Georgina lodge's

BROTHER TO BROTHER PROGRAM 2001 

Simply defined the Brother to Brother Mission Statement is designed to enhance the skills of all Masons to RETAIN, Revitalize and RENEW their membership by empowering them with the right ideas and tools.

In our view there are two elements to this concept. One is a focus on the individual member and the other is to focus on the enhancement of the lodge as a whole.

Yes there is a goal or a result for the program. Masonry can offer its members more, and every lodge can grow as a dynamic institution offering growth to good men and sharing values that have endured for centuries and since the dawn of time.

This is achieved in three ways. It is expected that membership in a Lodge will be improved by retaining new members. The program then offers ideas for revitalizing the interest of those Brethren who are current members, and finally to renew the interest of those brethren who no longer attend lodge.

But unlike a membership campaign, the purpose is deeper and the responsibility lies with the lodge and with its members. It draws upon what being a Mason is all about, namely caring and commitment to your brothers.

The Grand Lodge has prepared an excellent program which those exposed to management will readily recognize many of its core elements. This program is being shared with all the officers in hard copy and through this web site the Georgina Program is shared with all members.

In fact, in word, action, and deed Georgina has been walking the talk of the Brother to Brother Program for its entire history. Ian Mackenzie our last Brother to Brother Chair, and our past Masters and members are to be thanked for creating a living Masonry of care, fun and sharing.

But this program is a process, a cycle of renewal as it may be best explained. And already we have enjoyed many successes in a number of areas. There is a combined sense of valued tradition and new excitement in our lodge. The Brother to Brother Program simply grows on existing foundations.

And our Lodge can enjoy working in this cycle of improvement. W.M. Pat Piccione, DDGM George McGowan and Bro. Neil Sinclair went to attend the program for the district in November and came away with ideas to implement and thoughts to be shared.

The program and process belongs collectively and individually to the members of Georgina. We seek volunteers who are willing to explore these ideas further from our members. It is open to all members and we seek those that are older and wiser elders, and those that have joined us as recent members. We seek the active involvement of the officers.

Finally we all can take a role in revitalizing our lodge. If we each could bring " One good man" to our Lodge in the upcoming year, think of the energy we could create. If we could bring some of the members we do not see often to lodge what an exciting wealth of knowledge would be brought together.

I am pleased to act as your facilitator for the next year in this program and in turn ask for your involvement. I am asking each member to come up with 3 ideas one how best retain new members, one on how to revitalize our members and interest, and third how to renew the interest in those that we too seldom see.

That is three ideas per member. I will collect and share these with the brethren and then you may best proceed as to what you want to adopt as a lodge. I will be making a special canvass of past Masters for guidance, bending the ear for the wisdom of our current Master and chatting this up with everybody. Eventually there will be a questionnaire sent to all members.

Down the road, we will work to share what your expectations dictate. Copies of this program are distributed, I ask the officers to review the materials and then share what elements that would like to adopt. Many aspects of operating a lodge are enclosed. There is an idea or two worth discovering.

Living Masonry is simply that, for us to reflect the spiritual gifts in us all, and then share that light with our fellow creatures.

Thank you

Neil Sinclair your facilitator

posted 12/01

CARE IN OUR ELECTRONIC WORLD

GEORGINA E- TIPS

Many of our current and past members are jumping on the web and visiting our web site, receiving electronic newsletters and communicating with one another through email.

Because some of us are just learning we will address a few Georgina Tips on this site for the Brethren that are learning and want to do so safely. Members that are technically proficient can no doubt help the others. So here are Georgina's E Tips.

All PC and Computers can be tracked through a special identifying code with each PC. There is software to disable this but this has advantages depending on they type of use you make of the internet.

Your computer (while you are on line) can be linked into by an anonymous party. Again there is firewalls that can protect you.

It is rare to pick up any virus from visiting a web site. It is possible however. In a similar fashion it is not usual to pick up any virus from reading email. It is much more dangerous to open an attachment and some attachments called " worms" can when activated and then use your mailing list to send itself to other machines. So again there is web sites that can offer protection and programs when updated can protect you from most virus and worms.

Every reasonable attempt will be made to ensure that the Georgina Web Site and e-mail programs will be safe, and protected. But do become knowledgeable about some of the issues facing us all and take precautions.

Neil Sinclair 12/01