2016
GRAND LODGE OF MISSOURI
243
was walking the halls looking for the dental clinic and she popped her head in this office to ask for directions and she saw this dog and asked if she could pet the dog. The Lieutenant said not a problem, that’s what he’s here for. She started petting Joe, she was on her knees rubbing Joe up and she started to cry. The Lieutenant asked her what was wrong and she reached in to her purse and retrieved a note she had written that morning and she handed it to the Lieutenant and said “I wrote this -- this morning and I don’t know who to show it to, I don’t know what to do with this.” It was a suicide note. That young lady didn’t go to dental that day, she stayed in the mental health clinic and she got help. And she is still with us today.” GL Florida gave a sizeable donation to that charitable endeavor. See https://www. guidedogs.org/about/our-programs/paws-for-patriots The GM granted several dispensations for “Outdoor Degrees” conferred in February. The GM also ordered all lodges to comply with Florida property tax laws and tax exemption requirements as well compliance with IRS rules on Form 990 returns (which, of course, incorrectly states that the GL wants proof of “filing” of such 990 returns by local lodges, not proof of “acceptance”). Florida also uses a nomination system requiring filing of candidacies for advancement or for election in advance of the Grand session, along with Masonic biographies of the candidates. “In the election of Officers -- nominations shall be made in writing to the Lodge Secretary prior to the opening of the first Stated Communication in December. The written nomination shall also include a statement from the Brother making the nomination that the nominee has agreed to accept the position if elected. Discussions regarding nominees for office may take place among Brethren, but not in open Lodge.” In its Installation, each officer installed among the top 4 positions could select a PGM of their choice for the administration of the oath of office, presumably the PGM that had first appointed the elect to GL office. In remarks by its Grand Orator, the concept of “Practical Tolerance” and it being the basis of Ritual changes made by Masons in the 1700’s to that end was presented. “This opened the Freemason’s Lodge to anyone who believed in God,” or the ‘Great Architect of the Universe’ [See Anderson’s Constitution]”. The GL approved incorporation of floorwork instructions into the “First Letter Cipher” Ritual for instruction purposes. The incoming GM’s theme: “Remembering the Past – Embracing the Future.” 2015 Grand Lodge of Nevada F&AM 16 GLs were represented plus Switzerland. The GL joined in a tribute to the flags of the United States, Canada, and the State of Nevada. Highlight of the GM Address: “My Brothers, we must continue to work together to improve our Lodge events, meetings, ritual and floor work and the overall experience of our members by example, education and positive discussions. We also need to identify and accommodate the needs and expectations of those who choose to become members of our Lodges. We are dealing with several generations within our membership and we must continue to provide our documentation, education programs and information as we currently are to our older members, but we also must provide our newer and younger members with the same information by implementing today’s and tomorrow’s technologies. We need to listen to all of our members and provide the tools needed to create the best Masonic experience that Grand Lodge and our Constituent Lodges [can