Robert Burns Lodge Happenings 2008

On this page, your humble webmaster will attempt to relate what has most recently happened in our Lodge.  Mostly these will be items from recent meetings, but occasionally other items will appear here.  I hope these notes will help to keep my brethren current on happenings in the Lodge, and entice you to come to our next event.  If you are interested in what went on at past meetings, check out our Happenings 2006 or Happenings 2007

24 June: 16 brothers, including a visitor, WB Greg Brown, SW of Everett #137 attended the Second Degree conferral for Bro. Josh Hamlin and Victor Sletten.  SW John Hart conferred the degree, with WB Jim Larson giving the lecture; both did an excellent job. 

17 June: This evening Brad Nagel was initiated into our Fraternity.  The degree was conferred by JW Jim Hamlin, in excellent style as usual.  WB Bob Wallinger gave the lecture, and was impressive in his recitation.

3 June: 23 Brothers attended our stated meeting, including 2 visitors from Ashler Lodge #121, JW Richard Beers and SW Ron Swasey.  Their attendance was especially appreciated during the discussion of the Grand Lodge resolutions, when Bro. Richard demonstrated more than a passing understanding of the content and background of the resolutions.  Also present were 6 Past Masters of Robert Burns.

The lodge passed a motion to allow the bills to be paid over the summer, and briefly discussed some financial matters.  We also discussed upcoming events, including the visit of the Grand Master to Everett Valley of Scottish Rite on 12 September, and the potential for a bowling league team.  Bro. Ed Kellison also included a brief discussion of a potential trip to Surrey, B. C. to see some events.

Bro. Josh Hamlin proved up on the First Degree in excellent form.  He did an excellent job of reciting the obligation, and even corrected his "coach" when some mistakes were made.  Well done, Josh!  His Second Degree has been scheduled for 7PM on Tuesday, the 24th of June.  The Senior Deacon will be arranging the degree, please contact him if you wish to participate.  Bro. Viktor Sletten may also be given the Second Degree that evening.

We also voted to initiate into Masonry Mr. Brad Nagel and Mr. Sidney Wyeth.  Their petitions were read at the 6 May meeting.  The First Degree will be on Tuesday, the 17th of June.  The Junior Deacon will be arranging that degree.  Please contact him if you can fill in a part.

The Lodge will man the CHIP booth at the Evergreen State Fair on the 29th of August.  Please contact the Worshipful Master if you wish to volunteer.  We have also been told that the Job's Daughters and DeMolay will be assisting us that day.

Finally, shortly before the meeting closed, WB Steve Morgan gave an impassioned plea for us to assist the youth groups.  He emphasized the importance of these groups in forming the next generation of Masons, and urged us all to help the Job's Daughters, Rainbow Girls, and DeMolay however we can.

1 April:  At our April Fool's meeting (which was, alas, completely devoid of pranks), 20 Brothers were present, including VWB Boyd McPherson, DDGM #8.  At his official visit, he closed the meeting with wide-ranging comments on our Lodge and affairs in the District, which were well-received by the Brothers attending.  Also we were visited by WB George Fischer, Master of Arlington Lodge #129. 

The meeting was opened by a reading of members who were entitled to receive their 25- and 50-year pins.  Unfortunately, none of those brothers were able to attend for a ceremony, but two letters from them were read aloud to the lodge.

WB Jim Larson reported on reorganization of the Masonic Service Bureau of WA.  They are getting rid of their available medical equipment, because it was largely unused and expensive to store and maintain.  The Bureau will now mainly concentrate on acting as an intermediary between Masons and others able to help them, and providing funeral services.

WM Steve Wandel stated that the Finance Committee may have to be re-animated to discuss the disposition of the money set aside for a new building.  As discussed below, the Sno-King Building Assoc. report was not hopeful for using the money soon for a new facility.

The Lodge approved the petition of Mr. Viktor Sleten to receive the Degrees of Masonry.  A First Degree is to be arranged by the Senior Deacon for 7PM on 29 April; no dinner will be served.  Please contact him to participate.

The Worshipful master discussed briefly writing the scholarship application and rules to permit members of any of the 3 youth organizations to apply instead of the current restriction to T. H. Little, Bethel 50 and Assembly 55, to increase the likelihood of our actually giving away scholarships.  He also suggested a committee be formed to contemplate a new home, permanent or otherwise, for the Lodge.

T. H. Little will be going to convention this year, approximately 6 strong.  They may soon be seeking donations to make new candleholders capable of holding real candles instead of battery-operated ones.

The lodge approved a donation of cash to help WB Walt Moody and WB Ernie McCasland to ship a care package to a Brother in Afghanistan with the Army. 

VWB Boyd spoke of many issues during his response, many of which are listed above.  He also spoke about the Proficiency in Lodge Management program, long range planning for the Lodge, and the importance of attending Grand Lodge and the Wardens' Conference.

Also, he mentioned (and your humble webmaster heartily seconds this sentiment) the excellent quality of the dinner our Stewards provided for the meeting.  On 25 April the Grand Master will be visiting Centennial Lodge #25 for his official visit to the district.  Dinner will begin at 6:30.  Please contact VWB Boyd if you wish to attend, and plan to bring a donation (preferably monetary, but new, unwrapped toys will be accepted) for Toys-for-Tots.

27 March:  Although your humble webmaster was unable to attend, he has gotten a report from the Sno-King Building Assoc. meeting.  There was a presentation by the architect firm that the Assoc. hired to study the feasibility of building a new Temple/commercial building.  Unfortunately, it appears that the 3 Lodges that make up the Assoc. do not currently have enough money to build the facility that was planned.  The retail space available in that building would not be sufficient, even at an unlikely 100% occupancy rate, to cover the anticipated payments on the loan required. 

 The Assoc. discussed other options briefly, including purchasing an already built structure and leasing a space for the 3 lodges.  For instance, if the Assoc. leased a commercial space similar to what Robert Burns had before moving to the EMC, we could likely afford 1/3 of the former payment.  Also, the Nile Shrine has an unused Lodge Room that could be used.  Another factor that significantly reduces the effectiveness of the Assoc. is the need to get buy in from all three lodges and Grand Lodge for any plan requiring a significant investment.  This time delay hamstrings their ability to enter into a contract in a timely manner to buy or lease a space. 

24 March:  9 officers of Robert Burns attended the officer meeting at the EMC.  We discussed upcoming events, including the cancellation of the wives' breakfast on the 19th, and the postponement of the District 8 officer competition.  Also discussed were the upcoming visit of the District Deputy and progress at the Sno-King Building Assoc.  There will be more to report on the latter soon, as the Association meets Thursday with the architect. 

Immediately following the meeting, we went to a special meeting of Everett #137, where they initiated the youngest brother in the history of their lodge.  The ceremony went quite well, and the brothers of Everett Lodge are to be saluted on the quality of their work.

4 March:  26 Brothers were in attendance at our stated meeting for March.  This includes 3 Grand Lodge Team Members, our own VWB Bob Nygren and VWB Norm Watts, and WB Sam Roberts.  Also, WB Ian Borden, PM of Rabboni Lodge AF&AM of Massachusetts was a visitor to our humble meeting.  Ian moved here and visited our Lodge for the first of what will hopefully be many times.

WB Sam Roberts did an excellent presentation on "Freemasonry 101".  Despite some technical difficulties with the visual portion, he more than carried the interest of the Lodge and received a standing ovation for his efforts.

The lodge voted to sponsor a table at the Rainbow Grand Worthy Advisor visitation.  Also, WB Steve Wandel announced that he had purchased the first 2 bikes for the Bikes-for-Books program, to be presented the morning of 4 April. 

The WB Secretary read a petition for the degrees from Mr. Viktor Slettin of Lynnwood.  An investigation committee was appointed to meet with him. 

There was no progress to report on the Sno-King Building Assoc. 

WB Don Heins is still ailing.  We all pray for his recovery.

19 February:  Counting one visiting Past Grand Master, MWB Carl Smith, and one visiting Master, WB Wayne Betts, 29 Brothers attended the initiation of John Ferrante and Westen Moody, son of WB Walt Moody.  We conducted 2 initiation ceremonies, with one lecture following.  Bro. Jim Hamlin did an excellent job as installing Master, and WB Bob Wallinger delivered the lecture in with his usual amazing accuracy.  As the organizer of the degree, your humble webmaster would wish to thank all of those who participated in the degree; it went extremely well.  It was especially rewarding to see so many brothers in attendance that evening.

It was also excellent to note that we now have a clock in the Lodge room.

5 February:  At DeMolay Night, 3 members of that order and 19 Brothers of Robert Burns attended Lodge.  The young men of DeMolay presented the rose lecture, which was very well received and performed.

Letters were read from Bro. Mike Taylor, who has moved to San Diego for his new post and thanked the Brothers of Robert Burns for his time with us.  Also, Bob Curtis sent an update.  His wife is facing cancer, and he expressed his love for her and for their time together.

WB Jim Larson was re-nominated to serve on the Masonic Service Bureau, and we elected to pay our dues to that organization.  WB Steve Wandel announced that he would be seeking money from Grand Lodge to sponsor the Bikes-for-Books program.  The Finance Committee was instructed to meet to further analyze the monetary and security assets of the Lodge and what to do with them.

The family of WB Bill Wright sent a small collection of excellent old books on Masonry which were admired by the brothers in attendance.  We intend to place them in the EMC library until we find our final new home.

22 January:  The stated meeting at the EMC this evening went quite well.  19 brothers were in attendance, including WB Richard "Whitey" White (formerly a member of Robert Burns, past master of Ashler #121), and Bro. Edward Graham and Tim Gipe, EA's from Ashler.  The 15 Brothers eligible to vote participated in the election of Mr. John Ferrante of Lynnwood to receive the degrees of Masonry.  The First Degree may be held on the 19th of February, please check our Schedule for updates.  Also read was the petition of Mr. Weston Moody, son of WB Walt Moody, to receive the degrees.  A committee consisting of WB John Sutton, WB Bob Nygren and Bro. Matt Appel was appointed to investigate.

A letter was read from Grand Lodge to watch out for a scam, not mentioned in the scam area of their website, involving the order of "Creeping Serpents," or "Snakes" that is not a Masonic order endorsed by Grand Lodge. 

The Building Committee reported that the Temple Board expects to decide by 1 March if they will purchase an old or erect a new building.  They expect to have the feasibility study by their architectural firm by then.  Bro. Ed Kellison is looking for Brothers interested in beginning a bowling group. 

Bro. Gene McFarland's wife, Joyce, had a small heart attack and was briefly hospitalized, and is now home and tired but recovering.  WB Steve closed the Lodge of Sorrow for 2007 and opened the Lodge of Sorrow for 2008.

The Bikes for Books program is now underway, and updates can be seen at our new web page just for that program.  The first presentation may be on 17 March.  Again, please check our Schedule.  The lodge voted to sponsor SW John Hart and SD Matt Appel to go to the Warden's Conference in Yakima in April. 

WB Steve discussed his plan for the sale of Robert Burns shirts and District 8 calendars;   shirts should be available by the March meeting.  VWB Bob Nygren said he has District 2 calendars available now, although District 8 has not yet delivered theirs to us.  The Worshipful Master also appointed a "Reorganization Committee" to sort through the storage room at the EMC and determine what material should be displayed in our area of the building.  Also, they will seek pictures for possible use by the Lynnwood Historical Commission.

The presentation by T. H. Little DeMolay at the February stated meeting was briefly discussed, as was the health of the chapter and our sponsorship thereof, and our obligation to help them however we could.  We also discussed that each chapter of DeMolay has its own EIN and is a 501(c)(3) corporation, so donations to the chapter are tax-deductible. (See your tax advisor for details and restrictions, don't take the word of this website for it.)

8 January:  This evening there was a lightly attended officer meeting at WB Steve's house.  We discussed several items, but were unable to make any major decisions without the other main brothers in attendance.

WB Steve will have blue polo-style shirts with a square and compass and the lodge name embroidered on the breast for sale for $20 each.  Please contact him if you wish to have one.  He also will have 25 District 8 calendars available for $5 each.

Robert Burns will be manning the Smokey Point rest stop as part of the fundraiser for the District 8 SLOC on the 20th of Jan. from 5PM to Midnight.  If you wish to volunteer, please contact Bro. John Hart, Senior Warden.

Centennial Lodge #24 will host a Robert Burns night on the 19th of January at 1PM.  And at our meeting on 22 January, we will host Bethel 24 of Job's Daughters for dinner and a presentation at the stated meeting.  WB Bob Wallinger could use some assistance, as his usual cohort will not be available that evening.

 WB Steve said that he will be meeting on the 9th in the afternoon with the principal of Discovery Elementary School in the Mukilteo School District about beginning the long-awaited Bikes-for-Books program there.  [ed. note: the meeting has since successfully taken place, and he is happy to report that we are a go.  The first presentation will likely be in mid March.]

We expect to ballot on one new candidate at the January meeting on the 22nd, and possibly read another petition.

We also discussed the progress on the new building, and options as to how it will be pursued.  At this point, the building that was earlier available but then off the market is available again.  The Temple Board is looking into having it re-zoned, and purchasing it.

4 January:  Today a daughter, Ashley, was born to Bro. Bill Ferguson and his wife, Heidi.  Congratulations!

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