Grand Master of the District of Columbia

November Message

Last year your Grand Line Officers took on the task of properly defining what our Grand Lodge, in particular, and Freemasonry, in general, actually do in our jurisdiction and where they are going. For many years men have asked: "What does Freemasonry do; What does it stand for?" Our standard response has been: "Freemasonry takes a good man and makes him better." Wow, I can see the questioners’ eyes glaze over on hearing this response. What is a good man and how can you make him better? In Masonry there is really only one definition of a good man. A "good man" is someone who has a faith in God and has moral values—nothing more and nothing less. We have only two basic requirements to become a Mason. First, one must ask to be made a Mason (rather than be asked) and second, one must profess a belief in deity. So why don’t we just say that we take men who have a faith in deity and strengthen their own religious beliefs?

Another response that we have often provided is: "Masonry is a system of morality, veiled in allegory, illustrated by symbols." This phrase really sends a prospective member into the Netherlands. Again, we could have just as easily said, "Masonry is a moral way of life and to emphasize the moral values, we use allegories and symbols to teach, instruct, and remind us how to live."

Questions that we never ask or have answered are—What is it we want to achieve? or—Where do we want to go? If we arrive at our destination, how are we to know?

In today’s society, members of most groups or organizations know what they do, who they serve, and how they serve by the use of a mission statement. They also know what they are trying to accomplish or reach by the use of a vision statement. Our Mission Statement answers the question: What does Masonry do? The Vision Statement informs us about where we would like to go. Our Grand Lodge was created two hundred years ago this year. Our founders, I’m sure, saw no need for either statement. Neither did they write down their hopes, dreams or vision for our Grand Lodge. Have we achieved or exceeded their dreams? I hope we have, for what began originally as a collection of five lodges now stands at forty one—certainly something that the founders could not have contemplated.

So the task was undertaken to define and establish both a mission statement and a vision statement for our Grand Lodge. A mission statement would map out what we do, how we do it, and who we serve. A vision statement would give focus to what we want to achieve. Surveys were taken, focus groups were assembled. Everyone’s input was solicited. A good percentage of our membership took the time to answer and submit a completed survey.

To avoid any possibility of undue influence by a member or members of the fraternity, we hired an outside consultant to facilitate the development of our statements.

At the start of the process, we identified those things we value, as individuals and as an organization. Of all the steps in this process, the identification of our values was the most important. For values are the core structure of any group or organization.

In discussing our values, we came to realize that our individual core values were similar to Masonry’s core values. These were the values that drew and kept us together. Some of these values were already openly discussed in our ritual, while others were not as readily apparent. Of course we know the cardinal values of our order. We call them the three principle tenets; Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. But in reality, we have so many others. Just look at the obligations: " In the presence of almighty God" (we all have a faith in God), "I promise and swear" (we like to and want to be associated with those that keep promises), "I will stand to and abide by" (we believe in the rule of law). Each phrase in our obligations has a value which we are drawn to. Those values combine as the granular bits of cement that bind us together in a brotherhood of moral men.

After many months, the above statements were finalized. The mission statement tells us what we do and who we serve, i.e., "unite men of different beliefs into a harmonious and productive community," and how we do it; i.e., "through the application of Masonic moral values and the practice of benevolence, intellectual development and mutual respect."

I heard someone say that "Masonry is the mirror of a man’s soul"---a very profound statement. If it is a mirror, what do we see in the reflection? Do we like what we see? When I first heard the phrase, I thought of my use of a mirror. Usually it’s when I am preparing myself to go out among people, whether it is at work or socially. I look to see if I’m presentable and if I should straighten anything out. In the same way, when we look into our Masonic mirror, we look to see if we are carrying the "values" that make us a good person,…a good citizen, a good employee or employer, a good spouse, a good son, a good sibling, a good parent, a good friend, and so on. Is there anything amiss in need of correction ?

We say that we first prepared ourselves to be made a Mason in our hearts. How is that? We prepared ourselves by learning from our parents, schools, associations and friends the values of faith, honesty, patriotism, and friendship, those things that make one a "good man".

We accept into our midst good men who ask for membership. Remembering that humility is a virtue: we generally aren’t and shouldn’t be elitist. There are many "good men" without our fraternity who thirst and hunger for the brotherly bonds that we enjoy. Many assume that they "walk alone" in what they see as a society devoid of values. When they do find us, it’s like finding cool water in the heat of the desert. Let us welcome them and relieve their thirst.

Our vision statement points to what our overall achievement should be. Our mission statement guides us on how we will get there. Please read them thoroughly. Memorize them. Think about how you can use them to devise action plans that will not only improve yourself but also improve the relationships and conditions of those around you. Together, lets’s strive every day to truly live up to the moral values which they espouse and which we obligated ourselves to uphold.

Vision : To unite men of different beliefs and cultures into one common society of friends and brothers under the guidance of the Grand Architect.

Mission: To unite men of different beliefs into a harmonious and productive community through the application of Masonic, moral values and the practice of benevolence, intellectual development, and mutual respect.

(Published in the Voice of Freemasonry, vol. 28, November 2, 2011)