Rant

I received the Preliminary Reports from the Grand Chapter and Grand Council in the mail this morning.

One paragraph from the Grand Secretary/Recorder's Report struck me.

" Membership"

"What does one say? The figures speak for themselves. If this  trend continues, the York Rite in Iowa will disappear, probably within our lifetime, or become merely a mutual admiration society. The challenge confronts us TODAY! WE MUST IMMEDIATELY begin serious programs stressing leadership, education, and dedication. THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW! In the salad days of the Grand Chapter and Grand Council the annual meetings were devoted to business with a bit of social life. Today the annual meetings are devoted to social activities with little time devoted to the business of the craft."

In the rest of the reports I notice the number of Chapters identified as having problems, the number who have closed or consolidated and the diminishing number of York Rite Masons in the State. I have addressed this problem before. I have offered to work with the Officers in Strategic Planning to DO SOMETHING. Most of the reports continue to pat each other on the back and talk about how wonderful a job everyone is doing.

Junior Officers and DGHP's do not know what they are supposed to do. The Senior Officers seem content to wear the necklaces and bask in the reflected glory of each other. The only reports that really sound a wake up call are the Chapters Chartered and the Education Committee. If something isn't done soon I am afraid Jack's prediction will come true. You know it is going to say on my Obituary that I was a Past Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the State whether or not there is still a Grand Chapter. I just hope that people won't have to ask the question, "What the hell was that?"