Ronald A. Seale, 33°, Sovereign Grand Commander

The Sentinel membership software gives members a wonderful tool for meeting and
keeping in touch with their Masonic Brothers.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if our Scottish Rite Valleys were places where our members felt involved, included, and needed as valued members of the organization? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we, with very little effort, could keep tabs on our Brothers, and could be made aware of significant milestones in their lives and in the lives of their families––births, deaths, marriages, graduations, birthdays, travels, and the like? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could find our members who are “missing in action,” those members we haven’t seen for a while, and could give them a call––and possibly a ride––to the next meeting or Reunion? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if our Brother, alone in his solitude and fear in a hospital, saw a Scottish Rite Brother coming by for a brief visit with words of cheer and encouragement and a hand upon his shoulder? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could locate and contact members or potential members that live nearby and, with courage in hand, telephone that man we didn’t know (but whom we call “Brother”) and invite him to our next event? To be brief, wouldn’t it be wonderful if we practiced our Masonry? Wouldn’t our Valleys and our Blue Lodges benefit?

Over the past few months, I have seen an increase in just such activities. Every day brings e-mails and telephone calls of members who are making these visits, telephoning members, and enjoying contacts and Brotherhood with men previously unknown to them––but now greeted as Brother Masons. In the short, I am seeing men who are practicing their Masonry to the benefit of their Valleys, Lodges, their Brothers, and, ultimately, themselves. They are finding that they are not only helping Masonry but also having great fun.

How is this being done? In great part, it is being done through the use of the Southern Jurisdiction’s Sentinel Computer Software Program. Sentinel is being implemented throughout our Valleys, and, as a result, we are seeing and hearing the stories of Masons engaging each other to the benefit of all.

Would you like to get in on the fun and perhaps experience Masonry as never before? Would you like to meet those Brothers who live only a few miles from your home? Would you like to see your Valley added to the list of success stories? Talk to your Valley Secretary about Sentinel and the ways you can assist membership development through its use in your Valley. If your Secretary is not yet fully acquainted with this powerful, dynamic tool, send me an e-mail at grandcmdr@srmason-sj.org, and I’ll see if we can’t help.

Masonry as it’s supposed to be! Wouldn’t it be wonderful?

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