Report of the MESH Board

Aduty of the Immediate Past Grand Master is to chair the Masonic & Eastern Star Home (MESH) Board, and it has been a pleasure and an honor to serve as chairman of the Board for this Masonic Grand Lodge year. I now submit this abbreviated report on the Home:

The management of the Home, Jennings McCall Center (JMC), is managed by Aidan Health Services under the supervision of Mark Remley and the direction of the MESH Board. For most of this year, we were limited on any physical improvements to the building due to the continued operating restrictions caused by testing for COVID-19 and pandemic restrictions already in place. We were able to finish the remodel of the clinic, enabling better use of the area and adding much-needed space. This has helped lower medical costs as many services are now provided in-house.

JMC has been fortunate to have Aidan Health Services managing the Home and Crystale Harding as its administrator; they have shown superior leadership during these trying times. They have maintained the quality and appearance of our facility while working within the rules and guidelines of both state and federal laws. The JMC staff have again shown their dedication to our residents during these difficult times. The high quality of care our residents have come to expect has continued throughout the many restrictions our staff have been required to follow. At the writing of this report, staffing levels are improving. The use of agency employees will not be needed as we continue to hire our own staff, allowing us to reduce the dependence on outside labor services and the increased cost associated with their use.

We currently have two Life Care members and 12 MasonicAid Subsidy Program members, with eight residing in JMC and the other four residing in independent or assisted living facilities in their communities. Thanks to Ms. Tammy Vanderzanden for her leadership in our MESHCare/MasonicAid Subsidy Program, working with current members and new applicants. Thanks to Ms. Danielle Christopherson, MasonicAid Director, who is currently assisting over 60 Masonic and Eastern Star members. During the 2022–2023 Grand Lodge year, approximately $200,000 was allocated to help our members remain safely at home or get necessary care within a retirement community.

My recommendation to the Board is that they continue to provide and grow the outreach programs and work on getting the word out to our Masonic and Eastern Star members because it is one of our best-kept secrets.

My thanks to the Grand Lodge office staff for all the help and support they have given the Board and me these past six years. Without your skills, talents, and devotion to your duties, the MESH Board and Grand Lodge would not operate as efficiently as it does. There is no way I would have made it, especially since my keyboard skills are so limited.

Thanks to M.W.B. James L. Morgan, P.G.M., Grand Secretary, for his support and guidance this year. Thanks to the members of the MESH Board; it has been a great opportunity and honor to serve with you. M.W.B. W. Myles McMillan, P.G.M., thank you for the opportunity to be Grand Master and serve the Craft for the last six years. They have been some of the best years I have had in Masonry. Finally, to the members of the Grand Lodge of Oregon, thank you for having faith in me and allowing me to serve as your Grand Master for the 2021-2022 Masonic year.

Fraternally, M.W.B. Gregory A. Jenkins, Immediate Past Grand Master, Masonic and Eastern Star Home Board Chairman