Greetings from the East!
This month, I want to remind you of the amnesty program introduced in June. From July 1-December 31, former members suspended for non-payment of dues before December 31, 2019, will be able to petition for reinstatement and only pay $38.50 (one year's per capita) for reinstatement. There are come caveats such as the Blue Lodge must waive the past dues and the suspended member must still go through a new background check, but this is another tool for our Blue Lodges to recoup members who at one point felt so strongly about our organization, they took the obligation of a Master Mason. Please contact me should you have any questions about the amnesty program.

Thank you for all you do for Masonry.

Fraternally,

Alex Straatmann Grand Master

George Washington and Free Masonry: A Conversation with Mark A. Tabbert

TThis month’s education article is actually a video! Brother Mark Tabbert has recently released the definitive study of George Washington’s association with Freemasonry (A Deserving Brother: George Washington and Freemasonry). This book is a landmark production that every Mason should have in their library.

On July 19th, Bro. Mark was interviewed at the Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington at Mount Vernon about his book and what Bro. Washington would have experienced as Freemasonry in his time.

Grab a cup of coffee (or your favorite beverage) and spend some time watching this fascinating interview. It is guaranteed to teach many new things about Freemasonry in Washington’s time!

Use the link below to watch the interview...

Espionage, Diplomacy & the Lodge: Charles Delafaye and The Secret Department of the Post Office

by Bro. Dr. Ric Berman

Espionage, Diplomacy & the Lodge is one of Ric Berman's most important works. The book unveils Charles Delafaye, one of eighteenth-century Britain's least known but most influential figures, a senior under-secretary of state, investigating magistrate, anti-Jacobite spymaster and leading freemason. Delafaye was a member of the elite Horn Tavern lodge in London and at the centre of the government's inner circle for some two decades. He was also a key conduit for intelligence from the Secret Department of the Post Office and the decrypters and code-breakers within its deciphering branch, and central to the measures taken against the supporters of James Stuart, 'the king over the water'. Berman provides a unique glimpse into Britain's early secret intelligence service and outlines for the first time the interconnections between freemasonry, espionage and diplomacy.

Edwin F. Warren, Grand Master
June 23, 1882 – June 21, 1883
Reported at the 25th Annual Communication

The Grand Master commented that the growth of Masonry had kept pace with the material growth of the state. He said the “enormous increase of population” in the northern and western parts of Nebraska would support the number of new lodges recently started. That year, he approved dispensations for 20 new lodges.

A fire at Riverton Lodge No. 63, as well as prior lodge fires, resulted in significant losses because of uninsured jewels and other property. An edict from the Grand Master ordered lodges to purchase and maintain insurance on uninsured property and report its amount to the Grand Lodge. An amendment to the bylaws was also adopted.

Noting that securing late payments of dues from lodges was “onerous” and the duty was “little appreciated,” the Grand Master appointed the Master of Thistle Lodge No. 61 in Lexington to collect them from his lodge’s members.

Added to the Grand Lodge bylaws was credit of one cent to lodges for each member of a lodge for each day the annual report from lodges was received before the deadline.

The Grand Secretary commented that some lodges complained because he sent a receipt with every document mailed to them, expecting they return it acknowledging they received the document. “I venture the remark that ‘red tape,’ like most sublunary things, is useful if not abused; ‘hence these tears,” he said.

Masonic Door Knob; Late 19th / Early 20th century

Possibly from the Masonic Building in Omaha

Masonic door hardware was a popular item in the late 19th, early 20th century in the Unites States. Knobs, hinges and other building hardware could be purchased with various Masonic symbols.

The “6 P’s” = Prior Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance

An acronym used in the military to help leaders understand the necessity of planning ahead in order to eliminate potential problems in the future. Keeping this saying in mind, now is the time for lodge leadership to start planning for next year’s line of lodge officers and ensuring that the incoming Worshipful Master has his tentative agenda laid out for the year. The summer is a great time to start this process because the lodge is usually not as vibrant as it is once the school year starts up in August, and the majority of the lodge members’ lives become more involved with their family’s daily activities. When planning his agenda, the incoming Worshipful Master should decide what things he wants to accomplish during his year in the East and also what events he would like the lodge to participate in as well.

Another saying out there is, “Imitation is the best form of flattery.” Keeping this thought in mind, the incoming Worshipful Master should take a look at the agenda from this year, and years past, and determine what things he liked about those agendas, and also what things he didn’t like about them. He should then make a determination on what things he would like to keep, and also eliminate for his agenda. Once he has that agenda drafted up, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to have several Past Masters in the lodge look over his agenda and make recommendations to it if need be. In the end though, it is the incoming Worshipful Master’s decision on where he thinks the lodge should go during his year in the East. He should also have his agenda finalized no later than election time in November so he can coordinate with his fellow lodge officers too.

The main thing to keep in mind during this down time of the summer months is that the lodge leadership should always be planning ahead and determining what areas the lodge needs improvement in, and how best they can accomplish those tasks. There definitely isn’t any reason to “fix what isn’t broken,” but planning ahead is the best way to eliminate any potential problems that the lodge might encounter. So use this down time of the summer months to start planning ahead for the lodge’s fall activities, and for upcoming year too. Leadership is a 24/7 process and we as leaders should be constantly adjusting to all of the changes that life throws at us daily. So, make sure that your lodge is preparing for those changes and is ready to take on all of the challenges that lie ahead.