Brethren,

Thank you for allowing me the privilege and opportunity to serve you as your Grand Master. Masonry is a universal society, where men from all walks of life, from different ethnicities, religions, social status, and origin of birth come together as a Brotherhood of men under the Fatherhood of God; to glorify the true and ever living God, “The Great Architect of the Universe” who we give praise for all our blessings.  My motto this year will be “Always Faithful”; the same as the Marine Corps – “Semper Fidelus”.

Nothing worth having is either free or without hard work and perseverance, our Fraternity is no different, your love of Fraternity is commensurate with the time and effort you are willing to dedicate to it. This Fraternity encourages us to drive ourselves harder, to work longer, and to give more time and wealth to make sure this Institution remains the Premier Fraternity in the World.

Our Country’s way of life, like our Fraternity, is always a generation away from extinction, it always has been dependent on those who are willing to sacrifice, to secure our principles and tenants for posterity. In other words, on our shoulders rests the future of our Fraternity and our country.  Today we have taken yet another obligation and swore to live up to them in front of family, friends, but most importantly in the presence of Almighty God; I pray he gives us the strength, wisdom, and perseverance to accomplish the tasks at hand.

We are Masons who have voluntarily accepted certain obligations, made commitments, and have recognized the responsibilities which come with our new roles as leaders of the Fraternity. We will prioritize, we will sacrifice, and we will make sure that our Grand Lodge needs are met.

As we consider working on increasing our membership, remember that in a society where two is always better than one; and where bigger is better than smaller; and where quantity is often confused with quality; we must have an attitude adjustment.

The following are suggestions as possible activities that could increase Lodge membership:

1. Allowing Lodges to support their own posterity within the Fraternity.
2. Contributions to the Grand Lodge Endowment Fund, so it eliminates per Capita Tax paid by Lodges.
3. That Lodges increase their fees for the Three Degrees.
4. That Lodges adjust their membership dues commensurate to their expenses and ability to pay.
5. That Lodges conduct fundraisers for charitable purposes not for their operational expenses.
 
Remember that it is easier to retain a member than it is to get a new one; take care of our older members – call them on a regular basis; begin a membership building effort demonstrating that we are a “Band of Brothers” concerned for the welfare and interests of the members.

Would anyone be interested in moving our Annual session to the middle of March in 2015?  The Hilton Hotel has informed us that a window is available for March 12-14, 2015.  Many have expressed good things about the facilities at the new location but desire some other month than June.  The move would require the Grand York Rite Bodies to change their annual meetings back to May; however, there is time to discuss and consider the options before the 2014 session.
Let’s talk it over and provide feedback regarding this option – it is your Grand Lodge.

In closing, be open minded, embrace change, it is the only thing that is constant in all our lives.  Always look for what is the best for the Fraternity and we, as a Grand Lodge, will be the better for it.  Let us walk side by side and together we can make it happen.  This “Band of Brothers” should always remember the motto of our country “In God we Trust”, let him who is all knowing, be our guide and inspiration.  Through him all things are possible.  “Be A Leader – Make It Happen – being Always Faithful to God, our Country and our Fallen & Wounded Heroes.”

I again thank you for all the support you have given to the Grand Lodge Officers.  May God Bless you, Freemasonry, our military personnel and my Marines – where so ever dispersed; and may God Bless the United States of America.

Fraternally,

Kenneth E. Dyer
Grand Master