| Master's Message |
| Haddonfield - Cherry Hill Lodge #15, F&AM Haddonfield Masonic Temple 16 Kings Highway, East Haddonfield, New Jersey 08033 856-428-4193 njlodge15@yahoo.com Regular Communication: Third Tuesday of each Month |
| Pass In Review Brethren: With half of the year past it is a good time to review and evaluate. Of the various suggestions given at the Masonic Leadership Conference of 2006 (MLC2006), some were basic: start on time, do not read the minutes, and have a worthwhile program. We have started on time. The minutes of Communications have been written and not read aloud during the Communications. Each Communication has had a Program. Masonic Light has been dispensed. Another suggestion has led to my sending over 200 personal Masonic Birthday Invitations resulting in several rusty local Brethren coming out to dinner and a meeting. In addition, we have had many interesting correspondences back from the Brethren farther away. Lodge attendance is averaging thirty members per meeting, which is up from past years. Fellowship is on the increase as evidenced in the Banquet Hall after meetings where some brothers stay and talk for over an hour. At a recent Friday evening Scottish Rite Dinner in Collingswood, we had enough members and friends to fill more than three tables. The enthusiasm of our officers line enabled us to obtain the Traveling Gavel for the Haddonfield-Cherry Hill Lodge for the very first time. The Henry S. Haines Lodge surrendered the gavel because we had the necessary minimum of five members including the master, a warden, and at least three other members. We actually had nine! Recently, forty-four attended The Table Lodge that was moved up a month to take advantage of the cooler weather. The evening marked our first use of the four outdoor Masonic Flags which were well received. These will be used to help raise community awareness of our lodge during community events. Our young officers line has been gaining experience with each meeting. Representation at District Lodge of Instruction (DLI) is averaging around ten per meeting, which is about double the average of years past. Pride abounds when these younger officers are able to identify minor deviations in the ritual exemplified by other lodges. A distribution of ritual work to the appointed officers was suggested at the MLC2006. This was initially met with confusion, but the end result will be to strengthen the lodge. A finance committee was developed from a financially qualified group including a CPA, a financial consultant, and a financial attorney. Recommendations from this committee allow us to better address fiscal procedures and issues. We have begun discussions with a local Brethren chef to potentially realize a cash flow for the use of the Banquet Hall and to consider suggestions for sorely needed renovations to our old kitchen facilities. However, there are unaccomplished goals yet to be achieved: to raise community awareness of our lodge; to develop a lodge identity in the community; to develop a community project; and to develop the foundation for continued excellent ritual work. Come out and support your lodge. With your help, we can achieve these goals. Sincerely and Fraternally, David R. Leeds, Worshipful Master 2007 |
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| E-mail: drleeds@netzero.net |
| E-mail: njlodge15@yahoo.com |