Volume XXXV No. 2, October 2017 The Grand Master’s Message: Restoring Lodge History The Importance of Membership Research Lodge No. 198 uly and August were busy travel months for the Grand Master esearch Lodge No. 198 in Portland would Jwith visits to Daytona, Fla. for the Imperial Shrine, Washington Rlike to remind you that the history of your D.C. for the Scottish Rite Supreme Council, Portland for the Gen- Lodge is what makes your Lodge unique, and eral Grand York Rite, and a dinner honoring the Supreme Queen, what attracts new members. If we neglect to Daughters of the Nile. The summer also involved trips to the document Lodge history, then all Lodges be- Malheur Cave Degree, Baker City come essentially robotic clones. for the East/West Shrine football Some families have a treasured member game, plus other fun events such who takes the time as the Pie in the Eye Masonic Youth to do family geneal- Fun Day, the All Masonic Picnic, ogy, tracing the fam- and a couple of outdoor degrees. ily tree back in time. These visits have been memorable It is not so much the events, and eye openers, no pun in- genetics of the fam- tended, for all who attended. ily that is important; Except for a couple of these it is discovering sto- events, there has been one com- ries that highlight mon thread amongst these organi- what makes the fam- zations: Membership. Each group is ily unique and special. These family traits are dependent on Blue Lodge mem- what give family members pride, and pride bers. To join these organizations, without arrogance. Every Lodge should take one is required first to be a mem- care to document events, and therefore ber of a Blue Lodge; he must al- should have a designated historian. M.W.B. W. Myles McMillan ready be a Mason. These groups Grand Master Last year, Research Lodge noticed the are struggling for membership just Lodge Bible was in disrepair. Pages were like our Blue Lodges. If our Blue Lodges do not grow, neither can falling out where it had been opened to the these other important organizations, and growth is necessary for same place for over 80 years. There was health. quickly a motion on the floor to replace it M.W.B. Mike Wick, P.G.M. (2014) put great emphasis on quality vs. quantity. This we must not forget. I urge the Worshipful Mas- continued on page five ters of all Lodges to direct their Investigation Committees to do their due diligence. Thoroughly investigate petitioners, and be IN THIS ISSUE confident they are the type and 1 Grand Master’s Message quality of men we need. None of 1 Restoring Lodge History our Masonic groups need just 2 Regional Gathering Registration numbers, we all need men of 3 Grand Master’s Calendar integrity. A good resource, avail- 4 Youth Day at Oaks Park able through the Grand Lodge 4 Masonic Governors of Oregon Placemats office, is a pamphlet, Duties of the 5 Contributions Investigation Committee. The other 6 News From Our Lodges suggestion I have heard from 7 Lodge to Match OMYELF Funds several Lodges is to require the 7 Oregon DeMolay 8 Mason of the Month continued on page three Occasional Grand Lodge Photo Contest REGIONAL GATHERING Take your best shot registration wo Occasional Grand Lodge meetings are planned for the North Tand South regions of Oregon. The first will be held on Dec. 2, 2017, at Laurel Lodge No. 13, in Roseburg. The second is set for Feb. 24, 2018, at Washington Lodge No. 46 in Portland. These regional gatherings are free to attend and will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The attire is uniform or business casual. Ladies are encouraged to attend as a program will be offered in the morning. Check-in will open at 8 a.m., and a light breakfast will be provided. The first portion of these meetings will include a Grand Lodge opening, followed by a closed session of Masons, the Grand Lodge Trustees, and Lodge Officers. During this time, the attending Worshipful Master regon Lodges and members are or representative of each Lodge will be expected to give a brief report Oinvited to submit photographs they of their Lodge status, happenings, problems, solutions, issues, etc. A have recently taken to Grand Lodge for discussion of the new Grand Lodge membership database, Grand View, evaluation each month. A committee will will be given explaining some of the features and highlights. Lunch will review and select the best submission in be provided and available to all attendees. the following three categories: a historic The afternoon session, open to ladies and all attendees, from 12:30 Masonic building, a Masonic event, or p.m. to 3 p.m., will include the introduction of attending Masonic Bodies followed by an overview of the Grand Lodge youth programs. some esoteric meaning to Masonry. The regional gathering will end with a keynote speech from one of the The photograph must be in JPEG Grand Lodge Officers. Registration will be open until one week before format of at least 2 MB in size. A short the session. Space is limited so register early to reserve your place. write-up must accompany the submission detailing the following: The category of the photograph; the name of the Lodge REGIONAL GATHERING • REGISTRATION FORM or Brother submitting the photograph; We are from Lodge: a description of the image; and the time No. and place the photograph was taken. The selected photographs will be Name Office Held featured in the Oregon Masonic News and then displayed at the 168th Annual Communication for the delegates to vote for their favorite image. The first-place winner will receive a plaque and $500 Register for the FREE Regional to give to the Masonic charity of their My lady will be attending Gathering online, masonic-oregon. choice. Second and third place winners com/regional-gathering, mail this will receive a plaque. Submissions must form to the Grand Lodge office, be received by the 5th of the month to or call (503) 357-3158. [email protected] to be considered For more information, contact W.B. Greg Jenkins, Senior Grand for that month’s competition. Dec. 2, 2017 Deacon at (503) 474-7449. Roseburg Laurel Lodge No. 13 Register for the North or South Feb. 24, 2018 Regional Portland W.B. Hank Dougherty Washington Lodge No. 46 Gathering. playing the banjo during Space is limited. M.W.B. McMillan’s } Installation. Page 2 — October 2017 Grand Master’s Message, GRAND MASTER’S TENTATIVE ITINERARY continued from page one October 2017 top line signer on a petition to be a mentor 4 — Vale No. 142, Official Visit: dinner, 6 p.m.; Lodge, 7 p.m. - U, L 5 — Mt. Moriah No. 95, Condon, Official Visit: dinner, 6 p.m.; Lodge, 7 p.m. for the petitioner. No mentor, no signer. - U, L This signer should not be the coach, but 7 — MESH/Trustee Meeting: Grand Lodge, Forest Grove, 8 a.m. - U a mentor. Each petitioner needs a mentor, 7 — Grand Worthy Advisor Reception, Salem Scottish Rite Center - T, L and the top line signer must be this man. 11 — MMSAP, Jennings McCall Center, Forest Grove - U A mentor to answer his questions, GUIDE 11 — Tigard-Orenomah No. 207, Tigard, Official Visit: dinner, 6 p.m.; Lodge, 7 p.m. - U, L and work with him, and make him feel wel- 12 — Lents No. 156, Portland, Official Visit: dinner, 6:30 p.m.; Lodge, come, not just a number in the Lodge, but 7:30 p.m. - U, L also an asset to the Lodge. He must feel 13-15 Grand Lodge of California, San Francisco - U, T, L some worth within the Lodge, and it starts 16 — Santiam No. 25, Stayton, Official Visit: dinner, 6:30 p.m.; Lodge, with the mentor’s help and assistance. 7:30 p.m. - U, L In closing: seek membership, quality vs. 19-21 Scottish Rite, Baker Valley Reunion, Baker City - U, T 21 — Al Kader Food Caravan: Baker City to Wilsonville, 8 a.m. - U quantity, Duties of the Investigation Committee, 22 — DeMolay Pancake Breakfast, Al Kader Shrine, Wilsonville top line signers, and have fun. 24 — Tillamook No. 57, Official Visit: dinner, 6 p.m.; Lodge, 7 p.m. - U, L 29 — United Grand Lodge of England: Welcome Dinner (invitation only), Fraternally, 7 p.m. M.W.B. W. Myles McMillan, Grand Master 30 — United Grand Lodge of England: Reception at Mansion House A.F. & A.M. of Oregon (invitation only), 6-9 p.m. 31 — United Grand Lodge of England: 300th Anniversary Celebration, Royal Albert Hall (official guests only), 2 p.m.; reception & dinner, 5:30 p.m. Correction: Highlights from the 2017 Annual Communication November 2017 11 — MESH/Trustee Meeting: Grand Lodge, Forest Grove: 8 a.m. - U n the September issue of this publica- 12-14 Grand Lodge of Nevada, Las Vegas - U, T, L Ition, we shared a recap of some of the 16 — Aurora No. 59, Reedsport, Official Visit: dinner, 6:30 p.m.; events that happened during the 167th Lodge, 7:30 p.m. - U, L Annual Communication in Bend. The 18 — Champoeg No. 27, Canby, Official Visit: breakfast, 9:30 a.m.; Lodge, 10:30 a.m. - U, L Brother who sang “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s 18 — DeMolay Grand Master’s Class: Tigard-Orenomah Lodge No. 207, My Brother” during the Installation of the Tigard, 1-4 p.m. - U Grand Master, M.W.B.