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of the service. See what they offer and make a decision on which Brethren are considered essential bills whose payment
one will be the best for what you want to do. cannot be deferred.‖
During this pandemic Zoom has been used a great deal and with
great success. Many of the Brethren have embraced the ability to Further the Grand Master has encouraged the use of Zoom or other
video conferencing tools to,
meet in a virtual setting with Brothers near and far. Brothers are
connecting with others whom they have not seen in a very long time. ―stay connected and to conduct all manner of meetings and
Many of the platforms can be used on your smart phone which really events virtually (not ritual or tiled Communications).‖
makes it easy for anyone to join in. This is all great stuff. We will get there in the future, but for now baby steps and
There have been many questions around the use of Zoom. Can it be remember your obligations. Again, please rest assured that the
used for stated meetings? Can it be used for Temple Board Grand Lodge team is listening. We are working on guidance that
meetings? Can it be used to mentor new Masons? I believe the may increase the use of Zoom and like platforms for other activities.
answer to many of these questions will likely be a yes, but with If you have ideas, we would love to hear them. If you have
conditions. The Grand Lodge Team have had and continue to have concerns, we want to hear those as well.
discussions around the appropriate use of Zoom and like platforms. For now, my Brothers, stay safe, stay healthy. I fear that we are
We continue to try and figure things out, weigh the pros and cons. going to be doing this for some time and it is critical that we assist in
Two things I feel confident about. One, I believe that we will arrive at providing solutions to the challenges that lay ahead.

a consensus. Two, there will still be certain limitations and activities Fraternally,
that are not allowed. As we progress through these uncharted RW Edward C. Woods – Junior Grand Warden
waters, we may find Zoom and like platforms being used for more
and more of our important Masonic work in the future. Brethren,
For now, the Grand Master in his letter signed 3-19-2020 gave the The Grand Master in consultation
directive to the Lodges to support continued operations of Lodges with the elected Grand Lodge
throughout this period while in-person meetings are restricted: Officers and Jurisprudence
Committee has put together a plan to
―All usual and customary bills for utilities, taxes, fees and get the essential business of Grand
services that are normally acted upon by the Lodge can be Lodge accomplished while staying
approved with the consent of the Worshipful Master, Senior within the guidelines mandated by
Warden, Junior Warden, Secretary and Treasurer during this the Governor regarding meetings.
time when Lodges are unable to meet. All decisions to pay The plan put out by MW Charles
these usual and customary bills shall be recorded by the Wood provides that all business and
Secretary and the Lodge must ratify these payments at the legislation that is not essential to the
next Stated Communication. The Lodge officers can use continued functioning of the Grand
telephone, email, video conferencing or other acceptable Lodge of Washington will be
forms of communication other than in-person meetings to postponed until the 2021 Annual
approve payments. Temple Corporations are encouraged to RWB Clinton Brown Communication. I have received
do the same. Furthermore, during this time of need, Grand Secretary several questions from the Brethren
expenditures by the Lodge for charitable assistance to

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