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1 1 = advance to the next slide TITLE SLIDE Masonry in the 21st century serves a different purpose than when it was formed by stonemasons in the Middle Ages. Yet our mission and principles are still relevant today and will endure for centuries to come. SLIDE 1 Having a history that spans almost 300 years, Masonry is the world s first and largest fraternal organization. In California we have more than 350 lodges and 70,000 brothers. With 13,000 lodges and 2 million Masons in the United States and 5 million brothers worldwide, we are a strong and highly respected local, national, and international presence. SLIDE 2 Our mission is guided by the enduring principles of our fraternity brotherly love, relief, and truth and our core values, which include: Ethics through leading lives based on honor and integrity, Tolerance for religious, ethnic, cultural, social, and educational differences, Personal growth through continuous pursuit of knowledge, Philanthropy through charitable giving and community service, Family, and Individual freedom

2 2 = advance to the next slide SLIDE 3 Masonry is a body of knowledge and system of ethics based on the belief that each man has a responsibility to improve himself while being devoted to his family, faith, country, and fraternity. For nearly 350 years, considerable thought and study of Masonic ideals have been shared in Masonic lodges and writings. Masons and authors interested in Masonry have published thousands of books and articles concerning ethics, leadership, and civil society. One Masonic library in Philadelphia alone contains 75,000 volumes. And today there are thousands of Web sites dedicated to the continued exploration of Masonic principles and their application to our modern society. SLIDE 4 We re often asked What do Masons do? Charity is at the heart of many Masonic activities. We strive to make a difference in our communities, our country, and our world through philanthropy and community service. Each year, California Masons donate millions of dollars and thousands of hours to small and large philanthropic causes. Masonic charities receive no local, state, or federal funding, and are supported entirely by member contributions. SLIDE 5 In California we have several statewide Masonic philanthropic programs. For public schools we offer a comprehensive workshop at no cost that builds educators' skills in identifying at-risk students and providing appropriate guidance. More than 4,500 educators have been trained and the program has helped about 40,000 students.

3 = advance to the next slide Our four-year scholarships of $45,000 and $10,000 each have enabled thousands of students to pursue a college education. Parents of more than 350,000 California children used our KIDS ID program to receive free fingerprinting and photo identification in case their child is ever missing or kidnapped. Children who have been abandoned, abused, or neglected are nurtured in a loving, family-centered environment at our Children s Home at Covina, one of the finest residential programs of its kind in the United States. Two Shrine Hospitals in California provide free specialized medical and rehabilitation services to children with problems of the spinal cord, bones, joints, and muscles. The Shrine Hospitals also treat children with severe burns and pioneered many burn treatments now in use worldwide. Scottish Rite Language Disorder Centers located throughout California provide free services for children who suffer from aphasia, dyslexia, stuttering, and related learning or speech disorders. The Masonic Homes of California was founded over 100 years ago to provide fraternal relief to those in need. The two campuses, one in Union City and one in Covina, provide independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care for Masons and their wives or widows. The Union City campus also offers care for those with Alzheimer's and dementia. In addition, the Masonic Homes provides free assistance to those who wish to remain in their own home or in another care facility as they cope with the challenges of aging. 3

4 4 = advance to the next slide SLIDE 6 At the local level, our lodge has several programs that benefit our community. (Lodge to insert brief remarks about the lodge s philanthropic, community service, social and family programs) SLIDE 7 That s who we are and what we do. Now let s go back to our beginning and I ll touch on the high points of our rich history. In the Middle Ages, the term freemason referred to highly skilled stonemasons who were hired as free agents to build castles and cathedrals in England and Scotland. Because of the inherent danger of their work, many stonemasons formed local organizations, called guilds or lodges, to take care of sick and injured members as well as the widows and orphans of those who were killed on the job. They also used lodges as places to meet, receive their pay, plan their work, train new apprentices, and socialize. Since there were no ID cards at that time, secret passwords and handshakes were originally used to prove a man was a member of the lodge and to help protect the trade secrets of the stonemasons craft. Gradually the stonemasons accepted other selected gentlemen to the brotherhood and it evolved from a labor guild to a fraternity. SLIDE 8 In 1717 the Freemasons formally organized as a fraternal group in London and established the first governing body, called a Grand Lodge. Within the next 20 years, Freemasonry spread throughout Europe and made its way to the American colonies. In 1733 the first American Grand Lodge was established in

5 = advance to the next slide Boston. George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, and many other founding fathers were among the first Masons in America. During the Gold Rush of 1849, Masons who came to California in search of fortune brought our rich traditions with them. They soon founded some of California s first Masonic lodges in the mining towns of the Gold Country. In 1850 the same year that California became a state the Grand Lodge of California was established in Sacramento. Now headquartered in San Francisco, with authority over 70,000 members and 350 lodges, it is one of the largest Grand Lodges in the world. 5 SLIDE 9 Our lodge (lodge to insert lodge name) was chartered in (lodge to insert year lodge was founded). (Lodge to add any interesting historical facts about the lodge and its ties to the community.) SLIDE 10 Let me tell you how the fraternity operates. A lodge is a unit of Masons as well as the building or room in which Masons meet. A Grand Lodge serves as the governing body for a specific geographic area. It sets policies and procedures, ensures that rules and regulations are followed, charters new lodges, provides information and assistance to its constituent lodges, and serves many other purposes, somewhat like a headquarters. In the United States, there is a Grand Lodge for each state and the District of Columbia.

6 6 = advance to the next slide SLIDE 11 You no doubt are interested in what happens at a lodge. There are two kinds of meetings. The first is a monthly lodge meeting devoted to the regular business of operating an organization. The second kind of meeting is ceremonial, used for admitting new Masons and advancing them through the degrees. These two are just the formal meetings. We have other activities and programs, many of which include our families. SLIDE 12 A degree is a stage, or level, of membership. The degrees explain Masonry and teach the fraternity s core values. As a man attains each level of membership, the lodge holds a ceremony to confer the degree. The three degrees are Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason, names which are taken from the craft guilds. In the Middle Ages, when a person wanted to join a craft such as carpentry or stonemasonry, he was first apprenticed. As an apprentice, he learned the tools and skills of the trade. When he had proved his skills, he became a Fellow of the Craft, and when he had exceptional ability, he was known as a Master of the Craft. When a Mason receives the third degree, he becomes a Master Mason and full member of the fraternity. SLIDE 13 A man first becomes a Mason at his local lodge. After he has advanced through the three degrees, he may join any of the other Masonic organizations, each of which focuses on different aspects of Freemasonry. The best known in the United States are the Scottish Rite, York Rite and Shrine. A Mason may choose to obtain additional degrees through

7 = advance to the next slide either Scottish Rite or York Rite. In addition, California has four Research Lodges dedicated to promoting scholarly Masonic study and discussion. There are Masonic organizations that admit both men and women, which offers couples the opportunity to share in the Masonic experience. The best known, Eastern Star, is the largest coed fraternal society in the world. Our three youth groups share the common goal of character building and community service. Established nearly a century ago, the groups are DeMolay International for young men, and Rainbow for Girls and Job s Daughters for young women. 7 SLIDE 14 I m sure you have several questions about Masonry. I ll address some of the most common questions now, then answer your individual questions after the presentation. Is Masonry a secret organization? It really isn't a secret society, although it sometimes has that reputation. Masons certainly don't make a secret of the fact that we are members of the fraternity. We hold community events. Masonic buildings are clearly marked and are usually listed in the phone book. Lodge activities are not secret. Our events are often listed in the newspapers, especially in smaller towns. As with any fraternity or sorority, there are secrets and private meetings. First are the ways in which a man can identify himself as a Mason, which are grips and passwords. This is the same for any fraternity or sorority. Second are Masonic ceremonies, which are private and for members only, but they are not secret. As brother Benjamin Franklin reportedly said, The grand secret of Freemasons is that they have no secret at all.

8 = advance to the next slide Is Masonry a religion? Masonry is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for religion. The fraternity requires its members to have a belief in a Supreme Being, but the fraternity itself is not affiliated with any religion. In fact, Masons are prohibited from discussing religion at meetings. We are open to men of all faiths. Sometimes people confuse Masonry with a religion because traditionally some Masonic buildings are called "temples." But we use the word in the same sense that Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes called the Supreme Court a "Temple of Justice." Most California lodges now refer to their buildings as Masonic centers. Does Masonry engage in politics? While Masons are encouraged to participate in civic activities, Freemasonry does not endorse political candidates or legislation. Why do Masons wear aprons? Stonemasons wore leather aprons centuries ago to protect their skin and clothing as well as to carry their tools. Today, the aprons are traditional garments worn as a symbolic connection to our stonemason roots. What does G stand for in the Masonic emblem? The G stands for Supreme Being and for geometry, which was important to the work of the ancient stonemasons. Why can t women join Masonry? Masonry is a fraternity, a brotherhood. The essence of a fraternity is that it is for men, just as the essence of a sorority is that it is for women. There are several affiliated Masonic organizations for women only, as well as organizations for both men and women. 8

9 9 = advance to the next slide SLIDE 15 You will find there are several rewards in being a Mason. Most of our members say that the following are the most benefit to them: Personal growth, which is achieved through our ongoing pursuit of knowledge, ethics, and leadership skills, Friendships and a sense of belonging through association with other men and their families who share your values and beliefs, Participation in community service and philanthropic programs, and Belonging to an organization committed to making a difference SLIDE 16 One of Masonry s traditions is that we do not solicit members. Men must ask for an application on their own initiative. Membership is open to men age 18 or older who believe in a Supreme Being. We welcome men of all ethnic and religious backgrounds who meet the qualifications and standards. If you are interested in applying, here s how the process works: Ask a member of the lodge for an application. If you don t know a Mason, contact the lodge secretary for a membership information and application packet. We have some available tonight. When you ve completed the application included in the packet, two Masons who recommend you for membership must sign it. Your sponsor or a Mason you know at the lodge will assist you in obtaining the signatures.

10 = advance to the next slide Your completed application and the fee of (lodge to insert the lodge s fee), which is shown on the application, should be given to your Masonic sponsor, who will submit it to the lodge. Lodge members will schedule a visit in your home to discuss your application and to answer your questions. Your application will be voted on at the next lodge meeting and you will be notified immediately of your acceptance. This process usually takes between six and eight weeks. 10 SLIDE 17 That s who we are and what we do on the level. Now I welcome your questions.