May 29, 2009 - BIKES FOR BOOKS

The Brothers of Dunedin Masonic Lodge No. 192 F.& A.M. were pleased to be on hand at Dunedin Elementary for the school's year-end CHAMPS Assembly program recognizing scholastic achievement by the students.

According to Ken Giesow, Lodge/School liaison, "Our lodge has supported the school for a number of years, but this year we wanted to try something different. Working with school officials, we devised a 'Bikes for Books' program which is intended to encourage the students to read. Basically, we are awarding a new bicycle to the top boy and girl readers in Grades 1 - 5. This is a program that was originally created by Masonic Lodges in the western United States, but we're the first Lodge to implement the program in Florida. All of the bikes were paid for by individual donations by members of our Lodge."

Mrs. Kathy Brickley is the Principal of Dunedin Elementary appreciated the efforts by the Masons, "This program was very helpful in encouraging our youth to read."

The winners included:

GRADE	BOY WINNERS	GIRL WINNERS	PRESENTERS
1 - FIRST	Javan Clarke (Thobe)	Abigal Hernandez (Mrs. Morrison)	Bro. Ryan Schlenker Bro. Steve Andrews
2 - SECOND	Leon (Ms. Crawford)	Kshitija (Mrs. Ausdemore)	Bro. Ray Ingalls W:.Mike Palenik, PM
3 - THIRD	Nick Myers (Peterson)	Alyssa Herrera (Peterson)	W:.Shannon McIntosh, PM W:.Rome Scerbo, PM
4 - FOURTH	Reagan Amnay (Ms. Brooker)	Natalie Schwark (Ms. Brooker)	R:.W:.Chris Schlenker, PM R:.W:.Bill McIntosh, PM, PDDGM
5 - FIFTH	Cesare Amexaga (Harper)	Lakaya Burny (Mr. Gamer)	W:.Bob Matheson, PM Bro. Dave Seidel

The Lodge also provided $20 gift certificates for the winners to purchase bicycle safety helmets from Walmart, which worked with the Lodge in purchasing the bikes. The certificates were presented by Deputy Spencer Gross of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Department who gave a brief lecture on bicycle safety to the audience.

Dunedin Lodge is pleased with the results of the program and wants to perpetuate it in the years ahead. According to the Master of Dunedin Lodge, Tim Bryce, "Masons have long been supporters of public school systems, Dunedin Lodge is no exception. We are proud of our relationship with Dunedin Elementary and pleased to support them not only with the 'Bikes for Books' but with other programs as well. Youth represents the future for all of us. It is just plain common sense that we support them any way we can. Also, I would like to mention I am incredibly proud of our Brothers who donated the bikes and who were here to present them today."

Until next time.

All the Best,
Tim Bryce, PM, MPS, MMBBFMN
timb001@phmainstreet.com
Dunedin Lodge No. 192 F.& A.M.
http:/www.dunedin192.org/
Dunedin, FL, USA
"For the Good of the Order"

May 25, 2009 - GRAND COMMUNICATIONS

I've just returned from our Grand Communications. I have been to a number of these meetings over the years and I cannot say I am ever impressed with what I find. This one was no exception. Everything was superbly choreographed by the ruling party and everything went off as planned. Heck, they even made the Craft think they were a part of the process. As long as the Party has a strangle-hold on the Grand Lodge, I do not anticipate attending any more of these coronations.

The sad thing is the fraternity continues to crumble before our eyes and nobody is interested in addressing the key issues of the day. Let me give you an example. I have been plotting membership trends since 2003 when I was Worshipful Master the first time. Since then, Florida has been averaging a decline in membership of approximately 1,200 Masons. In the Report of the Grand Master and Grand Secretary, it was reported that our membership dropped from 49,942 to 48,658 (a loss of 1,284). In other words, we're right on schedule. Remarkably, in the same document (and at the microphone), the Grand Master reported, "Our Fraternity is starting to grow; many Lodges are putting Candidates through the Degrees as fast as they can set them up."

In order to make such a statement, I presume he has a different set of membership numbers than what was reported to the Craft.

The thing that bothers me the most about these meetings is the lack of regard for the Craft's time and money for attending them. It is a model of inefficiency. It takes three days to accomplish what could be done in one. Want to see people put to sleep quickly? Attend a Grand Communications or the "Grand Waste of Time" as I have heard it referred to.

"Serenity Now!" "Serenity Now!"

Until next time.

All the Best,
Tim Bryce, PM, MPS, MMBBFMN
timb001@phmainstreet.com
Dunedin Lodge No. 192 F.& A.M.
http:/www.dunedin192.org/
Dunedin, FL, USA
"For the Good of the Order"

May 18, 2009 - A NOTE TO JUNIOR MEMBERS

I started last night's Stated Communications, with the following call to arms of our junior members. I don't know if it made an impression, but I hope so:

Last Monday, we dropped the "Hot" Gavel off at Star Lodge No. 78 in Largo and I want to thank those of you who participated.

While there, we sat in on an EA Degree where a junior officer sat in the East and, although he made a couple of mistakes, he did a fine job.

While I was sitting there, I realized how nice it was to sit on the sidelines and let someone else do the degree. And this reminded me that it is time for our younger members to step up to the plate and take a swing of the bat.

We are lucky in this Lodge that we have Brothers who know how to put on a degree, such as W:.Ken, W:.Bob, W:.Chris, and myself. And that we have Brothers like W:.Rome, R:.W:.Bill and our Lodge instructor who are always ready to offer advice and training.

BUT THE POINT IS, IT IS TIME FOR THE JUNIOR MEMBERS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE.

We have plenty of knowledge and experience in our senior members; a lot of wisdom.

BUT IT IS TIME FOR OUR YOUNGER MEMBERS TO STEP UP AND SAY "YES, I WANT TO TAKE A SHOT AT IT. I WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE."

I think it's nice that we can still put on a good degree, but it cannot continue to be the same faces. We fell into this RUT back in the late 1990's and early part of this decade, where we were recycling Past Masters. It's nice that such men came forward and helped out, but the Lodge stagnated thereby causing considerable problems; WE SURELY CANNOT AFFORD TO LET THIS HAPPEN AGAIN.

I have always preached that a good manager should operate in such as way as he does himself out of a job; that the department can carry on productively without him. This is what my hope and aim is here at Dunedin. This is not about "me," it's about the Lodge.

Years ago, Bro. Jack Benny was asked what his secret for success was as both his radio and TV shows always finished in the top ten year after year. He said simply, "It's not about me, it's about the show." He didn't want people to say the next day, "Did you see Jack Benny last night?" Instead, it was more important for people to say, "Did you catch the Benny show last night?" He realized it was a team effort, as do I in the Lodge; "It's not about me (Tim Bryce); It's about the Lodge (Dunedin)."

I THEREFORE CALL UPON OUR JUNIOR MEMBERS TO COME FORWARD, LEARN THE WORK, AND TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THIS LODGE'S FUTURE.

Our senior members will be more than happy to help you, but it must first begin with you saying, "Yes, I care; Yes, I want to take an active part in this Lodge's future."

The future is in your hands; You can make Dunedin Lodge whatever you want it to be. My year is half over, and now we must build for the future and my successors. We need 'A Few Good Men.'

If you want to make a difference, please contact our senior officers or myself whenever you're ready to make the commitment.

Thank you.

Until next time.

All the Best,
Tim Bryce, PM, MPS, MMBBFMN
timb001@phmainstreet.com
Dunedin Lodge No. 192 F.& A.M.
http:/www.dunedin192.org/
Dunedin, FL, USA
"For the Good of the Order"

May 11, 2009 - "HOT" GAVEL

Earlier this year, Dunedin Lodge retrieved the "Traveling" Gavel from Star Lodge No. 78 F.& A.M. in neighboring Largo (on January 3rd, the evening of their installation of officers). It therefore seemed fitting that Dunedin Lodge present the "Hot" Gavel to them at their EA Degree this evening. The gavels, which are sponsored by the SunCoast Masters & Wardens Association are used to promote inter-Lodge visitations. For the "Traveling" gavel (a fine looking large gavel), a Lodge must fetch it from another; for the "Hot" Gavel (an ugly chunk of wood), a Lodge must dispose of it at another Lodge. All of this is done in good humor and promoting camaraderie between Lodges. For a complete list of the rules associated with the gavels, click HERE.

Dunedin Lodge received the "Hot" Gavel from Sutherland Lodge No. 174 F.& A.M. in Palm Harbor on the occasion of our outdoor MM degree on April 29th.

Ten Brothers from Dunedin, including five sitting officers, were on hand to present the "Hot" Gavel to Star's Master who reluctantly, yet graciously, accepted it.

The gavel concept has been quite popular in the United States for quite some time and does indeed encourage inter-Lodge cooperation and awareness. If anything, it forces Lodges to get off their duffs and see what the rest of the Masonic world is doing. I have been visiting Star Lodge for over ten years now and know a lot of the members. Yet, the younger Brothers of our Lodge have not visited them, which is why it is important they be exposed to the Brethren and activities of other Lodges. I guess I kind of see it as a school "field trip."

I have been asked about the gavel program by other members of the fraternity in overseas jurisdictions who find the concept interesting. Hopefully this will shed a little more light on the subject.

Until next time.

All the Best,
Tim Bryce, PM, MPS, MMBBFMN
timb001@phmainstreet.com
Dunedin Lodge No. 192 F.& A.M.
http:/www.dunedin192.org/
Dunedin, FL, USA
"For the Good of the Order"

May 6, 2009 - INVESTIGATIONS

As is customary for me, I spent Wednesday night at the Lodge doing paperwork. However, this time it was a little different as we were visited by three men interested in joining our Lodge, one to pickup a petition, and two others for an investigation.

The first one was a young man (23) you was recently married and works for a large financial planning company with offices in our area. His grandfather had been a Mason, but not his father. He had also been in a Greek fraternity in college and understood the concept of brotherhood (although I told him Masonry was somewhat different than the college fraternities).

The other two gentlemen came to the Lodge as part of our investigation process. Both had relatives with Masonic ties, but we also talked at length about a fraternity was (and wasn't). We stressed that the Blue Lodge (aka Craft Lodge) was the keystone in the fraternity and that although there were other Masonic bodies (Shrine, York Rite, Scottish Rite, Grotto, etc.), it is the Blue Lodge that is the bedrock.

For all three men, they were very much interested in learning about the history of the fraternity, our community involvement, but more importantly, they were looking for a refuge from the helter-skelter of the real world. The Masonic tenants of "Friendship, Morality, and Brotherly Love" was very important to them, which I found very refreshing. People join the Masons for a variety of reasons: to move on to the Shrine, to establish business contacts, for political maneuvering, etc.; these are all the wrong reasons. This is why I found their rationale for joining very refreshing and I'm sure they will fit in nicely with the Brethren in our Lodge. I also find this is becoming typical of the young men joining the fraternity.

Some Lodges do a superficial job investigating candidates for the fraternity, but I consider the Masonic investigation process very important. Normally it should be conducted at the candidate's home so that you can examine his home life and how supportive his family will be. I also encourage investigators to check references as much as possible. If you do not do an adequate job of investigating the candidate early on, you will only be faced with problems later on.

Until next time.

All the Best,
Tim Bryce, PM, MPS, MMBBFMN
timb001@phmainstreet.com
Dunedin Lodge No. 192 F.& A.M.
http:/www.dunedin192.org/
Dunedin, FL, USA
"For the Good of the Order"

May 4, 2009 - FC LECTURE

At last night's Called Communication, we passed two more Brothers to the degree of Fellow Craft. The degree went off fine, but the real point of interest was a Brother delivering the FC lecture for the first time. In Florida, the lecture is rather lengthy and there are becoming fewer and fewer Brothers devoting the time to memorize the work. Frankly, I foresee the day in the not too distant future when the lecture will have to be delivered through some other venue, perhaps a DVD as Ohio has developed.

Nonetheless, the Brother who delivered the FC lecture was understandably nervous prior to the meeting. Anytime you have to memorize something of this magnitude and give it back in Lodge, you are understandably nervous. Prior to the meeting, we all tried to comfort him and instill confidence in him, but you could tell he was zoned-out thinking about the lecture.

Actually, he did an excellent job with the lecture, particularly as this was his first time. As WM, I stopped the meeting, came down on the level, and gave him a handshake and a warm "Well done." When I shook his hand, it was wet from perspiration, but I could tell in his eyes he was glad the ordeal was over.

Masonic lectures provide some important lessons in terms of Masonic Education, but I am worried it is becoming too laborious a task to do. Further, for those Brothers who have heard the lectures several times before, it gets rather boring, thereby you see Brothers falling asleep on the sidelines (which does not leave a good impression on our new Brothers). I also wonder how much the new Brothers are able to absorb, particularly following a Masonic degree. I tend to believe Masonic lectures should be handled separately so the Brothers can fully understand what is being said, but unfortunately, this is not how it is done in Florida.

To find out more about last night's degree, please see the "News" section of our web page.

Until next time.

All the Best,
Tim Bryce, PM, MPS, MMBBFMN
timb001@phmainstreet.com
Dunedin Lodge No. 192 F.& A.M.
http:/www.dunedin192.org/
Dunedin, FL, USA
"For the Good of the Order"