SPRING 2020 Buildingbuilding Thethe Futurefuture from the Grand East MW WILLIAM M
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SPRING 2020 BuildingBuilding thethe FutureFuture From the Grand East MW WILLIAM M. SARDONE Grand Master 212/337-6643 here is no doubt that the cover of this issue can stimulate operating simultaneously. But probably none is more enough conversation to take all the print space. While I important than our focus on increasing membership in a Tcan clearly fill any issue with or without the potential of New quality fashion. The system we put in place a few years ago Rochelle, I will leave it to our President of the Trustees of our was fine when leads trickled in. After a review and deep Masonic Hall and Home, RW G. Stephen Getman to discuss dive inspection we found the system was struggling to field this new opportunity. This is a bold step that fits nicely into leads, which have culminated into the thousands. There are the ideas that have surfaced over the past year. Districts with hundreds in the hopper waiting to be contacted. Our last issue highlighted our Masonic Youth and I received Obviously, our system needed a radical makeover in order to many questions regarding the cover and who the young boy provide efficient follow-up. These are good problems. During was in the lower left-hand corner. Well, mystery over. It is not the holiday break we worked on rebuilding this system which my son, it is me! links leads from Discovermasonry.com directly into the NorthStar database. We will continue to adjust as our input That issue brought additional attention to one of the many increases. Grand Masters from other Jurisdictions have spent platforms we as Masons and a Grand Lodge support. Further hours in my office taking notes on what we are doing. They in this issue you will see another article on their progress and are taking these ideas to their home states. You will also notice more importantly, their potential. My thanks go to the New another new Lodge have been given dispensation to meet. York Scottish Rite Council of Deliberation. They have stepped That article is in this issue. up to fund DeMolays’ and Senior DeMolays’ initiation fees as they join New York Lodges. They will also support Rainbow You have heard me say many times that the Grand Lodge and Triangle Girls’ fees as they desire to join the Order of works for you. It is gratifying to hear from all areas of our Eastern Star in New York. Jurisdiction how pleased you are that we hear your concerns and work to rectify and enhance your experience. Your emails As a quick update, the Horticultural Learning Center in and calls are answered. We have changed course and revamped Utica, NY is up, closed in and warm. Sunlight-warm, which committees based on your feedback and suggestions. This is is a nice thing in the central part of New York in January. Our obvious with the reactions we are still receiving regarding our Bricks Sales are still being accepted and we will start placing October 2019 meeting. That meeting gave over 500 attendees them when the ground begins to thaw. Your name, Lodge, an opportunity for good discussion and the sharing of ideas. loved one, etc. will look great surrounding this focal point in our Masonic Care Community. Brick forms are at nymasons. Do you have a question about Grand Lodge? No problem. org. Email me at [email protected]. Our Masonic War Vets and Military Outreach are non-stop As you read this issue we are still adjusting committees and in helping active military as well as veterans. They are all over programs to fit your to your needs. Talk is good, action makes our state and social media with their positive energies. This the difference. The process works. We are working the process. was evident during the holiday season when I participated in a I thank you for your support and dedication. We are not few of their events at Military Bases and VA Homes. slowing down. We are speeding up! Your Grand Jurisdiction has many projects and programs Another New Lodge an it be true? Of course it’s true! This is the CGrand Lodge of New York! Say hello to Juan Pablo Duarte Lodge, UD, which held its first Brother Bring a Friend night. It was a night of celebration as the Dispensation was presented in English and Spanish. It should also be recognized that they had fourteen potential new members in attendance. Congratulations go to the 7th District and W Wylie Adams. Very proud of you. 2 THE EMPIRE STATE MASON MAGAZINE Share the Experience SPRING 2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS IN THIS ISSUE Volume 69 / Number 1 / SPRING 2020 featured HigHligHts: Remembering RW Kurt Ott 10 239TH Annual Communication Hotel Reservation 12 SPRING 2020 239TH Annual Communication Preliminary Program 13 Building 1. thethe Distinguished Service Awards 14 FutureFuture St John’s Day - Save the Date 24 2. Grand Secretary’s Golf Tournament 38 3. Officers and cOmmittees: From the Grand East 2 4. Deputy Grand Master 4 Senior Grand Warden 5 COVER: Junior Grand Warden 6 1. Plaque commemorating purchase Grand Treasurer 7 of College of New Rochelle Campus. Grand Secretary 8 2. Leland Castle on New Rochelle Senior Grand Deacon 9 Campus. Grand Historian 15 3. Grand Master Sardone presenting Award Committee 19 a set of Masonic Working Tools to New Rochelle Mayor Bramson. Masonic Care Community 20 4. MW William Sardone, Grand Camp Turk 25 Master; Hon. Noam Bramson, Acacia Village 26 New Rochelle Mayor; RW G. Stephen Getman, Trustee Grand Cinamatographer 27 President DeMolay 28 Organization of Triangles, Inc 29-30 Masonic Youth Committee 32 From the Webmaster 33 Grand Lodge Educational Assistance Program 34 Masonic Medical Research Institute 40-41 Years of Service 42-44 Grand Lecturer 46 Dates to Remember and Submission Guidelines 47 TRUSTEES OF THE MASONIC HALL AND ASYLUM FUND Publisher The Empire State Mason is an Official Publication of the Trustees of the Masonic Hall and Asylum Fund. Edited by the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York for the members of the Masonic Fraternity and their families. CONSULTANTS POStMAStER: WILLIAM M. SARDONE RIChARD J. kESSLER StEvEN ADAM RuBIN Please send address changes to: Grand Master – Editor in Chief Deputy Grand Master Grand treasurer the Empire State Mason Circulation Department JOAN C. BOWER ChARLES M. ROBERtS RIChARD t. SChuLz 71 West 23rd Street Assistant Editor Senior Grand Warden Grand Secretary Ny Ny 10010-4149 Periodicals Class Publication 56874 ELquEMEDO OSCAR ALLEyNE LORAINE DIBLEy 1-(800) 362-7664 Junior Grand Warden Graphic Designer Website at www.nymasons.org Subscription $6.00 Domestic $15.00 Foreign per year. Subscription free to all members of constituent Lodges of the Grand Lodge F. & A.M. State of New york. Copyright ©2020 by the trustees of the Masonic hall and Asylum Fund. All rights reserved. Reproduction by recognized Masonic organizations is permitted with credit. All others must obtain written permission. Published quarterly in Spring Summer Fall and Winter months by the trustees of the Masonic hall and Asylum Fund 71 West 23rd Street Ny Ny 10010-4149. thE EMPIRE StAtE MASON (ISSN 0013-6794 Published at 71 West 23rd Street Ny Ny 10010-4149). Periodicals postage paid at New york Ny and additional mailing offices. Deputy Grand Master RW RIChARD J. kESSLER deputy Grand Master [email protected] s I continue to refine the mark I want to leave on our possess the essential skills to make things happen. As leaders Ajurisdiction, I constantly review the many organizations we must have courage and conviction to lead. I have had a part in. It becomes abundantly clear that the The making of a Freemason does not consist merely in most effective organizations fully immerse their membership progressing through the Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft and in their culture. There is always an atmosphere of family and Master Mason Degrees. The information disseminated during sharing. Stressing mentoring programs, education, leadership the conferral of these Degrees is just an introduction to the and an openness to listen and learn, they became beacons of infinite world of Freemasonry. If properly conferred, these success. I also believe that while successful organizations are Degrees should whet the appetite of the new Brother for an a product of good leadership, they must also be accepting of unending journey of light. Through the obligations a man change. becomes a member of the Craft. Through Masonic education For an organization to be a perennial leader, all must be he begins to truly understand the meaning of the obligation included in the process. The buy-in has to be complete. That that he swore to thereafter live by. Through continued is where we have to be more sensitive to the needs of our education his understanding will continue to grow and his individual Lodges. The continued strengthening of New York personal scope and meaning of Freemasonry will become State Masonry must be accomplished one Lodge at a time. richer and more meaningful. Once he truthfully and loyally Education and leadership programs have to be made available lives according to his obligation he will be a true member of not only to Grand Lodge and District leaders, but also to every our Royal Craft. Lodge. Every Lodge has members who, with proper encouragement With the problems that we are encountering today within and training, will be willing to take the time necessary to our Masonic Fraternity, one important area that we need to become a Masonic educator. However, becoming effective build upon is the development of solid Masonic leadership. If requires training.