Does your Lodge have or maintain some form of written history of its significant events? A book or other record of the who, what, where, when, why and how of the Lodge and the men who have comprised it?
Do you think that compiling such things for ourselves and the men who come after us is important?
If your Lodge doesn’t have such a record, or only has one that is badly incomplete, how best can we work with our Brothers to create or update it?
As with each Thursday, we will have a Live Open Thread today for all those with a paid subscription to Emeth. We can discuss whatever is on anyone’s mind. The email opening the thread will go out at 8:00 AM Pacific Time.
I pray all is well with you and yours. Our Secretary for Silverdale Lodge keeps a record of our meetings, events and special functions in the archives of our Lodge. We also have traditional things we do each year that are handed down from one Master to the next. I’m currently helping my Senior Warden with his calendar of events for 2021-2022, to include some of those traditional things we do each year in preparation for his year in East.
I think it’s important to keep track of the wonderful things we’ve done and our time honored traditions so we can hand them down from one Master to the next keeping the spirit of our Lodge alive and well for generations to come.
First of all, if you haven’t already done so, you will need to establish a good relationship with your city. It’s difficult to help anyone else celebrate an important event if they don’t know who you are, or what you do. The worst case scenario is that you have 2 1/2 years to start from scratch. But from what I understand, your Lodge has done some Bikes 4 Books programs with the local schools, so you have at least a head-start.
You might want to contact our Public Relations committee and ask them for further assistance as to how you can get your Lodge more noticed through your Longview Daily News, and maybe your KEDO AM 1400 radio station. They know better how to get the word out better than I can.
And, of course, get more involved in your community, even if you’re already doing things. Get the Brothers busy. Even the ones who aren’t active in your Stated Communications might be interested in doing something community-oriented, but simply can’t make the meetings due to their work schedule or other commitments.
This all might be an uphill challenge, but the public exposure that results not only from the 100th anniversary celebrations, but the community involvement that surrounds it, will do well to strengthen your Lodge, not only in membership, but also in community respect.
I agree, I would certainly reach out to our Public Relations Committee for advice as the date grows closer.
If City Hall has a Masonic Cornerstone, certainly the Mayor could be approached about having it re-dedicated on the anniversary. Likewise the Lodge could be re-consecrated in a public ceremony.
I would also suggest that the Lodge have a book created discussing the history of both the City and the Lodge. I think that there would be a good deal of local interest in such a publication if it were done in an interesting manner. Such a book could be as large or as small as the Lodge budget would allow, and as the material would require.
Robert Morris Lodge to the north of Longview created a small booklet with its history some years ago, it was not large, but is interesting. Likewise just last evening I was given the history of St. John's Lodge in Seattle. St. John's went the opposite way of Robert Morris, theirs is in two hard bound volumes.
Likewise, as Bro. Mullis posts below, his Lodge in North Carolina did the same thing.
Monroe 244 does in Monroe NC. IMHO It is absolutely imperative that the Secretary Binds the minutes at the end of each year and puts them up as physical record. I wrote our history in to booklet. We did it as a tribute to the lodge passing 150 years old. Just a chronological collection of pics, newspaper articles and main activities. Looking back, we determined what we wanted to do going forward. It changed the culture of the Lodge. I met with the brothers in the lodge that had photos, history, etc. Spent time in the library going through news papers. etc. It was a year long and fun project.
There is a segment of about 30 years that the records were lost to a secretary's widow destroying them rather than turning them over to the lodge. Its a long story.
I have heard of this happening to Lodges here as well. It's a very sad thing, and I suppose a solid argument for requiring the Secretary to at least keep copies in the Lodge building.
The great irony of our Craft is that we have a great history that no one bothers to fully document. History is not a burden on the memory but an illumination of the soul. While there is much said and written about the history of Freemasonry from the sands of time, our modern history is not so forthcoming. A year and a half ago, I sat trying to write something interesting and meaningful of Masonic history as we were entering the Age of the Phage. Unfortunately, my Lodge, like most Lodges today only keeps minutes of meetings. Not very illuminating when all there are to see are business transactions and membership rolls. What did our brothers do to stave off the Pandemic of 1918? Who are our heroes in our midst’s during economic calamity or global conflict. Which brothers excelled in making our communities a better place to live?
At one point in time, anybody who was anybody was a member of a local Lodge. My old home Lodge was home to a Governor John R. Rogers, hosted a visit at one point of then Bro. Franklin D. Roosevelt to the Puyallup Fair and others.
I like to point to one famous brother who no one knows about.
A fellow by the name of Richard Vernon Hill, a member of Corinthian Lodge #38 in Puyallup.
Brother Vern Hill was a very unassuming Mason. He was a musician and in the early days of the 20th Century had his own traveling band. But that’s not why Vern Hill was famous. Brother Vern, during World War II had a very important job. He worked for the Office of Strategic Services, the predecessor to the Central Intelligence Agency. Captain Hill was stationed as a civilian in wartime China. His job was to help downed American pilots make it back to their units and home. He helped numerous downed airmen evade harm’s way to live and fight another day.
Nowhere in the annals of Corinthian Lodge was there any mention of the heroism of Captain Richard Vernon Hill. Not even a photograph.
The only reason I even know about the heroics of Captain Hill is that as a Commissioner with the Boy Scouts of America, I stumbled onto his history as I was helping a local troop prepare for plantings of American flags on Memorial Day weekend years ago at historic Woodbine Cemetery. Captain Hill is interred there, along with hundreds of many other heroes, Masonic or otherwise who find their resting place at Woodbine.
There must be hundreds of more stories like this in Lodges across our jurisdiction. Yet, nothing is recorded in the Lodge annals to recognize heroes such as Captain Hill. And if there are accounts, no one knows about them.
Martin Luther King once said "We are not makers of history. We are made by history." So it is with Masonry.
MW GM Brother Cameron, I trust all is well with you and yours.
I belong to 3 Lodges, I only attend 1 Lodge because of of distance & time, but more importantly, I believe I can only serve one Master. That is my Christian and Martial Science tenet of my personal belief system. I believe it is my responsibility and obligation to Love, Protect and Grow our Centralia Masonic Family. The last few years I have made efforts to get the Brothers to agree to do extend the East Stage and level the North doorway for the sake of safety and better access, with no avail. I have proposed in different aspects to upgrade the technology that can benefit our Lodge and still meet with opposition. It appears to me the very essence of the Brotherly Cement we all talk about is just that, talk. There is no oneness of mind in some areas, yet we profess be of one mind... this is not our strong point. In my observation of our Lodge, it has been dysfunctional in some areas and great in others...I believe, I have had the Vision (ideas) for a few years that can benefit our Lodge. How can I or we bring new Brothers into our Lodge (Masonry) when we do not model (behave) what we talk about? In the very limited experience in visiting Blue Lodges I have seen this. In the many years as a York Rite Mason I have seen this. What I perceive is that the collective mind set of my Brothers, is dominated by the template of fear & scarcity (living in the past). I believe in promoting the template of creative thinking, growth and abundance (creating the Future!) There are several luminaries that promote creativity vs scarcity, I believe if we studied the work of Stephen Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, first published in 1989, it is a business and self-help book written by Stephen Covey, presents an approach to being effective in attaining goals by aligning oneself to what he calls "true north" principles based on a character ethic that he presents as universal and timeless. The Grand Encampment Leadership program uses Stephen Covey's work. I have a rough draft of a curriculum that addresses Interpersonal Communications Methods of Change. Once I setup my Audio & Video Production Studio, I will produce this series first. It is my belief that getting new Brothers is secondary to really knowing and understanding the person in the mirror. In closing, it starts with me, to study and discipline myself how to become a better person, communicator and leader...My sincere gratitude's for your time and kind attendance on the Emeth site.
Addressing only one of your points, that of plural memberships.
I agree with you that one can only effectively lead in one Lodge at a time. I'm a member of four, but that is due to the fact that changes have come in my life. I do not believe that it is possible to be an effective principal officer in more than a single Lodge. I've seen men try to do it, say serve as Master of one, Secretary of another, Treasurer of a third, it just doesn't work. When a man is leading a Lodge, to be effective takes concentration and focus.
That's my view anyway, which I believe is in keeping with yours.
Fraternal greetings, MW and Brethren.
I pray all is well with you and yours. Our Secretary for Silverdale Lodge keeps a record of our meetings, events and special functions in the archives of our Lodge. We also have traditional things we do each year that are handed down from one Master to the next. I’m currently helping my Senior Warden with his calendar of events for 2021-2022, to include some of those traditional things we do each year in preparation for his year in East.
I think it’s important to keep track of the wonderful things we’ve done and our time honored traditions so we can hand them down from one Master to the next keeping the spirit of our Lodge alive and well for generations to come.
Have a blessed day.
Brother Todd, I agree with what you are doing and have said. That is what I have tried in the pass few years to get my Lodge to do...
Longview city and Lodge both turn 100 in 2024 (February and June, respectively).
We have 2.5 years to plan our celebrations.
How can we best help the city celebrate?
How can the city best help us celebrate?
First of all, if you haven’t already done so, you will need to establish a good relationship with your city. It’s difficult to help anyone else celebrate an important event if they don’t know who you are, or what you do. The worst case scenario is that you have 2 1/2 years to start from scratch. But from what I understand, your Lodge has done some Bikes 4 Books programs with the local schools, so you have at least a head-start.
You might want to contact our Public Relations committee and ask them for further assistance as to how you can get your Lodge more noticed through your Longview Daily News, and maybe your KEDO AM 1400 radio station. They know better how to get the word out better than I can.
And, of course, get more involved in your community, even if you’re already doing things. Get the Brothers busy. Even the ones who aren’t active in your Stated Communications might be interested in doing something community-oriented, but simply can’t make the meetings due to their work schedule or other commitments.
This all might be an uphill challenge, but the public exposure that results not only from the 100th anniversary celebrations, but the community involvement that surrounds it, will do well to strengthen your Lodge, not only in membership, but also in community respect.
I agree, I would certainly reach out to our Public Relations Committee for advice as the date grows closer.
If City Hall has a Masonic Cornerstone, certainly the Mayor could be approached about having it re-dedicated on the anniversary. Likewise the Lodge could be re-consecrated in a public ceremony.
I would also suggest that the Lodge have a book created discussing the history of both the City and the Lodge. I think that there would be a good deal of local interest in such a publication if it were done in an interesting manner. Such a book could be as large or as small as the Lodge budget would allow, and as the material would require.
Robert Morris Lodge to the north of Longview created a small booklet with its history some years ago, it was not large, but is interesting. Likewise just last evening I was given the history of St. John's Lodge in Seattle. St. John's went the opposite way of Robert Morris, theirs is in two hard bound volumes.
Likewise, as Bro. Mullis posts below, his Lodge in North Carolina did the same thing.
Monroe 244 does in Monroe NC. IMHO It is absolutely imperative that the Secretary Binds the minutes at the end of each year and puts them up as physical record. I wrote our history in to booklet. We did it as a tribute to the lodge passing 150 years old. Just a chronological collection of pics, newspaper articles and main activities. Looking back, we determined what we wanted to do going forward. It changed the culture of the Lodge. I met with the brothers in the lodge that had photos, history, etc. Spent time in the library going through news papers. etc. It was a year long and fun project.
https://www.lulu.com/shop/robert-mullis/shop/robert-mullis/a-history-of-monroe-244-af-am-1866-2016-150-years/paperback/product-18r5dr8j.html - The cost provides money to the Oxford Children's home as part of our fund raiser.
id be glad to send the digital copy to any one who whishes.
Thank you for posting about this Brother. I ordered a copy of your book, and I look forward to reading it!
Not professionally edited nor is it a narrative. It it more of a collection of facts events, notes and pics from sources dating back to 1866.
No worries, I look forward to it!
There is a segment of about 30 years that the records were lost to a secretary's widow destroying them rather than turning them over to the lodge. Its a long story.
I have heard of this happening to Lodges here as well. It's a very sad thing, and I suppose a solid argument for requiring the Secretary to at least keep copies in the Lodge building.
The great irony of our Craft is that we have a great history that no one bothers to fully document. History is not a burden on the memory but an illumination of the soul. While there is much said and written about the history of Freemasonry from the sands of time, our modern history is not so forthcoming. A year and a half ago, I sat trying to write something interesting and meaningful of Masonic history as we were entering the Age of the Phage. Unfortunately, my Lodge, like most Lodges today only keeps minutes of meetings. Not very illuminating when all there are to see are business transactions and membership rolls. What did our brothers do to stave off the Pandemic of 1918? Who are our heroes in our midst’s during economic calamity or global conflict. Which brothers excelled in making our communities a better place to live?
At one point in time, anybody who was anybody was a member of a local Lodge. My old home Lodge was home to a Governor John R. Rogers, hosted a visit at one point of then Bro. Franklin D. Roosevelt to the Puyallup Fair and others.
I like to point to one famous brother who no one knows about.
A fellow by the name of Richard Vernon Hill, a member of Corinthian Lodge #38 in Puyallup.
Brother Vern Hill was a very unassuming Mason. He was a musician and in the early days of the 20th Century had his own traveling band. But that’s not why Vern Hill was famous. Brother Vern, during World War II had a very important job. He worked for the Office of Strategic Services, the predecessor to the Central Intelligence Agency. Captain Hill was stationed as a civilian in wartime China. His job was to help downed American pilots make it back to their units and home. He helped numerous downed airmen evade harm’s way to live and fight another day.
Nowhere in the annals of Corinthian Lodge was there any mention of the heroism of Captain Richard Vernon Hill. Not even a photograph.
The only reason I even know about the heroics of Captain Hill is that as a Commissioner with the Boy Scouts of America, I stumbled onto his history as I was helping a local troop prepare for plantings of American flags on Memorial Day weekend years ago at historic Woodbine Cemetery. Captain Hill is interred there, along with hundreds of many other heroes, Masonic or otherwise who find their resting place at Woodbine.
There must be hundreds of more stories like this in Lodges across our jurisdiction. Yet, nothing is recorded in the Lodge annals to recognize heroes such as Captain Hill. And if there are accounts, no one knows about them.
Martin Luther King once said "We are not makers of history. We are made by history." So it is with Masonry.
Thank you for sharing this! I am glad to have the opportunity to learn a little bit about Brother Hill!
MW GM Brother Cameron, I trust all is well with you and yours.
I belong to 3 Lodges, I only attend 1 Lodge because of of distance & time, but more importantly, I believe I can only serve one Master. That is my Christian and Martial Science tenet of my personal belief system. I believe it is my responsibility and obligation to Love, Protect and Grow our Centralia Masonic Family. The last few years I have made efforts to get the Brothers to agree to do extend the East Stage and level the North doorway for the sake of safety and better access, with no avail. I have proposed in different aspects to upgrade the technology that can benefit our Lodge and still meet with opposition. It appears to me the very essence of the Brotherly Cement we all talk about is just that, talk. There is no oneness of mind in some areas, yet we profess be of one mind... this is not our strong point. In my observation of our Lodge, it has been dysfunctional in some areas and great in others...I believe, I have had the Vision (ideas) for a few years that can benefit our Lodge. How can I or we bring new Brothers into our Lodge (Masonry) when we do not model (behave) what we talk about? In the very limited experience in visiting Blue Lodges I have seen this. In the many years as a York Rite Mason I have seen this. What I perceive is that the collective mind set of my Brothers, is dominated by the template of fear & scarcity (living in the past). I believe in promoting the template of creative thinking, growth and abundance (creating the Future!) There are several luminaries that promote creativity vs scarcity, I believe if we studied the work of Stephen Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, first published in 1989, it is a business and self-help book written by Stephen Covey, presents an approach to being effective in attaining goals by aligning oneself to what he calls "true north" principles based on a character ethic that he presents as universal and timeless. The Grand Encampment Leadership program uses Stephen Covey's work. I have a rough draft of a curriculum that addresses Interpersonal Communications Methods of Change. Once I setup my Audio & Video Production Studio, I will produce this series first. It is my belief that getting new Brothers is secondary to really knowing and understanding the person in the mirror. In closing, it starts with me, to study and discipline myself how to become a better person, communicator and leader...My sincere gratitude's for your time and kind attendance on the Emeth site.
Brother Rico:
Addressing only one of your points, that of plural memberships.
I agree with you that one can only effectively lead in one Lodge at a time. I'm a member of four, but that is due to the fact that changes have come in my life. I do not believe that it is possible to be an effective principal officer in more than a single Lodge. I've seen men try to do it, say serve as Master of one, Secretary of another, Treasurer of a third, it just doesn't work. When a man is leading a Lodge, to be effective takes concentration and focus.
That's my view anyway, which I believe is in keeping with yours.