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

Brothers, first let me extend fraternal greetings to you from our Grand Master, MWB Douglas E. Tucker. 

In serving you as Deputy of the Grand Master for the last couple of years, I have visited all our lodges as frequently as I possibly can.  There are a number of reasons for doing this.  One would of course be, so I could get to know you better as a lodge so I can report to the Grand Master my assessment of what your strengths, weaknesses, and needs might be.  Another would be, to assist you in the management of your lodges when requested, and to support you when asked.  Those are the official duties of a Deputy.  However, at a more personal level, the reason I enjoy visiting you so often is because I have developed a warm feeling for you all as Brothers, and I want to share those experiences with you. 

That reminds me, and I hope it reminds you, that we are primarily a fraternal organization.  One of the principal characteristics of a fraternity is an implication that we freely associate with one another for mutually beneficial purposes, and that we expand upon the opportunities we have been given to support each other - like siblings, or brothers.  We have all promised to do that.

In my travels, I cannot help but notice a pattern that disturbs me.  I know you have noticed it too.  Many times, and in a number of our lodges, there are officer’s places or stations that are open or unfilled, or there are only a few other members present.  And in some instances, I have found myself to be the only visitor present, or with only one or two other visitors.  Look at your Tyler’s Register.  Where are the other members?  Where are the Past Masters?  Where are the other Masters and Wardens from our District?  Where are the visiting Brethren?  What is each of us doing as an individual member or officer to correct this?  In order to support each other we need to do our best to be present at the meetings and events of not only the particular lodge(s) we belong to, but also, to make an effort to be present at at least some of the meetings and events of other nearby lodges when we can, to be at our MLA meetings, and to be at our District Scholarship events.  These are all opportunities we have as Brothers to generate true friendships and work together on being a fraternity, and not just a lodge. 

We all know that work and family come first, but we need to prioritize expanding our relationships with one another.  I am so glad that there has been a renewed effort to win the Traveling Gavel over the last few months, but I would admonish all Masters (and those rising to that position) to make sure your programs include a few nights with your members in visiting other lodges - simply to be there and to share with each other - to build the feeling of fraternalism. 

In a similar manner, to be able to help realize our Grand Master’s objective for the year to “Pass It On”, we need to do what we can to make sure our older members can come to lodge, or go visit them when they are not able to.  And to those older members who may be staying away because you feel you are not wanted or needed, or that your current line isn’t doing what you like, come back and help them grow.  They do need you, and they want you to be there, so they can grow from your knowledge, as well as inspire our candidates and show them that you belong as well.

For events from last month:  I would like to report that we had a very nice Past Master’s degree on Monday, March 2nd at the Doric Masonic Center.  There were six first-time Masters or Masters who had not yet been inducted into that degree present, including a Master from District 5.  I wished there were more Past Masters present in the stations and on the side lines, but that is something I hope we work on for next year.  It’s too early to announce how the District Lodge Competition went on Monday, March 30th, but I am expecting to let you know next month.

Please read the other articles in the rest of the Masonic Monitor for information about activities going on in April, and then see if you can attend some.  I have a number of “official visitations” to our lodges in April, and since some of you will have been practicing for the Lodge Competition at the end of March, I am absolutely certain that you will do excellent work at those meetings.  Now go work on that fraternalism; it’s important, and it’s a core value we all seek and want. 

See you in Lodge.

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.