Observation, Comments.....and.... Suggestion
This an article by our Senior Warden, Roman RF Ladaw on the June Trestle Board. It has been saved for particular reason, portraying a Sequoia tree a concept likened to a life of a Mason.
Our Deputy Grand Master, Most Worshipful Richard W. Hopper has a very interesting Theme and Emblem for 2008, "Freemasonry Standing Strong." What a great concept, we are indeed standing strong my brothers. To echo his message, I am sharing with you his ideals about the theme and the emblem. A couple of symbols of the craft appear on the emblem: The word Freemasonry being on the horizontal plane means that we are all on the level, Standing Strong being on the vertical shows that we are always "Walking uprightly before God and Man." The words, Freemasonry and Standing Strong are squared to its other indicating we square the virtues of our lives, the Square and Compass, the two great lights of Masonry, and the letter G, reflecting the noble science of Geometry, and the initial of the Supreme Being before whom we all bow. On the emblem side are giant Sequoia trees. There are a lot of interesting things about this tree, they do not stand alone, their root system is hallow, and the trees grow in groves, so that they stand standing up, they intertwine with each other for strength. My brothers, this is a very good example why we as Masons have always been strong. It is like us when we present and shake its others hand showing we support each other and standing tall and strong, just like the giant Sequoias. This concept is what made us survive for so long. So let us stand tall and say to everyone: "Freemasonry is Standing Strong."
The following is a commentary response on an e-mail letter from the IOJD Bethel 142, Guardian Pam Gorman on the recent fund raising sponsored by Anacapa Lodge No. 710.
Brethren,
This goes without saying that if we
put our resources together (I know I am guilty for not being there), we can
climb high mountains and be able to reach the peak in no time. I have said
it again and again that there are three types of masons :
First is
the ONE who makes things happen; SECOND
is the one who watch things happen, and THIRD
is the one who wonders, "What Happened? As our brother JW tipped off
his hat to our cooks I wish that we have more brothers to lend there helping
hands to get our lodge going. There are lodges in our district that are
consolidating because only a few are contributing to the success of their
lodge. We are still fortunate that we have brethren who commit their
little time to serve the lodge and our brethren. One particular brother is
Brother Cobarrubias who, since his raising is always there to lend a hand.
How about our other brothers who just got raised? Please do not wait for
the master to ask your help; you came to our fold "if your own free will
and accord;, Now it is your turn to repay the lodge for the effort that your
brethren put forth during your initiation up to your Raising. My question
now is, Are you the THIRD type
of mason who wonders what happened?
Parting Upon The Square (PUTS)
Ron Andaya, PM
Worshipful Brothers and Brethren,
This is to inform you about my deep concern about a few of our newly obligated brothers, who were so eager to join us when they were knocking at our doors. However after they got their 3rd Degree we seldom see them in the lodge anymore. As a Past master I can attest to the fact that I tried to encourage these brothers to come and pay us a visit sometimes and I supposed that I was very straightforward in asking them that after several encounters with them, they tried to avoid me when they see me approaching them! What shall we do to get these brothers back to our lodge? We are having a big load of candidates this year, but are they going to be true and faithful brothers among us? In most of our degree work there are more Past Masters doing the work and in the sidelines than non-officers. I am not complaining because I love to participate in the degree work, but we have to encourage our new membership to seek a position in the lodge.
Another concern of mine is the ages of our candidates. What is the cut-off age for an old man . This is part of our obligation and I believe that we have to get some guidance from the Grand Lodge as to where we cut the line so that the investigators can give their honest opinion to the WM regarding the qualifications of the candidate.
I hope and I pray that I did not hurt someone's feelings regarding my concerns and if I did please forgive me.
Parting upon the Square
Ron Andaya
To All Concern Brethren,
I don't know what to tell you my brethren. I will just talk for myself and these what I can say. When I join this fraternity, I was asked during the interview, questions were - concerning attending the lodge meeting every Tuesday night, I flatly told him I'm not making any promises, when I have time I will go to the lodge, attend meetings, degree works, and support the lodge in any way I can and that's my promise to the lodge. I think I can speak out and attest my obligation to the lodge!
Talking about a young man on his dot age, an old man on his dot age, actually, I address this issue personally to the Grand Lecturer, what is the age limit for the candidate to join the masons, and he said its up to the investigator to decide if the candidate can performed his obligation, capable to do the degree work and his mental capacity. The investigator has responsibility if the candidate is fully favorable to join our fraternity.
I know the lodge will not function without the help of the brethren, so I'm begging of you officers, past masters, to all brothers, we need to set an example and when you see brothers, ask them to visit the lodge, its our responsibility to support the lodge, nobody ask you to join the fraternity, its your own free will and accord. Forget the hate and discontent, lets have peace and harmony between us, may we ever meet, act, and part my brotherly love prevail and every moral social virtue cement us.
Upon the Square.
Gus Garcia
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"Today, at this very instant, I am who I am. Now, I am no longer who I was yesterday, though yesterday I was who I am. I am no quite who I will be tomorrow, though then I will be who I am. And as I continue I will become who I was." by Bro. William L. O'haver in SCRL F& AM
I don't know what the connection to WM Andaya's beef is but I thought it sounded clever and just want to share it with the brethren.
In any case, regarding the issues of what to do with the non-partaking but dues-paying brethrens...
Maybe we need to examine our Lodges priorities e.g.
- Do we need to find the "real" motives of prospective members? Was the "ring" the motivation to join? Was it for military promotion? Was it because they want to be mason before they kick the bucket?
- Are dues and number of membership more important? It sure do looks good on paper and the Grand Lodges' perspective.
Maybe a written "contract" signed by the new "master mason" and the Lodge Master that binds himself to at least attend a minimum number of meetings. Lodges' functions etc. in a given calendar year. I don't know what the proper penalty should be short of having his __taken these__IMHO, if something is written and signed it is harder to renege on a promise to perform.
Regarding the age issue. My view is not so much the "age" since it is only a number but the physical and mental capacity.
Interviewers should be able to ascertain all this. That is why a face to face not a phone interview should be required.
Also do not put the burden of setting up the meeting on the brothers. It should be the candidate's responsibility to meet with the brothers at the brother's convenience. Most of our candidates are still on active duty and trying to get a hold of them by phone or mail is a chore on itself. MAYBE REQUIRE THE CANDIDATE TO COME TO THE LODGE FOR HIS INTERVIEW. He needs to see where and what the interior of the Lodge looked like anyways and meet with the brethren for a warm welcome at the same time.
By the Senior Rod,
Bro. Bert Guiang
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Brethren, here is another episode of the continuing saga on the issue, "Future Candidate."
Brethren,
The PMs can only lead the horse (brother) to the water, but they cannot make the horse drink the water. At the same token chickens will cross the road because they think there is something that they would like on the other side.
Unless one become a "MASON BY HEART" all the incentives or penalties in the world cannot make him go to meetings or socialize with his brethren. Everyone has his own priority. T a few, family, job, close friends and then masonry while some others masonry maybe has a higher priority than their close friends. While for most, masonry maybe just something that is no longer considered at all. It has already served its purpose. Wither it was just the "ring" or another "bullet" for leadership or community involvement evaluation for military promotion or just being able to show/say that they are a member of a prestigious, worldwide and oldest fraternal organization or so the brethren may come to their aid during an emergency. This is sad but oh so true.
It's their loss but I feel that it is my gain. I would love to learn and be able to execute all the rituals and memorize all the parts of all the officers and hopefully before I crook the blue book back to back just like most of the PMs in our lodge.
When I cannot attend the OSI, a meeting, a ritual or a social event sponsored by my Lodge, I felt I have missed something.
Free Masonry has now become a major part of my life thus...a way of my life.
This is my opinion on this matter.
Bro. Bert Guiang
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Brethren,
Ever since I took the job as a webmaster I have been posting letters of the three principal officers of the lodge, and all three have in common-- their letters always have the "encouragement for the members to come to the lodge".
On the first meeting of the officers in January 2006, the WM ask me what is my main concerned for this year in our Lodge. My answer was how to combat the dwindling numbers of attendee for the lodge. I wrote a few comments on this site. I told the story about in 1998, during the reign if WB Angel Barela. The lodge room was always full. Almost every week we have conferrals and sidelines are tremendous. As the years go by, the numbers of members attending are noticeable. It becoming few and fewer. I was so alarmed. I one time ask one WB why was this trend was so prevalent, he says "the brethren work at night time that's why they can't come." When I met a Brother, my solicitation was to come to the lodge and have fun. There was always a pleasing answer, yes...but my hope as always was in despair.
Today, I went over our roster and found out that Active Master Masons are 187. Out of this I went and count how many live in Ventura County and there are 122 members which is 65%. Our log book on Special Meeting, there are most of the time about 20 Brethren attending, a mere 11% . To all who have been constantly attending this kind of scenario was a bothersome. It make you sick and become useless thinking what magic would you provide to make things happened.
I read and posted all your e-mail letters Brothers, I am adamant as you are. We all continue our persuasion, cross our fingers and hope that our Brethren will find their way.
Greg Sagmaquen