PROCEEDINGS GRAND LODGE - Freemasons of Wisconsin

In the midst of reflecting on our proud history, we were also heavily involved inpositioning Three Pillars to remain a constant source of quality for the comingdecades. Construction proceeded without complication on our new Compass PointCatered Living facility. On September 17, 2005, Grand Master Magoon revealedand dedicated the cornerstone for Compass Point, in what is still one of the mostbeautiful and symbolic of Masonic ceremonies.On March 7, 2006, Compass Point opened with the move of 33 apartments fromthe Wisconsin Masonic Home. These “charter residents” have taken to their newhome, and have proven right our concept of Catered Living – an individualized levelof support to provide each resident with their maximum level of independence. Onemonth later, Compass Point saw 45 occupied apartments with 5 more move-insscheduled, and drew intense interest from other senior care providers includingsome in Minnesota and Illinois. Finally, on May 13, an excited crowd joined us incelebrating our Grand Opening and ribbon-cutting.Beyond the addition of Compass Point, our independent living apartments –Village on the Square received $1,000,000 of upgrades and modernizing to againplace it at the forefront of senior apartment living. Mason Woods continues to be apopular choice for “up north” relaxed senior living. The Masonic Center for Health& Rehab and Riverside Lodge continue to excel at providing more intense levels ofsupport and care, and once again were rewarded with shining inspection results bythe State authorities.During the year, I am pleased to report that we reached our goals for contributionsand pledges towards our Building on a Vision capital campaign. A special thank yougoes out to all the individuals, lodges, and groups that selflessly gave or pledgedsupport towards our new endeavor. Your generosity will help assure the stability ofservices and level of quality that Wisconsin Masons have come to expect for theirfellow brothers and sisters.With the advent of Compass Point, many have asked of the future of theWisconsin Masonic Home, known as Van Brunt Hall. As of the writing of this report,no definitive plans have been set, but an extremely competent group of brethren arecontemplating its future – for the good of Three Pillars and Wisconsin Masonry.Everyone has agreed that if at all possible, the building should be reused for abeneficial purpose.Finally, the staff, residents, and Board are preparing to host the annual conferenceof the Masonic Homes Executives’ Association of North America. From June17th through the 20th, over 200 representatives from Masonic and OES Homesaround the country will be attending this year’s conference in Lake Geneva –planned and hosted by Three Pillars. The highlight of the conference will be anafternoon outing to our campus in Dousman with tours and a picnic like many inWisconsin have experienced over the years.We thank you for your on-going support and commitment to those brothers andsisters that helped build this great fraternal family in Wisconsin. We will continueto make the commitment to you, that we will strive to consistently provide a caring,quality environment for all those that call Three Pillars home.9Fraternally submitted,Mark A. Strautman,President & C.E.O.