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PROCEEDINGSOFTHE105th

CONFERENCEOFGRANDMASTER’SOFMASONSINNORTHAMERICA,INC.

Sunday,February18,2018–Tuesday,February20,2018

MostWorshipfulJeffreyM.Williamson-ChairmanGrandMaster,GrandLodgeofNewYork

MostworshipfulLorenzo(Lon)E.Tibbits-ViceChairman

GrandMaster,GrandLodgeofUtah

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Sunday18February2018Indianapolis,INM.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:IwillcallonMostWorshipfulDeiterB.Hess,MostWorshipfulGrandMasteroftheGrandLodgeofthestateofNewJerseyfortheopeningprayer.Pleaserise.

(Prayer.)

M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:RightWorshipfulJamesKistel,wouldyoupleaseattendatthealteranddisplaytheThreeGreatLightsofMasonry. Iwillnowopenthe105thAnnualConferenceofGrandMastersofMasonsinNorthAmericatoorder.

IamJeffreyM.Williamson,GrandMasterofMasonsofthestateofNewYork,andIamhonoredanddelightedtohavethisopportunitytoserveasyourConferenceChairmanforthe2018sessionofthisGrandConference. Inowcallthe105thAnnualConferenceofGrandMastersofMasonsofNorthAmericatoorder.WewelcomeourvariousdelegatesandMasonicleaderswhohavegatheredfromourSisterJurisdictions,fromCanada,theUnitedStatesandMexico.Inaddition,weacknowledgeandwelcomethemultipleSisterJurisdictionsfromacrossthecontinentsthathavetraveledtoattendourConferenceinunityandfriendship.

Theycometolearn,andtomakenewcontacts,andtorenewoldfriendships.Mayyourattendanceherebeinstructive,productiveandenjoyable.AsMasonicleadersweassembleatthisforuminthespiritofhumilityandstewardship.Weallrealizetheenormouschallengesthatfaceourfraternity.Wealsorecognizethatchangesareoccurringinthisfastpacedworldandwemustfindnewwaystoadapt,change,thriveandgrow.

For300years,sinceitsofficialfounding,RegularFreemasonryhasneverstrayedfromitscoreprinciples,beliefsandLANDMARKS.Thegeniusofourinstitutionliesinitsabilitytorenewitselfandtomakeitselfrelevantforfuturegenerations.KeepingFreemasonryrelevantinoursocietyisataskthatisdifficultformanyofustograntandarehesitanttounderstand.Wemustcontinuetodevelopanoutstandingmembershipbasewithinourfraternityandequipmentthemwiththetoolsthattheyneedtomeettheongoingchallengesoftheworld.ThePlanningCommittee’sthemeforthisConferenceis,‘WorkingToolsforToday’sMasonry’.

ThetopicsaddressedintheBreakoutSessionsarearesultofyourfeedbackreturnedtothePlanningCommitteefromlastyear.IthasbeenmypersonalexperiencethatenthusiasticandenergeticGrandWardensandDeputyGrandMasterswhoearnestlyengageintheseseminarswilltakeholdofincredibleandamazingconceptsthatcanchangetheverylandscapeofyourjurisdiction.Mybrothers,theseBreakoutSessionsaredesignedtogiveyouthetoolsthatyouneed

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tosowtheseedsofsuccess.Whatyousowinthelivesofothersistheharvestyouwillreaptomorrow.Wechallengeeachofyoutotakeadvantageofthecurriculumofferedthenextfewdays.ItismypleasureandhonortowelcomeeachofyouhereinIndianapolis,Indiana.

IknowthateveryoneenjoyedIndiana’swelcomeandtailgatepartylasteveningandweallhadagreattime.SpecialthankstoourHostGrandMaster,MostWorshipRodneyA.Mann,andhiscommittee,andthebrethrenoftheGrandLodgeofIndianaforsuchadelightfulwelcome.Letusshowourappreciation.

(Applause) GrandMasters,therearefourmicrophonesonthreesidesofourtablesoverthere,inthecenterandonthissideoverhere.Forthebenefitofourreporter,MissJillFry,Iwouldaskthatwhenyouhavesomethingtosay,pleasegotoamicrophoneandidentifyyourselfbeforebeginningyourcomments.Thosewhohavereportstopresent,pleasegiveMissFrycopy.ItisnowmypleasuretointroducetoyoutheMostWorshipfulRodneyA.MannfortheintroductionoftheColorGuardandtheAccompanist.

(Applause) M.W.RODNEYA.MANN:WehaveaColorGuardfromtheGrandCommanderyofIndianaunderthedirectionofSirKnightCarsonSmith.ColorGuard,pleasepresentthecolors.

(Presentationofcolorsandpledgeofallegiance.NationalAnthems.)M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:IwouldliketothanktheColorGuardAttachmentfromtheGrandCommanderyofthestateofIndiana.Thankyouforassistingusinouropeningceremonies.It’snowmypleasureto,again,calluponGrandMasterRodneyMann,yourHostGrandMasterforhisofficialwelcome.Please,again,helpmewelcomeourHostGrandmaster.

(Applause)M.W.RODNEYMANN:OnbehalfoftheGrandLodgeofIndiana’s54,000members,thestateofIndianananditscitizens,wearepleasedtowelcomeeachoneofyoutoIndianapolis.Wehopethatyourstayherewillbegreat.Thisisawonderfulconventioncity.Everythingisdowntown.OveronIllinoisStreetwehaverestaurantrow.Manyofyou,Ihope,havefoundthat.Therearemanythingstodohere,sopleaseenjoyourfaircity,andthankyou,again,forcoming.

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(Applause)M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Thankyou,GrandMasterMannforyourwords.Atthistime,beforewegetstartedanyfurther,IwouldliketotaketheopportunitytoprovidesomeintroductionsformembersofourAppendantandAssociatedbodiesthatarehere.IwouldaskbasicallyasIcallofftheofficer,andifhehashisassociateswithhim,tocomeouthereatthefootofthedaissothatwecanproperlyintroducethem.Ibelievethatitisimportant;especiallyforourForeignJurisdictionstoknowwhomthecontactsareiftheywanttoformaDeMolayChapter,orformaRoyalArchChapterintheirparticularjurisdiction.They’resometimeshiddenfromourviewinthisassembly,butIwouldactuallyliketocallthemouttobeintroducedhere.Sothefirstthingwehaveis:OrderofAmaranth,JudyMosier,SupremeRoyalMatron.AssociationofMasonicArts,DimitarMarov,ExecutiveSecretary.MasonicAthelstan,MostWorshipfulBrotherBryceHildreth,ProvincialGrandMasterofAthelstan.OrderofDeMolay,RonMinchell,GrandMaster.GeorgeWashingtonMasonicNationalMemorial,GeorgeD.Seghers,ExecutiveDirector.HighTwelve,JosephSaintiseban.Job’sDaughtersInternational,ShellyCole,SupremeGuardian;RalphSchmidt,AssociateSupremeGuardian.GrandEncampment,DuaneVaught,GrandMaster.MasonicServiceAssociation,SimonLaPlace,ExecutiveSecretary.NationalSojourners,Inc.,EdwardNolte,NationalPresidentElect.InternationalOrderofRainbowforGirls,SusanRennagel,SupremeWorthyAdvisor.GeneralGrandChapter,JamesHodge,GeneralGrandHighPriest.ShrineInternational,GaryBerganske,ImperialPotentate.AASRCanadaJurisdiction,RobertBrethour,GrandSecretaryGeneral.

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AASRNorthernJurisdiction,RonaldA.Seale,SovereignGrandCommander.TallCedarsofLebanon,JamesMorrison,SupremeTallCedar.Letusrecognizethemandhowdowegreetthem?(Applause)Thankyou.(Applause)ifyouhaveanyquestionsfortheseoutfitsandorganizations,feelfreetocontactthem.Thankyou.Youaredismissed,mybrothers.Allright.IwouldliketothankMostWorshipfulMannagainatthistimeandexpressappreciationtotheentire2018Committeethatplannedthis.Brethren,youwillbeintroducedbyyourcommitteechairmanwhentheygivetheirreport,butIwanttoaddmypersonalthanksforyourworkandmakingthisConferencepossible.Thankyouverymuch.(Applause)IwouldnowliketoaskallofthePastOfficersoftheConferenceofGrandMastersofMasonsinNorthAmericatopleasestandandintroduceyourself,andgivetheyearthatyouservedtheConference.Themicrophonesareoutintheaudience.Pleasegotothemicrophone.Ifyouservedasanofficerofthisaugustbody,wewanttorecognizeyou.M.W.RICHARDMARTIN:Goodmorning.RichMartin,Vice-Chairmanin2012,PastGrandMasterofOregon.M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Thankyou.M.W.LARRYPLASKET:LarryPlasket,PastGrandMasterofNewJersey,TimeandPlace2006.M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Thankyouverymuch,brother.M.W.GERALDCARVER:GeraldCarver,PastGrandMasterofSouthCarolina,ConferenceChairman2009.M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Thankyou,brother.M.W.JACKMARLER:JackMarler,PastmGrandMasterofSouthCarolina,CHAIRMANofTimeandPlace,2015.

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M.W.BARRYRICKMAN:BarryRickman,SouthCarolina,PlanningCommittee2010.M.W.JOHNHEISNER:JohnHeisner,PastGrandMasterofCalifornia,ChairmanofPlanningCommittee2017.M.W.ARTBORLAND:ArtBorland,PastGrandMasteroftheGrandLodgeofOregon,PlanningCommittee2017.M.W.STEPHENPONZILLO:StephenPonzillo,Maryland,PlanningCommitteeChairmanin2011andConferenceChairin2012.M.W.GALEKENNEY:GaleKenney,Washington,ChairmanPlanningCommittee2010.M.W.BILLBERMAN:BillBerman,NewJersey,TimeandPlaceCommittee2009.M.W.GLENNE.MEANS:GlennMeans,PastGrandMasterofMissouri.IwasExecutiveSecretary-Treasurerfrom2003tolastyear.M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Thankyou,Brethren.

(Applause)IamgoingtoasktheExecutiveSecretary,dowehaveaquorumofthememberspresent?Iwillturnitovertoyou.Brethren,ifyoucanbesoconsideratetoputyourcellphonesonmute,wewouldgreatlyappreciateit.M.W.DAVIDW.HAYWOOD:MostWorshipfulBrotherChairman,wehave61ofthe64memberjurisdictionspresent,sowedohaveaquorum.NotrepresentedatthisConferenceareNovaScotia,PrinceEdwardIslandandPuertoRico.Thankyou.M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Now,alsojustsoeveryoneknows,theGrandMastersarethevotingdelegatesofthisconvention,andtypicallyonthisfirstrowhere.IfGrandMastersneedtovacatetheposition,theDeputyGrandMasterwillassumethechair.Ifthereisavotetakenduringthattime,thatDeputyGrandMastercaststhevoteonbehalfofyourjurisdiction.BeforeIcallforthePlanningCommitteeReport,Ihaveacoupleofannouncements.Thefirstannouncementismybrothersfromtheforeignjurisdictions;therearetwomeetingsoftheCommissiononInformationforRecognition.Todaytheywillmeetat10:45intheVisionRoom.ThepurposeofthisfirstmeetingisonlytoreceivepapersandreportsfromthevariousjurisdictionsthatwishtosubmitpapersorworktotheCommittee.Itisimportanttorememberthatisnottheirregularmeeting.ThesecondmeetingoftheCommissiononInformationforRecognitionwilltakeplaceat9:30tomorrowintheVisionRoom,whichisthesameroomforbothdays.Arethereanyquestionsonthat?

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(Noresponse)M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Okay.Thesecondannouncement;IwouldliketoespeciallyremindeveryonethattheTimeandPlaceCommitteewillbecalledtoOrderbyMostWorshipfulThomasE.Pulkkinen,GrandMasterofMaine,onMondaymorningat9:30a.m.intheTheoryARoom.Now,thiscommitteewillreceivebidstohosttheConferenceof2022andpreparearecommendationtoreportlaterintheCONFERENCE.Anyjurisdictionwishingtopresentabidtohostthe2022Conferenceisencouragedtodosoatthiscommitteemeeting.Weareespeciallydelightedtointroduceaveryspecialguestthismorning.AbrotherwhosedutiesconsistofrepresentinghisGrandLodgeonformalvisitstorecognizedGrandLodgesacrosstheworld,andatInternationalGrandLodges,andGrandLodgesofRegularMasonicLodgesinordertomaintaintheclosefraternalrelationshipsonaworldwideplatform.ManyofuswerewiththemathisGrandLodgetocelebratethe300thanniversaryofthefoundingoforganizedFreemasonry.PleasehelpmewelcomeRightWorshipfulBrotherDerekDinsmore,theGrandChancelloroftheUnitedGrandLodgeofEngland.Wouldyoucomeforward,please.

(Applause)Weshouldhavetoldyou,youhavetowalkthroughahalfafootballfieldtocomehere.Heck,you’reinadifferenttimezoneoutthere.GRANDCHANCELLORDEREKDINSMORE:Yes,weare.Brethrenandladies,thisiscompletelyunexpectedsoIamtotallyunprepared.Youprobablywouldappreciatethat.IwouldjustliketosaythatitwasagreatpleasureforusinEnglandtoholdthe300thcelebrationofwhatisgenerallyconsideredtobethebirthofRegularFreemasonry.WhatwetriedtoputacrosstherewastheprinciplesofFreemasonrytoday,thesameastheywerein1717beforeOriginalLodgesgottogethertoformtheGrandLodgeofEngland.Webelievethatthoseprinciplesshouldbecarriedforwardtodayandaroundtheworld.WealsobelievethatthegrowthofIrregularFreemasonryisadangertoallofus.TheproblembeingthattotheoutsideworldweareallregardedasFreemasons.Theydon’tknowthedifferencebetweenRegularandIrregularFreemasons.Itisapleasure,BrotherChairman,formetobeherewithyoutoday,anditisalwaysapleasuretoseeoldfriendsinordertomeetnewbrethren.Brethren,thankyouverymuchforyourreceptionandIwishyouverywellforasuccessfulConference.

(Applause)

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M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:ItisnowmypleasuretocallonMostWorshipfulBrotherTimothyD.Sanders,theGrandMasteroftheGrandLodgeofKentucky,whowillbringuptheConferencePlanningCommitteeReportandpresenttherulesoftheCONFERENCEwhichwewilladopttoday.GrandMasterSanders;Pleasehelpmewelcomehim,brothers.

(Applause)M.W.TIMOTHYSANDERS:BrotherChairman,MostWorshipfulandRightWorshipfulBrothers,goodmorning.(Goodmorning)MostWorshipfulBrotherChairman,MostWorshipfulandRIGHTWorshipfulGrandMasters,mybrothersall.ThankyouforthisopportunitytoservethisGrandMaster’sConference.ItisagreatpleasureandIbringtoyouthisreportonbehalfofthemembersofthePanningCommittee,whichmetinIndianapolisonFriday,Aprilthe14thandSaturdayAprilthe15th,2017.ThePlanningCommitteelistenedtoyourcommentsandsuggestionsastheywereheardlastFebruaryinOmaha.WehavecontinuedtheeliminationoflonglistsofintroductionsandweareallowingeachofyoutomakeourvisitorsfromAppendantBodiesandsisterJurisdictionsfeelwelcome.WehavetheyouthleadersofthethreeyouthgroupstoaddresstheGrandMasters.Theyhaveputtogetheragreatprogram.Ihopeallofyouwillenjoy.AtthistimeIwouldliketointroducethemembersofthePlanningCommittee,andifyouwillpleasestandwhenyournameiscalledsothatyourhardworkanddedicationtotheFraternitycanberecognized.MostWorshipfulBrotherJohnMarinucci,GrandMasterofDelaware;RightWorshipfulBrotherGeneHeritt,GrandMasterofPennsylvania;MostWorshipfulBrotherErnieSchoup,GrandMasterofNewMexico;MostWorshipfulBrotherYanceyP.Smith,GrandMasterofSouthDakota.IwouldlikealsoatthistimetointroduceourConferenceChairman,MostWorshipfulBrotherJeffreyWilliamson,theGrandMasterofNewYork;ourVice-Chairman,MostWorshipfulBrotherLorenzoTibbits,GrandMasterofUtah;thehostforthissession,MostWorshipfulBrotherRodneyMann,theGrandMasterofIndiana;andMostWorshipfulBrotherDavidHaywood,GrandMasterofMissouri,theGrandTreasurerandSecretaryofthisConference.Ifyouwould,pleasegivetheseBrothersaroundofapplause.

(Applause)IwouldliketoalsothankMostWorshipfulBrotherMannforallofthecourtesiesheandhisofficershaveshownusduringourplanningmeetinginApril.AttheplanningsessiontheGrandLodgeofIndianaoutlinedaverywellthoughtoutplanforourSaturdayeveningentertainment,theladieslunchandtourandthepreconferencetours.YouhavealreadyenjoyedtheresultoftheplanningandtheSaturdaytours,andthegreatwelcomingtailgatepartylastnight.Willyouplease

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showyourappreciationforthat?

(Applause)Itisoursincerehopethateachofyouwillenjoy,aswellaslearnfromthisConference.TheBreakoutSessionscoverawiderangeofprogramsthatmanyofyourequestedandshouldhavegreatbenefitstoyourGrandMastersandotherelectedandappointedofficersofyourGrandJurisdictions.Thesesessionswillaffordyouanopportunitynotonlytolearn,butalsotointeractwiththeotherbrothersfromtheotherGrandJurisdictions.TheseBreakoutSessionsareadirectresultofrequestsandcommentsoflastyear.IsitthePlanningCommittee’shopethatthesesessionswillmotivatetheleadersoftomorrowandweencourageallDeputyGrandMastersandGrandWardenstotakeadvantageoftheBreakoutSessionsasmuchaspossible.

1. OurbylawsinArticleIVsetforththerulesoftheConferenceofGrandMastersofMasonsofNorthAmericawillbegoverned.Torefreshyourmemory,theyare:

2. AnyitemofbusinessnotplacedontheagendafortheAnnualMeetingbythe

PlanningCommitteemaybeaddedbyapprovalofathree-fourthmajorityvoteoftheGrandMastersandotherauthorizedrepresentativesinattendanceofthemeeting.

3. ExceptasotherwiseprovidedintheBylaws,anyitemofbusinessbroughtto

thefloorforvoteshallbedecidedbyatwo-thirdmajorityvoteoftheGrandMastersorotherauthorizedrepresentativehavingseatingprivileges.

4. OnlyGrandMastersordulyauthorizedrepresentativesofmemberGrand

Lodgeshavingspeakingprivilegesareauthorizedtospeakatanysession.OtherpersonsdesiringtospeakmustfirstobtainthepermissionoftheirrespectiveGrandMaster.

Inaddition,thePlanningCommitteerecommendsthefollowingadditionalrulesforthis2018ConferencetoaugmenttheBylaws.Theyare:

1. WhenproperlyrecognizedbytheChair,thebrothersorecognizedwillapproachamicrophone;statehisname,hisofficeandthejurisdictionherepresentsbeforespeakingonanysubject.

2. Parliamentaryprocedureshallbebaseduponcommonlyacceptedpractices

inRobertsRulesofOrder,exceptwhereMasonicprotocolprevails.MostWorshipfulBrotherChairman;IwillnowrequestthatourExecutiveSecretaryreportonthosebrothersdesignatedbytheirGrandMasterstorepresentthemandsitintheirplaceatthisConference.

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M.W.DAVIDHAYWOOD:MostWorshipfulBrotherSanders,IwascontactedbyMostWorshipfulBrotherTheodoreJ.Nelson,GrandMasterofConnecticut,whodesignatedthatWorshipfulBrotherMelvinJohnson,DeputyGrandMastertofillhisstation.Hewillbeherelaterintheconference,butfortodayRightWorshipfulMelvinJohnsonwillfillhisstation.MostWorshipfulClarenceGrigsby,whohascomedownwiththeseven-dayflueandisunabletoattend,recentlycontactedme.HedesignatedRightWorshipfulBrotherMikeDixon,DeputyGrandMasterofOklahomatofillhisstation.Thankyou.M.W.TIMOTHYSANDERS:MostWorshipfulBrotherChairman;ImovetheadoptionofthisPlanningCommitteeReport,alongwiththe2018ConferenceRulesandthattherepresentativesbeapprovedandaffordedallthecourtesiesthatwouldbeextendedtotheGrandMaster.Second.M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Youhaveheardthemotion,brothers.Wehaveasecond.AllthoseinfavorsignifybysayingAye?Aye.Opposed?Motioncarried.Thankyou,GrandMasterSanders.InowcalluponMostWorshipfulBrotherDavidHaywood,theExecutiveSecretary-Treasurerforhisreport.Pleasehelpwelcomehimaswell.

(Applause)M.W.DAVIDHAYWOOD:Thankyou.MostWorshipfulBrotherChairman,MostWorshipful,RightWorshipfulGrandMasters,distinguishedbrothers,ladiesandguests,Iamnotsureaboutyou,butIknowthatmywifeandIthoroughlyenjoyedtheIndianaGala.Thestreetstomperswereagreatwaytostartoffthis105thConference,andthefoodwasfantastic.

(Applause)MycongratulationstotheIndianaOfficers,totheGrandLodgeOfficersofIndiana,andtheIndianaHostPlanningCommitteeand,ofcourse,totheIndianaMasonswhoareeverywhereinthisConference.Withthatkindofbeginning,thisisgoingtobeanoutstandingConference.AsoflastFriday,therewere520menregisteredand172womenregisteredatthisyearsconference.WemorethanfilledourblockofroomsandtheHyattRegencyactuallygaveusextrarooms,10extraroomsoneverynightjusttofillin.Notonlythat,butwehadtogonextdoortotheWestinIndianapolistogetanadditional30roomsfortheConference.In2019wewillbeattheRamkotaBestWesternConferenceinRapidCity,SouthDakota.Thatparticularhotelhas267rooms.Ihavereservedanother110roomsattheRamada,andanadditional30roomsattheHiltonGardenInn,whichwillbedesignatedasthe

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overflowhotel.Allthreehotelsareclose,sowhilethetemperaturemightnotwantyoutowalk,buttheyarewalkable.Idoapologizeforanytyposonthenamebadges,whichhopefullyhavebeencorrected.Ifnot,pleaseseemeandIwilldoso,andanycorrectionsontheagenda.Thereisoneadditiontoday,onSundayat11:30a.m.,theNationalMasonicFoundationforChildrenwillagainmeetinStudio6.IdohavetoapologizetoMostWorshipfulBrotherBradPhillips,GrandMasterofArkansas,forenteringhisGrandSecretary’snameontheagenda.Idoapologize.AtthispointIdonothaveacompletefinancialstatementfor2017becausewearenotclosedforthefiscalyear.WedonotcloseourbooksuntilMarch31st,2018.AfterthatdateIwillhavethebooksauditedandfileanIRSForm990,whichwasdonefortheyear2017.The2017yearendfinancialsshowanoperatinglossof$8,183,primarilyduetoaudiovisualrequirements.Icansaythisyear’sOfficersandPlanningCommitteewereverydiligent,butevenwiththatIexpectalossthisyear.TheaudiovisualrequirementsofthisConferenceandthecostofthephotosarehigherthaninthepast.Gentlemen,ourConferencebudgetisover$200,000.Wetrytokeepathinmargin.Theofficersdoatremendousjob.Acopyofthefinancialstatementforlastyear,Iwillfilewiththisreport.Iespeciallywanttothankmylady,DianeandMaryJaneMeans,andJuneSmith,alongwiththeirhusbands,MostWorshipfulGlennMeansandMostWorshipfulRichardSmith,whomadetheregistrationandcheck-inprocessworksowonderfully.Thankyouall.IwanttoexpressmygratitudefortheopportunitytoworkwiththeofficersofthisConference.Thecomradely,thehelp,andtheguidanceofyouhavemade,andhavegivenmehaveunquestionablybeenthebestintheworld.Forthat,Isincerelythankeachandeveryoneofyou.Myjobdependsontheguidancethatyou,theGrandMasters,thebrethrengiveme,andIlookforwardtotheremainderofthisConference.Iknowthatitisgoingtobeagreatone.Thishotelisagreatvenue.Ifanyofyouhaveanyproblems,youknowwheretogo.InMissouri,MostWorshipfulHarryTrumansaid,“Youknowthebuckstopshere”,andunfortunatelythat’smetoo.Pleasecontactmeifyouhaveanyproblems.Thankyou.

(Applause)M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:ThankyoubrotherExecutiveSecretary.Weneedamotiontoacceptthereport.DoIhaveasecond?Second.Motionandsecond.Allthoseinfavor,signifybysayingAye?Aye.Opposed?Motioncarried.Thankyou.

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IwouldalsoliketothankMostWorshipfulBrotherScottA.Thomasforpresentingmewiththisabsolutelywonderfulgavelandsoundingblockthathegaveasagifttoday.Iamveryspeechless.Thankyouverymuch.It’sagreatkeepsakeforthisConference.Thankyou,Brother,appreciateit.

(Applause)IwouldnowliketocallonMostWorshipfulBrotherLonTibbits,ChairmanoftheNominatingCommitteeforhisreport.Pleasehelpmewelcomeourbrother.

(Applause)M.W.LONTIBBITS:Thankyou,MostWorshipfulBrotherChairman.TheNominatingCommittee,iftheywillstandasIcalltheirname.MyselfasChairman;MostWorshipfulBrotherScottThomas,GrandMasterofArizona;MostWorshipfulBrotherDieterHees,GrandMasterofNewJersey;MostWorshipfulBrotherGregClark,GrandMasterofIllinois;MostWorshipfulBrotherRodneyMann,GrandMasterofIndiana;MostWorshipfulBrotherArbyHumphrey,GrandMasterofWisconsin;MostWorshipfulBrotherTimSanders,GrandMasterofKentucky;MostWorshipfulBrotherPhilMoss,GrandMasterofColorado;andMostWorshipfulBrotherJeffreyWilliamson,GrandMasterofNewYork,theConferenceChairman.Thankyou,Brethren.

(Applause)PriortoourcomingtoIndianapoliswereviewedthebiographicalinformationsubmittedtotheExecutiveSecretarybythosewhowillbeGrandMastersatthetimeofthe2019Conference,andanylettersofrecommendationsubmittedalongwiththoseregardingthoseindividuals.TheCommitteemetonConferencecallonJanuary24thand,again,at2:00p.m.yesterday.YourNominatingCommitteesubmitsthefollowingrecommendationstoserveasofficersandcommitteemembersinthe2019ConferenceofGrandMasters.Asyournameiscalled,pleasestandandremainstanding.AsConferenceChairman,MostWorshipfulBrotherMichaelSmith,GrandMasterofSouthCarolina.AsConferenceVice-Chairman,RightWorshipfulBrotherRichardNaegele,DeputyGrandMasterofMaryland.AsPlanningCommitteeChairman,RightWorshipBrotherJamesKendall,DeputyGrandMasterofWashingtonstate.AsmembersofthePlanningCommittee,RightWorshipfulBrotherDickieMcKinney,DeputyGrandMasterofTennessee;RightWorshipBrotherJamesMorgan,DeputyGrandMasterofOregon;RightWorshipfulBrotherRogerGuintana,DeputyGrandMasterofNewJersey;RightWorshipfulBrotherDwightSigmon,DeputyGrandMasterofNorthCarolina.AsChairmanoftheTimeandPlaceCommittee,RightWorshipfulBrotherWilliamSardone,DeputyGrandMasterofNewYork.AsmembersoftheTimeandPlaceCommittee,RightWorshipfulBrotherTerryOsborne,DeputyGrandMasterofIowa;RightWorshipfulBrotherScottPedley,DeputyGrandMasterofWisconsin;RightWorshipfulBrotherPaulE.Todd,GrandMasterofOntario;andRightWorshipfulBrotherStuartWright,

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DeputyGrandMasterofCalifornia.ForExecutiveSecretary-Treasurer.YouwillfindtwonominationsforExecutiveSecretary-TreasurerfortheConferenceofGrand Masters.FirstisMostWorshipfulBrotherDavidHaywood,PastGrandMasterofMissouri,ExecutiveSecretaryoftheConferenceofGrandMasters,and secondMostWorshipfulBrotherMichaelA.DeWolf, ExecutiveSecretaryfortheConferenceofGrand Secretaries.

M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Pleasebeseated.ThankyouMostWorshipfulBrotherTibbits.Arethereanyothernominations?Arethereanyothernominations?Arethereanyothernominations?Hearingnone,Ideclarethenominationsclosed.Allofthenominatedpositions,withtheexceptionoftheOfficeofExecutiveSecretaryareunopposed.Wewill,therefore,haveanelectionbyballotforthatoffice.However,beforewedothat,IwouldliketoentertainamotionbyMostWorshipfulBrotherYanceySmith,GrandMasteroftheGrandLodgeofSouthDakotatocasttheunanimousballotinfavoroftheunopposednominations.M.W.YANCEYSMITH:MostWorshipfulBrotherChairman,YanceySmith,GrandMasterofMasonsofSouthDakota.Asthereareonlyonenomineeforeachofthepositions,otherthanthetheExecutiveSecretary,Imovethatthosebrothersbeelectedbyunanimousballot,andelectedbyacclamation.Second.

M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:AllthosesignifybysayingAye?Aye.Opposed?MostWorshipfulBrotherMichaelSmith,doyouAccept?

M.W.MICHAELSMITH:Itwillbeanhonorandaprivilege,withthehelpofGodandtheCraft.M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:MostWorshipfulBrotherRichardNaegele,doyouaccept?R.W.RICHARDNAEGELE:Ido.

M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:RightWorshipfulBrotherJamesKendall,doyouaccept?R.W.JAMESKENDALL:Withhumilityandgratitude,Iaccept.

M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:RightWorshipfulBrotherDickieMcKinney,doyouaccept?R.W.DICKIEMcKINNEY:Ido.

M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:RightWorshipfulJamesMorgan,doyouaccept?R.W.JAMESMORGAN:Ido.

M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:RightWorshipfulBrotherRogerQuintana,doyouaccept?R.W.ROGERQUINTANA:Ido.

M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:RightWorshipfulBrotherDwightM.Sigmon,doyouaccept?

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R.W.DWIGHTSIGMON:Ido.

M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:RightWorshipfulBrotherWilliamSardone,doyouaccept?

R.W.WILLIAMSARDONE:Ido,Grand Master. M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:RightWorshipfulBrotherTerryOsborne,doyouaccept?

R.W.TERRYOSBORNE:Ido.M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:RightWorshipfulBrotherScottPedley,doyouaccept?

R.W.SCOTTPEDLEY:Ido,GrandMaster.M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:MostWorshipfulBrotherPaulE.Todd,doyouaccept?M.W.PAULE.TODD:Ido.

M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:RightWorshipfulBrotherStuartWright,doyouaccept?M.W.STUARTWRIGHT:Ido.

M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Congratulationstoeveryoneofyou.

(Applause)Iwouldwithliketoappointtwofellowsfortheelectioncoming,andIwouldaskMostWorshipfulBrotherPeterIacobucci,theGrandMasterofRhodeIsland,toapproachthefrontofthedaishere.

MostWorshipfulBrotherPaulGleason,GrandMasterofMassachusetts,wouldyoupleasejoinus?MostWorshipfulVictorStone,GrandMasterofVermont,wouldyoupleasejoinusandactastellersfortheelection?

BrotherExecutiveSecretary,couldyoupleasecausetheballotstobedistributedtothe tellers.

IwouldaskthetellerstogotothedesignateddelegatesandmakesurethateachGrandMaster,orhisauthorizeddelegatewithseatingprivileges,receiveonebeballot.Asimplemajorityofthosevotingmemberspresentwilldecidewhoisdulyelected.

Whilethatisgettingorganized,Iwillletyouknowthatwewillallowthreeminutesofspeech/remarksfromeachcandidate,orhisdesigneespeakingonhisbehalf.Therewillbenoseconds,orsplittingofthetimeallowedforeachcandidate.Therewillonlybeonespeechforeachcandidate.Wewilldrawtoestablishwhospeaksfirst.BrotherMichaelDeWolf,wouldyoupleaseapproachthedais?

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M.W.MICHAELA.DeWOLF:MostWorshipfulBrotherPresident&MostWorshipBrothers:M.W.L.ArbyHumphrey,GrandMasterofWisconsinhasofferedtospeakonmybehalfandmakethepresentation.

M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Allright.BrotherArby.MostWorshipfulArby,wouldyoubepresent?

You’renotspeakingyet.Wehavetodrawhere.Ihaveithere.Okay.SoIhavetwo piecesofpaperhere,theonehasandXon,itwillbe thepersonthatspeaksfirst. So,okay.BrotherArby,onbehalfofMostWorshipfulBrotherDeWolf.

M.W.ARBYHUMPHREY:Brethrenall,MostWorshipfulandIllustriousMichaelDeWolfisa33rdDegree,isaPastGrandMasterofFreeandAcceptedMasonsinWisconsin,andhasservedtheWisconsinFreemasonsasGrandSecretaryfornearly15years.Inaddition,heistheExecutiveSecretaryfortheConferenceofMasonicGrandMastersorSecretariesofNorthAmerica,andanactivememberoftheScottishRite.

Whenlookingforthebestcandidateforthejob,it’salwaysbeenmybeliefthatpastperformanceisthebestmeasurebeforefuturepotential.FromhistimeinDeMolay,throughouthisentirelife,MostWorshipfulBrotherMikehasheldalong,significantlistofMasonicleadershippositionsandnumerousorganizationsacrossthelocalstates,nationalandinternationallevel.

Inallofhisendeavorshehasconstantlydemonstratedthatheisahighlymotivatedcommunicator,anexceptionaladministratorandsuave businessman.

SomeofyouknowMostIllustriousPastGrandMaster,BrotherMichaelDeWolfassecretaryandanactivemember,andsomeofyouknowhimsimplyas“TheBigRagu.”I,likemanyofyou,justsimplyrefertohimas“Mike.”

Thebottomlinehereis,IlikeMike.IlikeMikebecausenomatterwhatyouneed,youcanalwayscountonhimtodeliver,andinshortorder,anditdoesn’tmatterwhoyouare.

IlikeMikebecauseheisanexcellentcommunicator.Helistens.Hesharesinformationwithyouandthenhesharesitagain,andagain.

IlikeMikebecauseheisexperiencedatputtingtogetherlargeevents,evenlargerthanthiseventandhedoesitseamlessly.Heisdetailoriented,butyoumightnotknowthatbecausedetailsarejusthandledwhenheisresponsible.

IlikeMikebecauseheisanexcellentbusinessman.AfewyearsagoourstateofWisconsinhostedthisConferenceandeverybodytoldusitwasgoingtocostourGrandLodgetensofthousandsofdollarstohostthisConference.Well,becauseofhisleadershipandguidance,itdidn’tcostusthat.Webrokeeven,andmanyofyouwerethere,andallof thosewhoattendedwillattestthatwedidn’tcut corners.

IlikeMikebecauseheisinnovativeandadeptatusingtoday’stechnologytomakethingseasier,likeregistration,payment,andcommunication.Makingthings

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seamless.Hemakesiteasier.Whenitcomestoallofthattechystuff,hehastheskillsofaMillennial,andhemakesitsimpleforpeoplelikemetouseit.IlikeMikebecausewell,asGrandMaster,wehavealimitedtimetopositivelyimpactourfraternityandverysoonwe’llallbeyesterday’snews.But,thisConferenceisthelargestConference,largestgatheringofGrandMastersintheworldandwehaveachancetomakeitbetter.

Solookingaroundtheroom,Iseeapack,abigpackofalphamales.ThepositionofExecutiveSecretaryandTreasurerisnodoubtabigjobbutitisalotforanyonetobiteoff.It’slikeeatinganelephant.Solet’sgiveittoMikie,becauseeverybodyknowshe’lleatanything.ThankYou.

(Applause)

M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:TheGrandMasterofOregon,RightWorshipfulMylesMcMillanwillbespeakingonbehalfofBrotherHaywood.

M.W.MYLESMcMILLAN:ConferenceChairman,distinguishedhonorees,andbrothersall.IamhonoredthismorningtoplaceintonominationMostWorshipfulBrotherDavidW.Haywood,PastGrandMasterfortheofficeofExecutiveSecretaryofthisesteemedbody,theConferenceofGrandMastersofNorthAmerica.

BrotherDavidisaprovenleader.Hispastandcurrentexperiencesshowhimtobewellqualifiedtocontinue.Continue,getthatheavywordthere,tofillthisExecutivepositionoftheGrandSecretaryoftheConferenceofGrandMastersofNorthAmerica.

MostWorshipfulBrotherDavidisapastGrandMasterofMissouri.HehasservedwiththeConferenceofGrandMastersofNorthAmericabyvolunteeringandselectiononnumerouscommitteessince2012.Andasweallknow,itisprobablypriortothat,butthatwastheactualdatethathewasselectedasacommitteeperson.ThisexperienceofdirectConferenceinvolvementgiveshimatremendousheadstartinoperationsoftheConferenceofGrandMastersofNorthAmerica.WeallknowthatasPastGrandMaster,thatthesejobsthatweundertakearenotaonepersonjob,andneitheristheConferenceofGrandMasters ExecutiveSecretary. MostWorshipfulDavehasthefull supportofhiswifeandpartner,Diane.Iurgeyour supportforyoursittingExecutiveConference Secretary,MostWorshipfulBrotherDavidHaywood.

Thankyou.(Applause)

BeforeIleave,onyourtabletopthereisafulloutlineofhisMasonicandaffiliatedbackground.Iurgeyoutotakealookatthat,ratherthankillthemic.Thankyou.M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Thankyou,myBrother.Appreciateit.SoIwouldnowasktheBrothers,the61GrandMasters,orthedesignatedappointeesauthorizedtovoteonbehalfoftheirGrandLodgetopleasewriteBrotherHaywood

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orBrotherDeWolf.Justwriteitinwordsonthecardandthenthethreetellerswillcollectthoseballotsandcounttheresults.Brethren,Ihavetheresultsoftheelection.MichaelA.DeWolf35,DaveHaywood25,andoneblank,whichaddsupto61votes,iswhatwehave.BrotherMichaelDeWolf,doyouaccepttheelectionresultsandaccepttheposition?

M.W.MICHAELA.DeWOLF:MostWorshipfulBrotherChairman,Icertainlydoaccepttheelection andmyBrothers,Ithankeachandeveryoneofyoufortheconfidenceyouhaveshownbyyourvote.

Youwillgetmybestinthisendeavor.Iamlookingforwardtohavingsomegoodfutureconferences.Thankyou.M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Thankyou.

(Applause)Iherebydismissthetellers.MostWorshipfulBrotherDavidHaywood,Iwanttothankyouforyourservice.Youhavedoneagoodjobforus.Weappreciateallthatyouhavedone.Let’sgivehimahandaswell.

(Applause)

IwouldexpectthetransitionprocesswillbesmoothandcooperativeinaveryMasonic,civilizedmanner.IlookforwardtoagoodtransitionaswemovefromanExecutiveSecretaryandanewBoardofmembersfortheensuingterm.Ideclaretheelectionsclosed.Thefirstdutyforthe2019officers,whicharetheChairman,theVice-Chairman,HostGrandMaster,ChairmanofthePlanningCommitteeandthemembersofthePlanningCommittee,aremeetingtodayat4:10p.m.inStudio5.ThenewlyelectedConferenceChairmanandPlanningCommitteeChairmanwillbetheleadersofthemeeting.TheExecutiveCommitteeSecretarywillalsobeinattendance.Ialsostronglysuggestthat therepresentativesofthe2019SouthDakotaHost Committee,orothermembersoftheHostJurisdiction, attendthismeeting. IthankyouMostWorshipfulBrotherTibbitsandallofthemembersoftheNominatingCommittee.Iknowthattheselectionofnomineesisadifficulttask.Wethankallofthebrotherswhosentintheirbiographiesandresumesforconsideration.Weappreciateyourvolunteeringforthiswonderfulservice.

Iwouldalso,atthistime,liketoasktherepresentativeoftheNationalSojourners—isheintheroomhere?

Canyoucomeupandoffersomeremarksatthistime?PleasehelpmewelcomeBrotherEdwardNolte,thePresidentelect.Helpmewelcomehim,brothers.(Applause)

M.W.EDWARDNOLTE:Goodmorning.Most Worshipfuls,RightWorshipfuls,distinguishedbrethren all.IamEdNolte,theNationalPresidentelect.It willbemy

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honornextyeartoserveasthePresidentof NationalSojournersduringourCentennialAnniversary. WewillcelebrateourCentennialAnniversarybeginning withourAnnualNationalConventioninNorfolk, VirginiainJuneofthisyear.

Duringtheyearwewillhostvariouspatrioticeventsthroughoutthenation.OurCentennialyearwillculminateatourNationalConventioninOmaha,NebraskaonJune4ththroughthe9thof2019.

WeinviteeachGrandMasterorhisdesignatedrepresentativetojoinusforourbirthdaybash,andhelpushonorourpast,celebrateourpresentandembraceourfuture.

IfyouarenotyetaNationalSojourner,wearewillhostaNationwideInitiationCeremonytoinviteyoutojoinourorder.ThoseattendingwillalsoreceiveaframedtoastoftheflagposterfordisplayinyourGrandLodge.DuringtheCentennialYearourvariousChaptersandyourGrandJurisdictionswillbepresentingthesetotheirLodges.

OurgoalsfortheCentennialYearincludeinitiatingathousandnewNationalSojourners,manyofwhichwillbenewMasterMasons.AteachGrandMaster’spositionisapreliminaryinvitation.SincemostofyouwillnotbetheGrandMasterinJuneof2019,IencourageyoutosharethiswithyourGrandLodgeOfficer.Youwillreceiveaformalinvitationwithregistrationdates,hotel,mealinformation,andsoforthclosertotheevent.Inadditional,eachGrandMasterwill receiveacopyofaSojournerarticlethathappenedin aNebraskaGrandLodgeCeremonywherewepresenteda historicalflagpresentationatwhichfiveNational GuardsmenwhowerenotMasonsstoodupandsaid,“I wanttobebecomeaMasterMasonsoIcanhelpthe SojournerssharePatriotismandAmericanismthroughout thenation.ThisisjustoneexampleofwhatSojournerscandoformembershipinyourGrandJurisdiction.

Brethren,currentandformermilitaryveteransrepresentavaluablesourceofnewMasonsforeveryGrandLodgeJurisdiction.NationalSojournersandservingthecauseofPatriotismhasuniqueconnectionswiththesepotentialbrethrenthroughourworkspaces,ourassociation,ourpurposesandourworkwiththeVeterans.NationalSojournerscanhelpyourlodgesgainnewmembers.PleaseputustoworkandletushelpyouwithmembershipthroughourColonialLadiesattheTable,LodgeofMilitaryTributesCeremony,historicandBuildingtheFlagPrograms,andourToastoftheFlag,aswesupportallpatrioticaimsandactivitiesinMasonry,developtruePatriotismandAmericanismthroughoutthenation,andhonorourpast,celebrateourpresent,andembraceourfuture. Inclosing,NationalSojournersrespectfullyrequestthehonorofyourpresenceatourCentennialBirthdayBashtobepartofapanoramicpictureofMasonsandguestsinattendance.

IfyouneedmorecopiesoftheNebraskaMasonarticle,pleasestopbyourbooth.Wewouldenjoyspeakingwithyoupersonally.Thankyoufortheopportunitytospeaktoyouthismorning.Thankyouverymuch.

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(Applause)

M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Thankyou,BrotherEdNolte,foryourcomments.Iwouldliketonow—aretheyavailable?

PleasehelpmewelcometheSovereignGrandCommanderofNorthernMasonicJurisdiction,DaveGlattly.

SOVEREIGNGRANDCOMMANDERDAVIDGLATTLY:ThankyouMostWorshipfulSirs,andMostWorshipful,RightWorshipfulandallbrothers.Goodmorning.

(Goodmorning)

Pleasuretobewithyou.IwassittingthererelaxeduntiltheGrandMasterjustcalleduponme.Iwouldliketosayitisapleasuretobeherewithallofyou.IwaselectedasSovereignGrand CommanderthispastAugust.JimMcNaughtonretired after11½yearsonthejob.Sowemovedthefamily fromNewJerseytoLexingtonMassachusettsandwe’re enjoyingitexcept,youknow,fortheRedSox.I’ma Yankeefan.

WedohaveaboothoutsidesetupfortheNorthernMasonicJurisdiction,andwhatwearedoingiswearedisplayingsomeofthematerialsweareofferingformarketingforBlueLodge.Wehaveanameontherecalled“Notjustaman,aMason”,whichissomethingwetrademarked.Thosematerialsareoutthere,theyareavailabletoyou.

WehadasurveydoneabouttwoyearsagotoNon-MasonsacrosstheUnitedStates,andwhatwefoundwasthereisabsolutelynothingwrongwiththeproductofFreemasonry,nothingatall.It’sthatwedon’thaveagoodmarketingprogram.SotheNorthernMasonicJurisdictiontookituponourselvestopreparesometoolsforyoutouseinBlueLodgeformarketing.You’llnoteitdoesn’thaveournameonit.Itdoesn’tsay“ScottishRite”andthere’snodoubleheadedeagle.Justsimplythesquareandcompassandthewordingonthebottom,“Notjustaman,aMason.”WearewillingtoprovidethosematerialstoalltheGrandLodgesthatwantthem.Sostopbythe booth,wewillbehappytosharethatinformationwith you. It’sjustapleasuretobehereandtoseealotoffamiliarfaces.Thankyouverymuch.

(Applause)

M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Okay.Iwouldliketonowcalluponaverygoodfriendofour’sfromtheGrandeLogeNationaleFrancaise,theDeputyGrandMaster,JeanPierreRolletforaresponsefromthevisitors.WouldyoupleasehelpmewelcometheDeputyGrandMasterandGrandChancellorofGLNF,mybrothers.

(Applause)

IthinkwhenIwaswiththemlastIthinkIfoundoutthattheGrandMasterservesforsixyears,soyouhavebeenDeputyGrandMasterforsixyears?

D.G.M.GLNFJEANPIERREROLLET:No.Threeyears.M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Threeyears.Thetermisforsix,right?

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D.G.M.GLNFJEANPIERREROLLET:Six.

M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Sixyears.Howaboutthat!Youcomplainaboutoneortwo.Pleasehelpmewelcomehim.

(Applause)D.G.M.GLNFJEANPIERREROLLET:Most WorshipfulJeffrey,ChairmanoftheConference,Most WorshipfulGrandMasters,mydearestBrethren,good morning.

(Goodmorning)ThefearsomehonorofaddressingthisassemblyonbehalfofallGrandLodgesintheworld,inamity,whichhavebeeninvitedtotheConferenceofGrandMastersofNorthAmerica,hasbeenvestedonme.Idothankyou,BrotherChairman,DearJeffrey,forthetrustthusplacedinme.

OnbehalfofthewholeSisterGrandLodges,letmeexpressourgratitudeandcongratulations,firsttothosewhoorganizedtheevent,fortheirheartywelcome,andthentoallofyouregardingthewarmhospitalitythusshowninIndianapolisontheoccasionofthisConference.Itisalwaysagreatpleasuretomeeteachotheragain,yearafteryear,fortheConferenceofGrandMastersinNorthAmerica.

Notonlydowesharepleasantmomentsreacquaintingwitholdfriends,toastingtofriendship—butwithFrenchwine,evenbetter—thinkingaboutthosewho,unfortunately,arenolongeramongus,butaboveall,duringthesefewdayswecanlearntobetterknowoneanother,meetotherMasons, andshareexperiencesandideasduringthework sessions.

Ifwecandoso,itispreciselybecauseweareallunitedbythesameidealofbrotherhood,peaceandharmony.Weallcomefromdifferentbackgrounds.Weareawareofourdifferences,Butbeyondthat,weknowwhatthevaluesthatbringustogetherare.WhatfinermessagetodaythantheoneconveyedbyFreemasonryallaroundtheworld?ThereisnoboundaryforsuchanoblecauseasFreemasonryandthevaluesembodiedinit.

IamfirmlyconvincedthatwedobenefitunexpectedlyfromalltheseMasonicConferencesheldhereintheUnitedStates,aswellasinEurope,inAsia,orLatinAmerica.TheyreviveourMasonicspirit;theystrengthenourinvolvementandourcommitmenttoFreemasonry.Wealwayshavemuchtolearnfromoneanother.Ourcommunitycanonlydrawitsstrengthfromtheideasdevelopedbyitsentiremembership,whichenrichourideal.IwisheverysuccesstoalltheworksofthisConference.

Ithankyouforyourattention.

Toconclude,mayourheartsbefullofjoy,mayGodblessusallandkeepussafeandsoundinourrespectivehouses.Thankyouverymuch.

(Applause)M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Thankyouverymuch.IstheRobertBrethourherefromtheCanadianScottishRite?

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(Noresonse)M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Hemustbeinameetingaswell.IwouldliketocallonDuaneVaught,theRiteEminentGrandMasteroftheGeneralGrandEncampment,areyoupresent?

(Noresonse)

HowabouttheGeneralHighpriestJimHodge?(Noresonse)

Wearereallygoingtochewthroughthislistreallynice.DaveBrindall?

(Noresonse)Theymustallbeatthehospitalityroom,Iguess.Allright.TallCedarsofLebanon?

(Noresponse)Thisisgettingquicker.Okay.Allright.So,brethren,justafewshortweeksagothecountrywitnessedoneofthemostamazingSuperBowlsinallofitshistory.

Needlesstosay,therewasalotofstateandcityprideflowingfromPhiladelphia,thehomeofthePhiladelphiaEaglesandthehistorichomeoftheGrandLodgeofPennsylvania,andBostonthehomeoftheNewEnglandPatriots,andtheequallymajestichomeoftheGrandLodgeofMassachusetts.ItseemedliketherewasalittlebitofbraggingandboastinggoingonbetweenthesetwoGrandMastersandsomefriendlywagersweremade.Onewaswon,theotherlost.Thepayoffisnow.Mybrothers,pleasehelpmewelcometheGrandMaster,PaulGleason,ofMassachusetts,andGrandMaster,GeneHerritt,ofPennsylvaniaforalittlepresentationandfun.

(Applause)

MayIasktheGrandMasteroftheeminentCommonwealthofPennsylvaniatojoinmeatthemicrophone.Ican’tthrowthistoyou.

M.W.EUGENEHERRITT:Iwanteverybodytoseethis.

(Applause)M.W.PAULGLEASON:GrandMasters,brothers,Iamheretowarnyouaboutcomplacency.Weevenwerewonderingwhatyouwoulddowithsixrings,onlygotfivefingers,andIheardonmorethanoneoccasionpeoplerefertothe“PatriotBowl.”So,inthatspirit,oneformermember ofourGrandLodgesuggestedtomethatweenterintoa friendlywagerwiththeGrandLodgeofPennsylvania. ThestakesweretobeagallonofBostonClamChowderagainstthefamousPhiladelphiaCheeseSteak.Alreadythinkingthosecheesesteaksweregoingtotastegood,weallknowhowthatturnedout.GrandMaster,IampleasedtopresenttoyouaLegalSeafoodsgiftcardgoodforonegallonofBostonclamchowdertocongratulateyouonawellplayedgameandtellyouwe’llseeyounextyear.

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(Applause)

M.W.EUGENEHERRITT:Thankyou,GrandMaster.YouknowwhenMostWorshipfulBrotherGleasonfirstcontactedmeaboutthiswager,Iwastickledsinceweweretheunderdogs.Iwasverytickledthathedidn’taskthatIsendthecheesesteaksupsohecouldenjoythemduringthegame.(Laughter)

Itwasquiteanexcitinggame,soIthoughtinhonorofthatIwantedtopresentacertificatetoMostWorshipfulGrandMasterGleasonandthisreads.RightWorshipfulGrandLodgeofFreeandAcceptedMasonsofPennsylvania,hometheWorldChampionPhiladelphiaEagles,presentagiftcardforthepurchaseofPhiladelphiaCheeseSteakstoMostWorshipfulBrotherPaulF.Gleason,MostWorshipfulGrandMasteroftheGrandLodgeofMassachusetts,in recognitionofanEagleSuperBowlvictoryovertheNew EnglandPatriots,onSunday,February4th,2018, witnessourhands,signedBrotherS.EugeneHerritt,

RightWorshipfulGrandMaster.ThisistotheReadingTerminalMarket,aboutablockandahalfawayfromourGrandLodgeTemple,inhopesthatyouwillvisitusduringthattimeyougooverandgetyourselfacoupleofcheesesteaks.

M.W.PAULGLEASON:Thankyouverymuch.(Applause)whereamIgoingtohangthis?

(Laughter)

M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:WewouldliketothanktheHumanitarianFoundationandtheGrottosofNorthAmericafor,again,providingthenamebadgelanyardsforthisyearsConference.Let’sshowourappreciationfortheirgenerosity.

(Applause)Beforewerecessforlunch,thereisacoupleofthingsyouneedtoknow.TheGrandMasterswiththeirLadieswillbeinRegencyCDRoom,andtheHostwillbemyself,LadyCarlaandRodneyMannandhisLady,Malia,GrandMasterofIndiana.

TheDeputyGrandMasterswiththeirLadieswillbeinRegencyEF,andtheHostwillbeCarleE.Culmann,DeputyGrandMasterofIndianaandDaNielD.Wood,DeputyGrandMasterofSouthDakota.

TheGrandWardenswithLadieswillbeinRegencyAB,andit’sRightWorshipfulGearyF.LairdandhisLadyTerri,andRightWorshipfulBrotherHaroldD.Ireland,SeniorGrandWardenofSouthDakota.

Theideawaswedecidedtogiveyoualittlemoretime,whichisanhourandahalf.We’regoingtoaskeveryonetocomebackat1:30sharptocontinueourConference.DeputyGrandMasterswillhaveameetingat1:30intheRegencyEFRoomwiththe2019ConferenceChairmanandtheExecutiveSecretary.It’sonyourfoldouthere,youritinerary.

TheGrandWardenshavetheirmeetingat1:30intheRegencyABRoomunderthedirectionofRightWorshipfulBrotherStantonT.Brown,ourGrandSeniorWarden,IthinkoftheGrandLodgeofMissouri.Isthereanyotherthingsthatneedtobe

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broughtbeforetheConference,oranyannouncementsatthistimebeforewetakeabreakorrecessforlunch?ExecutiveSecretary,haveyougotanythingrightnow?Pleaseleaveyournametags,andyourtabletentsinfrontofyou.IwillnowcallonourGrandMasterReverend,MostWorshipfulPeterIacobucci,GrandMasterofRhodeIslandforablessingofforourlunch.

(Blessing) M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Thankyoubrother.RightWorshipfulJamesKistel,wouldyoupleaseattendatthealterandclosetheThreeGreatLightsofMasonry.Youaredismissed.__Lunch Break__ M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Brother,pleaserise.RightWorshipfulJamesKistel,wouldyoupleaseattendatthealteranddisplaytheThreeGreatLightsofMasonry?Goodafternoon,brethren.

(Goodafternoon.)Itrustyouhadagoodlunch.TheonethingIwantedtoshowyouonthisitineraryistheBreakoutSessiononTuesdaybetween10:30and11:30issomethingnewthatthePlanningCommitteeprepared.Whatitis,iswhatitistobeaGrandLineLady?Wewouldinviteyoutohaveyourwifeattendthatandtoparticipateinthediscussion.Ithinkyouwillfinditvery,notyou,buttheladieswillfinditprettyinterestingandworthwhile.

Sonowit’smypleasuretocallonMostWorshipfulRobertConley,PastGrandMasterofMichigan,andtheExecutiveSecretaryoftheGeorgeWashingtonMemorialAssociationfortheirAnnual Meetingandreport.Comeonin,Brothers.Welcome.

M.W.ROBERTCONLEY:Goodafternoon.Brethren,IamBobConley,PastGrandMasterofMichigan,andcurrentlyGrandSecretaryandIamPresidentoftheGeorgeWashingtonMasonicNationalMemorialAssociation.Ideclarethataquorumispresentandcallthe108thAnnualMeetingofthisMemorialAssociationtoorder.

AllofyouhaveinfrontofyouacopyourAnnualReportandIwillnowentertainamotiontodispensewiththereadingofandapprovetheminutesofthe107thAnnualMeetingasprintedinthe2017report.

Somoved.Isthereasecond?Second.Movedandsecondedtoacceptthoseminutesasprinted.

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AllofthoseinfavorsignifybysayingAye?Aye.Opposedsamesign?Motioncarried.Thankyou.ItisnotonlyanhonortoserveasPresident,butalsotobeheretoaddressthisaugustbody,andtoservewithanoutstandingBoardofDirectorsofourAssociation.OnbehalfofthatAssociationIextendourthanksforyoursupportoftheMemorialduringthispastyear.Ithastrulybeenagreatyear.Wemadesignificantprogressthisyearaswecontinueourmissiontoinspirehumanitythrougheducation,to emulateandpromotethevirtues,characterandvision ofGeorgeWashington,theman,theMasonandFatherof ourcountry.

ThispastyearwecontinuedtheworkofrepairingandrestoringtheMemorialtoitsoriginalintendedstate.TheMemorialisaninternationallyrecognizedlandmark,anditmustremainasashiningbeacononthehill,commemoratingandreverencingthegreatman,IllustriousBrotherGeorgeWashington.

WithouttheeffortsandexamplesofWashington,wewouldnothavethisgreatcountrythatwearehonoredtolivein.Weestablishedthisyearseveraloperationalsystemsdesignedtoenhanceourgovernancestructure.WehaveenhancedtheFinanceCommittee,ourGovernanceCommittee,OutreachandFundDevelopmentCommittee.TheBoardalsofullyendorsedthelaunchingoftheLandmarkCenturyCampaign,acapitalcampaigntoraisefundstocontinueandcompleterestorationoftheMemorial.Ithankyouforyousupportofthatproject.

Iwanttocongratulateandthankour

MemorialStafffortheexemplaryworktheydoeverydaytomakesurethattheimagetheMemorialpresentsto thepublic,honorsthememoryofGeneralWashington. Itisourresponsibilitytoprovidethestaffwiththemonetarysupportthatallowsthemtocontinuetheirworkresponsiblyandefficiently.

IextendourthankstoallofyouthatsupportedtheMemorialinthepast,andthoseofyouthatwillcontinuetosupporttheMemorialintheyearstocome.Togetherwewillcontinuetopositivelyimpactourcommunitiesandourworld,remindingthemtoalwaysrememberGeorgeWashington,theman,theMason,andFatherofourcountry.

Brethren,willnowholdtheelectionofthemembersoftheBoardofDirectors.MostWorshipfulBrotherWoodwyck,GrandMasterofMichigan,willyoupleasecomeforwardandpresentthereportoftheNominatingCommitteeforthemembersoftheBoardofDirectors?M.W.JOSHUAA.WOODWYCK:Goodafternoon,Brothers.ThenominatingCommitteeconsistofmyself,theDeputyGrandMasterofLouisiana,andtheGrandMasterofMaine,andwepresentforyourconsiderationforthememberofBoardofDirectorsoftheGeorgeWashingtonNationalMemorialAssociationtoserveatermofthreeyearsuntilFebruary,22,2021.ThenamesofScottThomas,GrandMasterof

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Arizona; JeffWebb,PastGrandMasterofLouisiana;JohnRyan, PastGrandMasterofNewJersey;MikeRodman,Past GrandMasterofSouthDakota;JohnR.Cline,PastGrand MasterofAlaska;ThomasSturgeon,PastGrandMasterof Pennsylvania.Allofthesebrothershavebeen contactedandarewillingtoserveifheiselectedand Isomove.Second.Thankyou.

It’sbeenmovedand secondedforthatnominatedslate.Arethereanyother nominations?Hearingandseeingnone,Ideclaredthe nominationsclosed.Allthoseinfavorofthemotion pleaserespondbysayingAye?Aye.Opposedsamesign?

Motioniscarried.

M.W.ROBERTCONLEY:Brethren,youalsohaveinfrontofyouaproposedchangetoourBylaws.BasicallyitisSection10ofourBylawswhichstipulatesamixofourinvestments,andwewanttotakethatoutoftheBylawsandreplaceitwithaninvestmentpolicythatisadoptedbytheBoard.

IwillnowentertainamotionforthatBylawchange.Somoved?Second.Discussion?Hearingandseeingnone,allthoseinfavorsignifybysayingAye?Aye.Opposedsamesign?Motioncarried.

Brothers,ourBoardmembersserveforthreeyears,thenrotateofftheBoardofDirectors.Thisisdonetoallowallofour52activememberGrand LodgestheopportunitytoserveontheBoard. TheseBrethrenhavedoneanoutstanding jobforlastthreeyears,andwecollectivelythank themfortheirdedication,hardwork,theirinputand forallthattheyhavedonefortheMemorial.The retiringBoardmembersare,ifyouwave,orstep forwardorsomethingwhenIcallyourname.Orville ArmstrongofTennessee;PhilBuchholz,ofWyoming.I don’tbelievePhiliswithus,butwearecertainly thinkingofhim.JohnM.Chambliss,Jr.,Virginia; RichardJ.Elman,Indiana;MansourHatefi,ofthe DistrictofColumbia;DouglasW.McDonald,Sr.,of Georgia.ThesearethemembersofourBoardwhoare retiringthisyear.Wouldyoupleasethankthemfor theirservice?

(Applause) AsPresidentoftheGeorgeWashingtonMemorialAssociationfortheyear2018,andinaccordancewiththeBylawsoftheAssociation,IappointthefollowingmembersoftheExecutiveCommittee.MyselfasPresident;JeffWebb,PastGrandMasterofLouisiana;ClaireTusch,PastGrandMasterofMaine;KenNagel,PastGrandMasterofCalifornia;ThomasK.Sturgeon,PastGrandMasterofPennsylvania;MichaelBible,PastMasterofAlexandriaLodge,andGeorgeSeghers,Secretary-Treasurer.

Now,ifanybodywouldliketomakeadonationtotheMemorial,pleasecomeovertotherightsideofthedaisandwewillgratefullyacceptyourdonationatthattime.IfthereisnothingfurthertocomebeforetheAssociation,Iwillacceptamotiontoadjourn.Somoved.Second.Ifthereisnothingfurther,Iwilldeclarethis108thmeetingoftheAssociationclosed.Thankyou,Brethren.(Applause)

M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Thankyou,BotherConleyandtheAssociation.Youdogreatworkandweappreciateeverythingyoubrothersdo.Wethankyousomuchforpreservingourlandmark.

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(Applause)

IwillnowcallonMostWorshipfulThomasVelvin,forhisreportoftheNationalMasonicFoundationforChildren,theirAnnualMeetingandreport.

(Applause)M.W.THOMASVELVIN:Goodafternooneveryone.MynameisTomVelvin,andI’mtheExecutiveDirectoroftheMasonicFoundationforChildren.ItismypleasuretointroducethemembersofourBoard.LetmekindofturnmybacktoyousoIcanseewhoallisbehindme.OurPresident,bytheway,isrecoveringfromhipreplacementsurgeryandisnotwithus.ThatisJeffCarltonfromArizona.OurVice-PresidentisTedPraria,PastGrandMasterof Michigan;ourTreasurerisRichardMartin,PastGrand MasterofOregon;ourSecretary,YanceySmith,Most WorshipfulGrandMasterSouthDakota;ourDirectorsare RonAungst,RightWorshipfulPastGrandMasterof Pennsylvania,whoisabsent;DougPolicastro,Most WorshipfulPastGrandMasterofNewJersey;Kostas Vourvoulas,MostWorshipfulGrandMasterofMaryland. Iamtheonlyonewhoknowshowtosayhisname.Heis agreatfriendofmine.DavidDoan,MostWorshipful PastGrandMasterofCalifornia;PattonHart,Most WorshipfulPastGrandMasterofKentucky;Wayne Kingsley,PastGrandMasterofNevada,whoisnotwith us;StuartCorsofromVermont,heisanewmember comingontheBoard;RonWinnett,PastGrandMasterof Ohio,andDavidwalker,andMostWorshipfulGrand MasterTomPulkkinenfromMaineisfillingthatchair atthemoment.Ournewestmember,AngeloDeSeriois fromIllinois.That’stheBoardmembers.

(Applause) IwouldberemissifIdidnotintroducemyAssistant,AbbyMorganwhoisovertherewiththecamera.ShedoesjustabouteverythingthatthereistobedoneontheBoard,Ijustsay,“Yeah,thatlooksgreat”,andshedoesit.Sothat’sgreat.

AtthistimeIwouldliketoturnitovertoourVice-PresidentwhowillConductthemeeting. M.W.TEDPRARIA:ThankyouMostWorshipfulSir.Again,IwouldliketothanktheGeorgeWashingtonNationalMasonicMemorialforwakingyouallupafterlunch.Sorightnowwearegoingtoconductalittlebusiness.Wewouldliketobringforth,wehavemetforthepastseveraldaysandIwouldliketobringforththenamesoftheBoardMembersthathavebeenelectedtoserveasofficersforoftheensuingyear.JeffreyCarlton,willcontinueasPresident;myselfwillcontinueasVice-President,RichardMartinwillcontinueasTreasurerandYanceySmithwillcontinueassecretary.

WhatweneednowisforyoutovoteonthetermsofmembersthattheirtermsareexpiringandarecomingbackontheBoardandsomenewBoardMembersaswerementioned.SotheBoardrecommendsfortheensuingthreeyearsthefollowingmemberstocomebackontheBoard.RonAungstfromPennsylvania,myselffromMichigan;WayneKingsleyfromNevada;RonWinnettfromOhio;andnewBoard

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MembersthatwearebringingonareStuartCorsofromVermontandAngeloDeSeriofromIllinois.MayIhaveamotion,please?Somoved. M.W.THOMASVELVIN:MostWorshipful&RightWorshipBrethren,ImovethattheaugustbodyadopttherecommendationsoftheBoard.Second.AllthoseinfavorAye?Aye.Opposed?Motioncarried.

M.W.TEDPRARIA:Thankyou,MostWorshipful.AndbeforeIturnitbackovertoourExecutiveDirector,Iamgoingtomakealittlecommentthatisbasicallyfromtheheart.Mybrothers,allofyou,youknowwhathasbeengoingonthepastfewyears,thatwehaveseenontelevisioninourschools.Mybrothers,herewehaveaprogram,anawfullyamazingprogramthatcouldhavehelpedmanytimesforthesesituationstoidentifysomeoftheseissueswehaveseenhappeninourschoolsbut,wecannotdoitwithoutyoursupport.That’swhatweneed.Weneedyoursupporttobeabletocontinuethisprogramthathassavedmanylives.Thankyouverymuch.

(Applause)M.W.THOMASM.VELVIN:Brethren,manytimesthroughoutthelastyearasIhavetravelledaroundtodifferentjurisdictionsrepresentingtheFoundationandIamaskedwhatwedo?Well,theshortansweris,weadministertheMasonicModelStudentsAssistanceTraining.That’swhattheanswerhasbeenforthelast21yearsthatthisFoundationhasbeenin existence. Itwasstartedbyyoufolks,orthe peoplesittingatthistable31yearsago,andinthose dayswereceivedalotofsupportfromnearlyevery GrandLodgerepresentedatthistable. TheFoundationwasfinanciallywell off.Thosedayshaveseemedtohavegoneby.Recently wehaveaddedconsiderablytoourcatalogoftraining thatisaavailabletoschoolteachers,administrators, privateschoolofficials,andteachers,andmost recentlyweprovidedtraininginoneofour jurisdictionsfortheadultadvisorsandDeMolay membersinthatjurisdictionanditwasoverwhelmingly received.

WhatweprovideisnotonlytheMasonicModelTrainingthatteachesteachersandadministratorshowtoidentifyanddealwithchildrenwhoareatrisk,ordrugandalcoholthattheyuse,bullying,sexualabuseandsuchthings.Wealsotraintheparentsandthestudentthemselvesinhowtodealwitheachother.Nomatterwhattheirskincoloris.Nomatterwhattheirethnicbackgroundis.Wealsodealwiththeissuesthatarecurrentlyinoursystemtoday.Thetrainingisprettymuchpaidfor becausewehaveacontractorthatdoesit.This contractorhasbeendoingthissince1984,orsomething ofthatnature,inPennsylvania.Butthetrainingis paidforoutofthe,usuallythecharitablefoundations ofseveraljurisdictions.Wetakeasmall administrativefeetocoversomeofouroperating costs.But,inthepast,youfolksinthevariousjurisdictionsprovidedmostofourfinancialbacking.

Well,inrecentyears,lessthantenyearsprobably,thatsupporthasdwindledawaytowehaveamere14organizationsthatprovideussomebacking.It’snotenough.Itdoesnotcoverouroperatingcosts.Wearehoping,oraskingforyoursupport.Forthisfinancialsupport.Thelongandshortofitis,ifwedon’tachievethegoals

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thatwehavesetinourmeetingssothatwecanbalanceourbudget,wearegoingtohavetoincreaseourfees.That’stheonlyalternativewehave.Otherwisewewouldgooutofbusiness.Thesupportthatwegivetoourpublicschoolsisunique.Thereisnoplaceintheworld,thereisnoorganizationintheworldthatprovidesthekindoftrainingthatweprovide.Sinceitsinception,thisFoundationhasbeenresponsiblefortrainingmore than50,000teachers.Probablyintheneighborhoodof 60,000bynow. Wehaveintervenedinthelivesofmorethanhalfamillionkids.Whathashappenedintheschoolswheretheinterventionhasoccurredisthechildhasbeenturnedaroundandgonefromalifeofdestruction,andprobablyjailtimeandthatsortofthing,tobeingaproductivememberofsocietyandtobeanassetwithintheschool.Theresponseintheschoolsystemhasbeenanimprovementintheoverallwelfareoftheschoolandimprovementinthechild’slifeaswell.Ithasbasicallypaidforitself.

Wegetanynumberofcallsonaweeklyormonthlybasisfromteacherswhohavebeenthroughthistraininginthepastwhowantmoreofit.So,wehaveinstitutedrefreshertraining.Inthenottoodistantfuturewewillprobablyprovidetrainingthattheycandialintousingtheirfacilitiesattheirschoolsystemandbesupportedbyanon-lineinstructorfromacentrallocation.Itwillcutdownonthetravelcostsandcostsoftraining.But,atthepresenttime,wereallydoneedyoursupport.It’sessentialforthefutureofourprogram.It’syourprogram.YoufolksstartedIin1986.Wehavecontinuediteveryyearsincethen. IamaboutthefourthExecutiveDirectorwhohas probablystoodbeforethisaugustbodyandtalkedabout theprogram. Sowiththat,thankyouverymuchfor yourattentionandwewouldalsoentertainanyonewho wouldliketogiveusagiftatthistime.Wewill assembleupthereinfrontofyouandbewillingto acceptchecks,andshakeyourhandandsayhello.

Thankyou.M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Justliketheothergroup,iftheycomeoutheretothebottomofthedaishere,giveyouabetterphotoopportunity.Itisvery,veryworthwhile.Thankyouforworkingonourbehalfandallofhumankind.Let’sgivehimahand.

(Applause)SowearehereattheConferenceofGrandMastersofNorthAmericaandbelieveitornotthereismorethanoneConferenceinthisworld,andtheyarespreadallaround,youknow,Europe,Asia,Africa,andSouthAmericaandCentralAmerica.SoIthoughtthatitwouldbeveryopportuneifpossiblywemightbeabletounderstandabetterworldviewofCentralandSouthAmerica,andevenNorthAmerica.ItismypleasuretoaskMostWorshipfulRudyBarbosaLevy,whoisPastGrandMasterofBolivia.Heisthe ExecutiveSecretaryoftheConfederactionMasonica Interamericana,alsoknowastheCMI.Pleasehelpme welcomehim.

(Applause)

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M.W.RUDYBARBOSALEVY:Welcome,my brothers.Goodafternoon.

(Goodafternoon.)Iamveryhonoredtobehere,andIthinktheConferenceofGrandMastersofNorthAmerica,especiallythankitsChairman,MostWorshipfulBrotherJeffreyWilliamson,forthisopportunitytoaddressthisprestigiousbodyofMasonicleaders.

IamheretomakeabriefrepresentationofCMI,theInteramericanMasonicConfederation,anorganizationthatcomprises74RegularGrandLodgesandGrandOrientsinthisContinent,includingGrandLodgesofSpain,PortugalandtheGLNFinEurope.But,ifyouallowme,Iwouldliketouseafewminutesofyourtimetoraisesomequestions,addressedtoyouasleadersofaninstitutionthathasmadesignificantcontributionstosociety,andhasanincrediblerecordofachievements.Acoupleofthingsaboutmethatmaybesalient,mybrothers. BymyaccentyourealizethatEnglishisnotmymothertongue,soIamgoingtoaskyoutobetolerantifIdon’tcomeoutwiththerightwordattherighttime.Asaprofession,Iamacivilengineer,andassuchIdealwithnumbers,statisticsandthesolutionofproblems,notacreationofthem.Thereareotherprofessionsforthat.Finally,theproblemswearefacingasaninstitutionarecommontoallofus.Therefore,thesolutionsmuchalsobecommontoallofus.Thisisnotsomethingthatwillberesolvedbyacommittee.Thesolutionlieswaybeyondthat.But,firstofall,allowmetointroduceCMIandwhatitrepresentsnumericallyinthecontextofourMasonicworld.(PowerPointstartedatthistime)Thisisanannualpublicationthatweallknowcalled“TheListofLodges.”Whatyouarelookingatisanissueoftheyear1920,almost100yearsago,publishedbytheGrandLodgeofNewJersey.Thisisthe2016issueofthesame“ListofLodges”,publishedbythePantagraphEditorialCompany,ofthestateofIllinois.ItgivesafairlygoodideaofhowFreemasonryisdistributedinourplanet.

Asyoucansee,thestatisticsshowthatintermsofGrandLodges,numberofGrandLodges,andmembership,theAmericanContinent(inblue)iswayovertheotherContinents.TheU.S.,BrasilandCanadaoccupythefirstplaces.

Inthisimage,wecanseethespaceoccupiedbyCMI(inred),inthatsameworldscenario.IntermsofGrandLodges/GrandOrients,lodgesandmembership,itappearsthatthingsarefairlywelldistributedamongEurope,NorthAmericaandtheCMIregion.TodaywehavesomemembersofCMIGrandLodgesinthisConference.IwouldlikeallthoseBrotherstopleasestandup.IbelievethisisanexampleofthekindofrelationsthataredevelopinginthenorthandsouthasfarasFreemasonryisconcerned.

(Applause)CMIcoversallcountriesintheAmericanContinent,withtheonlyexceptionofCanada.LikeImentionedbefore,itincludesFrance,SpainandPortugalandEurope.CMIwasfoundedin1947with39GrandLodges/GrandOrientslocatedin13

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countries.Now,weare74GrandLodges/GrandOrientsand25countries.Thisistheorganizationalstructureof theCMI: TheGeneralAssemblywhichconveneseverythreeyears.

TheExecutiveCouncil,composedofeightmemberswhichmakesdecisionswhentheGeneralAssemblyisinrecess.

TheSecretaryGeneral,whichtakescareoftheday-to-daybusinessinthesixgeographicalzoneswherealltheGrandLodges/GrandOrientsaredistributed.Also,therearetheCommissionsassignedwithspecifictasksaccordingtotheneedsthatariseduringtheperiod.ThesearetheobjectivesoftheCMIandareincludedinitsBylaws.IbelievemostofthoseobjectivesarecommoninourMasoniccommunitywhereyouaredoingFreemasonrywork.ThispicturesshowsoneofthefirstMasonicAssembliesheldinSouthAmerica.IthappenedinBuenosAries,Argentina,inMay1918,10yearsbeforeCMIwasfounded,and100yearstothepresent.HereyoucanappreciatethefirstAssemblywhereCMIwasfoundedinMontevideo,Uruguay,in1947.ThisisMadrid,in2015,wherewewereelectedtoservetheCMIforaperiodofthreeyears.

ThisisthelastCMIAssemblyinAsuncion,Paraguay,heldinApril,‘17,tocelebratethe70thAnniversaryofourConfederation.MyBrothers,thesepicturestrytoshowyouthatthereisaverystrongMasonicforceinthesouthernregionofthiscontinentthatisdoingintensiveandseriousMasonicwork,justasinanyotherpartoftheworld.Besidesthenormalday-to-dayactivitiesthatinvolveaMasonicorganization,thetopicswehavebeendiscussingatCMImeetingsandconferencesinvolvethefourbasicthemeslistedhere.But,beforegoingintoanyotherdetails,IthinkitisnecessarytotellyouwhywehavebeenaskingthesethreequestionsinourMasonicenvironment,asitisdoneinorganizationsthatarefacingsimilarproblems,whetheritisacorporation,auniversity,aninstitutionoragovernment.

CountrieslikeJapan,forinstance,thatare20or30yearsago,hadaveryhealthyrateofeconomicgrowth.Now,theyappeartohavereachedaninflectionpointandnooneknowshowtoovercomethesituation.Thetypeofinnovationstheypursue,called“efficiencyinnovations”,won’tletthemrecoverthegrowthratestheyachievedinthepast.Now,myBrothers,letmeshowyouwhyImadethisbriefintroduction.Upuntilthemiddleofthepastcentury,wecouldeasilymakealistlikethisshowingthenameoffamousandpreeminentFreemasons.IamtalkingaboutPresidents,NobelPrizewinners,artists,philosophers,scientists,musiccomposers.ThesewerementhatmadeusallfeelveryproudofourOrderbecausetheylefttheirmarkinsociety.ThoseweretimesinwhichFreemasonrywasgrowingasaninstitution.

Hereyouseetwofamiliarfacesatthehighestlevelofpoliticalpower.LifeMagazineisawellknownmagazineofthepast.ItshowsinthecoveroftheissueofOctober1956,theGrandMastersofNorthAmericaatthattime.ThearticlespeaksoftheimportanceandpreeminenceofFreemasonryinthosedays.Theothermagazineismorerecent,fromthiscentury,showingthefaceofveryfamousFreemasons,allofthemfromthepast.IbelieveifwetrytodoasimilarlistoffamousFreemasons,itis

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possiblethatwefindsomenames.Howmany?Idon’tknow.ButIthinkourlistwouldbealotshorterthanthepreviousone.Isthispartofaninstitutionalcrisisthatwedon’twanttoface?Ifso,whatistheoriginofthiscrisis,andhowcanwehelptoresolveit?Let’slookatsomestatisticalfigurestobackupthispointofview.Untilthemid20thCentury,inthecountriesshownabove,weweregoingupreachingamembershipofaboutsixmillionataworldlevel.Unfortunately,inthosesamecountries,atthebeginningofthe21stCentury,thenumbersshowaconsiderabledeclineinmembership.Let’sgoabitfurtherandreachtheyear2016tofindoutthatthemembershipkeepsgoingdown.IrefertothesecountriesasanexamplebecauseFreemasonrywasveryactivetherelongbeforeittookrootintherestoftheworld.Let’sanalyzethesamesituationfromanotherangle.Thechartshowspopulationgrowthinthosesamecountries.Fromthe1960stotheyear2016,theincreaseissignificant,58percent.However,inFreemasonry,moreorlessforthesameperiod,thedeclineinmembershipis74percent.Intermsoftheratio,Freemasonryoverpopulation,thevaluesareevenmorecritical,from1.7percentitgoesdownto0.3percent.

ThisdatawasprovidedbytheUnitedGrandLodgeofEngland.ThegraphshowsthatthenumberofannualcertificatesextendedtoMasterMasons,wentfrommorethan200,000inthe1950stolessthan10,000towardtheendofthe90s.Overa50yearperiod,thedownhilltrendistoosolidandcontinuoustothinkaboutapossiblechangeindirection.Thisarticleappearedinthepressjust10daysago,inoneofthemostprestigiouspapersinEngland,talkingaboutourBritishBrotherswhojustfinishedcelebratingthe300thAnniversaryoftheGrandLodgeofLondonandWestminster.Atleastthistime,someoneintheredecidedtosay,“Enoughisenough”andapparently,acampaignisbeinginitiatedformarketingabetterimageoftheOrder.Thequestionis,howmanytimeswehavetodothesamethingoverandover,withoutattendingthefundamentalproblemthatisinfrontofoureyes?

Inthesouthernpartofourcontinent,Argentina,forexample,thesituationisnotanybetter.Inthelastthreeyearstheyperformed1,800initiations,butinthesameperiod,1,400brethrenabandonedtheLodge.Thatisanimpressiverateofdesertionforsuchashortperiodoftime.Let’stakeanothercountry,whereFreemasonryissupposedtobeveryactiveinsociety,Brasil.Apollin2009showedthat60percentofthepeopledon’tknowwhatFreemasonryis,20percentareneutral,13percenthaveanegativeopinion,andonly7percentofsocietythinkwearedoingagoodjob.AllthesewellknownMasonicauthors,fromFrance,England,AustraliaandSwitzerland,indifferenttimes,haveexpressedgreatconcernabouttheendofFreemasonry.However,the“EndofFreemasonry”canbeinterpretedindifferentmanners.IsitthedisappearanceofFreemasonryasweknowit?IsitthetransformationofourOrderintoasocialclub?OrisitthatourOrderwillbecomeirrelevantintheeyesofsociety?ThesearewellknownfiguresintheMasonicworld.ThewordsofBrotherMcNaughtonareassharpasaknifeasherecognizessimilarproblemsfacingthe

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corporateworldandusesaveryinterestinganalogythatweshouldtakeveryseriously.DifferentpublicationsfromBrotherMasonsformanyyearshavebeenexpressingconcernaboutthecurrentstateofaffairs.Whatwearereallytalkingaboutinthepreviousimageshastodowith“AninconvenientMasonictruth”.Weallstillrememberthe2006documentary“Aninconvenienttruth”presentedbyVice-President,AlGore,aboutglobalwarming,whichundoubtedlyhelpedtoawakenworldconsciousnessaboutthedangersinvolvedwithclimatechange.AsfarasFreemasonryisconcerned,our“Inconvenienttruth”translatesintotheseaspects,towhichwemayaddalonglistofmissingnecessitiesthatareaninherentpartofagoodorganization.Butreally,ourproblemasanOrderislackofclearObjectivesandtangiblegoals.Andthisiswhy,sometimes,wemaycompareFreemasonryinthe21stCenturywiththisimage:Don’tknowwheretobeginourpathanddon’tknowwhereitwilltakeus.

Inthemeantime,theso-called“Irregulargroups”,orwhatIcall“DisruptiveFreemasonry”keepgrowingandgrowing.Letmegiveyouanexample.Thisisacouplethatwasapprehendedbythepolicein2014,inCuritiba,Brazil.Why?TheyusedFreemasonrytoenlistpeopleintheirorganization,offeringallkindsofbenefits,RegionMetropolitanadeCuritiba,Paran·.ThisisVeja,oneofthebestweeklymagazinesinSouthAmerica,ifnotthebest.ItistheequivalentofTimeMagazineintheU.S.ortheEconomistintheUK.Thisissueisfromlastyear,October18th.Insideyouseethisadvertisement.Ifyoulookclosely,youseethesquareandcompassandacalltojointhatorganization.Theyevengivethesitewhereyoucangetmoreinformation.Bytheway,anadlikethismaycostover$200,000foronead.Ifyougointothesite,youwillseeallkindsofofferings:FreemasonryatHome,intheTemple,onTV,etcetera.Someonefromtheoutsideworlddoesn’thaveanycluesifthesearethegoodguysorthebadguys,andwhentheyfinallyfindout,itistoolate.Whogetshurt?Freemasonry.Wemightsay,“Theyarenotasgoodasus”,butthatistherightanswertothewrongquestion.Therightquestionshouldbe,“WilltheybecomegoodenoughthroughtechnologyforwhatpeopleneedasfarasFreemasonryisconcerned?”ThisisnotonlyhappeninginBrasil,myBrothers.Itishappeninginothercountriestoo.Sohowdowestarttounravelthecomplexitiesoftheproblemwe,asaninstitution,haveathand?Thisisthechallengewe’vebeenfacingforthelasttwoormoreyears,andIwantedtoshareitwithyou,becauseIknowthetremendousresponsibilitythatliesoveryourshouldersasleadersofFreemasonry.

Inviewofthecurrentsituation,wethinkthatweshouldopenourwindowandlookatwhatotherpeoplearedoingtoovercomesomeofthesamequestions.Theyprobablydon’thaveanythingtodowithFreemasonry,buttheresultsoftheirworkmayhaveeverythingtodowithaninstitutionsuchasFreemasonry.

Attheend,whatreallymattersisanhonestanswertoaveryprofoundquestion,“Areweinapositiontofixthecurrentsituation?”Ofcourse,weare.But,first,wemustadmitthatwehaveasituation,aproblem.Wemustalsorealizethevalueofourmembership,aboveallelse.Then,wemustbegintolookatourmethodsof

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work,thewaysandmeanstoexamineourproblems.Atpresent,weusuallystudyourhistory,ourtraditions,rituals,landmarks,symbols,etcetera.Inotherwords,insteadofonlystudyingFreemasonrytogetconclusionsaboutFreemasonry.Inthe21stCentury,itisnecessarytocoverotherdisciplinesofhumanknowledgetogetconclusionsaboutFreemasonry.Intheirownway,thisiswhatorganizationsthatarefacingsimilarproblemsaredoingtoimprovetheirperformance.Therearethousandsandthousandsofbooks,articlesandinterviewsrelatedtothetopicsthatweshouldbestudyingtogetabetterunderstanding,notofFreemasonry,butofthecrisisthatwearefacingasaninstitution.ManyofthemareperfectlyapplicabletoFreemasonry,butfromabroaderperspective.“Inordertoassimilatethatmaterial,weneedtoopenourmindsandabsorbsomeideasandtheoriesthatarebeingappliedwithsuccessinotherareas.”Thisisanexampleofaprofoundandsignificantstatementmadebyoneofthemostinfluentialbusinessthinkersintheworld.AHarvardBusinessProfessorthatsomeofyoumayknow.Thisisanother,Ibelieve,ifwereadcarefully,someoftheseideascanchangedramaticallythewaywelookatthesituationwearefacingwithinourownMasonicenvironment.Onethingappearstobefundamentallyimportant.Wemuststartlearninganewlanguageinordertounderstandourcurrentproblems.ThisisthelanguagethatisbeingspokeneverywhereelseexceptinFreemasonry.Andwhydoweneedtolearnanewlanguage?Becausethatistheonlywaywecantackletheproblemwehaveathandusingthepropertools.

Theanalysisofourinstitutionalmodel.Atpresent,ourmindisorientedtojustlookatourpastandseehowgreatwewere.And,asfarasourinstitutionalmodel,wemayhavetherightideatogoforward,butwecan’tmakeitworkwiththeinstrumentsthatwehaveatourdisposal.Unfortunately,speakingaboutinstitutionalmodelsisnotsomethingwenormallydoinMasonicmeetings.Butthinkoftheextremeimportancetogetacquaintedwiththisconcept,especiallyifwearetoanalyzeandunderstandthestructuralproblemsFreemasonryisfacingallovertheworld.Withoutgoingintodetails,aninstitutionalmodelcanbeseenasthecombinationofthesefourblocks.

Thequestionis:Howdowedealwiththeseblockstogetsomepositiveresults?Basedonthecurrentstateofaffairs,itseemslogicaltolookatsometheoriesandtechnologicaldevelopmentsastoolsweshouldusetomodernizesomeofourprocessesasameansofovercomingsomeoftheproblemsFreemasonryisconfronting.But,thisissomethingweallhavetoagreeuponinordertogointhesamedirection.Allorganizationsinthisplanethavesomesortofmodelthatgoverntheiractivities.Youcancallitaterroristgroup,auniversity,ahospital,acorporation,orevenafamily.Sowe,asFreemasons,atthepresenttime,arefacingadilemma.Thehardpartistocomeupwiththeanswerandactinaccordance.

AtCMIwehavebeenexperimentingwithsomeideasthatareverypromisingasfarasparticipationandcollaborationisconcerned.Thatis,dealingwiththecommunication,participationandcollaborationofourmembers.I’mreferringtotheFirstWorldVirtualCongress,whichwasaimedatourMasoniccommunity.Whydidwecallit“World”?BecauseanyFreemasonfromCMIcouldgetaccessfrom

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anywhereinthisplanetandparticipate.Why“Virtual”?Becausetheprojectwasdevelopedbyateamofabout30Freemasons,fromsixdifferentcountries,andallthepreparatoryandparticipativeworkwasdoneonline.AplatformwasdesignedwithfourvirtualroomsfordiscussionofdifferentMasonictopics.Letmesharewithyousomestatisticsofthisevent.

Fromatotalofabout11,000lodgesatCMI,wewereabletoregisteralmost3,000lodges,allowingthepotentialofparticipationof104,000membersthatbelongtothoselodges,whichrepresentsabout30percentofthetotalCMIforce.

ApolltakenatthefirstWVCgavesomeinterestingresults.About95percentofthesamplegavetheirapprovalforthebuildingofcollaborationnetworksindifferentfieldsofouractivity.Thatiswhywedesignedasecondexerciseaiminginthatdirection.ForthesecondCMV,wehavebegunconcentratingondevelopingthecollaborationnetworkswithinourcommunity.Oncewearedonewiththeexercise,wewillstartapplyingthetoolsofcooperationsothatweallbegintoworkonamoresolidbasis,butfromthebaseofthepyramidup.Itwillbeeasiertogetconsensus,notonlyonthethingswewant,butalsoonhowtoachievethosesamethings.Inthefuture,whetherwelikeitornot,itwillnotbenecessarytogathercrowdslikethisinordertocommunicatesomething.Meetingslikethiswillstillbenecessary,butforotherpurposes.

Technologyhasmadepossibletheuseoffasterandmoreefficientsystemsofcommunication.WhatwearenowpromotingatCMIarecloudmeetingsandcloudconferencesaspartofthenewsystemsofcommunicationandparticipation.Sofar,theresultsareverypromising.Thesenewmethodologieshelpussavealotoftimeandmoney,andwecanreachalotmoreterritory.Besides,thisisthetypeoftoolsthenewgenerationsareusing.Inthismanner,wewereabletodeveloptheideaoftheFirstVirtualCongress.

TheTheoryoftheSixDegreesofSeparationisagoodwaytodemonstratethepowerofthenewsystemsofcommunication.JusttakeoneBrother,lookatthereachatonlythefourthdegree.Now,multiplythatby10,100,1,000.Itisalmostscarytothinkaboutthepowerthatwecoulddevelopbyusingthesesystems.Now,imagineputtingthatpowertoagoodcause.ThereiswhereFreemasonrycouldrecoverpartofit,orallofitsoldpreeminence.Mybrothers,duringmany,manyyearsFreemasonshavebeenanalyzingtheproblemofdecliningmembershipinFreemasonry.Attheend,someonerecommendssomethingbasedonasetofdata.Andthen,someoneelsecomesalongandrecommendssomethingdifferentbasedonanothersetofdata.Butthedataisneverconsistent.Andwhatisevenworse,thereisnodataaboutthefuture.Thatiswhythefuturemustbeanalyzedusingadifferentsetoftools.Whatwewanttoachievewiththis“Inconvenient”lineofdiscussion,andwiththepetitiontoLookbeyondourwalls,isthatwemuststartworkingtogethertofindacommonlanguage,andacommonwaytoframetheprobleminsuchaformthatwereachaconsensusaroundthecounterintuitivecourseofaction.

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Forme,thisisthegreatchallengeofFreemasonryinthenextfewyears.Ifwedon’tdosomething,Iamafraidwewillbeunabletomakerelevantandeffectivedecisionsinthefuture.Thatmayleadtoevermoredramaticlevelsofdecline,andwhatisevenworse,wewilldissipateourentiremissioninabsurdities.Mybrothers,inmyhumbleopinion,thisisthestateandthepotentialofFreemasonryintheworld.Ibelievewehaveagreatchallengeinfrontofus,butalso,wehaveagreatopportunitytomakearealchange.Asleadersofthisgreatorganization,wehaveamoraldutytodosomethinggoodforfuturegenerations.

Thankyouforyourkindandgenerousattention.

Now,mybrothers,toclose,letmejusttakeacoupleofminutestoshowyouanice,shortpresentationdesignedbysomeofouryoungmembersoftheGrandLodgeofBaja,California.InaboutthreeorfourminutestheyshowinamuchbetterelegantandpowerfulwaymostofwhatIjustsaidforalmosthalfanhourinpoorEnglish.Iapologizetothoseintheback,butthisisaniceworkwhichwasnotintended,butintendedtolargeaudience.OrlikeourChairmancalledit,“afootballfield”.

(Videoplayed.)

Mybrothers,thankyouverymuchformyourgenerousattention.

(Applause)M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Thankyouforthatveryinspirationaladdress.Iamsuretherearealotoftakeawaysthere.IwouldalsoliketoannouncethattheConfederationMasonicaInteramericawillbehostingacocktailpartyforallattendeesfrom4:00p.m.to6:00p.m.intheRegencyADfoyer.Sowewanttothankthemfortheirgenerouscontribution.

(Applause)

WearegoingtohavesomeBreakoutSessions.GrouponeisDatabaseManagement.ThatisgoingtobeinStudio6.TheRealityofLodgeFinancesisgoingtobeinRoom2,inConceptAB.GroupthreeisMillennialApprentices,theNextRevolutioninFreemasonry,whichisinConceptCD.Sowearegoingtotakearecess.YoumayattendtheBreakoutSessionsbetween2:30and4:00p.m.Andalso,Iremindthe2019ConferenceOfficersandPlanningCommitteethatthenewHostGrandMasterandhisSouthDakotacommittee,thatthereisameetingat4:10p.m.inStudio5Room.ThenewlyelectedConferenceChairman,thePlanningCommitteeChairmanwillbetheleadersofthemeeting.TheExecutiveSecretarywillbealsobeinattendanceand,again,thesecondmeetingofCommissiononInformationforRecognitionwilltakeplaceat9:30tomorrowintheVisionRoom.Tomorrowwewillreconveneinthisroomat9:00a.m.sharp.Forthosewhoneedlunchticketsfortomorrow,pleaseseeourregistrationdesk.WealsohavethePhilalethesSocietywhoprovidedexcellentspeakers,theveryWorshipfulAllanCasalou,GrandSecretaryofCaliforniaforlunch.Now,animportanceannouncement,GrandMasters,foryouandtheGrandOfficersofthevisitingsisterjurisdictions,thephotographswillbetakenat11:00a.m.,priortolunchintheCosmopolitanBallroom,whichisthisroom.Bringyourapronsforthephotograph.Ifyoudon’t

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haveyourapron,we’lljustplaceyouinarowbehindsoitwon’treallybeanyproblemifyoudidn’tbringit.BrotherExecutiveSecretary,doyouhaveanyannouncements?

M.W.DAVIDW.HAYWOOD:MostWorshipfuls,pleaseleaveyourtempcardssittingonthetable.I’llcomearoundandpickthemupsothattheywillbeheretomorrow.Secondly,IneedtoseetheDeputyGrandMasterofFrance.Soifhewillcomeupandseeme,Iwouldappreciateit.Thankyou.M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Brethren,pleaserise.RightWorshipfulBrotherJamesKistel,wouldyoupleaseattendatthealterandclosetheThreeGreatLightsofMasonry.__CloseofDay1__

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Monday19February2018Indianapolis,INM.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:RightWorshipfuljamesKistel,wouldyoupleaseattendatthealteranddisplaytheThreeGreatLightsofMasonry.Pleasebeseated.IwouldliketothanktheCMIlastnightforhostingthehospitalitysessionthatwehad.Ithinkitwasoutstanding.Let’sgivethemahand.Thankyou.

(Applause)Whilestillfreshineveryone’smind,IwouldliketogiveyouanimportantannouncementfromMostWorshipfulBrotherRaduBalanescuandheiswiththeWorldConference.Iwanttoreadyouamemohehassenttome,andIampleasedtoreadittoyou.Youshouldjotdownthedates.MostWorshipfulBrethrenall,itiswithgreatpleasurethatIwanttoconveytoyouafewwordsfromMostWorshipfulBrotherRaduBalanescu,theGrandMasteroftheNationalGrandLodgeofRomania,whoistheExecutiveSecretaryoftheWorldConferenceofRegularMasonicGrandLodges.Asyouknow,theWorldConferenceisarareopportunityforMasonicleadersfromallpartsoftheglobetoexchangeideas,buildrelationshipswithfraternalfamilies,andunitethefraternity.ThisyearweareorganizingtheWorldConferenceinPanamaonNovember14through17,2018.Anextraordinaryplacewithextraordinarypeopleandbrethren.TheMostWorshipfulBrotherRobertoCuetoCisneros,theGrandMasteroftheGrandLodgeofPanamaandhisorganizingcommittee,aswellasthebrethrenfromtheGrandLodgeofPanama,haveputforthalotofeffortintoorganizingthisyear’ssessioninPanama.I,togetherwithRightWorshipfulBrotherThomasW.Jackson,theHonoraryPresidentoftheWorldConference,wouldliketoinviteyoutoPanamatocontinuouslybuildonourFraternityandtobeapartoftheprojectofthisimportantplatformofcommunication.ItisbyMostWorshipfulBrotherRaduBalanescu.Allright.Thankyouforthat.

Now,Iwouldliketocall—firstofallIwouldliketoexpressmyappreciationtoImperialPotentateGaryBerganskeandtheShrinersInternationalforhostingtheFrankS.Landbreakfasttomorrowmorning.

InowcallonImperialPotentateGaryforafewbriefremarks.Pleasehelpmewelcomehim.

(Applause)IMPERIALPOTENTATEGARYBERGANSKE:Goodmorning.

(Goodmorning)

MostWorshipfuls,RightWorshipfuls,DeputyGrandMasters,brethrenandguests,mynameisGaryBerganske.IamtheImperialPotentateofShrinersInternational.Whatanhonoritistobewitheachofyouheretoday.First,wewishtothanktheConferenceofGrandMastersandtheGrandMastersthemselvesassembledherefortheconsiderationofourthoughtsandactions.ShrinersfullyembracetheancientMasonictenet,brotherlylove,reliefandtruth.Shrinersemphasizethetenetofrelief.

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Specializedrelieftothechildrenwhoarebornwithdifficultiesandimpairedbyaccidentsthatwetreat.WorldwidepublicawarenessisofgreatandselflessworktheShrineMasonsdo,andIwouldtellyouthatweareatanalltimehighrightnowthewaypeoplerecognizeus.Aworkinsupportofbrotherlyloveisnotoftenaswellknownasitshouldbe.Thispastyearinresponsetodevastatinghurricanesinthefallof2017theGrandMastersofTexas,FloridaandPuertoRicodeterminedthattheMasonicServiceAssociationwasthebestandmosteffectivewayforustoproviderelieftoourMasonicbrotherswhowereaffectedinthoseareas.WewereamazedandhonoredtoaddsupportoftheseGrandLodgestoencourageourShrineMasonstocontributetothereliefofthesebrothersthroughtheMSA.ByworkingcohesivelywiththeseGrandLodgesandtheMSA,ourpartnershipprovidedincredibleandsuccessfulresultswhencomparedtothehistoricalresultsofwhathadbeendoneinthepast.WewanttothankandrecognizeMSAanditsExecutiveSecretary,MostWorshipfulSimonLaPlace,thePastGrandMasterofthestateofConnecticut,fortheiroutstandingeffortandtremendousresults.AtthistimeIwouldliketoaskPastGrandMasterSimontopleasejoinmeatthepodiumandlet’sgivehimapplauseforthegreatworkthattheydid.

(Applause)AstheImperialPotentate,theposition,thereareafewprivilegesoftheoffice.Oneofthoseprivilegesisthehonortobeabletogivetocertainindividualswhohavedoneoutstandingservicetohelpourbrothers,anditismyproudmomenttopresentanImperialPotentate’sMedalliontoPastGrandMasterSimon.

(Applause)Iwilltellyouthatwhenthesedevastationshappened,weasShrinerswereveryconcernedforourbrotherMasonsinthosedevastatedareas.WereachedouttotheGrandMastersofthoseareasandexpressedourconcernandhowwemightHelp.IwilltellyouthatthemostimportantpiecethatwehaveinourorganizationasShrinersisalistof140,000namesofMasterMasons.Itwasthroughtheuseofthose140,000namesthatwewereabletoreachoutandhelpraisemoneytosupportthoseareas.Iwouldliketosharewithyouthatthosenamesareavailableforuseforanybodyatanytimethatwehaveatragedy,orhaveaneedtodoso.WealsowouldliketorecognizethepartnershipbetweenShrinersandDeMolay.AnongoingconversationwithDeMolayGrandMasterRonMinshall,ShrinersInternationalismakingaconsciousandveryliberalefforttostrengthenthealreadyclosebondsbetweenourtwoorganizationstosupportthegrowthofDeMolay.OurGrandLodgesandAppendantBodiesincludingtheShrine,specificallywearepartneringwithDeMolayintheCentennialprojectatDeMolayheadquartersinKansasCity.WeareencouragingourNobels,ourclubs,ourunits,ourtemplestosupportthisprojectbysponsoringabrickinsupportoftheirefforts.WearealsoencouragingtheGrandLodgestoparticipateinthisexcitingprojectthatsupportsourDeMolayandtheyouththatwealllove.Inaddition,allofthemoneycollectedfortheFrankLandMemorialBreakfasttomorrowwillbedistributed100percentinsupportofDeMolayandtheirmissions.

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(Applause)

WealsoencourageShrinersInternationaltohelpwiththeGrandLodgesinencouraginginterest,conversations,anduntimelyuseofourtimeraisingnewMasterMasonswhoshareourMasonicidealsandtenets.Thankyousomuchfortheopportunitytohaveafewminutesinfrontofyou.Godblessyou.

(Applause)

M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Thankyou,ImperialSir.InowcallonMostWorshipfulBrotherPattonR.Hart,PastGrandMasterofKentuckytogiveustheMasonicRenewalReport.

M.W.PATTONR.HART:Brethrenandguests,thankyouforallowingtheCommittee,theMasonicRenewalCommitteetheopportunitytomakeitsAnnualReporttoyou.Ithasbeenasuccessfulandproductiveyear.LetmefirstacknowledgeourCommittee.IserveasPresident,PattonR.Hart,PastGrandMasterofKentucky;DeanAlban,PastPresident,33rdDegreeofScottishRite,SupremeCounciloftheSouthernJurisdiction;WilliamBerman,PastGrandMaster\SecretaryTreasurerofNewJersey;RichardLynn,PastGrandMaster,GrandSecretaryofFlorida;AllanCasalou,GrandSecretaryofCalifornia;RogerS.VanGordon,PastGrandMasterofIndiana;DavidHaywood,PastGrandMasterofMissouri;DavidDibrell,PastGrandMasterofTexas;GailN.Kemp,PastGrandMasterofIndiana;JohnV.Shelton,PastDistrictDeputyGrandMasterofVirginia,andRobertD.Brethour,GrandSecretaryGeneralofScottishRiteofCanada.

Iwouldappreciateifyouhavetheopportunityforreviewmyreportinitsentirety.IwillhighlightafewsignificantpointsandsomeoftheinitiativesthatweareseeingwithourMasonicRenewalCommittee.

Ourmissionis“PioneeringInnovativeResourcesforFreemasonry.”HewebsitecontinuestoserveasaresourcetoolforMasonicprogramsforGrandLodgesandallMasonicleaders.Gotoourwebsitewww.MasonicRenewal.organdcheckitout,asithasbeenfullyrevamped.Thewebsitecontinuestobeaworkinprogress.Ihavedistributedthereporttoyou,thedelegateshereassembled.WealsohaveproducedseveralMasonicBrochuresandHandbooks,thatonyourreview,theMasonicRenewalCommitteemembersandservices,marketingmaterialsforGrandLodges,highlightedbytheboothnexttoNorthernJurisdictionofScottishRite,andAGuideforGrandLodgeOfficerstoGrowandDevelopLeaders.Sothoseareavailabletoyouatourtable.It’srightnexttotheNorthernJurisdictionScottishRite.

WeareinsupportofMasonicandTonicProgramsInterestedMasonswithalcoholanddrugaddictionissues.WedevelopedapartnershipwithAcademicLodgesinunitingoureffortsincollaborationwiththeirprogramtopromotetheirinterestinprogramswithMasonicRenewalCommittee.PleaseseeJonSheltonorthewebsitetoCharteranAcademicLodgeinyourjurisdiction.WecontinueaspeakertourthroughourCommittee.WehavetheMostWorshipfulPastGrandMasterRogerVanGordenofIndianawhowillmakeapresentationwithaBreakoutSessionthismorningateleveno’clock.Weencourageyoutoattend.Also,AllanCasalou,Grand

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SecretaryofCalifornia,willdeliverhisremarksduringtheluncheontoday.Sotrytoattendthataswell.AproactiveapproachwastakentoestablishanessayeventtoallMasterMasonsinNorthAmericawiththetopicofConceptofMasonicRenewal.Whatdoesitmeantoyounowandinthefuture?WenamedthecontestinmemoryofDavidR.BedwellMemorialEssayContest.DavidwasaPastGrandMasterofMichigan,aformerdeputymemberoftheNorthernScottishRite,andadevotedmemberoftheMasonicRenewalCommittee.Iampleasedtoannouncetheoverallwinner,firstrunner-upandsecondrunner-upinthecompetition.Theoverallwinner,whowillreceive$1,500,isBrotherThomasUbriaco,IIIofEssexLodge#7,withtheGrandLodgeofNewJersey.Firstrunner-up,witha$1,000cashprize,isBrotherChaseWilliamGordon,theInternationalMasterCouncilorforDeMolayInternationalinGlendaleLodge#23ofArizona.Secondrunner-up,witha$500cashprize,isBrotherJohnA.StaplesofMorningStarLodge#17withtheGrandLodgeofNewHampshire,whoresidesinLeesburg,Florida.

Wehavereceived46entriesfromtheUnitedStatesandCanada.TheMRCwouldliketoexpressourdeepestappreciationtotheevaluationteamindeterminingtheessaywinners;RogerVanGorden,JohnShelton,PaulineBedwell,thewifeofDavidBedwell,andDavidBedwell,Jr.,thesonofDavidBedwell.Wewillpostanewessayeverymonthonourwebsitehighlightingeveryessaythatwassubmittedinthecompetition.WearepleasedtohavePaulineBedwellhere,wouldarepresentativeoftheGrandLodge,orarepresentativeofthewinningrecipientspleasecomeforwardtothestepsforrecognitionandawardatthistimefromSisterPaulineBedwell.NewHampshire,NewJerseyandDeMolayInternationalArizona.

(Applause)Thankyouall.WePlantoofferanotheressaycontestandwouldliketoencourageallGrandLodgesofNorthAmericatosupportthisendeavorbypromotingthecompetitiontoallMasterMasonswithintheirjurisdictiontheopportunitytowinsomemonetaryaward.Thethemewillbedeterminedandit’s“WhatisthePurposeoftheMasonicFraternitynowandintheFuture?”Anditwillbeannouncedonourwebsiteandthroughothersocialmediaoutlets.OurCommitteeinstitutedasub-CommitteenamedtheMRCRepresentatives’SpecialCommittee.ItspurposeistoenhancethechannelofcommunicationsofMRCtoeveryGrandJurisdictionwithadesignatedBrotherofalljurisdictions.SomeofourGrandMastershaverespondedtoourrequest.WewouldlikeeveryGrandMaster,ifyouhaven’tdoneso,tosendanameofyourdesigneefortheMRCRepresentatives’SpecialCommitteetoourSecretary-TreasurerBillBerman,PastGrandMasterofNewJersey.IbelievethathisletterwiththeMRCandhiscontactinformationisinyourConferencepacket.TheCommitteelost,unfortunatelytodeath,ImperialSirJackJones,PastImperialPotentate,ShrinersInternational,PastImperialRecorder,formanydedicatedyearsandanHonoraryPastGrandMasterofDeMolayInternationalofTampaFlorida,ImperialSirJackwasafoundingmemberandadvisortotheMasonicRenewalCommitteewhentheCommitteewasestablishedin

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1988.TheMRCdecidedthatwewouldhonorthememoryofJackH.JoneswiththeHumanitarianAwardforhisdedicatedandremarkableservicetothefamilyofFreemasonryandmankind.HewasadedicatedShrineMasonforhisloyaltyinexhibitingthefraternalismofunitywithallMasonicfamilies.Nominationformsandinformationisavailableinmyreport.

Inclosing,duringourAnnualMeetinginTampa,Florida,aPathForwardMembershipProgramwasintroducedtoourCommittee.TheMRChasgraciouslyendorsedthisprograminassistingtheNorthernandSouthernJurisdictionsofScottishRiteandGrandLodgesoftoday.Themembershipsurveyandpresentationserveasanoutstandingtool,andresourceforGrandLodgesandLodgestoimplement,pinpointandconcentratesuccessfuleffortstoexpandtheirmembershipandretentionefforts.WefelttheessenceandimportanceofhavingsomeofmyreportbedevotedatthistimetothisawesomeprogramthatLindaPatch,DirectorofCommunicationsandPublicRelationswiththeNorthernScottishRitewillsharewithyouthismorning.Thankyou.

(Applause)

LINDAPATCH:Goodmorningeveryone.

(Goodmorning)Thankyou,GrandMasters,andotherguests,andcertainlyheartfeltthankyoutotheMasonicRenewalCommitteeforgivingsomeoftheirtimetoallowmetoaddressyoutodayabouttheinitiativethatweattheNMJScottishRitecalledAPathForward.IjustwanttocreatesomecontextforyouastowhyI’mhereaddressingyoutoday.Iamamulti-decademarketingstrategy,digitalstrategyandimplementationprofessional,andthroughmywork,ifyouwanttoknowmoreaboutit,Iamnotgoingtotaketimehere,butIhavehada27yearrelationshipwiththeScottishRiteNMJ.SoIhaveagreatfamiliarityandgreatloveforFreemasonry,myhusbandisamember.

Iamheretodaytotellyouabitaboutaviewfrom30,000feet,agreatbodyofworkthatwasundertakenbytheScottishRitein2015.Webeganwithastudythatincludedresearch,valuesmapping,trenddata,generationalstudy,demographicandacompletecompositeofsurveywork.ThosesurveysincludedaprofileoftheBlueLodgeMason.AlookinternallyatthestateoftheScottishRiteNMJanditsmembership.WealsotookalookatourdemitsandourMPDstoseewhatwecouldfindandlearntherethatwasactionable.Wealso,whatIamgoingtotalkaboutmostlytodayisanoverviewofastudythatwedidacrossthecountry.

TogethertheresultoftheseeffortsweresorelevantandsoactionablethatthroughtheleadershipoftheGrandCommanderandhisvision,wehaveputtogetherateamthatisassembledandgrowingattheScottishRite,andwearecreatinganintegratedandcomprehensive,strategicmarketinginternalandexternalstrategy.Also,takingalookatourpoliciesandproceduresinternallyintermsofwhatwecandotoimprovethefunctionalexcellenceforretention,recruitment,andservicetoourcurrentmembership.WecallthateffortThePathForward.

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Whyarewedoingthis?WhyistheScottishRite,howdidwefindourselveshere?Well,itbeganbrieflywithaconversationwithaformerGrandCommanderMcNaughtonwhowanted,attheendofhistenure,tocreateabookaboutthechallengesfacingtheCraft,andperhapstheopportunitiesthatalsowereavailable.Wehadmany,manyhoursofconversationabouthowtostructuresuchatreatiseanditbecameclearthatwewantedtotakethattopicandmoveitfromtherealmofopinion,tohavingadatabasestudy.TheresultisthebookthatIworkedonwithCommanderMcNaughton,ReclaimingtheSoulofFreemasonry.Alotofdeepdatainhere.

Whatwealsoagreedon,thatisimportanttonote,isCommanderMcNaughtonandIactuallyshookonit.Whenweembarkedonthisprocessweagreedthatthedatawouldtakeuswherethedatawouldtakeus.Bythat,Imeanwewereverycommittedtocreatingabodyofworkthatwasclean,thatwasstrong,thatwasactionable.Infact,everysurveythatwehaveconductedhasbeensentouttoacompanythatreadssuchmattersforbias,andanythingthatwasflaggedwasrecastorrewritten.Whatwewerereallyverycommittedtodoingwascreatingatoolattheendofthisprocess,andnotanechochamber,andIthinkweaccomplishedthat.

SoIdon’thavemuchtime,andIjustwanttogiveyouaviewfrom30,000feetoftheworkthatwedidinsurveyingathousandnon-Masonsacrossthecountry.Wedidacoasttocoast,ages21to65.Athousandcompletedsurveysisaverylargesamplesize.IfyoulookatoftenwhatGallupdoonthenewsistakeamuchsmallersizewheretheycanprojectitoutforthecountrymaleandfemale.Wearetalkingaboutathousandmen,athousandcompletedsurveys,andweknowthatthatdataissolidlyrepresentativeofthepopulationandithasaverylowmarginoferror.Sowhatdidwewanttoknow?Wewantedtoknowthemindsetofmentoday.Aretheysearching?

Whataretheysearchingfor?Whatisimportanttothem?WewantedtofindoutifthevaluesandtenetsofFreemasonryareresonantinthepopulationatlarge,withthemodernman.Isitrelevant?WhataretheoptionsmovingforwardfortheFraternity,forScottishRiteif,infact,thereisapathforward.Idiscoveredgeneralawareness,andwhatwefound,andthiswasremarkable.InsocietyatlargethosethousandmentoldusthereisawideawarenessofFreemasonryoutthere.Thatmightnotsoundlikemuch,butwhenyou’reamarketerandyougoouttoarandomsamplesizeandyouhaveabrandorcorporateproductandyou’reaskingthegeneralpopulationiftheyhaveanyawarenessofyou,oranyknowledgeofyourproducts,ifyoucrackdoubledigitsinpercentagesofawareness,you’returningcartwheelsknowingthatyouhaveanabsolutegoldmineofopportunityintermsofmarketingandsales.Whatwefoundis18percentofthementhatweresurveyedsaidtheyhadanawarenessofFreemasonry.Maybeitwastheirlodge.Maybeitwasafamilymember.PerhapsitwastheDanBrownbooks.But,theyareveryawareoftheCraftandthatisaveryimportantthingtoknowthatyoucanbuildoffof.However,therearetwocaveatstothat.Only30percentcouldarticulateanyofthevaluesofFreemasonry.Theydidn’tknowwhatitstoodfor.Andevenfewer,only25percentunderstoodthatFreemasonryisabrotherhood,thatit’saFraternity.

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Thenweaskedthemwhatisimportanttothem?Whataretheylookingfor?Whatisontheirminds?Andthiswentverydeep.Iamgoingtogiveyouthetwotopones.Integrityandbecomingabetterperson.Ninetypercentofthosethousandmenindicatedthatintegrityisimportantintheirlives,forthemselves,orwhotheywanttosurroundthemselveswith,organizationsandplacesofwork,societyatlarge.Eightypercentsaidtheywantedtobecomeabetterperson.Whenwequeriedthekindoforganizationsthattheywouldliketobeinvolvedwith,wheretheywouldliketospendtheirtime,andwhotheywouldliketoassociatewith,79percentsaidthattheyareinterestedinanorganizationthatwouldhelpthembecomethatbetterperson.Seventy-threepercentsaidthattheyareinterestedinanorganizationthatwouldhelpthemformdeepandlastingfriendships.Andanimportantcaveattothataswell,isregardlessofrace,creed,geography.Theywantedanorganizationthatincludedtheirfamilyandhelpedthembecomethebestfamilypersonthattheycouldbe.AndmorethanhalfsaidthattheyfeelpositivelyandhaveapositiveassociationwithorganizationsthathaveareverenceforGodorhigherpowers.Now,Ijustwanttomakeacommentaboutthoseresults.Wehadnoideawhatwewouldfind.Thisiscompletelyshockingandvery,verysurprising.Wecouldhavefoundthatmenwerelookingforhedonisticactivities,formoney,formaterialgoods,orfame,orfortune.Butthatisnot,infact,whatwegotback.WecouldbehavingaverydifferentkindofconversationaboutFreemasonryrightnow.WewentalittledeeperandwetestedandwantedtoassesstherelevanceofthevaluesofFreemasonryinthelivesofmeninsocietytoday.Wetestedaseriesofwaysin.That’swhatwecallitinthemarketingworld.Whenyoudothatauthentically,andwiththetruespiritofwhatyou’repolling,youhopetoelicitaresponse.Wetestedthevaluesofhonorandintegrity,Fraternity,selflessgiving,andmoralstandards.Now,I’mparaphrasinghere,butessentiallyweaskedthequestionslikethis.

WhatifwetoldyouthathonorandintegrityareatthecoreofFreemasonry,doesthatchangeyouropinion?Good.Bad.Indifferent.WhatifwetoldyouthatFreemasonryisabrotherhoodthatsupportsmentobecomethebestpersonthattheycanbe?Howdoesthataffectyouropinionoftheorganization.Freemasonsgiveofthemselveswithoutexpectinganythinginreturn.ServiceisessentialtotheCraft.DoesthatchangeyouropinionofFreemasonry?

Whatwefoundiswhenwecoupledthevalues,thesincerespiritualcoreoftheorganizationwiththenameFreemasonry,ineachparticularquestiontherewasapositiveimprovementbetween46and49percent.

Soweknowthatmeninsocietytodayareattractedtothemessagesofhonor,integrity,andFraternity,butuntilnowtheydidnotassociatethosevalueswithFreemasonryovertly,butwhenthisconnectionismadetheirperceptionisgreatlyimproved.

Soweaskedthebigquestion,nowthatyouknowwhatyouknow,andwehavelaidthisouttoyou,wouldyouconsiderjoining?57percentofthemenqueriedofthosethousandsaid,“Yes,IwouldconsiderjoiningFreemasonry.”NotanorganizationlikeFreemasonry.Wedidn’tphraseitthatway.Freemasonry.

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AsIsaidearlier,thatisprojectionable.Thatissoliddataandwecanprojectthatoutto56millionmenacrossthecountry.Now,ifonly,right?If57millionmenwereknockingatthedoor.Problemsolved.Butthat’sreallynotthepoint.That’snotrealistic,butwhatitdoestellusisthatthereisapool.ThereisapopulationofmenouttherewhoarereadytorespondtowhatFreemasonryhastooffer.Theywilljoin.TheywillcomeintotheCraft.Thereisonething,however,thattheydidalsomention,thatthepromiseneedstobereal.WhenyougetintotheBlueLodgetheyneedtofindthosemenofintegrity.Theyneedtofindfriendship.Theyneedtofindtheabilitytoliftthemselvesupandbecomebetterpeople.Itisveryclearthatthepromiseneedstobedeliveredoritissomethingthatwon’tbe.Sowehavethreetakeaways.AsIsaid,theviewfrom30,000feet,fromthe1,000non-Masonsurveythatwedid.Andthreetakeawaysthatwesuggestare:One,takecontrolofthenarrative.AstheGrandLodgeofEnglandsoeloquentlydidintheirfullpagenewspaperadacoupleofweeksago.Enoughisenough.Beouttherewithwhoyouare.Thereissuch—Iamsoproudofmyhusbandfortakingthisjourney.TherearesomanygoodthingstosayovertlyabouttheCraft.Beouttherewithwhoyouare.

Numbertwo,whenwedothemessaging,andwewillgothroughthecampaign,recalibratetogoalongwiththedata.Whatresonatesmostwithmen?Whatwehavefoundistheorganizationisatruespiritualcenter.Youdon’thavetomakeitup.Youdidn’thavetolookforwaystointerpret,orfindthingsthatmightentice.It’srightthereatthecore.

Andthird,provideFreemasonrywiththeinfrastructuretomeettheneedsoftodaysmodernman.Whetherwelikeitornot,itisadigitalworldandiftherearebarrierstoentry,andarchaicpractices,alotofpaperworkgoeson,it’sreallydetrimentaltotheeaseofgettingmenintotheCraft.Sowehavenineprintadsandavideotoshowyou.Thisisourfirstvolleyincreatingcreativeworktogoalongwithourfindings.Iwillsay,wearesharingthiscampaignwitheveryGrandLodgeacrossthecountryfreeofchargedigitally.Weareofferingtheserviceofcustomization.Wewilladdthestateseal,andaurltothecampaigntocustomizeitforyourlocation.Youcanfindusatthekioskaroundthecorner.Youwillseeouradsallovertheplacethere.Also,wehaveaPathForwardteam,andpartofthatteamincludePastGrandMasterGailKemp,fromIndiana,andDanWilson,PastGrandMasterofNewJersey.TheyarevisitingGrandLodgeswithinthejurisdiction.Wecancreatearoundtabletogodeeperintothedata,tocreatediscussiongroups.SopleasebeintouchwithGailorDanifyouwouldliketohavethemvisityourlocation.Sothroughthedata,weknowthatmenrespondtoissuesofintegrityandFraternity,andthatiswhatwebuiltthecampaignaround.But,Ialsowanttotakeonemomenttosayitisalsoverycleartodooneotherthing.TrytocreateacampaignthatalsoreachedmenwhoarealsocurrentlyintheCraft.Wehadmorethan12,000openresponsesthatwereadinoursurvey,andputtingthisonpaper.Partofthatwasverydifficulttoread.Itwassad.AnumberofthemenfeltthatinFreemasonry,betterdaysareover.ThatthetimefortheCrafthascomeandgone.

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Wewanttousethistoreignitethatpride.Reignitehowincredibleitistohavechosenalifeofvalue.Andthat’sourtagline.“Notjustaman,aMason.”It’sfresh.It’smodern.It’sfriendly.YoucanuseittorecruitanduseittoreachmenalreadyintheCraft.Itistrademarked.Wewantedtopreservetheintegrityofthecampaign,sowedidtakethatstepaswell.

“BeingaMasondoesn’tmakeyoubetterthaneveryoneelse,itjustmakesyouabetteryou.”Webelievemankindshouldbeexactlythat.“We’remuchmoreaboutlendingahelpinghandthanasecrethandshake.”Wedoeverythingwecantobepresentandstillbepartofhistory.“Ittakesabigmantobelieveinsomethingbiggerthanhimself.”“Bloodisthickerthanwater,butnothingisthickerthanbrotherhood.”“BecomingaMasondoesn’tmakeyouabetterperson.Ohwait.Yesitdoes.”“Whateverlifethrowsatyou,youhavemillionsofbrotherstohelpyoucatchit.”

Now,IwanttoshowyouavideothatwewentoutandactuallydidinLosAngeles,justinSeptember.Inthemarketingworldthisiswhatwecallananthemvideo.Itismeanttoraiseupyourspirit.It’smeanttoliftyouup.It’s,again,drawnfromthedataandit’scalled,thetitleis,“Evenbetter.”

(Videoplayed)LINDAPATCH:Thankyouforyourtimetoday.Pleasefindusatthekiosk.Wearemorethanhappytoansweranyquestions,andasdeepasyouwouldliketo,andprovidethisinformationtoallofyouheretoday.Sothankyouverymuch.

(Applause)

M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Thankyou,Linda.Thatwasaveryenlighteningpresentation.

IwillnextcallonMostWorshipfulBrotherCaseyL.Hood,GrandMasterofTennesseeandPresidentoftheMasonicCHIPInternationaltopresenttheirreport.Let’swelcomeourGrandMaster.

(Applause)CASEYL.HOOD:Ikindofwanttositdownnow.Howdoyoufollowthatup?TheonlythingIcanthinkofatthispointisasIamalmostPastGrandMaster,shetalkedabout57million.Iwisheachjurisdictionthebestofluck.Iwouldn’twantthatmanymoreheadachesrightnow.Takeabouttenofthemandsharetherest.

Thankyouforlettingmespeakheretoday.Thisisthe2018BoardofMasonicCHIPCommittee,astandingCommitteefortheConferenceofGrandMastersofNorthAmerica.MostWorshipfulSirs,RightWorshipfulSirs,andbrethrenall.AsPresidentoftheMasonicCHIPInternational,IncorporatedandChairmanoftheMasonicCHIPCommittee,Iwouldliketobeginwiththisreportbyreiteratingsomeoftheinformationprovidedbymypredecessor,MostWorshipfulBillRoreratthe2017Conference.Asofthe2017ConferencetherewereonlysevenchildidentificationprogramsthatweresponsoredonaGrandLodgelevel.SmallerprogramsthroughouttheMasonicaffiliationsweresponsoredand/orexecutedin

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26otherGrandJurisdictions.In20otherGrandJurisdictionsChildIdentificationProgramswereengagedexclusivelybylawenforcementorbyprivatepayenterprises.Sadly,Imustreportthatthesestatisticshavenotchangedinthelastyear.AsasittingGrandMasterIhavejurisdictionalduties.Itconsumedmyentireyear.IhadlittletimetodevotetotheexecutionofanyprogramsthatwouldhavemovedMasonicCHIPinapositivedirection.However,itiswithoptimisticconfidencethatIreportthefollowingchangesinphilosophyandoperationofMasonicCHIPInternationalthatshouldbeapositiveresultmovingforward.First,changeinthatMasonicCHIPInternationalwillnolongerconsideritselfasaparentorganizationtothoseGrandjurisdictionswithChildIDprograms,butwillconsideritselfasiblingorganization.

Itwillbeourdirectivemovingforwardtogatherandshareoperationalinformationamongoursiblingorganizationsinanefforttobetterutilizetheknowledgeandpracticesofeach.Bycollectingandsharinginformationwithsisterjurisdictions,itwillalloweachindependentprogramtofunctionmoreefficientlyandallowMasonicCHIPInternationaltocreateamoreefficientplantohelpotherGrandJurisdictionswhowishtoimplementtheirownIDprogram.

Second,movingforwarditwillbeaffirmedthatthepurposeoftheChildIDProgramtoaGrandJurisdictionistwofold.ThedualpurposeoftheprogramwillbepromotingtoourGrandJurisdictionsthatfirstandforemostthisprogramisabouttheprotectionofourchildren.Andalso,thatthisprogramcanbevitaltotherejuvenationandinterestofmemberstobecomeactiveincharitableactivitiesoutsidethelodgeitself.Asmallchangeinpractice,wearegoingtoaskthateachjurisdiction,whichcomprisesthisConference,willbeaskedtodonate$50annuallyoverafiveyearperiodthatwillallowustohaveanoperationalbudgetcommensuratetothepathofexpandingChildIDProgramsateveryGrandJurisdictioninNorthAmerica.

Achangeincommunication.Wewillbeactivelycommunicatingwiththe33GrandJurisdictionsofthisConferencethathavenoChildIDProgram,offeringourservicestohelpeducatethemembershipontheimportanceofourgoalsandtohelpfacilitatetheimplementationofourownprograms.MovingforwardthesesubtlechangeswithallowMasonicCHIPInternationaltoregainit’soriginalmomentumandpurposeinourindividualcommunities.BeforeIaskfortheadoptionofthisreport,IwouldconsideritapersonalprivilegeandspeakmostlytotheGrandJurisdictionsthatdonothavethisprogram.

Gentleman,itcostsyouabsolutelynothingtostartthis.In2012MostWorshipfulEddieWilsonofTennesseecomehomeandhesaid,“IwanttostartIChildIDProgram.”Heiswithusheretoday.Tennesseeisinourfifthyear.Wearestillinourinfancy,butIwanttogiveyousomesmallstatisticstotellyouwhatthiscando.

Weworrytoomuchaboutourmembershipmovingforwardinapositivedirection.Iwantyoutothinkaboutthenumberone.Numberone,whatwehavedoneinTennesseeiswehadtostartsmallwithnobudget.OurGrandLodgeandourmembershipdoesnotputonepennyintoourprogram.Itisallbydonationsfrom

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membership.Wehavefoundawaytoengagetwopartsofourmembership,theyoungmenwhoarelookingforsomethinginthecommunityandtheolderguyswhoarelookingtodosomething.AFishFry.Anythingthattheyhavealwaysdone.Theyareworkingtogether,theolderguys,whoarenottechnologicallysavvy,areholdingsmallfundraiserstofundthisprogram.Theyoungersguysaregettingactivetoactuallydotheseprograms.Wehavetappedintoonevitalresource.Ourtwolargestcontributorstodateinourprograminfiveyears,onewasaschoolsystem,aschooldistrict.Howmanyofyouwouldliketogetintoyourschooldistricttobeabletooperateonsomelevel?WehavedonethatinTennessee.Throughdoingthatoneschooldistrictwegotaninvitationthroughaguidancecounselor.Whatwerealizediseachofourindependentlodgesare501©(3).Mostchildrengoingtocollegehavetologinsomanycommunityservicehoursjusttomaketheirresumelookalittlebettertogetaccepted.

Yourconstituentlodgescanofferthat.Sowehavegoneinsmallerplaces,tourguidancecounselorsandsaid,“Giveusyourkids.Giveusthekidsthatwanttowork.Thathavecharacter.Wehavesomethingforthemtodo.”Weletthemworkintheprogramandmakeourlittleeventsmorepleasingtotheeyetoyoungparentswhenyouhave17and18yearoldboysandgirlsrunningthecomputers,doingthetalking,bringingthepeoplein.Youngparentsaremorecomfortableseeingthesepeoplethantheyareseeinga70yearoldmansittingatacomputer,thinkingwhatisthissquareandcompassIamafraidof.Sobygettingthesekids,theyaregettingsomecommunityservicehours.Theyarealsogettingtospendtimewithgood,moralmensuchasyourselvesthatarelearningabouttheCraftoneatatime.Boysandgirls,oneatatime,andtheseyoungmenarestartingtocomeintotheFraternity.TheMasterofmylittlelodgethisyearcomethroughthesystembyworkingintheprogram.Soinsteadoflookingatamacroproblem,let’slookatitjustonepersonatatime.Youcangetintoyourschools.Theseyoungmen,oneatatime,willcometoyou.ThesecondthingIwantedtotellyouaboutisamanwenttoalargeevent.Hestooduptoadvertiseforhiscampaignforstatesenateandhehadalittle,hisstorywentlikethis.Hewatchedhundredsandhundredsofpeoplecomethroughandnobodycamebyhistent.But,henoticedyoungpeoplekeptgoingintothetentnexttohim.Hesawthesquareandcompass,andhesawtheChildIDProgram,andhewonderedwhatthatwasallabout.Well,himandhiswifewalkedover,wantedtoknowwhatwasgoingon.HefellinlovewithourprogramsomuchtheTennesseeStateSenateisoursecondlargestdonortodate.Hegotourstatesenate,notbeingamember,todonatetoourprogram.Heisnowsomewhere—hejustreceivedhisFellowCraftDegree,Ibelieve,butwebroughthiminthroughthisprogram.Gentleman,yes,firstandforemostweareprotectingourchildren.Youaregoingtohearsomestatisticsaboutthatveryshortly.Butsecondly,itisaboutgettingyourlodgesactiveinyourcommunities.Weallknowifyourlodgeisnotactiveinyourcommunity,yourcommunityisnotgoingtobeactiveinyourlodge.Sowehavetodothistwofold.Anyjurisdictionthatwouldliketohaveuscome,pleasegetwithmebeforeweleaveheretoday.Itwouldbemyhonortocometoyourjurisdictionandtalktoyourmembershipatyourgrandsession,oranywayyouwouldliketo.

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Letushelpyousetup.ThatiswhatwedoasMasonicCHIPInternational,iswefacilitateyourjurisdictioninsettingupaprogramthatworksforyou.Oncewegetyoustarted,it’syourstorunwith.

Mysinceritytothisprogramrunsverydeep.MyGrandMaster’scoinwhichIgaveyouyesterday,ifyougobackandlookatit,whenyouturnitaroundontheback,youwillseethatthelogoIchosewasourChildIdentificationProgram.Itisworkingforus.Now,wehaveseveralprogramsthatwehaveimplementedinTennessee.IcannotcontributethemembersItoldyouaboutsolelytotheChildIdentificationProgram,buttheyareabigpart.Ifyoulookatthelastfiveyears,empiricaldatashowsthereisnowaytogetawayfromit.Numberone,ourMPDrateisgoingdown.Ourrestorationsaregoingup.Theactivityforlodgeswherewehavethisprogramworkingisexpanding.Theselodgesaregrowing.Thiswillnotcureyourmembershipproblems,butIwillguaranteeyou,ifproperlyrun,itwillhelp.Iwantyoutoconsiderthat,gentlemen,andIhopeifyoudonothaveaprogram,youallowustocomeinandgetyourmembershipstarted.Ifyouhaveaninformalprogram,letuscomeinandconsolidatethatforyouandhelptheseguysrunitalittlebetter.

Onthatnote,beforeIleave,therewillbeaslightpresentation,butIwouldliketointroducetheBoardaswesit.MostWorshipfulCaseyHood,asPresidentrightnow.WehaveChipStamm,PastGrandMasterofConnecticut,heisourtreasurerbackhere.WehaveDennyRobinson,PastGrandMasterofSouthDakota,whoisnotwithusthismorning.LarryPlasketfromNewJersey,RichHaglerfromtheMidwestConference,heistheJuniorGrandWardenofSouthDakota,andJohnWesterman,SeniorGrandWardenofFlorida.IamcurrentlystilllookingforthreeBoardofDirectors.Ifyouareinterested,gentlemen,pleaseseemyafterthismeetingandlet’sgetyouandyourjurisdictionstarted.AtthistimeIwouldliketoasktheconsiderationofthisConferencetoapprovethefollowingResolution:Acceptingthisreportasdeliveredtoday;ToendorsetheactionsandactivitiesengagedbyourCommitteemembersonbehalfofthisConference;Toincludeintheprintingofallproceedingsofthis2018Conference.MostWorshipfulSir,Imoveadoptionofthisreport.M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Ihearthemotion.Dowehaveasecond?Second.AllthoseinfavorfortheadoptionofthereportsignifybysayingAye?Aye.Opposed?Motioncarried.

M.W.CASEYHOOD:AtthistimeIwouldliketointroduceBrotherHarttocomeup.

(Videoplayed)BROTHERHART:Oneofthosepicturesrepresentsachildlostandmissing.Eachoneofthoserepresentstheparents’lastmemoryoftheirchild.Thereisoneeachfromthe50statesoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica,fromeachstate,andonechildrepresentedfromthe13ProvincesandTerritoriesinCanada.Iwanttothankyouforinvitingmeheretospeaktoyou.Itwas2004thatthisConferenceadoptedtheComprehensiveChildIdentificationProgram.ToothPrintsisnowcelebratingits

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20thyear.FourteenyearsthisConferencehasadoptedtheprogram.TwopointnineMillionchildrenhavebeencomprehensivelyID’sacrossNorthAmerica,andwehavesavedhundredsandhundredsofchildren.Whatsomeofyoumaynotknow,thismaynotbepartofyourprogram,maybesomedayitwill.ToothprintsisabsolutepositiveID.Evenidenticaltwinscanbeeasilyidentified.Theotherthingwelearned,thatallweneedislikehalfofonetoothonabitingsurface.OnGroundZero2,749liveswerelost.Asoftoday,1,135havenotyetbeenidentified.WelostMasonicBrethrenthere.WelostMasonicFamilymembersthere.Hadthisbeenavailable,hundredsandhundredsmorecouldhavebeenidentified.Unbeknownsttoyou,thesecondlargestdentalpracticeintheentirecityofNewYorkwasonthesecondfloorofthattowerthatimploded.Allofthedentalrecordswerelost.Also,unbeknownsttoyou,DNAwasnotafactorwhatsoever.Thetemperatureroseto5,000degreesFahrenheitandalloftheDNAwasdenatured.85percentofthoseidentifiedwerebydentalID,therestwerefingerprintsoutontheoutskirts.

WehadaseconddisasterhereinAmerica,HurricaneKatrina.830liveswerelost.Asoftoday30stillremainunidentified.JustasimportantonthistoothprintwithpositiveIDisDNA.TheDNAcanlastupto15to20years.Moreimportantlythescent,thatperson’sscentisonthistoothprint,andthatcanlast15to20years.Ifwehadatoothprintofeachindividualinthisroom,wecouldhaveourtraineddogs,thescentdiscriminatingdogsgotoyourseat,smellyourtoothprint.Ifyouwalkedoutofhereandgotoyourroom,thatdogcanfigureoutwhichflooryougotoffofontheelevator,andtrackeverysinglestepyoutook,evenifthattoothprintwasfiveortenyearsold.Wehavedemonstratedthismultipletimesandgotmuchacclaim.Itisthemostcomprehensive.Wethankyouforallyourdedication.2.9millionchildrenisalotofchildren.Iwilladdthatwehavenever,everusedthisforforensicIDtodate,whichamazesmebecauseI’maforensicdentist.Wehaverecoveredmany,manykidsbythescent.Thedogsaretrainedthatifanabductortookachildandtookanexitoffofahighway,thedogcantellyouwhichexitthatcarexitedbecausethescentcomesouttheairventsystemofacar.Sothesedogsareincrediblytalented,veryforceful.TheNationalCenter,Iwilltellyou,isvery,veryproudofyouandhonoryouwithaspecialrecognitionawardwhichisveryrarelygivenattheNationalCenterforMissingandExploitedChildren.Sowetrulyappreciatealloftheworkthatyouhavedoneinyourjurisdictionsinkeepingkidssafe.BeforeIwrapup,Iwouldliketoguardyou,andyourchildrenandyourgrandchildren.Themostimportantthingtoarmyourchildagainstanabductionorseduction.Mostkidsaretakenbyseductionnowadays.Youhearsomuchaboutit.Online,athleticcoaches,healthcareprofessionals,physicians,daycarecenters.It’sveryimportanttoarmyourchild,andIwillsharewithyouoneword“Selfesteem.”Whenyouwakeupeverymorningyoushouldtellyourchildorgrandchildthatyoulovethem.Youcareforthem.Yourespectthem.Theymakeyouhappy.Becauseifyoudon’t,someoneelsewill,andtheymaynothaveyourchild’sbestinterestinmind.SoIwanttothankyoufortheopportunityofservingyouoverthesepastfouryears.Ithasbeenanincrediblehonortomeetsomanypeople,somanyparentsoflostandmissingkids,andreturningkidstotheirhomes.Youhaveeveryreasontobeproud.TheFraternityreallycameuptobatandisneedednowmorethanever.Somepeople

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getlaxandthinkwell,itdoesn’treallymatteranymore.Icantellyou,whenIstartedthisproject,wehad40,000unidentifiedremainsintheUnitedStates.Wenowhave75,000.Backthenwehavethreelivepeoplewehadnoideawhotheywere.Todatewehave12.Someofyoumaywonderhowcanthathappen?Well,arunawayrunsaway.Wrapsitselfaroundatelephonepole,isinacoma.Itcanhappen.

SoIthankyouforyourdedication.Ithankyouforyourtime.You’retrulyonthesideoftheangels.Thankyou.Godbless.

(Applause)

M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Thankyou,doctor.Weappreciateyourgoodwork.Wewillhavesomeinstructionshere,butbeforewehavetheinstructions,IwouldliketointroduceourMostGrandMaster,RodneyMann,foraveryspecialannouncement.M.W.RODNEYMANN:WehavehadthegoodfortunethatFredericksburgLodgeNumber4inVirginiahasloanedustheGeorgeWashingtonBible.ThisBiblewaspublishedin1688.GeorgelaidhishandonthisBibleandtookhisobligations,andweareveryindebtedtothemforallowingustohavethisfortheConferenceofGrandMasters.Sowewouldliketobringituphereanddisplayit.WewouldliketogivetheGrandMastersanopportunitytohavetheirpicturetakenwithit.Wewillalsohaveithereforthebigpictureateleveno’clock.PastGrandMasterMichaelBrumback,heisinchargeofourmuseumandMichaelcantellyoumuch,muchmoreaboutthisthanIcanbecausehehastalkedtoFredericksburgguysatlength,andhehasresearchedthishimself.But,wejustwantedtogiveyouguysthatopportunitytoseethispiecebecauseitisverypriceless.Sooncewearedone,comeup,getyourpicturetakenwithit,anditwouldbegreat.

Thankyou.M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Thankyouverymuch.Brethren,itisimportanttorememberthatwehavetwosetsofBreakoutSessions,oneat10:00andoneat11:00.Sopayattentionanddecidewhereyouwishtogo.Wehavesomeoutstandingspeakers.Wearejustatouchover,soIamgoingtodeferonafewthingsrightnow,andwe’llpickthemuplateron.Sowewillbebreakingforrecesssothatyoumayattendthesessions.So,Iagain,remindyouthattheGrandMastersoftheVisitingSisterJurisdictionGrandLodgeOfficersthatthephotographswillbetakentodayat11:00a.m.,justpriortothelunch,righthereintheCosmopolitanBallroom.

LunchwillbeintheRegencyBallroomAD,withapresentationbythePhilalethesSociety.Afterlunch,wewillreconvenethisConferenceat1:30p.m.BrotherSecretary,doyouhaveanyannouncementsatthistimebeforewegotorecess?M.W.DAVIDW.HAYWOOD:GrandMasters,pleaseremembertobringyourapronsforthephotograph.Wewilltryandmakeitasfastaspossible.Soplease,beontime.Thankyou.

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M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:ThereisaDeputyGrandMaster’sjewelthatwaslost,whichhasbeenrecoveredbythesecurity.Sowhydon’tyoucheck,makesurethatyouhavegotyour—ifyou’remissingit,securityhasit.

RightWorshipfulJamesKistel,wouldyoupleaseattendatthealterandclosetheThreeGreatLightsofMasonry.

__LunchBreak__

M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:BrotherJamesKistel,pleaseattendtothealteranddisplaytheThreeGreatLightsofMasonry.Icallthisconventionbackinsession.

Youmaybeseated.Goodafternoon,brothers.

(Goodafternoon)Ihopeeveryonehadagreatlunch.OurthankstothePhilalethesSocietyforanoutstandingprogram.Weappreciatetheirhospitality.OneoftheGrandMastershasaskedmeifhecouldtakeamomentofourtimeforaspecialpresentation.GrandMasterMarsh,theGrandMasterofNevada,wouldyoupleaseapproachthedaiswithyourdelegation.M.W.MARKA.MARSH:Brethren,whilethey’recomingup,Ihavethepleasureofhaving,MostWorshipfulAndreyBogdanovistheMostWorshipfulGrandMasteroftheJurisdictionofRussia.

(Applause)

Iwouldliketogiveyouaverybriefstory.LastWednesdaytheywereinLosAngeles,andtheydrovetoReno.Soabout500milestotheMostWorshipfulGrandMastercouldintroducepersonally,tome,hisrepresentativetoNevada,andwhetherornotweaccepthisrepresentative.So,wemetfromabouttwoo’clocktill5:30.ThentheydrovetoLasVegas.Soforthoseofyouthataren’tawareofwesterndistancesthatisaboutathousandmilesinaday.Weheldthemeeting,andIhavealittlebitofpullintheGrandLodgeofNevadasoIasabletoworkwiththeGrand

SecretaryandgetthecharterandrecognitionforBrotherHaikTsaturyan.MostWorshipfulifIcanhaveyouinthemiddle.Oractuallyourbrother,youandIpresenttohimhispatentasaGrandRepresentativefromRussiatoNevada.

M.W.ANDREYBOGDANOV:Thankyou.

(Applause)M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:ItisnowmypleasuretopresentMostWorshipfulThomasH.Galyen,PastGrandMasterofOhio,whoisChairmanoftheExecutiveCommissionofMasonicServiceAssociationofNorthAmericaandhisdelegation.Pleasewelcomethemaswell.

(Applause)M.W.THOMASH.GALYEN:GrandMasters,mybrethren,welcometothe99thAnnualMeetingofyourMasonicServiceAssociationofNorthAmerica.EachGrand

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Lodge,whichisamemberofMSA,isentitledtoonevoteatthisannualmeeting.Iunderstandaquorumexists.IofficiallycallthisAnnualMeetingtoorder.AtthistimeIwouldliketointroducetheCommissioners.Again,asyouheard,IamThomasGalyen,PastGrandMasterofOhio,Chairman.Wehaveoverhereonmyimmediateright,MostWorshipfulBrotherClaytonJ.ChipBorne,IIIPastGrandMasterofLouisiana;MostWorshipfulBrotherFredL.Sorsabal,PastGrandMasterofCalifornia;wehaveonmyimmediateleft,MostWorshipfulBrotherLannyR.Sander,PastGrandMasterofOklahoma,Vice-Chairman.Wehavenext,MostWorshipfulBrotherRaymondJ.VanderBerghe,PastGrandMastersofNewJersey,ourrecordingsecretary.NextwehaveMostWorshipfulBrotherBarryD.Weer,PastGrandMasterofIllinois.ThenwehaveourExecutiveSecretary,MostWorshipfulBrotherSimonLaPlace,PastGrandMasterofConnecticut.(Applause)ItdoessaddenmetoreportthattwoofourCommissionersoverthepastsixmonthshavelosttheirwives.MostWorshipfulBrothersLannySanderlosthiswifeBetty,andMostWorshipfulBrotherRayVanderBerghelosthiswifePat.AtthistimeIwouldliketo,infrontofyou,GrandMasters,isapacketofinformation.Itwasmailedoutearliertoyoubut,again,wemadecopiesofthoseitemsthatwewillbevotingon.Thefirstitemis,IwouldliketoentertainamotionthattheMinutesofourpreviousAnnualMeetingbeapproved.Somoved.DoIhearasecond?Second.Good.It’sbeenregularlymovedandsecondedthattheMinutesofourpreviousmeeting.Anyfurtherdiscussion?(Noresponse)allthoseinfavor,theusualsignofGrandMasterAye?Aye.Opposed?Socarried.

Now,theitemsthatwewillbevotingonrealquicklike.AcopyoftheamendmentofourBylawsandConstitutionwereforwardedtoyouinatimelymanner.Thereisalsoacopyfrontforyourreviewinyourplace.First,wewouldbeentertainingamotionthattheAmendmenttotheBylawsthisyeardeletesthepurposeofaChairmanofthismeeting.DoIhearasecond?Second.Good.Thereisasecond.Now,discussion?Whatthisgenerallyis,realquicklike.Wehavehadinthere,inouragenda,thatwehavealwayshadtoaskaPastGrandMastertocomeuphereandopenupthismeetingand,youknow,wehavehadaConsentAgreementoverthepastcoupleyearsthatdeletedthat.Wefoundoutthat’sagoodidea,sowemadeachangetoourBylawstodothat.Sothatiswhatthatis.Anyfurtherdiscussiononthat?(Noresponse)hearingnone,allofthoseinfavorsamesign?Aye.Opposed?Socarried.

Verygood.Now,thenextAmendmenttoourConstitutionisputtingtermlimitsonourCommissioners.Andthatisyour1(a)and2(a).Isoentertainthatmotion.DoIhearasecond?Second.Good.Discussion?(Noresponse)Now,theCommissionersfeltthatitwastimetoputtermlimits.Youknowweareelectedforathreeyearterm.Asyoucanseethere,itisamaximumofthreeterms,orwewillservefor,ifsobeitbyyou,nineyears,insteadofsomeofusserving20years.WhatitdoesisallowsyouinourdistrictstospreaditamongstotherGrandLodges.Whichmakessense.AndithelpsustobringsomeyoungerpeopleonwithgoodideastohelpMSAinthefuture,withinthechangesthataretakingplacewithinourFraternity.Sowe

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thinkitisagoodidea,andwouldliketoknow,again,whatyouthinkbyvotingforthischangetoourBylaws.Anyfurtherdiscussion?(Noresponse)good.Hearingnonethen,GrandMasters,let’svoteonit.Allthoseinfavor?Aye.Opposed?Socarried.ThankyouverymuchforthatchangetoourBylaws.Now,next,weneedtheapprovalofthereportsthatareinfrontofyou.Thatisthereports,realquicklike,thatthispastyearthatourExecutiveSecretaryhasdone.SoIsoentertainamotiontoapprovethereportsthatareplacedbeforeyou.DoIhearasecond?Second.Verygood.Anydiscussiononthosereports?(Noresponse)hearingnone,allthoseinfavor?Aye.Opposed?Socarried.Good.

Movingrightalongnow,itistimefortheelection.WehavetwoCommissionersthatareupforelection.First,ourNorthAtlanticDivision,andwehavesomebodythatisretiringoffofthat.BeforeIcallonourGrandMasterofthatdivision,NewJersey.MostworshipfulBrotherVanderBergheisretiringsoIwouldliketocalluponMostWorshipfulBrotherDieterB.Hees,GrandMasterofNewJerseytomakeanominationfromtheNorthAtlanticDivision.M.W.DIETERB.HEES:Goodafternoon.ItismyprivilegetoplaceinnominationthenameMostWorshipfulBrotherStuartAronson,PastGrandMasterofNewHampshiretorepresenttheNorthAtlanticDivisionforathreeyearterm.M.W.THOMASH.GALYEN:Good.DoIhearanyothernominationsfromthefloor?DoIhearanyothernominationsfromthefloor?DoIhearanyothernominationsfromthefloor?Hearingnone,thennominationsareclosed.AllthoseinfavorsignifybysayingAye?Aye.Opposed?Socarried.WorshipfulBrotherStu,doyouaccept?M.W.STUARTARONSON:Ido,Mr.Chairman.

M.W.THOMASH.GALYEN:Thankyou.Congratulations.(Applause)

Movingthisrightalong,wehaveabrother,MostWorshipfulBrotherfromtheGreatLakesDivisionthatisupforre-election.IwouldliketocallonMostWorshipfulBrotherGregoryClarktheGrandMasterofIllinois.

M.W.GREGORYCLARK:Thankyou.ItismyprivilegetoplaceinnominationthenameofBrotherBarryD.Weer,MostWorshipfulBrother,PastGrandMasterofIllinoisforre-electiontorepresenttheGreatLakesDivisionforathreeyearterm.Thankyou.M.W.THOMASH.GALYEN:Arethereanyothernominationsfromthefloor?Arethereanyothernominationsfromthefloor?Arethereanyothernominationsfromthefloor?Hearingnone,allthoseGrandMastersinfavorsignifybysayingAye?Aye.Opposed?Socarried.MostWorshipfulBrotherWeer,doyouaccept?

M.W.BARRYD.WEER:Yes,Iaccept.M.W.THOMASH.GALYEN:Thankyouverymuch.

(Applause)

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MostWorshipfulBrotherVanderBerghe,canIhaveyoustepuphereforonequicksecond.Iamgoingtomakethisshortandsweet.MyBrethren,thisBrotherherewaselectedattheConferenceinFebruaryof1997tothisCommissioner’sBoard.Hehasservedwithduediligence.HehasbeenourSecretaryformany,manyyears.OurMinuteshavebeensupreme,andifyoucouldpleasejoinwithmeinshowingyourappreciationforhislongservicetotheMasonicServiceAssociation.

(Applause)(Standingovation)

Thankyou,GrandMasters.Next,IwouldatthistimeliketocallonMostWorshipfulBrotherSimonLaPlaceforourExecutiveSecretary’sreport.

M.W.SIMONLaPLACE:Thankyou,MostWorshipful.FortheMasonicServiceAssociationtheyearof2017wasonethatshowedtheimportanceoftheorganizationtoFreemasonry.ThethreemajordisasterscausedbyhurricanesbroughtoutthebestofyourBrotherswhocaredforthoseinneed.MSAprovedtobethecentralrepositoryoffundscollectedforthedistressedBrothersofTexas,FloridaandPuertoRico.In2017,MSA’sHospitalVisitationProgramenteredits71styearofvolunteershelpingourMilitaryVeterans.RegularcommunicationbetweenMSA,theVA,andourrepresentativesinthefieldhavecontinuedthepromisemadetoPresidentandBrotherHarryS.Truman,togiveafriendlyhandshakeandwarmsmiletoeveryMilitaryVeteranhospitalizedinaVeterans’AffairMedicalFacility.MSAisoneofjust54organizationscertifiedbytheUnitedStatedDepartmentofVeterans’AffairstoprovideservicestoVAHospitalsandMedicalCentersaroundthenation.ItistheonlyMasonicorganizationwiththiscertification.Theannual“GreenEnvelope”appealraisesfundsand,again,wasverysuccessful,withMSA’sHospitalVisitationProgrambenefitingfromthegenerosityofhundredsofMasons,andLodgesandGrandLodges.BrotherJamesT.McWain,U.S.ArmyColonelRetired,andPastGrandMasterofConnecticutwasourspokespersonthisyear.HisexperienceswiththeVAprovedtobemostinformative,andwethankhimforhiscontribution.Whatallthismeansis,thatnotonlyhasFreemasonrylongbeenassociatedwithleadershipandservicetoVeterans,butalsotheU.S.MasonicFraternity,throughitsMasonicServiceAssociation,istodayanationallyknownleaderinservingourMilitaryVeterans.During2017,theMasonicServiceAssociationhascontinuedandexpandeditsproductionofeducationalmaterialforMasonsandLodges.ThePerfectMentoringTool,wascreatedfrom24ShortTalkBulletins,specificallytargetedfortheEnteredApprentice.MSA’sstockpileofpastShortTalkBulletinscontinuestobeasourceofMasonicinformation.

AnanthologybyJohnBeltonofJosephFortNewton’sdiariesofhistimeinEnglandduringWorldWarIisexpectedtobeavailablethisspring.TheCommissionersofMSAhavedecidedalimitedreprintingofVolumeIoftheShortTalkBulletinsisinorderandthatshouldbecompletedthisspring.VolumeVI,completingthecollectionofShortTalkBulletinswillbeavailableinthefall.In2017,MSApartneredwithCopiri’sfreeAmityMobileappwhichhelpsMasonsfindLodgesaroundtheworldwhoarerecognizedbytheirownGrandLodge.MSA’spartistoprovidemonthlyShortTalkBulletinsonanochargebasis,andayear’ssupplyforasmallfee.ThisisMSA’sfirstexperimentindistributingtheShortTalkBulletindigitally.

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Everydaywereceiveinquiriesaboutwheretofindinformation.Topicsincludehowtojoinalodge,disposingofMasonicmaterials,genealogy,andgeneralinformationaboutFreemasonry.MSAisaresourceformenlookingtojoinalodgefromallovertheworld.MostoftenMSA’swebsiteisthefirstchoiceofsearchenginesontheInternet.WearealsopleasedtoworkcloselywithyourGrandSecretaries.

In2017therewerenonewGrandLodgemembershipstoMSA.ThereisaprovisioninourBylawsforaCommissionertorepresentthememberGrandLodgesofCanada,andwewillendeavortofindacandidatefornominationnextyear.WewelcometheopportunitytoexplainMSA’spurposeandtodiscussthebenefitsofmembershipwiththeMSA.ItisdoubtfulthattheMasonicServiceAssociationhaseverbeencalledupontoactasacollectionpointforsomanynaturaldisasterswithinsuchashorttimeframeasitwasin2017.HurricanesHarvey,Irma,andMariadevastatedpartsofTexas,FloridaandPuertoRicowithinweeksofeachother.

OureffortsresultedinthehighestdonationsforDisasterReliefinourhistory.Forthefirsttimeinitshistory,ShrinersInternationalappealedtotheirmemberstosupportnotonlytheShrinersHospitalsbutourDisasterAppealaswell.Brotherhooddidn’tstopattheBlueLodge.ItshowedthatFreemasonryisaliveandwellacrossthecontinent.AmericanandCanadianGrandLodges,whethermembersofMSAornot,contributedasmuchastheycould,andwhenanotherdisasterstruck,everyonegavealittlemore.ThepolicyofMSAissimple.Weabsorballofthecostofacknowledgementletters,bankandPayPalfees,andadministrativeexpenses.That’sthewaywehavealwaysdoneitandthatisthewaywewillcontinuetoservetheFraternity.MSA’sproceduresaresimple.MSAmustbeaskedtoissueanappealbyaGrandLodge,andallfundscollectedarereturnedtothatGrandLodgeforfinaldistribution.Inthe24-yearhistoryoftheMasonicInformationCenter,avarietyofpamphletshavebeenpublishedandtheyareavailableinindividualorbulkquantities.Throughouttheyears,theGrandLodgesofNorthAmericahaveregularlycontributedtoassistintheworkoftheMasonicInformationCenterandwesincerelyappreciatethefinancialandvolunteerworktheyprovide.

In1919,attheorganizationoftheMasonicServiceAssociation,GrandLodgeduesweresixcentsamember.Theystillare.In1924,ifallthejurisdictionsintheUnitedStatespaidsixcentspermember,revenuewouldhavebeennearly$185,000or$2,615,000attoday’svalues.Withthedecreaseinmembership,todaythatsixcentsbringinjust$65,000,whereitshouldbevaluedat$984,000.Wethankthosejurisdictionswhogiveusalittlemore,andweaskalljurisdictionstoconsiderexpandingtheirsupportofMSA,voluntarily,justalittlemore.Thankyouverymuch.

(Applause)

M.W.THOMASH.GALYEN:Thankyou,Simon.AtthistimeIwouldcallforthemotiontoacceptourExecutiveSecretary’sreport.Isthereasecond?Second.AllthoseinfavorsignifybysayingAye?Aye.Opposed?Socarried.

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Thankyou.Atthistimejustafewcommentsbeforeweclose.NormallywehavewineandcheeseforourDeputyGrandMastersandthoseinvited.Unfortunately,whenthehotelpresentedwhatitwouldcostus,Simonsayswithourduesstructureandeverything,thisgenerallycostuscloseto$4,000ayear.Theypresenteda$8,000cost.DoingduediligenceasyourCommissioners,wecouldn’tseespending$8,000.Sounfortunately,thereisnowineandcheeseforthisyear.Ithinkyouwouldagreeyouwouldn’twantustospendthatmuchmoneyonsomethinglikethat.So,again,wearedoingourduediligence.

Again,IpersonallywantedtothanktheCommissionersfortheirservicethispastyearontheBoard.Theybringawealthofinformationtousinthesetimesofchange.Again,Ithankyouverymuchforyourservice.

AtthistimeIwouldliketocallforamotiontoacceptthisAssociationendeavors,theactsoftheExecutiveCommissionandtheExecutiveSecretaryfortheperiodofJanuary1,2017throughtheDecember31,2017.DoIhearasecond?Second.Good.AllthoseinfavorsignifybysayingAye?Aye.Opposed?Socarried.Ithankyou.Aswegenerallyhavedoneinthepast,thoseGrandLodgesthathavebroughtacheckforpresentation,afterIclosewewillbedownhereontheleft-handsidesowedon’tinterferewiththerestofyourbusinesstoacceptthosedonationsmosthumbly.Again,Ithankyouverymuch.Inowcallthis99thAnnualMeetingoftheMasonicServiceAssociationofNorthAmericaclosedinpeaceandharmony.Thankyouverymuch.

(Applause)

M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Brethren,IwillnowcallonthreeofourInternationalMasonicYouthGroupsthathaveacceptedourinvitationtospeaktoyouthisafternooninourformalConferencesession.It’smypleasuretointroducetoyouBrotherMasonSellers,InternationalCongressSecretaryofDeMolayInternational.Pleasehelpmewelcomehim.

(Applause)MASONSELLERS:Goodmorningeveryone.

(Goodafternoon)

Yeah.Sorry,usyoungerpeople,wekindofsleepinalittlebit.Itismyabsolutepleasuretobespeakingbeforeyouheretoday.IamproudtosaythatIamDeMolay.BeforeIcontinuetospeakaboutDeMolay,Iwouldliketostartoffbythankingyou.DeMolayandFreemasonryhaveasimilargoalinmakingpeoplebetter.InDeMolay,wetakeyoungmen,weprovidethemtheopportunitiestobecomebettermenandgreatercitizensfortoday’ssociety.InFreemasonryyoutakethesemen,andyouprovidethemwiththepathtobecomebetterthroughfaith,hopeandcharity.ItwasthroughtheseteachingsthatFrankS.LandbegantheOrderofDeMolay,whichwouldprovetobettermenforever,andchangelivesforever,andhedidthisnearlyaCenturyago.

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Forthis,andallofyourcontinuedsupporttous,wethankyou.Becausesimply,withoutFreemasonry;therewouldbenoDeMolay!WithoutDeMolay,wewouldhavelessyoungmenreadytoreaptheyearsofmanhoodandtheywouldnotbereadytoincitechangethatwouldbetterourorganizationandourworld.ThatverychangeIspeakofiswhatbringsmeheretoday,speakingbeforeallofyou.Achangethatwehaveseenevenmoreofwithintheyear2017and2018ofDeMolayInternational.Now,BrotherInternationalMasterCounselorChaseandmyselfareverywelcomingwhenitcomestochallenges,especiallywhenthesechallengesbenefitourorganizationthathasgivenusandthousandsofyoungmensomuch.AtthebeginningofthistermwehadmanygoalsandhaveaccomplishednearlyallofthemwithoureversupportingMasonicFamilybehindus,andthehardworkthatourBrothersputineveryday.DeMolayInternationalhasbegunnewprograms,startednewsocialmediaeffortsandpartneredupwithourMasonicFamilylikeneverbefore.Theresultsareshowingsuccess.Fromimprovedcommunicationthroughmonthlypublications,toourGrandMasterandExecutiveDirectorworkingalongsideShrinersInternationaltomakeafantasticCentennialcoreyear.Thisyearhasbeenayearforthebooksandit’sbondedwithsuccess.Alongsideallofthesefantasticnewthings,onegoalthatChaseandIagreedonatthebeginningofthisterm,wastoincreasemembership.Thisisagoalthatweallstrive,workandhopeforeachyear.Thankfullyduetomanysuccessfulprograms,andintensives,newapproachesandthehardworkthatouryoungmenputineveryyear,wecansayasanorganizationthatwehavereachedpositivegrowthinternationally.Thisissomethingthatnotmanygroupsororganizationscansaytheyhaveachieved,butwecan,andit’sthankstoyoursupportandtheworkofourmembers.

Withallofthisinmind,Iwantedtoleaveyouwithafewthoughts.But,first,couldeverySeniorDeMolayintheroompleaserise?LookingaroundthisroomitisevidencethatDeMolayisthefuture.ItisevidentthatDeMolayisthefutureofMasonry.Thefutureiswearetheleadersoftomorrow.ItisabsolutelywonderfulandastoundingtoseesomanySeniorDeMolaywhohavemovedontobecomeleadersintheirjurisdictions,leadersinourMasonicFamily.Now,DeMolay’smissionhasbeenmadenottomakefutureMasons.Weareheretomakebetteryoungmen,andthroughthismission,betteryoungmenprovetomoveonandworkhardtowanttocontinuetobetterthemselves,bettertheirorganization,andchangesociety.ThisleadsthemtoFreemasonry.Proofofthis,thispastJanuarymyselfandsixotheryoungmen,andoneadvisor,allrelatedtoDeMolayturnedinourPetitionsatColorado’sGrandLodge.AnabsolutelyfantasticsighttoseesomanyPetitionsstraightfromDeMolay.

(Applause)DeMolay’sNationalCounselorisactuallyaScottishRiteFreemasonattheageof19.ImayhavejustbegunmyjourneyintoFreemasonry,butitisbecausethepathofDeMolayhasledmethere,andbecauseofyourevercontinuedsupportthathasbroughtallofustowherewearetoday.Thisisastrengththatweareseeingacrosstheworld,inforeigncountries,injurisdictionsacrossAmerica,andallover.Theyouthoftodayarethefuture,notonlyinourorganizations,orourMasonicFamily,

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butinoursociety.Wecanallagreethatthisisthetimeforchangethatweneedmorethanever.BeforeIfinishspeaking,letmesaythis.DeMolayisgrowing.AslongasDeMolayisgrowing,ourmembersandourvisionwillstayalive.Theywillcontinuetobetheleadersoftomorrow.Freemasonrywillgrow.Wewillcontinuetonotonlyseeksuccessinourorganizations,butpositivechangeinoursociety.

Thankyouallforyoursupportthroughoutthisyear,andwelookforwardtoworkingwithyouevenmoreinthefuture.(Applause)M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:ItisnowmypleasuretointroducetoyouMs.SierraKirkley,GrandWorthyAdvisorofIndianaInternationalOrderofRainbowforGirls.Pleasehelpmewelcomeher.

(Applause)

SIERRAKIRKLEY:GrandMasters,distinguishedguestsandfriendsall,goodafternoon.

(Goodafternoon)

MynameisSierraKirkleyandIamtheGrandWorthyAdvisorinIndianafortheInternationalOrderoftheRainbowforGirls.Ihaveherewithme,Mrs.SusanRennagel,SupremeWorthyAdvisor;Ms.MaryAdelineBradford,PastSupremeWorthyAdvisorandSupremeRecorder;Ms.LynnShoulders,SupremeTreasurer;andAllisionDeckard,GrandWorthyAssociateAdvisorinIndiana.

TheInternationalOrderoftheRainbowforGirlsisaservice-basedMasonicyouthgroupforgirlsbetweentheagesof11and20.OurOrderteachesyoungwomenmanyimportantlessonssurroundingthevirtuesofloveandservice.OurlineofficesrepresentFaith,HopeandCharity,keypointsforasuccessfullife.Ourrainbowofcolorsteachesthesevencardinalvirtuesinourlives.Wearetaughttoloveeveryonearoundusandareremindedthatweareloved.Wearealsotaughttobereligious.ThelessonofnatureremindsustoappreciatethegreatcreationthatGodhasmade.Throughthelessonofimmortality,welearnthat,withfaith,thereisapromiseforourfuture.WeareremindedtobeloyaltoourRainbowsisters,andourobligationsthroughthelessononfidelity.WelearntorespectourcountryandthepeoplethatdefenditthroughthelessonofPatriotism.Thefinallessoninourbowisthatofservice.Throughthislesson,weworkhands-ontomaketheworldabetterplace.RainbowAssembliesallovertheworldparticipateinserviceprojectstohelpthoseinneed.Wecollectitemsforchildren’shospitalsandourMasonicHomes.Forexample,inIndiana,wehavecollecteditemsfortheRileyHospitalforChildren,Shriners’Hospital,andthePeytonManningChildren’sHospital.WecollectpoptabsfortheRonaldMcDonaldHousesothatfamiliescanbeneartheirchildrenwhiletheyarereceivingtreatments.IndianaRainbowhacollectedover30,000poptabstodate.WecollectBingoprizesfortheresidentsoftheMasonicHome.EachyeartheGrandOfficersofIndianaRainbowpreparetwochurchservicesanddeliverthesermonfortheresidents.DuringtheChristmasseasonwewriteaChristmasProgramandsingsongsasentertainment,aswellaspassoutcookies,crafts,andChristmascardstotheresidents.Then,wecarolthroughtheMasonicHometospreadthejoyofChristmas.Therearejurisdictionsaroundtheworldthatsupport

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organizationssuchastheRelayforLifeandMarchofDimes.Ourmembersraiseawarenessofdomesticviolenceandhomelessness.Wetrytomeettheneedsofourcommunitiesbycleaninguphighwaysandpreparing,servingandcleaningupmealsforthelessfortunate.Wehelpoutatlocalanimalsheltersandcollectfoodforfoodpantries.TherearemanyotherserviceprojectsthatourmemberscompleteintheirlocalAssembliesandacrosstheirjurisdictions.Ourmembersputincountlesshourstomakeadifferenceinthisworld.Rainbowprovidesasupportsystemforallofitsmembers.Ifagirlneedshelp,sheknowsshecanreachouttooneofherRainbowSisters.ARainbowGirlcanfindfriendsanywhereshegoes.Thisorganizationteachesgirlsimportantlifelessons.RainbowGirlslearnhowtocarrythemselveswithconfidenceandpoise.Rainbowteachesleadershipskills.Everysinglememberisaleaderinherownhome,community,andjurisdiction.SpeakinginfrontofanaudienceisnothingnewforRainbowGirls.IwouldhaveneverbeenabletostanduphereandspeaktoallofyouifithadnotbeenforthisOrder.Theexperiencewithpublicspeakinghelpsgirlsthroughouttherestoftheirlives.Webecometeachers,doctors,astronautsandmilitarypersonnel.Thisorganizationdevelopsproductivemembersofsociety.WelearnthelessonsofresponsibilityearlyinourRainbowcareers,sowearepreparedtoworkhardinourfutureendeavors.TheRainbowGirlsoftodayarethenextgenerationofEasternStarandAmaranthmembers.TherehavebeenmanytimesthatthefathersofRainbowGirls,whowerenotalreadyaffiliatedwiththeMasons,havedecidedtojointheOrderafterbeinginvolvedwiththeirdaughtersinRainbow.

ManymajoritymembersofRainbowhavetoldtheirhusbandsabouttheMasonicFamily,andtheirhusbandshavedecidedtobecomeMasons.Wearethememberswhowillkeeptheseorganizationsaliveformanyyearstocome.TheInternationalOrderoftheRainbowforGirlscouldnotsucceedwithoutthehelpofitssponsoringbodies.OnbehalfofalltheRainbowGirlsthroughouttheseveraljurisdictions,Iwouldliketothankeachofyou.Yourconstantsupportallowsourorganizationtogrow.Yoursponsorshipallowsustohaveourmeetings.KnowingthatthereareadultswhoareinterestedinsupportingouryouthisaninspirationforeveryAssembly.TheInternationalOrderoftheRainbowforGirlsisanorganizationthathasmadeahugeimpactonmylife,andIknowthatthousandsofgirlsaroundtheworldcouldsaythesame.WehavegiveneachofyouabrochurewithinformationonourCenturyCampaign.OurSupremeTempleis66yearsold,andourheatingandcoolingsystemneedstobereplaced.Wewouldgratefullyacceptanydonations.WewishyouasuccessfulConference.Thankyouandgoodafternoon.(Applause.M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:It’snowmypleasuretointroducetherepresentativeofJob’sDaughtersInternational,MissHannahGerow,MissInternationalJob’sDaughter.Pleasehelpmewelcomeher.

(Applause)

HANNAHGEROW:MostWorshipfulGrandMasters,GrandOfficers,MasonicFamilyandfriends.Helloandgoodafternoon.

(Goodafternoon)

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IamHannahGerow,theMissInternationalJob’sDaughters2017-2018,andwithmetodayIhaveAimeeBright,SupremeBethelHonorQueen2017-2018.Itisanhonortobringgreetingstoyouonbehalfofthe11,000girlsfromaroundtheworldthatmakeupJob’sDaughtersInternational.Myorganization,likemanyothersrepresentedherethroughoutthisweek,cantracetheirbeginningsbacktotheMasonicFraternity.ThatOrderwhichwearetaughtfromayoungagestandsforthebrotherhoodofhumanity.Weareconnectedinthisway,throughourcomplexandintertwininghistories,butIbelievetodaythereexistahumblerbondthatthreadsustogether.Itissimplythat,“Wearegroupsofpeopleworkingtobetterourselvesandtheworldaroundus.”Lookingbackthroughourhistories,tothestartofFreemasonryhundredsofyearsagoinEngland,itisimpossibletodismisstheimpactMasonryhashadontheworld,andthewayitsexistenceisstillimpactingittoday.Forexample,becauseofthatfirstgroupofMasonsover300yearsago,theShrinersexist,andbecauseofthat,today22hospitalscareforchildrenalloverthiscountryfreeofcharge.Becauseofthosemen,theKnightsTemplarstillexisttothisday,andsodoestheirEyeFoundationswhichisresponsibleformillionsofdollarsgoingintoresearchandpatientcareforthosewithsightproblems.Becauseofthem,theScottishRiteexists,andsodoestheirChildhoodLanguageProgram,whichprovideschildrenalloverthiscountrywithtreatmentforspeechdisabilities.Icouldgoonforever,tellingthestoryofhowthemanymembersoftheMasonicFamilybettertheworldaroundthem.IcouldtalkaboutthelargedonationstheOrderoftheAmaranthhasgiventoresearchthecureforDiabetes,ortrytonamethecountlessamountsofcharityworkdonebytheOrderoftheEasternStar.

IcouldtrytocoverinthissmallspeechtheimmenseworkindividualLodges,Chapters,Shrines,Assemblies,andBethels,etceterahavedoneintheircommunitiesacrosstheworld.

Butthatwouldtakemuchlongerthanthefiveminutestheyhaveallowedmetospeak.EvenifIspendthewholedayaccountingforeveryactofservicethattheMasonicFraternityisinsomewayresponsiblefor,Iwouldnotdotruejusticetoyourlegacy.Because,asIsaidbefore,“Wearegroupsofpeopleworkingtobetterourselvesandtheworldaroundus,andworkingtobetterourselves.”TonotmentionthewaystheinventionofMasonryandtheMasonicFamilyhasaffectedthoseinvolvedinitwouldbewrong.

Personally,Iknowtheimpactithashadonmyfamily,andithaschangedourlivesforever.Iknowtheimpactithasonmylife,andIcansayithasdefinitelychangeditforthebetter.Becauseover300yearsago,mencametogethertocreateFreemasonry.TheMasonicYouthGroupshaveformed,changingsomanyyoungpeople’slivesintheprocess.IhavemetgirlswhohaveenteredJobs’sDaughterssolostandalone.IhavewatchedthemgrowupintheOrderandthenleavewithanewpurposeinlife.But,moreimportantly,theyleavewithanewfamily.ThesamecanbesaidformanyofthosewhohaveenteredDeMolayandRainbowforGirls.

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TheseorganizationsandtheadultorganizationswhichbranchfromtheMasonicFraternityhavetouchedcountlesslives.Allofwhichistheresultofagroupoflikemindedmenhundredsofyearsago,whowantedtobetterthemselvesandtheworldaroundthem.Becauseofthem,weareallheretodayinthisroom.EverythingIhavesaidsofarmayseemlikeshamelessflattery,andmaybeitis.However,Iwouldnotsayitifitwasn’ttrue.IrespecttheMasonicFraternityandvalueitsexistencesomuch.But,Idohaveapurpose,besidesflattery,tonamethecountlesswaysFreemasonryhasmadeadifferenceinourworld.IhavehadtheuniquehonoroftravelingallovertheworldinthepastsixmonthsandIcannottellyouhowamazingithasbeen.Ihavelearnedsomuch.Weliveinsuchalargeandbeautifulplace,butitisalsofilledwithtroubles.Weareonlytwomonthsintothenewyearandthereisaworldofproblemsatourfeet.Wehavestartedworkingindividuallytofacethemalready,butimaginewhatwecoulddoifweworkedtogether.Allthecharitywork,publicservice,andfellowshipcreated,thatIhavespokenaboutwasdonebyindividualorganizations.Thinkofthethingswecoulddoifwecameclosertogether.Thechangeandthedifferenceswecouldmakeinpeople’sliveswouldbeamazing.

MythemeandmottothisyearasMissInternationalis“Let’sCreateabettertomorrow,today!”Iwanttoinspiretheyoungladiesofmyorganizationtoworktogether,tobuildabrighterfutureinallaspectsoftheirlives.Ibelievethatwecan,astheMasonicFamily,cometogetherthroughleadershipandthebondoftheMasonicFraternitytomakeanevengreaterdifferenceinourworld.Therefore,IwanttoencourageyoutoreachouttotheJob’sDaughterswithinyourstateortheBethelsthatmeetinyourlodges.Ifyoudon’thaveaJob’sDaughtersinyourjurisdiction,IwanttoencourageyoutoreachouttoyourDeMolayChapters,RainbowforGirls,oranyotherMasonicbodytoworktowardcommongoals.Iwanttochallengeallofyouasgroupsthatstandforwhat’srightintheworld,tostandtogethertoseethepowerandimpactyoucananddohaveonsociety.Andlastly,butmostimportantly,Iwanttochallengeyoutocometogetherandbeexactlywhatyouare“Groupsofpeopleworkingtobetterthemselvesandtheworldaroundthem.”Thankyou.

(Applause)

M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Wearedoingwell,Brothers.Totheyouthgroups,onbehalfoftheConference,wewouldliketothankyouforanoutstandingpresentation.Youreallymakeusproud.Let’sgivethemallaroundofapplause.

(Applause)IwouldalsoliketointroduceanotherGrandMaster,aGrandMasterofDeMolayInternationalforsomebrevities.RonMitchell,wouldyoupleaseapproachthedaisandhelpmewelcomeourGrandMaster.

(Applause)

RONMITCHELL:GrandMasters,Wardens,Brethrenall,thankyouverymuchandthankyou,GrandMasterfortheinvitationtospeak.Ouryouthdidagreatjoband

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thoseyoungpeoplethatwerepresentaregreatrepresentativesoftheleadershipandthecharacter-buildingorganizationsthattheMasonicFamilysupportsandsponsors.Wehadaseminarthismorningateleveno’clock,andthoseofyouthatwerethere,thankyouverymuchforattending.Thoseofyouthatweren’tabletobethere,butneedmoreinformation,whetheritisaboutJob’sDaughters,RainboworDeMolay,weeachhaveboothsandweeachhavetheheadsofourorganization.Myself,theSupremeWorthyAdvisorandtheGuardianareallthreeinattendanceandwewouldlovetovisitwithyouandtalkaboutourorganizationswithinyourjurisdictions.WaysthatwecanmakethoseorganizationsproperattheChapter,AssemblyandBethellevel,atthelocallevel.Sothankyouallverymuchforthat.Pleasetakeamomenttovisitwithourkids,ouryouth,becauseyouwillfindthattheyarebright,theyareresponsive,theyhavegreatideas,andifyoudonotgotoyouryoungerpeoplethatarecomingupthroughyourranks,enjoyingDeMolay,orEasternStar,orAmaranth,orwhateverthatmaybe,andgotothemforhelpinhowtogetnewmembers,andhowtomakeourlodgesmorefuntobein,andthingslikethat.Youallaremissingtheboat.Thesearethekidsthataregoingthroughtheseprogramsandarealsocomingupandbecomingtheleadersofourorganizationsandourcivicorganizations,theirschools.TheseguysandgalsarenotonlyjustleadingourDeMolayorganization,forexample,butfraternities,andorganizationswithinthepublicsector.Whetherit’sspaceinpublicsector,orwhetherit’sprivatebusinessesandenterprises,youwillfindthoseasbeingleaders.Soweallneedtoworkhardertohelptheseyouthought.Itisnotalwaysthemoneythatwearelookingfor,it’sbodies,andpeople,andmenlikeyourselves,andmenunderneathyouthatfollowinyourwakethatcanrecognizetheleadershipskillsandthefraternalrelationship,brotherhoodandsisterhoodwebuildforthesekids.Ithankyou,again,forthecoupleofminutesthatJeffaskedmetospeakrealquick.Pleasetakeamoment.Ifyouneedsomehelp,weallthreeorganizationshaveexpertsthatwearehappytosendtoyourjurisdictiontohelpyougrowouryouthordersandouryouthordersareworkingverystronglytogethertohelpeachother.Pleasetakeadvantageofusbecausewewilllovetovisitwithyouall.Thankyouverymuch.

(Applause)M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Thankyou,GrandMaster,foraddressingourgrouphere.Brethren,Iamgoingto,asChairmanoftheConference,Ithinkwearegoingtoputontheagendarightnowsowehavesometime.Iwanttoopenthisupforbusiness,fornewbusiness.Wehavesomehousekeepingthingsthatwehavetodoasanoutcomeofyesterday’selection.Wehavetodosomeadministrativemotions,anddirections,andthingslikethat.AtthispointIwillcallonMost

WorshipfulGrandMasterLonTibbitstoreadsomeproposalsandResolutions.M.W.LONTIBBITS:Thankyou,MostWorshipful.TherearethreeResolutionsthatcomeoutoftheactivitiesfromyesterday’selection.

First,resolvedfortheBylawsoftheConferenceofGrandMastersofMasonsinNorthAmericaIncorporated,amended2/19/2013,Article7,Funds.

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ThattheBoardofDirectorsdirecttheExecutiveSecretary-TreasurertoopenacheckingaccountsattheAssociatedBankofWisconsinandthatthefundsofcorporationbedepositedtherefortheuseofthecorporation.

Second,alsoResolvedthatArticle10oftheBylawsoftheConferenceofGrandMastersofMasonsinNorthAmerica,Incorporated,again,asamended2/19/2013,registeredofficetobeamendedtochangethelocationoftheregisteredofficeofthecorporationfromMissouritoWisconsinand;FurtherResolvedthatthecurrentcorporationbedissolved,andtheConferencebeincorporatedinthestateofWisconsin,andthattheregisteredagentshallbetheExecutiveSecretary-TreasureroftheConferencewhoshallresideinWisconsin.M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Thankyou,GrandMaster.Brothers,youhaveheardthereadingoftheproposals.Iwillentertainamotionthatweadoptthat.ItwillbeeffectiveApril1,attheendofthisConference.ThecyclethatwehavewillbeApril1st.Somoved.Wehaveamotion,ithasbeenregularlymadeandseconded.AllthoseinfavorsignifybysayingAye?Aye.Opposed?Motioncarried.Thankyouforthatpieceofbusiness,

Brothers.Weactuallyarerunningprettygood,aheadofschedule.IstheScottishRiteGeneralSecretaryintheaudiencehere?(Noresponse)Iguessnot.HowaboutGrandCommanderSeale,isheintheaudience?(Noresponse)

Allright.Well,that’smovingrightalong.Allright.SoIwouldliketotalktoyouaboutthenextsetofsessionshere.Brethren,wearegoingtoberecessingmomentarilysothatwecanadjourntotheBreakoutSessions.Thesessionsstartatthreeo’clock.Group1willbetheDeputyGrandMasterPeerGroup,whichisinStudio6,andGrandMasterMichaelD.SmithofSouthCarolinaisyourfacilitator.ThenwealsohavetheSeniorGrandWardenpeergroup,whichwillbeinConceptAB,andGrandMasterCaseyHoodofTennesseeisyourfacilitator.

ThethirdgroupistheJuniorGrandWardenpeergroup,whichwillbeinConceptCDandwillbeledbyGrandMasterGregoryL.Clark,GrandMasterofIllinois,andheisthefacilitator.

Thiseveningthebanquetandsocialwillbeginat6:00p.m.intheRegencyABfoyer.InthefrontofRegencyAD.ThesocialhourwillbesponsoredbytheMasonicMedicalResearchLaboratoryandwethankthemfortheirhospitality.Thatisanicedonationbuythem.

(Applause)

Thebanquetwillbeat7:00p.m.inthatroomaswell.Ifanyoneneedsticketsforthebanquet,pleasecheckinwiththeregistrationdesk.

InthemorningwewillstartearlywiththeShrine/DeMolay,FrankS.LandBreakfastinRegencyAroomandthatwillbeginat7:00a.m.sharp.

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ThenIwillcalltheConferencetoOrderat9:30inthemorning.GrandMasters,pleasetakeyourthingswithyou,butleaveyourplacecards.Now,atthistime,beforeIcalltheConferenceatrecessfortheremainderoftheday,arethereanyotherannouncements?(Noresponse)thereisnone.Allright.RightWorshipfulJamesKistel,willyoupleaseattendatthealterandclosetheThreeGreatLightsofMasonry.

M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:InowdeclarethisConferenceinrecess.__CloseofDay2__

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Tuesday20February2018Indianapolis,INM.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:RightWorshipfulJamesKistel,wouldyoupleaseattendatthealteranddisplaytheThreeGreatLightsofMasonry.InowcallonMostWorshipfulDieterHees,GrandMasterofMasonsofNewJerseyforthismorning’sinvocation.

(Prayer)M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:ThisConferenceisnowreconvened.Goodmorning,brothers.Thisisthelastdayofour2018Conferenceandwethankyouforyoursincereandearnestparticipation.ThePlanningCommitteehasworkedhardtoprovideyouwiththeworkingtoolsfortoday’sMasonry.Itisourheartfeltdesirethatyoutaketheseideasbacktoyourrespectivejurisdictionsandmakethemyourown.Letyourimaginationrunwild,thatyoucanleaveyourmarkontheCraft.Remember,ThomasA.Edisonsaid,“Opportunityismissedbymostpeoplebecauseitisdressedinoverallsandlookslikework.”AllofusassembledherethismorninghavebeengivenanamazingopportunitytomakeadifferenceforourLodgesandGrandLodges.Letusallmakethemostofit.

IwouldliketotakethispersonalopportunitytointroducetheGrandMasteroftheGrandEncampment,GrandMasterDuaneVaught,forafewremarks.Pleasehelpmewelcomehim.

(Applause)

M.W.DUANEVAUGHT:Goodmorning,brethren.

(Goodmorning)M.W.DUANEVAUGHT:GrandMasterJeffreyhereaskedmetomakeabriefremark,andIsaidwhattheheck,Igetsomeairtime,I’lltakethat.IdowanttosayhowpleasedIamtobeherewithallofyou.I’msureyouhearalittlehoarsenessinmyvoice.Icometoalotofthese,asnotonlyfortheGrandEncampment,butasIwascomingupthroughtheGrandLodgewhilehereIndiana.Iwillbebrief,butIthoughtwhattosayhereandIcan’tusemyusualmaterialbecausesomeofyouhaveheardit.Buttwoquickthoughts.WhyisitthatweintheAppendantBodiesoftenseepeople,usuallyfromotherAppendantBodies,whogetthemistakenideathatwearecompetingagainsteachotherformembership.IwouldjustliketoleavethethoughtthatIdon’tthinkweareincompetition.IwanteveryMasonicorganizationtodowell.IlovemyLodge.ItisalittleLodgeabout60milesfromhere.Idon’tgetthereasmuchasIwouldlike,butonceIgooutofoffice.WeloveourLodges,andIthinkifwegetsomebody,ifhewantstojoin10Masonicorganizations,ifmineisnotthenumberonethingthathelikesdoing,sobeit.AslongasheisinyourFraternity,heisgoingtostaywithmetoo.HeisgoingtostaywithhisLodge,andhe’sgoingtostaywithhisScottishRite,andhisShrine,andhisYorkRiteandhisEasterStareven.It’sallgood.AnotherthoughtIwouldliketoleaveyouwithquicklyiswearehearingalotabout,especiallyatConferenceslikethis,wehearalotaboutgettingbacktothegoodolddays,thewaythingswere.We

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evenusewordslike“renewal”.Gettingbacktothat.AndIhavejustcometothinkweactuallydon’twanttodothat.Wedon’tneedorwanttogetbacktoanythingthatwehavebeenbefore.Allofthat’sgood.WhatweneedtogetbacktoisthebrilliantfuturethatwearegoingtohaveinthisFraternity.It’sgoingtobebrilliantbecauseitgetstobewhateverwewantittobe.Wecancherrypickthepast.Wecansaywelovethisbuilding.Welovethatregalia,orthatDegree,orthisprogram.Wecancherrypickallofthat.But,thefutureofthisFraternityisinthehandsofus.Mostespecially,GrandMasters,yourselvesandyourteamsofofficers.Thatisabrilliantopportunity.Weareallinthistogether.Let’smakeourfuturewhatwewantittobe.Thankyousomuchforthemomenttospeak.

(Applause)

M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Thankyou,GrandMaster,foryourinspiringwords.

Ournextorderofbusinessistomakepreparationsforthe2019Conferenceandbeyond.IcallonMostWorshipfulBrotherThomasPulkkinen,GrandMasteroftheGrandLodgeofMaine,andChairmanoftheTimeandPlaceCommitteefortheCommittee’sreport.

MostWorshipfulBrotherPulkkinen.M.W.THOMASPULKKINEN:Goodmorning,brethren.

(Goodmorning)M.W.THOMASPULKKINEN:MostWorshipfulbrotherChairman,theTimeandPlaceCommitteethanksyou,andwethanktheConferencefortheopportunitytoserveourCraft,whichwealllovesomuch.IwouldliketoatthistimeaskthemembersoftheCommitteetostandasIintroduceyoutothebrothers,sotheyknowwhohasbeenworkingontheirbehalfonthisimportantcommittee.First,MostWorshipfulBrotherKeithHerve,GrandMasterofAlaska;MostWorshipfulBrotherPaulTodd,GrandMasterofOntario;MostWorshipfulBrotherSpeedHallman,GrandMasterofNorthCarolina;MostWorshipfulBrotherPhillipMoss,GrandMasterofColorado;andI’mMostWorshipfulBrotherTomPulkkinen,GrandMasterofMaine.

YesterdayweheardaboutthechangingnatureofFreemasonry.OurCrafthasgrownthenlostmembership.WeneedtoassesthepurposeandrelevanceofourCraft.Thatis,howdoweaddvaluetoFreemasonryandmankind?Howdowerespondtothechangingenvironmentinwhichweoperate,includingtheescalatingcostofmaintainingasuperstructurewithdecliningresources,bothintermsofmembershipandItermsoffinancialresources?

ThecostoftheConferencesisexplodinganditisrelativetoConferencefeesanddecliningparticipationbymanyjurisdictions.ThepotentialfinancialexposuretojurisdictionshostingtheConferencecanbedaunting.CombinedwiththehumanresourcesneededtoputthisConferenceon,meansthatanincreasingnumberofjurisdictionscannotassumeresponsibilityforhostingtheConference.ThisyearwereachedouttoallparticipatingGrandLodgesforproposalstohostthe2022Conference.Noexpressionsofinterestwerereceived.Asecondletterwentout,this

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timewereceivedthreeexpressionsofinterest.WethankthoseGrandLodgeswhoconsideredmakingproposalstohosttheConferencein2022.But,Imustreportatthistime,afterconsiderablediscussionswithallthreejurisdictions,alldecidednottohosttheConference.Weneed,asmembersineveryjurisdictionacrossNorthAmerica,tobegininternaldiscussionsastowhetheryouhaveaninterestandabilitytosubmitaproposalforboththe2022Conferenceandthenthe2023Conference.But,Brethren,asaConferenceweneedaskourselvesseveralimportantquestions.Aseachofusisexploringwaystostreamlineourownoperations,sodoweasaConferenceneedtoreflectupontherationale,purposeanddesignofourConferenceasweholdittodayanddeterminewhetherchangeisneeded.Somethoughts.WemeetatthistimeoftheyearbecausewemeteveryotheryearinWashingtonD.C.tohonorGeorgeWashington.TheConferencedoesn’tgotoWashingtonanymore,butwestillmeetinFebruary.ThiseliminatestheabilityofmanyofOurCanadianProvincesbecauseofalotsnow,tohosttheConference.ItalsomeansthatsomeConferencescan’tbehostedbecauseoftheescalatingcostofholdingtheConferenceonaholidayweek,President’sweekend.Premiumratesgointoeffect.ShouldweconsiderperhapsdifferenttimingoftheConference?DowereallyneedaseriesofmeetingsthattakeuptosevendaysandresultinhighcostsforallofUs.Mighttheschedulebecondensedandsomeofthesessionsbeheldbyvideoconferencesorsimulcasting.Thatwouldsaveconsiderabletimeandtravelingcosts.Mightwesomehowenhanceourpersonalnetworkingopportunities,whichiswhatwefeelisthemostimportantpartofcominghereasaCraft.Theopportunitytoshareideas,shareconcernsandplottogetherwaysthatwewanttomakeadifferenceinapositivewayinourFraternity,especiallyinourownjurisdictions.Throughreallygoodsplanning,andhardwork,thelasttwoConferenceshavebrokenevenfinanciallyfortheHostJurisdictions,buttheexposuretomateriallossisconcerning.However,theConferencehaslostmoneythelasttwoyears,andprobablybecauseofthehighcostofaudiovisualequipment.WhatmightbedonetominimizeoreliminatethefinancialrisktoHostJurisdictionsandtheConference?ShouldchangesintheConferencefinancialparadigmbeconsidered?ManyjurisdictionsnolongerhavethemanpowerorresourcestohostaConference.Wehavelostalotofmembersandalotofourmembersareolder.Wedon’thaveenergynecessarytoaccumulate30to50peopletohosttheConference,evenwhenweconsiderthatalotofjurisdictionsarefortunatetohavetheirLodgeparticipateintheprocess.IsittimetoconsideraIdifferentwaytoholdtheConference?MaybeonarotatingbasisalongwithourRegionalConferences.SeveralMasonicbodieshavemovedfroconsiderations.IsittimetoexamineasimilaralternatecourseforthisConference?ThatwouldbedifficultbecausewehavesomanyGrandMasterswhoserveoneyear.EveryGrandMasterwantstobeabletocometothisConferenceasGrandMastertorepresenthisGrandJurisdiction.Buttheideais,weneedtothink,wherearewegoingasaConferencetomakethemostbeneficialimpactonwhatwedoinFreemasonry,andthatistoimprovemenandmakeadifferenceinsociety.BecausetheGrandMastersofmanyjurisdictionserveforonlyoneyear,acompleteturnoveroftheTimeandPlaceCommitteeandothercommitteesoccursessentiallyeveryyear.Should

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DeputyGrandMastersserveoncommitteesforbettercontinuityandplanningtheexperiencegoingforward.Thesearebutafewofthemyriadofissuesandquestions,notpredeterminedpositionsthatshouldbeaddressedbythenextTimeandPlaceCommittee,thenewExecutiveSecretaryandtheConference.MostWorshipfulBrotherChairman,the2018ConferencePlanningCommitteerecommendsthatourExecutiveSecretary,MostWorshipfulBrotherMichaelDeWolf,whoagreesthattheConferencemembership,andallotherswhomeetatthisConference,shouldbesurveyedimmediatelyfollowingthisConferenceontheseandotherissuestogetyourinputonwhatwemightdogoingforwardtorespondtothechallengesandtheopportunitiesthatarebeforeus.TomaketheConferenceasfinanciallysound,andprogramasbeneficialaspossible,notonlyfortheConference,butforeverybodywhoattends.TheCommitteefullysupportstheeffortsofBrotherDeWolftocreativeanRFP,andbringspecificationandguidancetotheJurisdictionsinterestedinhosting,orpossiblyhostingtheConferenceinthefuture.WefurtherrecommendthatMostWorshipfulBrotherMichaelDeWolf,ExecutiveSecretaryofthisConference,beginninginApril,beauthorizedtoformulaterecommendationsandsupportingrationaletoaddressalloftheissuescontainedinthisreport,andtoinitiate,andnegotiateandfinalizeacontractwithafacilitytohostthe2022meetinginthebestinterestoftheConferenceofGrandMastersofNorthAmericaandourgreatFraternity.Imoveacceptanceofthisreportandtherecommendationscontainedtherein.

M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Brethren,youheardamouthfulrightthere.EssentiallywhatwearetalkingaboutisempoweringtheExecutiveGrandSecretarytoactasouragentforacceptanceofapotentialsitebecausewewon’tbeconvened,for2022.Youhaveheardtheother,theempowermentoftheGrandSecretarytosendoutasurveyofinterestoftheAttendeesthatarehere.NotonlytheGrandMasters,butalloftheattendees,inordertofindouttheefficacyofwhatwearedoing,andtohavediscussionstoimprovethis.Also,tosendoutRFP’sfor/inconjunctionwith2022.TosendoutanRFPfortheconventionandinstructionsforGrandLodgeswhoarewishingtohostafutureConvention.SoyouhaveheardtheMotion.Dowehaveasecond?Second.Dowehaveanyquestions?(Noresponse)

M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Allright.HavingbeenregularlymovedandsecondedtoadoptthereportoftheTimeandPlaceCommittee,allofthoseinfavorsignifybysayingAye?Aye.Opposed?(Noresponse)motioncarried.Thankyou,MostWorshipfulGrandMasterforyourreport.MynextorderofbusinesswouldbetocallonMostWorshipfulBrotherDonaldC.Ross,PastGrandMasterofQuebec,ChairmanoftheCommitteeonRecognitionforhisreport.Isheintheroom?Verygood.PleasehelpmewelcometheCommittee,Brothers.

(Applause)M.W.DONALDC.ROSS:Goodmorning.ThisisthereportoftheCommissiononInformationforRecognitiontotheConferenceofGrandMastersofMasonsofNorth

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America.MostWorshipfulBrotherChairman,MostWorshipful,RightWorshipfulBrethren,itismyhonorasChairmanoftheCommissiontopresentthe66thAnnualReportoftheCommissiononInformationforRecognition.AtthistimeIampleasedtopresenttheothermembersofthisCommissioninorderoflengthofservice.MostWorshipfulBrotherWilliamJ.Bray,III,PastGrandMasterofCalifornia;MostWorshipfulBrotherRaymondD.Lemmons,PastGrandMasterofMichigan,whocan’tbewithusthismorning.MostWorshipfulBrotherJoeR.Manning,Jr.,PastGrandMasterofOklahoma;MostWorshipfulBrotherGlenA.Cook,PastGrandMasterofUtah,whoisunabletobewithusthismorning.MostWorshipfulBrotherJorgeL.Aladro,PastGrandMasterofFlorida;andMostWorshipfulBrotherRichardStuart,PastGrandMasterofMassachusetts,whoisnotabletobewithus.AndMostWorshipfulBrotherJoeC.Harrison,PastGrandMasterofTennesseeandSecretary-TreasurerofourCommittee.IamDonaldC.Ross,PastGrandMasterofQuebec,andIamtheChairmanoftheCommission.SincethedelegatestothisConferencechangeeachyear,IwouldliketorepeattheStandardsforRecognitionadoptedforourguidancewhentheCommissionwasformedin1952.ThesearetheguidelinesusedtoevaluateRegularityofaGrandLodge,andtherebydeterminewhetheritisworthyofconsiderationforRecognitionbyourMemberGrandLodges.ThisCommissionprovidesthisdataforusebyourGrandLodges,anddoesnotattempttoinfluenceorrecommendwhatactionshouldbetaken.TheCommissionservesinaninvestigativeandadvisorycapacityonly.ThestandardsofRecognitionaresummarizedasfollows:

1. LegitimacyofOrigin.

2. ExclusiveTerritorialJurisdictions,exceptbymutualconsentand/ortreaty.3. AdherencetotheAncientLandmarks,specifically,aBeliefinGod,theVolume

ofSacredLawasanindispensablepartoftheFurnitureoftheLodge,andtheprohibitionofthediscussionofpoliticsandreligion.

ApplyingthesestandardstotherequestsofseveralGrandLodgesduringourdeliberation,wenowsharethefollowinginformation:

GrandLodgePrincipalityofLiechtenstein.RepresentativeoftheGrandLodgeofLiechtensteinappearedbeforetheCommissionin2017torequestafindingofRegularityfromtheCommission.AtthattimetheywereinformedthattheCommissionwouldstudythematterandprovideanupdateatthe2018Conference.Afterfurtherstudy,andhearingcommentfromnumerousdelegationsthatareatour2018meeting,theCommissionfindsthattheGrandLodgeofthePrincipalityofLiechtensteindoesnotmeettheStandardsforRecognition.

GrandLodgeValleDeMexico.ArequestforfindingofRegularitywasreceivedfromtheGrandLodgeValleDeMexico.Intheabsenceofsufficientevidence,uponwhichtobasearuling,actiononthisrequestispostponeduntilsuchtimethatamoreinformeddecisioncanbemade.

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TheGrandLodgeofBaja,CaliforniaIn2013theCommissionreportedthattherecontinuetobetwogroupsthatclaimtobethelegitimateGrandLodgeofBajaCalifornia.Afurtherreviewwewouldliketoseebothsidesreconcile,however,theGrandLodgeofBaja,CaliforniaunderGrandMasterCarlosManuelLuraHerrera,currentlymeetstheStandardsforRecognition.Noadditionalinformationhasbeenprovidedtoalterthatposition.

GrandLodgeofParaguayIn2005theGrandMasterofParaguaywassuspendedbyanAppendantBody.PursuanttotreatythisledtohissuspensionfromtheSymbolicorCraftMasonry.In2006therewasaschisminParaguayinMasonry.ForanumberofyearsattemptsweremadetoreconcilethetwoGrandLodges.In2014whensucheffortsrepeatedlyfailed,thisCommissionfoundthenewerGrandLodgemettheStandardsforRecognition.Thiswas,inpart,becausethepriorGrandLodgedidnotdemonstratesovereigntyasanAppendantBodyfunctionallycontrolledtheCraft.TheCommissionhasnowbeenpresentedevidencethatin2017anewtreatywasenteredintowiththeAppendantBody,preservingtheSovereigntyoftheCraft.BothGrandLodgesappeartobepracticingRegularFreemasonry.BeforetheCommissionmakesfurtherrecommendations,weencouragebothpartiestodiscussatreatytosharetheJurisdiction,regardlessofwhethertheyformallyrecognizeoneanotherMasonically.

OtherInformationAfrica.TheCommissionhasbeeninformedthattheSovereignJurisdictionsofGrandLodgesoftheCongo,CameroonandIvoryCoasthavebeeninvadedbythePrinceHallGrandLodgeofNorthCarolina.Additionalinformationwillbeprovidedonthismatterasitbecomesavailable.

Asareminder,thedeadlineforreportsfiledwiththeCommissionisDecember1st.Wewillnotacceptanynewmaterialforconsiderationafterthisdate.

InowcallonMostWorshipfulBrotherJoeC.Harrisonforthefinancialreport.

M.W.JOEC.HARRISON:Thankyou,BrotherChairman.ThisreportistheaccountingofthefundsoftheCommissiononInformationfortheperiodjustpast,endingJanuary31,2018.SinceJanuary1,2017,32GrandLodgeshavecontributedatotalof$1,780insupportofthisCommission.Ourbalanceandstartingbalancefortheperiodwas$5,039.59.WehadexpensesforthelastConferenceof$1,527.42,printing$369.73,postageandstamps,$221.59.Wepaidnothingforsecretarialservices,andourwebsitecontinuestobedonatedbyoneofourWebmastersbackinTennessee.Wehad$223.19inofficesuppliesandphotocopies.Ourtotalexpenseswere$2,341.93.OurbalanceonhandJanuary31is$4,477.66.RespectfullysubmittedJoeC.Harrison,Secretary-Treasurer.

M.W.DONALDC.ROSS:Thankyou,BrotherHarrisonforyourreport.AsinformationtheConferenceNominatingCommitteesubmittedthenameofMostWorshipfulBrotherRichardA.H.Brown,PastGrandMasterofSaskatchewanasthenewmemberoftheCommission.HewasdulyelectedbytheConference.ThenormaltermofserviceforaCommissionMemberissevenyears.

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TheorganizationoftheCommissionfortheyear2019willbeChairman,MostWorshipfulBrotherWilliamJ.Bray,PastGrandMasterofCalifornia;Vice-ChairmanwillbeMostWorshipfulBrotherRaymondC.Lemmons,PastGrandMasterofMichigan,andtheSecretary-TreasurerwillbeMostWorshipfulBrotherJoeC.Harrison,PastGrandMasterofTennessee.MostWorshipfulandRightWorshipfulBrethren,itismysincerethanksforyourattentionandfortheopportunitytoservethisConference.Thisconcludesthe66thAnnualReportoftheCommission.Respectfullysubmitted,DonaldC.Ross,PastGrandMaster,Chairman;WilliamBray,III,PastGrandMaster,RaymondLemmons,PastGrandMaster;JoeR.Manning,Jr.,PastGrandMaster;GlenCook,PastGrandMaster;JorgeA.Aladro,PastGrandMaster;RichardStuart,PastGrandMasterandJoeC.Harrison,PastGrandMaster,Secretary-Treasurer.Mr.Chairman,Imovetheacceptanceofthisreport.M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:BrotherDelegates,youhaveheardthereportfromtheCommissionforRecognition.Iwillentertainasecondonthatmotion.Somoved.AllthoseinfavorsignifybysayingAye?Aye.Opposed?(Noresponse)motioncarried.Thankyou,brothers,foryourexcellentworkmanship.Weappreciateit.

InowinviteMostWorshipfulBrotherYanceySmith,GrandMasterofSouthDakotatosharewithuswhattoexpectinRapidCitynextyear.MostWorshipfulBrotherYancey,youandyourCommitteepleasestepforward.Let’sgivethemaheartyroundofapplause.

(Applause)

M.W.YANCEYSMITH:MostWorshipfulBrotherChairman,thankyoufortheopportunity.Brethren,MostWorshipfulBrothers,RightWorshipfulBrothers,thankyoufortheopportunitytobehere.Iwillnotsayverymuchthismorning.Thoseofyouwhoknowmewillgreatlyappreciatethat.Pleasefeelfreetoapplaud,guysfromSouthDakota.WhyshouldIgetuphereandtalkalotwhenwehavegotthehiredgunsthatyouhaveseenworkingourboothtodothepresentationforus.ThoseofyouthatwereinMadison,WisconsintwoyearsagowhenwemadethepitchtohostthisConference,rememberthedancingheadsthatwebrought.Unfortunately,wedonothavethedancingheadsheretoday.However,wehavesomeonewhoisalmostasentertaining,especiallyafteracoupleofthoseFireballs.OurDeputyGrandMaster,GrandMasterElect,RightWorshipfulBrotherDaNielWood,whowillbeyourHostGrandMasterwhenyoucometoRapidCitynextyearforthisConference.Sowithoutanyfurtherado,IofferthemicrophonetoourRightWorshipfulDaNiel.

(Applause)

R.W.DANIELWood:Goodmorning.Goodmorning)

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AsourGrandMastersaid,mynameisDaNielWood.IamtheDeputyGrandMasterofSouthDakota.IamalsoGrandMasterElect,soinJune,injustacoupleofmonths,IwillbeinstalledasGrandMasterbarringanyunfortunateincidents.

WhenwecametoMadisonandpresentedtohosttheConference,allofthedifferentfolksandorganizationscamewellprepared.TheyallspokebeforeIdid,andIclosedoutthatpresentationpromotingourteamwork.InSouthDakotawetrulydohaveateamallthewaythroughourentireGrandLodgeLine,andwithourpartnersthatvisitRapidCity,andincludingourSovereignGrandInspectorGeneralwhowastherepresentingwithus.Iamhappytoreportthatthatentireteamisstillinplace.WehavegrownandthereisaPlanningCommitteethatmeetsweeklygettingthispreparedforyou.Iwillnottakeanymoretime.Iwillintroducetheprofessionals,anditismypleasuretointroduceJulieJensen,PresidentofVisitRapidCity.

(Applause)

JULIEJENSEN:Thankyou.Goodmorningtoallofyou.

(Goodmorning)Ithasbeenreallyfuntobebackwithyou.IwaswiththesetwogreatguysinMadisonwithourfourgreatguys,“ThePresidents.”HowmanyofyougotyourpicturetakenwiththePresidents?Imeanitwaskindofbusyforaboutahalfanhouraftertheycametothegeneralmeeting.Weweresopleasedtohavethemthere,andwewerealsoverypleasedthatwewereselectedasthesiteforthe2019Conference.WhenwemetwiththeTimeandPlaceCommitteetheyaskedsometoughquestions,andIhavetotellyou,IamsoproudofourSouthDakotaMasons,whotrulywantyoutocometoSouthDakota,whotrulybelieveinthebeautyoftheBlackHillsofSouthDakota.IthinkthefactthatMountRushmorehassuchagreatlegacywiththeMasons,itisjustsuchanappropriateplaceforyoualltomeetforyourConference,sowecouldnotbemorepleased.Youactuallybelievedwhatwetoldyouwhichisreallyhilarious.Butseriously,Shelby—manyofyoumetShelbyatthebooththelastfewdays.Shehasbeenhelpingsharesomeinformationaboutourwonderfulcity.Oneofthethingsshementionedwasyouknow,whenItookthisjobIdidn’trealizeIhadtobeameteorologistaswellasamarketingprofessional.Becauseprettymuchthefirstquestioneverybodyaskedwas,sowhatistheweatherlikeinRapidCityinFebruary?Well,wecantellyouthis,wedon’tknow,andneitherdoesanycityinAmericaknowexactlywhattheirweatherwillbelikeinFebruary.WecanonlyhopeandpraywehavethegreatweatherthatyouhadinOmahalastyear,andreallygreatweatherhereinIndianapolisthisyear.ThishasbeeagreatConference,andIhaveenjoyedbeinghere.Forthoseofyouthatdidn’tstopbyourbooth,ijustwantyoutounderstandthatwhenyoucomenextyear,youaregoingtobeoverwhelmedbythenaturalbeautyoftheBlackHillsofSouthDakota.Weabsolutelyaresoproudofthefactwearesurroundedbysixnationalparks,andwearesurroundedbyfivestateparks.

Sowhenyoucomeinandyouarethereforwhat,15minutesfromyourheadquartershotel,andyouaregoingtounpackyourbags,andyou’renotgoingto

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behangingoutinyourroommuchbecausethereisgoingtobesomuchtoseeanddo.Wearethrilledtosharethatwithyou.IguesswhatIalsowanttosayis,thefactthatthesegentlemenaremeetingweeklytomakesureyouhaveagoodtime,that’sprettyspecial.EspeciallyafterIheardthegentlemanreportacoupleofminutesagothatit’shardtofindhosts.Itmademerealizehowspecialtheyaretotakethison.Anycitythatyouareinvitedto,itisahugecommitmentlocally.Sothankyoutoallofyouwhohavehostedinthepast.IamespeciallyproudofourSouthDakotaandRapidCityBrothers.

Sowebroughtaveryspecialguest.Wedidn’tbringthefourPresidents,becauseyouwillseethemnextyear.Theywerebusyyesterday.ItwasPresident’sDay,soyoucanimaginehowbusytheywere.YouaregoingtohaveaspecialmessagefromourwonderfulGovernorDauggard.Wehopeyouenjoy.Thankyou.(Videoplayed)

M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:WehaveaseriesofBreakoutSessionsthataregoingtorunfrom10:30until11:30asfollows:TempleAssociations.Youcan’tlookatmybooks,we’reaTempleAssociation.Whatabouttheroles,legalissuesandbestpractices.PleasejoinMostWorshipfulScottThomas,GrandMasterofArizona,asheexploresthissubjectinStudio6.RedistrictingandConsolidationisinConceptAB.Doesyourjurisdictionhaveanobsoleteinfrastructuredesignedyearsagothatissimplynotsustainabletoday.Learnhowtomakechangesinyourjurisdiction.PleasejoinRightWorshipfulHagler,WoodandIrelandinConceptAB.SocialMedia,ConceptCD.It’sarepeatofyesterday’sprogram,RightWorshipfulWilliamSardone,DeputyGrandMasterofNewYork.PleasejoinhiminConceptCD.Somethingfortheladies,agroupforGrandLineLadiesPanelDiscussioninStudio1.LadieshaveanopportunitytosharecommonchallengesandtolearntheinsandoutsofbeingaGrandLineLady,hostedbyMs.JaniceYankeyandMrs.DebbieDreierinStudio1.

Brethren,aftertheBreakoutSessions,lunchisscheduledat12o’clockintheRegencyBallroomADforthosewhohavetickets.Ifyoudonothaveaticketandwanttopurchaseone,pleaseseeMostWorshipfulDavidHaywood.Doyouhaveanyinstructionsoranylastminuteinformation?HowaboutthephotographsfortheGrandMasters?M.W.DAVIDW.HAYWOOD:AllphotographshavebeenpassedoutexceptafewforeignJurisdictionsandiftheywouldcomeupIhavethemhere.M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Allright.Thankyouverymuch.RightWorshipfulJamesKistel,pleaseattendatthealterandclosetheThreeGreatLightsofMasonry.Theafternoonportion,myBrothers,willcontainabusinesssession.Ifyouhaveanybusinessyoumaywanttotalkaboutprior,comeoverhereandseeme.ThenwewillhavetheGrandSecretaries,willgivetheirtalkandwrapup,andthewewillbeclosing.Movingthisinfinestyle.SowehavehadagreatConference.Everybodyisaheadofschedule.Greatlyappreciated.Allright.Iherebydeclareusdulyatrecess.

__LunchBreak__

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M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:RightWorshipfulJamesKistel,pleasesattendatthealteranddisplaytheThreeGreatLightsinMasonry.InowdeclaretheConferencereconvened.Brethren,whatwewilldonowiswewillopenuptheBusinessSession.Wehaveapieceofbusinessthatwearegoingtobetakingcareof.IwillasktheGrandMasterofDelawaretopleaseproceed.

M.W.JOHNW.MARINUCCI:IamtheGrandMasterofthegreatstateofDelaware.ConferenceMembers,esteemedcolleagues,MostWorshipfulandRightWorshipfulBrothers.WhereasthecostofoperatingtheConferenceofGrandMastershasincreasedoverthepastseveralyears;WhereastheregistrationfeeforthisConferencehasremainedthesameformanyyears;WhereastheConferencelostmoneylastyearandisprojectedtolosemoneythisyear,thePlanningCommitteehasdiscussedthisissue,andonbehalfofthePlanningCommittee,ImovethattheConferenceofGrandMastersofNorthAmericaregistrationfeebeadjustedfrom$300to$400perJurisdiction.Ipresentthatasamotion.Second.

M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Allrightwehaveamotionandithasbeenregularlyseconded.Isthereanyquestionontheproposal?Onthemotion?

M.W.SCOTTTHOMAS:ScottThomas,GrandMasterofMasonsinArizona.HasthePlanningCommitteeprojectednextyear’scost,andassuch,isthe$100adjustmentgoingtocoverfortheincreasedcosts,orwhatareprojectedtobethecostsoftheConference?M.W.JOHNW.MARINUCCI:Thankyou.Thedatathathelookedatisveryhighlevel.Welostmoneylastyear.Itwasreportedthatwelostmoneylastyear.Weareexpectingtolosemoneythisyear.Weexpectnextyear’sConferencetobealittlelessexpensive.But,theincreasefornextyearandtheyearsoutwillhelptheorganizationrecoverfromtheprevious,fromlastyear’slossandthepotentiallossthisyear.Nextyear’spotentialdecreasedcostofthevenuesandwhatnot.TheincreasedfeewillhelptorecoverfromthatandwewillsettheorganizationingoodsteedforfutureConferences.M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:MyBrothers,ifImayjustinterjectforamoment.Welost$4,000lastConference,andwelostabout$4,000thisConference.Soifit’s64Jurisdictions,timesahundredbucks,is$6,400.That’sgoingtotakeusnorthofthenumber.Ithinkthatsoundslike,withoutputtingtoomuchpressureonanybody,that’saneasyfixtotrytorightsizetheescalatingcostwehavehere.IsthereanyotherquestionsontheMotion?(Noresponse)

Okay.IthasbeenregularlymovedandsecondedthatweraisetheConferencefeefrom$300to$400.AllthoseinfavorsignifybysayingAye?Aye.Opposed?(Noresponse)motioniscarried.

IsthereanyotherMotionsorbusinessthatneedstobeattendedtoatthistime?IyieldthefloortoTomPulkkinen.

M.W.THOMASPULKKINEN:Brethren,IappreciatedyourattendanceandlisteningtothecommentsmadethismorningbytheTimeandPlaceCommittee,andIwouldliketoannouncethatonejurisdictionhassteppedforwardandexpectstobeablto

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supporttheoneConferencein2022.Ithankallofyouforyourwillingnesstolookatthesurvey,andprovidefeedback,andhelpusall.Welookforwardtotheupcomingweeks,wewillbeabletoannouncewhothatjurisdictionis.Thankyouall.(Applause)M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:ItisnowmypleasuretointroducearepresentativeoftheGrandSecretariesforsomeintroductions.PleasehelpmewelcomeourGrandSecretaries.

(Applause)

R.W.MARKHAINES:Goodafternoon,Brethren.

(Goodafternoon)MynameisMarkHainesandsomehowIwasjustrailroadedintobecomingPresidentoftheGrandSecretariesConferencefor2019.BrotherPresident,andtoyou,andthroughyoutotheOfficers,andmembers,andguestsoftheGrandMastersConference,itismyprivilegetointroducethosewhohavealsobeenrail—Imeanelectedintoofficein2019.BrotherAlanCasalou,FirstVice-President;BrotherTracyBloom,Kansas,isourSecondVice-President;BrotherRickElmanfromthegreatstateofIndianaisSecretaryandTreasurer;andourAssistantSecretaryandTreasurer,andHostofourPlanningCommitteefornextyear,isMauiMartyAlexanderfromHawaii.AlsonotabletobehereisJerryWassonwhowasbeenelectedasourChaplain.Thankyouforallowingustocomeoverhere.

(Applause)

M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Thankyou,BrotherSecretaries.Youknowwhattheysay,behindeverysuccessfulGrandMaster...IsthereanybusinesstobebroughtbeforethisConferencebeforewestarttowrapitup?

(Noresponse)

Well,Brethren,IwouldlikethesayonapersonalnotethatithasbeenanabsolutejoyandadelightformetohavetheopportunitytoChairthisConference.ThefaiththatyouimposeduponmeandourVice-President,LonTibbits,andthePlanningCommittees,andtheTimeandPlaceCommittee,andourGrandSecretary,wecertainlywanttothankyouforallowingustoserveyouinthisway.WeparticularlyhopethatyouhavefoundtheBreakoutSessionsenjoyableandinformative.Iknowalotofcarewentintothem.Isawalotofbreakoutgroupsthatwerestandingroomonly,whichIthoughtwasvery,verygreat.IsawtheMillennialswasstandingroomonly,andDeputyGrandMasterSardoneinthebackroomthereforhismedia,hissocialmediaandthingslikethat.IthinkthattheBreakoutSessionswere,indeed,informative.Youknow,wechallengeourWardens,andwechallengeourDeputyGrandMastersthatperhapsasyouarethere,andyouaregoingtohearsomethingthatisjustgoingtobeanepiphanyforyou.YouaregoingtotakethatbacktoyourespectiveJurisdiction,andyou’regoingtomakeityourown.YouaregoingtobeabletosowthoseseedsinyourJurisdiction,sowhenyoubecomeGrandMaster,

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theycanenjoytheinformationthatwasimpartedtoyou.Iwouldliketo,again,thankalloftheOfficers.Thiseveningwearegoingtohaveourpartingbanquet.Socialhourstartsat5:30intheRegencyFoyeranddinnerat6:30intheRegencyAD.Now,theGrandMasters’ChapteroftheNationalSojournerswillhavetheirmeetinginthisroomimmediatelyaftertheprogram.AllGrandMastersandPastGrandMastersareencouragedtojoin.Theywillbemorethanhappytoaccommodateyoutobecomeanhonorarymemberwhetheryouhavemilitaryserviceornot.

Arethereanyotherannouncements?BrotherExecutiveSecretary?

M.W.DAVIDW.HAYWOOD:MostWorshipfulGrandMasters,ithasbeenadistincthonorandpleasuretoserveyouthisyear.Thankyouverymuch.

(Applause)M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Enoughcan’tbesaidabouttheGrandLodgeofIndiana,theyasHostGrandLodge,theytrulyextendedthemselvesandhavedonearemarkablejob.IwouldliketonowcallonBrother,MostWorshipfulBrotherRodneyMannforHostcomments.Pleasehelpmewelcomehimagainandthankhim.

(Applause)M.W.RODNEYA.MANN:Ididn’tknowIwasgoingtohavetotalkagain.Ijustwanttothankallofyouforcoming.IthasbeenawonderfulConference.Myselfandthecoregroupthathasbeenworkingonthisforaboutthreeyears.Ihopeeverythingwentwell.Ithinkitdid.WehadawonderfulCommittee.TheseguysputgreatBreakoutSessionstogether.JeffhasdoneagreatjobrunningtheConference.SoIjustthankallofyouandIhopetoseeyoudowntheroadsomewhere.

(Applause)M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:Thankyou,GrandMaster.BeforeIclose,IwouldliketoinviteMostExcellentEdmondD.Harrison,PastGeneralGrandHighPriestoftheGeneralGrandChapterofRoyalArchMasonsInternationaltoapproachthemicrophonenearyouandpleasegiveusthechargetotheBrethren.

MOSTEXCELLENTEDMONDD.HARRISON:ThisChargewasfirstdeliveredbytheRightWorshipfulThaddeusNathanHarris,GrandChaplainoftheGrandLodgeofMassachusettsintheclosingoftheCommunicationin1795.Itseemstohaveasequallyastrongmeaningtodayasitdidthen.RightWorshipHarrissaid,“Brethren,weareabouttoquitthissacredretreatoffriendshipandvirtuetomixagainwiththeworld.Amidstconcernsandemployment,forgetnotthedutieswhichyouhaveheardsofrequentlyinculcated,andforciblyrecommendedinourlodges.Bediligent,tempered,present,discreteandrememberthataroundouralteryouhavepromisedtoassisteverybrotherwhoshallhaveneedofyouraid.Remember,youhavealsopromisedtoremindhiminafriendlymannerofhiserrorsandaidinhisreformation.Thesegenerousprinciplesaretoextendfurther:Everyhumanbeinghasaclaimuponyourgoodoffices.Dogooduntoall.Recommenditmoreespecially

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tothehouseholdofthefaithful.Finally,Brethren,beyeallofonemind,liveinpeace,andmaytheGodofloveandpeacedelighttodwellwithandblessyou.Thankyou,Brethren.

M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:IcallnowonMostWorshipfulDeiterHees,GrandMasterofMasonsforthestateofNewJerseyfortheclosingbenediction.

(Benediction)

M.W.JEFFREYM.WILLIAMSON:MostWorshipfulJamesKistel,forthelasttimeinthissession,closetheThreeGreatLightsofMasonry.

Inowdeclarethe105thAnnualConferenceoftheGrandMastersofNorthAmericadulyclosed.