Page 3 - 2017 Summer

Gr and Lodg e of W ashingt on I have watched as you embraced the Honor
Grand Lodge of Washington
Masonic T
Masonic Tribune Flight program, not just with your money but with
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Volume XCVIII No. 4 - Summer 2017 Issue - Page 3
your time as you were there for departures and
arrivals. I have shared visits with you and your
Brethren, especially with those who have found
Thank You for Being the Difference themselves unable to come to Lodge events due
to life’s infirmities. I have participated in a mul-
titude of charitable endeavors. I have felt your
ne of my favorite YouTube clips features personal kindness when my family bid farewell
Othe cast of “Hamilton” paying tribute to the to one of its most beloved. “Being the Differ-
landmark musical “A Chorus Line”. Part of the ence” is about touching hearts, and you have
tribute includes the cast of “Hamilton” perform- touched mine.
ing the signature number from “A Chorus Line”, As we approach our yearly gathering, I have
“What I Did for Love”. As various cast members been often asked how I wish to be remembered.
took their turn at a solo section, I was struck by That is a question of legacy. My Brothers, it is
the fact that none of the principals claimed a solo well to remember legacy is about planting seeds
part. You can check it out at https://youtu.be/h- that you may never see produce fruit; it is about
Jim V. Mendoza and shine it upon those who make the show direction that what was originally envisioned.
BB_2L2Dwg.This speaks directly to the spirit of
writing songs that may be sung by someone
“A Chorus Line” – take the spotlight off the star
else; it is about plans that may take a different
work, to those who Make the Difference.
Whatever manner I am remembered, I hope that
MOST WORSHIPFUL Brother
my time as your Grand Master has inspired you
In a similar vein, while it may be true that the
to nobler deeds, to higher thoughts, and greater
Grand Master is the “Star of the Show”, and
achievements that allowed you the opportunity
people want to lay any success at the feet of
the Grand Master, in actuality it is those who are
tasked with getting the job done who deserve the
praise and the spotlight. to “Be the Difference”.
Grand Master
At installation, I laid out eight key initiatives: MWB Jim V. Mendoza
Improve Membership Retention, Increase Use
& Awareness of the New Candidate Education Grand Master
Program, continue to Develop Future Leaders,
Leverage Technology to Improve the Quality of
the Lodge Experience, “One More”, Reclaim the
Narrative, Review the Long Plan, Reshape the
Military Recognition Committee. Each of these
initiatives was undertaken by a key committee,
and I am proud to report that each of them devel-
oped plans of action – complete with timelines,
deliverables, and measurable – to see to the ac-
complishment of their objectives. You have seen
some of their work throughout the course of the
year, and you will learn in greater detail at the
Annual Communication what has been accom-
plished as well as what still needs to be done.
These committees will be deserving of your ac-
colades and applause. After all they were the
ones who “Made the Difference”.
I think General Colin Powell said it best: “Though
important, we will accomplish nothing strictly by
organizational chart, strategic plan, or manage-
ment theory. We will succeed or fail because of
the people involved.” As Grand Master it has
been my aim to set the future of our Craft by
those who make up the Craft, who are our Craft,
who are the strength that sustain our Craft, who
are our Craft’s future.
This is an interesting time for me. My focus on
what lies ahead notwithstanding, I can’t help
but look back over the year that was. I asked
you, my Brothers, to take the lessons and ex-
amples that you learned within the four walls of
the Lodge room and to translate them into ser-
vice among your fellows. I am moved, to tears in
many cases, by what you have done to “Be the
Difference”.
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