William C. Jacobson, 33°

During a budget meeting in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Scottish Rite Valley, a brother stood up and asked this question. “As a Scottish Rite Temple, how long can we live on Grandpa’s money?” He referred to the valley’s endowment fund that was declining in value because the interest and part of the principal were used to meet the valley budget. Cedar Rapids did this instead of raising the dues, actively seeking new members, or developing other forms of income from membership activities.

An analysis of the consumer price index, established by the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank, showed that membership dues need to increase. The Cedar Rapids Valley’s dues were $5.00 in 1913; to have the same purchasing power in 2006, dues need to be $102.27. In 2002 they were $35.00—it was time for a change!

Scottish Rite Temple in the Valley of Cedar Rapids, Iowa

For many years attempts to raise the dues were met with arguments that brothers on fixed incomes would not be able to pay a dues increase. The argument prevailed even though less than 1% of the members needed and would seek assistance to pay their dues. That argument overlooked the declining value of the dollar and the increasing needs of the valley.

As one of its fund-raising tactics, the Valley of Cedar Rapids created a colorful brochure to encourage outside groups to rent the facility.

A man’s interest follows his investment. If things are too cheap, they are valued less. That has been the condition of Masonry for many years. Valley leaders chose not to raise dues because Grandpa’s money was available. The market fluctuations following 9/11/2001 reduced Grandpa’s money significantly. By doing the math, it was easy to see that our endowment—Grandpa’s money—would be gone in five years without some significant modifications. Valley dues needed to be increased.

In the past many have considered the Scottish Rite a brief stop for brothers moving from the Blue Lodge to the Shrine. In July 2000 when the Shrine removed “Rite membership” as a requirement, it was time for the Scottish Rite to redefine itself.

The strategic planning committee identified several critical needs for the Cedar Rapids Valley. First, we needed to raise our dues. Second, we needed to air condition and renovate the building to make it available to outside groups to raise money. Third, we needed to attract new members. And, finally we needed to establish clear selling points to convince a Mason of the benefits of becoming a member of the Scottish Rite.

The Cedar Rapids Scottish Rite launched a new campaign to raise money to renovate our building called “Opening Historical Doors.” It is a five-year plan that created specific goals to be accomplished by the year 2010. These goals include an incremental dues increase of $10 a year, reaching $100 by 2010. The second goal was to create a new interior look for our building. The third goal was to develop a new program that increased member involvement in a wide variety of activities. And finally, ten reasons based on the principles elaborated in our degrees were given to explain how a Mason benefits by becoming a Scottish Rite Mason. These reasons we labeled the “Ten Essential Duties of a Scottish-Rite Mason.”

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1. God. A Mason seeks to understand that he has been created to fulfill God’s purpose for his life. A Scottish Rite Mason demonstrates his reverence and love for God by aligning his behaviors with God’s spiritual laws.

2. Physical body. A Freemason maintains his body as a vehicle for this life’s journey. He eats to live, rather than living to eat. He exercises and controls all form of gluttony and excess.

3. Family. A Mason’s moral obligation is to care for his spouse and children. He provides food, shelter, and makes sure his children are taught how to survive in the world. Whatever the circumstances, he always assumes responsibility for his obligations.

4. Relatives. A Mason supports, respects, and cares for his parents. He demonstrates compassion, fairness, and understanding in all his dealings with his extended family.

5. Occupation. A Mason develops his mind to its highest potential, and pursues his vocation with scholarly energy. He behaves ethically. He spends less than he makes. He manages his affairs with a generous intent without becoming a miser. He sets his priorities using his cable-tow to set the reasonable scope of his involvements.

6. Neighbors. A Mason does unto others as he would have them do unto him. He understands that as he gives so shall he receive. He extends his fraternal hand of fellowship to another when it is needed.

7. Government. A Mason supports good government with his life if necessary. He resists tyranny and unjust government by demonstrating the courage to bring about appropriate change.

8. Humanity. A Mason understands that he is a brother to all races, colors, and creeds. The whole world is his country, and all mankind are his brethren. When he helps others he understands that he is really helping himself.

9. Enemies. A Mason focuses his anger. He gathers information and discusses differences when he is involved in conflict. When he is wrong, he concedes. When he is right, he sets limits. When he is attacked, he responds appropriately. When victorious, he seeks a just peace and honors his word. When defeated, he learns and prepares for future encounters.

10. Passion. A Mason subdues but never eliminates his passion. He loves, laughs, cries, and acknowledges the presence of the watchful “All-Seeing Eye” in his life. He knows his true passion is to serve God by serving his brother.

These ten duties are consistent with the lessons taught in the Scottish Rite Degrees. They address challenges that all men face living in today’s society. A Scottish Rite Freemason remembers that he has obligations to be a man who is always judged by what he does.

Change is difficult. We often look back and think things must always be as we think they were. While the past is gone, it is always a prologue to the present and a guide to the future. Masons must stand on the shoulders of the departed brothers who helped establish this fraternity.

Masonic leaders understand that fraternal involvements create meaningful associations, and effective activities connect people. These activities include all our traditional programs, degree rituals, and the development of new strategies to attract future Freemasons.

It is human nature to expect a return from any investment. Connecting valley dues increases to facility improvement, program development, and membership increases has found acceptance with the members of the Cedar Rapids Valley.

We are moving ahead knowing the journey is more important than the destination. As we transition to the future, we are intending to be proactive by doing what it takes to create the Scottish Rite of the 21st. century in the Cedar Rapids Valley. It is a work in progress.

William C. Jacobson joined the Cedar Rapids Consistory in 1972. A retired school administrator, he has been actively involved in Scottish Rite programs that connect to public education. As Personal Representative of the Cedar Rapids Valley in Iowa, he is involved in the leadership initiatives being developed to create the Scottish Rite of the future. Contact: wcj33@mchsi.com.