My Grand Lodge has failed me

[Blake Bowden]

Why does my Grand Lodge continue to let me down? When I inquire about important issues such as the Prince Hall situation, they ignore me. I've sent numerous emails to every Grand Master since Broughton and not a single one has the guts to respond. Sure, they'll attend Grand Lodge, accept positions on influential committees, but heaven forbid they communicate directly with Brother Masons. Not so long ago, I remember helping a Grand Orator with a presentation. I spent hours upon hours putting it together and during that time, we would talk Masonry and the issues it faced. I guess it was at that point I realized the upper echelon of Masonry is more about politics than giving a crap about the Craft. What they said in their home is vastly different when a plastic name badge and apron are attached.

The same goes for the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Texas. Every communication that I've sent has been ignored.

I can count on two fingers how many times I've attended anything Masonic this year. I despise those who maintain a business as usual mentality, not to mention those damn letters soliciting funds to keep that oversized monstrosity in Waco afloat. Hey Grand Lodge, why not send a solicitation for funds that promote the Craft or revamp our numerous programs? I'd support that!

 

[Brother_Steve]

I would concentrate on those you can help at your local level. Make your lodge stand out.

Unfortunately, the GM of both Grand Lodges might feel the way you do but convincing every single member of each group is impossible. They might realize the fight will be lost before it even begins and thus ignore you.

 

[widows son]

"I would concentrate on those you can help at your local level. Make your lodge stand out.

Unfortunately, the GM of both Grand Lodges might feel the way you do but convincing every single member of each group is impossible. They might realize the fight will be lost before it even begins and thus ignore you"

• The GM is an elected official from the brethren. I agree with bro. Bowden, it seems that when they do receive their position, their head gets rammed up their you know what. I've sent many letters asking simple questions since I've been raised. Nothing offensive or something that I am unable to know due to rank, just inquires from a young, new mason. I've only received instructions on how to login to my GL website from the webmaster, who is not a GL officer!

I love my Grand Lodge. But it seems as soon as the Grand comes before their name, they become ostriches.

 

[Brennan]

Reading this makes me very thankful for my GL. I've had the honor of meeting my Grand Master a couple of times as well as several GL officers and they have made it a point to remember my name, and the names of others at my lodge.


Freemason Connect Mobile

 

[dfreybur]

I've had good luck using a few strategies.

For a dispensation I read the code book to figure out who it needed to go to. Then I sent it in writing to the MWGM's office with carbon copies to the Gr Sec office and all levels of the chain of command. In this case it was to open in the first degree before that was adopted as standard practice. Not controversial so easily ignored but it works as a first tactic.

For a question I have worked up the chain of command. I have asked my WM and then gotten a referral from him up to my DDGM. Then I asked my DDGM and then gotten a referral from him up to the area level (I don't know if Texas has districts organized into areas as an extra layer, my two jurisdictions have such a layer with different details). Then I asked my Area Assistant and then gotten a referral from him up to the grand line level. Then through the DGM to finally arrive at the MWGM. At each level I did it both in writing and in person. A lot of work but I was going to attend those events in my geography anyways. Once you've worked through the chain of command the MWGM doesn't have anywhere to pass the buck and being in person doesn't have the option of ignoring you as long as it's done as an aside. Having gone through the entire chain of command he knows you're in your rights to bring it up in public at a large group meeting even at the annual meeting. In my case it was something that was going to get discussed at the annual GL anyways so hearing out my concerns was a part of a larger whole.

When legislation came up about opening in the first degree - I asked the GM to report at how many dispensations had been received on a topic. I wrote articles in local newsletters explaining the history of the topic. I ended up getting a phone call from the DGM asking if he could quote some of my articles. The DGM suggested I get in line at the microphone at GL to present my argument. In the end when the MWGM told how many dispensations he'd issued on the topic silence fell in the auditorium and opposition went away. He'd issued over 100 dispensations to open in the first. It turned out that my 3 year publicity campaign had worked well enough that the WMs of almost every active lodge in the state had learned how to submit a petition for dispensation and most had done so. I figure brothers Blake and Mike's publicity campaigns have been working like that!

I've also signed as co-author for some legislation. It's the big hammer approach so it needs to be done after the rest have been attempted. It can be used to circumvent all the rest, but until the chain of command has been walked, should it be used that way?

As the recognition compact was signed in 2002 I say the time is ready for putting legislation onto the GL agenda in *both* jurisdictions. It has become clear neither grand line wants to touch the topic. Isn't the time past to say "Why don't we take the moral high ground?" and "What are we waiting for?" and just put a change to vote?

This month I learned I have this process to go through in California on a parallel PHA recognition issue. When recognition was granted in the mid-1990s the MWPHAGLofCA+HI asked that affiliation be excluded from recognition. They're a single affiliation jurisdiction so I suppose it made sense at the time. But since then every time California has requested mutual recognition with all of the PHA GLs the agreement has excluded affiliation. Some PHA GLs are multiple affiliation jurisdictions. The MWPHAGLofTX has a status called "associate membership" that I'm excluded from using because of this rule by my own GL. (Setting aside the visitation topic that is an issue between the two TX GLs). So I'll make a request to offer a change to the agreements and walk that request up the chain of command. I'll see if it can be done by the committee on recognition or if it needs to be legislation. My wife has already agreed to go to San Francisco with me to present at GL if there's a need for me to attend.

 

[Michael Hatley]

Letters won't work. We have to go right up to them, in person, grip their hands, look them in the eye - and ask them the tough questions with a straight back, equal footing, and without an accusational tone.

If we do so as a group, even better.

These fellas are slow to put their opinions on matters like PH visitation in writing. And they have to see, with their eyes, what the men who want to get something done about it look like.

Face to face will move the ball.

 

[dfreybur]

Letters won't work ...

That's why I suggested a list of escalation steps. Letters was my first step. Face to face through the chain of command. Long PR campaign leading to legislation. Legislation to force the issue.

Being in San Antonio "Military City" I figure almost everyone has learned how to walk the chain of command. Has that been done in both TX jurisdictions? It's a slow process but with willingness to travel several hours it will only take a few months. Either way I suggest it's time to submit legislation in both jurisdictions to force the issue.

Letters are the only option when it's not your own jurisdiction.

In theory not quite the only option but not in practice - Before Florida repealed Decision #3 I was circulating legislation in two jurisdictions to pull recognition. A parallel effort in IN passed and that jurisdiction was ready with this nuclear option. At the moment no GL is going to pull recognition for failing to recognize PHA or failing to correct a mistake in their recognition agreement or falling behind in recognizing the complete list. When PHA recognition started at least one GL pulled recognition of the recognizing GLs but that didn't last long.

 

[Benjamin Baxter]

Perhaps we are in the minority and the majority still will not be receptive to the idea. If it were allowed how would you serve the craft differently.

Senior Steward - Granbury #392
Junior Deacon - Glen Rose #525

 

[tomasball]

Brother Blake, speaking of responses to inquiries, how about that fellow I asked you about who was on the 2010 roster for Gonzalez Lodge? Not as earth shaking as Grand Lodge Recognition, but if I could get an answer, it might mean not suspending one Mason.

Tom Ball
Hidalgo York Rite Bodies.

 

[Aeelorty]

How about you organize an event with the PH masons in your area. Not a tiled event but just a get to know your brothers kind of thing, keep making bigger ones and eventually the GLs will have to take notice of the friendships between lodges on both sides even though no lodge visitation has occurred and eventually brotherly love should prevail and visitation will be extended.

 

[crono782]

Search the forums for "bridge builders 2013". Some guys are doing just that!


Freemason Connect Mobile

 

[rhitland]

Heavy is the head that wears the crown. I could not imagine the burdens of being a Grand Lodge officer and the balance they try to maintain for overall peace an harmony. Brother Blake though it has been awhile since we have shared ideas you know where I stand on this issue as well and I cannot say from my perspective I have not felt the same way but it occurred to me although I may feel my GL failed me on a certain issue I could not fail it in making it right. Keep fighting the good fight with dignity and the valiant character you have shared and inspired others with.

 

[chrmc]

Brother Rhitland is not completely incorrect, but I personally think that what many GL have missed is that we are living in the age of information and communication. It isn't enough to send a news letter out every 6 months. Members want more and closer involvement.

I think most Mason would appreciate and respect if we got some clearer communication on GL thinks, believes, stands for and is working on. In this specific example if they at least could write back to Brother Blake and say "Hey, the PHA issue is not one we are touching for the next 3 years," we would at least know where they stood. Silence doesn't gain anything.