Formally, I would like to thank the brotherhood for their confidence in electing me. I am truly humbled by your support, and I will do all in my power, God willing, to steward this ship, and keep a steady course towards a brighter horizon. While our previous Worshipful Master of the past 2 yrs has remarked on occasion that he is a Boomer, I must casually point out that I am not. 

I was born in 1981, which falls between Generation X and Millennial. This generational tight-rope walk that I have performed all my life will surely serve me well as I advocate and deliberate for the prosperity and continuity of such a wide range of generations within the lodge. We can foster a spirit of collective unity in our ideas and discussions, as our forefathers have done in the country we all love and cherish. The work we undertake will solidify our legacy for all our future brothers to prosper in our Lodge, the home we have built.

As we start the year of 2026, there is an optimism of hope regardless of many new challenges that developed and surfaced in 2025. For many years we have operated under one set of financial principles that are no longer valid, and we must now create and implement a new business model that adheres to our present condition. We are a brotherhood full of able-bodied men of sound mind, and I know that we will rise to this challenge as we have always done. This past year has provided us with a solid core of new brothers, and it seems like we have finally gotten our membership to increase. This year we will work hard to move that membership forward with a goal for ending next December in a surplus.

Briefly speaking of our home, PM Joe Grieco has left us in good repair.  The building has completed the work needed for its upkeep and maintenance. This will allow us to focus all our attention on our financial situation, and membership. While we ended on a strong note, a large focus this year will be on expanding membership and greater retention of those we already have. In this past year, I have seen an incredible effort put forth by WB Richard Berson, our Historian, at inculcating the new brothers into our craft, and I commend him for that service. We will work hard to continue this effort and expand on it. 

I would be remiss to mention the success of the Blue Wave program that has been led by Right WB John Dicioccio, Jr. This is quickly becoming the heartbeat of our membership, and I commend all that have taken part in its success. It is not easy and you have all done incredible work. We must continue to do so. 

Finally, we will discuss our financial situation at our first meeting.  I would like to start a committee to explore and meet this head on. We may need to develop and implement a new business model to solidify our future and bring in a strong measure of fiscal responsibility. 

We do have degree work on the horizon.  We have an EA in February. I hope you can join us. I look forward to a prosperous year, and I hope to work with all of you to build our future. 

Fraternally, 

WM Jeffery S. Mayer