Welcome back! I understand that Wallkill Lodge
had another successful Chicken Barbecue last Saturday. I wish we could
have been there but, instead, here is the promised report about the
DeMolay Convention last weekend. I am pleased to announce that Orange-Rockland
Central Chapter now counts among its members two State Preceptors, Brothers
Benny Aventurato and Dylan Arnott, and Bro. Brian Bidnick was elected
Deputy State Master Councilor, the second highest youth leadership position
in the State Chapter. The Chapter is growing at a tremendous rate again,
but we're still in desperate need of Advisors. If you can offer a few
hours a month of your time, please contact me. Congratulations again
to all of these fine young men.
Tomorrow morning, Saturday August 11th, will
be a busy one for the Brethren of Jerusalem Temple Lodge who are planning
to Raise ten Brothers from Jerusalem Temple, Hudson River, Warwick,
Cornerstone, Port Jervis, and Hoffman Lodges. A little last minute assistance
is still required, but we are looking forward to a great day which will
begin with breakfast at 8:00 a.m., the Degree at 9:00 a.m., and lunch
afterward. We hope you'll join us!
On the Grand Lodge front, the latest issue
of Grand Lodge's New York NETNEWS is now available for your reading
pleasure and downloading via the Grand
Lodge Website. This issue carries an extensive photo essay by Suelee
Schwartz, wife of Bro. Richard Schwartz, on Athelstane Lodge's July
trip to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. The NETNEWS team regrets
that publication in July was delayed because of technical difficulties,
but you will find much information and news including the Grand Master's
St John's Day Message to the Craft. As always, your comments, suggestions,
letters to their Editor , as well as pictures and articles are welcome.
Send all submissions to the NETNEWS Editor, Wor.
Steve Koch. We've also been told to look for the August issue in
about two weeks.
There's a Masters and Wardens meeting on
Monday night at 7:00 p.m. at Jerusalem Temple Lodge. We're also looking
for Lodges to start hosting the monthly School of Instruction beginning
next month. If you would like to make us a program at your meeting,
please contact me ASAP.
Finally, a word on Faith. I forgot to send
out the e-mail reminder for last week's issue and when I got the weekly
stats saw that only a quarter of the usual number of visitors hit the
site for the week. Have faith, Brethren, we haven't missed a week yet.
If you don't get an e-mail, check on Friday afternoon, the new edition
is usually up by then. Well, that's it for now, I need to get back to
work. See you next week!
DISTRICT NEWS
Masters and Wardens Meeting
The Masters and Wardens will meet at Jerusalem Temple Lodge on Monday
August 13th at 7:30 p.m. Please note the change in starting time. The
School of Instruction will henceforth be held on other evenings and
locations around the District. It is important that all of our Masters and Wardens attend. Please remember that these meetings and
this newsletter are the primary coordination and communication venues
in this District and each Lodge is responsible for the information
disseminated therein . If your Lodge is not represented, the officers
are still responsible for obtaining the information from other Lodges
in attendance. Thus attendance is expected of Masters and Wardens
but everyone is welcome to attend and we hope to see other elected
and appointed officers there!
Masonic Family Day at West Point Tickets are still available for Masonic Family Day at West Point, which will be held on Saturday September 29th on the grounds of the U.S. Military Academy. The highlight of the day is, of course, will be watching the Army's Black Knight football team beat on the visitors from Temple University, but there's so much more! OUR day will begin with a continental breakfast under our huge tent with tables and chairs for everyone overlooking the scenic Hudson River. Then it's off to the Grand Lodge wreath laying ceremony and the parade of cadets on the Plain before we return to the tend for lunch. As always, you are encouraged to bring a tailgate lunch or you can purchase tickets ($8 in advance) for the chicken barbecue prepared by our own Bro. Tom Jones before heading up to the game. Tickets for the complete day with the game are $31 each. For those who do not wish to attend the game but want to enjoy all of the other activities, including breakfast and the children's activities, site passes are available for $10 each. Additionally, parking is VERY limited and parking passes are required. These are $5 each and carpooling is requested as we have a very limited number of passes available. To purchase tickets, or for more information, please contact RW Hank Stoveland..
Orange-Rockland Central Chapter, Order of DeMolay DeMolay is a Masonic youth program for boys ages 12-21, which teaches leadership within a fun, moral framework in line with our own principles and tenets. The local Chapter, which meets at Wallkill Lodge in Walden, is in desperate need of advisors, Brothers willing to give up a few hours a month to mentor and work with these inspiring young men. There’s no commitment required to obtain information, give us a call and see what it’s all about. For more information, please contact R:.W:. Hank Stoveland.
UPCOMING CHILD ID PROGRAMS
Child ID System
The District Child ID System is available to Lodges who have two Brothers
trained in its use. These Brothers may sign out the system by contacting
Wor. Robert Morlang, Jr.. Please allow
a month in advance to reserve the system and allow the District Committee
to order the necessary supplies for your program. Please remember
that all unused materials must be returned with the system, there
is to be no stockpiling of supplies for future programs.
ORDMA NEWS
2007-2008 Calendars ORDMA is collecting dates for next year's District Pocket Calendar, which will be available in early Fall 2007. These handy pocket calendars contain all of our District's Lodge and Concordant Bodies meetings, important events, Lodge and District officers, and directions to our Lodges. The calendars cost $5 each and the proceeds go to support our District's community service and charitable efforts, including our new District child ID system. To submit events for inclusion in the calendar, please contact any of ORDMA's officers.
* Denotes a dinner will precede or
follow the meeting or event. Please check with the contact for
details.
2007-2008 DDGM Visits
Athelstane Lodge No. 839
Tuesday October 16th, 2007
Cornerstone Lodge No. 711
Wednesday December 12th, 2007
Goshen Lodge No. 365
Monday September 17th
Hoffman Lodge No. 412
Tuesday November 20th, 2007
Hudson River Lodge No. 309
Wednesday November 14th, 2007
Jerusalem Temple Lodge No. 721
Saturday January 12th, 2009
Naurashank Lodge No. 589
Friday October 12th, 2007
Port Jervis Lodge No. 328
Friday September 14th
Stony Point-Wawayanda Lodge No. 313
Wednesday September 19th, 2007
Wallkill Lodge No. 627
Wednesday December 19th, 2007
Warwick Lodge No. 544
Tuesday October 23rd, 2007
West Point Lodge No. 877
Thursday October 4th, 2007
SCHOOL OF INSTRUCTION
The Orange-Rockland District School of Instruction is on a hiatus for the summer. We will re-open in August to review the Opening and Closing, and should you wish to hold other rehearsals for your new officers over the summer, your AGLs will be glad to attend provided you give them sufficient notice. The School will recommence in September, rotating on a different evening each month throughout the District at the invitation of individual Lodges. More details will be provided as the time draws closer, Have a great summer! If you have any questions, please contact the DDGM.
LEADERSHIP ESSENTIALS
Make the Most of Mentoring by Julie Watson
In our quest for growth and improvement, the most valuable
resource may be sitting next us. If experience
truly is the best teacher, then we would be wise to study the
life lessons and expertise of a mentor.
As an advisor, personal coach, evaluator, and sounding board for
ideas, mentors can be of benefit in a variety of roles.
Recognizing the tremendous merits of mentoring relationships,
companies both large and small have embraced mentoring programs
as an employee development strategy.
In a recent article for Forbes.com called "Help Wanted: Mentors",
Julie Watson shared a few thoughts about mentoring:
"Mentoring is a two-way street"
Remember: mentors offer you their valuable time and a precious
glimpse into their life's experiences. Give them something in
return. It may be as simple as buying them lunch. Perhaps it's
volunteering time to assist them with a project. Likely, you
will feel unable to repay your mentor for all of their time and
attention, but a small gift or act of service will go a long way
in expressing your gratitude and respect for them. Keep in mind:
mentoring is not all about getting. Look for mentors, but take
the opportunity to be a mentor as well.
"Your mentors will change"
As your goals evolve or you enter a new stage of life, your
mentors will naturally change. You may relocate or decide to
pursue a different career path. You might grow to a point where
you reach or surpass the proficiency of your mentor. Be
prepared to end mentoring relationships (always with grace and
appreciation), and be willing to initiate additional ones.
"Don't rely on just one mentor"
Searching for the all-knowing, fatherly mentor with all of the
right answers is like chasing after a lamp with a genie inside.
Unfortunately, no one person can grant us all of the knowledge
and tools we require to maximize our potential. For the
greatest benefit, seek out mentors with specific skills you
desire to acquire. Maybe it's the company's top strategic
thinker, the salesperson with the charming people skills, or the
teammate who consistently wows the crowd with presentations.
Target their strengths and learn what makes them the best in
their particular area of expertise.
To read more from Julie Watson on mentoring, please
click here.
HELP WANTED
Master Mason Degree Assistance Needed Jerusalem Temple Lodge requires assistance with a Master Mason Degree on Saturday August 11th. Speaking and non-speaking roles are available. The degree will begin at 9:00 a.m. with breakfast preceding it at 8:00 a.m. If you can assist, please contact R:.W:. Joe Leo.
Copyright 2006-2007 Orange-Rockland District,
GLNY F&AM. All rights reserved.
