Uncharted territory

Greetings.

To say 2020 has been an unusual experience would be the understatement of the century.  Our long-term members don’t recall anything similar, and a glance at our records for the first 100 years fails to reveal anything close.  Suffice it to say we are in uncharted territory.

Locally, what has changed since our last post?

On a practical level, not much.  We customarily do not meet during the summer.  Standing Resolutions provide for the payment of bills and all routine expenses of the Lodge, which has allowed us to take care of things like utility bills during our shutdown. What has changed is that for obvious reasons we are unable to make significant future plans. 

Within the District, what has changed since our last post?

Many events and activities were placed on hold, postponed, or cancelled.  This included the 15^th District Grand Master’s Reception, and the Grand Master’s One Day Class.  Our last information is that the 15^th District Golf Outing is still “on”. 

Within the Fraternity, what has happened since our last post?

A full answer would require a recap of the 10 Edicts already issued by the Grand Master, and numerous notifications by the Grand Secretary’s office.  Instead of a full recap, here are three items worth highlighting:

1.  The Deputy Grand Master Rollout Programs have been changed from multiple in-person meetings to a single virtual meeting via the Grand View System.

2.  The Grand Lodge Annual Communication, customarily held in-person in October, is being changed to a virtual meeting via the Grand View System.

3.  Every communication includes a phrase referencing that “everything is subject to change”.

***  In case you didn’t notice a trend, the Grand Lodge of Ohio is expanding its use of the Grand View System to disseminate information to the membership.  If you have not yet established your account, doing so will allow you to stay up to date with events.

What are the concerns at this point?

As you might guess, there are many.  After reviewing all the factors, the common thread seems to be the restrictions on meetings.  This references state, local, and Grand Lodge restrictions on meeting attendance, location, and circumstance.  As example, the current situation is not conducive to performing degree work, or even having large meetings.

Why is that a big deal?

As an observation, the fraternity seems to function on schedules set months and years in advance.  To its credit, this has worked well for the past couple hundred years.  Unfortunately, we now have only vague definitions of requirements and restrictions that might be in place next week, next month, or possibly next year.   As a result, something as simple as not being able to have a single meeting, like the 15^th District Annual Meeting each September, creates significant ripples.  Using that as an example, everything usually resolved during that meeting would have to be resolved in other ways.  This would include election of District Officers and establishing the Inspection schedule for the coming year.  Those are minor activities in the world view, but significant obstacles at the Lodge level.

Is Ohio the only Grand Jurisdiction in this situation?

Not hardly.  We regularly receive communications from other Grand Jurisdictions in the form of newsletters, web sites, and social media posts.  Each has cited similar issues, and appear no closer to a solution.

While we forge a path through this interesting time our best suggestion for proceeding comes from an earlier post:

1 - Follow the restrictions placed into effect to address possible exposure to and treatment of the Corona virus.  
2 - Follow the great tenets of Freemasonry:  Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth.
3 - Check on your Brothers and neighbors, especially those who may be in the higher risk groups.  Resist the urge to just "stop by".  Instead, consider calling, texting, or video chats.  
 

We will post additional information as it is made known to us.  In the meantime, take care of yourself and your loved ones.

UPDATE!

The Grand Master has extended the date referenced below.  Instead of expiring on May 31st, the date has been extended through June 12, 2020.  

Please adjust your calendars accordingly.

ALL Lodge Activities CANCELLED through May 31, 2020

This is an update to our previous post.

On May 5, 2020, The Grand Master extended his previous order ceasing operation of Masonic Lodges through May 31, 2020.  The Grand Master also provided a letter detailing some of the concerns and issues that resulted in this decision.

The extension was not entirely unexpected, as the decision was based on the “Stay Safe Ohio” plan.  What is unknown is when we will actually return to Labor.

With the current Edict, we will not be having meetings during the month of May.  In addition, we’d like to share a word about our anticipated meeting schedule. 

We adhere to the thought that Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, and Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer.  No, we aren’t seaside shop owners courting tourists, although that doesn’t sound so bad.  Instead, we are a community closely tied to agricultural pursuits.  One of the byproducts of that reality is a membership unlikely to attend meetings during this period. 

Masonic Lodges are not permitted to cancel meetings.  This is similar in thought to the unofficial Post Office motto: 

Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds

The exception in our case is that we don’t have appointed rounds, only appointed days and times.  When conditions make travel or attendance unsafe, uncomfortable, or inconvenient, we advise members to attend to their necessary vocations and welfare.  “What does this mean to me?”  It means that if you arrive for a Lodge meeting before September 2nd, you will most likely be alone – unless you brought a friend.

Usually there are many items on the calendar.  Due to the extended restrictions related to the pandemic, that is not the case for this post:

- The Grand Master’s One Day Class has been cancelled

- Ohio Masonic Home Day activities have been cancelled

- Ohio Special Olympics has been cancelled

- There has not been any public discussion of Deputy Grand Master Rollout Programs, which usually occur during July and August. 

In short, if you were planning on attending a Masonic function in Ohio in the next few weeks, you may want to recheck to see if it is still on. 

We expect concern and questions, as we have many ourselves.  Some that we can answer are below:

What does that mean for me?
There will be no activities at the Lodge, or related to the Lodge, until September 2nd.

When will our next meeting be?
Tentatively, Wednesday, September 2, 2020.

Are you sure about that date?
No.  The Grand Master is on record as updating his directive as changes develop.  That could mean both ending or extending the restriction.

Is Ohio the only Grand Jurisdiction taking this action?
No.  Michigan and Indiana have also done this, plus others in the United States.  We have also been informed that Grand Jurisdictions in other countries have taken similar action.  These include Scotland and England, the latter of which suspended all activities for a period of 4 months.

What should I do until then?
1 - Follow the restrictions placed into effect to address possible exposure to and treatment of the Corona virus.
2 - Follow the great tenets of Freemasonry:  Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth.
3 - Check on your Brothers and neighbors, especially those who may be in the higher risk groups.  Resist the urge to just "stop by".  Instead, consider calling, texting, or video chats.  

We will post additional information as it is made known to us.  In the mean time, take care of yourself and your loved ones.

ALL Lodge Activities CANCELLED through May 10, 2020

To say this has been an experience like no other doesn't come close to what we have seen and heard in the past month.  Prior to this few if any of us have seen limits on gatherings, businesses ordered to close, or elections postponed.  Just hearing those topics discussed in the media is an odd feeling.

We now have another "first" to add to our unlikely list - temporary shuttering of Lodges.  Joining several other jurisdictions, the Grand Master of Masons in Ohio, F&AM, issued a directive that ALL Masonic events and activities be suspended through May 10, 2020.  Copied below is the "meat" of the directive:

"This applies to all masonic lodges, their craft clubs, committees, Temple Companies, social events, and district associations.  These guidelines and directives apply to all Ohio Masons including appendant Ohio Masonic orders."

We expect concern and questions, as we have many ourselves.  Some that we can answer are below:

What does that mean for me?
There will be no activities at the Lodge, or related to the Lodge, until at least May 11th.

When will our next meeting be?
Tentatively, Wednesday, May 20, 2020.

Are you sure about that date?
No.  The Grand Master is on record as updating his directive as changes develop.  That could mean both ending or extending the restriction.

Is Ohio the only Grand Jurisdiction taking this action?
No.  Michigan and Indiana have also done this, plus others in the United States.  We have also been informed that Grand Jurisdictions in other countries have taken similar action.  These include Scotland and England, the latter of which suspended all activities for a period of 4 months.

What should I do until then?
1 - Follow the restrictions placed into effect to address possible exposure to and treatment of the Corona virus.
2 - Follow the great tenets of Freemasonry:  Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth.
3 - Check on your Brothers and neighbors, especially those who may be in the higher risk groups.  Resist the urge to just "stop by".  Instead, consider calling, texting, or video chats.  

We will post additional information as it is made known to us.  In the mean time, take care of yourself and your loved ones.

Corona Virus Awareness

If you have paid attention to any of the many forms of media available (newspaper, TV, radio, internet, neighborhood gossip, etc.) you have probably heard of the Corona virus, or COVID-19.  Only months ago few had heard of it.  As of the time of this writing that has changed, and its impact has been far-reaching.  Sporting events are being held without fans, sports leagues are suspending their seasons, colleges are conducting “online only” classes, and some neighborhood schools have closed for short periods for cleaning and disinfecting.  Without a crystal ball, we don’t know how long this will impact our communities, but we know it has, and that is expected to continue.

As a result of the above, we feel responsible for addressing the many questions raised regarding our meetings and activities.  We are not medically trained, so no medical advice will be attempted.  Instead, we will borrow from a recent communication sent to Lodge Secretaries by MWB C. Michael Watson, Grand Secretary. Which is reproduced below.

***   ***   ***

Brethren,

With the outbreak of the Corona Virus and media attention, we are receiving questions regarding a Grand Lodge position or statement.

Yesterday, restrictions were placed on the three Ohio Masonic Home Communities. These restrictions applied to visitation by non-residents and are a result of directives issued by the CDC and recommendations by the Governor of Ohio. If similar restrictions were placed in your communities, the Grand Lodge would expect Ohio Masons to observe them and not violate a public safety directive.

Meetings and Inspections are not being cancelled.

Rather, individual personal judgement should be used to determine whether or not you attend the event. If you don’t feel well or are concerned about exposure, do not attend. Our Masonic Code does not provide for the cancelation of Stated Meetings. If you don’t have at least eight members of your Lodge present to open Lodge and conduct business, you simply do not hold a meeting.

For more information on how to protect yourself against common cold, flu and seasonal illness visit the Grand Lodge web site blog: https://www.freemason.com/blog/.

We will continue to follow this closely and will communicate any updates.

Fraternally,

C. Michael Watson, Secretary

Grand Lodge of Ohio F&AM

***   ***   ***

As you will note, Lodges are not permitted to cancel meetings, so we won’t.  However, the same standard we expect to be used during inclement conditions can be a guide in your personal decisions.  The following is copied from an earlier post on our web site:

***   ***   ***

Masonic Lodges are not permitted to cancel meetings.  This is similar in thought to the unofficial Post Office motto: 

Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds

The exception in our case is that we don’t have appointed rounds, only appointed days and times.  When conditions make travel or attendance unsafe, uncomfortable, or inconvenient, we advise members to attend to their necessary vocations and welfare. 

***   ***   ***

We hope this sufficiently explains the situation.  If not, and you have non-medical questions or concerns, please contact us.

Fraternally,

John Mathew, Secretary

It's Winter Time!

Is it:

Cold? Rainy? Snowy? Warm? Sunny? All of these?

Yes, that means it is winter in Ohio. This is the time of year when weather prognosticators make their real $. Snow overnight? Check. Torrential rains in the afternoon? Check. Anyone can predict spring rain, summer warmth, and bright colors in the fall. Real experts can handle whatever Ohio has in store during January and February.

Since our last post we have resumed our regular meeting schedule. Along with that, we have continued the pre-meeting dinner schedule which has become so popular. Menus are varied, frequently determined that morning. If you have a favorite food you'd like to see included, say so!  Not every meeting has to be preceded by prime rib and baked potato.

Our last post noted our 2020 Inspection requirement was completed in December. The popular phrase is “It's all over but the shouting”. In our case, it's all over but the paperwork. When the final report hits, it will be official. In the mean time, Inspection season continues. A link to the 15^th District web site will reveal the entire schedule, so it won't be duplicated here.

We have some dates below as a reminder. As additional details are available they will be posted.

 

May 9, 2020                Grand Master’s Class.

GM Keith Newton has announced his plan to hold a Grand Master’s Class in each District in Ohio on May 9^th.  Details to follow.

June 7, 2020                Ohio Masonic Home Day, Springfield, Ohio.

June 26, 2020                Ohio Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies.

August 29, 2020                Grand Master’s Motorcycle Ride for Charity,

September 18-20, 2020         GLO Fellowship, Fun, and Family Retreat.

GM Keith Newton has announced his plan to hold a family retreat at a state park.  More information to follow. 

This seems to cover our calendar as we know it.  For the remainder of your winter, remember to take time to sit back, relax, and stay warm.

See you in Lodge!