Proceeds benefit the Scottish Rite Foundation of Florida Childhood Language Disorders Clinics May-June 2009 Volume LIV, Issue 3 The Scottish Rite Foundation of Florida, USA. Inc. proudly presents an evening with Ill. Ernest Borgnine 33º, Grand Cross Saturday, May 30, 2009 Registration at 6:00 PM Dinner 7:00 PM Program 8:00 PM Orlando Scottish Rite Masonic Center Orlando Scottish Rite’s Flag Retirement Program - June 13th, 2009 12:00 PM. Orlando Scottish Rite’s Fall Reunion is scheduled for October 10th & 11th, 2009. Get your petitions in now. Visit us on the web at http://www.srorlando.org
Transcript
Proceeds benefit the Scottish Rite Foundation of Florida
Childhood Language Disorders Clinics
May-June 2009 Volume LIV, Issue 3
The Scottish Rite Foundation
of Florida, USA. Inc. proudly presents an evening
with
Ill. Ernest Borgnine
33º, Grand Cross
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Registration at 6:00 PM
Dinner 7:00 PM
Program 8:00 PM
Orlando Scottish Rite
Masonic Center
Orlando Scottish Rite’s Flag Retirement Program - June 13th, 2009 12:00 PM.
Orlando Scottish Rite’s Fall Reunion is scheduled for
October 10th & 11th, 2009. Get your petitions in now.
Visit us on the web at http://www.srorlando.org
The Scottish Rite Bulletin Page 2
From the desk of the Personal Representative
Orlando Scottish Rite visits Quality VS Quantity
Now that I've had several years to ponder this question, I would like to offer these few comments. For numerous years now, our fraternity has been focused on solely on membership. Our losses continue to grow every year, not only from deaths, but from members dropping out from non-payment of dues (NPD’s). We could probably write volumes about why our membership is de-clining, but as I have been saying for years, I think it all falls back on the quality of man we have selected to become a Ma-son in the first place. We don’t have to look up dates and statis-tics to tell what we have experienced is the recruitment of men who may or may not meet the high standards we ourselves have set for being a Mason. It's inconceivable to understand how any man can be willing to let his membership lapse for non-payment of dues. We are in a crisis period here where we are losing more members to Non-Payment of Dues than to Death! I have to ask the question...should anyone who holds their Masonic/Scottish Rite Membership in such a low priority in life ever been consid-ered for membership?.
As Masons we are taught many lessons, first and foremost are to meet our obligations, not just in Masonry, but in life. One of the problems we are faced with today is too many men are too will-ing to take an obligation, make a commitment to become a bet-ter man, take a solemn oath to his Brethren and his Lodge and later, just drop out! It appears that their Masonic membership is merely disposable. When it’s no longer convenient, or no longer serves their interest or goals; they discard it like their everyday trash. Membership in a Masonic Lodge is no longer valued by some Masons, anymore than their membership in the PTA or NRA.
Early Masonry was a valued life style for only the best men in the community, leaders in all aspects of life! Men who when they give their word, not only mean it, but would rather die than break it or be false to a trust! Many years ago, you had to want to be a Mason, you had to ask to be a Mason, and a true Mason would not recommend you for the Degrees unless you were a
man of character and could bring honor, prestige and value to the fraternity. I'm not so sure the same is as true when we look at today’s Mason? I feel, after that statement and the current state of affairs of our Valley's, we have a lot to consider! It's no sur-prise that membership is very important to our survival! It's so important that we MUST select men who meet the high standards set by our predecessors, those qualifications that make a Man a Mason forever, not just for a year or two. Trial memberships in our Masonic Lodges and Scottish Rite need to stop now!
I would welcome your comments and thoughts about this as we prepare for our next Reunion this Fall and the future of our Val-ley. Our future depends on you, all of you, our entire member-ship worldwide holds our fate in their control! Survival in today’s world is different that it was 100 years ago. The way we view everything in the world around us, is different than it was 100 years ago. Masonry, while it’s Degrees, Lessons, Tenants and Beliefs are for the most part the same, our core membership has changed and we may never be the same again.
I have to wonder, will we survive beyond my lifetime? How far can we decline in membership before we regain our status in the community and in the hearts of our members before being a Ma-son is once again a privilege a man would rather give up his life, rather than lose his membership to NPD?
Sincerely and fraternally,
Zeb E Blanton, Jr. Personal Representative of the S.G.I.G. Valley of Orlando
Calendar of Events - What’s Happening Around Here?
May 16th - Mentor’s Round Table Meeting 9:00 AM.
May 22nd - Stated Meeting - Officers Wear White Coats.
May 25th - Office Closed - Memorial Day Observed
May 30th - An Evening with Ernest Borgnine.
June 13th - Flag Retirement Program 12:00 PM.
June 26th - Stated Meeting - White Coats for the
Officers. July 3rd - Office Closed - Independence Day
Observed.
July 24th - Stated Meeting & S.G.I.G Official Visit.
Orlando Scottish Rite’s Fall Reunion is scheduled for
October 10th & 11th. Get your petitions in now.
Page 3 The Scottish Rite Bulletin
We are anxiously awaiting for the return of Brother Ernest Borgnine to our Consistory once again! If you didn’t have the opportunity to visit with him on his last visit, this will be a golden opportunity to see him. You will find more information through-out this bulletin about the particulars of signing up for his dinner/book signing arrangements. We still have a few jackets and shirts left in our inventory for sale, and Brother Robert Morrow has designed and obtained a plastic Christmas tree ornament reflecting the 14 clinics that we support here in Florida. We are asking for a donation of $10 each. I will have them at my table at the consistory meetings, and you can call Illustrious Keith, and he can process any order through his office. The millionaire and Billionaire awards are still going very well, thanks to all of you who have so generously contributed in support of the children.
We thank you for this support and if you are able to attend the Borgnine event, you will help out even more! Have you seen the double headed eagle painting displayed in the lobby of the Consistory? Brother Dominick Tesoriere has donated this painting he did himself; to the Foundation and we are taking offers and would like to make the presentation to the highest bidder when Illustrious Goldsmith makes his official visit in July. Thank you Brother Dominick for this masterpiece! Thank you all for your continued support!!
Fraternally, Ron Trinkle, 32° KCCH Orlando Scottish Rite Trustee
At a recent presentation of our Mentoring program at a won-
derful Blue Lodge in our Valley, I discovered, no, I rediscov-
ered that the status quo is still alive and well. Our well inten-
tioned Brothers had certainly known of our program and had promoted mentoring within their Lodge for some time now.
But as it is so often, the program dies a slow death for the
lack of ongoing commitment on the part of many.
The inherent problem is the knowing and the doing. Mentor-ing is not “smoke and mirrors”, it is very basic and simple.
There again it is and always has been putting the program to
work. This means selecting a chairman, committee members,
a working plan and continual follow up. Where we seem to
fail is the follow up and keeping this program alive. If you,
your lodge, or group can get a Mentoring program initiated
and bring enough substance and strength to it to pass on to the next group/leaders, it should continue. I cannot think of
any program that is more important to the newly raised
brother or Master of the Royal Secret than Mentoring. It is such a
shame to witness the absence of these Brothers after we labored
so long and with so much purpose and fraternal affection, only to
learn that they have lost interest and not returned to us. This does not have to be the case! We need to remember that a simple
phone call to remind them of an upcoming event can be so impor-
tant. Equally as important, is just checking in with them.
Have a plan in mind for this Brother to involve him in some manor in one of our many activities. If they are involved doing just about
anything, interacting with the Craft, there is a very good chance
that they will stay involved and grow knowing that we care about
their understanding of our fraternity and what it can mean to them
long term. Simply put, it is our continued commitment to this pro-
gram that is key. Only you can make this happen. We all thank
you in advance for doing just that….make it happen!
Curtis Johnson, 32° KCCH, OSRB Mentor Chairman
Scottish Rite Foundation of Florida, USA, Inc.
Mentoring Moments By Curtis Johnson, 32° KCCH
Here is my charitable donation to the SCOTTISH RITE FOUNDATION OF FLORIDA, INC.
Two suggestions: Prepare and maintain a prospect list and maintain it as individuals or as a team. (Club, Lodge, or Group of Lodges) Secondly, personal contact as individuals can be quite effective What’s more important in either technique is the follow-up. Many times if you find a Master Mason who is inter-ested in being a 32˚ Mason he will have a buddy who will go with him.
Additionally, having a petition available is important. It is a good idea to keep several in your car. Personal commitment by each Scottish Rite member is imperative.
Ill. Robert W. Moyer, 33º General Chairman, Membership Committee
What works best to BRING A MASTER MASON TO SCOTTISH RITE?
ROTC-JROTC AWARDS
It is time once again for our Scottish Rite awards program. Each year we are in contact with colleges and high schools ROTC-JROTC
officials. Each instructor has a very specific set of criteria that a cadet must meet to be awarded this important medal and certificate.
Letters are beginning to come in and Ill Keith Albright and committee chairman, Bob Jeffrey, are setting up schedules. We are always
interested in Brothers to make the presentations at the ceremonies. It is a time to see many of the good young people we have who
are maintaining good grades in academics as well as learning to become the leaders of the future of our great country.
The award is approved for display on their uniform. They also receive a certificate for framing. When we get a new presenter they invariably return with a positive comment on their experience. Many of us are former military and seeing these cadets in full dress
uniform and the obvious appreciation for the recognition is a Masonic experience.
This is a very important part of our Scottish Rite mission and is also a very rewarding one. Please contact Ill. Keith or Bob Jeffrey to
become a presenter.
Knights of Saint Andrews
***** IMPORTANT ANNONCEMENT *****
Brothers, do you have a locker? Have you paid your locker fee for 2009? We have several lockers with locks but no
name attached. Please let us know if you’re using a locker and pay the fee which is only $10.00 per year.
The Scottish Rite Bulletin Page 5
Central Brevard Scottish Rite Club meets 3rd Thursday each
month at Brevard Lodge #113 at 7:00 p.m. Covered dish
dinner.
Deltona Scottish Rite Club meets 3rd Monday each month at
Landmark Lodge #383 at 7:00 p.m. Covered dish dinner.
Halifax Scottish Rite Club meets 1st Monday each month at Daytona Beach Lodge #270 at 7:00 p.m.
Lake Scottish Rite Club meets 1st Wednesday each month at
Mt Dora Lodge #238 at 7:00 p.m. Reservations required.
Contact the President, Ill:. Jerry Elmore, 33rd 33° phone: 352-343-4018
New Smyrna Beach Scottish Rite Club meets the 1st Tuesday
of each month at the New Smyrna Beach Shrine Club 7:00
p.m. for covered dish dinner.
Osceola Scottish Rite Club meets 2nd Friday each month at St.
Cloud Lodge #221 at 7:30 p.m. Spaghetti Dinner.
Sanford Scottish Rite Club meets 2nd Wednesday each month
at I-Hop Orlando Ave (US 17-92) south of the 417 at 6:00
p.m. Dinner meeting .
South Brevard Scottish Rite Club meets 4th Thursday each month at Melbourne Lodge #143 at 6:30 p.m. Covered dish
dinner.
Titusville Scottish Rite Club meets 2nd Tuesday each month at
Indian River Lodge #90 at 6:30 p.m. Covered dish dinner.
Scottish Rite Clubs – Valley of Orlando
Orlando Scottish Rite Bodies
Scottish Rite Masonic Center
P.O. Box 5736
Winter Park, Fl 32793-5736
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage
PAID Orlando, Florida Permit No. 3082
Human progress is our cause, liberty of thought our supreme wish, freedom of conscience our mission, and the guarantee of equal rights to
all people everywhere our ultimate goal. -- The Scottish Rite Creed
