Plans change

Worshipful Master, Right Worshipfuls, Very Worshipfuls, Worshipfuls, Brethren All:  I bring you the most heartfelt fraternal greetings of our Grand Master, The Most Worshipful Edward G. Gilbert.  Brother Secretary, I ask that this copy of the Grand Master’s Address, which was given on his behalf on St. John’s Day, June 27^th, 2009 in the Daniel D. Tompkins Memorial Chapel, be spread upon the minutes of our present Communication.

My Brothers, tonight is an unusual night.  Because of a heavy late-February snow storm, we cancelled the original date of this visit.  Since it was already so late in the Masonic year, we had to reschedule it for a time that we would not have normally considered; after the homecoming for the Grand Staff Officer, and before my own.  What can I tell you?  Sometimes, plans change.

Before I started my term as District Deputy Grand Master 688 days ago, I had some goals I wanted to reach, and even some plans how to achieve those goals.  But then, a whole bunch of things that I wasn’t counting on seemed to pop up in my path.  When the first issues got in the way of my initial goals, I was reminded of a saying, that I will sanitize for usage in a tiled Lodge room that says: “When you’re up to your armpits in alligators, it’s hard to remember that you meant to drain the swamp.”  Sometimes, plans change.

Yet, as we have said before, change can be unsettling, or even devastating.  When our original plans are sidetracked, or even derailed, we can lose sight of our goals.  This can lead to a loss of momentum which can sap the efforts towards other goals that were not necessarily affected by the initial change.

Conversely, as Masons, we also openly recognize change.  We speak about how the Craft is growing and changing and becoming better at being useful forces for positive change.  We even point out operative construction elements that should have additional significance for us and our explicit journey to change and improve ourselves.  Yet clearly there is some disconnect between what we acknowledge and what we accept in regards to change.  I actually believe that the solution is very simple.  If sometimes, plans change; then it seems to me that what we need to plan specifically for is change.  There is certainly no time more appropriate for that discussion than now.

Two months from now, we will have elected the various officers of our Lodges and even elected a new Grand Master.  And even if some of our Masters are re-elected to a repeat term, they will have new goals that they want to pursue.  All of this we know, but what about each one of us?  How are you prepared to be an agent of change for your Lodge and our Craft?  Maybe you are standing for election for a position in your Lodge’s leadership.  Maybe you have been approached to serve on a specific committee, or in a specific place in the Lodge or District.

No matter what direction your path heads, you should be planning for change.  While it is easier to plan for change that signals your advancement in leadership, it is equally important to plan for changes that signal a new phase – that of retirement.

It is hard for me to imagine that, at the ripe old age of 45, my active leadership in our District is coming to an end.  Will it be hard to adapt to the new reality?  I am sure that there will be challenges and times when I may forget my new role.  But I like to think that I will handle being a Past District Deputy Grand Master the same way that I have handled being a Past Master in my Lodge for the past four years.

The incorrect way to be a “Past Leader” is to forget that the term “Past” is now in front of your once almost omnipotent title.  You are no longer in command.  You are not even in any position of control.  In fact, you must balance the incredible challenge of only giving advice to the current Master when you are asked for it, and accepting completely that your advice may be totally disregarded.  However, do not be mistaken into believing that you will no longer lead.  You do; in a very real and tangible way.  You must lead your Lodge in the act of submitting to the will of the Master.  You must instruct your Lodge how to follow.  It might possibly be both the hardest lesson you will teach your Lodge, and the hardest lesson that you will learn.

It is easy to respect the East upon our entrance into the Craft.  We know that we are “the new Brother”, and we appreciate that we have so much to learn.  If we decide not to seek a leadership position, and never ascend the chairs, it will become a lifelong second nature to serve.  Every Lodge in our District can point to long-time Brothers that are the very bedrock of their work, having served on investigating and planning committees.  Yet these Brothers never had the desire to be considered for an elective post.

It is also easy to respect the East if we should continue our journey towards it.  Knowing that you will expect the respect of those that come after you is an excellent reminder of how you should comport yourself on your ascendency.  And, should you be lucky enough to arrive at the pinnacle of power in your Lodge; you must remember that every other step you take in your Lodge will only be ones of humility and obedience.  Past Masters that try to continue to control their Lodges past their tenure as elected Masters do not contribute to the long-term health of their Lodges.  Sniping, whispering, or, in the modern form of texting from other chairs or from the sidelines only serves to reinforce poor structure and behavior.  Most importantly, it teaches the worst lesson there is – that the individual is more important than the Body.  There are few mistakes more injurious to our Craft than this.  If, as Master, you are not hoping and planning for a better Master to replace you, then you are not fulfilling your duty to your Lodge.  No one Brother is irreplaceable.  The same is true for District Deputy Grand Masters as well.

I have been lucky in that regard.  The Past District Deputy Grand Masters of our District have been a constant support to me over the past 2 years.  A great percentage of those Brothers belong to this Lodge.  When I have needed their advice, they have given it freely and honestly, and always in privacy and in confidence.  Whether I incorporated 100% or 0% of that advice did not affect their support of my eventual decision.  They had my back every time.  They have showed me a great example of how true leadership accepts and supports change.  I hope that I have learned that lesson well.

Yes my Brothers, change is inevitable.  All that matters is how we handle it and plan for it. For as men who gather to affect change on our world, we already acknowledge it.  And like the flowers that are already beginning to bloom so soon after the snow has only recently melted, change is already taking place.  I look forward to enjoying the change into a glorious Spring with you all.

Worshipful Master, I thank you for the courtesies extended to me, the Grand Sword Bearer, and all of our Brothers in attendance this evening.  My Brothers, I need your help to usher in a new era in our District.  You will soon get e-mail from me asking you for your support of our next District team at St. John’s weekend in Utica.  I know that I can count on you to ring in that change in a joyous way.  Your constant support is one thing that will never change.  Thank you.