October Finish

Looking back at the calendar and last blog post trying to decide where I left off...

Wednesday, October 16th was the Official Visit of the Deputy of the Grand Master to Westgate Lodge in Everett.  This was my first time being able to visit the newest lodge in District 8 and I had a great time.  What a great group of brothers that have been added to our district.

Took some personal time and attended the wedding of a close family friend on Saturday.

Sunday was a trip out to Sedro Woolley to attend the Official Visit of the Grand Worthy Advisor to the Northwest Washington District of the Rainbow Girls.  We were the official photographers and it was sure good to see all the Rainbow Girls, I sure do miss them.  The NW girls are growing and put on an excellent official visit.  GWA Victoria talked about her year plans and a great time was had by all.

Tuesday, October 22nd was a pretty incredible night.  Sultan-Monroe, Westgate, and Crystal lodges all joined forces to put on a Fellowcraft degree for 6 candidates.  We rarely get a chance to meet with Crystal lodge because we meet on the same nights, and Westgate is brand new to the district, so it was a great experience to get these three lodges together to provide our new brothers with Masonic light and instruction.

The very next night was the Official Visit of the Deputy to Arlington Lodge and Past Masters night.  Got to see a lot of old friends and catch up with them.  During the evening, VWB Cary Cope and his brother Art, were presented with their 35 year service pins.  They are both moving to Hawaii and we will miss them here in Washington.

Friday morning was time to get back on the road and head to the Eastside.  First stop was Malden for the District 26 meeting.  I am amazed at the beauty of this state when you get a chance to travel around.  The drive to Malden was full of rolling hills and a beautiful sunset.  Distrcit 26 provided a nice meal and spoke about what is going on in the district.  I love that there are good masons doing great work in every part of our state.

Quick drive up to Spokane for the night and then the District 27 meeting.  District 27 meeting was held at the new Scottish Rite building in Downtown Spokane and includes a beautiful Lodge room.  we enjoyed a nice catered lunch then headed in to hear about all of the great things going on in Spokane.  The Rainbow Girls of Lilac assembly were there and our good friend Shannon Smoldt was presented with the Grand Masters Youth award recognition.  The Lilac assembly has gone from 3 girls to 18 in one year!  Way to go!

Saturday night was the annual trek up to Newport and the Logger's dinner and meeting.  We had a great time and several of us left part of our attire at the meeting.  If you ever get a chance to go, word of advice, take a tie you don't have any attachment to...

Sunday was a cooking class for Robin and I and the food and company was great.

As I travel around to the districts and have been given a chance to speak, I have talked about the need to "get back to basics" and build a better foundation in our lodges.  I see Lodges with great programs like Bike for Books, and community events, and special meetings, that are failing.  Regardless of how good or programs are out of the lodge, if we don't build a solid base in our lodge and educate and mentor our newer masons, we will continue to struggle.  One thing that was pointed out very distinctly this week was our need to bridge the gap between Generations.  I think the those of us in Generation X (40 and 50 year olds) need to do a better job of bridging that gap between millennials, generation Z, and boomers.  We have been doing a great job with our Radio and TV ads and they have been reaching a lot of people and doing great work, but the millennials and GenZ are not seeing those messages because the don't watch broadcast TV and don't listen to the Radio.  We can do more.  Social media advertising and promotions need to happen as well.  Then you have the other end of the gap and we need to continue to send regular mail to our baby boomers, many of them don't have social media and don't have any desire to learn it, we can't ignore them and leave them behind.  (As I put this in a blog that many of them will never see...)  We can do better, but it is up to us to make those decisions and provide those solutions.

Enough for this episode, until next time.
Masonry is your pocket aces, be all in

Fraternally,
VWB Steve Martin
Grand Lecturer

Fall is here

Well, Fall is here!  Sure happened fast.  Trying to remember what happened since the last blog and didn't think we were very busy...then looked at the calendar for the last week.  Damascus Lodge visit Tuesday, Family time Wednesday with my sister in Burien, Peninsular OV of the Deputy on Thursday, photoshoot on Friday, District meetings on Saturday, photoshoot on Sunday and drive to Leavenworth, Monday and Tuesday photo excursion in Leavenworth...whew, no wonder I get tired!

On Tuesday I attended the stated meeting of Damascus Lodge in Granite Falls for their Past Masters night.  The WM shared a historical slide show presentation with some History of Masonry, some history of Granite Falls, and all of the Past Masters for Damascus Lodge, it was very well done and provided an excellent look at the history of Masonry in Granite Falls.  They then held their election of officers and Brother Robert Carden was elected Master for 2020.

Wednesday was a chance to spend time with family.  Family is the most precious thing, don't waste the opportunity.

Thursday was off to Peninsular in Everett to support the lodge and the Deputy of the Grand Master at his official visit.  I had the honor of sitting in the West as the Senior Warden stepped up to the East in the absence of the Worshipful Master.  "Your attendance is essentially necessary, in the absence of the Master, you are to govern the Lodge...".  Brother Mike Dulaney did an outstanding job and was elected Worshipful Master that evening in the Lodges elections.

Friday was a fun photoshoot with Hannah and a pumpkin and some smoke grenades!  We went out to the park in Monroe and had a great time.

Saturday morning was a drive up to Anacortes and the District meeting for District 9.  The Deputy did an amazing job running the meeting and District 9 is very much on the move.  Following that meeting we headed up to Bellingham and District 10.  Another great meeting and very well presented by the District deputy.  I am definitely encouraged as I travel to all of the district meetings.

Sunday we took some personal time and drove up to Leavenworth for a couple of days to capture the beauty of fall.  The colors are so amazing from Lake Wenatchee down the Wenatchee river to Leavenworth.  It was definitely cold for Sunrise on Monday morning, but worth it.  I think it was about 35 degrees when we started, but right before sunrise it dropped very fast to probably around 25 degrees.

Well, that's it for now.  Until next time


Fraternally,
VWB Steve C Martin
Grand Lecturer

District Meetings begin

blink your eyes and three weeks go by...

It was a pretty quiet time for Grand Lodge.  I was able to attend the Reception for the Associate Grand Matron and the Associate Grand Patron at Fort Flagler on September 21st and it was a very nice event.  The location was amazing and we took some photos around the area.  Congratulations to Darlene Wiggins and Bob Wheeler!

On October 27th, we got on a plane for a super secret trip!  We were flying to Oklahoma City, then driving to Lawton to surprise a very deserving young lady.  Rainbow Girl Maddie J, moved from Tacoma to Lawton and with the move, starting Senior year in a new school, medical procedures, and Dad just returning from being deployed in Korea, Senior portraits were wanted, but not in cards.  So we decided we couldn't let that happen and we flew down there to take care of it for them!  Such a great trip and spending time with masonic family wherever you go is always a good time.

The next week was back to normal travel, Sultan-Monroe #160 stated meeting and Centennial Lodge #25 official visit of the District Deputy.

On October 4th, it was the first District meeting of the year in Okanogan and district 22.  Robin and I left early in the morning and drove over Highway 20, N Cascades Hwy because we had the time.  What a great drive.  The district meeting went very well and great discussion.  I had my first opportunity to speak about why I made myself available for the office of Junior Grand Warden.  A little nerve racking, but I got through it.  One great benefit of this meeting, I got fresh apples just off the trees!  Oh, how I miss that!  YUMMO!

After spending the night in Omak, it was off to Deer Park for the District 30 meeting.  We got to partake in a very delicious lunch of Lentil soup with sausage and pulled pork.  There were also an ample supply of homemade pie!  There was apple, cherry, and peach.  I can neither confirm nor deny that I might have tried all three!  Again I was given the opportunity to share my thoughts on the office of Junior Grand Warden.

A short drive back north to Colville for the annual Sow Belly and Beans dinner and a fun weekend was completed.

We returned to Seattle and went to Swedish hospital where my sister had been admitted for pneumonia like symptoms.  My brother, sister in law, sister, niece, and mom were all there so we got so see a lot of family.  As you can imagine, the issue is probably more severe than pneumonia, but I don't want to get into that now because there is still a lot of information I don't have and it is all just speculation for now.  Keep my family in your thoughts and prayers.

Don't forget to compete in the 2019-20 ritual competition.  First time Senior Wardens, 3 person team of any Master Masons that are members of the same lodge, and Apron lecture with Geometry lecture for any Fellowcraft or Master Mason.

That's it for now

Fraternally,
VWB Steve Martin
Grand Lecturer