North Carolina Mason
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1190660
Y
our story, my story, stories that live in
the hearts of friends and of strangers.
Everybody has at least one.
Story connects us. It can give us ideas
and direction. It creates commonalities and
community. A story can make your day, or
break your heart. It can change your mind,
your ways … your life.
In my three years working with this frater-
nity, I can attest that there's not
a North Carolina Freemason out
there who does not have a tale to
tell.
At district meetings, lodge fund-
raisers, golf outings, donor events,
board meetings, homecomings and
family days, I have heard some
wonderful stories about brother-
hood, friendship and charity. I've
gotten weepy over stories of unher-
alded random acts of kindness that
happen all the time in this frater-
nity. I've been awestruck listening to
stories of true brotherhood – how
this Craft saved some good men
from an uncertain future.
OK. And I've also heard some real whop-
pers, tall tales, and fish stories. Whether those
old chestnuts are true or not – they're almost
always darn funny. Keep 'em coming.
It's all in the story, brother. And this is the
year to share yours. Grand Master Bradshaw
wants to hear from you. Check out his column
this month and hear his story – then take him
up on his invitation to hear your story.
e more you all share your story with each
other, the more connections form. I had a
great moment of connection just a few weeks
ago at a place I'd never been and an event I
had never before attended. I traveled to San
Diego for a non-profit storytelling convention.
Some 1,100 communicators for non-profits
converged on the downtown Hyatt to learn
how the way we tell the story of our charities
makes all the difference in how we raise funds.
e better we tell our story, we learned, the
more likely it is that a potential donor will
connect with their own story and feel that they
are a valued and needed part of the solution by
giving of their time, talent and treasure.
On the first day, I kept to myself, not
knowing a soul. At the beginning of the
second session of the day, I found
a seat and settled in. A woman sat
down a couple of seats away and I
greeted her, introducing myself as
Beth from North Carolina. She in
turn told me she was Kelly from
Michigan. "What do you do," I
asked – as one does at these things.
She smiled, cocked her head and
said, "Have you ever heard of a
group called the Freemasons?"
I laughed and said, "You're
kidding me, right?" I showed her
my badge and said I was with the
NC Masonic Foundation. Kelly
laughed just as hard and showed
me her badge – she is with the Michigan
Masonic Foundation. What were the odds of
us connecting in a group of 1,500 people?
I partnered with Kelly and three of her
colleagues, who also were at the convention,
for the next couple of days. We shared our
stories, broke bread together and I left with at
least three ideas they gave me permission to
steal. As we all parted to go home, Kelly said
she was so happy we had connected.
"It's wonderful to be with someone who just
gets us," she said. "Do you know what I mean?"
Yes. I do. I really do.
So tell your story. As importantly, share your
story.
I guarantee that there is someone out there,
maybe even some 36,000-plus someones out
there, who will absolutely get you.
Page 4 The North Carolina Mason November/December 2019
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of North Carolina, 2921 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27608.
ird class postage paid at Oxford, NC 27565.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to e North Carolina Mason,
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Grand Master
P. Shaun Bradshaw
Board Of Publication
Kenneth Wayne Lambert, Chairman
Adam Cloninger
Dwight Decoskey
Stan Dodd
omas VanEtten
Editor
Beth Grace
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