The North Carolina Mason

Page 8 The North Carolina Mason November/December 2019 LION AND PILLAR 2020 To be eligible for the 2020 award, all tasks/ projects must be completed between July 1, 2019, and June 30, 2020. Application deadline is June 30, 2020. See the RED type? That means it is new for 2020! B e a Keeper of the Light! Time to make your lodge's plans to qualify for the Lion and Pillar Lodge of Excellence Award for 2020! Grand Master Shaun Bradshaw has released the updated program list, which includes a few changes. You can easily identify the new or changed requirements by looking for the RED type. is is the second year for the Platinum level distinction and we've added two new ways your lodge may qualify. But remember, you must first successfully complete all five of the main categories to order to be eligible. Notice the boxes to the left of each item. Use them like a scorecard to check off what you've accomplished this year. Application deadline is June 30, 2020. 1. Implement the Lodge System of Masonic Education as a subordinate lodge or as a district, with participating lodges receiving credit. DDGMs will certify lodge participation. 2. Host a speaker from the Grand Lodge Speakers 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.* 6. Establish a Masonic Book Club for the lodge and have members regularly provide a review and/or personal reflection of a book on Masonic Ritual, Symbolism, or Philosophy. 7. As a regular part of the stated communication of the lodge, have a member read a portion of the ritual, invite the brethren in attendance to contemplate and discuss what it means, and encourage them to consider it at a deeper, more personal level. * This item counts double if it is the lodge's first time participating in the program. CATEGORY 1 EDUCATION ÝÝÝ COMPLETE 3 OF 7 ITEMS CATEGORY 3 PHILANTHROPY ÝÝÝ COMPLETE #1 AND TWO OF REMAINING 4 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, 2019 through the June 30, 2020 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. Host a North Carolina Masonic Foundation development officer for a program at a stated communication or attend the Davie Academy session on philanthropy. 3. Host a MHCO or WhiteStone development officer for a program. 4. 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. 5. Assist a brother or his widow in getting assistance from the MESH LLC Outreach program (336- 601-5593). ÝÝÝ 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 member of the National Sojourners for a program. 5. Host a non-Mason veteran for a program. 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

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