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VOLUME LIII - FEBRUARY 2007 - NUMBER 2
"The Magazine for York Rite Masons-and Others, too"
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WEBSITE Published monthly as an official publication of the
Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America.
RICHARD BURDITT BALDWIN, Grand Master and Publisher,
5400 Bromyard Court, Burke, Virginia 22015-1923
Lawrence E. Tucker, Grand Recorder and Editor
5909 West Loop South, Suite 495, Bellaire, TX 77401-2402
(713) 349-8700 (telephone), (713) 349-8710 (facsimile)
E-mail: letucker@sbcglobal.net
Joan B. Morton Assistant Editor
Mail materials and correspondence, to:
Editor, Grand Encampment of Knights Templar
Post Office Box 478448
Chicago, IL 60647-8448
phone and fax: (773) 489-0689
Website Operated and Maintained by
SK Dan Pushee, EPC, KYCH, OPC - Email: kych52va@aol.com
VISITORS Since January 8, 2007
Material for the Grand Commanderies' two-page supplements is to be directed to the respective Supplement editors.
Supplement Editors are encouraged to create their own sites or submit "NEWS" to kych52va@aol.com
Address corrections from members are to be sent to the local Recorders LISTED HERE


Most Eminent Grand Master
FEBRUARY 2007

    Good day, Sir Knights!
            February is upon us, and many of our Templars and their families have already experienced winter at its blustery worst. Your , Grand Encampment officers hope that you have come through it unscathed.
            The middle of winter keeps many of us close to home, which makes it the ideal time to concentrate our efforts at strengthening our local Masonic bodies. Look around at your families, friends, coworkers, and fellow church members for men of good quality who would make good Masons. Lead them to your Lodge and eventually into our beautiful Christian Fraternity. Please remember, strong Lodges and Chapters mean strong Commanderies!
            Thank you for your outstanding support of the Voluntary Campaign of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation! Through your great efforts and generosity we are almost seventy thousand dollars ahead of last year Campaign at this time. Please keep up the good work, and make this a banner year. Only you can allow us to fulfill our mission, of preventing blindness.
            Let's start thinking about spring and of Course Easter comes to mind. Please accept this as my personal invitation to each of you to join with your Grand Encampment Family at our Annual Easter Sunrise Memorial Service. It will again be held at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria on April 18. I can promise you ,great camaraderie for the weekend and a truly moving religious experience if you are able to participate. Details are available in the Knight Templar magazine this month.
            As March rolls around, we will begin an aggressive schedule of visits to the Annual Conclaves throughout the jurisdiction. Please take advantage of the representative officer's visit to your state to take some time and to get to know each of us."


Sir Knight Richard Burditt Baldwin
Most Eminent Grand Master
2006 - 2009


Seventy-eight Years of Service to Masonry and Humanity!
Sir Knight Willard Meredith Avery
Past Grand Master of the Grand Encampment
Celebrates His 100th Birthday-February 2, 2007

         Sir Knight Willard Meredith Avery was born at Palmyra, Indiana, on February 2,1907. He attended DePauw University as a Rector Scholar and completed his B.A. there with highest honors in 1929. For two years following graduation, he taught social studies and speech in Portland, Indiana. He then attended the University of Michigan Law School, winning the Henry M. Campbell Case Club Award and later serving as senior judge in Case Club competition. While attending law school, he was elected Student President of the Lawyers' Club. He received his Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree in 1934.
           After 1936 Sir Knight Avery was engaged in general law practice in Knightstown, Indiana. He and his wife Margaret had two sons, Max and Jack, and grandchildren. He has been continuously active in the civic affairs of his community. As a member of the Knightstown Methodist Church, Avery served in numerous lay capacities, including President of the Board of Trustees and of the Official Board, as well as lay delegate to the Methodist Conference. He served with distinction as local President and Lieutenant Governor of Kiwanis International; Past President of the Knightstown Chamber of Commerce; and Director of the FirstNational Bank of Knightstown.
            His Masonic affiliations are extensive. Among Masonic offices held, Sir Knight Avery has served as Worshipful Master, Golden Rule Lodge No.16,F.& A.M.,Knightstown (1940); Commander of Knightstown Commandery No. 9,Knightstown(1945);Illustrious Master, Cryptic Council No. 29, Knightstown (1954); High Priest,Knightstown Chapter No. 33 (1955); and Grand Commander, Grand Commandery, Knights Templar of Indiana (1956-1957). He is a member of the Knights York Cross of Honour (1954); was Sovereign, St. Basil Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine, Lafayette, Indiana (1961); is a charter member of St. Andrew Tabernacle No. XXXV (1957); and recipient of the Honorary Legion Honor, Order of DeMolay (1961). In addition, Sir Knight Avery was Grand Patron,Indiana Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star (1957-1958), and First President of Board of Directors, DeMolay Foundation of Indiana.
          Sir Knight Avery has been actively engaged in Grand Encampment projects for many years. He was Knighted in 1939 at Knightstown Commandery No. 9, which at the time he became Grand Master of the Grand Encampment had approximately 225 members in a town of 3,500, with three Commanderies within a radius of 15 miles. His Commandery has sent many drill teams to Grand Encampment Triennials.
          During his tenure as Grand Commander of Indiana, an invitation was issued for the holding of the 47th Triennial Conclave at Indianapolis, Indiana. Sir Knight Avery acted as legal advisor to the Triennial Conclave Corporation and served as Vice President of the local Triennial Committee.
          He served as Department Commander of the East Central Department of the Grand Encampment, and not least among his accomplishments was his position as Editor of the Knight Templar magazine for five and a half years until 1967.
          He was made an Honorary 33º, Supreme Council, A.A.S.R., Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, September 1967, at Pittsburgh. In Detroit in 1967, Sir Knight Avery was elected to the Grand Encampment line as Grand Captain General; he then assumed the offices of Grand Generalissimo in Denver, 1970; Deputy Grand Master in Chicago, 1973; and Most Eminent Grand Master in Kansas City, Missouri, 1976.
          Sir Knight Avery is a trustee of and attorney for the Knights Templar Eye Foundation.
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    EASTER 2007
    HOTEL
    $95.00 Room Rate (mention Grand Encampment)
    Make your hotel reservations directly with the Hotel Washington 515 15th Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20004, 800-424-9540
    MEAL TICKETS
    Meal package, $40 per person includes Saturday luncheon and Sunday breakfast
    Order your meal tickets from the Grand Encampment Office
            Mail your check payable to Grand Encampment to
          Grand Recorder, 5909 West Loop South, Suite 495, Bellaire, TX 77401-2402
    Individual tickets may be ordered separately:
    Saturday luncheon, $35; Sunday breakfast, $15
    Hotel and meal ticket cutoff date is March 24, 2007
    There will be no tickets sold at the door.
    Direct questions to: The Grand Encampment Office: 713-349-8700

    PRELIMINARY EASTER-2007
    The 77th Easter Sunrise Service, sponsored by the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America, will again be held on the steps of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, Alexandria, Virginia, on Sunday, April 8, 2007, and will begin at 7:30 A.M. As in previous years, this Service and the breakfast after will complete a memorable weekend of events in our nation's capital, Washington, D.C., including delegation dinners, tours, and Masonic fellowship. For one event, it is to be noted that the cherry blossoms should be in full bloom-a sure sign of spring!

    THE HOTELWASHINGTON
    The main hotel will again be the Hotel Washington in downtown Washington, D.C. Our special Knights Templar rate is $95.00 per room, based on double occupancy. Write the hotel to make your reservations:
    Hotel Washington, ATTN: Grand Encampment Easter
    Program, 515 15th Street, N.W.,
    Washington, D. C. 20004.
    Include your check or credit card number.
    You may also call the Hotel
    Washington at (800) 424-9540,
    and speak with Sandy Warner to make reservations for rooms, giving your credit card number for billing. Check with the hotel upon arrival to insure all your reservations are complete.

    MEALS
    Prices are: A meal package is available for $40.00 per person, which includes Saturday luncheon and Sunday breakfast. Order your meal tickets from the Grand Encampment knight templar office. Mail your check payable to Grand Encampment
    to Grand Recorder, 5909 West Loop South,
    Suite 495, Bellaire, TX 77401-2402.
    Individual tickets may be ordered separately:
    Saturday luncheon, $35.00;
    Sunday breakfast, $15.00.
    Note: The hotel and meal ticket
    cutoff date is March 24, 2007.
    There will be no tickets sold at the door.

    GRAND COMMANDERS AND THEIR LADIES
    Grand Commanders and their ladies may attend the Saturday luncheon, courtesy of the Grand Encampment by prior reservation ONLY.

    OUR GRAND MASTER
    The Grand Master of the Grand Encampment, Knights Templar of the United States of America, Sir Knight Richard Burditt Baldwin, and his officers will greet everyone at the Saturday luncheon. This will be Sir Knight Baldwin's first Easter as Grand Master, so let's get a big crowd out for this fine occasion in Washington.

    TOMB OF THE UNKNOWNS
    On Saturday, April 7, 2007, at 1:15 P.M., the Grand Commandery of Indiana will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery honoring their members who fell in combat as members of the Armed Forces of the United States of America. They'have again asked that everyone be invited to attend. The details of the trip to Arlington will be available when you arrive.

    EASTER MORNING PROGRAM
    The Hotel Washington will be serving coffee and pastries beginning at 5:30 A.M., Easter morning. The buses will be available to leave at 6:15 A.M. to take members and their ladies to the George Washington Masonic National Memorial for the Sunrise Services. The buses will return to the hotel after the Service at about 9:30 A.M so you can enjoy breakfast and meeting with friends. There will also be coffee and donuts available at the Memorial for those not staying at the Hotel Washington. They will be served in the West Dining Room.

    PARADE FORMATION
    The parade will form on the lane leading up the hill. Delegations will form according to their entry into the Grand Encampment, senior to junior, and markers for each will be in place.
    As in the last seven years, the Maryland delegation in their black plumes will appear before the formal parade with drummers and form a passion cross in the stands. The Grand Commandery of Maryland would also like to invite any of the other Commanderies which wear the black plume to get in touch and participate in the formation of the Cross.
    The parade will step off at 7:10 A.M., proceed up the hill, render "Eyes Right" on passing the Grand Master and his staff, and then proceed into seats as directed. Formation of three squads each is suggested, as well as at Secure Swords, in order to avoid bunching up on top of the hill. Colors will Right Flank at the podium and column Left and column Right and post the colors as directed. Parking for cars and buses is available at the top of the hill next to the Memorial. However, no vehicles will be permitted up the roadway after 7:00 A.M.

    OTHER DETAILS
    Delegations desiring to make any special group arrangements should call Sandy Warner at the Hotel number. Delegations staying at other hotels or motels must provide their own transportation or meet at the Hotel Washington. Recognition is made to the Grand Commandery having the most Sir Knights in uniform in the parade and to the Grand Commandery having the highest percentage of its members in uniform in the parade. Prior to the service, Kena Shrine Band will provide music beginning at 7:00 A.M. Easter selections will be played as the parade moves out following the Assembly bugle call. The Right Eminent Grand Prelate, Robert J. Cave, will conduct the Service.
    Reservations should be made for rooms and any other activities by March 24, 2007.
    GRAND COMMANDERS ARE REQUESTED TO APPOINT A DELEGATION CHAIRMAN AND
    NOTIFY GRAND RECORDER
    LAWRENCE E. TUCKER, 5909
    WEST LOOP SOUTH, SUITE 495;
    BELLAIRE; TX 77401-2402,
    TELEPHONE NO.: office: (713)
    349-8700; FAX: (713) 349-8710,
    E-MAIL: letucker@sbcglobal.net
    in order to receive information concerning this event and to facilitate
    adequate planning!

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Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc.
1000 East State Parkway, Suite I
Schaumburg, IL 60173-2460
Phone: (847) 490-3838
Fax: (847) 490-3777
www.knightstemplar.org/ktef
The 39th Annual Voluntary Campaign
A Message from Sir Knight Kenneth B. Fischer, GCT
Past Grand Master of the Grand Encampment,
Past President of the Knights
Templar Eye Foundation, and
Trustee of the Board of the KTEF

    I hope that you all had a great New Year and are back at work in your Commanderies.
    At this time we are near the halfway point in the 39th Annual Voluntary Campaign for the Knights Templar Eye Foundation. The numbers are encouraging but somewhat misleading. We are ahead of last year's numbers, but that in large part is due to a very large will, which was given in the name of a Commandery in Ohio.
    There is certainly nothing wrong with that. We will take the money no matter how it comes in. But it skews the numbers and gives a false sense of accomplishment. In truth, the fund-raising numbers appear to be a little on the low side. Ohio is in first place, followed by Pennsylvania and California, as far as gross dollars are concerned.
    As usual, Utah is in first place on a per capita basis at $22.11 per member, followed by New Mexico and Ohio.
    There is no doubt that competition is good, and we encourage all to jump right in and get your feet wet. The Eye Foundation will be the beneficiary, and we can all enjoy that.
    Kenneth B. Fischer
    Past Grand Master and Past President and Trustee, KTEF
    Sir Knight Kenneth B. Fischer resides at 5138 Shady Oaks, Friendswood, TX 77546.
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    York Rite Masonry as a Customer Service Experience
    by Karl J. Krayer, Ph.D.
    Presented at the 2006
    Southwest York Rite Conference
    An excellent customer service orientation has been an important part of the business world for more than 25 years. Far extending the simplistic notion that the "customer is right," as a business places an emphasis on serving a customer, its intent is to retain that person for life, making its products and services "top of mind," and encouraging the individual to spread the good news to others.
            A customer service orientation applies to York Rite Masonry in several important ways. Here, I argue that there are strong lessons that we can learn and apply in our fraternity that have already made a significant impact in many types of businesses. I suggest that in order to grow and prosper, such an orientation is an important perspective for us to take.
    CONSIDER MEMBERS WHO PARTICIPATE IN YORK RITE EVENTS AS CUSTOMERS
    Strange as it may seem, our Companions and Sir Knights in York Rite Masonry are customers of our products and services. In many ways, they parallel customer behavior in many types of businesses. Like customers, they consciously choose to spend their time with us from a variety of other available options. They transfer resources, such as dues and donations, to us. They have expectations that they believe we can fulfill. They tell others, inside and outside of our fraternity, about their levels of satisfaction with what we furnish them.
            And, like customers of any business, our members can decide not to attend or participate, as well as discontinue their affiliation with us.
    CONSIDER EVERY INSTANCE IN WHICH MEMBERS PARTICIPATE IN YORK RITE EVENTS AS AN EXPERIENCE
    Business literature has long considered the interaction between a customer and an enterprise to be an "experience." Indeed, when customers rave or complain about a business, it is the actual experience that they focus on. Many businesses have taken great pains to ensure that the experiences their customers receive are positive. Several industries have significantly metamorphosed their operations to provide unique and fulfilling experiences. Remember that just as any employee "is" the business to a customer, we "are" York Rite Masonry to others. "Take a good look at yourself-you're someone else's impression of Masonry" rings true.
            Starbucks is not a coffee shop: It is a place to relax, read, network, and even work on a laptop computer. Booksellers, such as Borders and Barnes and Noble, now have cafes, open reading areas, dedicated sections for listening to music, and rooms for authors or singers to showcase their talents. Home Depot and Lowe's are not hardware stores; they are home improvement stores, with events that are creative, engaging, and enjoyable. Grocery stores are now "one-stop shopping" for a wide variety of products and services, including banking, eye care, flowers, and a host of other things.
            The emphasis of all of these enterprises is on the "experience." Each business wants to attract customers, provide them with a pleasant and fulfilling time, and motivate them to return and tell others.
    CUSTOMER SERVICE SATISFACTION REACTIONS
            Regardless of the business or service, customer satisfaction ranges along four dimensions on a continuum, from low satisfaction to high satisfaction (Schneider & Bowen, 1999). These dimensions are: (1) outrage, (2) dissatisfied, (3) satisfied, and (4) delighted.
            Think about a recent trip you made to the grocery store. How was it? If you were highly dissatisfied, you were outraged, and you likely vowed never to return, even if it meant driving well out of your way to another store or location. If you were dissatisfied, the experience fell short of your expectations, and you will consider shopping elsewhere, or at best, return without great enthusiasm. If you were satisfied, your expectations were met, and you will go back again. If you were highly satisfied, your expectations were exceeded, and you will likely look for ways to go back to the store, even if it is not necessary or it is out of your way to do so.
            What was the highly satisfying experience like? Perhaps, several employees warmly greeted you. Maybe the store had several stations where you could sample food items. The store may have had a number of items on sale and the prices were irresistible. You had your choice of several fast-moving checkout lines, staffed by very friendly people.
            Satisfaction reactions yield one of three outcomes: (1) defection-you will never partake of the experience again, (2) ambivalence-you will repeat the experience, but you will also look at other options and choices, or (3)loyalty-the experience is "top of mind" to you and a priority. We can apply the satisfaction continuum and these reactions to York Rite Masonry. When members are highly dissatisfied, they defect. They not only do not participate any longer, but they renounce their membership or stop paying dues. They may spread negative news and feelings to others, both inside and outside of our fraternity. When members are dissatisfied or satisfied, they are ambivalent. We are not a priority to them, but they will continue to support the organization. When members are highly satisfied, they are fiercely loyal, and they actively look for ways to help the organization prosper.
            The telltale sign, however, is when participants talk with others. Notice that there are two conditions under which participants talk. When they are outraged, they tell others about the experience in a negative way and find ways to spread the knight templar news to anyone who wants to listen. When they are delighted, they evangelize about the experience, and in excited and energetic tones, encourage others to partake of the experience. However, when they are ambivalent, they do not talk with others about the experience. I believe that we are ambivalent about most of our experiences as customers. Think about a typical day. You filled up your car with gasoline. You bought a cup of coffee and a bagel. You met with a group of colleagues. You went through a fast-food drive-through to get a hamburger. You went to a hardware store and got a tool. You went home and read the paper. All of these simply met your expectations or fell just short. You were neither outraged nor delighted. You said nothing about them to anyone.
            But wait: What if someone came over to your car and washed your windshield, checked the air in your tires, and looked under your hood-at a self-service gas station? You would be delighted. You would tell others about your experience. What if you had trouble finding the tool you wanted at the hardware store and it took you 15 minutes to find someone to help? And what if that person didn't know how to help you? And what if he returned later and brought someone along who was rude to you? And what if you got to the checkout line, waited for what seemed like forever, and the price was incorrect? You would be outraged. You would tell others about your experience.
            The reality is that most customers are in the dissatisfied-satisfied area. This means they are ambivalent about their loyalty and are most likely to defect in search of another source. This is as true about York Rite Masonry as it is about other experiences. Our "card-carrying" members, who do not attend regularly, are our greatest risk.
    MEMBERS PARTICIPATE IN YORK RITE EVENTS TO FULFILL NEEDS, WANTS, AND DESIRES
            I will posit that the reason that our members attend York Rite functions is to fulfill needs. These vary considerably. Some attend for camaraderie and companionship. Others desire to participate in the degrees from our unique ritual. Still others may attend for spirituality, others for food, and others to get their money's worth of activity for the dues they pay. When members have unfulfilled needs and if their expectations are violated, they will express outrage, and they will defect. When members have unfulfilled needs and if their expectations are not met, they will be dissatisfied but won't talk. If their needs are met and they are satisfied but won't talk, they are ambivalent, and at risk to defect. When members have fulfilled needs and if their expectations are exceeded, they will be delighted, and they will talk. They will be fiercely loyal to our organization.
    SELF-ESTEEM IS A POWERFUL NEED, WANT, AND DESIRE MEMBERS WANT MET BY PARTICIPATION IN YORK RITE EVENTS
            I suggest that self-esteem is a significant "make or break" principle that either enhances or detracts from our members' satisfaction with York Rite Masonry and that results in their reaction from outrage to delight. Why self-esteem? Regardless of how they spend their time, people want to feel good about themselves. Our members in York Rite Masonry are no exception. People find delight in experiences that make them feel that they have made the proper choices with their time. People want to leave an event feeling better about themselves than when they arrived.
            We look for events that reinforce the belief that we have made proper choices in our selections for how we invest our time. The most powerful source for this is the realization that because we have watched or participated in a good degree, updated our mutual lives with our Brethren, eaten a good meal, or felt spiritually fulfilled, we feel better about how we have spent our time. York rite events provide a unique opportunity for members to enhance their self-esteem. Our events provide members with the unique opportunity to experience brotherhood and companionship. All of Freemasonry is built upon instantaneous acceptance, as an individual rapidly progresses from stranger to friend to brother, meeting on the level, with peace and harmony prevailing.
            That is the expectation that our members have when they decide to spend their time at a York Rite event. The question is to what extent does the event provide an experience that fulfills their expectations? To what degree does the member leave satisfied with the experience?
    WHEN PARTICIPANTS LEAVE WITH HIGHER SELF-ESTEEM THAN WHEN THEY ARRIVED,THEY ALSO LEAVE WITH EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS, DELIGHT, AND HEIGHTENED LOYALTY
    Therefore, our challenge in York Rite events is to provide an experience for participants that exceeds their expectations and delights them by raising their self-esteem. This results in loyalty and heightened activity in our organization.
            The question remains, then, how do we create a favorable experience? Remember the premise: experiences engage participants in memorable ways.
            The most memorable experiences use a mentality of theatre and stage. Anyone who has ever attended a play in New York on Broadway or a production in one of the grand houses in London will not soon forget the pageantry, sophistication, and opulence of the experience. The work by Pine and Gilmore (1999) first applied the idea of the "experience economy" to business.
            I will posit, therefore, that in York Rite Masonry we should make an intentional use of services as the "stage" and activities as "props" to engage an individual and provide an individual with a memorable event. To do this, our events must include four elements: (1) entertainment, (2) education, (3) escape, and (4) esthetics. Entertainment provides the "sense." Education provides the "learn." Escape provides the "be." Esthetics provides the "do."
    What about your York Rite events are...
    Entertaining? What can you do to get mem bers to attend, stay, and come again?
    Educational? What can you teach members that they will learn?
    Escaping? What can you do to get members to concentrate on the "here and now"?
    Esthetical? What can you do to include an art, a spirit, an altering of feelings?
    SURPRISE IS THE KEY
    Surprise is the difference between what the member perceives he will get from the experience and what he really gets! When members are pleasantly surprised, they have a greater chance of having their expectations exceeded. This will raise their self-esteem concerning how they have spent their time. Therefore, they will respond with delight, tell others, and we are off to the races!
            Use suspense as a tool. Build in some unannounced elements into your event. Drop some hints, but don't "spill the beans." What about bringing in a singer, a humorist, a special program on something cryptic or esoteric? What about making a special dessert, such as Baked Alaska? The possibilities are endless. Inspire some curiosity. Make sure the surprise is positive! Obviously, delight depends upon the fact that surprise is not only welcomed, but also that it works. A humorist who is not funny will backfire. An educational program that is too simplistic will discourage those who are looking to learn. A dessert that is undercooked is worse than none at all. There are two key points I want to stress. First, every action you take contributes to the total experience you are staging! The devil is in the details. The execution of an event is only as good as the planning that went into it. A simple project planning chart works well for this. Make three columns on a sheet of paper. In the top row put "What," and in that column, list every possible activity that must be accomplished in order to successfully execute an event. In the next column, put "When," and place a milestone or deadline date by every activity. Then, reorder each of the activities from soonest to most distant. Finally, in the last column, put "Who," in order to designate the person or persons responsible for that activity. Second, staging an experience is not the sole responsibility of the presiding officer. Everyone plays a part in crafting a memorable experience. And without involvement, there is no commitment. Every High Priest, T.I.M., Eminent Commander, and all of our other presiding officers should attempt to convert individual tasks to teamwork as much as possible. It is difficult for people who actually contribute to an event to do anything but express excitement and add energy to it.
    CONCLUSION
    In this paper, I have suggested three things as we consider York Rite Masonry as a customer service experience. First, build the right experience. Second, delight your members with the experience. Third, they will leave with high self-esteem, they will be back, and they will bring others! Can you think of a better way for us to grow?
    References
    Pine, B. J., & Gilmore, J. (1999).
     "The expe rience economy: Work is theatre and every business'a stage."
    Boston: Harvard Business School Press.
    Schneider, B., & Bowen, D. E. (1999).
    "Understanding customer delight and outrage."
    MIT Sloan Management Review, 41 (1), 35-45.
    About the Author: Sir Knight Karl J. Krayer
    (Ph.D., University of Oklahoma, 1982) is a 30 year York Rite Mason, a Past High Priest, and
    a Past T.I.M. He is a member of A. C. Garrett Commandery No. 103 and two York Rite Colleges. Karl is a Past President of the Dallas County York Rite Association. He has authored numerous articles in Knight Templar magazine since 1976. He is the President of Creative Communication Network in Dallas and a member of the MBA faculty in the Graduate School of Management at the University of Dallas. You can reach Karl at (972)601-1537 or karlk224@aol.com
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RECIPIENTS OF THE GRAND ENCAMPMENT MEMBERSHIP JEWEL

      569. Leon Weber, Crawfordsville Commandery No. 25,
           Crawfordsville, IN. 11-24-2006.
      570. Craig S. Davis, Watauga Commandery No. 25, Johnson
           City, TN. 12-1-2006.
      571. Salvatore J. Busuito, Redford Commandery No. 55,
           Westland, MI. 12-29-2006. (bronze cluster)
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The George Washington Masonic National Memorial Announces
Two Major Masonic Digital History Projects-Part I
by Mark A. Tabbert, Director of Collections

    Created and governed 52 American Grand Lodges, the George Washington National Masonic Memorial is dedicated to George Washington, but it is also dedicated as the "National Masonic Memorial." Inherent in this dual mission is to preserve the memory of not just Brother Washington but of every American who joined the Craft. To fulfill this greater mission, the Memorial will initiate two major digital projects in 2007.
    The first project is an on-line data base of all duly constituted US Grand Lodges and local Lodges ever chartered. The second is the digitization of every Grand Lodge annual proceedings. Through these two projects, the Memorial will meet the needs of present and future Brothers, but also it will answer the growing number of research questions from scholars, genealogists, and more especially, from men interested in joining the fraternity.
            On September 8, 2006, the Memorial held a meeting with Masonic representatives to discuss the projects. Those attending included several Grand Lodge Secretaries, Masonic librarians, and Grand Lodge and nonMason information technology experts. The attendees agreed the Memorial is well-situated to recommend uniform technological and informational specifications. Furthermore, as it is governed by Grand Lodges, it is a natural neutral institution to coordinate the information owned and maintained by each Grand Lodge. Through the Memorial's website, on-lineresearchers could access every Grand Lodge proceedings, Lodge records, library and museum collections.
            Project one is "The National Masonic Research Database." This on-line database will contain records of every regular and recognized American Grand Lodge since the 1730s. This includes "Modern" and "Ancient" Grand Lodges of early America, as well as Grand Lodges that later divided, such as the Grand Lodge of Dakota, which split into North and South in 1889. From this table, records of every chartered Lodge would be added. Each individual Lodge record would include charter date, location, and if a lodge moved, merged, divided, went dark or was rechartered in a new Grand Lodge. In short, it would be a genealogical record of every American Lodge.
            To initiate this project, the Memorial will license a version of the Masonic On-line Registry Interface (MORI) system from Vita Rara, Inc. (www.vitarara.net). Specifically designed by Freemasons for Masonic Lodge and Grand Lodge record keeping, MORI will be customized for this project. Through the MORI system, participating Grand Lodges may directly enter their Lodge histories through the Memorial's website. Or if Grand Lodges already have their Lodge histories in digital format, they can choose to send it to the Memorial for conversion into MORI. Once its local Lodge records are entered, a Grand Lodge will be free to edit them and post them on its own website. The Memorial will maintain the unified database and website to present all Grand Lodges and Lodge histories. Once the database is fully functioning, the Memorial and participating Grand Lodges will conduct annual reviews for ongoing MORI upgrades.
          For those Grand Lodges that choose to participate and support the project at a determined level, the Memorial has arranged for Vita Rara to provide a full working installation of MORI for its own use. This software includes: membership registry management, subordinate body management, Grand Lodge management and reports, mail room functions, and fund-raising management. Vita Rara will import any existing electronic Lodge and membership records. MORI further includes an on-line Lodge module that allows local secretaries to directly input and manage member records, dues, and finances. Lastly, Vita Rara will provide on-site MORI training to Grand Lodge staff.
            The National Masonic Research Database will have two further great advantages. First, once Lodge records have been created, each Grand Lodge will have the ability to add records for deceased and inactive members to the National Masonic Research Database. This can be done by each Grand Lodge or Lodges and members they designate for their jurisdiction. Like the Lodge histories, each Grand Lodge will retain control over which records are viewable by researchers and the public.
          The second advantage is that other Masonic organizations could create parallel databases containing their national, state, and local bodies. This means on-line databases of every Knights Templar Commandery, Eastern Star Chapter, Grotto, etc., that ever existed. Furthermore, once Grand Lodges enter their membership records, they could be linked to the York Rite and appendant bodies' databases. In its fullest form, therefore, by finding one Brother within the database, a researcher can discover if that Brother was a member of one Lodge or several Lodges in different states. The record could also include his membership in the York Rite bodies, Eastern Star, and other Masonic organizations. Lastly, the researcher will know when that Brother's Lodge, Chapter, Council, etc., was chartered and if and where it currently meets.This article will be concluded in Part II in the March 2007 issue of the magazine.
            Grand Lodge officers and other Masonic leaders interested in receiving project prospectus should contact Mark Tabbert, Director of Collections, GWMNM at mtabbert@gwmemoriaLorg or call (703)683-2007, ext. 17. Mark Tabbert, 330, is a Past Master of Mystic Valley Lodge, Arlington, MA, a member of the Society of Blue Friars, and the author of American Freemason: Three Centuries of Building Communities.
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    S.W.P. Alcon Visits Carnegie Assembly No. 80, S.O.O.B.
    Mrs. David E. Alcon, Supreme Worthy President of the Social Order of the Beauceant, made her official visit to Carnegie Assembly No.80 at the Carnegie Masonic Temple, Carnegie, Pennsyvania, in the fall of 2006. Two new members were initiated and welcomed.

    Pictured, left to right, are some of the attendees: Mrs. Charles H. Lee, P.S.W.P.; Mrs. William Chishko, new member; Mrs. Michael Tomascin, new member; Mrs. David E. Alcon, S.W.P.; Ms. Donna Faub, President of the Assembly; and Mrs. Howard E. Roe, S. Marshal. (photo courtesy of Mrs. Leslie J. Loomis, President, Elizabethtown Assembly No. 265).

    Elizabethtown Assembly No. 265, S.O.O.B., Pennsylvania
    Members of Elizabethtown Assembly No.265, Social Order of the Beauceant, Elizabethtown Pennsylvania, are as shown with the Teddy bears they collected for children. The bears, the fun emblem of Mrs. Leslie J. Loomis, W.P. of the Assembly in 2006, were donated to the Shriners' Hospital for Children in Philadelphia.


    Shown, left to right: front: Mrs. Stephen Koonrad, Mrs. Thomas F. Miller, Mrs. Leslie J. Loomis, W.P.; just behind: Mrs. Alfred D. Much; Mrs. Jay H. Eisenhower, Sr., P.P.; Mrs. John M. Ellerman; Mrs. Jerry J. Hamilton; Mrs. David E. Alcon, S.W.P. and RP. of Elizabethtown No. 265 and Westminster No. 245; Mrs. George H. Taylor; Mrs. Errol T. Betzenberger; Mrs. Gene C. Bower, P.P. (back) and Mrs. Howard N. Miller, W.P. 2007. (submitted by Mrs. Leslie J. Loomis)

    Thanksgiving Service of Knights Templar of Long Island, New York Members of Knights Templar of Long Island, New York, had a special service of Thanksgiving at the Half Hollow Community Church of Dix Hill, Long Island.


    The Reverend Juanita Duryea Hilsenbeck (in front, in robe),wife of Walt Hilsenbeck, P.C. of Nassau Commandery, is the pastor of this tiny 130-year-old church. The Past Grand Commander (2005) of New York, Sir Knight George Harrison (third from left in back row) and his lovely wife Ernie participated in the service, and the ladies of the church held a coffee in their honor. Activities of the Sir Knights include a fund-raiser for KTEF, a Christmas Observance at the Hilsenbecks' home, and work with Rev. Jaunita at a nursing home.

    Supreme Worthy President of S.O.O.B. Visits Billings Assembly No. 194, Montana, on Their 50th Anniversary Billings Assembly No. 194, S.O.O.B., was honored by the Official Visit of Supreme Worthy President Mrs. David Alcon, who also shared in the celebration of their 50th anniversary. The fall meeting was preceded by a special dinner at which time a brief history of their early years was read by Mrs. Arloa Weiss, P.P., who is a member of the Supreme Jewelry Committee. Also, a special "Hat" program involving all the members present was presented by member, Mrs. Stephen Marsh.


    In the picture in the center of the front row is S.W.P. Mrs. Alcon. On her left is the Worthy President, Mrs. John E. Johnson, and Mrs. Allen Keebler, charter member. On Mrs. Alcon's right are Mrs. Robert E. Danskin, P.S.W.P., and Mrs. Clinton Cox, Past President and charter member. They are surrounded by faithful members of Billings Assembly in Billings, Montana. Two other charter members, Mrs. Leonard Hiestand, P.P., and Mrs. Wade Sanderson were unable to attend. (submitted by Mrs. Robert E. Danskin, P.S.W.P.)
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