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The Old Webmaster sees things differently

Published by
Ed
at May 10, 2008 in The Old Webmaster. 0 Comments

“What on earth are you doing?”, he asked, leaning closer to view the computer. The lodge’s Master had come up to the small storage room where The Old Webmaster was typing furiously on his laptop in the soft glow of a naked light bulb on the wall further back into the room.

“Just answering a couple of e-mails before heading off to pick up some things for the Kiwanis rummage sale. If you’ve got nothing better to do, you can give me a hand with it.” the Old Webmaster replied, grinning broadly while tipping his head slightly to look over his glasses. The Masons and the Kiwanis in town had a great working relationship and many shared members. Each gave the other a hand on major projects: it worked quite well.

“Your e-mail? That doesn’t look e-mail at all…..” He hesitated and leaned even closer. ” – at least not like MY e-mail.” The Master was fascinated as he peered at the screen.

“That’s because we use different e-mail programs. It may also be because I’ve got a different size screen than you do, have it set at a different resolution and use a background color scheme which I’ve found, after several years of trial and error, is pleasing to these old eyes. It’s all a matter of how we see things – and likely too, how we see things at different times in our lives.”

“Yes, but it’s not at all like mine. I just don’t understand. I can see the titles of your e-mails but in mine….” The Master continued to stare intently as The Old Webmaster leaned off to the side to give him a better view.

“I guess we’re all the ‘victims’ – for better or worse – of our past experiences. I’ve come to this particular e-mail program because it’s rock-solid, doesn’t allow the majority of viruses to trouble me or others, and because it’s proven itself time and time again. Others take a different tack and are quick to toss aside what works for the glitter of something different – or they take what they get for free and are happy with it. I don’t suspect you’d ever think that I pretty much walk to the beat of a different drummer….”

“I think I’ve heard that said more than once!” The Master patted the shoulder of his Masonic Brother while continuing to stare at his computer screen.

“And some think that I’m just old-fashioned and out of touch I suppose – but then again, I don’t think that bending and blowing with every breeze makes much sense. I’d rather build my moral and Masonic edifice on more solid ground and not move it around every few days.”

“Well, old fashioned or out-of-touch are CERTAINLY not terms I’d use with you, my friend!” the Master quickly interjected. “From the time I’ve joined I’ve benefitted from your advice, most of it very forward-looking.”

“Thank you, Worshipful, but in some ways – like this e-mail program – I’ll admit to being unwilling to change. A colleague at work says I won’t compromise – even a little - in order to move ahead. On the other hand, I’ve moved ahead far further than a lot of those folks while maintaining both my dignity and my sanity! And yes: I am unwilling to compromise, particularly when the alternative is unproven or buggy. ” The Old Webmaster was also staring at his screen – thinking beyond.

“Looking at things differently can cause problems for an individual – and sometimes a real culture clash can result. Generational differences make it particularly tough and in a voluntary association such as ours, there can be lots of hard feelings when people don’t all see eye-to-eye. Not that I’m saying that differences can’t be good….”

The Old Webmaster turned to face him and smiled – a very knowing smile.

“OK. OK. I remember when I first got here and tried to tell everyone what Freemasonry REALLY was all about.” He hung his head in mock remorse, smiling all the while. “Fortunately I was bright enough to realize that we could row together or I’d be out adrift somewhere. Seeing things differently, I came to learn quickly with the help of Brothers like yourself, doesn’t have to mean arguing, demanding one’s own way, and being deliberately provocative. And so I guess the lesson here is the same: that you can reach the same goal by different means. That everyone does things differently but if they’ve all got the same goal, there’s no reason to get alarmed at what the other person is up to?”

“Or that in an organization that’s as old and as large as Freemasonry, there’s plenty of room for a wide variety of interests and ideas – and that perhaps sometimes what works doesn’t need to be changed completely – like my old e-mail program!” The Old Webmaster chuckled slightly – and the Master looked at his face, smiling from ear to ear. “But about that question you dodged a few minutes ago, Worshipful….”

“Saddle up, Ol’ Webmaster! We’re going to collect enough stuff to keep those Kiwanians selling until midnight!”

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The Old Webmaster and Famous Dead Guys

Published by
Ed
at May 5, 2008 in The Old Webmaster. 0 Comments

“I don’t understand why so many Masonic websites brag about the important people who joined Freemasonry a couple of hundred years ago. Is that what REALLY attracts potential members?” The Junior Warden was already planning his term as Master two years hence and had asked to meet with the Lodge’s Webmaster to see if there was anything he could or should do to help keep their online ‘face’ of the Lodge interesting to visitors.

“I don’t think you’ve been talking to the fellows who’ve been knocking on our door lately – and if you have, maybe you haven’t talked with them about what piqued their curiosity.” replied The Old Webmaster.

The Junior Warden tipped his head to one side and furrowed his brow. “Are you saying that they DO join because of that?”

“Ask them. When they get through talking about their own personal reasons like wanting to find meaning in their lives, a beloved grandfather or uncle who was a member, and all that, they’ll tell you – nearly to a man – that they were impressed with the names of SO many famous Freemasons. You know: in many cases it’s like a who’s who of leaders.”

“But we have so few LIVING examples….”

“You don’t really believe that, do you? There are LOTS of Masons making a very big difference in our communities today. Proportionally, Freemasonry is nowhere as big as it was compared to the overall male population a hundred or more years ago and due to having lost the 60s generation, we seem to have skipped a bunch of people who might otherwise have joined. Further, anyone who’s interested in national politics where all the attention seems to focus learns early on that they shouldn’t join ANYTHING that might cost them a single vote so they stay away from us and a lot of other worthwhile organizations. All that notwithstanding, I’ve watched so many new initiates kneel at our altar and then, there - or not long afterwards - they’re overwhelmed with the proud and distinguished history to which they are now joined. The feeling of brotherhood comes to them first – but once they realize the breadth and depth of that brotherhood over the centuries, they understand their connection to that continuum. It’s a powerful bond indeed.” The Old Webmaster looked over the top rim of his glasses.

“Now that you say it, that’s certainly true in my case….” He stared absently into space. “Can’t we put some of Freemasonry’s current members up there though?”

“Members are free to disclose whether or not they’re affiliated with us and many have quite publicly. In these days, though, where historical revisionism and near fanatical beliefs held by some persons can put families at risk, many chose to keep their affiliations – be it church, club, or Freemasonry – more private. I don’t think anyone is ever ashamed of that affiliation as a Mason but sometimes it has been used by our detractors to cause hardships. A classic example was when a certain blogger decided to ‘announce’ the church and location of a Minister/Mason hoping it would cause an embarrassment to the individual and perhaps even loss of his job. Ironically, when the blogger’s job was ‘outed’ a few months later by someone else, he was righteously indignant. It’s more than that, though, and there’s a whole history of hatred against Freemasonry. The Holocaust Museum in Washington has a whole section which explains these horrors but far less reported are incidents like airline hijackings where terrorists would look for Masonic rings or dues cards in wallets and then beat the men nearly to death. Servicemen going to certain countries are warned about disclosing their religion and, if applicable, Masonic membership.”

The Old Webmaster realized his thoughts were drifting. “Sorry. This is in some ways personal for me. Because of that potential danger, we let members decide whether or not they want to be identified as Masons. In reality, I think that most of them don’t make a ‘big deal’ out of their membership not because they’re embarrassed but because they simply don’t feel they measure up to the ‘important people’ of the past. Heck, a recently elected Governor didn’t feel that the Masons should be particularly proud of his achievements – which transcended partisan politics by a mile. He was encouraged into accepting the recognition. His election brought honor and recognition to himself but he had long been deeply involved as a Mason – and it was very much a part of his life. He didn’t want anyone – and particularly other Masons – to think he was bragging that he was more important somehow than they were. He was concerned that being identified as a living ‘famous Freemason’ might do that.”

“I think I see what you’re saying. But after all, getting elected Governor is no small feat – in even the smallest state!”

“That’s right! But it comes down to ‘meeting on the level’ that we hold so dear. None of us thinks that we’re more important than the other – and if we do, we hopefully see the error of our ways before it gets too far along.”

“OK. Well, that pretty well explains why we don’t have more ‘current names’ on that ‘famous’ list. Listen: do you want to go next door to the café and grab lunch? It would surely be better than this dark storage room that you use as your office….”

“I’ve never met a meal I didn’t like!” said The Old Webmaster, smiling broadly. He rose from the rickety wooden chair which squealed in appreciation. If only it knew where they were going….

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The Old Webmaster Adopts A Geezer

Published by
Ed
at April 29, 2008 in The Old Webmaster. 0 Comments

It had been an exciting afternoon. The officers from the several lodges in the Western-most part of the jurisdiction were enjoying a mid-afternoon break in their bi-annual ‘Best Practices’ forum. Begun nearly a decade earlier, it gave interested lodge leaders, regardless of their stations, an opportunity to share information on what worked and what didn’t. The incoming Grand Master in his travels around the state had been suggesting that every district might want to start such a program since it had proven so successful. As the men milled around, munching on snacks and drinking coffee or soda, The Old Webmaster – who was invited to talk about the value of a lodge website in a lodge’s life - was approached by a fellow he’d met quite briefly at Grand Lodge the prior year.

“I got here late this morning due to some car problems but I heard that the talk about lodge budgeting was pretty interesting. I don’t know if you remember me or not.” The two men exchanged names and a familiar handshake and they were – almost as if by magic – long time friends. “I heard some talk at lunch about this Adopt-A-Geezer program and wondered if you could tell me about it.”

“Absolutely, my Brother.” replied The Old Webmaster without hesitation. “Several years ago, our lodge’s new Treasurer attended a seminar on lodge finances. He came back to our lodge and decided to look carefully at where we’d been and where we were headed. Projecting anticipated future expenses, he realized that we’d need to be raising our dues – perhaps significantly - in the near future. Because we have a number of men who’ve been given an life membership as a result of their very conspicuous hard works over several decades, it was also clear that increases in the Grand Lodge per capita tax would result in an additional burden.”

“My Brother. I don’t mean to sound stupid but I’ve just moved to this jurisdiction and I guess I’m not really familiar enough yet with the terminology to appreciate the problem. We don’t have life memberships where I come from. We do have honorary members though. Are we talking about the same thing?”

“Maybe – but maybe not.” said The Old Webmaster. “The terms are sometimes different from one grand lodge to the next but if it’s an honor awarded by the lodge rather than something purchased by the individual member, then it’s probably pretty much the same concept. As you know, an individual lodge owes Grand Lodge an amount of money for each member on their rolls. Some may call it a poll tax, a head tax, or whatever. We call it a per capita tax. Usually, that’s part of the dues that’s collected from each member annually but in the case where dues have been remitted by the lodge – either because of an honorary or life membership or as a result of a financial hardship the member is facing which makes paying his dues impossible – there is still the amount to pay to Grand Lodge each year.”

“So how does this Adopt-A-Geezer program work then?”

“The Treasurer was at an officer’s meeting where he brought up the potential problem for discussion. One of the older Past Masters who was there chimed in that the lodge just couldn’t abandon those old geezers like himself for whom the honor had been granted – and he readily offered to pay for not only his own Grand Lodge dues but that of at least one other person. Our Treasurer – being a guy full of humor and mirth - quickly interjected that all they now needed was for someone to adopt the rest of the old geezers. Well, this struck a chord with everyone in the room and each offered to do so. They then paused: what if the older members of the lodge took umbrage at the term? ‘Ah, not to worry!’ said the Old Past Master. He’d was in contact with most of them anyway and would make it his duty to speak to every single one, telling them that this was a great idea which they, as the old geezers, should be pretty pleased about – and that it would give the lodge some fun as well.”

“And it was as simple as that?” The Mason was clearly taken by this idea.

“The Treasurer decided to make a big deal out of it. To do it humorously so that no one would feel obligated or would take offense. And it has worked awfully well for our lodge. Each year when dues bills are sent to the membership, the Treasurer includes a separate sheet which explains the program and asks for donations. If a member wishes, he’ll receive a cute ‘Adopt-A-Geezer’ certificate by return mail but nearly all of the fellows just double their dues payment and be done with it. It’s a good deal all around because it allows the lodge to make good on their honors and their financial commitments at the same time without injury to anyone.” The Old Webmaster smiled broadly. “And nobody takes umbrage at being referred to as a ‘old geezer’. You’ll want to make sure the lodge is agreeable to the concept, that you’ve got some who’ll immediately sign on, and that all of those who will benefit by it understand that they’re not being made fun of…. I think those things are VERY important.”

From the other side of the hall, the speaker was encouraging all to return to their seats for the rest of the program that afternoon. “Adopt A Geezer….. Who would have thought?” They both smiled and headed off to their seats: another lodge ‘best practice’ had been shared!

——

Thanks to RW George Macdougall, PSGW from Piscataquis Lodge #44, Milo, Maine for the inspiration for this blog posting.

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The Old Webmaster and Exclusivity of Cause

Published by
Ed
at April 25, 2008 in The Old Webmaster. 0 Comments

The Old Webmaster looked forlornly at his computer screen before leaning back in his chair. The loud squeal of protest it made was enough to capture the attention of anyone in the building. “It’s so stupid. You’d think they invented the concept of charity….” he muttered.

“What?” The Treasurer was over at the farthest filing cabinet trying to get some data together for his presentation of the upcoming budget. While a twenty five year financial history would be of little value in these times of rapidly escalating maintenance costs, he’d hoped to garner enough information to be able to show the steep ascent they were facing as the lodge struggled to ensure they remained fiscally secure for the future. “I’m hoping that you’ve got an audio card in that machine. Tell me you aren’t just talking to your computer instead of to yourself….” he said with a chuckle.

“It never ceases to amaze me how these few ‘fake Masons’ seem to think they’ve invented everything from charity to racial equality. They berate – both directly and indirectly – everything ever done by regular/recognized Freemasonry in order to boost their own self-perception while, very un-masonically, denigrating everyone else. The immaturity of their behavior is galling.”

The Treasurer stopped and left his pile of aged file folders to slump down into the overstuffed chair near the desk where The Old Webmaster sat. “For a guy who’s worked with youth groups his entire life, it really does surprise me to hear that you’re upset at immaturity. While I think our DeMolay boys are the greatest kids around and you know I’ve always encouraged the lodge’s financial support whenever they needed things, you’ll have to admit that their behavior is often far from mature. That broken window downstairs just last month….” The Treasurer didn’t want to put too fine a point on it.

“Well, we both know that the window was a result of some immature behavior but they are, after all, mostly twelve to fourteen year olds. They got physically rambunctious. That’s age. What I’m talking about are – ostensibly – adults in their twenties and thirties with a leader in his forties who think they’ve invented everything from the unified field theory to sliced bread – and who spend a considerable portion of their time trying to goad Freemasons online. It’s puerile and to many, including me, it’s pretty upsetting.”

“My Brother…” the Treasurer began slowly “…I’d be the LAST one to think that I could explain to anyone – and to you in particular – generational differences. You’re one of the very few among us who’s been ‘in the trenches’ watching such things develop for decades. However, if I may offer a bit of advice….”

“I’m all ears.” replied The Old Webmaster, leaning back further and stretching the very limits of the chair’s compliance.

“Last year we attended that Masonic Ambassador’s class and we got the handout on how the generations differ. I look at that sheet pretty regularly. It helps me better understand the kid in the grocery store who’s bagging my things and who apparently knows only two words: ‘no problem’. It helps me more appreciate my son-in-law when he does something which in my opinion is pretty foolish. It lets me communicate more intelligently with the new members of our lodge and give them the grounding which they never got in adolescence. You were at that meeting and you were the one who came back here to present it to our officer line. What’s happened? Have you forgotten it all?”

“No….” The Old Webmaster sighed deeply. “I keep hoping that these munchkins will grow up at some point – and I guess I’m frustrated that it’s not sooner rather than later – or never. And I guess I also resent their claims that they’ve invented the secret sauce because it demeans the many millions of good men who’ve gone before them.”

“Laugh it off, my friend. They’ve been at this for several years now and they’ve garnered less attention than a woodpecker banging on a tree trying to get insects in the middle of a Canadian winter. You see this stuff because you’re so close to that computer all the time but to the rest of the world, they’re a non-entity and will remain that way. In a couple of years, the leaders will grow tired of listening to themselves talk and they’ll find other ways to amuse themselves. Meanwhile, we’ll continue to do what we’ve done for the past three centuries – good works at improving ourselves and others - and we’ll continue on despite their niggling foolishness. They don’t have an exclusivity clause on ANYTHING and their whining should be transparent to even the most gullible. If it isn’t, all the better: they can take that person and have a great time together. MY only real concern is that they don’t get to the Jim Jones/David Koresh/Marshall Applewaite stage.”

The Old Webmaster stared. He’d seen that slavish, cult-like behavior in some of the followers of these various groups of ‘fake Masons’ and had been subjected to some very vitriolic comments when he’d taken a stand on behalf of regular/recognized Freemasonry. Could it be….??? The idea seemed too bizarre to even contemplate but there was that pack-like superiority attitude that was always present online. Would it ever spill over into something tragic? He’d been aware of one faction’s leader’s raging online rhetoric at the same time he was engaged in pleading long-distance phone calls with the officers of other jurisdictions and of national organizations begging for their assistance in his reinstatement as a Mason. There really were some strange dynamics in these groups but it was impossible to contemplate that grown men could follow someone to a precipice like that. Then again, from the time of Ben Franklin whose first words about Freemasonry condemned ‘fakers’ who pretended to be Masons and seduced others into thinking they were and who at other points in his lifetime spoke out against them as well….

The Treasurer interrupted his reverie. “A penny for your thoughts….” he said softly.

“I just wish I knew where it all ends….” The Old Webmaster replied mournfully.

“It ends with us ignoring the stupidity and getting back to reality. They don’t have exclusivity in the cause of righteousness and neither do we – although we’ll ALWAYS be a darn long step ahead. We do, however, have some immediate issues to discuss. I’ve been thinking: with rising gas prices, should we be looking at some kind of a special assessment so that we can provide some financial support to our DeMolay and Rainbow leaders? They’re getting hit hard, like ALL volunteers. What can we do?”

Both men turned their attention to the more pressing and relevant issue. A few minutes later, The Old Webmaster turned to look at his screen which had gone black due to inactivity. Fitting, he mused: the way all such aberrations in attempts to disrupt Freemasonry seem to end.

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