Members May Selectively Invite Good Men to Join

While placing continued emphasis on the preferred practice of a candidate asking a brother to be proposed for membership, now brethren may also engage in selective invitation. Under this change, members are permitted to invite a man of good character to join this fraternity. In many ways, this is only authorizing what has been a common practice for many members for years.

Three Black Balls Are Now Required to Reject a Candidate

It will now require three black balls to reject a candidate. At the same time, any one brother may still reject a candidate by going to the District Deputy Grand Master (D.D.G.M.), privately, and stating his reason for rejection. If the D.D.G.M. finds the reason for rejection to be a true Masonic objection and the facts to be truthful, he will submit the objection on behalf of the anonymous brother.

One Day Masonic Journey: October 30, 2010

On Oct. 30, 2010, our Grand Lodge will hold a One Day Masonic Journey in 13 locations across the state. The classes will be conducted much the same as the One Day Class held in 2004. This is an excellent opportunity to invite interested, quality men, who may have busy schedules and numerous business and personal time commitments, to join our ranks. During this event, approved candidates will be able to join Symbolic, Scottish Rite and Shrine Freemasonry all in one day.

Brethren: if you are a member of a Blue Lodge but have an interest in expanding your Masonic experience to include Scottish Rite and Shrine Masonry, this is a convenient option for you, too!

All-Star Teams Will Confer District-wide Degrees

Degrees for membership are hereby permitted to be done on a Masonic district basis in the spring and fall. The degrees will be done on three separate days, just as they are now. All-star degree teams should be chosen, and the mechanics of this process will be announced at the Schools of Instruction. Performing the very best conferrals will make the presentation even more impressive, and having the lodge room full will show the new members the proper attention.

An Unlimited Number of Freemasons Can Be Made in One Day

The restriction whereby only five Freemasons can be made in one day is hereby removed. The Ritual has been changed, and the "Ahiman Rezon" will be changed accordingly so that lodges and Masonic districts will be permitted and encouraged to make as many Masons as they choose to in one day.

Senior Recruitment Program

The new Senior Recruitment Program is being implemented as an incentive to invite worthy candidates to join our ranks. Any member who is age 60 or higher and who successfully recommends for membership two members who are less than 30 years old will be exempt from lodge and Grand Lodge dues for life.

Lodges Awarded for Membership Growth and Retention

Awards will be presented to the lodges that excel in a positive membership increase for the year and also for lodges that retain their members by having no suspensions.

"Call 'Em All" Will Continue as "Call to the Craft"

The "Call 'em All" program will continue under the new title of "Call to the Craft" to be paid for the lodges' use by the Grand Lodge. One of the most important duties that we can perform is to keep in communication with our members!

Dues Can Now Be Paid By Credit or Debit

In order to bring our dues payment method up to modern times and help with cash flow, every lodge will be able to receive a member's dues by use of a credit or debit card. For convenience and efficiency, all members will be encouraged to participate in an automatic withdrawal from their credit card each year for their dues.

Lodge Notices Are To Be Distributed Electronically

Lodge secretaries are encouraged to use e-mail for the distribution of lodge notices. With proper planning, this could save the lodge several hundred dollars a year that could be used for other purposes.

Members May Learn Our Ritual From Printed Manuals That Will Be Monitored Closely And Never Used in Open Lodge

Now, for the first time, there is an absolute printed version of our ritual of the three degrees, so that never again will there be any question among our brethren as to the official authorized work. The ritual manuals will provide more brethren the opportunity to learn about and memorize our beautiful Pennsylvania Masonic ritual. A brother now may, in his spare time, work on the memorization of the ritual without having to make an appointment with another brother.

If we truly believe in our professed Masonic values of loving our wives, our children, our family, our community, our country, and also keeping a good occupational work ethic, then we need to make it more convenient for a brother to learn our ritual without neglecting the aforementioned entities. A printed manual will require less time away from families by allowing our brethren to learn our beautiful ritual during their own precious free time instead of insisting that it be memorized by word of mouth.

The ritual manual will be controlled by the Worshipful Master of the lodge, and he will be responsible for signing in and signing out the manuals to ensure an absolute audit of each manual. When signing out a manual, a brother will sign an agreement, on his Masonic word, that he will not permit photocopying or otherwise writing or printing of the ritual.

This convenient tool for brethren wishing to learn the ritual will dramatically enhance the way we perform our degree work. Use this manual to your benefit, respect the confidentiality of it, but most important of all, observe the restrictions placed upon its use.

Restrictions are as follows:

• This manual may not be used in an open meeting of the lodge.
• This manual may not be used for prompting during a degree.
• This manual may not be used to read from during any degree.
• The material in this manual may not be copied or photocopied in any way.
• No brother shall knowingly permit a non-Mason to look through this manual.
• The D.D.G.M. will audit the rituals during his official visitation to assure they are properly cared for.

Penalties are as follows:

• Any lodge that is found to be in violation of any of the above restrictions will have its Warrant of Constitution forfeited to the Grand Lodge.
• Any brother found to be in violation of any of the above restrictions will be subject to Masonic discipline.

Certified Brethren Will Receive a Proficiency Award Pin

A Proficiency Award Pin has been created to be awarded to and worn by any brother who has been certified by the Schools of Instruction as having become proficient in all three symbolic degrees.

Opening and Closing of Meetings May Be Shortened

The Grand Master has authorized the lodges to open and close all of their meetings in a shortened manner prescribed by the Schools of Instruction. This will help make our meetings more interesting, less monotonous, shorter, and will allow more time for fellowship.

These, and other topics of interest and concern will be discussed at the Regional Schools of Instruction to be held:

District Deputy Grand Masters May Now Serve 10 Years

District Deputy Grand Masters are now permitted to serve 10 years by mutual agreement of the Grand Master and the District Deputy. Five years' service is still required for the designation of Past District Deputy Grand Master.

Some Masonic Districts Will Be Eliminated and Realigned

Eight Masonic Districts will be eliminated and others realigned to make our operation more efficient financially and fraternally.

A Masonic Congress Will Be Held in February 2010

On Feb. 26-27, 2010, Grand Master Sturgeon will hold a Masonic Congress at the Masonic Conference Center-Patton Campus in Elizabethtown for all Masonic entities. The purpose will be to find ways to work together in a unity of purpose for the betterment of our beloved Craft.

A New Due Process for Suspensions and Expulsions

A new Due Process procedure will limit the authority of the Grand Master in suspensions and expulsions. The lodges will be encouraged to act on these issues, but if a situation requires action by the Grand Lodge, that action will take place following a meeting of the Committee on Landmarks and the brother in question having a fair hearing with his appropriate due process protected.

The Legal Structure of Grand Lodge Will Be Assessed

The legal structure of the Grand Lodge will be reviewed, and if it is necessary, changes will be made that ensure the limited liability of the Grand Lodge officers.

New Software Will Simplify the Lodge Audit Process

The Grand Lodge is working on the development of the necessary software to make the lodge audit process easier and simpler for all concerned.

Committee on Masonic Homes Meeting Change

The Committee on Masonic Homes will meet four times per year instead of six, and Grand Master Sturgeon will not chair that committee. "The function of this committee is too important, and it is imperative that it function as an independent committee without the influence of the Grand Master," Grand Master Sturgeon said in explaining his decision.

Grand Lodge Committees Are Restructured for Efficiency

Grand Master Sturgeon has eliminated several of the traditional Grand Lodge committees, merged the responsibilities of other committees and totally revamped the committee structure to make the Grand Lodge more efficient and to save money.

The Dress Code for Masonic Meetings Is Relaxed

The dress code for lodge meetings is now relaxed to a more contemporary style whereby a necktie is not required. Any lesser dress code requirements will be established by the appropriate D.D.G.M. Jeans and t-shirts are not acceptable dress for Pennsylvania Masons; however, when visitors come from other jurisdictions, we are first and always hospitable and welcoming to our guests.

Open Installations of All Symbolic Lodge Officers

The open installation of all symbolic lodge officers, including the Worshipful Master, is strongly encouraged. In every instance, whether it be an open or closed installation, no brother will be asked to leave the meeting. The Schools of Instruction will provide the necessary vehicle to assume more openness in the installation process.

Electronic Guide Will Provide Tours of the Masonic Temple

Through an exciting technologically-advanced initiative program, an electronic guide system is being created by the Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania for tours of the Masonic Temple. This professionally-created CD will be played for all visitors to this ancient but glorious facility, describing the room or area they are in. New DVD players and speakers will be installed in every room to ensure high quality sound throughout the building. Modernizing the tour experience will ensure that all visitors receive the same tour information.

Masonic Villages Adopt-A-Resident Program

To enhance members' relationships with our Masonic Villages, every lodge is encouraged and expected to adopt a person or couple from one of the Masonic Villages. The lodge should arrange for visits, take residents out to dinner or lunch, give gifts for birthdays and holidays and look after their general needs.

Lodges Will Conduct Monthly Community Service

Every lodge needs to become more involved and visible in its local community. Lodges will be expected to do one local service initiative every month during the next two years. This could be for the community, such as repairs or maintenance to a ball field, or it could be cutting the grass or making repairs to the home of an elderly person. It could be a day-long or several hours-long project.

Members Will Commit A Weekly Random Act of Kindness

"Every Pennsylvania Freemason is to commit to at least one Random Act of Kindness every week for the next two years," Grand Master Sturgeon said. "It may be buying a person's coffee, carrying someone's groceries, shoveling snow or doing yard work for a neighbor, watching a couple's children so they can spend some time together, or any little act that makes us stand out as special."

Members Will Support Our Military Through "HELP FOR OUR HEROES"

Pennsylvania Masons will continue our strong support for our military personnel. The "Change for the Troops" program will now be known as "Help for Our Heroes." The program focus will change from supporting our military in the desert to supporting the seriously injured who are hospitalized. We will present the injured with calling cards and will work with the military services to provide needed travel expenses for family of the injured to visit their injured family member in the hospital or any other needed assistance.

Lodges Will Raise Funds to Support Our Masonic Villages

Every lodge is expected to have a fundraiser during 2010, with the beneficiary being the Masonic Villages. This effort is in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Masonic Village at Elizabethtown. Each lodge will be expected to raise a minimum of $2,000 for the Masonic Villages. To assure success, there will be an incentive program, awards and rewards for the lodges or districts who raise the largest amounts of money based on a ratio of raised funds to total membership. It will be the D.D.G.Ms' responsibility to ensure that all appropriate laws are being adhered to.

Masonic Youth Initiatives Will Be Supported By Lodges

The Grand Lodge assessment will be raised by $.50, with all of the proceeds going to the youth group initiatives. Monitored by the Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation, these monies will go directly to the various youth organizations as incentive grants for the completion of worthy projects.