Spring!?!?!?!
How can that be?
Only in Ohio can you have sunny 70 degree days in winter,
followed by snowy 19 degree days in spring.
Or at least that is how it seems most times. The weather has been unpredictable, at least
according to the local prognosticators.
Our favorite weather-related headline of the season?
“We face 'new normal' of
extremes.”
Meteorologists everywhere
salivated when that headline broke.
Although we have been
huddling close to the fire enjoying the advent of spring, we have stayed
busy. One of our larger projects is one
that has a low profile, but which has much potential.
Over the past several years
Lodge operations and communications have slowly migrated to a digital format,
replacing many of the files and ledger books with digital equivalents. Although we still create and preserve paper
documents, including meeting minutes, most have a digital origin or
equivalent. This shift has allowed for greater
sharing of appropriate information, more flexible access when requested, and
more timely responses to requests. It
also permits multiple backup copies, stored in multiple locations, with very
little effort.
A key component of this
process has been the MORI system
(Masonic Online Registry Interface) offered through the Grand Lodge of
Ohio. First used by the Grand Lodge of
New York, this system integrates finances, mailings, and Lodge member
information. It automates time-consuming
functions and provides a mechanism to track activity over a lifetime. The individual Lodge is only required to have
a computer with internet access, as the program and information are stored on
servers designated for Grand Lodge. To
facilitate this process, the Lodge purchased a laptop, which has already proven
handy.
The most recent instance
was a time sensitive question to be posed to a District Officer. During the meeting the District Officer in
question was emailed, with a timely response received shortly after. During the brief interlude the member
disclosed that his contact information had changed. After logging onto MORI the correct
information was entered and was immediately available. The total time for this? Less than 10 minutes, without postage or
carbon paper. Although this doesn't
simplify every function, it allows us to shift our focus on other concerns.
As a further note on
electronic communications, information dispersed by Grand Lodge and the 15th
District has slowly shifted toward email and web sites. Use of email has become more frequent for
meeting notices, invitations, and time sensitive information. Web sites such as are used by the Grand Lodge
and 15th District, and our own Lodge, are increasingly used
throughout Masonry. Frequently they
convey details for projects and activities, Lodge Education materials, and numerous
forms, such as petitions for membership.
A few even permit notification to subscribers when their content
changes, but many don’t. For this
reason, we encourage you to frequent those links on the left of our page to
stay up to date.
A topic new this year is the
Pay It Forward program implemented by the Grand Lodge. It formalizes an old activity, assisting
others to join the fraternity, but expands the scope significantly. The content below further explains the
program, and is borrowed from the Grand Lodge site:
Pay it Forward Program gives the Gift of Freemasonry
The Pay It Forward program allows a person to donate up to $150 towards the
initiation fee of a specifically named individual to be used at any Ohio Lodge
or to donate up to $150 to a specific lodge, which can use it for any future
petitioner.
For example,
the program will allow a Mason to donate towards the future initiation fee of
his nephew, who would be able to petition any Ohio
lodge with the amount his uncle’s donation going towards the initiation fee, or
a Mason may donate to benefit a specific lodge, which will choose which future
petitioner should benefit from the gift.
The
Process
An
individual donates up to $150 through a local lodge and completes the Pay it Forward form, specifying either a
specific future petitioner or a specific lodge. The lodge immediately forwards
the donation and form to the Grand Secretary. The Grand Secretary will issue to
the donor a Pay It Forward certificate in the name of the specified future
petitioner or a certificate to the specified lodge for the unnamed future
petitioner. Upon notification of the death of the donor or at any other time at
the request of the donor, the Grand Secretary will send a letter and a copy of
the certificate to the individual named on the certificate, notifying him of
the wishes of the donor.
“The Pay It Forward program
simply formalizes a very old custom,” explained Grand Master Easterling. My
father paid for my initiation fee when I joined National Lodge, and towards the
end of his life, he gave me an hundred dollar bill to keep for my brother. I
carried that bill in my wallet until he expressed an interest to join. I am
very excited that this program has been created, allowing more individuals to
benefit”
As our final concern for
this posting, we have a new list of activities for your calendar. It promises to be a busy time.
April 17, 2013 Masonic Service Awards. Dinner at 6:30pm, Lodge opens at 7:30pm.
April 22, 2013. Masonic
Night at the Aladdin Shrine Center in Columbus. This is a
Blue Lodge event rather than a Shrine event.
Doors open at 6:00pm, with Lodge opening at 6:45pm. Bring your dues card! Aprons will be available, but bring your own
if possible. The highlight of the
evening will be the presentation of the MM degree by the Aladdin Past Masters
Unit. Refreshments will be served
following.
June 9, 2013. Ohio Masonic Home Day, in Springfield, OH. Program
details will be available at http://freemason.com// .
June
28, 2013. Ohio
Special Olympics opening ceremonies at the Jesse Owens Sports Complex at
the OSU campus in Columbus.
September 4, 2013. First
meeting of the fall.
September 7, 2013. Annual Meeting of the 15th
Masonic District. Held at Oliver
#447 at 9am. This meeting
establishes the dates and events for the coming year, and is open to all
members.
September 15, 2013. 15th District Awards Night. Held at the Plaza Inn, Mt. Victory, at 6pm,
hosted by LaRue #463.
November 9, 2013. 15th District Secretary Meeting. Held at Mt. Gilead #206 at 9am. Attendance is not restricted to Lodge
Secretaries.
December 7, 2013. 15th District Past Master’s Convocation. Held at East Liberty #247 at 9am.
That is the list as we know it. We will be posting information regarding our
Service Awards program as soon as it is available. If you know of other dates that should be
included, please contact us.
See you in Lodge!
.
