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.  I hope you have had a wonderful summer, and for those of you who belong to Lodges that normally go dark in July and August, that you are eager to start visiting and meeting again on a regular basis.  With fall in the air, I look forward to seeing more of Brothers that may not have traveled for a while.

One of the things that strikes me as troublesome to many Masons is a difficulty in explaining to curious or interested outsiders “what do you Masons do?”  I am afraid that many of us immediately think of our usual meetings as the context to explain who we are and what we do.  Meetings are not our purpose any more than business meetings are the purpose of a corporation that manufactures widgets, or sells products.  Lodge meetings are conduits to conduct proper financial and action communications to its members, while enjoying each others’ company on a social level, and perhaps being educated or entertained by a program or speaker.  What is our product then?

Review the lessons taught to you in your degrees.  Reflect for a moment on our Grand Lodge Vision Statement.  It will give you a positive image of not only what we hope to be, but what you should be doing to make that vision a reality.  Here is a reminder:

“Freemasons of Washington will be recognized as a relevant and respected Fraternity, committed to attracting and retaining all men of high quality who strive for self improvement and the opportunity to make a positive difference in their community.”

Self improvement and making a positive difference in their community can take many forms, but meaningful ways to achieve that at a personal level that reflects back on us all can be to provide service to your Lodge and community, and to give generously in the name of charity.  Service and charity go hand in hand.  Not every Mason has great financial resources, but if you remember to stop grousing about the cost of certain benefits or opportunities that come your way and embrace them for the underlying charitable causes we support, then you should feel happier for having helped out.  Here are a couple of examples.  For years, Grand Masters have developed unique lapel pins.  And in the past couple of years, a commemorative coin has been minted.  Both these symbols are used to fund the Masonic youth groups.  Last year, sales of the coins generated $9,000 each to the Job’s Daughters, the DeMolay, and Rainbow for Girls.  That money helps these young people who will grow up knowing what we represent and perhaps joining our adult organizations later.  Besides a great dinner, last year’s joint District Four and Five Meeting and Reception of the Grand Master raised $2,000 each for both the Seattle Youth Symphony and the Ballard Food Bank.  There is also the District Four Scholarship Program that awards ten $1,000 scholarships to deserving high school students on their way to college.  There are plenty of other opportunities to give as generously as you can to support youth and the community.  Please don’t let your Lodge be the one who pays for all our charity.  Get involved.

Service is another duty that calls to Masons.  Make sure you are actively involved in the committees and public service programs that your Lodge has decided to support.  If they are not involved as much as they should be, don’t look around for “somebody” to do it, or “nobody” will do it instead.  Almost anything worth doing “anybody” could do, but “everybody” needs to pitch in.  Take it upon yourself to promote and staff projects that get you and your members personally involved.  Teamwork is addictive and fun.

I am especially proud of the activity I have witnessed in District Four by Doric and Maritime Lodges to form the Fremont Masonic Association which combines resources from two lodges to reach out within their neighborhood.  There are some very active Brothers in these Lodges that are inspiring each other for positive visibility and aid.

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.