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Brethren, Family, and Friends of Mizpah Lodge:
I would like to start by thanking and congratulating Dave Shaw and all who helped in contributing to a successful 2011. Good job, Dave! And team! I also hope that all of you enjoyed a Happy Holiday Season and I wish each of you a healthy and Happy New Year.
Since we’re starting a new year, it’s also that time to bring in a new group of officers. The installation will take place January 7, 2012 at 7:00 PM. I do hope you can attend. It’s an excellent opportunity to meet all of the officers if you haven’t already. It’s also an opportunity for the new officers to meet and visit with you, which is equally important.
Following are some of the items we will focus on during the early part of 2012:
We start 2012 with continuing the restoration from the damage by termites. The termites have been eliminated and the damage to the flooring and support has been corrected. This leaves us with the carpet. The condition of the carpet has been a topic of conversation many times over the last few years, however we now find ourselves in the position where we must do something. So there will be concerted effort to outline our options and proceed with what is best for the lodge and its membership. Other efforts regarding the lodge building include scheduled clean up events for both the outside property and the indoor facilities and furniture.
Proficiency continues to be important in 2012. There are scheduled practices intended to provide opportunities to improve our ritual work. Proficiency provides benefits on four levels, 1) personal pride and increased abilities, 2) efficient use of meeting time and degree work, 3) helping our candidates to better understand what is presented to them, and 4) show appreciation to our membership and visitors. In addition we will have opportunities to attend Schools of Instruction and prepare for our own lodge proficiency.
There are several activities planned for the coming year. Of course, we will have our regular monthly business meetings and pot luck dinners, the work for all degrees, and officer and committee meetings the evening prior to the business meetings. As mentioned earlier, we will hold practices to learn and improve our degree work. There will be the Valentine’s Day Party, Summer Picnic, and Children’s Christmas Party. Also mentioned previously there will be the Spring and Fall Cleaning events. And don’t forget to look for the Rusty Nail Degree, Pancake Breakfast, Widow’s Luncheon or Dinner, Past Masters Night, a 50-Year Pin Presentation, and potentially more.
Finally, I ask you to be involved. Your participation is the primary ingredient to the growth of our organization and its success. What we do affects our Brethren, our wives and family, and our community.
Bill Stone
Worshipful Master-Elect
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