The North Carolina Mason

To be eligible for the 2019 award, all tasks/projects must be completed between July 1, 2018, and June 30, 2019. Application deadline is June 30, 2019. Page 8 The North Carolina Mason November/December 2018 LION AND PILLAR 2019 ere are a few new ways to qualify for the Lion and Pillar Lodge of Excellence in 2019. Grand Master Dwight M. "Mack" Sigmon has released the updated program list, which includes a new level of excel- lence: e Platinum Award. Lodges inter- ested in the award must meet all qualifica- tions for the Lion and Pillar honor, and complete one of two rituals. To reach Platinum level, a lodge member or the installed senior deacon must, between July 1, 2018, and June 30, 2019, either: ä Give his first-ever Fellow Craft Degree lecture. is can be accomplished in his own lodge (preferable) or at another lodge within his district if his lodge expe- riences no such degree work during the qualifying period. ä Or a member of your lodge must conduct his first-ever Masonic graveside or memorial funeral service. is also can be accomplished in his own lodge or at another lodge within his district if his lodge experiences no such requests during the qualifying period. 1. Implement the Lodge System of Masonic Instruction as a subordinate lodge or as a district, with participating lodges receiving credit. DDGMs will certify lodge participa- tion. 2. Host a speaker from the Grand Lodge Speaker's Bureau, a member of the Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic Education, a faculty member from Wilkerson College, a faculty member from the Davie Academy or a faculty member from the Middle Chamber for a program at a stated communication. 3. Have a deacon graduate from Wilkerson College. 4. Have a member complete a Davie Academy session. 5. Have a member complete a Middle Chamber session. CATEGORY 1 CATEGORY 3 EDUCATION PHILANTHROPY ÝÝ ÝÝÝ ÝÝÝ COMPLETE 2 OF 5 ITEMS COMPLETE #1 AND 2 OF REMAINING 5 1. Organize a lodge visit to veterans in a nursing home. Do not limit visits to Masonic veterans. 2. Visit veterans in a VA hospital in Salisbury, Fayetteville, Durham or Asheville. 3. Contact and offer to assist the local Masonic Service Association of North America (MSANA) Hospital Visitation volunteer in a VA hospital. 4. Host a National Sojourners member for a program at a stated communication. 5. Host a non-Mason veteran for a program at a stated communication. 6. Hold a Masonic education program on the MSANA's Hospital Visitation and Disaster Relief initiatives. 7. Host a meal for veterans and active military personnel at your lodge separate from a regular stated meeting. Include non-masonic veterans, active military personnel and local high school youth/JROTC interested in military careers at this event. 8. Support a "Wreaths across America" or similar veterans projects. CATEGORY 2 PATRIOTISM COMPLETE 3 OF 8 ITEMS See the RED type? That means it is a new option for 2019! 1. Contribute an average of $5 per member to (each) MHCO, North Carolina Masonic Foundation and MESH Foundation LLC (which benefits qualified Masonic and OES residents at WhiteStone) between the periods of July 1, 2018 through the June 30, 2019 application deadline. Copies of checks should be provided with the application to help expedite the approval process. (NOTE: Community charitable projects are covered under Category 5) 2. Contribute $1 per member to the George Washington National Masonic Memorial or to the Masonic Service Association of North America by the June 30, 2019 application deadline. 3. Host a North Carolina Masonic Foundation development officer for a program at a stated communication or attend the Davie Academy session on philanthropy. 4. Host a MHCO or WhiteStone development officer for a program at a stated communica- tion or attend the Davie Academy session on philanthropy. 5. Hold a lodge meeting at WhiteStone or MHCO under dispensation from the Grand Master, and schedule a tour of the home, meeting with the director or his designee, and visit with residents. REMEMBER, IF YOU WANT TO QUALIFY FOR THE PLATINUM AWARD YOU MUST FULFILL THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL FIVE CATEGORIES FIRST ]

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