Fall 2003 Newsletter
Dear Masonic family: Let me start by saying how proud I am to be a member of Warpole Lodge #176, and the other groups meeting in the Masonic Center, however we are in trouble. Our membership and participation has dwindled over the years. We have regressed. The lodge that was once the center of a brother's social life is now competing with a wider set of activities. We need to understand all members' expectations of their fraternal organizations and what it will take to encourage them to give back some time to their Masonic family. Without everyone's support, this could make it necessary to give up our charters. The Masonic Center (building) is linked to the Lodge Charter and if the charter would have to be forfeited, the Masonic Center in Upper Sandusky would also be surrendered. To prevent that from happening, I have initiated a task force of interested individuals to address our concerns and help implement programs established from your responses to the enclosed survey. For those of you with two or more members in your family, please feel free to copy the survey and have each member participate. The comments will be used to revitalize the organizations in Upper Sandusky. Secondly we need to discuss what we can do to encourage members to become officers of the organizations meeting in the Masonic Center. I am very proud of the accomplishments of our fraternal organizations and would like to honor them by doing everything possible to have them survive for generations to come.
Fraternally yours, Joel B. Kin, Worshipful Master
Since establishing a newsletter more than six years ago, we have covered numerous subjects, this letter will address a topic that is probably the most important. It is a key to maintaining a Masonic presence in Upper Sandusky. All the groups meeting in our Masonic Center are affected. No it's not a financial or facility concern, those two areas are strong thanks to a large bequest from the Ollie Eblin estate and the continued support (including dues) and donations from our membership. It's not new laws or legislation from our governing bodies. It's not internal strife or disagreements. In my 34+ years as a member, I have been amazed at how well the members of our fraternity get along. Yes, we have our disagreements and many are sometimes due to poor communications, presence of rumors or not knowing all the information in a situation. One of our greatest strengths is the respect for one another and the love and concern of our members for our fraternity. This alone sets us apart from many other organizations and helps us get through troubling times. Our problem is dwindling participation. Do you think I am overreacting? Judge for yourself. Warpole Lodge has 246 members, that is excellent for a community of 8,000. Our computer tells us that of that 246 number, 217 reside in Ohio. 169 live in the 433 ZIP code (Marion Post Office) area and 124 reside in the 43351 (Upper Sandusky) area. These numbers do not include our good members living in the neighboring 448 or 458 vicinity. Eight members are required for a lodge quorum, only six were present for our first Tuesday meeting date in September. Worshipful Master, Joel Kin, is completing his third term as master and there are only two officers in the progressive line who have not served as worshipful master. ******* The Chapter, Council, Star, DeMolay and Rainbow are in similar situations, with DeMolay being the strongest right now. The boys' success is due to new and more experienced members taking an active part in the chapter. They are hosting special events and having activities of interest to their membership. We can learn a lot from them. We'll talk about that a little later in this letter. We are dependent on each other. Although our youth groups do not pay rent, we depend on them greatly. If you question that statement, look around at the next pancake and sausage breakfast. What organizations have given us a public image at the last 30+ years at the Wyandot County Fair Bob Evans sausage stand? Our Chapter, Council and Eastern Star, not only pay rent for use of our facility, but also help the lodge in other expenses and projects. The Eastern Star supports our Endowment and Scholarship Funds and they do a major cleaning our facility at least once a year. They help with postage and mailings of our newsletter. Warpole Chapter 366 OES and their Past Matrons have purchased many items for our kitchen and other areas. Could Warpole Lodge exist without the help and support of the other groups meeting in the Masonic Center? Possible, but VERY DIFFICULT. Could the other groups exist without Warpole Lodge? If, God forbid, Warpole Lodge, would be forced to vote to merge with another lodge, regulations require that all the funds and property be surrendered to the surviving lodge. That would include our beautiful vintage facility. We believe the surviving lodge, would not need a building in Upper Sandusky, and would either try to rent or sell it. Our other organizations' funds would not allow them to purchase and then maintain our Masonic Center. I'm sure you can understand our concern.******* REVITALIZATION This is a word you are going to be hearing a lot. A task force has been created to address these concerns and one of its recommendations is to hold special events and have activities of interest to our membership (remember DeMolay's success?) A major part of this plan is a survey included in this mailing, asking you for the hobbies and other activities in which you are interested. Your ideas, comments and suggestions are very important and will be used to form a plan to increase participation and revitalize our organizations. We request that you sign the survey and give us a phone number in case we have questions about your suggestions or need clarification. We also need the information since part of the survey asks if you would be willing to serve on a committee. Do you have two or more members in your family who belong to one or more of our organizations? Please copy the survey and have them fill one out too. Everyone's opinion is important. We request that the surveys be mailed or dropped in the chute in the entrance door on the alley at the Masonic Center by Oct. 15, since the task force meets again on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 8:30 p.m. following a short lodge meeting. Of course you are welcome to attend. If you are not a lodge member come to the 8:30 meeting, a lodge member may attend one or both meetings. ¥ ******* It's not too late, we have a lot of things going for us, we can secure the future of Masonry in Upper Sandusky. We can use some of our strengths to revitalize our organizations. We have a lot of talented members. We need a few more people to join the core group that attends nearly every meeting, they need your help. ******* It won't take a lot from you: * a positive attitude * filling out and returning the enclosed survey * telling us what activities you enjoy * supporting the programs created by suggestions from you and other members * attending a few meetings * serving on a committee * considering being an officer.
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I am pleased to report that we have 36 members participating in the Grand Lodge Endowed Membership program.
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Kimmel Corporation cleaned and repaired our robes during the summer months A special thank you to Mark & Kurt Kimmel and the other employees at Kimmel's for their help and assistance. We appreciate their efforts.
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David Larcomb has donated several computers over the years to our facility at no charge. This summer he provided a laptop to increase portability and to be used during meetings. Thanks David.
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Progress has been made on our attic fan, it's installed and waiting on the electrician.
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This newsletter is on our Web site about a week earlier than you receive it by mail. For those of you who have given me your e-mail address, you have had the opportunity of looking at the photos (in color) and additional information about several events held in our facility. Future plans include using the computer site as a primary source of receiving this mailing. Warpole Lodge #176 Elections will be held at the stated meetingon Tuesday,Nov. 18, 2003. Refreshment: OYSTERS The installation of officers will be on the stated meeting onDec. 2, 2003.
