HST communications 173

From the East:

My Brothers,

Just a small recap on what proved to be an enjoyable and educational evening. Our last meeting was billed as a business meeting. Business Meeting, the sound of which seems less than enjoyable. Should have called it an educational meeting, and even that has a somewhat less than fun and enjoyment. We were fortunate that two of our Brothers spent some time preparing for the brethrens' entertainment. Yes, it was a business meeting, and yes it was an educational event and to all of which I would say, very entertaining!

John Kelly, prepared a presentation to enlighten the non Shiners of the lodge on the origins, operation and charities of the Shrine. W Kelly also spoke of the Shiners "Roadrunners", who transport children to hospitals in Philadelphia and Boston, free of charge to the children. While I mention local centers to New York, these services and centers are located throughout the states. It was interesting that a past master, a visiting master, one of our officers and brothers are in the shrine. Two of our Brothers, who are not Shiners are roadrunners, and from their fervency on the subject, are rewarded in ways that money cannot purchase.

Brother Ted Jacobsen, delivered a presentation on Bro. Giuseppe Garibaldi, that was energetic, educational and entertaining. My thanks to the Grand Architect, that I asked for a short presentation, anything else I would have asked for college credits! Much of the information presented this evening can be found on the Harry S Truman 1066 web site at http://www.hst1066.com/se/ggb/index.html.

Both W.'.Kelly, and Bro. Jacobsen deserve a round of applause for their verbal presentation and the quality of the handouts, ccc ccc ccc.

Wonderful evening, and open to YOU, in the future to attend or present at our "business meetings"! Since one of the attributes of Masonry is the diversity of the membership in their education, vocations and hobbies, perhaps sharing with the brethren will result in the camaraderie we so often speak, our education and your personal satisfaction! Making good men better! Sharing our diversity!

One of the subjects discussed under education was that of our special events, and our committee chairmen and members. Being one of the great offenders to the following, and now seeing both sides of the story, I offer the following. Are you having fun yet! Something that would be well understood by past masters and committee chairman, with a HUH, what does that mean by the uneducated. Recently I attended, as an observer, the meeting between the committee chairmen and the caterer. I have found it more enjoyable to sit through an IRS audit! As an example, the caterer handed us a menu that had three pizza pies that could be had three ways! I think that is nine choices, since it has been many years since I last took sadistics, with a Professors from the Cooper Union, my command of the rules for standard deviation were somewhat rusty, I was educated when one of the brothers referred to the previous contracts and was able to extrapolate a menu. Thank the G that they had the same items on the menu, and that I happen to like Salmon, as both lacked a taste for fish. Wew, now to the punch line, when the caterer ask HOW MANY WILL BE ATTENDING, the answer was 13! Well you know you need 65. Many of the lodges hadn't returned an answer, because their membership hadn't returned an answer, and the thought ( translation for thought: guess, hope & pray ) was that many would pay at the door.

My Brothers, we are all adults. Captains of industry, managers and employees out there in the world. Non of these events are designed to punish you nor the chairman. They are designed to bring you, you and your spouse and/or family and friends together, in an effort to strengthen our fraternity and to improve our lives.

We have all taken obligations, in the same way as those who have gone before us. We the committee members, officers and brethren all understand the concept of the cable tow. No one would expect you to cause material injury to yourself or family. What is expected is that when the it comes to Masonry, we learn to repress our normal responses and actions, acting in a way we would not have acted on the world stage. You know Brother chairman, I have a true conflict, cannot afford the event, my lady isn't interested, it's the same event again, boring, I have traveling issues etc . You have learned integrity and respect for the chairman, he has learned not to expect your participation and the demographics as to WHY!

In this process, we have all learned to improve ourselves in Masonry.
Fraternally,
W.'.Tony Pecorella

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