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Pointing in the Right Direction
Over the course of last spring, I was pleased to meet with many of our Scottish Rite leaders at the three Regional Conferences held in Houston, Atlanta, and San Francisco. The purpose of these meetings was to update our Valley and Orient leaders on the planning process taking place throughout the Southern Jurisdiction and on the changes we should consider for Scottish Rite as a fraternity in the years ahead.
Our purpose in having planning processes is two-fold. First, we avoid being the proverbial ostrich with our head in the sand, ignoring the realities we face as an organization. Second, and of equal importance, we recognize the many opportunities we have before us. Planning is absolutely essential if we are to take advantage of these times and to move the Rite forward. We must never forget, above all else, that we are a Fraternity—men bound together with indissoluble ties of obligation, commonality of purpose, and mutual welfare as the heart of our labor. The symbol of our strategic planning process is the compass, a tiny yet vital instrument to keep us pointing in the right direction and on course.
Since the close of our regional conferences, I have seen evidence of Valleys and individual members pondering strategic objectives and striving to implement the planning details in their Bodies. In that regard, I highly commend two articles in the Scottish Rite Journal for your reading and discussion. In fact, either could be the basis of a discussion at your next Valley meeting. You might agree or disagree with the authors’ conclusions but at least consider the merits of their discussions.
On page 13 of the July-August 2006 issue of the Scottish Rite Journal, Ill. William C. Jacobson, 33°, challenges us with “How Long Can We Live on Grandpa’s Money?” Excellent reading! It is a sad fact, but true, that our dues and initiatory fees have not kept up with the times. The number one complaint I hear from Valleys throughout the Southern Jurisdiction concerns matters financial. “How can we continue our upkeep on the building … pay the insurance … cover employment and wage issues … operate a RiteCare Childhood Learning Center?” And, yet, as pointed out by Brother Jacobson, we continue to undervalue our Scottish Rite experience with dues based on yesteryear. If you no longer have your issue of the last Journal, the article can be found online at http://www.scottishrite.org/web/journal-files/Issues/jul-aug06/jacobson.html. Take a look.
In the current issue (the one in your hands!) look at the facing page and spend a few moments with our Deputy for Louisiana, Ill. William J. Mollere, 33°. To a certain degree, Bill writes out of frustration when he calls us to account with the question, “Why do they quit?” Unfortunately, it’s a question confronting us each year as a number of Masons no longer see any value in continuing their Scottish Rite membership. Bill wants to know why—and so should we all.
These are but two examples of our members taking the long view and placing before us the issues we must confront if we are to remain viable in the years ahead. I appreciate their input to the continuing dialog, and I would also be pleased to hear from you.
