Notes from the DGM Rollout

Several Fulton Lodge Brothers attended the DGM Rollout program for 2017 in Perrysburg last night.  Here are some meeting highlights from "Brother" Douglas Kaylor, the presumed incoming Grand Master:

1. The coming year will be themed around "300 years of Modern Masonry", with special celebrations planned for June 24, which is the 300 year anniversary of The Premier Grand Lodge of England. Districts will be expected to hold some type of public event with all lodges represented.  The event should be open to all Masons and their guests.

2. Making Masons will be a top focus for Grand Lodge.  Suggestions in the form of a 5 point plan included:

    - Sponsorship: correct methods in actively approaching prospective individuals.  The 16th Masonic district has been running a campaign at http://replaceyourself.org/ as a method to challenge members to bring in new candidates.
    - Investigating: outlined a new background check tool (optional) for candidates.  The background check website they have patterned with has a $14 cost which Grand Lodge encourages the candidates to pay for, and their suggestion to the Lodges and Investigating Committees is either to embrace this for all candidates, or not to use it at all.
    - Grand Master Class March 25: There will be a one day class this coming year.  Grand Lodge is issuing a challange to all candidates to learn the Master Mason Obligation as part of it.  This is not a requirement, but a suggestion.  New one day class masons must attend a lodge meeting after the class and before June 24.  New masons from the one day class are also not allowed to petition appendant bodies until June 25.  The class should be conducted as a district event, although multiple districts can band together to hold a single regional event.
    - 300 Year Celebration: All Ohio lodges should be represented on June 24, 2017 at a coordinated event by the district, which could be an open Table Lodge.
    - Help him find his place: Refocus on getting new Lodge members active in the lodge, not necessarily throwing the right in a chair, but involved in committees and community activities.

3. Charitable Priorities and consolidation of the Grand Lodge Charitable Foundation

4. New Grand Masters Pin with elements paying tribute to Ohio as the 17th state, and English style square and compasses to honor our Ancient Brethren.

A lot of good information, not many changes expected in Lodge requirements from the previous year.