Spring 2021
Transformation
Mission & History In 1875, MWB John C. Ralls presented the idea of “a ‘Home’ for the indigent widows and minors (orphans) of worthy (deceased) Master Masons . . . to be located in some suitable and healthy place.” Through the hard work of many, the Masonic Home incorporated in 1886 and opened the doors of the St. Louis Home to its first resident, a 12-year-old girl named Della Gale Farthing, in 1889. The Home expanded into a full campus of service for indigent Masons and their families. The Masonic Home opened the Western Unit in Kansas City in 1986. In 1991, the Board of Directors made the difficult decision to close the St. Louis facility and relocate the residents living there. But also in 1991, the Board created the Outreach Program, a financial assistance program that could reach qualified individuals in their communities. In 2011, the Board of Directors also sold the Western Unit to focus 100 percent of its efforts on the Outreach Programs. Outreach expanded from one program to 10, each satisfying a slightly different need throughout the Masonic Family. Three provide financial assistance to Masons, their wives or widows, ladies of the Eastern Star, and their dependent children. Three Partnership Programs partner with Lodges and Chapters throughout the state to provide for needy children, help their fellow brothers and sisters with a project, help send veterans on Honor Flights, and give care packages to active military. The final four programs are non-financial, serving the membership through financial education, honoring Masonic widows and veterans, and providing information on community resources. We encourage you to check us out on our website at www.mohome.org or give us a call at (800) 434-9804. 2
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MAIN CONTACT INFORMATION
Masonic Home of Missouri 6033 Masonic Dr., Ste. A, Columbia, MO, 65202 Phone: (573) 814-4663 | Toll Free: (800) 434-9804 Fax: (573) 814-4660 Website: www.mohome.org Masonic Complex hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed for state and federal holidays Masonic Museum hours: (located at Masonic Complex in Columbia, MO) Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Barbara Ramsey, Executive Director bramsey@mohome.org | Ext. 209 Jodi Blake, Director of Finance & Fund Development jblake@mohome.org | Ext. 212 Shannon Beck, Public Relations sbeck@mohome.org | Ext. 245
FUND DEVELOPMENT
Truman Club & Vincil Society, Courtyard Paver Stones, Penny-A-Day, General Donations Julie Kirchhoff, Annual Giving Officer jkirchhoff@mohome.org | Ext. 230 Legacy Society, Planned Giving, Major Gift Donations Jackie Walters, Major Gifts Officer jwalters@mohome.org | Ext. 214
MASONIC HOME PROGRAMS
Long-Term Financial Assistance Sonya Carney, Financial Assistance Caseworker scarney@mohome.org, | Ext. 218 Dana Morgenthaler, Financial Assistance Caseworker danam@mohome.org | Ext. 211 Short-Term Financial Assistance, Financial Education, Children’s Outreach Carly Dibben, Accredited Financial Counselor cdibben@mohome.org | Ext. 217 Allyson Reynolds, Financial Assistance Caseworker areynolds@mohome.org | Ext. 219 Creating-A-Partnership (CAP) & Partnering to Honor (PTH) Letitia “Tisha” Woodard, Partnership Coordinator twoodard@mohome.org | Ext. 210 Widows & Veterans Programs, Masonic Family Cares Program Chantana Irvin, Masonic Family Cares Coordinator cirvin@mohome.org | Ext. 239 Museum & Masonic Complex Calendar Michelle Phillippe, Administrative Building Coordinator mphillippe@mohome.org | Ext. 213
Table of Contents
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18
4
Executive Director Notes
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Giving
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Thank You
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Client Success
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Legacy
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Financial EDU
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In the News
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Program Spotlight
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Museum Moment
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Agency Spotlight
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Health Masonic Outreach
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S NOTES
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hen we look upon the past year, we see transformation. The pandemic fundamentally transformed our lives. It remains to be seen how long and lasting the effects will be felt. Sometimes transformation occurs and it is less obvious in the moment. This particular issue of the magazine highlights the stories of three masons. Two were transformative leaders for the Masonic Home, and one represents the impact of their leadership. I have featured many of the original leaders of the Masonic Home, but this particular issue was special to me. When I first started researching the history of the Masonic Home for the 125th anniversary, I found quote after quote from the original Masonic Home Board President that inspired me. MWB Noah Givan not only wrote eloquently, but also with such heart and passion. It was only after researching for this article that I started to grasp what an incredible leader he was in all facets of his life. While his life was full of titles, Masonic and otherwise, he was clearly a man of action and the principles that defined him — not the titles. The other leader featured in this issue is MWB David Ramsey. I was brand new to the Masonic Home when he was serving his first term on the Board of Directors, having been voted to that position by the membership. Dave and his wife, Friday, are incredibly dynamic, caring, intelligent people. When Dave came back on the Board of Directors, by virtue of his position after being appointed to the Grand Lodge Advancing Line, we were so grateful to have him serve again. MWB Ramsey served on the Board during a time of transformation. We ended brick-and-mortar care, transitioning to only Outreach Programs. I will never forget very nervously sitting down with Dave prior to him becoming Board President to discuss the opportunity we had during that time of transition to expand Outreach. With MWB Ramsey’s leadership, the Masonic Home was able to add Short-Term Financial Assistance, Financial Education, and Masonic Family Cares. 4
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I can assure you that during that meeting, neither Dave nor I ever dreamed we would be positioning the Masonic Home to help during a pandemic! But we did envision a situation where a younger mason may need assistance during a time of transition. That transition could be health or employment driven. That change in programs leads us to the other story featured — Brother O’Bryant. As Brother O’Bryant’s story highlights, it is often very difficult to ask for help. He is a man that is used to serving others, as he did serving our country. I am so grateful to the O’Bryants for being willing to share their story. His story highlights why the Short-Term Assistance Program is so critical. As we’ve learned once again, the actions we take today will make a difference in the lives of others tomorrow, 10 years from now, and over the next 100 years.
GIVING
The Transformative Power of Giving: Can Charitable Acts Make Us Happier? By Shannon Beck
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o one has ever become poor by giving.” When young Anne Frank scribbled those words in her diary, they came from a place of insight
and personal reflection, but over the course of the last decade, science has shown that Frank’s intuition was spot on. You can, in fact, gain a wealth of happiness
through giving to others. “Let’s stop thinking about giving as just this moral obligation and start thinking of it as a source of pleasure,” says Dr. Elizabeth Masonic Outreach
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GIVING Dunn. Dunn is a professor in the department of psychology at the University of British Columbia. She conducts experimental research examining how time, money, and technology shape human happiness and is the coauthor of “Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending” (Simon & Schuster) with Dr. Michael Norton. Dr. Dunn conducted her first experiment surrounding giving and happiness in 2007 by giving $5 or $20 to people on campus at the University of British Columbia. She instructed half the recipients to spend the money on someone else and half to spend it on themselves, and then she followed up with them later that day to survey them about their happiness. What she found was that nearly 80 percent of people used the money to buy a cup of coffee, and that the participants who spent the money on others experienced considerably more happiness that lasted later into the day. Since 2007, Dunn has repeated this experiment in many different circumstances, including going to developing countries where the majority of people are living under extreme poverty. Remarkably, the results seem to be universal — meaning that even in situations where financial resources can make a dramatic impact on daily living, people still received more happiness in giving it away. “Even if those purchases for the self could be really impactful for the self, you are still getting kind of more bang for your buck in happiness if you spend that 6
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Remarkably, the results seem to be universal — meaning that even in situations where financial resources can make a dramatic impact on daily living, people still received more happiness in giving it away. money on someone else,” says Dr. Laurie Santos. Santos is a cognitive scientist and professor of psychology at
Yale University. She uses Dunn’s work in her Yale course on wellbeing that is offered on the online platform Coursera and has received attention from the likes of the New York Times during the COVID-19 pandemic. In her course, Santos tells students that while they may think that money will make them happy, research shows that money itself will not make them substantially happier — especially if they are making upwards of $75,000 per year in the United States — but what they do with that money has a powerful effect on happiness. Santos focuses on acts of kindness in general, but notes that financial giving and being kind with your money is one way you can use your money to make you happy. “One of [the reasons money isn’t making us happy] is because maybe we are not using our salaries to do as many kind things for others,” she tells her students. In more recent research, Dunn has taken a deeper dive into what kinds of giving bring even more happiness. Her takeaway from that research is that when giving to charity, you should focus your giving on organizations that you feel a sense of connection to. According to Dunn, being able to easily envision the difference in the lives of those the charity helps also makes giving more meaningful. So, if you can easily envision a child being warmly wrapped up in a coat received from your lodge’s CAP project, that might be a good cause for you to contribute to. Small changes and contributions can pay off in a big way when it comes to your happiness.
THANK YOU
Grand Chapter becomes first to reach Vincil Society Diamond Level
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ongratulations to the Grand Chapter of Missouri, Order of the Eastern Star, for being the first organization to reach the Diamond Level of The Vincil Society. Total giving from the membership through the Grand Chapter since 2014 has surpassed $50,000. The support of the Eastern Star reaches far beyond money alone. Since the early days of the Masonic Home, the Eastern Star has been fervent in its support of those in need, especially of those who lived at the Home. From providing blankets and furnishings to leading ceramics classes to funding chapels on the Delmar campus, the members of the Eastern Star opened their hearts and their pocketbooks for the benefit of our residents. After the Masonic Home’s transition from bricks and mortar to Outreach programs alone, the Eastern Star continued to provide for our Outreach clients. However, something was missing — a true understanding by the membership of what the Masonic Home was accomplishing through these programs. Within a few years, the Eastern Star leadership approached the Masonic Home leadership to bridge the gap. Armed with knowledge and a renewed dedication to the
mission of the Masonic Home, these leaders — Sister Nancy Lane, PGM, and Sister Karlene Baylous, PGM — educated the membership on the good works of the Masonic Home. The Masonic Home PennyA-Day Program for the Eastern Star was launched during PGM Lane’s year as Worthy Grand Matron and was continued by those who followed her. The care package program for Outreach clients exploded during PGM Baylous’s Worthy Grand Matron year and has retained the support of the leaders that followed. This year, the Pen Pal program began in an effort to ease feelings of isolation and depression in our clients. Once again, the Eastern Star was at the forefront offering their support. Worthy Grand Matron Debi Olson not only pledged her support, but became a pen pal herself. As the work of the Masonic Home has transformed over the years, so has the support of the Eastern Star, always with the good of the membership at heart. To every member who has given through PennyA-Day, contributed to care packages, become a pen pal, worked one of the Partnership Programs, or given financially, we extend a very heartfelt thank you.
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Any time there is a need for our clients, we can always rely on the members of the Eastern Star to help." - Executive Director Ramsey Masonic Outreach
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CLIENT SUCCESS
When Faith Perseveres The Masonic Home steps in during time of need By Shannon Beck
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rare blood disorder. A knee replacement. A car accident. Cancer. Each of these is a potentially life-altering event. Individually, they hold the power to transform a person’s path for years or decades at a time, and one Mason in eastern Missouri faced each of these layered one on top of the other over the span of just 4 years. “I joined the Masonic brotherhood to help other people,” Joseph O’Bryant said as he sat in the VA hospital in Columbia awaiting an appointment with his oncologist. “I never thought I would be one that needed help.” In a twist of fate and, as he sees it, an act of God, O’Bryant did need help, and in 2016 he became a client of the Masonic Home of Missouri’s Short-Term Assistance Program. “I was tired of being sick.” He said. “I damn near lost my life. I would’ve lost my home. My family would’ve been out in the cold. We wouldn’t have had anything to eat. They stepped in and they helped me, and I didn’t ask for no money, and that was a problem I had, and God knew that. God knew I wouldn’t ask nobody. The Masonic Home helped me not because I asked, it was because God sent them to help me.” 8
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In fact, he didn’t even know that the Short-Term Assistance program existed. It was another Mason who referred O’Bryant and his family for help. During one of his first hospital stays, O’Bryant, who’s mind was still fuzzy from medical treatments, was visited by a fellow Mason, who told him the Masonic Home could help. “I woke up and there was a guy standing at the end of my bed with a yellow jacket on and I had never met the man before, but I remember he had on a Masonic ring,” O’Bryant said. A member of Hope Lodge no. 251, O’Bryant lives with his wife, Candice, and two of their children in New Haven. The couple prides themselves on their commitment to service in their community. While a disability – Lupus – keeps her from working, Candice is a Lifelong Girl Scout and enjoys working with the organization to better her community. Joseph is an active member of his lodge, a businessman, and a military veteran. With seven years in the Marine Corps, Joseph worked in communications and was involved with conflicts in Lebanon and the Philippines in the early 80s. “I went into the Marine Corps thinking that I was going to see so many funny things in life, and oh, man, was that true,” he joked.
He jokes a lot. Despite the undoubtedly difficult conversation that was ahead of Joseph and Candice at the hospital that day, he was in good spirits, jovial even. It is clear that his faith in God has been crucial in getting through these last four years with a smile on his face. He is very firm in his trust in God to provide, and sees the assistance though the Masonic Home as an extension of that. As his initial hospital stays kept him from working and Candice was unable to work, the couple’s bills began to pile up. Joseph was not worried. He explained that he knew God would provide. “I was.” Candice said firmly. She was quite worried. It was about a week after the man with the Masonic ring visited Joseph in the hospital that the couple received a phone call from the Masonic Home of Missouri, and before they knew it, their bills were paid. In retelling this, Candice’s relief was palatable. And, this was before Joseph’s cancer diagnosis. At that time, Joseph was dealing with a rare blood clotting disorder called Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP), which causes problems in getting enough oxygen to the body’s organs including the brain, heart, and kidneys. It was only a few short months later, however, that Joseph received a call he will never forget.
CLIENT SUCCESS
“In June of 2016 a doctor called me,” he said. “I was at O’Reilly’s getting a part for my car — one of the days I had snuck out because I wasn’t supposed to be up. And, he said, ‘We need to talk,’ so, I said, ‘Ok, we will talk,’ and, he said, ‘No, Mr. O’Bryant, we need you to come in and talk,’ and he was from the urology department. He was like, ‘Look, Mr. O’Bryant, you need to come in because we think you have cancer.” Already scheduled for a knee replacement and not wishing to pile another major medical discussion on his plate at the time, Joseph insisted on scheduling the appointment after his surgery. Then, five weeks after replacing his knee, as he was still recovering, he consented to a biopsy and received the news. Joseph had prostate cancer.
While the VA pays for his medical expenses, cancer treatment meant many more months ahead that Joseph would be unable to work and provide for his family. For these times, the family relied on the assistance they received from the Masonic Home. Today, Joseph works his business as much as he can, which is part-time, and both of the O’Bryants receive Social Security Disability, allowing them to largely afford their own modest expenses, but it doesn’t always provide for all of their needs. The Masonic Home has continued to provide assistance for large expenses like braces for their children. The O’Bryants are also facing the return of Joseph’s cancer – news they received in December 2020. As they discuss treatment
options with doctors, there is much uncertainty for the family, but one thing they do know is that Joseph’s Masonic brothers will be there for him. “If you’re a Mason, we can help,” he said of the Masonic Home. “It don’t make no difference if you are black or white. It’s that simple.” The Short-Term Financial Assistance Program assists eligible adults who are experiencing an unexpected and temporary period of financial hardship, oftentimes caused by a job loss or serious illness. In Fiscal Year 2020, the Masonic Home provided $168,960 of shortterm financial assistance. If you or a Mason you know is in need, contact the Masonic Home of Missouri at outreach@ mohome.org. Masonic Outreach
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LEGACY
An Expanding Legacy The most significant transformations in the Masonic Home’s modern history wouldn’t have happened without this man’s leadership. By Brenna McDermott
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eith Neese has been a Mason since 1970. He served as the Executive Director of the Masonic Home of Missouri from 2008 to 2013. He’s met a lot of leaders. MWB David Ramsey is one of the four most impactful leaders Keith has known. While David would likely disagree with that statement, history sides with Keith. The Masonic Home of Missouri underwent once-in-a-generation, transformational change under David’s leadership. A decade later, his impact is obvious. The decisions he guided have helped the Masonic Home assist more people in need. “He was just wonderful to work with because he was just so supportive and he was very open to exchange of ideas and change for the better, not just for the sake of change,” says Carly Dibben, Accredited Financial Counselor for the Masonic Home of Missouri. “And he cared. He really, really cared.” He led the kind of change that ushers in a new era for the benefit of all and is still going strong a decade later. “When David came along, you could tell this was his charity that he really wanted to work on, expand, and improve,” Keith says. “And that would be what I think
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is his longest legacy — that he actually planned for all of this and it’s still expanding today.”
FAREWELL TO BRICK AND MORTAR
David brings empathy, charisma, and integrity to everything he does, Keith says. And though he might demur, he guided the Masonic Home through several major transitions. As a leader on the board, MWB Ramsey didn’t just stick to the status quo. Instead, he helped lead the charge to sell the Masonic Home’s Kansas City Facility and to repurpose those funds to expand the Outreach Programs and help more people. The Kansas City Facility, formerly called the “Western Unit,” opened in 1986 and made many changes over the years to appeal to those in need of assisted living. But it struggled in late years to fill its rooms. The facility challenged the Masonic Home’s finances. In addition, the needs of Masons and their loved ones had changed: people wanted to remain in their communities, with their families, and in their homes. They didn’t want to move across the state to receive assistance. “Once again, the Masonic Home’s Board of Directors was
struggling to maintain a facility in need of updates, remodeling, and repairs while the demand for the service had simply failed to present itself,” according to the Masonic Home of Missouri’s 125th anniversary booklet, which follows the history of the organization. “At the same time, the Outreach Program was helping more people more cost effectively statewide.” MWB Ramsey, who was VicePresident at the time, wanted to see Masons’ donations and the Masonic Home’s funds more directly aid brothers and sisters in need. “It was hurting our corpus of charity,” Keith says. “There were definitely growing pains,” Carly remembers. “Dave Ramsey definitely had his work cut out for him because people are a little scared of change. It’s not comfortable when something that’s been around for 100 years all of a sudden switches . . . how we operate.” But the decision to leave brick and mortar behind and embrace Outreach assistance meant the Masonic Home could help more people and cut down on overhead. “And make it so they didn’t have to change their whole lives to receive help from us,” Carly says. MWB Ramsey was the voice advocating for the change to the
LEGACY says. “They want to be near their friends, and they wanted to attend their church or synagogue or wherever.”
A NEW WAY TO HELP YOUNGER MASONS
Masonic Home Board, the lodges, and the chapters. “He was just dogmatic about it and that it was the right decision,” Keith says. “And people, after they got to hearing the story and why we were doing it, they really bought into that concept.” He was determined to make a change for the betterment of everyone. “That was definitely his strength,” Carly says. “It’s very easy to be intimidated, to change your mind when you make a big decision like that, and he didn’t. He was very strong and very resolved.” The Masonic Home sold the facility in June 2011 to Americare, a Mason-owned, Missouri-based long-term care company. It’s Ramsey’s proudest
accomplishment during his time on the Board because they were able to sell the facility and find better use for those funds. The Masonic Home staff helped find living arrangements for clients who chose not to stay at the facility and continued recommending financial assistance for clients who wished to remain. At Grand Lodge Annual Communication that year, Keith remembers hearing David defend the decision to sell the Kansas City Facility. It didn’t take long for people to understand why it was the right one. “The main feedback that we got over the next year was very positive because people wanted to be near their family,” Keith
At the same time, the Masonic Home was seeing increased requests for help from Masons who were younger. Carly joined the staff in 2006. At that time, the majority of the Masonic Home’s assistance was provided to the elderly. But when the housing bubble burst in 2008, she saw an increase in younger Masons who could no longer afford their adjustablerate mortgages and were facing foreclosure. The Masonic Home hadn’t provided any long-term support to younger folks in the past, but the Masonic Home’s Outreach Program had been providing financial assistance to older Missouri Masons, their wives or widows, and female members of the Order of the Eastern Star since 1991. The program expanded to serving children in 2003. When Barbara Ramsey, Director of Outreach Services at the time, approached him about starting the Short-Term Financial Assistance program to help younger Masons who find themselves in need, David pledged his full support. Barbara, now Executive Director, sees on a daily basis the benefit this has had on younger members. “The young Masons, as they come in, they’re at a vulnerable time in their careers,” Keith says. “So if something goes wrong, they really need that help. And I think that’s the impact that this short-term assistance Masonic Outreach
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program has had is helping them live through those short-term downturns that happen.” Many times, beneficiaries of the short-term assistance program have lost their jobs, have had an accident, or are suffering a serious illness. The program can cover one-time expenses or ongoing expenses for a temporary period of time. Expenses like groceries, utilities, medical bills, and insurance premiums are just a few examples that could qualify. “We can’t make people better. We wish we had that superpower,” Carly says. “We can’t fix their real problem, but we can help alleviate stress in other areas, and that’s really what we strive to do.” Support is typically provided for one to six months. Missouri Masons, their wives or widows, and members of the Order of the Eastern Star in good standing with a financial need may qualify. MWB Ramsey remembers receiving so many heartfelt letters when the Masonic Home launched the Short-Term Financial Assistance program. Carly says recipients feel a mix of gratitude and relief. “It doesn’t have to be a major crisis for you to need our help, even a little bit of help,” Carly says. The Short-Term Financial Assistance program provided nearly $170,000 in assistance in 2020, a significant increase over 2019, when it provided about $72,000. Carly says many Masons have faced unexpected hardships as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Just as important to MWB Ramsey was that those who had temporary financial setbacks had 12
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“It doesn’t have to be a major crisis for you to need our help, even a little bit of help.” —Carly Dibben the tools and education necessary to climb out of challenges and stay out. In 2012, his leadership helped launch the Financial Education Program, which offers counseling services through individual consultations and group presentations. Carly developed the Financial Education Program for the Masonic Home, which includes education on budgeting, prioritizing expenses, managing debt, adjusting to a change in income or setting financial goals. Counselors also give presentations to lodges and chapters free of charge. In Fiscal Year 2020, the Masonic Home provided financial counseling to 67 clients. Keith says he only wishes the Masonic Home had made these changes sooner. But transformational change requires a special kind of leader like David.
MWB Ramsey served two terms on the board, totaling nine years, finally serving as President in 2011-2012. Now, he and his wife, Friday, split their time between the Midwest and Arizona. David has “a way about him to make people feel comfortable and at ease, and I think that’s one thing that you don’t see in a lot of leaders,” Keith says. MWB Ramsey is quick to credit the Masonic Home staff for making all of these changes happen. “It wouldn’t have been successful [without him],” Carly says. “So, it’s really sweet to hear that he credits us for that, but in reality, it wouldn’t have happened if he didn’t support it.” As a leader at the Masonic Home of Missouri, MWB Ramsey didn’t point out problems. He sought out plans and solutions that will have an impact for years to come. He worked with staff and supported changes that would do just that. “Legacy,” Barbara says, “is made up of decisions made and actions taken that are for the betterment of those who come after you. Dave left that legacy, and for that, we are eternally grateful.” You can apply for the ShortTerm Financial Assistance Program or the Financial Education Program today by contacting a Masonic Home Financial Assistance Caseworker at 800-434-9804 or outreach@ mohome.org. You can also download the initial application form at: mohome.org/outreach-programs/ financial-programs.
FINANCIAL EDU
Make the Most of Your Mortgage There’s still time to take advantage of 2020’s historic lows. By Tiffany Schmidt
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ast year’s mortgage rates hit record lows. And then they dropped again. And again. After numerous lows through 2020 and into the new year, the past few months have seen a half a percentage point increase in rates. As 2021 progresses, rates are predicted to rise as the economy begins to stabilize and the vaccine rollout progresses. If all of this has you feeling like you missed your opportunity to take advantage of potential savings, think again. According to Freddie Mac’s quarterly forecast, throughout the fourth quarter of 2020, mortgage interest rates averaged around 2.8%, and are predicted to fluctuate slightly to average around 2.9% through the end of 2021. “Watching rates can be stressful for potential homeowners, so my best advice is to look at the payment in its entirety,” says Kelly Hendricks, senior vice president at Delmar Mortgage and managing editor of Mortgage Women’s Magazine. “Make sure you’re comfortable with and can afford the monthly payment instead of getting too wrapped up in what the final rate may be.” If you are considering a purchase or refinancing, the next few months could provide the best results. Your lender will be able to provide you with a loan estimate to help you gauge whether or not a loan scenario makes sense for you.
Why Refinance? When refinancing a home, you’re replacing your current mortgage with a new mortgage with better terms. While every homeowner’s situation differs, there may be more benefits than you think. • Lower interest rates • Reduce your monthly payment • Receive cash for your home’s equity • Switch from adjustable rate to a fixed rate
“Rates are still near historic lows, so now is the time to consider refinancing to a lower rate or shorter term to build equity,” says Henricks. “Home values are appreciating, so it’s also a good time to pull some equity out to consolidate bills or start on those home improvement projects you’ve been wanting to do.” For many homeowners, low rates often make refinancing a smart money move. Compare your potential savings with any additional fees or costs outlined in the estimate — the lowest rate may not always be the cheapest in the long run depending on fees. Hendricks adds that, “An eighth of a percent or so has a very minimal impact on payment; it has become more of a badge of honor than a material impact on what the overall payment will be on any given transaction.” Masonic Outreach
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IN THE NEWS
Is It Time For a Retirement Check-Up? Five tips to keep in mind to help you become retirement-ready. By Tiffany Schmidt
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ven in ideal economic environments, saving for retirement can be challenging. Pandemic aside, there are a number of issues that can arise and potentially derail your financial plan. Loss of job, medical emergencies, and other unexpected expenses can become setbacks that push your retirement further from your goal. According to the retirement planner Fidelity Investments, between March 2020 and January 2021, around 1.6 million Americans took out savings from their retirement plans. In November 2020, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine and Personal Capital, an Empower Company, conducted a survey that noted the amounts borrowed were significant — 58% of respondents who took loans from their accounts borrowed between $50,000 and $100,000. The survey also found that 35% of respondents said they anticipate working longer than planned due to the financial setbacks that they experienced during the COVID-19 crisis. Prior to the pandemic, the National Bureau of Economic Research found that most 14
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retirement funds in the United States were already underfunded, a stressor that added to the financial impacts of early withdrawal. These challenges have placed a greater need for flexibility in financial planning. As the road to economic recovery begins, reevaluating retirement plans should be top of mind. Even if you haven’t faced hardships during the pandemic, reviewing your retirement plan can ensure that your funds will be sufficient in the future.
PAY OFF 401(K) OR IRA LOANS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
If you were faced with the difficult decision to borrow from your retirement fund, replace the funds as quickly as you can. While withdrawals were penaltyfree under the CARES Act, every withdrawal is a loss of future funds. Your borrowed cash can no longer grow as an investment, so paying off the loan is the first step to getting back on track.
SET UP AUTOMATIC CONTRIBUTIONS.
You may be in the comfortable routine of paying your bills and then adding some leftovers into
your retirement fund. Hold yourself accountable by setting up automatic contributions of a certain percentage from each paycheck. Contributions will be deposited directly into your 401(k) before you even see the funds in your bank account, making the transaction painless.
LEVERAGE EMPLOYERMATCHING CONTRIBUTIONS.
Many companies offer matching contributions, so taking advantage of this benefit will pad your retirement fund with extra savings. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the average employer match is 3.5% of an employee’s salary, so depending on what your contributions currently are, consider increasing them. Financial advisors suggest basing your contribution
IN THE NEWS
percentage on two factors: age and income. A general consensus is that 10% to 15% of your gross income is acceptable through your 20s and 30s, increasing to anywhere between 15 to 25% as the path to retirement narrows.
REVISIT YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY STRATEGY.
For those born between 1943 and 1954, the full retirement age is 66. There is a slight monthly increase for those born between 1955 and 1960, with the full retirement age settling at 67 for those born in 1960 and after. Reevaluate your timeline for cashing in your social security. Starting at age 62, Americans can begin collecting their social security checks. In most cases, the longer you wait to apply, the more you will earn. When receiving benefits early, a small percent will be removed for
each month before your full retirement age.
CONSIDER CONVERTING.
If you currently have a traditional IRA it could make sense for you to convert it into a Roth IRA or Roth 401(k) to decrease your future tax bill. A traditional IRA taxes any withdrawals as ordinary income, since you don’t pay taxes on the money that you deposit. With a Roth account, the money you are depositing is taxed income, meaning that when it’s withdrawn, you won’t need to pay taxes on it. By converting your savings, you are setting up a tax-free source of income in retirement. Of course, when converting you must have the ability to pay taxes on everything you move. Paying lower tax rates now can help you avoid higher taxes in retirement when you take distributions.
Minimize Taxes On Your Withdrawals • Begin withdrawals before you have to. • Make a charitable donation with your IRA distribution. • Don’t withhold taxes when rolling over your 401(k). • Be aware of required minimum distributions, and avoid taking more than once a year. Masonic Outreach
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PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT
Short-Term Financial Assistance Program By Barbara Ramsey
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hen the Outreach Program began in 1991, the Masonic Home was moving away from owning and operating facilities to providing assistance directly to Masons and Order of the Eastern Star members in their homes and communities. At that time, the Masonic Home had only been providing assistance to the elderly, as the orphanage had closed more than a decade before. Over the years, the Outreach Program began to grow as more masons and Order of the Eastern Star members learned about the program. As new requests for assistance came before the Board of Directors, the Outreach Program began to evolve. The first significant evolution was the recognition that the Masonic Home could once again help children. This was an important step toward the Masonic Home reclaiming its original mission of helping orphans and widows. This also sparked a recognition that the original mission was to help those in need. In 1886, there were no social programs such as Medicare or Medicaid. There was
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a need to have a physical location to place widows and orphans who needed care. When the Masonic Home’s doors opened in 1889, the first resident, a little 12-year-old girl, needed a safe place to live. In the early years of the Home, the need for housing was for both children and the elderly. Over time, there was a shift. The Masonic Home housed fewer and fewer children, and the need for higher levels of care for the elderly accelerated. The original mission of the Home was never to get into the long-term care industry. A hundred years later, that is where the Home found itself. The closing of the Delmar facility was extremely difficult, but the Board of Directors took that opportunity to start Outreach and refocus back on the original mission — helping those destitute widows, children, and members.
The closing of the Masonic Home facility in Kansas City provided another opportunity to evaluate and refocus. When the Masonic Home had only facilities, the only people that could get assistance were those elderly residents willing to move there. The Outreach Program was getting requests from younger members. The Board of Directors struggled with how those requests fit with the requests of an elderly member. It is a very different thing to start providing monthly assistance to a 90-year-old Mason than it is a 45-year-old Mason. In addition, the requests often showed that financial assistance was not always enough. There was a need for financial education as well. It could be argued that ShortTerm Assistance was a new program that was started along with Financial Education. However, the Masonic Home
PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT
had helped younger members prior to the formal establishment of Short-Term Assistance, but it lacked the clarity that is now part of the program. The term “Outreach Program” changed from a single assistance program to the umbrella name used to describe the multiple programs the Masonic Home offers. Long-Term Assistance was defined as a program for those eligible, older members that have outlived their resources. ShortTerm Assistance was defined to be for younger members that are eligible who are experiencing an unexpected and temporary period of financial hardship. The Short-Term Financial Assistance program is provided with the anticipation that there is a plan for financial independence, and the assistance needed will be a period of one to six months. The Financial Education program was
started at the same time to help with counseling to reach financial independence. The program requirements are the same for both Long-Term Financial Assistance and ShortTerm Financial Assistance. The applicant must be a Missouri Master Mason, his wife or widow, or a female member of the Order of the Eastern Star in good standing. The Masonic Home will ask those interested in seeking financial assistance to complete the Initial Application. This is used to verify Masonic information. The Initial Application can be obtained from the Masonic Home’s website at www.mohome.org or by calling (800) 434-9804. There are Age and Length of Membership requirements. Those requirements are determined by the age you were raised a Missouri Master Mason or initiated as an Order of the Eastern Star member. The requirement also takes into consideration continuous years in good standing prior to application. It is extremely important to remember that suspension can have a devastating impact on a member’s ability to receive assistance, and the same goes for his widow. It is very difficult when staff has to explain to a widow or her family members that she does not qualify for assistance because her husband was suspended prior to his passing. Imagine telling a widow whose husband was a member for 45 years that, due to a suspension at the end of his life, she is now ineligible for help. Sadly, the suspension is often caused by an illness that went unreported to the lodge.
The widow or the children did not understand the importance of paying the dues or keeping the lodge updated. Once Masonic membership is verified, the Masonic Home staff takes a financial application with the client. The financial application is used to determine financial need. The Masonic Home’s charitable assistance is for those demonstrating a financial need. Clients that have resources available will be asked to use them prior to the Masonic Home being able to provide assistance. The Financial Education program is sometimes used in conjunction with the ShortTerm Financial Assistance program. The two programs work together to provide financial assistance and help those in need with educational tools like budgeting and adjusting income or expenses to become selfsufficient long term. One way to look at Short-Term Assistance is that it is a “bridge” during a financial hardship. The Masonic Home is not the long-term financial plan. Rather, we are filling a gap during an unexpected crisis while working with the client to find their plan for the future. It was once said in a Board of Directors meeting while discussing a case: “When you help a younger member, you never know how he or she will pay it forward.” The Short-Term Financial Assistance Program provides an opportunity to help a young member through a difficult time. While the assistance itself may be for a short period of time, the positive impact, we hope, is for life. Masonic Outreach
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MUSEUM MOMENT
Leadership that Transformed an idea into a reality. The Temple of Fraternity at the 1904 World's Fair.
By Barbara Ramsey Photos by Sadie Thibodeaux, Keith Borgmeyer, and Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis Noah Givan, President of the Masonic Home of Missouri Board of Directors, 1887: The undertaking in which we have engaged is not a small one. It involves not the work of a day, or year, or a generation even, but the united efforts of every Mason in the State for all time to come. It
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involves labor, sacrifice, anxiety, devotion, liberality, confidence, faith, hope, and charity. Personal gain, selfishness, ill-will or jealousy should find no place in this work. Every Mason in Missouri should feel that he has a personal interest in the Home. He should esteem it a privilege rather than a duty to give to its aid, not only now but every year that God may spare his life. If every one of the thirty thousand Masons in Missouri will voluntarily make small annual offerings to the Home, it will become an incalculable blessing to our Order and to all its members. “The Lord loveth a cheerful giver,” and our Home should be the free-will
offering of our Brethren. Such a Home will become the pride of the Order and receive the blessings of Almighty God. MWB Givan was the Masonic Home’s first Board President, serving consecutively from 1886 until his passing in 1907. His passionate support, extraordinary leadership, vision, dedication, and belief in purpose transformed an idea to create a Masonic Home into a reality that would continue to serve the membership for more than a century. On December 1, 1840, in Hogan, Indiana, George Givan received a 24th birthday present — the birth of his son, Noah Monroe Givan. George Givan was a native
MUSEUM MOMENT
Original Masonic Home Delmar Property documents Masonic Outreach
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MUSEUM MOMENT of Maryland, born in Worchester County on December 1, 1816. Noah was the fourth generation of American heritage in both his paternal and maternal branches. His lineage traced back to early settlements in Maryland and farther back into Irish ancestry. Noah’s mother was Sabrina J. Hall, a native of Indiana whose family lineage also traced back to Ireland. Noah’s father was a farmer, but Noah’s passion was education. He received his early education in local schools and attended Franklin College. Throughout his pursuit of education, he supported himself by teaching. He opened his first school on December 1, 1856, when he turned 16 years old. In 1859, at the age of 19, he was principal of Manchester Academy, in Manchester, Indiana. Noah attended Franklin College until his senior year, when he transferred to the University of Indiana, where he graduated on July 3, 1862. On April 12, 1862, not long before graduating, Noah Givan became a Mason in Burns Lodge No. 55 in Manchester, Indiana. Upon graduation from the University of Indiana, he accepted the position of principal of the Lawrenceburg grade schools in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. He demitted from Burns Lodge to affiliate with Lawrenceburg Lodge No. 5. On August 7, 1862, shortly after graduation, Noah married Elizabeth “Lizzie” Chloe Jackson. Lizzie was born January 15, 1840, in Dearborn, Indiana. The next several years saw a busy pace of accomplishments and work activity. In addition to being principal, Noah studied in the law 20
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office of James T. Brown, passing his examination to practice law on May 19, 1863. On August 9, 1864, Noah and Lizzie welcomed their first child, a daughter named Mabel G. Givan. That same year, Noah started a two-year term as deputy treasurer of Dearborn County. He was also county school examiner of Dearborn County, serving from 1864 to 1866, and was editor of the Lawrenceburg Register from 1864 to 1865, covering the fiercely contested 1864 presidential campaign amid the Civil War. After the Civil War ended, Noah and Lizzy moved to Harrisonville, Missouri. They arrived to their new hometown in May of 1866. In the fall, they welcomed the birth of their second daughter, Cora Sabrina, on October 17. The following year, on October 19, 1867, Cass Lodge No. 147 at Harrisonville, Missouri, was organized under Charter. Brother Noah Givan was elected Worshipful Master. In addition to practicing law, he established and became editor of the newspaper publication the Cass County Herald. Brother Givan attended two noteworthy events in 1868. First, he attended the National Democratic Convention as a delegate. The second undoubtedly altered the course of his life – he attended his first Grand Lodge Annual Communication on October 12, 1868 as Master of Cass Lodge No. 147. Most Worshipful Brother Vincil, as Grand Master, appointed Givan Deputy for the Thirty-Sixth District. This begins a long history of MWB Vincil and MWB Givan working together both inside and
outside of the fraternity. Prior to the Civil War, the boom of railroad building had started. As it did with so many things, the war disrupted this expansion. However, it would resume in earnest following the war. Many towns were well aware of the benefits of having railroad access through or near them. Harrisonville was no different. Noah Givan served as a director and was listed as president on the charter of the St. Louis and Santa Fe Railroad Company, Missouri Division, with articles of association filed in 1869. The railroad was to run from Holden, Missouri, to Paola, Kansas, and go right through Harrisonville. In June of that year, Brother Givan’s son, Emmett J. Givan, was born. Sadly, the family only had Emmett with them for three short years. He passed away on December 26, 1872. Throughout his busy business and family life, Brother Givan remained active in Masonry. In 1874, he was appointed Senior Grand Deacon, followed by Junior Grand Warden, then Senior Grand Warden. With Lizzie pregnant in March 1877, tragedy struck, and Noah and Lizzie lost their 10-yearold daughter, Cora. A short two months later, Lizzie gave birth to their fourth child, a girl they also named Lizzie. In the fall, RWB Givan was elected Deputy Grand Master. Professionally, RWB Givan was elected judge of the Seventh Judicial District to fill an unexpired term. He would serve in this position for the next nine years. Becoming Judge Givan ended his legal practice in Harrisonville. When he first came to town, he
MUSEUM MOMENT
Original Masonic Home Delmar Property documents started with E.P. West under the firm name West and Givan. Later, Captain D. K. Hall entered the practice with it renamed West, Hall and Givan. West would go on to retire, leaving the firm named Hall and Givan. In October 1878, Noah M. Givan became Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, A.F. and A.M., although he was absent from the installation of officers. A week following the session, MWB Givan lost his 1-year-old daughter, Lizzie. The Givans were blessed with four children, but only their firstborn would
outlive her parents. The year 1886 marked another important year for MWB Givan professionally and in Missouri Masonry. MWB Givan moved to St. Louis and formed a partnership with prominent St. Louis lawyer Colonel Jay L. Torrey, forming Torrey and Givan. This same year, the Masonic Home of Missouri is incorporated under Missouri Law, with Noah M. Givan elected as the organization’s first president. MWB Givan’s leadership continued in 1889 with the Home’s opening and his work with the Order of the Eastern
Star. He helped start Bayard Chapter No. 179 at Harrisonville, becoming its Worthy Patron. In August 1889, Givan served as Associate Grand Patron pro tem at Grand Chapter and serves on the Ways and Means Committee. By 1890, Brother Givan was living full-time once again in Harrisonville going into law practice with Judge Allen Glenn, creating Givan and Glenn. In addition to his activities in the local Order of the Eastern Star Chapter, Givan served as Worthy Grand Patron for the Missouri Order of the Eastern Star in 1890 Masonic Outreach
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MUSEUM MOMENT to 1891. The following year, Lizzie holds the office of Grand Electa. Despite Brother Givan’s full and busy life, he found time to devote to his religious life. He was very active in his local church, but also served from 1892 to his passing in 1907 as moderator of Blue River Baptist Association. He served as president of the Blue River Missouri Board, a member of the State Missouri Board and vice president of the Central Baptist Publishing Company. For 30 years, he was superintendent of his local Baptist Sunday School. MWB Givan served, as did MWB Vincil, on the board of curators of the state university. He was selected for a six-year term, and served as chairman of the executive board. After roughly five years, he resigned and was selected by the board as the attorney to look after the collections of collateral inheritance tax. Shortly after the partnership with Judge Allen Glenn began, MWB Givan was elected Supreme Reporter of the Knights of Honor, serving in this capacity until his death. He was responsible for oversight of the legal business of that order in the United States and Canada. Due to the demands of the position, he once again returned to St. Louis to live but maintained his legal residence in Harrisonville. Despite this new venture, MWB Givan was still playing an important role in leadership for Harrisonville. On July 21, 1902, the Citizens National Bank of Harrisonville was organized by Noah Givan, D.K. Hall, Allen Glenn, Downing Miller, Charles E. 22
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Allen, and others. Judge Givan was president until his passing. Throughout this time, MWB Givan continued to provide leadership, love, devotion and support to the Masonic Home. He helped it survive the early years of uncertainty, making pleas to the membership for its support. He faithfully submitted his President’s reports to the Grand Lodge membership. The Masonic Home grew from that initial building to the expansion of quarters for men, women, and children, as well as a hospital and the first chapel. It seems that there could not possibly be more to be done
The goal was to unite the Masons, Odd Fellows, and all fraternal beneficiary societies, which combined had well over three million members, to support the building of a grand structure to promote fraternal organizations.
by one man. He contributed meaningfully to Harrisonville — through the legal profession, banking, railroads, and church, to name a few. He helped to establish and grow the Masonic Home. He contributed to the success of the first state university, which we now know as the University of Missouri. He served the Grand Lodge of Missouri and the Order of the Eastern Star at the local and state levels. In the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons, he served as Most Excellent Grand High Priest in 1878 and became Grand Treasurer in 1883. He was Most Illustrious Grand Master in 1875 and in 1883 was elected Grand Treasurer of the Council, unanimously being re-elected. In 1891, he was in the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Missouri. All of this, in addition to his work with the Knights of Honor, uniquely positioned him to lead one more endeavor . . . The Grand Lodge of Missouri shares the celebratory year 1821 with the State of Missouri for their founding. Both the state and the Grand Lodge can trace their origins to the Masons who came to this territory, going back to the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. As the state began to approach the centennial anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase, it was decided to try to bring the World’s Fair to the state. St. Louis kicked off a fundraising effort, which was approved by the Missouri state legislature in April 1899. Although planned for 1903, the World’s Fair would open April 30, 1904, running until December 1, 1904. The location was roughly 1,200 acres on the redesigned Forest
Souvenir Items from 1904 World’s Fair Masonic Outreach
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MUSEUM MOMENT Park. There were over 1,500 buildings connected by roughly 75 miles of roads and walkways. It was estimated that by the time the fair closed, over 20 million people had visited. One of those grand buildings was the Temple of Fraternity. The World’s Fair Fraternal Building Association was incorporated in 1900 under the Missouri Fraternal Congress, the body representing the various fraternal beneficiary societies doing business in Missouri. MWB Givan was president of the association. The goal was to unite the Masons, Odd Fellows, and all fraternal beneficiary societies, which combined had well over
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three million members, to support the building of a grand structure to promote fraternal organizations. It would also provide a special gathering place for those members. MWB Givan went to the 1902 Illinois Grand Lodge Annual Communication to promote the idea and ask for their financial support. In his words: The idea was to have a common place where every man who calls somebody else brother may meet his brother and have a place for them to meet and converse and fraternize, and where all the fraternal benefit societies, as well as the fraternal societies and fraternal orders, may meet and have a place not to sleep and eat,
but a rendezvous, or headquarters, and where they may have all the conveniences, except hotel accommodations. The Temple of Fraternity was not built to provide hotel accommodations, so the association planned for a hotel outside of the fair grounds. The Grand View Fraternal Hotel was built near the gateway to the World’s Fair Grounds in close proximity to the Temple of Fraternity. MWB Givan was President of the officers of the hotel company. It was a hotel with guest capacity of 5,000 designed especially to accommodate members of fraternal and fraternal beneficiary organizations.
MUSEUM MOMENT The Temple of Fraternity was designed by architect Thomas J. Prosser. It was 300 feet by 200 feet in size, and built to be an adaptation of the famous Parthenon of Athens. Doric columns surrounded the building on all sides, enclosing 16-feet verandas on both the ground and second floor. It was to be built with eight rooms, all of which were to have an abundance of light and air, all being outside rooms. The outside verandas opened to an interior court with fountains in the center. There were four entrances, one on each side of the building. The site included on-site medical staff; a branch post office; telephone service; check rooms; writing, reading, smoking, and lounging rooms; a ladies’ parlor; and all conveniences members of the fraternal societies could want or need. The Temple of Fraternity was estimated to cost $200,000. Once the fair opened, it was estimated the average daily attendance of members of the fraternal bodies was around 20,000. The total membership of the various organizations that contributed toward the building and maintenance of the Temple was over 8.13 million. There was a log-in book maintained in the Temple for visitors to sign. This book is on display in the Masonic Museum at the Masonic Complex in Columbia, Missouri. June 4, 1904, was the dedication of the Temple of Fraternity at the World’s Fair. MWB Givan delivered one of the principal addresses at the meeting of the Missouri Fraternal Congress and National Fraternal Congress held
The site included on-site medical staff; a branch post office; telephone service; check rooms; writing, reading, smoking, and lounging rooms; a ladies’ parlor; and all conveniences members of the fraternal societies could want or need. in the Temple during the fair. September 26, 1904, was Temple of Fraternity Day. At the end of the World’s Fair, many of the buildings built for the Fair were destroyed, including the Temple of Fraternity. Noah M. Givan remained active in his many endeavors after the close of the World’s Fair. The building of the fair did cause delays in supplies for other building in the St. Louis area. The Masonic Home suffered from this delay, as it was trying to build
a new “old folks” home. The building was eventually completed and opened on March 1, 1906. Masonic Home President Givan was ever mindful of the needs of the Home and continued to advocate on its behalf. On October 3, 1907, the Givan family, the State of Missouri, Harrisonville, and Missouri Masonry lost this visionary leader. He passed away in his home in St. Louis, but was taken back to Harrisonville for burial. Eight Past Grand Masters assisted Grand Master John T. Short. It appears that every organization he was associated with at that time memorialized him. The Missouri Bar Association said: As a citizen who stood for all that is best in society and the State, as an able lawyer and upright judge, as a philanthropist, as a Christian gentleman, as a model husband and father his was a well-rounded character — a well-rounded life. The History of Cass County Missouri, by Allen Glenn, characterized MWB Givan as follows: He was a man of large sympathies, easily touched by the misfortunes and sufferings of others. He could rejoice with those who were happy and weep with those who wept. His broad charity and friendship knew no creed nor party lines. His dominant trait of character was love — love for his family, for his church, and for his fellow man, and this dominant trait he manifested in no uncertain manner by the use he made of his time, talent, and purse. MWB Givan was survived by his wife, Lizzie. She would go on to see her 90th birthday, passing on August 30, 1930. Their daughter, Masonic Outreach
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MUSEUM MOMENT Mabel, had married Charles E. Allen on October 3, 1883. Mr. Allen helped organize the Citizens National Bank with Judge Givan. Mr. Allen was cashier with the bank, a position he held until January 1917, when he was elected president. Charles and Belle had one son, Charles Givan Allen. MWB Givan clearly left his mark upon so many organizations and their tributes were constant on what a kind and generous man he was. His writings on behalf of the Home show his heart, hope, and his remarkable way with words. The Masonic Home is a lasting tribute to the man he was and what he believed this charity could be. References: Allen Glenn, History of Cass County Missouri, Historical Publishing Company, Topeka, 1917. Proceedings of the Twenty-Sixth Annual Meeting of the Missouri Bar Association, September 11 and 12, 1908, E.W. Stephens Publishing Co., 1908. Proceedings of the Twenty-First Annual Meeting of the National Fraternal Congress, Held at the City of Buffalo, New York, August 21, 22, and 23, 1970, The Tribune Publishing Company, Meadville PA, 1907. The Bench and Bar of St. Louis, Kansas City, Jefferson City, and other Missouri Cities, American Biographical Publishing Company, H.C. Cooper Jr. & Co., Proprietors, 1884. Missouri Baptist Biography, A Series of Life-Sketches Indicating the Growth and Prosperity of the, J. C. Maple, A.M., D.D. and R. P. Rider, A.M., Baptist Churches as Represented in the Lives and Labors of Eminent Men and Women in Missouri, Schooley Stationery and Printing Co., Kansas City, Missouri. History of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, Universal Exposition Publishing Company, St. Louis, 1905. Grand Lodge of Illinois 1902 Proceedings Grand Lodge of Missouri 1887 Proceedings Charles M. Reeves, L.B., Secretary of the Committee on Legislation, Domestic Exploitation of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition World’s Fair St. Louis 1904, December 1903 James Hagerman, Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway System, Charters and Muniments of Title, New York, 1896. Biographies and Engravings of Grand Masters, Grand Treasures and Grand Secretaries of the Grand Lodge of Missouri From 1821 to 1900 inclusive, Grand Lodge of Missouri 1901. 26
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Visitor Log from the Temple of Fraternity Masonic Outreach
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AGENCY SPOTLIGHT
Heroes at Home Members of the National Guard fulfill service with purpose close to home. By Tiffany Schmidt
T
he past year’s tumultuous events serve as a reminder of the value the U.S. Army National Guard holds at home. Each state has its own National Guard, which its governor or the president can call to action at any time, and while the Guard most commonly responds to domestic emergencies, they are often called to overseas combat missions, counterdrug efforts, reconstruction missions, and more. Now, the Guard is responding to what they call “the backyard battle.” Soldiers are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, entrenched in the efforts of the vaccine rollout. Over the past year, the Missouri National Guard has been mobilized to assist in combating the virus. Since January, the Guard has been working in teams 28
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throughout the state to establish mass vaccination clinics as a part of the ShowMeVax immunization efforts. These clinics are able to hold three to five events a week, effectively distributing thousands of vaccines. The Guard provides critical support services to the providers administering the vaccinations. While some Guard personnel are medics who directly participate in vaccinations, many others provide registration services, such as data entry. The Guard also plays a heavy role in the logistics of these events. Venues must be transformed into clinics with public health top of mind. The Guard works to map and control movement throughout the clinics, ensuring social distancing measures are in place while
getting the public in and out as quickly and safely as possible. Targeted vaccination teams have also been created in St. Louis and Kansas City to help distribute vaccinations to vulnerable or underserved demographics and provide more support to areas with higher populations. As of April 3, 2021, state teams including the Missouri National Guard have vaccinated over 258,000 Missourians at these vaccination events. In St. Louis alone, the Guard is currently helping to administer 3,000 doses a day, seven days a week at the The Dome at America Center.
HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL GUARD
The National Guard dates back to 1636, originally founded as a citizen force dedicated to
AGENCY SPOTLIGHT protecting towns and their residents from hostile attacks. The idea of an organized citizen militia was brought over from England by the colonists. These militias were able to provide an efficient response when defending their communities. These early citizen forces, later named the National Guard in 1916, are the oldest units in the United States military. Today, the National Guard fulfills the same mission for our communities, states, and country. The Guard operates under the motto, “Always ready, always there.” In 1940, the Guard was mobilized in response to World War II, contributing 18 infantry divisions and doubling the size of the U.S Army. The Guard was again called overseas in 1950, with over 138,000 Guardsmen serving in the Korean War. Since then, the Guard’s mobilizations have become more essential than ever in major American conflicts including the Berlin Crisis, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. At home, the Guard’s role largely expanded after the attacks of September 11, 2001. Both state and federal governments called upon the National Guard to provide security at home and later overseas. The Guard’s accessibility as a trained and prepared unit proved to be an invaluable federal asset. In addition to conflict, the National Guard participates in peacekeeping missions across the globe. The Guard is also often deployed to different countries during instances of natural
As of April 3, 2021, state teams including the Missouri National Guard have vaccinated over 258,000 Missourians at vaccination events disaster. Stateside, too, the Guard is mobilized to assist with recovery efforts after disasters, like Hurricane Katrina. The Missouri National Guard played a key role in the recovery efforts after the 2011 Joplin tornado, as well as the severe flooding and tornados in Jefferson City in 2019.
SERVING AS A GUARDSMAN
According to the Missouri National Guard, “Both the Missouri Army and Air National Guard are currently exceeding their recruiting goals, with nearly 12,000 Guardsmen serving from all 114 Missouri counties.” Guard Soldiers primarily operate out of the state in which they reside. There are a number of career options available to those interested in enlisting, including ground forces, engineering, aviation, medical, intelligence,
police and protection, STEM careers, and more. According to the Army National Guard, to join candidates must meet the following requirements if they have had no service prior to enlisting: • Be between the ages of 17 and 35 • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident • Be at least a junior in high school, or have a high school diploma or a GED certificate • Achieve a minimum score on the ASVAB test • Meet medical, physical, and moral requirements Once a candidate passes the ASVAB eligibility test, they will be asked to enlist. Prior to shipping out for basic training, recruits participate in a five-phase program, the Recruit Sustainment Program, to prepare for a career in the Guard. Basic Combat Training, or BCT, is the final stepping stone in the journey from recruit to soldier. In 10 weeks, recruits are taught the skills they will need to serve as a Guardsman upon graduating. The Army National Guard provides Soldiers more than just pride in their service to their country. Aside from pay, there are a number of benefits available to help soldiers succeed in all avenues of life, from VA home loans to retirement benefits. Students are able to earn benefits to help fund their education and expenses, and are able to complete their education while serving. If you are interested in joining the Army National Guard, visit nationalguard.com or call 1-800-GO-GUARD. Masonic Outreach
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Vaccine Planning Your COVID-19 vaccine 101. By Tiffany Schmidt
R
eady for your vaccine? You may still have many questions surrounding the rollout of the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccines. For centuries, vaccines have been effective tools in preventing or stopping the spread of diseases. The COVID-19 vaccines are authorized as safe and effective by leading health organizations, but it’s important to be informed on the available vaccines and what they entail.
IS IT SAFE FOR ME TO GET THE COVID-19 VACCINE? The COVID-19 vaccinations are safe and effective against the 30
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COVID-19 virus. According to the CDC, between December 14, 2020, and March 29, 2021, over 145 million doses of the vaccines were administered throughout the United States. Clinical trials were made up of tens of thousands of participants of diverse demographics. All three vaccines completed Phase 3 of clinical testing and are approved and recommended by the FDA and the CDC. Although COVID-19 is a new virus, it belongs to the coronavirus family. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases notes that there are hundreds of
coronaviruses, most of which circulate among animals. In 2002, the SARS (SARS-CoV) coronavirus emerged, and in 2012 another coronavirus, MERS (MERS-CoV), caused outbreaks in the middle east. For years, medical and research professionals have been developing vaccines to work against both the SARS and MERS coronaviruses. This research and experience helped to accelerate the timeline for the COVID-19 vaccine. Those who have been administered a vaccine have reported mild side effects including soreness or swelling of the arm, headache, muscle pain, nausea, chills, fever, and tiredness. A small number of people have experienced allergic reactions to the vaccine. After receiving the vaccine, you will be asked to stay for observation for 15-30 minutes to monitor for this type of reaction.
HOW DOES THE VACCINE WORK? Like any vaccination, the COVID-19 vaccine works by stimulating the body’s immune system into creating proteins, or antibodies, to fight disease. When you receive the vaccine, your cells begin to initiate an immune response to the COVID-19 virus, SARS-CoV-2. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are mRNA vaccines, which mean that they contain messenger RNA, whereas Johnson & Johnson’s is a vector vaccine, meaning it provides your cells with DNA instructions to trigger an immune response by creating COVID-19 spike proteins.
HEALTH None of the vaccines contain the COVID-19 virus. The vaccines use the mRNA or DNA to encourage your cells to begin making the proteins that act as antibodies against the virus.
WHAT DOES THE COST LOOK LIKE AND HOW WILL I NAVIGATE INSURANCE? The vaccine is free to all Missouri residents, regardless of their current health insurance status. Life insurance will not be affected when recieving a vaccine, as the vaccines are authorized by the FDA for emergency use. HOW DO I GET VACCINATED? As of April 9, 2021, all Missouri residents are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. When signing up to receive a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, you will need to have availability 21 to 28 days out from your initial dose. Use the below resources to schedule your vaccination appointment. Missouri: Visit covidvaccine. mo.gov or call the COVID-19 Hotline: 877-435-8411 Nationally: Visit cdc.gov Vaccines are most effective two weeks after the final dose. Even after vaccination, the CDC recommends continued safety precautions such as wearing masks, hand washing, and social distancing measures.
Breaking Down the Vaccines While the three vaccines currently approved by the CDC all work for the same goal, there are a few key differences between the vaccines that are important to understand when deciding which option is best for you. Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine • Produced by Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech • mRNA vaccine • Two shots administered 21 days apart • Approved for those 16 years and older • In clinical trials, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was 95% effective at preventing laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 illness in people with no evidence of prior infection Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine • Produced by ModernaTX, Inc • mRNA vaccine • Two shots, administered one month (28 days) apart • Approved for those 18 years and older • In clinical trials, the Moderna vaccine was 94.1% effective at preventing laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 illness in people who received the two doses and with no evidence of prior infection. Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine • Produced by Janssen Pharmaceuticals Companies of Johnson & Johnson. • Viral vector vaccine. • Administered in one shot. • Approved for those 18 years and older. • In clinical trials, Janssen was 66.3% effective at preventing laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 illness in people with no evidence of prior infection. Potential side effects for all three vaccines are similar and include soreness or swelling of the arm, headache, muscle pain, nausea, chills, fever, and tiredness. For more information on the COVID-19 vaccines, visit cdc.gov. Masonic Outreach
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SavEe TH Date! A
DAY, MON 02 1 T 9, 2 S U G U
Masonic Home of Missouri ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT
Monday, August 9, 2021 COLUMBIA COUNTRY CLUB, COLUMBIA, MO
PLAY. VOLUNTEER. DONATE. All proceeds benefit the Masonic Home of Missouri Partnership Programs
15,000
NEARLY CHILDREN AND VETERANS WERE IMPACTED DURING FISCAL YEAR 2020 THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS. Special sponsorship opportunities available for lodges and chapters. Contact Julie Kirchhoff at 800-434-9804 or jkirchhoff@mohome.org
REGISTER EARLY!