VWB Brian B. Hardy Deputy of the Grand Master in District 4 of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington for 2007-2009 Mailto: Brian B. Hardy

Greetings Brethren, from your newly appointed Deputy of the Grand Master in District Four!  I am writing this just before the 150th Annual Communication of Grand Lodge held in Kennewick, so I cannot report the outcome of many of the numerous resolutions that were to be considered there.  Hopefully, the Grand Line will have progressed as expected, and I will be duly installed as well. 

What a landmark this is for our Grand Jurisdiction.  Think about it.  A century and a half of good men like you from our neighborhoods, cities, state, country, and yes – from around the world – that have all helped shape our local Fraternity into what it is today.  The Grand Lodge of Washington is an innovative and progressive leader in our Craft in many areas, and you have been a part of it.  As you will learn this year, our new Grand Master, MWB Wayne I. Smith’s theme for this year is “Accentuate The Positive.”  This is a fitting theme, as sometimes we forget to reflect on how well we are doing from positive changes we have made.  Sure, there are still a lot of things that could be done to improve ourselves and our Lodges.  But, dwelling on problems or shortcomings without reminding ourselves that we have made significant progress doesn’t help us generate the pride and enthusiasm we need to retain our existing members and attract new ones as well.  Try and project a positive image of who you are and who we are, and it can make a big difference.

I am both honored and humbled to have been asked to serve as your Deputy by MWB Smith.  To those of you who have encouraged me to take on this challenge, I thank you as well as our Grand Master.  These are big shoes to fill.  I will do my personal best to follow the path laid down by those Deputies who have served this great District so well in the past.  Special thanks to VWB C. Blair Leckie who has just finished his two-year appointment.  I have been shadowing him the last few months as much as possible to see how this is done, and he certainly performed the duties with style and with leadership abilities I envy.  I hope you will work with me as well as you did with him.

Who am I?  I am a Past Master of Occidental Lodge No. 72 (2001), the current Master of Walter F. Meier Lodge of Research No 281, and I am also serving on the Grand Lodge Long Range Planning Committee.  In the past, I have served this District in the various roles of our Masonic Lodge Association and also served on the GL Information Technology committee.  I am getting back in the saddle again having taken a break from many activities due to the loss of my wife Kathy to cancer three years ago.  I’m still a “working man.”  My two “kids” are young adults.  My daughter is engaged in Philadelphia, and my son (who is still at home) doesn’t need my time anymore.

I am looking forward to visiting all your Lodges as frequently as possible so that I may be able to perform my duties as Deputy.  I want to meet each and every one of you to learn what motivates you, what you and your Lodges are doing, and to help you as best I can.

District Four is growing!  We have grown from five to seven Lodges again rather quickly.  MWB Charles McQuery reassigned Rainier Lodge No. 189 from District 6 back in April, and on June 13th, he reassigned Walter F. Meier Lodge of Research No. 281 back from District 5.  Both of these moves were to help balance the number of Lodges under each District in the area.  A warm welcome to Rainier 189, and Walter F. Meier 281.

Just because it is summer doesn’t mean there aren’t Masonic activities going on in and around our District.  Check out the District 4 and Grand Lodge web sites to see what is going on.  Among other things:  Maritime 239 has a Stated Communication on July 9, a D4 golf event at the Nile on July 15, the Greenwood Seafair Parade is July 25, and the Open Air 3rd degree at the Granite Falls Masonic park on August 4.

Get involved, be positive, and good things will happen.

Thanks to both the District Deputy of the Grand Master in District 4, and the Masonic Monitor which publishes his articles for allowing us to reprint them.  The Masonic Monitor is published monthly (except August) under approval of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington.  The Masonic Monitor can be contacted at: 6619 132nd Avenue NE, PMB 237, Kirkland, WA, 98033-8627, USA.  Phone: (425) 822-4605 - FAX: (425) 822-2535 - Email: masonicmonitor@earthlink.net.