The North Carolina Mason

Page 8 The North Carolina Mason July/August 2019 We need to be both builders and caretakers S hortly after I began working at the Grand Lodge, a landscaper in a truck and trailer pulled up the long driveway to the front door of the Grand Lodge. I watched him look over the front lawn. He then turned to the building and made his way up the limestone steps into the foyer where I met him. Before I could say anything, he looked at me and said, "Your lawn looks like sh**." Not being one to miss a beat, I asked him, "Can you make it look any better?" He quickly replied, "I can't make it look any worse." Having recently lost our long- time mower, I hired Frank to see what he could do, and he did not disappoint me. A former Marine, Frank was a good salesman, observant, and obviously blunt. Within five minutes he pointed out several maintenance issues of which I was already aware, but just needed to hear from someone else. As we walked the yard, he noted how our Grand Lodge office, prominently situated on the top of a hill on the one of the busiest streets in the capitol city just a mile from the interstate, probably represented most people's perception of North Carolina Freemasonry. He pointed out how bad our lawn looked, how overgrown the trees and shrubs were, and how dingy our building looked from the street. As we walked back inside, he said the interior could use some sprucing up, unless I liked it "looking like an old funeral parlor." His final question before he agreed to talk business and land- scaping plans was, "Are y'all going to make it? Because it looks like you're on hard times." Brethren, Frank's assessment was eye-opening and shocking. We may not like to be judged by our appear- ances, but often our appearance is a reflection of who we are, and whether or not we take responsi- bility for ourselves, for others, and for our communities. As I learned that day, our outward appearance dramatically influences the public perception of our fraternity. Following Frank's lead, we made a list of maintenance and improvement projects. We slowly repaired our basic needs like broken windows, rotted caulk, and peeling paint. After several years of small, but noticeable improve- ments, we were able to show just how special our Grand Lodge building was—to our brethren, our community, and the state. In 2011, with the help of the Board of General Purposes and Grand Master Ledford, we were able to firm up some of our larger plans and reframed the rear office windows (which had been boarded up for 30 years) and rebuilt the back deck (which was removed in the 1970s). Our pride in our home helped us help others realize the importance and significance of our appearance and responsibility to the community. Your Grand Lodge building is now a showplace FOR YOU to meet, work, and enjoy. And, though Frank has retired, our work is ongoing—it has to be in order to preserve our home for future generations. I hope our work here is a model for you to follow in main- taining and improving your local lodge. Brethren, we have a serious public perception problem in North Carolina that is partly based on the appearance of our Masonic lodge buildings. e construction boom of the 1960s, '70s, and '80s illustrated that we are builders, but those buildings' present condition often demonstrates that we fall short of being caretakers. But, we have to avoid the vicious cycle of deferred maintenance, indif- ference, and, panic. First, let's identify what a lodge building is: It's a place Masons meet to make Masons. It's a sacred space, a safe space, and a space of inspira- tion. Now, does this describe your lodge building? Are you and your community proud of your lodge building? If this description does not define your lodge, why? ■ Is your lodge's paint peeling? ■ Are there water stains on the ceiling? ■ Does it smell musty and moldy? ■ Is the grass overgrown and are the weeds taking over? ■ Does your roof leak? ■ Did you brick-up your windows instead of repairing them? ■ Is your kitchen clean? ■ Is your lodge room clean? ■ Does your community utilize your building? ■ Do you use your building for more than 5 hours for 1 or 2 meetings a month? ■ What does that cost? And, is this the best use of your building? ■ Do you spend more time worried about the condition of your lodge than enjoying the company of your brethren? If any of these issues describe your lodge, let's assume that complacency or money may be an issue. (If you haven't done so, please read my last two articles about our being fraternal and the value you place on Masonry in the March/April and May/June issues of the North Carolina Mason). So, what's next? Let's establish that the lodge building you possess now is probably going to be the best one you ever have. Do your dues cover the expenses of maintaining your lodge? If not, then you have to raise them. Regulation 77-1 states each lodge shall establish a dues amount capable of maintaining itself and discharging all its duties and obligations. If your lodge looks abandoned and dilapidated, you aren't fulfilling your obligation. If you need or want to improve your lodge you have to have money in the bank. Everything in your lodge depreciates over time. Each month, your HVAC system, roof, and basic components age. What are your monthly bills? Put at least that amount back monthly to start building a reserve account. And, let us know what we can do to help! We have tools that can help you calculate your lodge's needed savings! Recently, several NC lodges have found that years of deferred maintenance required them to find new quarters. While downsizing or moving is sometimes necessary, keep in mind the sale of a lodge building often creates a temporary financial windfall. I am saddened to hear lodges touting their new buildings to be less expensive and that dues won't have to go up to pay for it. is is simply never true. en, the cycle of deferred main- tenance, indifference, and panic begins again. Brethren, you have to have money in the bank to pay for your lodge building. Don't count on a building's sale or wait for an inheritance. Save the money now. Be mindful that urban areas are growing once again, and people are moving back into cities – large and small – and lodges can play a vital role in the development and redevelopment of our communities. Your lodge should be where your professionals gather to work, play, and serve. Multiple lodges, too, work best when they share buildings, especially urban centers. Our community lost much of its relevance the day we began building single-use Masonic centers for singular lodges, outside of and away from our neighbors. If we fail to serve society, society will fail to see any value in our existence. Is this true in your community? Brethren, buy the paint. Invest in your HVAC. Save extra money. Mow the lawn. Pick the weeds. Light your building, inside and out—whether through windows, illuminated signs, or accent lighting; make your building attractive and something you and your community can identify as a landmark, a land- mark that makes you proud. While Freemasons should not be judged by their external quali- ties, the external state of our lodges reflects our internal qualities. If we love our brethren, if we take pride in our lodges, then our buildings will reflect it. Don't be just a builder—be the caretaker. By Walt Clapp Grand Secretary

• Cover