From the East
June 3rd, 2009Brethren,
There is a lot of information that I want to pass on to our membership so for at least for this month I have broken it all down by categories.
Trestle Board
It should be obvious that I have changed the format of the Trestle Board for Amwell Lodge. The reasons are three fold:
1. There is increasingly more information that needs to be passed on to our lodge membership, and the old format makes that difficult.
2. In this electronic age it makes sense for the Trestle Board to be delivered via email. This will keep our expenses down for the Trestle Board and will make reason #1 easier to justify (More details on this concept are found below.)
3. I like how other lodges are doing their Trestle Boards, in particular Trenton/Cyrus 5.
The Trestle Board format for September will go through further changes as we improve the graphics and layout. The plan is also to add in pictures to enhance the content. (These improvements will be a “summer project”, so stay tuned for the September Trestle Board to see them.)
Gold Token Night
On May 13th we had our “Gold Token” presentation. Sadly, a number of the recipients were unable to participate. Every recipient who was not able to attend will receive his in the following way: If you live within a 50 mile radius of Lambertville, I will personally come to your residence and present it to you. If you live beyond the 50-mile radius I will mail it to you. Some recipients have requested special handling and your requests will be honored.
Midyear Reflection
June represents the “mid-year” point of my term as Worshipful Master. I feel somewhat frustrated by the fact that we still have a lot to accomplish before the year is over. I think we have been doing fine with respect to degree activity, but we have been hampered due to the need to take a critical look at the lodge finances. I believe we now have our arms around the issue and can make informed decisions on how to move forward. Pay close attention to the section below on the June Monthly Meeting, subheading Budgets. One of my “pet” projects this year is the Conservatory Room adjacent to our meeting room. Other than finishing the painting, this project has been put on hold due to budget constraints. While the lodge did approve the funding on this project a while ago, I am going to ask for a re-vote on the matter after the entire budget is presented in our June meeting.
Change of Officers
Brother Floyd E. Eckard JR as secretary, Brother Wayne A. Eckard as Blue Lodge treasurer, and Brother Patrick T. Eckard as Junior Warden have elected to resign their positions as officers in Amwell Lodge, as well as all committees they sat on. The resignations of Brothers Floyd E. Eckard JR and Patrick T. Eckard are immediate, while as Blue Lodge Treasurer Brother Wayne A. Eckard’s resignation will take effect on June 30th. On an interim basis Brother Allen Horton is acting secretary, Brother James Fry SR. is acting Junior Warden, and after June 30th Brother Ralph Wooden will be acting Blue Lodge treasurer.
June Monthly Meeting
Our Monthly business meeting will be on June 10th. For those who will be attending expect this meeting to go longer than usual. I will do my best to hold the closing time to 10 PM. We will open the lodge at 7:15 PM to get a jump on things, but as our by laws state: We will not do any business until 7:30 PM. There are key reasons for potentially running longer than usual; we were not able to perform any “normal” business in April and May, and we are going to spend some time on Lodge budgeting, as well as where we are going into the future. Early in the year it was decided by the Board of Trustees, and myself, that we must work within the framework of a balanced overall budget. Historically the lodge has been operating in a deficit spending mode.
Here are some key issues to be resolved during the June meeting:
Lodge Budgets
It has taken a while to pin down the yearly budget for both the Board of Trustee’s and the Blue Lodge. However, I am pleased to announce that project is now complete. I have heard from a number of our lodge members they wanted a greater say in how Amwell #12 spends its money, as well as knowing how our money has been invested. For those of you that are interested in these matters, here is your chance. All will be explained at the June meeting, and I will call for a vote from the lodge body in attendance to approve both budgets.
Of particular interest will be a decision for replacing the roof on the building. Along with the roof, will be the refurbishment of the upper front facade. It makes sense to do both together since scaffolding will have to be put in place for both jobs. We have received professional opinions and quotations to repair the roof and front facade. It is of some interest to note that the coating job done some 6 years ago over the existing roof is apparently not holding up. Rather than do another patch it is the consensus of the Board of Trustee’s and myself to replace it appropriately. From my personal point of view, I could defer this decision to a future Master. I think that would be cowardly on my part, and believe all of us should support the financially tough decision the Board has made. We will debate the details of this decision and vote on the outcome at the June meeting.
Scholarship Program
I have intentionally delayed the process of issuing scholarship money until we could define the overall lodge budget. Candidly, until we knew how much we could or needed to spend on all issues it was unclear as to what would be available for the scholarship program. After discussing the matter with past members of the Scholarship Committee, we all believe that it was a moral imperative to support those students that we have already committed to with the scholarship program, but at least for this year we will not add any new names to the program. The current number is now nine and we provide $1,000.00 per student.
The Scholarship fund originated from a wonderful donation the lodge received some years ago. It is specifically stated in the bylaws that the principle of the fund can never be spent. Only the interest produced as an investment can be spent. Presently the Stryker fund is conservatively invested, and as such only produces enough money to provide one or at most two scholarships at $1000.00 each. The balance of the scholarship money comes from the Blue Lodge budget. As already noted the Blue Lodge budget will be voted on at the June meeting, and the Scholarship Program is a line item in this budget.
Conservatory Room
The Conservatory Room was one of my pet projects for the year. Its the unused room next to the lodge meeting room, and served at one time as an eating area (still has dishes, cups and stuff in glass windowed cabinets.) My reasons for developing the room are the following:
• It is a room that we cannot rent out.
• We need another space where members can relax, study and enjoy themselves.
• It would serve us well as place to meet with degree candidates to instruct and educate them.
• The second floor “Fellowship Room” has and will continue to work well for dinner and similar gatherings, but lacks the isolated aspect that we sometimes need for our “work”.
• It has a gorgeous view of the river and part of the town, and it seems a crime to waste it.
• It will provide a place for historical artifacts and a Masonic library.
• Would be a great place to invite speakers in on non-meeting nights.
• Would provide a unique space for off hour meetings for such activities such as card games, TV sports watching to further develop fellowship among the lodge members.
• Would be a place to “park” the kids when we do the Christmas parties. (The little scamps go nuts in our meeting room. I know because I was the “babysitter” last December……)
So, ok, its not essential to have any of this, but it would be a nice enhancement to the lodge. When we started the project (actually last year) we were far less clear on budget needs and requirements for the lodge. If we want to finish what we have started it seems clear that we will have to dip into a “buffer” fund that we have for the building. Once again this should be a decision made by the membership. If the vote is no, I might sniffle a little bit, but the will of the lodge is important on such matters.
Discussion on Fellowship Activities
We have, over the course of the year, held a number of fellowship activities such as the summer picnic and the November Fellowship dinner. Historically the lodge has covered the cost of these events. I would like to see a situation where some fees are charged for these events. However, I do plan on hearing other opinions on this matter, and so we will spend a few minutes discussing this during the June meeting.
Charity
The Charity committee will meet June 1 and catch up on things. The outcome of this meeting will be presented to the lodge and a request for a vote on the outcome will be called.
Catching up on Expenses
There are numerous expenses that have accrued over the last 60 days. The lodge will be asked to approve the bills after an explanation is provided.
Vote on Dual and Honorary Membership
We will have two separate ballots at the June meeting. The first is to make the Most Worshipful Ray Vandenburg an honorary member. The second is to make W. H. T. a dual member. The reason for separate balloting is that the ballot results are handled differently.
Brick Program
On May 26, the Most Worshipful Grand Master William H. Berman sent to all the New Jersey Lodges a unique request to assist our Masonic Home using a “Brick Purchase” program (see attached letter). We will discuss at the June meeting how we should participate in this program.
Degree work in June
On June 22 we will be providing another Entered Apprentice degree for 3 of our candidates. This will of course be an emergent meeting. The candidates are: Mr E. M. D., Mr. N. B. W., and Mr. F. R. P.. Mr D. missed the degree in May due to a personal issue, so this will work out well for him
Electronic Trestle Board
Its time for Amwell Lodge to embrace the idea of sending out the Trestle Board by Email. It would dramatically cut down on labor to print stuff and mail, cut mailing costs and would get it to the membership faster. Other lodges such as Trenton/Cyrus 5 post their Trestle Board on their web site. I propose we do both, post on our web site (you know we have one right?) and email to the membership. For those members that still want a hard copy sent to them by snail mail, we will of course continue to do so. If you want your future Trestle Boards to come by email send your request to: protoelec@aol.com (that is me your WM….)
Pistol Shoot
The Grand Lodge has come up with an interesting activity for all of us involving a “Pistol Shoot”. The details are the following:
Grand Lodge of New Jersey,Free and Accepted Masons’
Pistol Shoot
All Proceeds Will Benefit The Hero Scholarship Fund
Open to All Masons, Police Officers, and Their Families
Saturday, June 13. 2009
10 A.M. to 2 P.M.
Square Circle Sportsmen Inc.
97 Clementon Rd. West
Gibbsboro, NJ. 08062
Lunch is Included- Trophy Awards
Shooters Must Be 16 years of Age or Older
A Pellet Gun Course will be available for 8 to 15 year olds to enjoy
16 yrs old and older- $50.00 with pre-registration; $60 at the door
8yrs to 15 years old- $25.00 with pre-registration; $30 at the door
All shooters will bring their own handgun & ammunition.
45 cal. and smaller only. NO Magnum Loads !
Questions? Please call Rich 973-417-7980 and Joe 973-476-2117
or e-mail- rgoldrick@yahoo.com
Going “Dark” for the Summer
As is our custom we will not have any lodge meetings for the months of July and August. But! Don’t forget the lodge picnic on July 19 at the Valley Picnic Grounds starting at 12 noon.
Oktoberfest Table Lodge At Amwell Lodge
Brother Don Murray is heading the Oktoberfest Table lodge committee. The plan is to use the Conservatory room as it exists. We will have a quick discussion at the June meeting on the status and likelihood of this event occurring. It sounds like it could be a lot of fun.
District Lodge of Instruction
On June 11th there will be a District Lodge of Instruction at Gothic Fraternal Lodge 270. This DLI is also a steak cookout and the social hour will start at 6 PM. The dinner will start at 7 PM. A presentation by WM Ric Fernandez on: “More light in Masonry: The Lighter Side of Life”. Ric is a cool guy and this should be fun to hear.
Bylaw Committee Meetings
The membership for the Bylaw Committee will be expanded upon at the June meeting. It is planned that there will be at least 2 meetings over the summer to provide the lodge with suggested bylaw revisions in September. The actual dates will be discussed in the June meeting.
Charity Committee Meeting
The Charity Committee will meet on June 1st at 8:00 PM in the lodge Fellowship room. The committee members are Jay Ross, Donald Murray, Allen Horton and Maxie Rivers.
Scholarship Committee Meeting
The Scholarship Committee will meet on June 24th at 6:00 PM in the lodge Fellowship room. The committee members are Jay Ross (acting chairman), Glen B Murray (acting secretary), Maxie Rivers, John J. Rivera and Allen Horton.
As duly noted above we want to support the existing group of students that existed for 2008.
Questionnaire
Finally, as I noted in the May Trestle Board, I was going to produce a “questionnaire” that I wanted everyone to fill out. I have created the questionnaire and it is part of the package for this Trestle Board. Please fill it out and send it back using the self addressed and stamped envelope provided. I am looking forward to the responses.
Take Care, and God Bless you all,
Jay B. Ross
Worshipful Master
Amwell Lodge #12 F.&A.M.
