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WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE?
1. Editorial - The Lodge Renewal Program
2. Masonic Moment
3. Message from our Worshipful Master
4. Our New Worshipful Master Abraham Joseph Leibowitz
5. Doug Lang reports on the Lunch at the Caulfield Race Track
6. Lodge 2008 - 2009 Work Program
7. Grand Lodge Bulletin
a. June Quarterly Communication
b. Grand Master’s District Meetings
c. Open Nights 2008
d. Freemasons Development Course
EDITORIAL. (Lodge Renewal Program)
With such a strong an emphasis being placed on the Lodge Renewal Program I think it is appropriate and timely to issue the following summary from the opening section in the Lodge Renewal Manual.
In the current world there are many organisations and activities competing for our attention. For Freemasonry to be a significant force, we must look critically at our Lodges and methods of operation and work to improve our standards.
Previous programs have done much to identify the issues facing Freemasonry today. The Lodge Renewal Program takes the issues previously identified, measures their extent and sets out to resolve them.
Debating at length the extent of one issue or another merely serves to use time, and is ultimately futile, especially if the debate centers on negativity or resistance to change. We simply will not achieve the quantum shift we need in this way.
We need to:
- preserve the Landmarks of the Order
- manage our membership resources
- renew our interest, commitment and enthusiasm towards Freemasonry
- lift the standard of our ceremonial
- revitalise our Lodge meetings & south to make them something not to be missed
- bring back former members and attract new candidates
- dispel the cloak of secrecy, but maintain a level of mystique
- demonstrate to the community how desirable being a Freemason really is.
A quantum shift - that's the REAL challenge!
Our challenge is to make Freemasonry relevant, to stop giving lip service to it, or just "go through the motions". We need to commit to improving all aspects of our Lodges and to be accountable for our actions.
By achieving this, our members will support Freemasonry and their Lodges and be proud of them. Members will also be in a position to invite their friends and relatives to join in our fellowship without embarrassment or compromise.
How do we make such a quantum shift?
Many members have not realized that we live in a changing society, and the things that attracted us to Freemasonry then may not be relevant now. There are more demands on everyone's time, men share more leisure time with their partners and "secret men's business" is hard to sell in the new millennium.
We need to lift our standards, make others aware of our achievements and provide an environment that our partners can share with us.
There needs to be much more emphasis on Lodge management in terms of making Lodges viable and therefore successful for their members.
To embrace change requires a quantum shift in attitudes and requires us all to:
- be flexible in our outlook
- see things through others' eyes
- make a commitment to succeed
- work with others towards a common goal
- be willing to set aside some things that may be dear to us
- make changes that will benefit Freemasonry as a whole
- drive strong growth in the future
- be accountable
- For each and every Lodge change must produce:
- new enthusiasm for all members
- new attitudes towards excellence in all areas of Lodge operation
- new attitudes towards learning and delivery of ceremonial
- new ideas to brighten and enliven the Festive Board
- new focus on the management of the Lodge
- new accountability in the dispensing of charity and community service
- new ideas for the retention and regaining of membership
- new enthusiasm in acquiring candidates
- new pride in ourselves as Freemasons
WBro Jim Puohotaua PJGD GLHer
Editor Dignity Digest
Joe Leibowitz WM
Brethren in this my first contribution to the Dignity Digest as Master of our Lodge I want to firstly once again thank all the members of the Lodge for the “outpouring” of support to me in this my year as Master . This is support that I will truly need to enable me to continue the traditions and successes of Lodge Dignity.
The Installation was an outstanding success especially with three of our own Lodge Members paying key roles in the marvelous spectacle.
I would like to briefly review some of the key activities within the Lodge at the moment:
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Lodge Renewal program
Under the Chair of WBro Warren Baffsky will be convening the several sub-committees and reporting to the Planning & General Purposes Committee (PGP) at the August meeting. -
Our Membership committee.
This Committee is under the Chairmanship of WBro George Gimel and has held four very productive meetings since its formation. This committee has reviewed and consolidated the feedback from members with regard to the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats Survey, Using this feedback from members the committee has developed a draft membership strategic and operational plan to be tabled and reviewed at the August meeting of the Planning and General Purposes Committee (PGP). - Master’s visiting
a. During the month of June I visited the following Lodges: Malvern, Canterbury, Australia Felix, Mt Waverley (Installation), Baden Powell.
b. It is with pride that I can report that our Lodge Dignity is very well regarded in our district and that The Masonic Moment (which I believe originally derived from a presentation by WBros Issy Klein and the Late VWBro Len Sandler) is now commonly part of several of the Lodges visited.
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Social lunch at Caulfield.
There was a good turn-out including several invited visitors, at the Lunch organised by Bro Ron Abel at Caulfield Racecourse. Everyone had an enjoyable time, circulating and catching up with one another and enjoying the food and companionship. This outing has been another of the successful social events organised by Bro Ron and his sub-committee. Well done!
5. Master’s first night:
A most interesting program
being a presentation of the 1st degree Tracing Board by several officers of the
Lodge - the presentation was rich in allegory and thought provoking and will
provide material for several Masonic Moment discussions in the future.
Additionally there was the Installation of our Tyler WBro David Bovo and
presentation of a Master Mason’s certificate to Bro Alex Alszegi.
As it is required of the presenting officer of the certificate, to read the full text of a pamphlet that describes among other things, the several Landmarks in the Lodge, I found that reading this text out was a strong re-enforcement of the presentation material on the Tracing Board, and just served to round off the night so well.
Special thanks to brethren filling in at short notice (Sam, Henry and Alex)
6. Coming Events
As you can see, this year has started with gusto but there is still more!
24th
July Lodge Regular Meeting
– Landmarks of the Order by Right WBro Arthur Venn.
27th July
social committee
- at the home of Yona Gross’ 2A Maud Street, Balwyn North
Saturday 6th
September Country visit
– Kyneton Zetland Lodge,.
The Lodge will be hosting a special presentation of an American 1st Degree Ceremony. Arrangements to organise accommodation in the area are being assisted by the WM of Lodge Zetland, whose local knowledge is vital because the weekend of 6 Sept is also a very popular Flower festival and attracts many visitors. Brethren will be kept informed of all arrangements as they come to hand.
Doug Lang Reports
Caulfield Race Course Lunch – Sunday 22nd June 2008
After a damp start to Sunday morning, the rain eased and the sun broke through.
Some 10 Lodge Dignity members and about the same number of partners and guests attended a lunch at the Caulfield Race Course arranged by Ron Abel, thanks Ron.
There was an extensive Menu of varied cuisine from Pad Thai to “double baked and massaged” Duck, to traditional Roast Beef. There were almost too many choices and some diners were making long sighs and forming furrowed brows trying to choose only one meal. Some even chanced an entrée and a main course. The prices were reasonable with very little over $25. The serves were generous and the quality was satisfying. Some enterprising diners even got a seniors discount!!!
It was pleasing to see visitors from other Lodges as well as visitors of members. The staff at the venue was happy to accommodate our numbers and we were located in an area just off the main lounge, close to the bar and cash register for ordering.
There were a couple of daring souls who actually found room for sweets, which was a selection from the cake larder, each order was further enhanced with sides of cream and ice cream.
Although there was not a large number who participated, those that did enjoyed a warm and friendly day.
LODGE DIGNITY WORK PROGRAM 2007-2008
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Thursday 24th July 2008 |
Presentation - "The Land Marks of Freemasonry" |
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Thursday 28th August 2008 |
TBA |
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Thursday 25th September 2008 |
TBA |
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Thursday 23rd October 2008 |
TBA |
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Thursday 27th November 2008 |
Election of Master Elect Ceremony of the unknown Soldier |
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NO MEETING IN DECEMBER |
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Thursday 27th January 2009 |
TBA |
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Thursday 26th February 2009 |
TBA |
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Thursday 26th March 2009 |
TBA |
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Thursday 23rd April 2009 |
Master's Last Night & Obligation of the Master Elect |
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May 2009 |
Installation Worshipful Master for the 2009-2010 Year |
SOCIAL
CALENDAR 2008-2009
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TBA |
GRAND LODGE BULLETIN
SEPTEMBER QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION SUMMONS
"Worshipful Master, you are summoned, together with your Past Masters and Wardens, to attend the September Communication of Grand Lodge, to be held:
At the
Masonic Centre of Victoria, 300 Albert Street, East Melbourne,
On
Wednesday, 17th September, 2008, commencing at 8pm.
All members of the Craft, in addition to those summoned, are invited to attend”.
AGENDA
In addition to the normal statutory items the agenda will include:-
* Report of progress on the implementation of objectives for the Strategic Plan 2007/2010
* Notices of Motion
* Motions for which notice was given in June, 2008
* Presentation of Financial Accounts as at 30 June 2008 by Grand Treasurer
* Election of Grand Treasurer for the ensuing Masonic year
* Address by MWGrand Master
* Items of Harmony by the Victorian Freemasons Choir and Grand Heralds Ensemble
PLEASE NOTE
A simple sit-down evening meal will be available to Brethren from 6pm. The meal will need to be ordered and paid for in advance. The cost of the meal will be $20 (inclusive of tea and coffee). Payment being in our hands by the close of business on Friday, 12th September, 2008.
Wine, beer and soft drink will be available for purchase. Any questions about the meal should be directed to Lyle Brown of our office staff.
GRAND
MASTER’S DISTRICT MEETINGS
MWBro. Garry Sebo, GM proposes to continue on a program of visitations to the Districts for the purpose of face to face communication with his Brethren. Listed below dates and locations is areas close to where some of our members live
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o 28 August at Keysborough (South East Mornington District) |
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o 2 October at Gardenvale (Bayside District) |
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o 5 November at Oakleigh (Monash Gully District) |
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o 18 November at Sunshine (Western District) |
FREEMASONS DEVELOPMENT COURSE
Saturday 26th July 2008 at Waverley Masonic Centre.
The $15 charge covers course materials and catering for the day. Start 8.30am.Finish 4.30pm
Phone inquiries the Education Administration Office
Thursday’s 8.30am till Noon 9411 0120 or 1800 068 416
Messages can be left and will be replied to as soon as possible
Personal Development and Presentation Skills Course
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NOMINATIONS
FOR THE 2009-10 CEREMONIAL TEAM
Please note that Lodges have the ability to put forward the names of Past Masters whom they consider would bring credit to Freemasonry as members of the active Ceremonial Team.
Secretaries should refer to the Policy Document on Grand Rank before initiating processes leading to a recommendation.
The country component will be formed by Past Masters from the “GL Team 2” area as published in the autumn 2008 edition of the Freemasons Victoria magazine. A letter will be forwarded to all Lodge Secretaries in the area inviting nominations.
Such nominations need to be in the hands of the Grand Secretary by 1st August.
OPEN NIGHTS, OPEN INVESTITURES and/or OPEN DEMONSTRATIONS OF THE CONSECRATION CEREMONY.
All Lodges are reminded that the guidelines for Open Nights and Open Investitures are contained in Appendix 7 and Appendix 8 respectively of the Secretary’s Handbook and Policy Manual. These guidelines are also applicable for Open Demonstrations of the Consecration Ceremony.
In addition to the requirements of both of those Appendices, advice as to the suitability of the Masonic Centre and its facilities, (such as the standard and condition of the Lodge Room and South, and the availability of suitable toilets,) will be sought from the GSuptWks. before approval for these functions is given.
BOARD
ELECTORAL COLLEGE
In accordance with the provision of Rules 205 and 206 of the Book of Constitutions nominations are called for the election of members of the Board Electoral College whose four year term is due to expire on the 15th December, 2008.
The Board Electoral College members so affected are:
Metropolitan Area
RWBro. Brian Tarrant, PDGM, RWBro. Ken Cameron, MBE, PSGW, VWBro. David Ash, PGIWkgs, WBro. Ron Harrison, PJGD,
Country Area:
RWBro. Ern Bell, PSGW, RWBro. Brian Davenport. PJGW
An additional Country Area vacancy is available for a two year term from 15th December 2008.
Nominations are to be made on the prescribed form obtainable on request from the office of the Grand Secretary and must be submitted by 31st August, 2008, in accordance with the terms listed below.
Terms of Eligibility
(a) Be a subscribing member of a warranted Lodge under the United Grand Lodge of Victoria.
(b) Have held the rank of at least Master Mason within such a Lodge for a minimum period of five consecutive years immediately prior to nominating.
(c) Be able to demonstrate his active involvement in Freemasonry.
(d) Have that nomination endorsed by a resolution of a Lodge which he is a subscribing member, past in Open Lodge by the majority of members present.
Retiring members as listed above are eligible to apply for a second term.
No Brother may serve more than two consecutive terms.
BOARD OF
GENERAL PURPOSES AND BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE
Nominations from Brethren for positions on the Board of General Purposes and Board of Benevolence that will become vacant as a result of retiring members in March, 2009, will be called for in the month of August, 2008.