 University No. 408 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. | ||||
University Lodge #408 AF & AMMeeting MinutesMonday, August 19, 2024 – 7:30 pm
Secretary’s Desk The Secretary reported the minutes of August’s Emergent Communication (Second Degree) and July’s Stated Communication. Treasurer There was no treasurer report, as the treasurer is at sea. Petitions The lodge read a Petition for the Degrees from Richard Phillip. The Master appointed a Chair for the Committee on Investigation. Trustees WB London Ivey reported on the First Responders Breakfast sign. The sign will just say “Masonic First Responders Breakfast.” See fall calendar dates below. The trustees request that those masters who do not have portraits on the wall please get their pictures taken and framed. Old Business The Master reported on the current status of the by-laws amendments voted on at an earlier Stated Communication. The provision to write waiving membership fees for 50-year members into our by-laws was denied by the GLNC. We can still vote annually to waive those fees. The Master reported that the Whiteheart Amendment was approved if we put it in a different section of the by-laws. Bro. David Collins and WB Fiore will get those by-law amendments updated and resubmitted before the end of the year. Education WB Alex Bass provided thoughtful and rich education on the symbolism of The Hourglass. New Business WB Fiore asked for a volunteer to take over the communications of the lodge (to ostensibly become the Communications Officer). Bro. Gavin Bergen volunteered to take over the communications, including checking the email inbox; handling the text-them-all; supervising the website; sending meeting reminders; and more. WB Evan Watson reviewed the amendments to the Code that will be voted on at the upcoming Annual Communication of the GLNC. WB Alex Bass offered to help anyone get ramped up for their CI or CL certification, the exams for which would take place in 2025. WB Watson shared stamps from the Grand Lodge of India, gifted to the lodge by Bro. Siddhant Srivastava. WB Ivey shared photographs from the lodge back when it was located farther west on Franklin Street, courtesy of Bro. Marvin Clark. He has requested these photographs be deposited in the archives of the lodge. WB Fiore thanked Bro. Dale Bailey for dinner. WB thanked Bro. Nathan Harms for handling new student parking in the treasurer’s absence. WB Ivey will handle dinner for September’s Stated Communication. Calendar Upcoming events include: Monday, September 2, TBD Thursday, September 26, White Hall Antiques will hold their annual gala; they will use the front row of our parking lot for overflow parking Monday, September 16, 7:30 pm, Stated Communication, University Lodge #408 AF & AM September 27-28, Annual Communication, Winston-Salem, GLNC Monday, October 7, 7:30 pm, a degree TBD (either second or first degree), University Lodge #408 AF & AM Monday, October 21, 7:30 pm, Stated Communication, University Lodge #408 AF & AM Saturday, October 26, 8:00 am breakfast / 9:00 am Third Degree, University Lodge #408 AF & AM Saturday, October 26, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, Habitat for Humanity event, Eagle Lodge #19 Monday, November 4, 7:30 pm, a degree TBD (either second or first degree), University Lodge #408 AF & AM Saturday, November 9, Time TBD (AM), Masonic First Responders Breakfast, University Lodge #408 AF & AM The minutes were correctly recorded. The lodge closed at 8:54 pm, peace and harmony prevailing. Humbly submitted, WB Charles Fiore Secretary |
University No. 408 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
University Lodge 408 A.F. & A.M. held a Master Mason’s Stated communication on June 17, 2024 at 7:38 pm. A reading of the minutes from past communications was waived. A petition for affiliation by Richard David Maida was read. The Investigation Committee found his petition favorable. The vote of the Lodge was favorable. A petition for degrees by Ethan Mark Thompson was read. The Investigation Committee found his petition favorable. The vote of the Lodge was favorable. The Secretary reported there was no correspondence to be discussed/acted upon. The Master read an email he had received from WB Al Serff, Mosaic Lodge 762, concerning issues of attendance and asking interested brethren to consider affiliation with their Lodge. All brethren were invited to their next meeting. The email also mentioned the possibility of future disbandment or merger. The Master stated he had discussed this with Mosaic and offered the support of University Lodge in whatever decision they made. The Treasurer delivered the May Financial Report (see attached). Brother London Ivey updated the Lodge on the new “First Responders Breakfast” sign. A motion was made to authorize Brother Ivey to spend up to $400 to purchase the largest 2-sided sign possible for that amount. The vote for approval was unanimous. Brother London Ivey presented memorabilia to the Lodge received from Past Master Marvin Clark. Brother Ivey was referred to WM and Lodge Librarian Evan Watson for appropriate display of the items. The Stated Communication for July will have dinner served by Brother David Slezak. The Lodge was closed at 8:30 pm; peace and harmony prevailing. Respectfully submitted, David Collins, Treasurer and Secretary Pro-Tempore. Officers Present: WM Barry Deustch, Pro-Tempore Chaplain Dale Bailey SW Tyler Singleton, Pro-Tempore Visitors: None JW James Jones, Pro-Tempore Members Present: Thomas Volk, Jerry Fisher SD Gavin Bergen, Pro-Tempore JD London Ivey, Pro-Tempore Secretary David Collins, Pro-Tempore Treasurer David Collins Tyler Dace Bergen, Pro-Tempore |
University Lodge #408 AF & AM
Meeting Minutes
Monday, April 15, 2024 – 7:30 pm
Officers Present: WB Evan Watson (Master); WB Barry Deutsch (SW); WB Tyler Singleton (JW); David Collins (Treasurer); WB Charles Fiore (Secretary); Gavin Bergen (JD); Nathan Harms (SD); WB Alex Bass (Tyler); WB Jeff Troccoli (Chaplain).
Lodge opened at 7:34 pm.
1. Secretary’s Desk
The Secretary reported the minutes of March’s Stated Communication.
2. Treasurer
The Treasurer gave the financial report for March 2024. We have over 30 people on our parking waiting list for the fall.
3. Committee on Charity
The Master directed that $100 be donated to the Whitestone Family Day on Saturday, May 11.
4. Petitions
The lodge read an Application for Affiliation from Bro. James Ernest Jones. The Master appointed the chair of the Committee on Investigation.
5. Trustees
WB Tyler Singleton met with a second trim carpenter for a second quote on the rails. Bid forthcoming.
6. Installation of Outstanding Officers
The Master installed WB Tyler Singleton (JW) and Bro. David Collins (Treasurer). Bro. Dillon Kopec served as Marshall.
7. Ad Hoc Committee on Proposed Changes to Bylaws
The lodge voted on two amendments to the by-laws.
1. Waiving all dues for 50-year members in perpetuity. Motion carried over to next Stated. The amendment passed.
2. Adding the “Whiteheart Amendment,” which would allow the lodge, by majority vote, to override a single negative vote against a petitioner or application for affiliation. The amendment passed.
Please see below for full by-law language.
8. Education
Dr. Stacey Sangtian spoke to the lodge about an ongoing research study from the Center for Aphasia and Related Disorders (CARD). They are seeking people (especially men) aged 40 and up who have NOT had a stroke to participate in the study’s control group. The study is “low risk.” It will evaluate speech, hearing, reading / repeating, memory, face and mouth strength, etc. There is nothing invasive. The study is rolling; no deadline. See attached flyer for pay, time commitment, contacts, etc.
(If you’ve had a stroke or TIA (mini-stroke), you are NOT eligible for the control group. If you have had a stroke or TIA, you may still be eligible to participate in the stroke-survivor group. Contact CARD for more information.)
The informational flyer is attached to this email. If you are interested in signing up for this study, please email University408afam@gmail.com with your name, preferred phone number, and email address. Someone from CARD will then contact you about participating in the study.
9. New Business
WB Singleton informed the lodge that the NC Masonic Fund has an option for lodges to open a 501 (c)(3) account, into which we will place the money received from the estate of WB Will Towne, set aside to seed a future scholarship fund. WB Singleton motioned, WB Jeff Troccoli seconded. The motion carried.
Dale Bailey will cook dinner for June’s Stated Communication. The Master will not be here for June’s Stated Communication; details of that Stated TBD.
WB Al Jones’ wife is leaving town for two weeks. Drop him a line, as he’d love to hear from you.
10. Old Business
WB Ivey will cook dinner for May’s Stated Communication.
11. Calendar
Upcoming events include:
• Saturday, April 27, 8:00 am (breakfast) / 9:00 am (degree). Third Degree, Oak Grove Lodge, Durham, hosted by Fellowship Lodge #687. BROTHERS NEEDED.
• Saturday, April 27, GLNC and Tranquility Lodge 2000 Communication and special event, 8:00 am breakfast / 10:00 am tiled lodge (registration required), University Lodge #408 AF & AM
• Wednesday, May 8, 32nd Annual Golf Tournament, Occoneechee Golf Club, Fellowship Lodge #687
• Saturday, May 11, 10:00 am – 1:30 pm, Whitestone Family Day, Whitestone, 700 S. Holden Rd., Greensboro
• Saturday, May 18, 7:00-10:00 am, First Responders B’fst, University Lodge #408 AF & AM
• Monday, May 20, 6:15 pm (dinner) / 7:30 pm, Stated Communication for University Lodge #408 AF & AM
The minutes were correctly recorded. The lodge closed at 9:06 pm, peace and harmony prevailing.
Humbly submitted,
WB Charles Fiore
Secretary
Proposed amendments to by-laws:
Proposal 1
CURRENT: ARTICLE I0
SECTION l: The annual membership dues in this lodge shall be seventy-five dollars ($75.00) plus Grand Lodge per become capita tax as specified in Regulation 20-1.1 of THE CODE which each member shall pay in advance on or before the first day of January [77-2; 77-3].
Proposed Amendment: ADD
“SECTION 2: 50-Year Members Exemption
For members attaining 50-year member status specifically with University Lodge 408, all dues shall be waived in perpetuity beginning the calendar year immediately following the year of attainment of said member status."
Proposal 2
ADD NEW Article 25
Pursuant to The Code of The Grand Lodge of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M., (As amended through January 1, 2023), CHAPTER 44, REG. 44-7 UNIFORM BY-LAWS, Article 19, Third Alternative Form; University Lodge 408, A.F. & A. M. adopts the following:
When voting upon issues requiring the use of the ballot box (Petitions for the Degrees, Applications for Affiliation, Honorary or Life Memberships), if one black cube is found on the examination of the ballot, the Master shall destroy the ballot and require the members to ballot again, cautioning them that white balls elect, and black cubes reject and reminding them to vote for the good of Masonry. If a single black cube is found after the second ballot, the Master shall not immediately announce the result, but shall require the person casting the black cube to communicate his reason for the negative vote to the Master, who shall keep the identity of the person making the objection in strictest confidence. At the next stated meeting, the Master shall reveal the reason given for the negative vote, but not the identity of the member casting the black cube. The Master will then ask the lodge to vote, by a show of hands, on the validity of the reason for the black cube. The majority vote shall govern whether the candidate is elected. If the brother casting the black cube does not present his reasons to the Master within one week, the Master shall, at the next stated communication, declare the candidate elected and the lodge shall proceed as if there had been no black cube cast.
NOTE: This is an optional way a lodge can deal with malicious or injudicious use of the black cube during voting. It is mandatory to follow this procedure when a lodge puts this provision in its by-laws until such time as the provision is removed from that lodge’s by-laws.
NOTE 2: If adopted, Current Article 25 will become Article 26
ARTICLE 25Stroke_Registry_Postcard[88]_1.pdf
SECTION 1: When these by-laws become effective, all previous by-laws are hereby repealed. All previous resolutions and enactments which are inconsistent or in conflict with THE CODE or these by-laws are hereby repealed and are void.
Brethren,
The Grand Lodge has requested that we forwrad this to all members. We satisfied our MRIP on Saturday, March 8. That said, if you desire more education, the events below are open to you.
***
Cherished Brethren,
Excellence never happens by accident. We have to make it happen. I found this quote years ago and it seems perfect for what we are trying to do with our Masonic work here in North Carolina:
"They must learn it by memory. By more than memory, they must learn it by heart. Not so that they can simply recite the words but so that they feel them, the shape of the story as it changes and lifts and falls and rushes or meanders toward its climax. So that they can recall and relate the story as intimately as if they have lived it themselves and as objectively as if they have played every role within."
With this in mind I, and in conjunction with the Board of Custodians, invite you to participate in an event called "The Ritual Restoration Symposium" to help solidify our Official Standard of Work in this Grand Jurisdiction. Seating will be limited in each location so please sign up early. Reservations will be cut off in advance of the sessions and walk-ins will not be accepted. The registration fee covers your breakfast and lunch. These lodges will be tiled.
7:30am - 8:30am Registration
8:00am - 8:45am Breakfast
9am - 2:30pm Meeting
12pm-12:45pm Lunch
Session 3 (Triad NC): March 16, 2024, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Winston-Salem Masonic Center
4537 Country Club Road
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27104
Please use this link to register for the event: https://nc.grandview.systems/events/3496
Session 4 (Triangle NC): March 23, 2024, Oxford, North Carolina
Masonic Home for Children at Oxford
600 College Street
Oxford, North Carolina, 27565
Please use this link to register for the event: https://nc.grandview.systems/events/3497
Session 5 (Charlotte): April 6, 2024, Charlotte, North Carolina
Registration will open soon.
Session 6 (Fayetteville): April 13, 2024, Fayetteville, North Carolina
Registration will open soon.
Session 7 (Mountains): April 20, 2024, TBD
Registration will open soon.
I look forward to seeing each of you and working with you as we grow together in Masonry.
Sincerely and fraternally,
Donald E. Kehler
Grand Master
grandmaster@glnc.us
Brethren,
Make plans now to join the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford for the 2023 Masonic Homecoming Festival on October 13 – 15, in Oxford!
Parade is at 11 am; barbecue contest and bands abound.
More info: https://mhc-oxford.org/masonic-homecoming-festival.
S&F,
Charles Fiore, Secretary
University Lodge #408 AF & AM
Brethren,
On Monday, July 31, WM Alex Bass presided over the initiation of his son, Brandon Bass, into the First Degree of Freemasonry.
WB Jeff Troccoli, past master of Mosaic Lodge #762 and University Lodge #408 and current DDGL for District #20, gave the lecture and closing charge.
This degree would never have happened without the indispensable assistance of brothers from Eagle Lodge #19, including WB Jim Cone and Bro. Austin Collins. Thank you, brothers.
Keep an eye out for a Fellow Craft degree happening soon!
Brethren, it is with a heavy heart that I share this news: WB Clyde "Dick" Dickson passed away last week in Charlotte. He was 62.
WB Dickson was Master of University Lodge #408 AF & AM in 1992 and 1993.
There will not be a Masonic funeral, although he will be buried with his apron. Visitation will be held:
Saturday, June 15, 1:00-2:00 pm, at Myers Park Baptist Church in Charlotte
WB Dickson's full obituary is here.