President's Message January 2023

Greetings Members of The Masonic Society,

John Ruskin wrote the following in his 1849 book The Seven Lamps of Architecture:

“When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone. Let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for; and let us think, as we lay stone on stone, that a time is to come when those stones will be held sacred because our hands have touched them, and that men will say, as they look upon the labor and wrought substance of them, “See! This our father did for us.””

Ruskin illustrates how the right words can motivate, inspire, and even change lives.  This is especially important as we have entered a new year with the experience of the past still fresh on our minds.  

There is no question that this past year has presented a great number of challenges as well as highlights.  The Masonic Society, while not being immune from these experiences, remains resolute and resilient.  We are focused on our commitment to deliver quality to our members.

As such, here are several important updates:

New Secretary

Brother Shamus Driver PhD has been elected as the new Secretary in November. Brother Driver is a senior scientist for a scientific instrument company.  A United States Navy veteran, he is also a very active Freemason. He travels for work, affording him many opportunities to learn and work with Masonic Brethren around the country. Teaching and learning are his passion, and since being raised, he has given Masonic Education lectures and presentations around his home state of Indiana and around the country.   He has taken the goal of modernizing our membership and communication systems to task.  Under his watch, you will experience improved communications and completed administrative functions (i.e: membership patents, orders and answered emails).

Double Journal Issue

Recovering from the financial impacts of the pandemic is a shared reality for all of us.  At the start of 2022, I underscored that looking forward, we were going to think and act strategically.  The Board made the recent fiscal and operational decision to delay the printing of our winter 2022 journal. Instead, we will provide a double issue No 59 in the spring of 2023.   Rest assured you will be getting our flagship Journal in your hands, so while you wait, we hope you prepare to digest twice the educational content with moderation!

New Renewal Model

The Board has also evaluated our current membership renewal structure for optimization.  Be on the lookout for a notice informing you of our transition to a calendar membership renewal model instead of a rolling membership model.  The details will be explained in our new invoices while ensuring that those who have recently renewed will be provided flexible options.  

Leadership Update

We have some leadership changes to report.   My dear Brother Greg Knott announced his resignation as our 1^st Vice President and while    it was an unfortunate loss, I emphatically thank Brother Knott for his service and time in leadership on the Board. The Board has elected Brother Mark Robbins as the 1^st Vice President and Brother Mason Russell as our 2^nd Vice President of the Board.

Masonic Week 2023

We look forward to seeing you in Alexandria, Virginia at our Annual Masonic Society Dinner on Friday, February 10^th, 2023.  Our guest speaker will be Brother Robert Dupel who is the Sovereign Grand Master of the Grand Council of the Allied Masonic Degrees of Canada as well as the Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Quebec.  The title of his talk is “It’s About Me” which promises to be a refreshing approach to a tantalizing subject.    

We say that The Masonic Society is a research society whose goal is not just to look backward at the history of Freemasonry, but to foster the intellectual, spiritual, and social growth of the modern Masonic fraternity.   A modern Masonic fraternity that has recently suffered the loss of great mentors in research and education such as Brothers Rex Hutchens and Alain Bernheim.  With that in mind as we write their names on history’s page, let us all remember that “when we build, let us think that we build forever.”

Fraternally and Sincerely, 

Brother Oscar Alleyne, FMS

President, The Masonic Society