Junior Grand Warden - R:. W:. James W. Ford

Brethren,

It is an honor to serve you in the capacity of Junior Grand Warden and I want to thank the many Brothers throughout the state for their support and encouragement.

As I traveled around the state, I discussed three main subjects: Membership, Communication, and Masonic Education. Membership is the key to our future. It will determine our future lodge dues, our Grand Lodge per capita tax, the number of lodges in the state, the number attending Lodge, the number attending Grand Lodge, and of course, it will affect our allied and appendant bodies. Membership is and will be affected by how well we communicate to our petitioners, our candidates, and our current Brothers. How well we communicate may determine the number of NPD’s. Membership will be affected by how well we educate and treat our new Brothers. We need new members, but make no mistake, these new members must be of the highest possible character. We should remember that we can ask a man to become a Mason. Not long ago, I saw an excellent ad in a local newspaper for “Friends Night”. Should this be our direction? Advertise for members through – newspapers – radio – television – cable???

Our forefathers have left us a legacy, a gift which is ours to cherish and continue into the future. We have a ritual that bonds us as men and Masons. The future is yours! Yours to decide - where we are going and how we will get there. “The World Views Masonry Through our Actions”.

Your Grand Lodge has provided many positive changes such as: an excellent web site with forms and Masonic Education materials available to all; an online secretary’s portal; a secretary and treasurer’s workshop; a new Masonic Leadership Training program with manual, and training; a new Masonic Education Program and training; and the re-structuring of various committees. We are on the threshold of having a charity, the MMRL, which we can say “this is what we do or “this is what we support”. A charity that, not only, is a Masonic charity, but a charity that serves all mankind and is supported by not only Masons, but non-Masons as well.

We also cannot forget our Masonic Home which has provided a service above and beyond to Masons and their families for over 90 years. We must find ways to increase the number of residents to fully utilize this beautiful facility. We need to better promote the “Pay as You Go” or “Private Pay Plan”. My congratulations and thanks to Mrs. Lisa Tsotsos, her staff, and employees for all they do for the Home.

My Brothers, we have a healthy fraternity, but we must continue to move forward in a positive direction. We must continue to evaluate our current programs and look for new and better ways to move into the future.

During many of my visits, I have discussed “toleration”. In closing, I would like to quote an article from The Short Talk Bulletin dated February, 2011:

“One of the most important words in the vocabulary of any Freemason is the word toleration. That is why we respect each other as men and Masons regardless of our background. We come together as individual men through a marvelous ritual that turns us into Brothers. We cannot always explain the bond that is created but it is there for the entire world to see. Being a Freemason does make a difference”.

My Brothers, being a Freemason does make a difference. It makes a difference in our hearts. As we visit the various districts and lodges, I look forward to being with you and listening to your thoughts and ideas. I look forward to the great fellowship and hospitality that exists within our Fraternity!

Respectfully and Fraternally,

James W. Ford

Junior Grand Warden