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FROM THE EAST Brethren, I would like to start 2012 by congratulating the team lead by WM Gillis on what was a really good West Park Temple Christmas Party. This event, long a staple on for the West Park Masonic Temple Family calendar, had begun to lose its luster as a result of shifting demographics and declining membership. In 2010 we even cancelled the event having had only a few children sign up. WM Gillis set a goal at the beginning of his year to restore that event, and hats off to him for shaking the trees and finding close to 25 kids and putting together a great night. I would also like to share some thoughts and themes to a wider audience that have been discussed at our meetings. Quite often the health of a Lodge is improperly characterized by the person in the East. One might look at North Star on paper and come to the conclusion that there is something wrong; that we are repeating but yet another PM. But that level of analysis would be limited and the conclusions reached erroneous. A lodge operates on a multiyear continuum and any analysis must take that into account. Over the past several years a nucleus of newer members has begun to grow and rekindle the Masonic Spirit in many of us. We have also had some ‘veteran’ members become reengaged and step up to some roles and contributions that they might not have thought possible just a few years ago. Combined with the PM ‘old guard’ we once again have the foundational requirements for a strong lodge. It is for those reasons that I have accepted the honor of serving once again as WM of North Star. It is not because I’m trying to set a record (believe me, I have other things I could be doing), nor is it because it’s the last breath of a desperate group. I am arguably as enthused, if not more so, about this year than I was in 2003. For the first time in over a decade North Star has a line of officers from SW to JS that is not only complete, but does not contain the initials PM. We even have younger members sitting on the side and several new members in the pipeline. We even noted at our last meeting, during the introduction of the PMs, that we had more members still in their seats than standing at the altar – the PMs were outnumbered. While that is purely a subjective observation, and there might have been some scheduling flukes involved, we all agreed that it sure seemed like a long time since the scales were tipped that way. It is really exciting. And besides, how many kids have the opportunity to serve in the East in the footsteps of his grandfather, whilst having his dad looking at him from the West. How cool is that. I consider myself to be Chairman of the WM committee. There are things I can do, and ways that I can help, but I have told the other PMs that I cannot do it all. I therefore look forward to their contributions during the year in helping to organize events and provide leadership within the Lodge. My travel schedule for work is also on the rise and I will have multiple overseas trips, for which I will rely on the PMs to help and assist so that the load is not all ‘dumped’ on the SW. Our schedule this year will be fairly fluid and quite dynamic. For those that have email we will attempt to provide as frequent updates as possible. If you have not given your email address to the Sec’y please do so, so we can keep you posted. We will set our degree schedule to meet the needs of our candidates and only reserve a few nights for specific events. The first of those special nights will be our Awards Night on Feb 22nd, which will be organized and led by WB Bill Craig. This is always a great night to recognize our members for their years of contributions towards the fraternity. Look for additional details from Bill. Fraternally Yours, Scott W. Halley W.M. A Note about the Building - Scott W. Halley W.M. I would like to make sure everyone is aware that the building has a new chair lift which is a major upgrade to the previous lift. You will probably recall that our previous chair could only travel from the bottom landing and that its track occupied almost half the width of the stairwell. Our new lift has a wall mounted rail which can make the turn at the landing so it can travel from the dining room level to the 2nd floor. The chair also folds out of the way when not in use so we once again have full use of the stairs well. While an elevator would be nice, it is also a luxury that we simply cannot afford at this time, so this chair lift is a great solution. There is a lot of work yet to be done on the building. Some it is cosmetic, but there is plenty that must be done soon. Those projects would include, but aren’t limited to repairs to the exterior drainage, electrical upgrades, and repainting of the building. We have let the exterior of our building decay to such a state that we have even been issued a citation from the city. I would like the Lodge to take a leadership role this year at driving these projects to their completion, both from a project management perspective as well as fiscal. The time is now. FROM THE WEST Brethren, On November 30th, we installed a new officer corps for the coming New Year. Aside from WB Scott Halley in the East one more time, the Wardens, Deacons, and Stewards are all first-timers in their respective positions. We now need the attendance support of our many valued members as we try to emulate the fine principles of Masonry and continue the long standing traditions and pride of North Star Lodge. During our 2012 Masonic year, which runs from the 2011-2012 Annual Meetings, we must present each of our Degrees twice. In so doing, it is always more meaningful and rewarding when we have first time candidates to receive them. And, we depend primarily upon our own officers and members to introduce worthy men nineteen and older to us for this to happen. We are now permitted to actually invite qualified persons to consider membership in our proud fraternity, and we hope some of you will exercise that opportunity this year so we can enrich the life experiences of these potential new members through the fraternal bonding of friends and brothers as experienced within Masonry. I would encourage you to stay current with our Trestleboard through our website, www.northstar638.org where Bro. Damion Chatmon does a fine job of keeping it updated with any post Light publication scheduling changes. Also, if you want to receive the Light or Secretary’s bi-monthly advance Meeting report electronically, you need to provide the Secretary with your email address. We all enjoyed a successfully planned and well attended Temple Christmas Party on Saturday, Dec. 3rd. Co-Chairpersons were WB Michael Gillis and Past Matron Cara Hogan with the capable assistance of lady April Gillis and the granddaughter of WB Ted Miko. A delicious roast beef dinner, prepared and served by Cara without charge, preceded the children’s program which included fun crafts, my reading of Twas The Night Before Christmas, and the traditional visit by Santa Claus. Santa chatted with each of the very excited 22 children individually before presenting each one with a personally identified gift. Finally, I sincerely hope you will try and set aside some second and fourth Wednesdays this year to visit, meet our officers, and experience the pleasure once again of the warm Masonic brotherhood which we are trying so conscientiously to provide for all of our valued North Star members and visitors.
Fraternally, |
