PROCEEDINGS GRAND LODGE - Freemasons of Wisconsin

COMPUTER USAGE COMMITTEE REPORTTo the Grand Lodge free and Accepted Masons of Wisconsin;Due to extenuating circumstances the Computer Usage Committee got off to aslower than expected start. We are, however, picking up steam. We believe that itis important that the individual Lodge secretaries have the ability to exchangemember information from the membership database via the Grand Lodge web sitefunctioning as an “Extranet.” We have decided that the best course of action for thecommittee at this time is to start putting together a project plan to coordinate thateffort. Pat Beetcher has stepped up to manage that process. Her background andskills makes her the perfect member of the committee to put this together.With the assistance of the rest of the committee, she will be putting together asurvey to be sent out to the current users of the BLIS, primarily the Lodgesecretaries. It is important to understand the strengths and weaknesses of thecurrent system as well as understand the skill levels and equipment resources of theusers of the system. The members of the committee will be getting back to Pat withquestions for the survey. She will compile the questions and have a draft of thesurvey to the committee by Mid-April.It is obvious that this committee will not be able to complete its mission by theGrand Lodge Annual Communication in June. We would like to encourage nextyear’s Grand Master to continue this committee’s work to completion.EDUCATION COMMITTEE REPORTTo the Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons of Wisconsin:Fraternally submitted,Kurt Magoon, ChairmanYour Masonic Education Committee had a varied agenda before it during the pasttwelve months, beginning with a continuation of the Blue Lodge Public AwarenessProgram begun in 2K4-2K5 and culminating with the Midwest Conference onMasonic Education held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin March 31st through April 2nd.Various items were taken up in a continuing effort to enlighten and educate thecraft as well as making Freemasonry more visible within the individual community.Much credit goes to Br. John W. Wilke, JGW for his efforts on behalf of that goal.Many of Freemasonry’s “movers and shakers” attended the Midwest Conferencein Milwaukee with a plethora of ideas as well as outlines for educational programscurrently in use by individual jurisdictions being presented. Nearly every jurisdictionin the conference was represented. It is important to note that the MidwestConference is the only body if its type currently functioning, bearing testimony tothe dedication of its members.With the unique possibility of increasing interest being paid to our fraternitythrough the news media, television and movies, there is an ever-increasing need forongoing education in both member and non-member arenas. Your Masonic EducationCommittee will continue to focus its efforts in those areas with the goal of apositive outcome for our gentle craft.118