Calendar Update – Part Deux !

(revised 3-21-16)

As mentioned in our previous post, things change.  Much like the ripples caused by casting a pebble in a pond, even the slightest change can have far-reaching results.  That describes our candidate situation pretty well.

We had good attendance for our pizza dinner, except for the candidates.  We anticipated one, or possibly two, FC degrees at our last meeting.  One wasn’t ready to return the exam, and the other was at home, suffering with a back injury.  Our adjustment requires some explanation.

We were prepared to confer the FC degree on one or both of our candidates at our last meeting, but life got in the way.  As a result, we are targeting the April 6^th meeting to “finish” our FC work.  There will be a dinner at 6:30pm that evening, menu to be determined. 

Our plan for the MM experience includes all three candidates and a Special Saturday meeting.  Ohio readers may be aware of a recent procedure change that permits multiple candidates to receive the same degree at one time.  This process has some similarity to the Grand Master’s One Day Classes held in recent years, but was deemed too unwieldy for our situation.  Instead, we will hold a Special Meeting on a Saturday, most likely in April or May, and confer each of the three MM degrees individually, with the lecture and charge done collectively.  In discussion of the situation we came up with the following questions, which might also have occurred to you:

Will that make for a long day? 

Not as long as if we tried doing this at a Stated Meeting.

Will there be arrangements for a meal? 

Yes, probably a luncheon, but at this time details have not been ironed out.

Why not take advantage of the new process permitted by Grand Lodge?  While several aspects are attractive, the resources required to confer the MM degree exceed ours.

Would the new process permitted by the Grand Lodge fit our situation in the future?

Possibly, but most likely in the EA or FC degrees. 

Does implementation of the new process permitted by the Grand Lodge restrict this plan?

No.  The new Grand Lodge process does not replace, but offers an alternative to the standard procedures. 

So, without further ado, here is our calendar as we now know it:

March 27, 2016                    Easter

April 6, 2016                         Dinner at 6:30pm.

Stated meeting.  Probable FCs scheduled (see above).

April 8, 2016                         15th District Grand Master’s Reception at 7pm at Marion #70.  Doors open at 6, and the dinner features prime rib and chicken for $24. 

April 20, 2016                       Stated meeting. 

April – May 2016                 Saturday Special Meeting for MM degrees.

(see above)

May 4, 2016                          Stated meeting. 

May 8, 2016                          Mother’s Day.  Despite the title, this isn’t an occasion to honor only your mom, but all of the women who have impacted your life.  Whether near or far, let them know how special they are.

May 18, 2016                        Stated meeting. 

May 30, 2016                        Memorial Day.  Originally called Decoration Day, it is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service of the United States of America.

That’s what we know for now.  See you at Lodge!

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