From the Worshipful Master

Advice to a New Brother

My advice to a new a new brother would be, that being a Mason is a commitment that needs to be looked at before joining.

There is studying that you will need to complete to move through the degrees, the teaching of being a Mason is not only for you in the lodge but encompasses all aspects of your life.

You will get out of Masonry what you put into the teachings and lessons learned.

There are duties that will be asked of you, to further your learning and understanding of what it means to be a Mason. Such as helping with fundraisers to support the lodge, helping in bring others along in their studies, plus many other topics.

So in conclusion, make sure the path is right for you and you able to make a commitment to the lodge of which you are a member.

Ken Olsen
Worshipful Master

From the Senior Warden

Advice to New Masons

My advice to new masons would be simple: get involved. Come to stated meetings. Learn your proficiencies. Visit other lodges with your Brothers. Meet more people.

The old adage that you get out of Freemasonry what you put into it is only partly true. I’d argue that you get much more out of Freemasonry than what you put into it, but the key is you have to put something into it.

When you first join the lodge, most of the time you are paired with a mentor. Use him! Call him. Have him take you to other lodges. Ask what has kept him involved.

Travel whenever you can. See what other lodges do. Take those ideas with you. If something works, bring it up to your own lodge. Anything that brings more good men to us is a good thing.

Get your family on board. You’ll meet more people and have more fun if your family’s active too. There are many organizations for your family to get involved with which help you meet more people, learn from them and learn more about yourself as well. Now, I’m not saying get so deep that you go to 4 different lodges in 2 days on the weekend (not including go to Church Sunday for the Rainbow Girls and the Demolay archery event), but if you do I will guarantee you’ll be spending your time with great people.

At a Job’s Daughters event this week, my daughter said the thing she likes most about being a Jobie was that she knows anywhere she goes in the world, she has family. That is as true for us as it is for the youth.

I think most importantly though, is whatever you do, understand that it’s up to you to do it. You can be as active or inactive as you want to be.

Nobody can make you do come to lodge. Nobody can make you learn your ritual or proficiency. It’s of your own free will and accord, and it’s up to you what to make of it.

Stephen Liguori
Senior Warden

From the Junior Warden

As a long-time Mason and member of Wayfarer’s Lodge #50 I would like share my advice to new members.

New members come in all ages and stages of life, and depending on where you are in this mystic circle of life, your level of commitment to the craft and lodge may vary. I will preference my advice that when joining any organization, it is a commitment to attend and support the best you can, this is a given.

As new members, the other lodge members make the assumption that you are interested and committed to learning. We assume that you have weighed your outside commitments, and concluded that you have the time and desire to attend and participation in our meetings and activities. We assume that you are committed to learning and passing your examinations to progress through our degrees to become a Master Mason. Why else would you pay your fees and waste everyone’s time?

New members need to know that we are there to support you through your degrees, we want you to be successful and a valued member of our lodge. Feel free to reach out to any of us that you may feel comfortable with and share your concerns, desire for help. We have but one agenda and that is to see you be successful.

We have all been through the challenges that home life, work life, spouses and children bring, and we are willing to listen and be flexible to ensure your journey in our craft continues on, and the lessons their learned makes you better able to deal with each issue as an honest and upright man.

We welcome all new members and look to you to be our future, so please know we are all on the same page with the same goal, and that is for you to let us help you; as you also help us, we are all learning together.

Fraternally,

Doug Steele
Junior Warden