I go to a small country lodge. We try to do something for first responders annually, but we aren’t hugely philanthropic. We have an adequate building that was built in 1956, the year my grandfather was in the East, after our 2 story cypress bldg burned down. But we have some great meals, and great fellowship…and I’d say our ritual is pretty good a lot of times. I agree with you, that’s what’s important. We aren’t a charity or a bank, we are a 501C10 fraternal order. Even the IRS knows what we REALLY are. 😁
It is interesting that you point out the fact that we are 501c10's and not 501c3's. I've sometimes tried to convince some Brothers that there is more to Freemasonry than our institutional scale charitable endeavors, but perhaps in the future I can mention that we aren't even classed that way by the tax code.
Well…the truth is that a Freemasonry is a fraternal order geared at self improvement. It is no, and never has been, a charity. That’s reflected in our governmental designation and our work. That is why money given directly to a lodge or Grand Lodge is not tax deductible and Grand Lodge’s had to set up additional entities. The charity referred to in our work refers to us being charitable toward one another.
Charitable acts we do outside of our fraternity is the outpouring of sympathy from men who understand the human condition.
If the first part of the statement is done well, the second part will naturally result. "Effectively" is, in my opinion, the operative word in that statement. This would formally begin during the three degrees, by presenting the principles and tenets of our organization in an experience one could draw from over a lifetime. Then, to continue at every meeting of the Lodge to reinforce and expand these principles.
We should therefore seek to identify and promote effective means of conveying these principles, especially those relevant to modern men. We should encourage trying new things, likely failing a bit before we get it right. If our Lodge meetings look and feel the same as they did a decade ago (2013), we’re probably lagging behind as an organization.
It's been exciting to see the growth of Masonic education and discussions online, to include this Substack, but we are best when we are in person. Creating lively and engaging programs will not only demonstrate our effectiveness but draw in other men to the work.
My unasked for suggestions? Effective Masonry happens in a Lodge when the following is done:
1. Established and pursuing a Lodge mission and vision,
2. Officer teams’ ritual is accurate and engaging,
3. Lodge space is clean and inspiring,
4. Meeting agenda is scrubbed to maximize value-added material,
5. Public image (social media, website, public meals) is respectable.
Nothing is more uninspiring than a directionless Lodge giving ineffective ritual in a dirty space discussing mundane topics about a group that people don’t want to be associated with publicly.
Conversely, who wouldn’t want to be a part of a group that is growing with a purpose, showcasing proficient and motivated leaders in a proper Lodge room, respecting men’s time and creating an image that they want to associate with publicly.
To be fair, this checklist could be applied to every organization. I’d want my dentist to be checking all these boxes. Their universality might prove their correctness.
>>>It's been exciting to see the growth of Masonic education and discussions online, to include >>>this Substack, but we are best when we are in person.
Despite being Grand Supreme Head Honcho, Prince And King here, I have to agree.
Online discussions are great, but in-person Masonry is where it's all at. I don't forget that I actually started this Substack (and it's precursor before finding this platform) during the Pandemic, when we were unable to meet in-person. It was meant to be a substitute, not a replacement.
Towards that end, I've been thinking about a Lodge meeting I attended two or three weeks ago. It wasn't a particularly good meeting by any objective standard. The things discussed were dull, and it took far too long.
But I had more fun in that particular Lodge meeting than I've had in a Lodge in a long time. The right mix of Brothers were there, all with good relationships, and it was just a great experience. There is truly something special about a Lodge when everyone comes together with the correct mindset.
Hi Brother Cameron I need some help about someone I thought you had written about. Albert pike while following your blog? I am I right in thinking he was a brother. As I have a church of England vicar who is a pal of mine who talked at pike and I said thought he was a brother and he asked me how I could find out? So I told him about you help?
Yes indeed, Albert Pike was a Freemason. A Freemason with a massive impact here in the United States.
Also, a Freemason who has had his work badly taken out of context and distorted. If folks tell you things like he wrote about being a Satanist, or that Freemasonry is Satanic, or that he predicted a third world war... It is best to check the sources for oneself. None of that nonsense is true. As can be easily proven by reading his actual writings.
Here in the US, one of our most beloved Presidents was Teddy Roosevelt. He visited a Lodge in my Jurisdiction and they have a photo of him standing in the East, gavel in hand. They are super in awe of that. Another Lodge has their visitor register showing the night that Albert Pike visited their Lodge. They are just as in awe of that as the TR Lodge is of their famous visitor.
I know that in many places of the world, Bro. Pike isn't thought of with the same reverence he is here, but here he is a towering figure within Freemasonry.
I go to a small country lodge. We try to do something for first responders annually, but we aren’t hugely philanthropic. We have an adequate building that was built in 1956, the year my grandfather was in the East, after our 2 story cypress bldg burned down. But we have some great meals, and great fellowship…and I’d say our ritual is pretty good a lot of times. I agree with you, that’s what’s important. We aren’t a charity or a bank, we are a 501C10 fraternal order. Even the IRS knows what we REALLY are. 😁
It is interesting that you point out the fact that we are 501c10's and not 501c3's. I've sometimes tried to convince some Brothers that there is more to Freemasonry than our institutional scale charitable endeavors, but perhaps in the future I can mention that we aren't even classed that way by the tax code.
Well…the truth is that a Freemasonry is a fraternal order geared at self improvement. It is no, and never has been, a charity. That’s reflected in our governmental designation and our work. That is why money given directly to a lodge or Grand Lodge is not tax deductible and Grand Lodge’s had to set up additional entities. The charity referred to in our work refers to us being charitable toward one another.
Charitable acts we do outside of our fraternity is the outpouring of sympathy from men who understand the human condition.
I hope you don't mind but I shared this to my Lodge page
No, of course I don't mind, I'm honored! Thanks Brother, and please always feel free to share!
SHOUT THIS FROM THE MOUNTAINTOPS!
Thank you Brother!
A few simple sentences that perfectly drives home what we should be.
Now if only it reaches ears that hear.
The converse is also true. If we don't take care of that which is important, we will find that our Lodges will not grow and become stable.
Yes, exactly correct.
You're on a roll this week, Most Worshipful.
Keep it up!
Thanks VW!
If the first part of the statement is done well, the second part will naturally result. "Effectively" is, in my opinion, the operative word in that statement. This would formally begin during the three degrees, by presenting the principles and tenets of our organization in an experience one could draw from over a lifetime. Then, to continue at every meeting of the Lodge to reinforce and expand these principles.
We should therefore seek to identify and promote effective means of conveying these principles, especially those relevant to modern men. We should encourage trying new things, likely failing a bit before we get it right. If our Lodge meetings look and feel the same as they did a decade ago (2013), we’re probably lagging behind as an organization.
It's been exciting to see the growth of Masonic education and discussions online, to include this Substack, but we are best when we are in person. Creating lively and engaging programs will not only demonstrate our effectiveness but draw in other men to the work.
My unasked for suggestions? Effective Masonry happens in a Lodge when the following is done:
1. Established and pursuing a Lodge mission and vision,
2. Officer teams’ ritual is accurate and engaging,
3. Lodge space is clean and inspiring,
4. Meeting agenda is scrubbed to maximize value-added material,
5. Public image (social media, website, public meals) is respectable.
Nothing is more uninspiring than a directionless Lodge giving ineffective ritual in a dirty space discussing mundane topics about a group that people don’t want to be associated with publicly.
Conversely, who wouldn’t want to be a part of a group that is growing with a purpose, showcasing proficient and motivated leaders in a proper Lodge room, respecting men’s time and creating an image that they want to associate with publicly.
To be fair, this checklist could be applied to every organization. I’d want my dentist to be checking all these boxes. Their universality might prove their correctness.
>>>It's been exciting to see the growth of Masonic education and discussions online, to include >>>this Substack, but we are best when we are in person.
Despite being Grand Supreme Head Honcho, Prince And King here, I have to agree.
Online discussions are great, but in-person Masonry is where it's all at. I don't forget that I actually started this Substack (and it's precursor before finding this platform) during the Pandemic, when we were unable to meet in-person. It was meant to be a substitute, not a replacement.
Towards that end, I've been thinking about a Lodge meeting I attended two or three weeks ago. It wasn't a particularly good meeting by any objective standard. The things discussed were dull, and it took far too long.
But I had more fun in that particular Lodge meeting than I've had in a Lodge in a long time. The right mix of Brothers were there, all with good relationships, and it was just a great experience. There is truly something special about a Lodge when everyone comes together with the correct mindset.
Hi Brother Cameron I need some help about someone I thought you had written about. Albert pike while following your blog? I am I right in thinking he was a brother. As I have a church of England vicar who is a pal of mine who talked at pike and I said thought he was a brother and he asked me how I could find out? So I told him about you help?
W Brother:
Yes indeed, Albert Pike was a Freemason. A Freemason with a massive impact here in the United States.
Also, a Freemason who has had his work badly taken out of context and distorted. If folks tell you things like he wrote about being a Satanist, or that Freemasonry is Satanic, or that he predicted a third world war... It is best to check the sources for oneself. None of that nonsense is true. As can be easily proven by reading his actual writings.
Here in the US, one of our most beloved Presidents was Teddy Roosevelt. He visited a Lodge in my Jurisdiction and they have a photo of him standing in the East, gavel in hand. They are super in awe of that. Another Lodge has their visitor register showing the night that Albert Pike visited their Lodge. They are just as in awe of that as the TR Lodge is of their famous visitor.
I know that in many places of the world, Bro. Pike isn't thought of with the same reverence he is here, but here he is a towering figure within Freemasonry.