Every year a lodge is chosen at the Grand Lodge Session for the Masonic Service Award. Since I have been on the advancing line the Grand Lodge Officers have been the judges for these competitions. Traditionally 10 to 15 reports are submitted and the judging is limited to these few. The lodges that consistently participate in community action throughout the year are the winners of this award. The important elements of this program are two-fold: first, to involve as many members of each lodge as possible, and second, to make us visible in the community so others will know that we live up to our teaching. Charity, next to a belief in Deity, lies at the foundation of Freemasonry. There are some very good activities going on in our State, but how many more could we have if there were 365 lodges participating in that grass root effort and reporting it. 

Every Masonic Charitable work ever created was a GRASS ROOT program. It may have had its initiation on the Grand Lodge level but I guarantee that the basic idea came from ideas and actions started on the local lodge level. The Masonic CHIP program was just such a grass root idea some 15 years ago in the New England area.

Every program, no matter how good it is, has a shelf life. I am in no way suggesting that our CHIP program has reached that point. It is at its zenith right now and could continue for decades. We certainly hope that is the case. 

My point is this. We should be looking for our next (Best) program right now. Where better to look than at our own GRASS ROOTS. You, the local lodge leadership, should find out what your community needs and find a way to fill it. The CHIP program is successful because it identified and filled a need and it partnered with the community. Nothing makes you stronger or more viable than building partnerships with other respected entities in your community to fill a common need.
In past years only the Master of his lodge got credit for the activities of the lodge and then only if the lodge earned one of the Grand Lodge Achievement Awards. Any Master of a lodge worth his salt is aware that without the help of his officers and membership he can do nothing. The individual members of the lodges should be recognized for their efforts on behalf of Masonry and their lodge.

To that end I have created a "Brothers Helping Others" Pin to honor those men who make their Lodges and the Masters of them more successful in their community. This is an opportunity for the Master of your Lodge to brag on his Officers and members.

In order to keep this program as simple as possible I would ask each Master of every Lodge to keep track of the Civic activities of your lodge, and particularly those members that participate in them. You will be given a reporting sheet by your DDGM. On that sheet put the name and number of the Lodge, the Master of the Lodge and basically a short explanation of what activities the Lodge has been engaged in and the names of all the members who have participated. Participation doesn't mean the guy had to be on site. He may be delivering Meals on Wheels or any other community program that needs help.

The Master of the Lodge will then give those reports to his DDGM who will deliver them to me directly. I will schedule a visit to at least one lodge in each district so I can personally present the "Brothers Helping Others" Pin to all the Brethren who have earned them. The DDGM will then be given pins to make sure that anyone who couldn't make the presentation, or qualified after the event, will get their pin.

It sounds simple because it is simple. There is no trick here. The only way you can get that Brothers Helping Others pin is if you participate and your Master reports it. I hope there are 365 reports next year for the Grand Lodge Officers to go through and I hope one of them is our next (Best) program. I am asking you and your Lodge to BE THE DIFFERENCE in your community. 

As always, the lodge that wins the Service Award will have the name of the Worshipful Master and Lodge engraved on the traveling trophy, which the honored lodge can display between the sessions of Grand Lodge. The lodge will also receive a plaque for permanent display. 

I ask each and every one of you to "Be the difference" in your community. Find something or someplace for everyone because we need every one.

Community Service Reporting Form (PDF)