PROCEEDINGS GRAND LODGE - Freemasons of Wisconsin

Lodge #349. What can I say-you are the best! For the great job you did on the openingof the lodge for my installation, to the Testimonial/Table lodge, and to the openingof our Grand Lodge secession. I hope I have brought honor to you by serving in thecapacity of this high office.Grand Master’s Edict:There was one Edict this year, to Constituent Lodges on February 15, 2006,pertaining specifically to the Man to Mason to Shrine event held March 25th inMadison, and April29, 2006 in Green Bay and Milwaukee.Dispensations:During my term of office I issued 114 dispensations, which will be mentioned inthe report from the Jurisprudence Committee later.District Restructuring and Schools of Instruction:12 Districts were created this year from last years 10 Districts. This was done sothe District Deputies could be of better service to the craft. In the past, some of theDistrict Deputies had 30+ Lodges and it was felt that they could not adequatelyserve all of their lodges.The District Lecturers were given the latitude to regulate how and where theywould hold their Schools of Instruction. Most of the Lecturers held their schools thetraditional way, but some took their schools directly to the Lodges. The reports fromthe Lecturers who conducted their schools in this manner, felt this was a good wayto get the young officers more involved.District Chaplains:The District Chaplains, with the assistance of the lodge Chaplains, were chargedwith setting up Clergy nights in their Districts. The main purpose of this was toinform the Clergy of what this great Fraternity is all about, and to erase all of thenegative information seen on the Internet and other sources. This way, if someonefrom their parish, synagogue, congregation, or any other religious group askedabout Freemasonry, they would be able to answer with the proper information. Iattended two separate meeting where the members of the Clergy were involved andboth of them seemed to be well received and very educational. This program will takesome time to get going and be accepted, but the results I am sure will be rewardingto the Lodges.Development Office:To Erica Miller who was taking care of our Development office for the WisconsinMasonic Charities, “Thank You”. She also set up the Grand Masters’ Florida andArizona Tour, and prepared all of the information to be handed out to our snowbirds,including a terrific PowerPoint presentation about all our charities. She preparedeverything for the Grand Masters’ Appeal, which was very successful. The proceedsfrom the appeal are designated for our Board of Service and Assistance. She also puttogether my wife’s appeal, which was for the new aviary in our new Compass PointCatered Living Facility.At this time, I would like to introduce and welcome, William H. Barnes, our newDirector of Development for our Wisconsin Masonic Charities. He comes to us fromthe charities program at the Marshfield Clinic, with good credentials and I wouldlike to wish him great success.19