144th Session Summary
This can be downloaded here.
Most Worshipful Grand Master Thomas L. Lund., opened and presided over the 144th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge AF & AM of Montana held in Missoula, Montana, on June 24, 25 and 26, 2010.
Attendence at the Communication
Elective Grand Officers present: 6
Appointed Grand Lodge Officers present: 12
Past Grand Masters present: 12
Worshipful Masters present: 24
Proxies Worshipful Master: 4
Senior Wardens present: 25
Proxies Senior Warden: 5
Junior Wardens present: 14
Proxies Junior Warden: 2
Secretaries present: 35
Duplicates: 92
Total Chartered Lodges: 98
Chartered Lodges present: 72
Chartered Lodges not represented: 26
Visiting Grand Lodge Officers: 37
Others present not entitled to vote: 20
Total Registered: 211
Total entitled to Vote: 191
Grand Lodge Officers Elected for 2010-2011
John J. Mangen (135) Most Worshipful Grand Master
41 W. Powderville Rd. Broadus, MT 59317 (406) 436-2263 (H) 853-2263 (C), johnmangen@grandlodgemontana.org
William L. Alexander, II (40/65) R.W. Deputy Grand Master
270 Boyd Cooney Dam Rd. Roberts, MT 59070 (406) 962-3371 (H) 860-5102 (C), williamalexander@grandlodgemontana.org
Thomas M. Duffy (58) R.W. Senior Grand Warden
2 Prospect Ave. Great Falls, MT 59405 (406) 454-0060 (H) 899-2104 (C) 453-0936 (W), thomasduffy@grandlodgemontana.org
Thomas W. Chisholm (153) R.W. Junior Grand Warden
50478 Moiese Valley Rd. Ronan, MT 59864 (406) 676-8808 (H) 270-4096 (C) 826-3666 (W), thomaschisholm@grandlodgemontana.org
Bruce W. Lahti (34) R.W. Grand Treasurer
41 Dune Ridge Lane, Great Falls, MT 59404, (406) 454-3690 (H) 788-5030 (C) 761-2820 (W), brucelahti@grandlodgemontana.org
Reid L. Gardiner (3) R.W. Grand Secretary
PO Box 1158, Helena, MT 59624, (406) 442-7774 (W), 410-1543 (C), mtglsec@grandlodgemontana.org
Grand Lodge Officers Appointed for 2010-2011
Donald S. Cerovski (1/37/59/68) W. SR. Grand Deacon
PO Box 662, Belgrade, MT 59714 (406) 388-7766 (H) 570-9510 (C), donaldcerovski@grandlodgemontana.org
Brian Murphy (1/6/136) W. JR. Grand Deacon
618 S. 7th Ave. Bozeman, MT 59715 (406) 209-4288 (C), brianmurphy@grandlodgemontana.org
Lewis K. Smith, III (14) W. Grand Marshal
149 Meadow Vista Lane, Deer Lodge, MT 59722 (406) 560-1602 (C), lewissmith@grandlodgemontana.org
Gerald L. Anderson, (155) Senior Grand Steward
PO Box 3060, Missoula, MT 59806 (406) 544-1038 (C), geraldanderson@grandlodgemontana.org
Jeffrey Harada (121) W. JR. Grand Steward
822 3rd Ave. N. Wolf Point, MT 59201 (406) 653-1415 (H) 653-1093 (W) 650-7092 (C), jeffreyharada@grandlodgemontana.org
George Dengel (98) W. Grand Standard Bearer
PO Box 22, Grand Range, MT 59032 (406) 428-2245 (H), georgedengel@grandlodgemontana.org
Leslie Kelly (31) W. Grand Sword Bearer
609 N. Hayes Ave. Miles City, MT 59301 (406) 234-7304 (H), lesliekelly@grandlodgemontana.org
Eugene "Bill" Murphy (29) W. Grand Pursuivant
3019 Melrose Lane, Billings, MT 59102 (406) 656-7330 (H) 672-9701 (W) 208-8287 (C), eugenemurphy@grandlodgemontana.org
Martin Reierson (52) W. Grand Tyler
PO Box 104, Rosebud, MT 59347 (406) 436-2462 (H), martinreierson@grandlodgemontana.org
Elliot Barnhart (135) W. Grand Chaplain
RT 89, Broadus, MT 59317 (406) 436-2462 (H), elliotbarnhart@grandlodgemontana.org
Jesse Barnhart (135) W. Grand Historian
1080 W. US Hwy 212, Broadus, MT 59317 (406) 436-2462 (H) 853-1524 (C), jessebarnhart@grandlodgemontana.org
Maurice "Moe" Rademacher (52) W. Grand Organist
1212 S. Musselshell Rd. Musselshell, MT 59059 (406) 320-1015 (H), mauricerademacher@grandlodgemontana.org
Ritualist Awards
Lewie Fletcher (144)
Bobbie Heaton (144)
Senior Ritualist Award
Gerald L. Schleining (144)
Silver and Bronze Medals
Distinguished Service Medal (Silver) James C. Axelson (22)
Meritorious Service Medal (Bronze) Mark A. St. John (18)
Secretary of the Year
Doug Stam (78)
Montana Masonic Hall of Fame
Theodore Thomas Williams (6/18)
Two Masonic Home Board Trustees Elected
Paul Martello (3/51) 130 Shelly Rd. Helena, MT 59601
Marc A. McCormick (16) 751 Hollibaugh Rd. Stevensville, MT 59870
Grand Lodge Budget
Grand Lodge Budget for 2009-2010 PASSED
Per-Capita & Reinstatement Fee for 2010-2011 is $29.85 PASSED
Legislation
Resolutions
- R-2010-01: A Resolution adding Section 100 to the Defined Words of the Code of Statutes of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Montana: 100 AN ACT WRONG IN ITSELF: Conduct contrary to generally accepted moral standards. It includes any act of business, vileness, or depravity in the private and social duties which a person owes to another, or to society in general, contrary to the accepted and customary rule of right and duty between people. It also includes conduct which is contrary to justice, honesty or good morals, including acts of fraud, deceit and dishonesty, even though not necessarily a crime.
PASSED - R-2010-02: A Resolution Amending Section 620 to add Treasurers to the list of those elected officers entitled to vote.
APPROVED/HOLDOVER TO 145TH ANNUAL COMMUNICATION - R-2010-03: A Resolution Amending Section 5020 to restrict Past Grand Master's from serving on any Standing Committee.
FAILED - R-2010-04: A Resolution Amending Section 230 and 620 of the Constitution and 28090 of the Code of Statutes and adding a new Code Section 28065 to allow recognition with the title of Honorary Past Master and with it Grand Lodge voting privileges.
FAILED
Committee Recommendations
- FIN 2010-01: A recommendation to amend Section 6030 and restate to correct organizational name change and to allow better management the accounting and processing of fees collected.
6030. Contribution fee to the George Washington Masonic Memorial and the Masonic Home of Montana. In addition to the degree fees (37080), each Entered Apprentice shall pay to the lodge $5.00 to support the George Washington Masonic Memorial and $10.00 to support the Masonic Home of Montana. These fees shall be paid only once by the candidate. The lodge shall remit the fees collected and annually include them as part of the Annual Return process. Once all fees have been received through the Annual Return process the combined fees from all lodges for Masonic Home of Montana and the George Washington Masonic Memorial will be remitted to them by the Grand Secretary.
PASSED - FIN 2010-02: A recommendation to eliminate Code Section 5170 and add Subsection E of Code Section 5080. Changing the Code and making the Investment Committee a sub-committee of the Finance Committee.
PASSED
Emergent Legislation
- Emergent legislation was approved to be brought before the Craft assembled to consider amending the Code to prevent lodges from liquidating assets that might jeopardize the tax status of the lodge and or Grand Lodge including using lodge assets to purchase members paid life memberships prior to consolidation or surrender of the Charter.
FAILED
Special Committee on Recognition
Special Committee on Recognition – To extend mutual recognition to:
- Prince Hall Grand Lodge F&AM of Missouri; Grand Lodge of Cyprus; United Grand Lodge of Bulgaria; Serenissima Grand Lodge of San Marino; and the Grand Lodge of Moldova.
APPROVED
Other Actions
- GALATA LODGE NO. 106
The Final Report of the Special Committee to Review Charges against Galata Lodge No. 106 and adopted. However, the Grand Master requested and the Craft assembled voted to impose specific actions that would be required to be completed by November 1, 2010 or have the charter arrested. - PLENTYWOOD LODGE NO. 91
The Grand Master requested and the Craft assembled and approved the formation of a three member commission to review the condition of Plentywood Lodge No. 91, in addition Grand Master requested and the Craft assembled voted to impose specific actions that would be required to be completed by November 1, 2010 or have the charter arrested.
The following Lodges were not represented at the Annual Communication: Montana Lodge -2, Diamond City Lodge -7, Flint Creek Lodge -11, Mystic Tie-Riverside Lodge -17, Sheridan Lodge -20, Mount Moriah Lodge -24, Benton Lodge -25, West Gate Lodge -27, Glendive Lodge -31, Chinook Lodge -50, Augusta Lodge -54, Thompson Falls Lodge -70, Terry Lodge -74, Sandstone Lodge -84, Plentywood Lodge -91, Saints John Lodge -92, Kyle Lodge -96, Pilgrim Lodge -102, Western Star Lodge -104, Galata Lodge -106, Scobey Lodge -109, Ekalaka Lodge -120, Park Lodge -140, Trinity Lodge -152, and Lincoln Lodge -157.
25050. REPRESENTATION IN GRAND LODGE. Each chartered and duly constituted lodge shall be represented in Grand Lodge at every non-ceremonial communication by one or more of its Master and Wardens, or by an elected representative. Where a Master or Warden is unable to attend, the lodge Instructor shall be given preferential representation.
Legislative action adopted at the 144th Annual Communication became in force and effect at close of the Communication.
The 145th Annual Communication will be held June 23, 24, and 25, 2011 in Miles City, Montana.
Fraternally submitted,
Reid L. Gardiner
R∴W∴ Grand Secretary