Official Visit Muskoka Lodge #360 – Mar., 3, 2009
By R.W. Bro. Gerald Stillar, DDGM

MOTIVATION

W.M. Andrew Sefton, distinguished Head table and brethren all. Brother, let me thank you on behalf of Grand Lodge for your kind words and toast to the Grand Lodge.

W.M. let me thank you for your hospitality here this evening and hosting this banquet. It’s always a pleasure to visit Muskoka Lodge because you know the hospitality and friendship will be there. Let me on behalf of the brethren assembled this evening thank you for this wonderful meal.

I’d like to start with a little humour.

A postman, on his route, picked up a letter from a mailbox. It was addressed to God. The postman seeing that the letter was not sealed, and there being no postage on it, opened and read it.

It was from a man who was down on his luck and was asking God for help. The letter asked for $50 to get his family through the next week.

The postman, being a Mason, took the letter to Lodge that evening, read it out, and asked for donations for the unfortunate fellow. The Masons, wanting to help, took up a collection, and received $25 from the brethren. The Secretary placed the cash in a Lodge envelope, and gave it to the postman to deliver the following day, which he did.

Another day passed and the postman again found an unsealed letter in the mailbox addressed to God. Again he opened and read the letter, which thanked God for the money, but instructed him to send it through the Knights of Columbus next time as the Masons kept half.

My topic tonight centers on Motivation and ultimately Participation. Hopefully my talk will create interest, debate and discussion so together we may bring Muskoka-Parry Sound District into a thriving District, a District which we are all proud to be part of.

I paraphrase a quote from John W. Newbern: “People can be divided into three groups: the first group, those who make things happen, the second, those who watch things happen, and the third group, those who wonder what happened”. I’m sure we can all see ourselves in one of these groups. For the good of masonry lets all try to get ourselves into group one “making things happen”.

Motivation implies movement. It means the difference in getting up and doing something rather than just sitting there and doing nothing, or letting someone else do it. Masonry has survived for centuries and will continue to survive, to what extent depends on each of us. We each have an important part to play. Along the way we forget this, and think, “Oh well, I’m just one person they won’t miss me at that meeting, event, or other ongoing work at the lodge”. We have to realize, that we are together the sum of the parts that make up our lodge. We each have a part to play no matter how small, to ensure that masonry is able to continue and remain strong.

Do you know a brother who has pulled away from lodge activities or have you yourself been less active? The lodge does miss you.

If your lodge is active in your community contact the media and perhaps they can make public what your lodge is involved in. Someone has to be prepared to see that this happens.

If you are active in your community, let that community know that you are also an active member of the Craft. Expose to them that square and compass either on a hat, a ring, or a bumper sticker. Be motivated to tell others what Masonry is, and what Masonry supports.

Motivation can be contagious. If someone motivates you to participate in lodge activities, whether cleanup, attendance at meetings or joining in an event; maybe then, you will get an opportunity to motivate someone else and so on.

Motivation leads to participation.

Brethren, ask you master what you can do to help your lodge, don’t wait to be asked, and gladly participate in the organization you chose to belong to.

There is so much to participate in at Lodge. We are all fully aware that Masonic ritual is the most important part. Offer your assistance. Learn new parts in all three degrees so you will be prepared to participate when called upon. If ritual isn’t your bag, perhaps Long Range Planning is, making sure your lodge will still be here 20 years down the road. If you don’t like that go on a greeting committee, or special events committee, fund raising or working for special projects.

Brethren, a most important committee is lodge maintenance, the appearance of your lodge should be a source of pride within your community. A run down lodge is not attractive in the community nor will it attract many new members.

Although refreshment and food committees are the responsibility of the Junior Warden, volunteering in the preparation and clean up are always appreciated. There is always some way for you to contribute to the life of your lodge.

“It is up to us as Freemasons to each share in the responsibility of making the fraternity a success. If we all did 'Just One Thing', think how far ahead we will be.” 1

Motivation and participation is all we need to keep our lodges healthy and thriving in Muskoka-Parry Sound District.

Thank you my brethren.

1. part article reprinted with permission of the author and “Freemason Information”