1.      Accelerated Degree Program –
                Congratulations to St. Martins Lodge in Chatham! They have received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge in recognition of their support and participation in the Grand Master’s 2007 Accelerated Degree Program. This program was chaired by R.W. Jeffrey L/ Gardiner, Chairman of Grand Lodge Membership Committee. This program was a success because the brothers who were raised in this program are now to be installed line officers at St. Martin’s – Remember, this Grand Master will not allow dispensation for a one day class, however, the lodge can apply for dispensation for the Accelerated Degree Program anytime during the year and it will be granted.

2.      Recap Sheets and Lodge Treasurers 4 page report due G/L before December 1
                Grand Master has ruled that ALL LODGES WILL FILE THIS REPORT and they will appoint a committee of three lodge members to review and sign the audit of the financial reports of each and every Lodge. These audits will confirm that the individual Lodges have followed the By-Laws, and allow all the lodge membership (upon request) to be informed of the Lodges financial position, issues, and discover any problems or improprieties of the same – who the bills were paid to, when approved and by who, making sure that the proper procedures have been followed. Basically making sure that the lodges are doing business by the books – G/L is required to file the same annual report and budget every year – What if they didn’t want to?

3.      Ambassador Program      - 335 new
                This again has been a very successful G/L Program instituted to assist the membership programs of each lodge to continue to grow. The Ambassador is also the "Point Man" who is out in front of the media to convey the positives aspects of our program – "Is there Greatness in You" – this program was tremendously successful last year and has all intentions of continuing next year as well

4.      Square and Compasses Day Oct. 13^th – SURGE IN MEMBERSHIP
                Beginning now until Oct 13^th, the entire state of MA will be blanketed with advertising in the form of Local C3TV, Cable, newsprint, radio, and internet marketing to help you boost your membership in your lodges. Media CD’s have been mailed to all lodge secretaries and Lodge Masters – use them – don not put them in a drawer! This multifunctional approach will saturate the marketplace and with your individual lodge banners, this will again be a successful campaign. "PLAN YOUR WORK, WORK YOUR PLAN"  - again make sure that EVERY LODGE has it’s banners placed in a location that capitalizes on being able to be seen by the most people – NOT HUNG INSIDE THE LODGE

5.      New Membership Handbooks
                These handbooks for new masons will be available later this month – you can order them directly from G/L or contact me and I will get a supply for you. Make sure that the newly raised brother receives this important information – or maybe use it on a "Rusty Brother" night to help those masons who haven’t been to lodge in quite some time and may feel uncomfortable- ease their pain….

6.      Masonic Leadership Program – "MLI"
                Brethren, this program is what CEO’s and CFO’s pay thousands of dollars to attend – the information and depth of knowledge gained from taking this course – A Leadership Development Program - mostly underwritten  by G/L, have been invaluable to the attendees and to some of the instructors as well! Leadership is a vital part of who we are and what we do – we make good men, great men. This is accomplished through intensive hands on experience and project driven performance. I promise that you will not be the man you are now after taking this course. In February and March the newest MLI program will be named in honor of M.W. Frederick Kirby Bauer and I would consider it an honor if every lodge had at least one if not more members attend this important training. The MLI program costs over $55,000 – nearly $950 per person. The Grand Lodge underwrites a substantial portion of this cost. The total charge to each participant is $400, which includes the cost of all meals, and lodging for four nights. The entire amount may be paid upon acceptance into the MLI program, or may be paid in installments of $200 before the first weekend, $150 be-fore the second weekend and $50 before the third weekend. Many lodges and other Masonic bodies assume all or a portion of the cost of attending the program.

7.      Go to Google.com and type in "Freemason"
                In just two short years, Askafreemason.org has been catapulted to the #5 position in the google search engine – this is huge! This is NOT paid for by G/L – this is a direct result of the public wanting more information and going to askafreemason.org for more light. This site and massfreemasonry.org continue to receive more "hits" than any other Masonic website. People are inquiring and G/L is providing the information directly to them. This is done daily by email and postal mail by the Grand Masters personal secretary, R.W. Will Currier

8.      Don’t have any degree work? Consider speaker on Commitment to Masonry
                G/L has speakers available to come to your lodge ANYTIME and speak about the Commitment t Masonry and other charity giving programs. This endeavor seeks to raise funds to benefit the charitable efforts of the Grand Lodge – for today and tomorrow. THE COMMITMENT TO MASONRY is not only for those who have the means to make substantial one-time gifts. Planned gifts can be made in the form of pledges in any amount with payment schedules that make it possible for all Masons to take part.

To demonstrate our commitment to this effort, The Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts has introduced The Grand Master’s Giving Clubs. The idea behind these new programs is to demonstrate Brethren that making a gift to THE COMMITMENT TO MASONRY is not limited to only those who have substantial assets. Each brother who pledges gifts in the amounts of $500, $2,500 and $5,000 to be paid in one payment or over a 5 year period, or makes a planned gift with a valuation of $10,000 or more, will become a member of one of The Grand Master’s Giving Clubs

Programs which benefit from the Grand Lodge Charitable Funds include:
Academic Scholarships, Masonic Education, MYCHIP (Masonic Youth Child Identification Program), Grand Lodge Matching Grants, Disaster Relief, The Samuel Crocker Lawrence Library,Grand Lodge Museum Collection, Grand Lodge Collections, The Masonic Home/Masonic Health System, 32° Learning Centers, George Washington Masonic Memorial Museum (Alexandria, VA), Bunker Hill Monument Restoration, Masonic Service Association (MSA), Operation Phone Home, The Masonic Hospital Visitation Program, The Masonic Information Center (MIC) ,  Rainbow/DeMolay

9.      CHIP – Child Identification Program
                To date MA masons have ID’ed over 230,000 children. We have the "premiere" means of identification of children anywhere! This is a wonderful and fun program that unites lodge members and family members to work together for an occurrence that we hope never happens – the loss of a child – G/L is again committed to fund this program and to allow individual lodges (or districts) the opportunity to be out in the community providing a service that is of NO COST to the families - All information is retained by the family except the registration cards. These programs again need proper planning and staffing to be successful. Lodges have had to cancel events due to the lack of a Dentist or other health professional to administer the "Toothprints" and DNA swab or the lack of a police officer for the fingerprint portion. The success of this program is imperative that you involve as many people as possible in the process – G/L requires a 4 month advance notice if you are to hold a CHIP event or need to borrow the equipment from G/L – "Plan your Work – Work your Plan"

10.     Grand Lodge Retention Program
                Again, not just another dust collector or binder for the bookcase – these programs and initiatives have been suggested, reviewed, improved,     and implemented by other lodges in MA – The health and continued success of our fraternity relies on our ability to retain our members – both old and new. How many times have you heard "oh that’s Grand Lodge sticking their noses in our lodge" – nothing can be farther from the truth. The reason we have these programs is because we continue to lose brothers through advancing age and just plain apathy. Get involved, sponsor yourself, and then one for the "Gipper" – show how you love our fraternity by sharing the "Gift" – the gift of brotherly love, the gift of masonry.

11.     275^th Anniversary – May 3^rd, May 4^th, and May 5th – BOSTON
                Billed as a "Worldwide Party" this event has the possibility of outdoing the Provincetown Cornerstone Laying – G/L has committed resources and events to coincide with the 275^th anniversary of Massachusetts Masonry with dignitaries from as far away as Australia! This will again be a great occasion to meet men from around the world and celebrate this grand occasion! Tickets are now available for $50/person or table of ten for $475 – November Trowel Magazine will have more info

Also tickets are available for          275th Anniversary Celebration Cruise - Sail Holland America’s ms Maasdam on the Historic Coast 7 Night Cruise from Boston to Canada and back. Hosted by R.W. Graham A. Long, Chair, Grand Lodge of Massachusetts 275th Anniversary Committee, this week-long trip promises spectacular views, delicious food, great shopping, and the friendship, fellowship, and fun that takes place whenever Masons their families get together. Countless memories will be created on this trip. Contact  - www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-destinations/canada-new-england-cruises for more information

Grand Lodge Quarterly Sept 12, 2007

14.     Masonic Health System (MHS)    
        You all should have received the latest edition of the newsletter fro the MHS. This outlines some of the happenings and events occurring in Charlton. The recent golf tournament raised over $35,000 dollars for the MHS – a great success!

        MASTERS AND SECRETARY"S NOTE: Please include in your monthly notice the toll free 800 number along with the website, email, and address from more information. Some of our brethren only receive your monthly notice and maybe a birthday card from the lodge. Let’s provide as much information in our notices as possible.

15.     2008 Membership Incentive Program – FREE MONEY !
        Please take advantage of this program to "enhance" your budget by doing the things we are supposed to be doing – bring in new members!  Review the requirements for this program and put your work into action. Not many times does G/L give away money so enlist now and reap the benefits!

16.     Thinking of Giving the Grand Master a Present? – see #15
        Sponsor a brother or 10 – nothing would please this Grand Master more than to hit the 4000 mark of new brothers admitted to the Craft during his term as Grand Master – we have currently passed the 3500 mark and this is the "Last Quarter Gasp" – keep an application with you in your car, home, office, or anywhere else that you think of and reach out to that special friend and ask him if he is interested. Talk up the benefits of being a mason – friends wherever you go – pass it on!

17.     "Continue Your Masonic Journey" – York, Scottish Rite, Shrine
        When you complete the Symbolic Blue Lodge degrees, a Master Mason may join several affiliated organizations that have lodge membership as a prerequisite. Each appendant Masonic body has something to offer a newly raised mason or one that has been a mason for 40 years- Your job is to review the Fall 2007 Trowel magazine middle section and educate yourself and ASK for more knowledge in the Craft. We also have information available at capecodmasons.org or contact Wor. Bill Reade and he would be more than happy to discuss Royal Arch Masonry with you!