DGM's Speech AIM 2006

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DGM's Speech

AIM 2006 - Quilon

My dear Brethren,

I welcome you all to another Annual Investiture Meeting and at one of our most hospitable centres, namely Kollam. What this place lacks in conference facilities is more than adequately made up by the warmth and hospitality of the brethren of the Lodge Quilon and their ladies. The Halls for the various masonic meetings and functions here at Jayasankar Gardens in this picturesque location have been specially erected for your convenience and I am sure that at the end of our sojourn here you will all join me in conveying our united appreciation of the tremendous work put in by these brethren.

I welcome with much warmth, Representative of the R W the Regional Grand Master of Southern India, R W Bro K R Rajasekharan Nayar, O.S.M., P.Dy.G.M., P.R.G.M. and his deputation. I trust that they will enjoy the hospitality of the brethren of Quilon and take back pleasant memories of the visit to this Annual Investiture Meeting.

Before going further about our Masonic business, I will be failing in my duty if I do not mention the sad demise of one of our most beloved brethren and leaders of the Fraternity W Bro C Raja Raman, PSGD of the United Grand Lodge of England and a Past Deputy District Grand Master of our District between 1987 and 1991 He was our first Asst District Grand Master when the Office was created in 1981 and continued to hold that Office for five years until he was appointed the Deputy. Moreover, he was the RWDGM of Mark Master Masons of the District of Madras and also RW District Grand Supreme Ruler of the Order of Secret Monitor for Southern India. But above all, he was and will for a long time be remembered as an endearing mason with a good word for all, a humble though learned man as well as being well versed in Masonic Rituals and Affairs. I was informed by his son Mr Ravi Rajaraman by e-mail that he passed away peacefully in his sleep on 28^th December, 2005. I have conveyed our condolences to his children the same day. The District Grand Lodge has also sent message of condolences from the District brethren and placed the entire District in masonic mourning for three months. We sincerely mourn his loss. I would now request you to rise from your seats for a few moments as a mark of respect to this outstanding mason and good human being.

GRAND LODGE AFFAIRS:

M W Grand Master, M W HRH the Duke of Kent and M W Pro Grand Master, the Hon’ble Marquess of Northampton have both continually stressed on the need for addition to the strength of our quality membership in the Craft and also the most important aspect of nurturing newly-made Brethren by proper Masonic education and related mentoring. They have suggested that a Mentoring Programme be set up in each Lodge which we have now initiated. This would include each Lodge nominating a few senior, knowledgeable and dedicated masons as Mentors entrusted with the task of interacting with recent initiates to visit and meet with on a regular basis to explain the objectives, landmarks and traditions of our Order, the meanings of the various ritual workings, the procedures involved in the administration of a Lodge, the Offices and portions of ritual that they can and should take up etc. They should also see that these Brethren attend meetings regularly to bolster their interest by answering any queries they may have and in general create a sort of learning environment to evoke and challenge their interest in Masonry. In pursuance of this ideal, I have already directed that every Lodge nominate Mentors immediately to take up this work and report to the District Grand Lodge on a regular basis on the progress they have made in implementation of this initiative. While quite a few Lodges have responded smartly, others have not been so prompt. I would like the Lodges that have not taken action immediately to do so and to report to us at the earliest. I may add that this would be a major aspect that will be assessed by me and my representatives at ensuing Installation Meetings.

GRAND CHARITY:

At the meeting of the Grand Lodge on 8^th June 2005, Grand Charity has reported the substantial inflow of donations of about a quarter of a million pounds (in excess of Rs.6 crores) to the Relief Chest for Tsunami relief and of their support for related relief activity in South India through Plan India, a unit of an international NGO of the sum of about GPB300,000 (Rs.2.50 crores). I may mention that about Rs.30 Lakhs has been committed to SCARF, Chennai, an organization concerned with mental health, from out of these funds by Grand Charity following a presentation made by us in London when our Asst District Grand Master, W Bro G Rangachari and District Grand Secretary W Bro K V Srinivasan alongside their attendance at the Investiture Meeting of Grand Lodge. These funds will be deployed for assessing and treating post-Tsunami Trauma and will be disbursed by Plan India an International N.G.O. with the District Grand Lodge of Madras having been asked to be involved in monitoring these activities.

At its communication on 14^th September 2005, Grand Lodge has received the report of the Grand Board of General Purposes in which important issues concerning Lodges under our Constitution have been set out. These relate to a caution to brethren on their visits to Overseas Lodges, unauthorised voluntary interaction with media on masonic matters to seek coverage, the limitations of participation in the York Rite, restrictions on photography in Lodge Rooms etc. These injunctions have already been circulated to lodges and I would strictly exhort WMs, Secretaries and senior brethren to see that these are brought to the notice of brethren with adequate emphasis on their strict observance.

DISTRICT GRAND LODGE AFFAIRS:

DISTRICT RANKS:

In the promotions that I have announced earlier this evening, I have been under greater restraint, the previous practices having been amended under the new dispensations. As I had pointed out last year, effective 1 January 2005, the Book of Constitutions has been amended to impose further limitations in the rules relating to appointments to active and past offices and also on Promotions. The methodology of calculating eligibility to the number of appointments and promotions is now based on the number of Freemasons (excluding dual membership) in the District, as against the number of Lodges as was previously the norm, and my discretion in the matter of Promotions has been curtailed to 80% of the active offices. It has become essential, therefore, to raise the benchmark for consideration of recognition, of average attendance of Brethren while taking into account the extent of their involvement in their own lodges and at District Meetings, their ability to impart masonic knowledge to others, some familiarity with the Book of Constitutions, and rules of the Grand Lodge etc.

In the coming years, it would also become necessary to increase the interval of the award of ranks which is now generally set at three years, besides looking into the contribution of the Lodges to which they belong, to the total membership. This has become crucial since we cannot afford to ignore Brethren in Lodges with acknowledged growth and retention in their membership rolls. Many more aspects such as these would come into consideration in our District appointments with effect from next year. I have always called the attention of brethren, whenever I have had the occasion, to the fact that with the restriction on addition of Lodges in our jurisdiction, the only way we can grow is by bringing in to Lodges which are currently under-strength, more members, who will meet our requirements. I have estimated that an ideal Lodge should have a membership of around 80 Brethren, of whom, at least half should be initiates waiting for ladder progression to the East, obviously at various levels of seniority, below the Eastern Chair. Too many Past Masters in a Lodge could be an indication of poor recruitment and retention. Conversely, too many younger Brethren waiting for advancement is also a problem, so judicious admission policy is called for, so as to strike an equitable balance.

WORKING OF DAUGHTER LODGES:

When we first notice Lodges not being active over initiations, and avoiding ceremonies which naturally flow from them, thereby sustaining a momentum, we know the Lodge is in danger of becoming moribund. There are a couple in my District which need to be resuscitated rather quickly and we have begun focusing on them and shall do so for the next few years. While I have myself given personal attention to these errant Lodges, I have also instructed my Deputy and Assistant and other senior Officers of the District to visit these lodges on a regular basis to help them shape up. Our criticisms have a curative motive, and do not constitute calumny.

I may here state that the working and continued health of daughter Lodges is now a regular item on the Agenda of the District Board of General Purposes and will be discussed at their meetings at regular intervals.

COMPUTERISATION:

As already mentioned at earlier meetings, the DGL Office now conducts all of its business by the electronic mode, except such as are warranted by mandate or practical necessities. In fact, the DGL of Bombay and Northern India would like to implement a similar system in their District Office and are in touch with us in this regard for possible assistance.

MADRAS FREEMASONS’ HALL TRUST:

The Premises Committee has been functioning quite actively with regular monthly meetings presided over by the Chairman, W Bro S L Chitale with his customary attention to procedure and detail. Though some important projects such as the repair to the damaged Annexe (old DGL Board Room) etc are still in the process of finalisation, the buildings in the rear area are being renovated to provide for use by brethren for non-formal dining and refreshments.

R W Bro G K Selvarajan, R W Regional Grand Master has been interacting with me in a spirit of co-operation and we have had a few Trustees’ Meetings of the F.M. Hall Trust. In the month of December 2005, we jointly addressed the members of the Premises Committee on various aspects of its functioning, on the pending matters to be cleared up and the need for strict and continued vigilance on the maintenance of the Building which has been renovated, and refurbished at a considerable cost of over Rs.1.50 crores. I sincerely thank R W Bro G K Selvarajan for his co-operation in matters relating to the Premises and hope that this positive attitude will continue to support the enjoyment by all Masons of this wonderful facility.

MASONIC WELFARE FUND:

This has been delayed to some extent due to our seeking clarity on some issues such as the content of the Fund, manner of providing the relief, comparative tax implications in its establishment under the District Grand Charity Fund Trust and of a creation of a separate Trust. We have sought expert help and expect that these matters would be resolved in a few weeks and that the Fund would take off by March 2006.

INSTALLATION MEETINGS:

I had the pleasure of attending the Installation Meetings of the following Lodges:

Archibald Campbell Lodge No 4998 - 26.10.2005

Lodge Southern Brotherhood No 3311 - 28.11.2005

Lodge of Universal Charity No 273 - 16.12.2005

Kerala Lodge No 2188 - 07.01.2006

Pitt Macdonald Lodge No 1198 - 10.01.2006

Lodge Quilon No 5839 - 14.01.2006

Lodge of Perfect Unanimity No 150 - 16.01.2006

The records of these Lodges were inspected by the following Brethren:

W Bro D.Rajasekaran - Archibald Campbell Lodge No 4998
Pitt Macdonald Lodge No 1198

W Bro Col Dr.G B Sethi - Lodge Southern Brotherhood No 3311

W Bro J G Masilamani - Lodge of Universal Charity No 273

W Bro J M I Sait - Kerala Lodge No 2188
Lodge Quilon No 5839

W Bro D G Nayar - Lodge of Perfect Unanimity No 150

At the Installation Meetings of the following lodges, representatives nominated by me took the trouble of attending the same, inspecting the records and duly reporting on the same to me. I must sincerely thank them for the time they have given and in some cases, the distance they have travelled.

W Bro Dr. K K Varma - Lodge St. George No 2532 30.09.2005

Lodge Ampthill No 3682 21.01.2006

(Records of the Lodge St. George inspected by W Bo V J Bharath)

W Bro G Rangachari - John Miller Lodge No 1906 16.11.2005

W Bro A C Patel - Lodge of Rock No 260 07.01.2006

W Bro B Balaji Singh - St. John’s Lodge No 434 18.01.2006

W Bro K Ravindran - Lodge Cochin No 4359 21.01.2006

OBITUARY:

Wor. Bro. Colin Campbell, the second son of R.W. Bro. Sir Archibald Campbell a former District Grand Master (1922 – 1933) passed away on 27^th October 2005. Although he was not a member of our District, a few years ago he started a correspondence with me which led to a meeting between us in London a couple of years ago for which purpose he had, despite his advanced years, come down from his home in Scotland. His nephew James Campbell and a close family friend Paul Engeham are now members of the Archibald Campbell Lodge. This was a connection with the Campbell family which I personally cherished as an initiate of the eponymous Lodge. I mourn the passing of Wor. Bro. Colin Campbell and have already conveyed our condolences to his family.

I also place on record the passing away of the following brethren of our District :

Bro.Dr.V.Senthilkumar, MM, Lodge Cauvery No 3848 - 24.10.2005

Bro. R.K. Murthi, MM, John Miller Lodge No 1906 - 01.11.2005

Bro E T Anil Kumar, (FC) Lodge of Faith Hope & Charity No 1285 - 01.10.2006

On behalf of the District, I convey our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the bereaved lodges and families and request you to stand in silence for a few moments in paying homage to the departed souls.

Before I conclude, let me once again welcome RW Bro K.R.Rajasekharan Nayar, Past R G M and each and every member of his deputation, thank them for their presence in our midst and request them to join with us at the Banquet to follow.

I place on record with all sincerity our thanks to the W M and brethren of Lodge Quilon for the extensive arrangements for this meeting, particularly the setting up of these Halls especially for this purpose. I am sure we all have a spirituous and wholesome festive board to follow.

ACKNOWLEDMENTS:

With this meeting W.Bro. K.V. Srinivasan steps down as District Grand Secretary, having served with distinction in this office for five years, ever since I took charge of this District. Despite many difficulties involved in the transition from one administration to another, the various processes of modernization thereof, and the new or modified relationship that every such transition brings, KVS brought a great deal of patience, determination and even courage to the tasks delegated to him by my various instructions. The brick-bats meant for higher destinations were diverted towards him, and he fended them off, very adroitly, despite personal discomfort. I am happy to say that he was a better District Grand Secretary than his predecessor who was generally acknowledged to be not too bad an administrator himself!

We welcome Wor. Bro. S. Sampath to the Office of the District Grand Secretary and knowing fully well not only from his successful background as an Entrepreneur, but his experience in international social service organizations, and personal integrity, that he will continue to maintain the high standard for which the District administration is justly credited. I am sure you will all join me in wishing him well in his new undertaking.

I also thank the District Grand Treasurer, the District Grand Director of Ceremonies, the Assistant Secretary and the office staff for all their contributions to the efficient ceremonial and administrative responsibilities of the District.

I would like to remind Brethren if such were necessary, that except for the few paid District Office Staff all the officers particularly the D.G.S. the D.G. Treasurer and the D of C all perform their duties on a purely voluntary basis, at considerable personal expense of time and money along with other personal inconveniences. We are grateful to them for these sacrifices, while also remembering that all of them lead active professional lives.

HALF YEARLY MEETING IN AUGUST 2006:

The next meeting of the District Grand Lodge is to be holden on 12.8.2006 at Thiruvananthapuram under the banner of Lodge Minchin. We have no doubt that the brethren of Lodge Minchin will rise to the occasion and excel themselves in the arrangements for the meeting. I thank them in anticipation and request your substantial participation, particularly the junior Brethren who should be persuaded to take part in our meetings so that they may enjoy this special experience.

Adieu brethren then till August next.

Thank you