Grand Secretary “Stuff” Information for Lodge Secretaries – September 2016

Greetings my Brother Secretaries!

Don’t forget to keep an eye on the calendars located on the Grand Lodge website: https://www.mainemason.org/  We’ll be “steppin’ on the gas” soon and the calendars will be filling up.  Get out and fraternize with your Brethren!

Speaking of that, the Annual District Meetings for the year kick off starting with the 20th District at 11:00 on Saturday, September 10th at Jefferson Lodge in Bryant Pond and continue until we finish them up on Dec 10th with the 7th District.  (See the Save the Dates section on the next page for Sept meeting dates.) I’m looking forward to getting out and meeting as many of you as possible.  While I have spoken with many of you on the phone, it is a pleasure for me to have a face to face conversation.  In line with that, as has been the practice over the past few years I will be available for the hour prior to the published start time for the sole purpose of meeting with the Lodge Secretaries of the District.  These will not be closed door meetings and anyone is welcome to join us.  I have a few things I will go over.  Specifically, insurance (I know, everyone’s favorite subject) as well as some Constitutional items that pertain to Lodges.  There will be plenty of time for you to talk about what is going well and what could be going better in the world of Lodge Secretaries.  So, think about what you would like to discuss and write it down and show up at your District Meeting!  I may not be able to answer all of your questions but if not I have the ability to get you an answer.  If you have any questions in the meantime, feel free to call me here at the Grand Lodge Office.

Constitutional Corner

Coming up is the Constitutionally required quadrennial update of each lodge member list.  This fall we will be sending a member list to each lodge and will ask you to update as needed, make any edits in MORI if applicable and return the sheets to us here.  This process allows us collectively to make sure we have accurate information for our mutual benefit.  I recently received a call from a very recent and emotional lodge widow who had been unable to contact her husband’s lodge as the phone numbers she had were no longer in service.  One of our responsibilities is to relieve our sick and distressed and we didn’t do very well in this particular situation and it cannot be undone.  As we are here every week day we receive calls frequently in regard to incorrect or outdated contact information.  Please help us as a Fraternity minimize these occurrences by keeping your Brethren’s information updated and I thank you for your attention to the member list sheets when you receive them.

Friendly Reminder:

I know this is a repeat from last month but take this as an indicator of how important I feel this really is!

ALL of the information located in MORI is considered Business Confidential and its use for anything other than Grand Lodge or Blue Lodge business is not appropriate.  Please respect your Brethren and their personal information!

Save the Dates

  • Sept 10th-20th District Meeting-Jefferson Lodge, Bryant Pond, 12:00
  • Sept 16th-5th District Meeting-Piscataquis Lodge, Milo, 6:00
  • Sept 24th-3rd District Meeting-WAA Museum, Columbia Falls, 6:00
  • Sept 28th-9th District Meeting-St George Lodge, Warren, 6:30
  • Sept 29th-12th District Meeting, Sebasticook Lodge, Clinton 6:30
  • Oct 1st-2nd District Meeting, Washington Lodge, Lubec, 12:00

Have a great September!

Thank you for all you do.

Fraternally,
Dan Bartlett

YOUR Library and Museum

Brother Secretaries,

It’s that time of the year when things get hectic so I won’t add to your burden. Just remember that as those new members are taking their degrees, it’s a great opportunity to remind them of the many educational resources available through Grand Lodge. There are lots of great books available for loan from the Grand Lodge Library and we can help them select things that will appeal to their interests. Just ask: we’re here to help!
Fraternally,

Ed King, Grand Librarian
grandlibrarian@mainemason.org