Maintaining The Brotherly Bonds

There is currently a vibrancy at the lodge that I haven’t seen for some time. I have been fielding emails and calls for weeks wanting more information about different programs, dates of when events are scheduled, offers to assist me with some of the initiatives underway, and some are just interested in meeting and learning more about the fraternity. Many of the brothers at the lodge are either active or looking for some way to increase their contributions. I can’t recall a time like this happening over the past few years but I am glad to be a part of it and fortunate enough to see the desire to contribute displayed by the brethren. And I have found that one of the best ways for those brothers to actively participate is to reach out to other brothers.

It is a given that this time of year will bring about names of those which we haven’t seen at lodge in months or years (NPD time) but that tally keeps getting smaller and smaller every time I check the mail and for every brother I find on that list, there are ten brothers willing to reach out to find out what is going on. And that is a big change from the last couple of years. Now we have brothers wanting to be active and wanting to share this masonic experience with other brothers that may have, for one reason or another, lost their connection with the fraternity.

This is a hugely important endeavor for any lodge as we should make sure that all of our brothers should experience the feeling of inclusion that many of us take away from our monthly and weekly gatherings. Furthermore, the effort should also be put forth in reconnecting with brothers that, for one reason or another, have been suspended in recent years. While there are explanations given at the time of suspension, we should never assume that we know the reasons behind our brother ceasing to be included in the membership rolls.

Lastly, and most importantly, we need to maintain constant contact will each and every member of the lodge. This is an undertaking too large for one brother to manage himself but, as a lodge, it can easy be accomplished. Whether a brother moved out of the jurisdiction or is simply of advanced age, they are still our brothers and members of the lodge, and they should be treated as such. The last thing that I ever want to see happen is a brother showing up to lodge and not know anyone. While I don’t expect them to have the same connection that many of the regular attendees enjoy, they are still our brother and they should be familiar as a member of our fraternal family.

Mortgage Monday: The Other Monthly Checks

In addition to writing a check to the bank each month to slowly pay down our mortgage, there are also a variety of other checks that have to be taken care of on a monthly basis. Again, this is not something that I am used to doing but a monthly project that brings a sense of satisfaction as this is a home we now own. And while there are checks of the monetary kind that I regularly write, these are not the ones to which I am referring…

We want to make sure that we keep up on the maintenance of our home while also heading off any issues that may exist. This is why I tend to go around the house every once in a while, usually a few times per month, looking for little things (and big things too). Are the windows drafty? Are there any water stains? Is the heat working in all four zones? Are the gutters clear? Are any of the fixtures leaking? These are the kinds of questions that I try to ask myself as I walk about the house looking in corners and keeping an ear open to any sounds of water, pinging, clanking, etc.

While I don’t expect to find anything it is well worth the time to invest in these basic checks as we are still under warranty (part of our original deal during purchase) and any issues that come up would most likely be covered under that policy. Basically, it is all about making sure everything is running the way it should be. After all, this is no longer simply a place in which we are living as in the past, this is our home and we want to make sure that everything continues to be kept in great shape.

And, as the seasons and weather changes, I will be sure to check the same things as well as different systems around the house. The various filters are something that will be checked regularly but, as the weather warms, the air conditioning will also have to be looked at. We didn’t have any issues with inspections, only minor things here and there that were taken care of before we moved in, but we want to make sure that things are operational and that they are the right systems to have in place.

Maybe we will upgrade or change the air conditioning, heat, windows, flooring, etc. We will have to wait and see and continue to go through our check list every month. Then we will know what needs to be replaced (if anything), what we want to replace, and what we might consider doing in the future. So far everything is great but you never know… this is why I have to take care of so many checks each month.

Final Preparations

We are now in the final couple of days, hours really, before the final stated meeting of the year and, as always, there are a few things that I am scrambling to get done before tomorrow night. Mostly this consists of printing out a fresh pile of paperwork, doing some final revisions to the minutes, and making sure all the bills are organized and included in my monthly spreadsheet. It isn’t a time of trying to figure out what to do but rather a period of setting aside the time to do the things that need to be done every month.

Of course, there are always one or two new items every month and the preparations for this meeting are certainly no exception. With elections and installations taking place tomorrow night, I have to make sure that I have all of the corresponding paperwork and lists readily available. There are also a few extra meetings that I have to have on the side throughout the night that require some additional time and planning. And, finally, I need to make sure that the annual donation totals are ready to be calculated and the attendance numbers updated.

However, what might be the most important thing that I have to do personally is to prepare for another year in office. While I took my oath two years ago expecting to stay on as Secretary for a number of years, there never really is certainty when holding elected office. It has been a learning experience to say the least and while I have been far from perfect (really really far), so far the brethren have been supportive of the work that I have done at the lodge and knowing that I have their support is really what keeps me going.

I am also getting ready to hit the reset button after this meeting. Not because I want to forget anything or ignore what has happened but as a means to move forward without either thinking about any past issues of relying on the successes of the previous year. It is a new year with a new slate of officers. While many things remain the same, the masonic years must remain independent from one another for just that reason. What happened in the past, good and/or bad, should remain there. What we learned from those experiences, what to do and what not to do, are the only things that should impact the present and be part of the future.