First, we moved the "Hot" Gavel to Clearwater Lodge No. 127 Monday night. The "Hot" Gavel is a big, nasty piece of wood that a Lodge must take to another Lodge. A minimum of seven members are needed to move it. We had twelve last night, and I was particularly proud that all of our elected officers were present, as well as two appointed officers. For more information on this story, click HERE.
The Hot Gavel is similar to the "Traveling" Gavel with one important difference; whereas the Hot Gavel is dropped off, the Traveling Gavel must be picked up by a visiting Lodge. Both gavels are sponsored by our local Masters and Wardens Association and is intended to promote inter-Lodge visitations.
Second, I came across an interesting story yesterday (9/8/2009), "Freemasons look to build presence at GW". Basically, Masons are trying to establish a Masonic Lodge on the campus of George Washington University in Washington, DC. This makes a lot of sense to me and is the first time I have heard of such an effort, but poses a serious threat to the Greek fraternities on campus.
I guess it was a matter of time for this to happen as many jurisdictions have lowered the age to join the Masons to 18. In my state, the youth organizations have been declining sharply, such as the Rainbow for Girls, Job's Daughters, and DeMolay. In my district alone, they have totally evaporated (and they're coughing up blood in surrounding districts). With this in mind, it makes sense to me that perhaps our future lies in our College Campuses, an area we have traditionally avoided due to the age limitations. Now that this has changed, placing a Masonic Lodge on a campus may very represent our future. This is an interesting story and one worth following closely.
The Hot Gavel is similar to the "Traveling" Gavel with one important difference; whereas the Hot Gavel is dropped off, the Traveling Gavel must be picked up by a visiting Lodge. Both gavels are sponsored by our local Masters and Wardens Association and is intended to promote inter-Lodge visitations.
Second, I came across an interesting story yesterday (9/8/2009), "Freemasons look to build presence at GW". Basically, Masons are trying to establish a Masonic Lodge on the campus of George Washington University in Washington, DC. This makes a lot of sense to me and is the first time I have heard of such an effort, but poses a serious threat to the Greek fraternities on campus.
I guess it was a matter of time for this to happen as many jurisdictions have lowered the age to join the Masons to 18. In my state, the youth organizations have been declining sharply, such as the Rainbow for Girls, Job's Daughters, and DeMolay. In my district alone, they have totally evaporated (and they're coughing up blood in surrounding districts). With this in mind, it makes sense to me that perhaps our future lies in our College Campuses, an area we have traditionally avoided due to the age limitations. Now that this has changed, placing a Masonic Lodge on a campus may very represent our future. This is an interesting story and one worth following closely.
Stay tuned!
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"
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