Deputy Grand Master R W Jim J Harris

Deputy Grand Master's Calendar

Brothers all:

I hope all the Brothers that went to the 181st Grand Lodge Communication had an excellent time and enjoyed being with your Brothers from around the State.  It is so great being with old friends and meeting new Brothers.  The Grand Lodge Communication is truly a family event with activities available for the woman and a large pool area for the kids.  I want to personally thank the Brothers that participated for their enthusiasm and sincere interest in the legislation presented. 
I also want to thank all the Brothers for their support and the great honor of allowing me to serve this year as your Deputy Grand Master. I will continue to work hard to earn your trust and confidence always promoting Masonry everywhere I visit with all of my ability. I also feel very fortunate to work with the current Grand Lodge line. We are in unison and planning a course for Masonry in Florida with a unified vision.  This is done by respecting each other’s views and working as a team for a common goal Masonry. 
This year the Grand Lodge Officers along with the Committeemen of the various Grand Lodge Committees have made changes and enhancements to each program.  We are requesting more reports from the Committee Chairmen to determine the areas that need further attention. This way we will be able to address those concerns and make the necessary adjustments to insure we are on the right path.
The Mentoring program which has been a responsibility of every Lodge since 1954 is a tool that needs to be revitalized as it was intended.  Every Brother from the newly initiated to the Brothers still thirsting for knowledge should receive all the mentoring he deserves and needs.  A man should start getting his mentoring from the time he receives his petition until the time he becomes so well educated as a Mason that he is able to become a mentor himself. We are not talking days or weeks my Brothers, we are talking about a period of time which is different with every individual.  This mentoring system should not be confused with catechism or ritual work. The Grand Lodge of Florida has a mentoring system that is well prepared and very instructive.  Please see that your Lodge is working hard to make Masons and not members. By committing yourself to become a Masonic Mentor for your Lodge is a commitment that can only come from one place and that is your heart.  It is a position that requires knowledge and love of our Fraternity and the Masonic way of life.  
This year we need to work especially hard to insure every Brother that has fallen on hard times is not ignored.  We also should encourage participation from all members of the Lodge to check on each other and make certain Brothers are not dropping out of the Fraternity due to a lack of interest or feel they are not needed or wanted.  Every Brother has something to offer and we must reach out to those that are not active.  We will experience a positive growth if we can eliminate the Brothers that stop paying their dues (NPD) and give up on the Fraternity.  We, in fact, raise more Brothers than we lose to death each year but it is the extraordinary high number of Brothers we lose from the nonpayment of dues that is unsustainable.  Every Lodge can make a difference with this dilemma by appointing a committee to visit each Brother either by phone or in person to make sure the Brother doesn’t have a problem or has become disgruntled over a simple matter.  He may feel he is not contributing or hasn’t been asked to participate.  All of this being said it needs to be done sooner rather than later.  We can’t afford to wait until the year has passed. As our Grand Master MW J. Dick Martinez says “Masons Always Rise to the Occasion” and now is definitely one of those times we need to take action to strive for a positive growth.
Brothers, this year we lost over 1400 Brothers who were called home by the Great Architect. This causes a large void and unrest for many Masonic families.  We must be willing to aid and assist the widows of our departed Brother in this, their indescribable time. We need to be the stability that remains in their world.
Brothers please allow me to end with one message. It would be a stronger more fun and productive Fraternity not to mention a greater world if every Mason practiced that very important oath to assist each other and to respect each other as Brothers.  We should never engage in conflicts and quarrels over petty and foolish activities. We are not in competition with each other; we are on the same team with the same goals.  Brothers, the old adage united we stand divided we fall is so very true. We as Masons should set aside our differences and become truly united.

Respectfully,
Jim Harris DGM