By Rich Rygh
Grand Master Jeffrey S. Schoenfeldt and his Lady Janelle hosted the fall Leadership Team Meeting at the Madison Concourse Hotel September 12-14.
It was a very enjoyable and productive weekend including volunteer work performed in four locations around the area Saturday morning and a Saturday afternoon VIP Tour of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum for the ladies courtesy of Director Brother Chris Kolakowski.
The meeting was called to order following a prayer by Grand Chaplain David O. Leistra and the “Pledge of Allegiance”.
Sharp new T-shirts were given out to those volunteering on Saturday with our QR code on back.
Membership Committee Chairman Brother Jacob Schultz and Junior Grand Deacon Michael A. Burnham brought the Team up to date on membership development and work on fostering membership and retention and the importance of engagement. Brother Schultz showed some of the new videos which are available on Youtube.
Junior Grand Deacon Burnham highlighted a plan to minimize District Membership Representative burnout and to allow them more time to work with lodges and promote membership.
DD1 Danny A. Bourassa brought everyone up to date on Masonic Day of Lights around the state. There is a Masonic Day of Light Handbook to promote quality work, proper dress and consistency between the degrees.
The Committee will have an Open House Guide available soon.
Grand Secretary Michael A. DeWolf, PGM, and Brother Kyle Grahn went through the new background check procedure and the new electronic petition.
Grand Treasurer Paul T. Tourville, PGM, stated the budget is right where we want it to be. He brought everyone up to date on the Three Pillars substantial expansion and operation. The first 18 residents have already moved into the Fields, with 110 available residences, all are sold with the exception of eight. The Grand Treasurer stated, “Three Pillars is the best Senior Living Facility in the World. You should be extremely proud.”
Brother Chris Leudtke promoted the upcoming Masonicon at Lake Lodge on Oct. 25. This will be an annual event. See page 20.
He stated the District Education Officers have been asked to put together an education program for the lodges, 3 hours in length. Not necessarily Masonic Education but everyday information a member needs.
Brother Jim Giese rolled out the new Trustees/Leadership Handbook and announced the beginning of conferences coming up around the state to assist lodges with their financial structure. Five conferences are now planned with more coming in the future.
Following the meeting the Brethren and their Ladies attended Grand Chaplain David O. Leistra’s worship service on the Ten Commandments. The difference between right and wrong where there is no debate; and the concept of what is good and bad which is totally subjective.
Saturday at 8 a.m. the leadership team and their ladies and Brothers and ladies from surrounding lodges traveled to four area locations around Madison for some Community Service Outreach. One group went to the UW Arboretum where they worked removing dogwood from the prairie, another group worked at removing weeds, grape vines and such from the prairie and grounds of the Aldo Leopold Nature Center. The third group had a fun time assisting the veterans of the American Legion Severson-Cairns Post 501 prepare hot dogs and brats for the 115 Fighter Wing Family Picnic and do some general chores around their facility. The fourth group did cleanup at the Wisconsin Masonic Center.
It was an enjoyable morning for all and promoted Freemasonry in the community.
Saturday afternoon the Leadership Team reconvened as the ladies took a tour of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum.
The District Deputies gave reports on happenings in their districts. The DDs reported a lot of activity in their lodges, several Days of Light planned, buildings being sold, increased community involvement, lodges very busy with degree work, some lodges needing work on ritual, some lodges struggling with maintaining buildings, some buildings being sold, increased social activity, leadership training and work on membership retention.
Grand Orator Todd Wohlert, President of the Wisconsin Masonic Journal Committee and the Leadership Team thanked Editor Bro. Rich Rygh for his work. Grand Orator Wohlert reported the committee is working on a 5 year strategic plan and the possibility on adding another issue for the month of August, instead a single Summer issue. There will be a survey coming out soon asking the Brethren their opinion on what the WMJ offers. Advertising rates are also being evaluated.
Grand Chaplain David O. Leistra, President, gave a report from the Service and Assistance Committee. He stated we do ask that the person contact their lodge Master or Secretary first for assistance. Most lodges have funds for assisting Brothers and wish to be of help. Every request is in strict confidence. The committee does everything it can to assist a Brother.
Junior Grand Warden Matthew H. Ivens complimented the District Deputies on all the great work they are doing for our lodges throughout the state. He reported on some accounting changes regarding the Wisconsin Masonic Center. The Center employees are now employes of the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin. The WMC now has its own liquor license which increases revenue by around $3000 per month.
Bro. Adam Rigden, Director of the Wisconsin Masonic Center, reviewed what the Foundation is doing to strengthen and promote Freemasonry in Wisconsin. He stated the Foundation has an average individual donation of $2597 compared to other organizations our size of $216. There is a new website and several ways to make a donation. The Foundation is engaging in more social media.
Grand Master Schoenfeldt stressed the importance of the Foundation to Freemasonry in Wisconsin.
The group divided into breakout sessions.
The appointed officers worked on how we can better deliver brotherly love to our Brothers. The District Deputies are working on Days of Light and a fund raiser for the lodges offered by Fire Supression Solutions. The social media code of conduct also needs to be updated. The Lodge Planning Guide will also be reviewed. Who to contact in emergency situations will be formalized.
Reports were made from the breakout sessions and Grand Master Schoenfeldt thanked the Leadership Team for their work and closed the meeting.
An evening of fellowship and dinner followed.
