Hello Brothers!
Welcome to September! Hopefully those who have been dark for the summer are hitting the ground running, well rested and refreshed so let’s get right to it!
Constitutional Corner
77.2 When allowed by its by-laws, a lodge Master may, when weather conditions cause reasonable concerns for the health and welfare of the brethren of his lodge, postpone a stated meeting for up to forty-eight hours with due notice to the membership.
Looks familiar doesn’t it. Well, we still have many Lodges who haven’t changed their by-laws yet to reflect this. Then they get a blister of a snowstorm and they are requesting a dispensation to meet outside of their meeting night and so on and so on. Please start now before snow flies and propose a simple change to your bylaws if you haven’t already amended them to give the Master the authority to postpone a meeting for 48 hours.
Friendly Reminders
First: Thank you to everyone who has been prompt about paying the insurance bill for the Lodge and/or building association. We have received over $140,000 towards the total cost of nearly $250,000. I appreciate those outstanding invoices being taken care of now that everyone is meeting again.
Second: The Grand Master’s initiative to reach out to suspended (NPD), demitted and unfinished degrees’ individuals is in full swing. A list of those from your Lodge who were sent letters has been sent to you electronically. The Grand Master appreciates the lodges support and if you have any questions, let us know.
Save the Dates
Sept 8, 2017-District 17 Semi-Public Meeting 6:30 Supper, 7:30 Meeting, Saccarappa Lodge, Westbrook.
Sept 9, 2017-District 20 Semi-Public Meeting 12:00PM lunch, 1:00PM Meeting, Granite Lodge, West Paris.
Sept 9, 2017-Maine Masonic College Class-Freemasonry in the Modern Cultural Context. 9:00AM-12:00PM Rising Sun Lodge, Orland.
Sept 16, 2017-District 6 Tyled Meeting 8:00AM Breakfast, 9:00AM Meeting, Bangor Masonic Center, Bangor.
Sept 22, 2017-District 10 Semi-Public Meeting 6:30 Supper, 7:30 Meeting, Dresden Lodge, Dresden Mills.
Sept 23, 2017-Maine Masonic College Class-Polishing the Stone. 9:00AM-12:00PM Webster Lodge, Wales.
Sept 23, 2017-District 3 Semi-Public Meeting-Special Opening of Lodge, hosted by Warren Lodge #2, at Burnham Tavern, 14 Colonial Way, Machias, Maine Tours of Burnham Tavern Museum will be available 10 am to 2pm, before opening ceremony at 2 p.m. Opening attendance will be very restricted due to size accommodations.
Following opening, all brethren are asked to march to Harwood Lodge, being led by bag-pipers. (weather permitting). Social hour, then meal at 5:00PM District Meeting after meal.
Sept 28, 2017-District 12 Semi-Public Meeting 6:30 Supper, 7:30 Meeting, Star in the West Lodge, Unity.
Sept 29, 2017-District 13 Semi-Public Meeting 6:30 Supper, 7:30 Meeting, Keystone Lodge, Solon.
Sept 30, 2017-District 15 Semi-Public Meeting 6:00 Supper, 7:00 Meeting, Franklin Lodge, New Sharon.
Oct 4, 2017-District 11 Semi-Public Meeting, 6:30 Supper, 7:30 Meeting, Morning Star Lodge, Litchfield.
Oct 5, 2017-District 8 Semi-Public Meeting, 6:30 Supper, 7:30 Meeting, Liberty Lodge, Liberty.
Oct 14, 2017-Maine Masonic College Class-Polishing the Stone. 9:00AM-12:00PM Marsh River Lodge, Brooks.
Oct 28, 2017, 9AM-3PM Maine Masonic College CONVOCATION, Spectacular Events Center, Bangor. This year’s subject will be the Civil War and its impact on Freemasonry. Schedule of events for the day: 8:00-Registration and Continental Breakfast. 8:30-Welcome Mark E. Rustin, Board of Regents Chair; MW Thomas E. Pulkkinen, Grand Master of Masons in Maine; Dr. Christopher Howard, Dean of Maine Masonic College. 9:00-Keynote Address-MW Michael Halleran. 10:00-Break Discussion. 10:30-Presentation by RW Charlie Plummer. 11:30-RW Reggie Wing. 12:00-Complimentary Lunch. 1:00-Presentation of Awards. 1:30-Presentation by Dr. Liam Riordan. 2:30-Snack. 3:00-Closing remarks
Check out the Grand Lodge Calendar for more events happening in your area!
For the Secretaries
Dues cards have been shipped. They were sent to the Secretary of each Lodge. If you have not received them, contact us immediately.
The 2017 Proceedings of the Grand Lodge has been shipped as well. Please contact us if your Lodge has not received a copy
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.
As some of you may be aware, Theresa has been out recovering from an injury to her knee. She is experiencing on going issues and will be out for several more weeks at least. As Lodges are now all meeting, our workload is increasing and it will soon become more than April and I can do. To that end, I have brought a temporary employee on board to help us while Theresa mends. Her name is Judy Pendleton and she will start on Monday the 11th. I appreciate your patience in your interactions with our office over the first few days as she ramps up to speed. If you wish, you may send a card of encouragement on behalf of your Lodge to Theresa here at the Grand Lodge office (PO Box 430, Holden, ME 04429) and we will make sure she gets it. Thanks.
Fraternally,
Dan