| Los Altos Lodge No. 712: | Last Updated on November 17, 2003 |
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The Grand Lodge legislation was action packed as always. It is very interesting to hear the debates and opinions of the Members present who quite often shed much light on the legislation and can sometimes persuade the vote. I am happy to announce that the results (contained in this Trestleboard) are consistent with the general opinion of our Lodge!
More importantly, the Gavels used to open Grand Lodge on Sunday and Close Grand Lodge deliberations on Tuesday were handcrafted by our very own Worshipful Greg Buschek, PM, 1998. These two gavels were the "best of the best" and selected by the Grand Master for these purposes. Wor. Greg, congratulations on your fine craftsmanship. Grand Lodge is very impressed with your dedication and diligence to the Craft! I was very proud to "wrap-up" Grand Lodge. The sound produced was unmistakable (even over the Grand Organist)!!!
At our October Stated Meeting, the Lodge approved a change to our By-Laws allowing the Charity Committee to have the power to draw upon the Treasurer a sum not exceeding $500.00 for the relief of a distressed worthy Brother, his wife, widow, or orphan. This change is effective pending the Grand Master's approval.
My year as your Master is beginning to wind down but there are still some very important upcoming events:
We have been invited to Palo Alto-Roller Lodge on Tuesday, October 28th for an Oktoberfest celebration. Please call the reservation line (650-569-6276) by Friday, October 24th if you would like to attend. There will be Oktoberfest food, drink, and entertainment provided by Palo Alto-Roller Lodge. Don't miss this one!
Please attend our Stated meeting on November 3rd as we will be electing our officers for year 2004.
On Monday, November 10th, we will honor Worshipful William (Bill) Malmstrom with the Hiram Award. Dinner will be provided at 6:30 PM with the presentation following dinner in the Lodge room.
On Monday, December 8th, we will provide a reception for Worshipful A. Glenn MacBride who has been appointed Assistant Grand Lecturer, Division II of the Grand Lodge of California. Dinner will be provided at 6:30PM with the reception following in the Lodge room. Our new Grand Master, Most Worshipful Howard D. Kirkpatrick will be in attendance.
Our visitation to Caleveras Lodge 22-Nov for a PM 3rd degree HAS BEEN POSTPONED till further notice due to severe scheduling problems. Since November and December are fully loaded, we may have to postpone our three 3rd degrees to early 2004. Please stay tuned.
I am honored to be the Master of Los Altos Lodge No. 712. Please come to Lodge. You will be proud as well!
Fraternally Feeling Good,
Richard Weyers,
Master
Foremost is the changing of the dues structure in our by-laws. There is a resolution (02-01 Alternate dues structure) it is expected to pass this year and will allow lodges to define their dues as a function of a flat dues fee plus the Grand Lodge per capita. The Grand Lodge per capita is an amount computed each year from the estimate Grand Lodge Budget. This amount of each dues has to be sent to Grand Lodge during the year. As an example if dues are $40 per year and $25 per capita is paid to GL, then the remainder is all the lodge has for it's use. In our Lodge this has not posed a problem but most lodges across California are not as fortunate as we are and find that this decreasing of available funds is causing them to continuously amend the by-laws in order to raise their dues. By implementing this structure these lodges will no longer have to amend the by-laws in order to have a change in the amount of dues they ask from their members.
I will be asking all the brethren for their opinions on the alternate dues structure as I would like to have our by-laws include this option. Please give this some thought since at the same time will will have to decide what we wish to institute as our basic dues amount.
Another item I wish to implement next year is having a separate account/fund for distressed worthy Brothers (DWB). This year our Master put in much work in setting guidelines and establishing criteria for lodge officers in determining and helping DWB. I believe that in conjunction with these efforts that a lodge DWB fund be set up. Only the Master, Senior and Junior Wardens will have access to the fund. This will provide for the privacy and requirements set forth on serving our DWB. In conjunction with the fund, we will establish a set of fund by-laws thus formalizing the rules and guidelines developed during this year. Included in the by-laws will be a method to privately pass on DWB information from Master to Master via this private fund archives.
A third fun thing suggested by Brother Ed Fentum (PM), would be for us to put together a time capsule. We could plan on having this encased in our elevator inauguration. Let me know what you think of this and the preceding ideas.
Fraternally,
Ernest Castillo, P. M.,
Senior Warden
Hiram Award Night for William Malmstrom, PM will be Monday, November 10th, 2003 at Los Altos Lodge No. 712 at 6:30 pm.
Tea Party, at the William's House
Announcement from Kermit Williams, PM, HA and his lady Vera Mae:
You are invited to a Tea Party on Sunday, November 23rd at the Williams "Party House". A donation of $20.00 (minimum) will be matched by your hosts (Kermit and Vera May) to benefit the elevator fund for Los Altos Lodge No. 712.
Reception for Worshipful A. Glenn MacBride
Reception for Worshipful A. Glenn MacBride who has been appointed AGL Division II will be Monday, December 8th, 2003 at Los Altos Lodge No. 712 at 6:30 pm.
Upcoming/Remaining Events For 2003
Los Altos Lodge Events
Mon., Oct. 27th, 6:30 PM OAM at LA712 (GL Results & 3° Lecture)
Mon., Nov. 3rd, 7:30 PM Stated Meeting (6:30 Dinner) - Annual Elections
Mon., Nov. 10th, 6:30 PM Hiram Award for Bill Malmstrom, PM
Wed., Nov. 12th, 7:30 PM LAMTA Meeting
Mon., Nov. 17th, 7:30 PM Officer's Practice - 3rd Degree
Mon., Nov. 24th 7:30 PM Officer's Practice - 3rd Degree
Mon., Dec. 1st, 7:30 PM Stated Meeting (6:30 Dinner)
Mon., Dec. 8th, 6:30 PM Reception for A. Glenn MacBride, PM AGL Division II
Wed., Dec. 10th, 7:30 PM LAMTA Meeting
Sun., Jan. 4th, 3:00 PM 54th Annual Installation of Officers at Los Altos Lodge
Installation Schedule for Santa Clara Districts (OES)
Sat., 11/8, 8:00 PM Manzanita Chapter, Morgan Hill
Sun., 11/9, 2:00 PM Golden Oak Chapter, Los Gatos
Sat., 11/15, 7:30 PM Santa Clara Chapter
Sun., 11/16, 3:00 PM Valley Star Chapter, Los Altos
Mon., 11/17, 8:00 PM Sequoia Chapter, Menlo Park
Tue., 11/18, 8:00 PM San Jose Chapter
Wed., 11/19, 8:00 PM Palo Alto Chapter
Thu., 11/20, 8:00 PM Peninsula Chapter, Burlingame
Fri., 11/21, 8:00 PM Starlight Chapter, San Jose
Sat., 11/22, 8:00 PM San Carlos Chapter
Wed., 11/26, 8:00 PM Miramonte Chapter, Mountain View
Fri., 11/28, 8:00 PM Blossom Hill Chapter, San Jose
Sun., 11/30, 2:00 PM Unity Chapter, South San Francisco
Installation Schedule for Santa Clara Districts (F&AM)
Sat., 12/6, 12 PM Mountain View-De Anza Lodge, No 194
Sat., 12/6, 4 PM Palo Alto-Roller Lodge, No 346
Sun., 12/7, 2 PM Morgan Hill Lodge, No 463
Wed., 12/10, 7 PM Willow Glen Fraternity Lodge, No 399
Thur., 12/11, 10 AM Santa Clara Daylight Lodge, No 844
Sat., 12/13, 7:30 PM Mt. Moriah Lodge, No 292
Mon., 12/15, 6:30 PM San Jose Lodge, No 10
Sat., 12/20, 6 PM Friendship Lodge, No 210
Sat., 12/27, 2 PM El Camino Research Lodge (at Los Altos)
Sun., 1/4, 3:00 PM Los Altos Lodge, No 712
Sat., 1/10, 6 PM Liberty Lodge, No 299
Mon., 1/12, 7:30 PM Golden Rule Lodge No 479
Grand Lodge Communication Results
Below are the results of the 2003 Grand Lodge Communication Legislation. These results will be discussed at the Officer's Association Meeting on Monday, October 27th at Los Altos Lodge. You are invited to attend the meeting starting at 7:30 PM. Dinner will be provided for Los Altos Lodge Members at 6:30 PM.
GRAND MASTER'S DECISIONS
Decision No. 1: Advertising and Public Relations by Lodges YES - 1014 (92.3%) NO - 84 (7.7%) PASSED
GRAND MASTER'S RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendation No. 1: One-Day Conferrals
YES - 679 (61.4%) NO - 426 (38.6%) CARRY-OVER
Recommendation No. 2: Flexible Dates for Annual Communication
YES - 744 (67.6%) NO - 356 (32.4%) CARRY-OVER
Recommendation No. 3: Finance Committee Duties
YES - 1018 (93.1%) NO - 76 (6.9%) PASSED
Recommendation No. 4: CMMT Restructure
YES - 968 (88.6%) NO - 124 (11.4%) PASSED
UNFINISHED BUSINESS – 2002
Grand Master Whitaker's Recommendation No. 1: Safeguards for Lodge Finances and Investments
YES - 549 (46.6%) NO - 628 (53.4%) FAILED
Grand Master Whitaker's Recommendation No. 4: Changing Name of California Masonic Memorial Temple to California Masonic Memorial Center
YES - 648 (54.7%) NO - 537 (45.3%) FAILED
Resolution No. 02-01: Alternative Dues Structure
YES - 1026 (86.7%) NO - 158 (13.3%) PASSED
Resolution No. 02-06: Changes Name of Grand Lodge Temple Properties and Taxation Committee
YES - 954 (81.2%) NO - 221 (18.8%) PASSED
Resolution No. 02-07: Requires Temple Associations for Real Property
YES - 829 (70.9%) NO - 340 (29.1%) PASSED
RESOLUTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION – 2003
Resolution No. 03-01: Allows Lodges and Masonic Organizations to Participate in Gambling Activities Permitted Under California State Law
YES - 420 (35.1%) NO - 775 (64.9%) FAILED
Resolution No. 03-02: Reduces Stated Meeting Quorum From Seven to Five
YES - 810 (68.2%) NO - 377 (31.8%) CARRY-OVER
Resolution No. 03-03: Allows Entered Apprentices and Fellow Crafts to Withdraw and Modifies the Procedure for Them to Transfer to Another Lodge
YES - 1088 (91.5%) NO - 101 (8.5%) PASSED
Resolution No. 03-04: Allows Lodge Members to Nominate Candidates for Membership
YES - 293 (24.7%) NO - 894 (75.3%) FAILED
Resolution No. 03-05: Makes Affiliated Past Masters From Other Jurisdictions Members of Grand Lodge
YES - 482 (40.9%) NO - 696 (59.1%) FAILED
Resolution No. 03-06: Changes Ballot on Affiliations to a Simple Majority Voice Vote
YES - 444 (37.9%) NO - 726 (62.1%) FAILED
Resolution No. 03-07: Changes Instruction Before the Obligations to "Your Full Name"
YES - 521 (44.0%) NO - 662 (56.0%) FAILED
Resolution No. 03-08: Adds an Instruction to the Newly Obligated Brother on His Return to the Lodge in the Entered Apprentice and FellowCraft Degrees
YES - 423 (35.8%) NO - 758 (64.2%) FAILED
Resolution No. 03-09: Authorizes One Day Classes WITHDRAWN
Resolution No. 03-10: Establishes a Masonic Apron for 50 and 75 Year Members
YES - 598 (51.3%) NO - 568 (48.7%) PASSED
Resolution No. 03-11: Allows California Masons to Belong to the Tall Cedars of Lebanon
YES - 554 (48.5%) NO - 589 (51.5%) FAILED
Resolution No. 03-12: Limits Admission to the Masonic Home for Children at Covina to the Sons and Daughters of Master Masons
YES - 227 (19.8%) NO - 921 (80.2%) FAILED
New Parking Policy at the Lodge
Effective October 1, 2003, the City of Los Altos implemented a new parking policy. This policy effects all downtown parking in the area referred to as "The Plaza". It is the area immediately adjacent to our Masonic building and within downtown Los Altos.
The intent of the new parking policy is twofold; First to generate more revenue for the City of Los Altos and second; to increase parking availability for the downtown merchants. To achieve these goals, all parking areas have been changed to two (2) hour zones INCLUDING the area traditionally allocated for all-day employee parking within the downtown area.
The city is providing parking for the licensed legitimate business employees. Selected two hour parking spaces, will have a white circle painted in them. These circles are one foot in diameter and designate the space as a legitimate all day parking for those vehicles having an authorized parking permit. The permits are issued by the City of Los Altos. A business can purchase these parking permits for their employees.
Although Los Altos Masonic Temple Association (LAMTA) does not have a business license due to our tax exempt status, LAMTA has secured permission from the city and purchased 15 annual passes that can be transferred from one vehicle to another at will.
Therefore, If you have a need to park in excess of two hours, you can "borrow" one of the passes and park in any of he areas marked with the white circle. The permits are kept in Suite 303 (Hal Bain/Conard & Associates). If Hal is not available, anybody else in the office can loan you a parking permit for the day (or longer if appropriate). In order to ensure that those borrowing passes do not inadvertently keep them, a sign-out, sign-in process will be developed.
As an option, if you need to park right next ot the building, LAMTA also purchased some one-day passes. The one-day-pass is good in any Los Altos two hour zone for one day only. These one-day passes are available through the same procedure, via Hall Bain in Suite 303 or any other person there.
The city signs in the parking lot state that parking is enforced every day "except Sunday and Holidays." At present we have been advised by the City Offices that the parking rule is not enforced on Saturday and if a citation is issued to someone associated with the lodge or its activities, to bring it to their attention to arrange a dismissal.
As most of you already know I am and have been a fan of Masonic history for many years. Because of this, I was delighted to hear our secretary read a letter from Brother Walter F. Dimmick during lodge at the homecoming night event this year. It was such an interesting letter that I would like to share it with all of you. Here it is in full:
September 23, 2003
Richard G. Weyers, Master, et al
Los Altos Lodge #712
146 Main St.
Los Altos, CA 94022
Dear Brothers,
I regret that I will be unable to attend the Los Altos Roll Call/Coming Home due to the distance involved. However I wish to share a bit of Masonic History, which I do not believe I have related to our lodge before.
When Captain Fremont made an expedition to California in the 1840's. Kit Carson, a Mason was one of his scouts. Kit Carson noticed Masonic symbols in the rocks near the various Indian tribes that they encountered so he knew that some of the American Indians were Masons.
My Great Grandfather, Isaac Hobbs of Vallejo, California was a Mason from Sanford, Main. In 1857 he was working in the Mare Island Shipyard as a millwright (machinist). Due to the distance to the nearest lodge, he and two other Masons undertook a cross-country journey on horseback to Missouri to obtain a charter for the Military Lodge in Vallejo. When they left Missouri with the new charter, the lodge in Missouri escorted them to the nearest Masonic Indian tribe. The Masonic Indian tribe gave them safe passage and escorted them through hostile Indian territory until they reached another Masonic Indian tribe who escorted them on. They received safe passage and a Masonic Indian escort across the plains and they reached California safely and uneventfully. Isaac Hobbs is one of the founders of the Masonic Military Lodge, which still meets in Vallejo. Isaac Hobbs' Masonic gravestone, an obelisk several feet high is in the Vallejo cemetery near the front.
Fraternally,
Walter F. Dimmick
We all had a wonderful time and it was really good to see faces that had been away for some time.
Fraternally,
Brother Lou Orozco Junior Warden
"Thoughts From My Ten Years In The Lodge"
I was asked to write down the seven thoughts from my ten years as being a Mason, that I shared with the Lodge at the Roll Call Meeting. There were:
* Who'se Afraid of Y2K? (My Year)
* Fear Sells. (9-11, TV, etc.)
* Be, Good. (ET, the movie)
* But goodness alone is never enough; a hard cold wisdom is necessary for goodness to accomplish good. (Stranger in a Strange Land, the book)
* Life's Not Fair. (The first 3 words in Disney's The Lion King movie)
* Don't Worry,
* Be Happy (Song, by Bobby McFarrin)
Patrick Bailey, PM
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