Brethren,
It is now February. And although the snow is flying and piling up as I write
these words, it will soon be Spring. My term of office is more than one-third
complete. Have I completed one-third of the tasks I set for myself? Hardly! And
yet, it has been a most rewarding four month.
I saw many of you at one of the 12 Grand Master’s Area Meetings which were held
across the state. We had some good discussions on the points of emphasis for
this year: Masonic Pride, Masonic Education, and Managed Masonic Change. We
discussed the importance of ATTITUDE, and how that is the key to success,
whether in your personal life or in the life of your lodge.
The presentations given at these meetings are available on my personal website,
which may be found at http://www.iowagrandmaster.org , There are also many other
items on this website which you may find of interest. These include educational
material, personal comments from me, ideas for your lodge, some books, and a
whole bunch of pictures. I urge you to check it out. The Grand Lodge website is
also being given a new look. Check that out at http://www.gl-iowa.org .
There is one matter which has been very troubling to me and to the other Grand
Officers. While the number of raisings in the state are good, and the number of
deaths continues to fall, we are troubled by a continued increase in the number
of brethren who are suspended for nonpayment of dues. And a large percentage of
those are men who joined the fraternity within the past three years.
Brethren, this is a serious concern. For whatever reason, we are not providing
these brethren sufficient value for them to continue their membership. We are
not providing them what they were promised; we are not providing them what they
expected and hoped to find. And that, brethren, is OUR fault, not theirs. We
must provide a valuable Lodge Experience. We must work harder to get our new
brethren enrolled into their lodge. Please refresh yourselves on the Passport to
Light Mentoring Program, which goes far beyond the required Masonic
Enlightenment Course. Look closely at the Ashlar Award, which is an excellent
tool for getting new members involved and ensuring they stay that way. And
consider creating a membership committee for your lodge. This committee can work
with the new brethren to make sure they are enrolled. And they must contact
brethren who have not paid their dues to determine the problem, and find a way
to rectify it.
We are also initiating a new program, New Master Masons Forums, which will be
held across the state. Masons who have been raised within the past three years
will be invited to a forum in their area. They will be provided an opportunity
to talk with the other New Master Masons. There will be a brief update on
state-wide activities. But the bulk of the time will be spent in group
discussions, specifically soliciting feedback from these new members. The
purpose is to find out what these new members want, what they need, and what
they see as strengths and weaknesses in their Lodge and the Fraternity in
general. Several sessions will be held this Spring and Summer. I am assured that
they will continue next year. If invited to one of these forums, please plan to
attend. We need your input.
Officer installations should now be complete. As the snowfall ceases, travel
will become more practical. As brethren return from visits to warmer climes,
lodge work will also be picking up. Remember, I enjoy visiting other lodges. I
love participating in degree work. I really love watching degree work. And I am
always happy to answer questions. If you have work, please let me know. If my
schedule allows, I will be happy to attend. If you have something else special
going on, let me know. Who knows, you just might get a group of Grand Officers
sitting on the sidelines. If you and your lodge are interested in a visit,
either formal or informal, give me a call. Or if you prefer, call the Grand
Secretary.
Don’t forget the Grand Master’s One-Day Class scheduled for Des Moines on April
28. And a second one has just been scheduled for Iowa City on August 23.
Remember, ATTITUDE is the key. Keep your attitude positive.
Donald E. Mosier
Grand Master of Masons in Iowa