Brethren:
“To Make Good Men Better” ... as Masons we recognize this statement as one of our frequently advertised
slogans. The question is: Are we set-up to perform this task? Have we positioned ourselves for success or for failure? As Master of VML No. 394, I cannot report that we have positioned ourselves to achieve either.
“Help ... Aid ... Assist,” do we fully understand the meaning of these three words? Again, have, we as Masons, positioned ourselves for ‘success’ or ‘failure’? As Master of VML No. 394, I cannot report that we have positioned ourselves to achieve either, but, I am slightly leaning towards success.
‘Time, Talent, Treasure’ ... are we as Masons deploying our hard earned resources appropriately? Do we remember that the obligations, repeated at the ‘altar,' have NO expiration date? It is a recognized that, as a general heuristic, 10 to 15 percent of the members of any organization perform 90 to 95 percent of the important/structural work within and for their organization. However, given our professed Masonic ‘Obligations,’ should we not expect a far greater percentage of our fraternity to be involved with actions those directly tied to our stated purposes?
As Master of VML No. 394. I am slightly leaning towards success in this endeavor. I am able to recognize 30% of our members.
However, the remaining 70% I have not seen in the past twenty-one months, or for that case, the seven plus years I have been a Mason.
Brothers, we have a long way to go to match the Masonry of our father’s or grandfather's generations. In December, I hope
W:. Gaudiosi’s Committee will present a framework to move us in the right direction. I thank those of you who have been the foundation of VML No. 394 ... donating your “Time, Talent, Treasure” to move VML No. 394 forward. Lastly, I pray that our Senior Warden, Brother Bruce Ferri, succeeds next year where I have failed.
Jeffrey P. Lessard, WM, jplbbu@rit.edu (352) 430-8040
