Happy New
Year!
OK, that greeting is slightly
belated, but we’ve been busy. Since our
last posting we’ve experienced numerous parades, the 12 days of Christmas, 24
days of college bowl games, and New Year’s Eve celebrations that found most of
us exhausted by 10:30pm. Both the gift-giving and gift-returning
seasons are now in our rear view mirrors, and while college football continues
with a flurry of all-star games, those are quickly winding down too. What does that mean for us? Time to get back to work!
With the J.C. Musser Work Day now behind us, Inspection season
starts in earnest this weekend at Mt. Gilead #206. As
indicated, our inspection is March 23rd, and the last inspection of the season
is listed as April 13 at Bellefontaine #209.
The full schedule is listed on the 15th District web site,
available through the link on the left.
Please check their information frequently for updates or adjustments, as
changes are posted whenever they are received.
There are dates on our
calendar of note. Obviously our
Inspection is one of the more important, but the Grand
Master’s Reception for the 15th Masonic District occurs the
same weekend. This year it will again be
held at the Huntsville Events Center in Huntsville, Ohio, on Friday,
March 22nd. Ticket information is
not yet available, but details should be shared soon. For those who have never attended, this is an
opportunity to meet and mingle with the Grand Lodge officers and their ladies,
as well as members and officers of other Lodges within the 15th
District. It is a great opportunity to
talk to those responsible for guiding the craft, and receiving personal insight
into what goes on behind the scenes.
With the recent relocation of the Grand Lodge office to the Springfield Masonic Center, this will certainly be one of the more active
topics.
One of our favorite segments
of the Grand Master’s Reception is presentation of the Grand
Master’s Excellence in Youth Award.
This is given to a young person who displays the qualities of
leadership, character, and community involvement which are prized by our
fraternity. This year we were pleased to
nominate two young people for consideration of this award, feeling they are
certainly deserving of this recognition.
For those who have not kept
track at home, we have had considerable good fortune with previous
nominations. Our track record reflects
that for 8 consecutive years a young person nominated by our Lodge has been
selected for this award. We would love to take sole credit for such an
accomplishment, but can’t. The real
credit is due to the young people, supported by their parents and families, who
choose to display the qualities of character and community involvement which
are the focus of the award. While each community has them, we are pleased to
assist in seeing ours receive proper recognition.
Frequent readers will recall
discussions on the MORI system adopted by Grand Lodge several years ago. It allows Lodges to track membership
information, and provides a convenient method of organizing the financial
aspects of Lodge operation. We have
participated since its introduction, and have attended a variety of training
opportunities on the topic. Last year
participation in this system became mandatory for all Lodges in Ohio, rather than voluntary. The resulting changes in our operation have
been subtle but steady. Previously
during meetings, all member information could be obtained by opening the proper
file drawer and selecting the correct folder.
Now that is not the case. With
implementation of the MORI system, internet access is required to perform the
same functions or retrieve information.
At the first meeting in
January the Lodge voted to obtain a new laptop computer to assist with the MORI
activities, and to investigate the options for internet access for our
Lodge. Although we are only in the
initial phase at this time, we hope to have things in place soon to take full
advantage of MORI’s many features.
During our implementation discussions a member brought up the humble
beginnings of our Lodge. He told us to think
back to that group of Brothers huddled in the covered bridge on their way home
from Richwood in the early 1870’s.
Imagine the looks on their faces had they been able to see the
flickering screen of a laptop bringing images from around the world, or pulling
up their membership information by striking a few keys. It makes you wonder what the next 140+ years
will bring.
At our next meeting (or
three) we will be practicing the FC degree in preparation for Inspection. Shortly after we will be scheduling a Masonic
Awards program, complete with dinner. We
will post the dates as soon as they are determined. Until then,
See you at Lodge!
.
