Robert Burns Lodge Happenings 2010

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 2009 or Happenings 2008.

23 February:  At this evening's officer meeting, many different topics were discussed.  The first topic of conversation was finances.  Last year, the Lodge ran at a deficit, and we agreed that while our finances can sustain that for some time, for the long term that would be unacceptable.  We discussed several ideas for improving our cash flow, including an appeal letter to the Lodge, applying for more grants for the Bikes-for-Books program, holding a fundraising dinner, and others.  The budget for the Charity Committee and their mission statement also were talked about briefly. 

Briefly discussed was the current prospect for the degrees, and our Brothers who have not gotten their Third Degree yet.  It appears that two Brothers will be ready to prove up on the Third Degree on Tuesday the 2nd, our next stated meeting, and that we will be doing a Third Degree for at least one of them on the 16th of March. 

Next year we will be hosting the Secrets of the Chair for the District, and in 2012 we will be hosting the Open Air Degree in Granite Falls.

13 February:  5 Brothers worked in two shifts to support the SLOC manning the Southbound Smokey Point rest stop.  Thank you, Brothers.

 2 February:  At this evening's stated meeting, MWB Gale H. Kenney, Grand Master, visited our Lodge unannounced.  He was accompanied by RWB G. Santy Lascano, Deputy Grand Master, and WB Charles Tupper of the Technology Committee.  Also visiting were VWB Karl Warren, Secretary of Skykomish #259, and WB Elis Nichols and Bro. Richard Blodgett, Master and Chaplain of Genesis #305.

The WM Jim Hamlin put out the call to visit as many youth group meetings as possible to inform them about our scholarship program.  The JW, Mark Goldberg echoed these sentiments.  We also approved with the usual bills the purchase of an ad in the DeMolay convention program.  The Lodge also elected to make a contribution to the Edmonds Lodge scholarship program to thank them for their efforts in Bro. Ed Kellison's memorial service.

The Audit Committee reported that they had completed their duties, and that the audit was satisfactory.  WB Jim Larson reported as our representative to the Masonic Service Bureau reported on their most recent meeting.

A petition was read for Mr. Earl Stevens of Everett, and an investigation committee consisting of the SW, WB Scott Wallinger, and Bro. Les Reed was appointed.  WB Steve Wandel gave a report on his efforts to extend the Bikes-for-Books program to Olivia Park Elementary, which is still in progress.  He received a standing ovation from the Lodge for his efforts.

It was moved that we support 1 boy from T. H. Little going to their convention, but the motion was withdrawn when and the Charity Committee was appointed to decide on our support level.

WM Jim Hamlin announced that the officer meetings will now be held on the 4th Tuesday. 

In his closing, the MWGM gave a well-received talk about Masonry.  He discussed the merits of long range planning and keeping the community about us in mind.  He discussed his support for the Starlight Children's Foundation.  Finally, he spoke about how he finds it disturbing that a candidate for the degrees would get so far as balloting and then be rejected, or "cubed." 

23 January:  The memorial service for Bro. Ed Kellison went well.  Several different Masonic groups were represented, including Robert Burns #243, his Royal Arch Chapter, the Order of the Amaranth, Nile Shrine, and finally a full service by the Everett Valley Rose Croix memorial service team.  He will be missed.

19 January:  This evening we met to hold an officer meeting and practice ritual and proficiency.  We had a small group who met at the EMC, and had a lively discussion. 

5 January:  21 Brothers attended our first meeting of the new year; all were members of Robert Burns #243.  WB Paul Schamp was introduced as Master of Peninsular #95, and WB Steve Wandel as member of the CHIPS and Landmark Endowment Committees. 

The bills read included the usual rent and secretary's fee, as well as some money to offset the cost of building a wheelchair ramp for Bro. Bob Miles, a project WB Steve Wandel headed up the week of Christmas.

In the committee reports, it was reported that Bethel 24, IOJD will be joining with Bethel 50, and that the combined, new and improved Bethel 50 will continue to meet in Snohomish.  We were all saddened that such a move was necessary, and hope that the new stronger group can make a go of it.  On the other hand, it was also announced that in 2009 T. H. Little DeMolay grew from 2 to 16 members!  Also, there is a rumor that the Grand Master will attend the T. H. Little meeting on the 13th; all the brothers are encouraged to attend to show our support, whether or not MWB Kenny is there.

The Lodge of Sorrow for 2009 was closed, and the Lodge of Sorrow 2010 opened.  We had a moment of silence for the Brothers who had passed on in 2009, and for Bro. Ed Kellison, who died on Christmas.  His Masonic Memorial will be held at noon on the 23rd of January at the Edmonds Masonic Temple.  A motion passed to help defray the cost of the service.

Our Secretary, WB Jim Larson reported on the activities of the Masonic Service Bureau, of which he is our trustee.  This was followed by at brief session to organize the committees for 2010, the members and chairmen of which are listed in the table below.  If anyone wishes to be a part of one of them, please let the chairman know, and you will be included.  An audit committee was also organized.

WB Steve Wandel announced that we drew the 13 February 11AM-6PM slot for manning the SLOC rest-stop.  WM Jim Hamlin is looking for volunteers. 

WB Steve also moved, and it was seconded and passed that we expand the Bikes-for-Books program to another school in the Mukilteo School District, Olivia Park Elementary.  After the very positive response we have gotten at Discovery Elementary and the support from B.I.K.E.S. of Snohomish County, we felt that we were able and wanted to extend the program.  WB Steve will meet with the Principal of Olivia Park to present the program.  The Principal of Discovery has said she will facilitate the meeting.  Hopefully the first presentation will be in June of 2010.  We are all very proud to approve this extension of a worthy program.

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