FROM THE EAST. . . . .

Brethren:
I am delighted to report that this month we have no reported losses to our family, and with any luck I believe that we will be seeing an increase in attendance from our missing Brethren as the year moves along.

As promised, our website continues to develop under the efforts of Brother Scott Henderson, but the effort is difficult work, and time consuming.  If you are like me, your “curve of expectations” is getting ahead of Brother Scott’s capability; I continually remind myself to be patient, because I know he’s doing the best he can, as quick as he can.

The proposed year-long calendar continues to develop, and whatever dysfunctionality exists is my fault entirely.  I just haven’t yet figured out how I want that to function, and I haven’t figured out who or how it’s to be managed.  (The monthly bulletin should continue to be your guide for events to come during that month.)

At last months’ meeting, the Brethren approved my budget for the year, the original or which I had to withdraw because of errors found by our Treasurer.  Those errors were corrected, and further adjustments were made, leading to what I believe will be a very effective planning tool for the remainder of the year.

Brethren, you may recall my comment last month about dissent and disagreement in the Lodge business process.  On reflection, I think that comment bears repeating.  I have been a Master Mason almost twenty-five (25) years, and have never been in a meeting where harmony did not ultimately prevail – even in the face of serious disagreement over some policy or the other. 
I simply cannot imagine a Lodge functioning any other way, and am convinced that any failure of Harmony is a failure of Lodge leadership, and not a failure of the Brethren.  All of you have my solemn vow that any and all expressions of opinion will be heard peacefully, in order, and with respect to the speaker.  The only way that our Lodge can function peaceably is for all of the Brethren to believe that their opinions are being heard and considered.  .

This month’s dinner will be our traditional corned beef and cabbage, along with at least one other vegetable, our wonderful salads, and a dessert picked by yours truly.  I hope that all enjoy this, even though we already know that Worshipful Jim Jarnagin and Liz Jarnagin will not be preparing this traditional fare.

Although March is not our month for the Official Visit, I am informed that we will have at least one Grand Lodge committeeman present as our guest, and I look forward to any comments that he may care to make during either the open or closed sessions of the meeting.

During the month of February, Brothers Nick Ordoyan and Scott Henderson did a spectacular job of their proficiency in the First Degree, and they were respectively passed to the Second Degree of Masonry.  The month of March will see all three degree nights scheduled for actual degrees, so our proficiency practices may have to be “bumped” to another night (Wednesday nights upstairs, per our arrangement with the Temple manager), so that we can have some realistic hope of improving our proficiency without impinging upon the candidates’ reasonable expectation of competent work.

Last month I advised you of the appointment of our new Officer at Large, Worshipful Norm Hoffman.  He and I have visited Lodges and even served in their degree work, and we continue to fly the flag of Reseda Lodge wherever we go.  The Brethren are surely invited to join with us on this endeavor.  Visiting other lodges is an enriching experience, particularly for the younger Brethren who may desire to move up the line, or hold other functions of Lodge responsibility.

At this month’s Stated Meeting, we will discuss our presence in the San Fernando Valley, as was mentioned by our secretary some months ago.  The Little League speaker we heard from presented us with some interesting opportunities, and we should explore them.  In addition, April is Public Schools Month, and I have some ideas to present to the Lodge this month in preparation for our activities in April.

As I have previously reported, Worshipful Art Melendez of Hollywood Lodge and I are considering the very interesting and exciting idea of “trading” degree nights between us, and enjoying each other’s company.  That understanding has yet to be concluded, but I am led to believe that it will be looked upon favorably by our Inspector.

The deadline has come and gone for the designation of a competitive team for state-wide ritual competition.  It does not appear that we will be in the competition this year, which I was very disappointed to accept.

Finally, let me again urge all to attend Lodge who are able.  Should transportation be a problem, let me know or let the Secretary know.  With enough lead time, that is a completely solvable problem.

Fraternally,
Ralph W. Morton, Master
Reseda Lodge #666