Page 27 - 2017 Summer

(Continued from page 9)
Gr and Lodg e of W ashingt on
Grand Lodge of Washington
Masonic T r ibune
Masonic Tribune
Volume XCII No.1 - Summer Issue - Page 3
Volume XCVIII No. 4 - Summer 2017 Issue - Page 27 young people in all the Masonic Youth Groups and challeng-
ing them to keep up with his energy and enthusiasm to Be
the Difference, no matter what they are doing. Dad Mendoza
has taken the time to show everyone what the youth groups
A word on supporting our youth….. have to offer and that they are the future of our world. It is
imperative for us Masons to stand united and share our guid-
Brethren, it has been a pleasure serving this Grand Lodge ing principals with them; because what are they going to do
on the Youth Committee this year and I have enjoyed writing when they become of lawful age? We know that DeMolay,
for the Tribune about this subject for the last year. As we ap- Rainbow Girls, and Job’s Daughters is the best place to start.
proach our annual Grand Lodge, I would like to remind you In closing, I want to urge each voting Mason to attend Grand
that we will be voting on an important piece of legislation that Lodge and pass the carry-over Resolution 2016-3. This is to
can have a profound effect of how we as a Grand Lodge, provide consistent financial assistance to the three Masonic
support our DeMolay, Jobies and Rainbow Girls. Youth Groups in this Jurisdiction. I want to share 3 thoughts
WB Jerry Parton, one of the committeemen on Youth com- concerning the Resolution.
mittee has spearheaded the effort to find a better way than • First - $3 per year is all it would add to your dues. In the
we have done in the past. Below is a blurb about that legisla- simplest of terms, that is only 25¢ per month. However
tion. Please consider the positive effect this can have mov- collectively it will provide funding to Youth Leadership
ing forward – all for the cost of about 1 latte per year! We Education and Training, marketing of our Organizations
and our youth appreciate your support. Here is the message to the public, contribution to Insurance coverage for our
from WB Jerry: Members and Advisors, and assist in the costs of our
As I travel around the State, as a member of the Grand daily operations. We have an all volunteer force of par-
Lodge Youth Committee, I find some confusion and concern ticipants to manage and help enhance the values and
regarding Resolution 2016-3, where our Per Capita Dues virtues of every young person who belong to our Frater-
would increase by $3 to help fund the State operations of the nity and sorority.
three youth groups we support & sponsor as FreeMasons. • Second – I personally elect our Grand Lodge Officers to
The Resolution was brought before Grand Lodge last year, manage the affairs of the Masonic Lodges and Brothers
in an attempt to normalize donations we already give to WA in our Jurisdiction. We should not take away from their
DeMolay, WA/Idaho Rainbow for Girls and WA Jobs’ Daugh- time and energy to advance the great works of Free-
ters International. For the last number of years, our Grand Masonry and build long term for our future. They don’t
Lodge donations to these groups came from sales of pins, need to be hocking items to assist in the contribution to
ties and Grand Master’s coins. While this is certainly a anything other than the betterment of Masons. The small
worthwhile endeavor, these donations are solely at the dis- increase in dues of $3 per year will not affect their bud-
cretion of our Grand Master. gets, but will give them more time to Be the Difference
Our youth groups rely on us for part of their overall State for a Lodge, a Brother and in a young person’s life.
budget for their years, but consider what happens when/ • Third – This is not meant to be a frivolous donation to
if our Most Worshipful Grand Master decides to use these the Masonic Youth Groups. It will be used responsibly
proceeds for other worthy charities, such as scholarships or by each group for different needs, budget expenses,
the Masonic Medical Research Foundation? What ends up and the utmost intent of nothing more than the desire
happening, is the donation fluctuates and makes planning to make DeMolay, Rainbow Girls, and Job’s Daughters
an annual budget extremely difficult. the premier Leadership and Service Organizations for
What the Resolution will do, is allow our youth groups to young people in Washington State and across the world.
base their annual budgets on our membership rather than The leaders of the youth group have layers of fiduciary
potential donations- which can wildly fluctuate. Should the responsibility, staff members, and financial directors to
Resolution pass, the funds are earmarked to go directly to answer to. But the ultimate authority and true power lies
the State operations of our youth groups. This will help as- with the youth of today and the generations to come;
sist them in State activities, such as; Leadership training, they are who we owe our greatest dedication.
reduction in cost for their State events (which would then be
passed down to the youth themselves) and reducing insur- With Excitement,
ance costs for their organizations. Jeffery A. Brunson
Brothers, we already give financial support to our youth Executive Officer
groups. What this will do, is allow our Grand Master to con- DeMolay in Washington
centrate on other worthwhile charities and organizations dur-
ing his term, without the added responsibility of maintaining
our annual contributions to the youth.
Thanks again for your consideration and hopefully your sup-
port – see you at our youth events, Lodge Meetings & at
Grand Lodge!

WB John Danner, Chairman
Grand Lodge Youth Committee
jbdanner@comcast.net
27