A Message From The Grand Master
M:. W:. Randy Rogers
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“And they’re off!” as they used to say at the horse races. We are indeed. I cannot tell you what a humbling pleasure it is to serve the Craft in Oklahoma—all the more so because the Craft is proving to have a great deal of energy and determination. Letters with the information about the Chance to Advance program were only recently sent to the Lodges, and we’re already receiving phone calls with promises of participation and requests for more information. |
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For those who have not heard, there will be two opportunities in 2012 for Entered Apprentices and Fellowcrafts who have not advanced to become Master Masons and complete their Degrees in a single day. The first conferral will be held May 12th in Guthrie, and the second will be held September 15th in Muskogee.
A list of Entered Apprentices and Fellowcrafts has been sent to each Lodge. Unless the name is well known to the current active members of the Lodge, the Lodge will make an investigation to assure that the Brother’s character and actions still merit him becoming an Oklahoma Master Mason. The Grand Lodge will then write to the Brother and extend an invitation to be part of the program.
While a primary purpose of the program is to allow “existing” Entered Apprentices and Fellowcrafts to proceed, it is also an opportunity for you to bring your friends into the Fraternity. Almost all of us have friends who want to be Masons, and would be good Masons, but time or their job or other circumstances make it impossible for them to go through the regular joining process. With this program, if they petition, pass the ballot, and receive the Entered Apprentice Degree, they can complete the Degrees in one day, without memorizing the Entered Apprentice and Fellowcraft categorical lectures. That can make a difference. Share your Pride in our Fraternity with your friends.
But it is important to understand this: no Grand Lodge program can “make” a man into a Master Mason. All we can do is to confer the Master Mason Degree upon him. Whether he truly becomes a Master Mason depends on the Lodge. Do you involve him, invite him to events, share with him, make sure he knows he is welcome? If you do, you will have a dedicated member for life. If you ignore him, don’t be surprised if he drifts away. It is up to you and your Lodge.
Please note the changes and updates to this web site. We are working at updating it and improving it all the time, for the posting of new photographs to new information. We will soon have much more material relating to the Chance to Advance program posted. Please visit frequently, and let us know what you think.
Finally, remember it’s a proud thing to be a Mason.
Feel the pride!
Build the pride!!
Share the pride!!!
Fraternally,
Randall L. Rogers, Grand Master