Words from the Master Brothers,
Over the past several years, a new enthusiasm has been growing among our participating members, both old and new. Speculations for what our lodge can become and what it can accomplish are quite high. It is this enthusiasm I want to capitalize on to improve your lodge over the coming year. Working with your 2015 officers we have 3 goals we would like to accomplish over the coming year; goals that I hope give you an increased reason to be a proud member of Rossville Lodge 318. 1. Improve participation and membership 2. Improve Lodge organization 3. Greater focus on Masonic Education I believe these goals to be modest goals for an active lodge but impossible goals for a lodge that lacks participating members. In freemasonry, we are taught that great structures are made up of many stones and not just one big stone. The more perfect the individual stones the more perfect the whole structure. All three of these goals address this truth. By striving to meet these goals, we are not only striving to create a better lodge but also improve our members; perfecting them if you will. The officers have made a commitment to organize committees to oversee key elements of our day to day existence and growth. Key elements such as building maintenance and enhancement, increased social activities, increased charity and hospitality, membership, masonic education, fundraising, communications, etc. Expect to see these committees in action over the course of the coming year. Don’t be surprised if during this year, you are finding yourself with more reasons to participate than not. In achieving these goals, I want to encourage everyone to come forward with ideas that will make attending lodge events more meaningful and fulfilling. We will be listening to and implementing ideas from both young and old, ever striving to strike that precious balance between wisdom of the past and vision for the future. Below are a few of your ideas we have heard so far: · A Monthly activity night to just get together to maybe play cards, watch a game, watch Curse of Oak Island, help a neighbor etc. · Have a family day cookout to get to know each other’s families · Sponsor a Car/Bike Show so some of our members can show off their rides. · A lodge open house to show people what Freemasonry is really about. · Father/Son Dinners · Sponsoring a Fishing Tournament Rossville Lodge has a growing reputation for being a good lodge. I look forward to leading and working with you in making this a monumental year as we transition from a good lodge to a great lodge. Your Worshipful, Kenny Schwartz |