Ohio Lodge Lays Ground Work For Future Lodges - Page 2

Michaelscribe · 10-30-2007, 11:23 PM

It was refreshing to see that the Ohio Lodge (Halcyon Lodge No. 498) has entered the 21 Century with new modern use ideas.

Our Masonic Temple in Ontario, Canada, is governed by a Temple Board Corporation made up of members from three Lodges as well as representatives from appendent bodies such as OES, York Rite and Scottish Rite.

Our portion of the rent has been increasing greatly and the Temple Board in their wisdom decided that the facility should be rented out to non members.

My Lodge occupies the Temple facility at most two (02) times a month for about nine (09) hours in total. Our rent is about $1200.00 every three (03)months.

Members have suggested that rather than allowing non members to rent the Masonic Temple for weddings, parties, dances etc. We should first be allowed to open the facility to the members for events such as viewing (on a large screen) soccer, hockey, baseball etc. as well as morning coffee club, lunches, dinners etc.

Many members feel that the Masonic Temple and Lodge is sacred and fear that non members will not respect the facility and may destroy wall hangings, plaques, furniture, memorabilia etc.

All comments, advice, suggestions and experiences will be welcome.

D. W. Brown · 10-31-2007, 03:43 PM

Bro. Michaelscribe,

I think as long as you have good contracts in place when renting it out, as well as being cautious to whom you rent it too, you should not really have a big problem.

Renting the building is just a stop gap measure to pay immediate bills, thinking outside the box, as Halcyon has done, would be my course of action. Instead of renting, toss around some ideas like gifting the building to a charity for youth programs, etc.. You can always find money to help maintain the building or even make improvements through various sources as long as it is done correctly. Hope that made sense, it did in my head.

D. W. Brown · 11-14-2007, 09:35 AM

Update.... Seems there was a falling out when members of the Grand Lodge of Ohio came to Halcyon No. 498 for this past weeks election night. We don't have all the details yet but early reports are they were ordered to reverse the donation of the building to the charity (which of course cannot be done) along with other demands. This action forced the Brothers of Halcyon to hand over their charter and dues cards to the representatives. As we get more updates we'll let you know what is happening, so much for working together, we thought it was too good to be true.

witnessofjesus · 11-24-2007, 10:53 PM

As he should have, my rebellious brother, what Halycon has done without the approval of all the voting members of the lodge present was irregular and you and your officers have single-handedly 'hijacked' this lodge, and the Grand Lodge of Ohio is one of the most progressive, 21st century Grand jurisdictions that I am aware of and I am happy to be acquainted with many brethren there.

I am sure that the Grand Lodge hasn't taken it lightly by putting your lodge on probation, as this is their right to do, and I should hope that you will return to your senses and again reconsider this drastic overtake of this lodge in opposition to the GL of Ohio and that you'll submit to the leadership of those elected to serve as your Grand Master and Grand officers. If you do not, then I say the Grand Lodge of Ohio should sue for ownership of the building, dispose of those of you who have been rebellious against the Grand Lodge, and the allow the members who were not present to reform Halycon No. 498, electing themselves another Worshipful Master, who is truly 'worshipful' and then reconstitute this lovely lodge under direction and guidance of the Grand Lodge. This is what I would do, and I urge you to come to your senses, and return to the "Wonderful World of Freemasonry" as is the current Grand Master's theme, because right now, you're outside of it.

I don't know about your obligation as a Master Mason, but I swore to pay due obedience to the officers both subordinate and supreme of my lodge, and I suppose that if you choose not to live up to this part of your obligation, then you choose for yourself to cease being a Mason, and as such, make of yourself an outsider. I should hope you'll reconsider and return, you and your new lodge of renagades will be in my prayers for a safe passage back into recognized Freemasonry.