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In response to numerous inquiries re: Tujunga Lodge 592, this page has been created specifically for that purpose.
This is
our 77th year anniversary (May 5, 1924).
TL592 never before, experienced, a nonstop influx of candidates. Now we do and this is
one of the reasons why our Webmaster doesn't have the time to update this
Website since he's also Master of the same. Between the degree work, scheduling
of investigation, Lodge business matters and zillions of other things, just
quite preoccupied his time.
TL592 has a steady and
nonstop influx of candidates which started from January of this year. We almost
ran out of investigators from our committee of the same.
Emphasis is placed strongly upon the quality of candidates that we accept.
Therefore, our team of investigators make certain that they are doing their jobs
appropriately.
We are not doing anything new or unusual. There is no secret as to how we acquire new candidates. One thing certain is that when we have our monthly events, they are well attended, we talk to everybody from one table to another and show our interest in each individual or family guests. There is a sense of belonging to our group and the aura of closeness is evidently experienced by many so, they start asking questions. Our answers to their questions may have triggered their interest and get them motivated to join us. This spreads like wild fire because they share them with their friends, relatives and neighbors. They come in groups because they all want to be closer to each other with the same feeling, interests and sense of unification. We are family at TL592.
When we schedule the °,
we make sure that our officers are well in tuned to produce exemplary rituals.
We don't practice anymore since our officers became very proficient while we
conduct the degree exemplification of the candidates. We became experts
overnight. Oh!!! What a GR8 feeling for all!
The officers now move around like cross training between departments if you compare it with the work place situation. In doing so, we get proficient and boredom is out of the question. "Switching from one station to another with other officers is not just enjoyable but fun too," says one of them.
As soon as
a candidate is initiated, he has the opportunity to see what he has been
through, as he witnesses the next candidates following him, since we do threes
or even fives, per
session. It doesn't take long either for the last one to see the next batch
since we have them all coming. The effect is that, as the new brethren progress,
they come to Lodge and attend the corresponding degree that they can attend until they are raised to
the sublime degree wherein they learn more and never get bored since all the
action happens fast at TL592.
We coach them on Tuesday nights in groups. A very healthy practice since
interaction is very evident among our candidates that they learn more and faster
than individualized. There was one night that we had 50
attendees.
Very few Lodges, if there are, have experienced group coaching. If they
do, it is in small numbers not like ours. It is in this session that the
candidates get closer to each other. They witness how they progress and learn
the tenets of Masonry. This is the learning process that really gets deeper into
their mind and heart, for what they have been through is an experience
that's very special. During conferrals they just go through the process while
they open their senses to absorb as much as they can. It is in the coaching
session that they learn to ask questions and understand what they are
memorizing. Also, they see not 6 or ten at once but as many as 30-40 or at one
time, 50. This reinforces within them, that they belong to TL592.
We also add on to the coaching, a written test on Masonic Education from the Entered Apprentice°, Fellowcraft ° to the Sublime °, as required by the California Grand Lodge. The test is an open book or take home type then the answers are submitted to the Master, filed with the secretary for at least one year with the candidate's records in the Lodge. Passing the test is the passport to the next level. No one progresses to the next level without submitting the satisfactory answers. This open book testing process even augments and reinforces the candidates commitment to our ancient and honorable fraternity, specifically TL592.
Our conferrals are scheduled on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays, except the 1st Monday dedicated to Stated meeting only. (Tuesdays is for coaching)
The Past Masters Shrine Club regularly assists us in our 3° conferrals. During this event, our candidates treat us all for a feast at Lunch. We enjoy the camaraderie and plenty of good fellowship during this session with our candidates, Past Masters Team and our Team of ritualists. Lavish food, from pastries to lunches and breaks and friendly atmosphere is the name of the game at TL592 especially during conferrals.
As our number of Master Masons increase, the side liners grow in numbers too but not for long since we don't want them to get bored. We give them new tasks as they learn more by letting them start memorizing some roles and participation in the degrees is highly encouraged. Pretty soon we will have two sets of degree teams not counting the incumbent officers who are 1st line of ritualists. Eventually, we will be self subservient with in-home ritual teams.
With the progress and chain reaction that we are experiencing, our line officers have moved up to the next level and ready to qualify for next year's stations. (Election of officers is in November stated meeting and Installation in December)
How pleasant it is to realize such progress we are making.
On the
other hand, all our events are well attended, and resoundingly successful every
time. We owe this to the support of all the new members and their families. So
much so, revenues keep coming from the rental of dining room for parties,
weddings and other events. Our own events generate no less than $1,100.00 each
time. Our stated meeting dinners generate substantial revenues too. Our Lodge is
now, in a healthy financial standing that will last for a long time.
How we did this, needed only the 1st experience in our 1st event. We sold tickets
to capacity, put on a good entertainment, commingle with everybody, excellent
food for the satiric palate and duplicate it in every event then just add the icing
on the cake to make it sweeter every time and make it last.
We will do this again in a different venue away from our Lodge with different group to prove our point. At the Long Beach Scottish Rites, we will hold a Holiday Party on Sunday, December 16 from 5:00 p.m. We will have a cultural folk dance group as our entertainer that will deliver the most excellent performance before our eyes. Bag pipers will be the eye openers. Tickets will be sold to capacity by tables for ten with the whole family, friends lay people and dignitaries. We guarantee the best experience of a lifetime and it will be very contagious.
Update of December a6th event: We sure did sell 20 tables @ Long Beach Scottish Rite. Full capacity indeed and we made some funds for the Long Beach Knights of St. Andrews. (The new elite group of the Scottish Rites) Resounding successes are just not easy to come by but evidently, it keeps happening with us with proper planning and the right people.
The Folk dancers did an exemplary performance that we received phone calls, letters and email commending the KULTURA DANCE TROUPE for such excellent show.
Middle Eastern food almost ran out for its superlative taste to satisfy the most discriminating palate. Over all, it proves our point regardless of where we do the events.
Those who were at our constitution observance party last September 13, 2001. Are witnesses to one of our resounding and successful events. We received countless phone calls of compliments from attendees and those who missed and heard of it are calling to ask for our next eventsssssssss. This event generated more than $3K (Net profit) for the district and our Lodge.
TL592 has advanced planning that will generate ongoing revenues for years to last that the Lodge will be able to support itself for generations to come. As this unfolds, we will be the strongest Lodge in our State if not the whole USA or the World.
In terms of membership, TL592 is robustly healthy and we don't see it stopping since we are coming up with more and more petitions. The applicants are united in their own ways that they want to be united as a whole.
TL592 is revitalizing its DeMolay Chapter from 5 members to 20 in just a
short time since our new kids all excited and ready to roll with their parents
and most of all, we have TWO new Master Masons who volunteered to be Chapter
Dads.
Early this year, we revitalized the dying Bethel from 3 members to 11 and more now.
We had 19 Master Masons who went through
the 4° to 32° who are now Masters of the Royal Secret.
They'll be joining an elite group called:
the Knights of St. Andrew.
We have just organized this elite group to initially have 40 Charter Members.
The K of SA will be wearing a unique dress code with feathered Glengarry Caps along its
St. Andrew Logo. When this group enters the event hall, they will have a
dramatic entrance with Bag Pipe Band in kilts playing music as they march
in.
Evidently, our Lodge shares progress and glory to all appendant bodies as we move on. Noticeably, they all come to us and solicit for membership. Years ago, nobody heard about our Lodge . But now, we receive EMail, phone calls, letters and meet Brethren from all over. We got well known all of a sudden locally, Statewide, Nationally and even Internationally.
All this is history in the making that will be
recorded in the Archives of Tujunga Lodge No. 592. We will make it available
from generation to generation.
Our new Master
Masons are training and memorizing their part to deliver the Charges,
Perambulations, Interrogation, Ruffians and all. This way we are always prepared
to fill in any time. Or, any Lodge can request for help and there we are to do
the task.
Another milestone in TL592's history is the New TUJUNGA DeMolay Chapter.
Last August 29, 2001, twelve new Chapter D.A.D.s were trained by Harry A.
Thomas, Southern California Jurisdiction, Director of Communications also a
Deputy Member - ISC. Assisted by David Lowry, Chief Executive Officer SCJ, Lance
Braun, District Governor, SCJ, Greg Gabriel, Asst. Exec. Officer and John M.
Schuster, Oasis District Dad. Linda Sager, director of Sweethearts was
also trained including 3 mothers of upcoming members.
Initially we will have 20 new DeMolays to be initiated and eventually about 40-45 by early 2002. This will be the newest DeMolay Chapter if not Internationally, in Southern California. While some are merging with other Chapters, Tujunga is organizing from the scratch. Having certified Twelve Chapter DADs, we will be able to distribute tasks and responsibilities to more DADs and make the new Chapter a Successful one in due time. Again, TEAMWORK and SYNERGY in ACTION!
"How Good and How Pleasant It is For The Brethren To Dwell Together In Unity."
Regrettably, we are not all perfect. There are some failures too. The DeMolay group did not materialize in 2001 and as 2002 moves on, as of June it still has not progressed. Time will tell when our youth group materializes.
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Parting Upon The Square,