Shoring up our Foundation

By Adam N. Tager Junior Grand Deacon

We all know that Masons are builders. And while most of us lie squarely on the “speculative” as opposed to “operative” side of things, we still understand that every structure, from the humblest of sheds to the most ornate temples, requires a solid foundation, because a crack in the foundation leads to trouble. Just as important though, is the understanding that a foundation cannot be forgotten once a structure is built--they must be routinely surveyed and monitored. If not, they can often become the root causes for destructive structural maladies. The same can be said of our charitable endeavors.

This year found our jurisdiction in a new circumstance. The global pandemic prevented us from safely meeting in person, which meant that we had to change how we practice Masonry. It meant that a lot of our typical jurisdictional events such as grand visitations, picnics, schools of instruction, and cultural events were cancelled or severely reduced in scope.

Left with time (and to continue the metaphor), a predisposition for building,

RWB Adam Tager

the Grand Lodge executive committee (made up of the elected Grand Lodge officers) got to work in the background. We had to shore up the foundation that was built and maintained for the Craft since time immemorial, while also expanding it to accommodate new processes, or a new “structure.”

Beginning in February with the first (and unfortunately only) Grand Lodge School

of Instruction, I was honored to lead the logistics while working with our Grand Lodge Physician to institute protocols against this novel virus that people had started to talk about. Anyone who attended will remember swapping handshakes for elbow taps, and our multiple handwashing stations placed in the pathway to the food.

On March 11, as the situation was worsening, the Grand Master instituted virtual weekly meetings of the elected grand lodge officers (executive committee) to continually assess and evaluate masonic activity, leading to Grand Master’s Decisions 2020-3 through 2020-05 that started to build our metaphorical “panic room.”

It was on these calls that we envisioned and set up the Joint Masonic COVID Relief Fund, which as of the beginning of September has raised over $160,000 raised and disbursed over $90,000 in financial and material support. I’ve had the honor and privilege to serve as “Deputy COVID Czar” working with RWB Morgan Corr as “COVID Czar” to ensure that our brethren had what they needed. We also started setting up and outlining “reconstitution” procedures for how to come back to lodges safely (at the proper time).

Through the leadership of our Deputy Grand Master, RWB Alan Gordon, and his committee led by WB Perry Blatstein, we completely changed how we hosted our leadership conference. Instead of a weekend in-person, the committee worked with a company to professionally produce three manageable online sessions. I was able to use the time to finalize educational resources and roll out template masonic education syllabi and readings that are now posted in Grand View for every Brother’s use.

Our planning committee also virtually met and discussed the long-term vision for the jurisdiction, in the context of coming changes and beyond any since Grand Master. We discussed our diverse membership, integration of technology, cross-jurisdiction cooperation, and some long-term items such as additional lodge resources, strategic community service partnerships, and multi-year programs.

At the direction of the Grand Master, we drafted multiple pieces of legislation to update the code according to lessons learned. These would allow for flexibility in voting and emergency powers for the Grand Master.

I could go on, but this article isn’t intended to be a laundry list. Instead, it is proof that our ancient landmarks are a solid foundation, and remain flexible enough to allow us to adapt to changing times and emergent needs. Foundations needed to continually watched and fixed in order for structures to remain standing. To accept the status quo this year would have been to stop all Masonic activity, which was unacceptable. Similarly, to accept the status quo in future years and not look for ways to improve would be like pretending that time did not crumble stone, and that small cracks do not grow larger.

Our foundation is solid, yet adaptable. What worked in past years may not work in future years. Through the ability to adapt and change, while staying true to our ancient landmarks and tenants, we will ensure that the Craft will remain vibrant and relevant for generations to come.

COVID FUND UPDATE:

While most of the activity of the COVID relief fund has been for financial support, there have still been requests for physical commodities such as water and groceries. Especially at the height of the pandemic in the spring, many of our Brethren and their families couldn’t leave their homes to enter communal areas such as grocery stores. Using the generous donations to the fund, we were able to utilize a combination of grocery delivery services such as InstaCart and Amazon, as well as some in-person deliveries, to get crucial supplies to those in need.

But the pandemic is not over. While there are more shops open and people out than in April, case numbers and deaths keep climbing. The COVID relief fund is still here to help get people what they need. This also serves as a good reminder for everyone to be prepared. September is National Preparedness Month and also the peak of hurricane season. It has never been more important for everyone to take personal responsibility to make a preparedness plan, a preparedness kit, and learn how to care for yourself and your family during a disaster. Take a look at the resources available on ready.gov and remember that if you need it, the COVID fund is here to help.

Please remember to keep giving to the COVID Relief fund:

https://donorbox.org/covid-19-masonicrelief-program