As you read this, the annual session of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut has occurred and an orderly transition of elected offi cials has taken place.

In the United Kingdom this is often referred to as “The King is dead, long live the King.” This phrase is used to signify one of the earliest processes where the people allowed the transition of power within a state in an orderly manner. In our Federal government and in the states and local governments similar, transitions occur on a regular basis because of constitutions and because the people allow the orderly transition process.

We in Masonry have a similar orderly process in our lodges and in our Grand Lodge that is directed by our constitution and the will of our members.

I comment on the process because as I assume the weighty responsibilities of the office of Grand Master I must congratulate Brother Charles A. Buck, Jr., our immediate Past Grand Master. The actions he took during his year in office were instrumental in furthering the seamless transition of power in our fraternity. He understood the need for your elected offi cers of 2011 to begin planning following our 2010 Semi-Annual session. Everything we did,  meetings, planning sessions, and special committees, were done with his knowledge, participation and sound advice. Thank you ,Brother Charlie, for your years of dedicated service and your kind assistance to the 2011-12 officers of the Grand Lodge. We pledge to continue your example of selfless dedication to the craft.

 

In February, at Brother Charlie’s request, I attended the Conference of Grand Masters of North America in Denver as head of the Connecticut delegation which included the Grand Senior and Junior Wardens and Grand Secretary. This conference is held annually around the time of George Washington’s birthday. It is an opportunity for the Grand Masters and other elected officers to discuss mutual problems affecting our fraternity, determine courses of action to strengthen the fraternity and map it’s future course.

 

Conferences of this type are important. Similar to lodge members learning by traveling to other lodges, we had an opportunity to learn valuable lessons from our sister jurisdictions. Brother Simon LaPlace, now the Grand Senior Warden, also attended the Conference of Western Grand Masters and I hope he will provide you with insights from that meeting in an upcoming issue.

Your Grand Lodge officers participate in other conferences where we interact to ensure our Grand Lodge is in concert with our sister jurisdictions and also learn valuable lessons through an exchange of ideas that work ,as well as ones that did not work. Two of these are: 1) the Northeast Conference of Grand Masters, which includes the 18 northeastern states and is held in July; and 2) the New England Brotherhood, where the officers of the New England Grand Lodges gather. This year the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island hosted the  New England Brotherhood meeting in Providence on March 26.

An important result of the New England Brotherhood meeting was an agreement to hold an “All New England Open House” on the 15th of October, 2011. Lodges and other Masonic organizations throughout New England will have an opportunity to greet the public on the same day. The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts has a  major media effort planned to support the open house and all the New England Grand Lodges will benefi t from that publicity.

Deputy Grand Master Arseneau has been working diligently on this project with our other Grand Lodge officers. Masonicare has agreed to join us in this endeavor. RW Arseneau is also working to have every Masonically affiliated organization in Connecticut participate in the Open House.

The focus of this endeavor is on the lodges, chapters, councils, commanderies, valleys, assemblies and chapters. Our roots are firmly in these organizations and their growth and prosperity is essential.

We all must realize that every Masonically affiliated organization has a stake in this effort. Strong, prospering, vibrant lodges will provide a broad base for membership in affi liated organizations and growth in leadership. It should not be a “blinding flash” that an increasing base of members results in more potential members all our organizations.

A meeting is being arranged and the leaders of all Masonically affiliated organizations will be requested to attend in order to facilitate the coordination of efforts in Connecticut. I am prepared, with your help, to meet the challenges ahead. I urge your participation in the upcoming fraternal meetings across the state this month (highlighted on page 4). We need your input and I look forward to your support.