. Rest in Peace “Top”.
For the Secretaries
Don’t forget-Ask your Lodge Brethren to keep their contact info, including email updated with you and please make sure their data in MORI is correct!
As always, if you have any questions about anything to do with your Lodge, please feel free to call or e-mail us. We are here to help and support the Lodges and I encourage you to take advantage of it.
Fraternally,
Dan
From the Grand Librarian/Museum Curator:
Fall is the time you’ll begin again to bring in those new Masons, all bubbly with questions. In addition to the Pollard Plan booklets and DVDs, be sure they know about the Grand Lodge of Maine library. We’ve got books galore to quell their thirst for information, generally no matter how obscure the topic. As we approach the holiday season, suggest books about Freemasonry as gifts. If your lodge traditionally presents gifts to a newly raised Master, think of a book – and if you don’t do it, it’s a great tradition to start. Don’t forget too that if you’re heading to or driving by the Grand Lodge office, do stop in and browse. Bring the kids/grandkids: our youth section has something for every age.
The Museum would love to accumulate a collection of postcards and photos of lodges and the activities they’ve had. If you’ve got print photos or slides, we can get them converted to digital format and make them part of our great history. Pass the word along to your older members in particular: some of them have boxes of old photos they’d love to find a home for. We can help!
Questions? Give a shout at any time. Brethren, it’s YOUR Library and Museum. Take advantage of all we have to offer – and suggest new things that you feel would be worthwhile.
Warm fraternal regards,
Ed King