The North Carolina Mason

B y the time this edition of the Mason arrives, the 233rd Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge will be over. is year's annual meeting was a first — it was virtual. I cannot deny that the planning that went into this year's event was exhausting. But even as I look forward to the post- Annual Communica- tion season, I anticipate the meeting was successful, and at the least a fantastic learning opportunity and insight into the future. I am excited for what we did and will be able to do in the future. And, so, I take a step back, take a deep breath, and press on. Still, at the moment, I am exhausted. e pandemic, social discord, and this virulent political season overwhelms me, and I know, many of you, too. Brethren, I'm concerned that many of you are burned out and ready to give up. Since the middle of the summer, several Masters and Secretaries have called the office and said in no uncertain terms that their lodge is dead and ready to turn in the charter. Brethren lament that no one is willing to participate, that they can't — or won't — pay their dues because, "Why should I pay, we're not meeting?" Sadly, some Masters have called in and just said, "I'm tired. I'm done. So, how do I get my charter to you?" Brethren, a lodge is more than a meeting. A lodge is more than dues. A lodge is more than a building. And if you don't realize that, you need to find another organization. Don't destroy a lodge because of your own apathy. A lodge's life cycle is not based on one man's bias. e heartbeat of a lodge is a group of friends who know how to interact outside of a ritual space. ere is a gift in knowing when to throw in the towel. A graceful tactical retreat is always better than a nosedive. But, brethren, have you considered every possibility? Have you tried engaging the next generation? Have you tried to pass the torch? Have you called the Grand Lodge office for help? I think I'm most upset because the lodges that have called me over the last few months have given the Grand Lodge no notice that they were in trouble. You cannot expect change if you don't ask for help. I've written several articles offering such help. So I'll just say again: the Grand Lodge office is the cham- pion of the lodges. We want you to succeed. We want you to thrive. We have a quiver full of resources we can put at your disposal to help rebuild or reinvent your lodge. ere are very few lodges that couldn't use just a few petitions to reinvigorate them. Remember, bigger is not better. Large lodges are not the answer. Small lodges of friends are. If you merge two sorry lodges, all you're going to get is one bigger sorry lodge. If your lodge is small, celebrate it and get to know each other better. It's easier to know 25 men than 250. Redefining your perception of success may be the answer. Maybe you need new officers? Lodge renewal is not instantaneous. We're builders, and solid construction takes time and effort. Lodges also require money. Some lodges are going dark because they can't pay the bills. Brethren, before I was a Mason, I was a Jaycee, and treasurer of our club in Marion. Our club was constantly broke. No one wanted to pay, they just wanted to play. I have never been more embar- rassed than hoping a check would float until I could make a deposit. I swore then I would never be a member of an organization that did not have money to operate. What does your lodge mean to you? How do you value your lodge? And, do you value your brethren? ere's another piece that troubles me. Some of these lodges going dark have express instructions on how their funds, building, and furni- ture are to be handled — which is perfectly fine. If a lodge can, it may merge with another lodge. Essen- tially, a new lodge will be born with the assets of both lodges. If a lodge goes dark without merging, its assets go to the North Carolina Masonic Foundation to benefit our charities. e Grand Lodge does not receive any piece of a defunct lodge, except its records, and the discretion to help the Foundation find homes for furniture (columns, chairs, jewels, etc.) or determine the value of that furniture for sale to benefit of the charities. What bothers me is that some lodges say they don't want to merge with a nearby lodge because they don't want "those" brethren to have access to their assets. Or, they don't want "that" charity to benefit from their property. And, the most prevalent, "we don't want the Grand Lodge to get anything." Well, brethren, the Grand Lodge does not get a thing. Let me be clear. If your lodge is on its deathbed and more concerned with the disposition of its property, then your charter belongs on a shelf in the Grand Lodge basement. Brethren, we need to fight for the integrity of our fraternalism. I know we're all tired—physically, mentally, and spiritually. But we can't give up. We can't let go of what Freemasonry is. Now, more than ever, the world needs men of honor. We need men outside sectarian political squabbles and divisive social ailments to fill our lodge rooms and be our friends. We need unselfish men who can see an issue from both sides, calm our weary minds, and lead us into a common bond that builds spiritual temples, not divisive walls. We are not Democrats. We are not Republicans. We are not Liberals. We are not Conservatives. We are Brothers. Check on your brethren. Relieve your brethren. Care for your brethren. And, expect that care in return. e joy of our successes and camaraderie defines us as Masons. Are we really our Brother's keeper? September/October 2020 The North Carolina Mason Page 9 By Walt Clapp Grand Secretary Exhausted? Don't forget to ask for help More of Annual Communication At left, GM Shaun Bradshaw pres- ents Mack Sigmon with his Past Grand Master pin. At right, District 7 checks in during an online roll call to determine the number of dele- gates in attendance.

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