5 minute read
From a Dusty Mason into an Active Member
The Power of a Simple Invitation
I was talking to Myron Miles at Grand Chapter when he mentioned his nephew worked in the highway department in the same building where I worked. I found out where Craig was, invited him back to Lodge, and the rest is history.
- W.B. Douglas A. Nielsen
I always look forward to visiting Lodges and enjoying the wonderful fellowship of meeting Brothers. It is a pleasure to see my lapel pin displayed on our suits. The Square and Compass inside the outline of Oregon on top of a survey marker is a reminder that we need to stay focused and on target if we are to accomplish our goals.
We will continue to focus on a couple of key strategies that will keep our Lodges going strong. To ensure we are bringing in the right men I encourage you to use the West Gate information. Along with this we need to make a concerted effort to bring our Brothers back into the Lodge who have not been attending. A good way to accomplish this is to invite those Brothers to Lodge and host a Dusty Mason Program.
I was a dusty Mason. After being raised a Master Mason, I finished college, got married, started a career, and family. Masonry was not part of the equation at that time.
I was working for ODOT in The Dalles when an OSP Trooper came into the office asking for a Mr. Sipp. I approached thinking ‘What have I done?’ It took a few minutes for me to realize that he was asking if I was a Mason. He then warmly informed me that he was taking me to Lodge that night! I vaguely remembered my Degrees and let him know that I didn’t remember the signs and passes. He assured me that he would instruct me before the meeting. I was still somewhat uneasy about attending, but with this Brother’s encouragement and friendly contact with me, I went.
That is all it took – a personal invitation – for me to become active in Masonry again. I enjoyed the fellowship and the Masonic growth. A few years later I was Worshipful Master of Wasco Lodge No. 15.
That OSP Trooper, now retired, is W.B. Doug Nielsen. Doug is currently the Grand Royal Patron of Amaranth. I owe him a debt of gratitude for taking the initiative and reaching out to me. He is a good friend and Brother Mason. We both continue to be very active in Masonry and enjoy catching up anytime we can.
The Dusty Mason Program can be found in Grand View and I hope your Lodge will host a Dusty Mason night. I am certain that there are Brothers out there that are missing the fellowship and will be excited to get back on the Masonic trail.
Fraternally,
M.W.B. Craig A. Sipp Grand Master, A.F. & A.M of Oregon
Imagine how a personal invitation might impact a Brother who doesn’t feel like anyone noticed he hasn’t been at Lodge. How much that would mean to him. Without Doug’s invitation back to the Lodge, I wouldn’t be Grand Master today.
- M.W.B. Craig A. Sipp
DUSTY MASON PROGRAM
PURPOSE:
To reacquaint a Brother Mason with the basic requirements of gaining admittance into a tyled Lodge of Master Masons who for whatever reason, has been away from Masonry for such a length of time that he has forgotten these basics. The basics shall be, but are not limited to signs, words, grips, steps, and due guards of all three Degrees and the grand hailing or Master Mason’s sign of distress and the substitute word.
To promote Masonic fellowship by affording these basics, to a Brother, in a relaxed, amiable setting without subjecting him to a time of stress, as may come to pass, during a rigorous inquisition.
SCOPE:
1. To present the required material in one evening or occasion. The benefit of this approach would be to impact minimally on the “Dusty Brothers” time and make the task less of a burden on the members involved in the presentation of the Degree.
2. To present the work over a period of several meetings or occasions. The benefit of this “continuing revelation” approach would be:
a. Keeping the involvement time down to a minimum during a meeting.
b. The “Dusty Brother” may be enticed to return meeting after meeting to get the next installment.
c. It may prove easier to handle for the Lodge in question (as to logistics and personnel).
d. The “Dusty Brother” would be exposed to the camaraderie of his Lodge Brethren more often.
e. The “Dusty Brother” would be involved, but the work would not tax his attention span.
Each “Dusty Brother” should be paired with a knowledgeable “Brother of the Evening” to assist them.
Call members you haven’t seen in a while. Extend a personal invitation to rejoin as an active member.
Found in Grand View under Master Mason Resources
