| Los Altos Lodge No. 712: | Last Updated on October 3, 2000 |
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Notes From Robert:
Congratulations to John Graham at being Initiated an Entered Apprentice on our Past Masters' Night on September 18th. Also, a big thank you for a well-done job to all our Past Masters for putting on a fine degree. For some reason there seemed to be confusion about the degree, but I thought everybody knew about it. I apologize to any brother who wanted to attend but did not know about it. I tried to let everybody know, by announcing it as past masters' Night, and by announcing it at the OAM meeting, too, as well as in our Trestleboard last month. As of this writing, Bro. John has just begun studying for his first degree proficiency, which I expect he will be able to take at our October stated meeting.
I am writing this before the actual event takes place, but by the time you receive this, Wor. Richard Rosenberg will be our newest Hiram Award recipient. One note here: The Hiram Award is not a "contest." It is not "won" and the brother who receives is it not the "Hiram Award Winner." The Hiram Award is received, and the proper designation for the brother is the "Recipient." Also, I think it is not such a good idea to call the award "highly coveted." That has a negative connotation to many people. I think it would be better to say the award is highly admired, or highly praised, or highly recognized.
Please be sure to purchase your tickets for the Grand Master's Reception Which will be on Sunday, October 15th at 3:30 P.M. at the San Jose Masonic Hill. The theme this year is Western, so wear those cowboy boots, shirts and jeans. We are the host this year, so we want to be sure to have a nice attendance from our lodge.
Please mark your calendar for a second degree on Monday, October 16th, 7:30 P.M.
A few thoughts about "speeding" candidates through the degrees. Historically, newly obligated brothers were assigned a "Coach" to assist them in understanding the lessons taught them in their degrees, and to teach them the "catechism" required to advance. The "catechism" was usually called the "Proficiency" by many brethren, although in reality it was only a part of the entire proficiency.
What is the proficiency that a brother should have in order to advance? The MINIMUM proficiency is to know the required memorization, which Grand Lodge states must be performed in front of an open lodge. Today, in California, that requirement is reasonably easy for the first and second degrees. (Still pretty long for the third degree, though.) It was changed to be this short for the first two degrees a few years ago by an overwhelming vote of the members of Grand Lodge, who recognized the desire by many men to quickly become Master Masons so that they could enjoy all the benefits and privileges of a Master Mason (and pay their dues.) Since that time, there have been some brethren who have tried in a variety of ways to make the proficiency process long again. I believe there are some merits to these thoughts, but I also realize we must move forward, not backward, in our efforts to be interesting and relevant to modern men.
There will always be men who are interested in delving into the millions of pages written about our history, our famous Masons, and our symbolism. Personally, I enjoy history quite a bit, and I have learned a lot about our craft since I became a Master Mason, 21 years ago. But, I also must add that if I had been required to wait a long time to advance, there is a possibility that I might have gotten discouraged and gone to another fraternity, or just dropped out altogether. I believe we need to give the Grand Lodge's decision a while to see if it was a good one. If the resolution which passed turns out to be bad idea, then we certainly should get a petition together to change things back to the way they were, or perhaps something totally different. In the meantime, I think we should all still encourage all Masons to continue their Masonic education. We are fortunate to have a lodge library with many fine Masonic books, as well as an extremely fine library at the San Jose Scottish Rite. (Unfortunately, you cannot check out any books there. You must read it on the premises, which does not work well for me. But you can check out a book from our own library! See Wor. Bruce Pruitt for information.)
I would encourage every member who can to attend lodge this October Stated meeting. We will have a discussion about the upcoming Grand Lodge Resolutions. This is your chance to let the officers know how you feel, and partake in a serious discussion about the future of our fraternity.
Fraternally
Robert W. Martin, P.M.
Master
2000 GRAND LODGE COMMUNICATION
Next Month Grand Lodge will convene and vote on resolutions. In this article I am informing the brethren how I intend to vote on these articles. None of the following decisions are cast in concrete so please let me know your feeling. I will gladly discuss any opposing views with brothers. They have only to call me.
GM Recommendation No. 1, Eliminating Restrictions on the Family of Freemasonry. Basically it removes select reference in the California Masonic Code (CMC) which place restrictions on concordant bodies. I intend to vote for this recommendation.
GM Recommendation No. 2, Proposing Members for Election. I do not feel that this provides the brethren with any new tools for finding good people. My position is that this will tend to provide more ammunition for anyone that accuses our fraternity as being one of exclusion rather than open to all who wish to apply. I intend to vote against this proposition.
GM Recommendation No. 3, Increasing the Limit of Spending by Hall Associations. I agree that times have changed and the numbers of yesteryear are not valid for today. I intend to vote for this recommendation
Carry Over From 1999 GM Nahin's Recommendation No. 1, Repeals Inspectors Tenure. Since the GM already has the right of repeal I don't think this resolution is necessary and I believe in giving the Inspectors a breather and allowing for new blood. I intend to vote against this recommendation.
GM Nahin's Recommendation No. 5: Implements a Candidates Education Program. I am for the idea of a program but I believe each Lodge should implement it's own. I intend to vote against this recommendation.
Resolution No. 99-07: Permits a Non-Masonic Stenographic Reporter at a Masonic Trial. I will vote for this resolution.
Resolution No. 99-09: Makes Grand Master's Youth Award An Official Award of Grand Lodge. I believe this resolution needs a paragraph providing for the condition that no award will be presented, if none is warranted that year. I will vote for this resolution.
Resolution No. 99-11: Permits Appointment of Assistant Lodge Secretary and Allows Compensation. I will vote for this resolution.
Resolution No. 99-13: Requires Consolidation of Similar Resolution, Where Possible, and Mandates Priority for Consideration Where no Consolidation Occurs. I will vote for this resolution.
Resolution No. 99-15: Corrects Outdated References and Clarifies Language in the CMC Relating to Lodge Investments. I will vote for this resolution.
Resolution No. 99-18:Requires Return of Dues Receipt Before Dues Paid in Advance are Refunded Upon a Dimit or Discontinuation of Multiple Membership. I believe that the penalty does not fit the crime. I will vote against this resolution.
Resolution No. 99-23: Permits Solicitation of Support for Hiram Foundation I will vote for this resolution.
Resolution No. 99-31: Reduces Age for Membership From 21 to 18. I will vote for this resolution.
Resolution No. 99-32: Permits Mountain Shade Lodge No. 18, Gravel Range Lodge No. 59 and Harmony Lodge No. 164 to Hold only Ten Stated Meetings per Year. I believe all Lodges should be able to have their charters such that they can hold 10 meetings per year. I will vote for this resolution.
Resolution No. 00-1: Changes Application Forms. This allows the GM to approve the form to be used and makes minor changes to the form. I will vote for this resolution.
Resolution No. 02: Changes Committee Sizes. I will vote for this resolution.
Resolution No. 03: Changes Dates of Annual Lodge Elections and Installations of Officers. I feel that the Holiday Season is pressing enough. This change would allow us to have a less strenuous Holiday Season and provide the Lodges with the ability to plan a Holiday activity. I will vote for this resolution.
Resolution No. 04: Combine Dimit and Transfer Forms into One. I will vote for this resolution.
Resolution No. 05: Adopts a One-Time Life Membership Certificates. I will vote for this resolution.
Resolution No. 06: Modifies Rules for Lodge Investments. I will vote for this resolution.
Resolution No. 07: Permits all Past Masters to Vote at Grand Lodge. I would like to hear arguments in favor of this, right now I think this would be too big a change in the voting constituency. I will vote against this resolution.
Resolution No. 08: Permits Automatic Qualification of Past Masters. The key to my vote were the words "...of this Jurisdiction..." I will vote for this resolution as long as the Lodge is required to qualify in some form for each degree.
Resolution No. 09: Changes "Organist" to "Musician". I will vote for this resolution.
Resolution No. 10: Clarifies Ritual Requirements of Officers. I will vote for this resolution.
Resolution No. 11: Revise Qualification of Master, Senior Warden and Junior Warden. I will vote for this resolution.
Resolution No. 12: Establishes Right to Religious Items. I fear giving this right may prove to broad. I would rather see a resolution where each Lodge can grant brothers the right to wear select Religious items. The person could petition the Lodge prior to taking his degrees, and the Lodge would then decide if it wished to grant this right to all its members I will vote against this resolution.
Robert Martin, Master
When a Brother comes to the point at which he lays aside responsibility of the Mastership of a Lodge, steps down from his rulership and is added to the roll of Past Masters, he begins a period where he can leisurely view the position of Master from a new angle.
Previous to becoming an installed Master he was merely the aspirant for the office, but having occupied the position of Master and being now relieved of its anxieties, he reflects on the position and surveys the range of its influence in a way he never could before. He then discovers that it is invested with traditions and powers far in excess of what he had previously conceived, and that the unqualified obedience, loyalty and unfailing respect shown him and the special privileges extended to him during his ruler ship were due to the position rather than to its occupant.
Thus having completed his term as Master, and passed the insignia of his exalted position on to his successor, he is now numbered with the Past Master of the Lodge, a kind of unofficial bodyguard, with no specified duties assigned to him, and yet with the understanding that he must hold himself in readiness to answer any call for assistance that may teach his ears.
The extent to which Past Masters count depend very largely on their personality and character, and whether by counsel, good leadership and efficient administration, they have won confidence and esteem.
Having themselves occupied the Master's chair it is incumbent on them to uphold and support the present Master, and to do all in their power to radiate a healthy influence and inspire the rank and file of the Lodge with the spirit of goodwill. Their past experience as Masters and their accumulated Masonic knowledge, should make them invaluable to the Lodge.
Past Masters largely determine the character, spirit and success of a Lodge and its influence will depend much on their experience and considered judgment.
Happy is the Lodge which has a united band of loyal and devoted Past Masters.
At our September stated meeting, Brother Walter Dimmick presented the Lodge with a set of three books. Brother Dimmick is the author. The books are: "Pyramid Science and the Unified Field"; "Christian History of Science"; and "the History of Money". These books are now at the Lodge and any brother interested in reading them should make arrangements with our Secretary.
Word has recently been received that two of the brothers of Los Altos Lodge No. 712 are to be significantly honored in Washington, DC. Two Past Masters, Worshipful Bob Powell and Worshipful Fritz Oder, will travel to DC on September 27 to attend a special award dinner. At that time they will be honored by the Central Intelligence Agency for their major contributions to the United State space program.
This is the first occasion for such an event, and it is understood that only about 40 individuals are involved in the recognition. Both Bob and Fritz held important executive positions at Lockheed Missiles and Space Co. in Sunnyvale, including the position of President of a Lockheed Division. During their tenure at Lockheed they were also Program Managers on important space programs.
They are both well known and highly respected throughout the aerospace industry for their technical knowledge and effective leadership skills. CONGRATULATIONS, Bob and Fritz.
We at Los Altos Lodge are really proud of you, and are extremely happy that you are receiving well-deserved thanks from a grateful nation. Bruce Pruitt, PM, HA
GRAND MASTERS ACHIEVMENT AWARD
Worshipful Franklin Sing, formally representing our 1999 Grand Master, Melville H. Nahin, presented Jr. Past Master Patrick Bailey with the Grand Master's Achievement Award for 1999. Wor. Sing noted that this award was given to only the top 1% of all of the lodges in CA for 1999, and that Los Altos Lodge was the only lodge in the peninsula area to receive it for 1999. A very nice brass plaque was presented to the lodge, and a colorful award certificate was presented to PM Bailey. PM Bailey has sent a color copy of the certificate to all of the 1999 officers as a remembrance of their efforts during the year of "The 99ers".
Patrick Bailey, PM
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