May 2021 Trestleboard

Sickness and Distress

Joan Stringham, the widow of Ronald R. Stringham, a past Master of Twin Peaks Lodge, passed on April 10th, 2021.  She was mother-in-law to MWB Dean Rein, a member of this Lodge.

Robin Winslett is still recovering from illness and phone calls are welcome!

Jim and Laurel Wadley have recovered from COVID-19.

John Merrick has completed his chemo and cancer therapies and we have seen him in Lodge recently!

Brethren all, if you are aware of any member of this Lodge who is suffering from ill-health or other adverse circumstances, or you yourself are suffering the same and you feel that it would benefit the member to be contacted by members of the Lodge, please reach out to the Secretary and let him know!

Meetings:

Stated Meeting:

May 3rd, 2021 @ 7:30 PM

Other Mondays:

Either a practice for ritual or practicing for a Degree.

Holidays:

May 24th, 2021: Memorial Day. Possible meet-up for dinner for those that are available. We can discuss at our May Stated Meeting.

Monday Nights are Lodge Nights!

The 1st Monday of every month is the Stated Meeting and will open at 7:30 pm. Twin Peaks Lodge is “dark” in July and August, which means that there is no Stated Meeting but other activities may be planned.  In the event that the Stated Meeting falls on a Federal or State holiday it will be moved to the following or 2nd Monday of the month.  On other Mondays, the planned activity (officer meeting, practice, etc.) will usually start at 7:00 pm unless otherwise notified.

Last Monday of the Month:

We would like to restart the practice of meeting at a restaurant for an evening of good food and conversation. This will be discussed at the May stated meeting. Friends and family are welcome. Suggestions for restaurants are welcome and encouraged.

From the East:

Brethren,

I call your attention to Decision 2021-008 regarding the Grand Lodge COVID-19 protocols.  They have been included in this Trestleboard in their entirety for your benefit. In summary, due to the State of Utah rescinding the statewide mandate regarding mask-wearing in public, Most Worshipful Grand Master Dan Lawes has rescinded the protocols as mandated in Decision 2021-006 (also included in this Trestleboard for your benefit).

The Lodge currently has about two dozen semi-stretchable white gloves available for use.  Members who own their own pair of white gloves are asked to please wear them, especially during degrees. They look great with a tuxedo!  There are two reasons why I am asking for this:

  1. Sanitation! It makes it more difficult to spread nasty bugs around!
  2. It adds a level of formality and dignity to our degrees and meetings.

With regards to preferred attire as noted on a previous page, the preferred attire for Stated Meetings and Degrees is dark suit and tie. If you do not have one, please let the Master know.  If needed, we do have a room where you can change into the appropriate clothing prior to the meeting opening.

Fraternally,

Richard L. Wailes – Master
Twin Peaks Lodge No. 32

On the Secretary’s Table:

As you know, the Grand Lodge of Utah adopted Grandview as our membership records maintenance system several years ago. 

I noticed that as of April 25th, of the 75 members of our Lodge, 25 have registered.  For those that have registered, thank you! However, I have noticed that about 10 of the members who have registered have opted out of receiving any communications from either the Lodge or Grand Lodge from the Grandview system. 

This brings up a big problem for Lodge secretaries.  At this year’s communication, I mentioned that I maintain a separate email list for electronic communications from me or the Master to the members of Twin Peaks.  MWB Lorenzo Tibbets, the Gr. Secretary, warned me that this is a problem because we should be respecting our brethren’s wishes regarding their data and privacy.  He recommended that I make a strong effort to get more members of the Lodge to register on Grandview and then to discontinue using my private email address list as soon as practicable.  In full disclosure, I am sending out this Trestleboard using my private email list. However, in the near future, in order to respect your privacy wishesand to respect your data privacy, I will have no choice but to only send out communications via Grandview. This means that for members of the Lodge who have elected to either not register on Grandview or have elected to opt out of all communications from Grandview, that other than phone calls or direct emails, you will no longer receive any communications from me (the Lodge Secretary) or the Worshipful Master. Or, you can email the secretary at [email protected] or phone him at 602.904.1551 and let him know that you want to receive Lodge emails even if you don’t intend or desire to register on GrandView.

Something to consider: I have heard several members say “Why can’t you mail me the Trestleboard or announcements like in the old days?”  Well, first, today it costs about .67 cents to mail a single sheet letter. This Trestleboard is about four sheets, at a cost of .5 cents to print each sheet double sided. That would make this mailing .82 cents. We have 75 members. That means each month, it would cost $61.50 to mail out this Trestleboard, with an annual cost of $738.00. That would make mailing just the Trestleboard monthly the second most costly expense item on the budget.

I heartily encourage you to register on Grandview.  There is an article near the back of this Trestleboard that will help you to register if you haven’t yet done so. Secondly, there are a number of brethren who haven’t paid their 2021 dues. Please contact me at 602.904.1551 or by email at [email protected] if you are experiencing hardship that might be preventing you from paying your dues. Otherwise, while you are reading this and paying your dues has just slipped your mind, please consider sending them in right now!  Don’t forget that failure to remain current on dues can result in suspension for non-payment, which not only affects your membership in Twin Peaks, but also any other Utah Masonic organization!

Masonic Birthdays:

The following Brethren have anniversaries of their being raised to the Degree of Master Mason in either April or May. 

  • Brother Robert D. Milbourn – Raised on April 27th, 2009. 12 years
  • Brother Robert B. Rollins – Raised on April 28th, 2014. 7 years.
  • Most Worshipful Brother Dean D. R. Reins – Raised on April 29th, 1995. 26 years.
  • Brother Richard G. Scott – Raised on May 11th, 2017. 4 years.
  • Brother Johnathan M. Tenorio – Raised on May 11th, 2015. 6 years.
  • Brother Sam T. Korologos – Raised on May 12th, 1982. 39 years.
  • Brother Arun M. Jacob – Raised on May 19th, 2014. 7 years.
  • Illus. Brother Jeremy T. Estes – Raised on May 21st, 2014. 7 years.

Happy Birthdays:

The following Brethren were born in May.

  • Brother Edward D. Riley, boirn on April 12th.
  • Brother Harold P. Lish, born on April 19th.
  • Worshipful Brother Richard L. Wailes, born on April 28th.
  • Brother Richard T. Lee, born on May 2nd.
  • Brother Arun M. Jacob, born on May 3rd.
  • Brother Trent J. Norton, born on May 22nd.
  • Brother Chris Kingsley, born on May 22nd.
  • Worshipful Brother Darrel B. Gump, born on May 24th.
  • Brother Jeremy S. Kesler, born on May 24th.
  • Brother Albert Shahinian, born on May 29th.
  • Worshipful Brother Lyle G. Miller, born on May 30th.

From the Grand Master:

Decision 2021-008 (COVID-19 Protocols)

April 16, 2021

Decision: 2021-008

RE: COVID-19 Meeting Guidelines

This decision must be read in all Masonic Lodges and delivered to all Masonic Temple Associations and Appendant Bodies within the Jurisdiction and shall become effective as of the date it is read at your next Regular Meeting.

On March 24, 2021, Governor Spencer Cox signed into law House Bill 294 Pandemic Emergency Powers Amendment. Among other provisions, HB294 eliminates the previously implemented statewide mask mandate as of April 10, 2021.

It is therefore my decision that Decision 2021-006, COVID-19 Meeting Guidelines, is now rescinded.

It should be noted that all current and future public health orders must be followed. This order does not preclude any Masonic Temple Association from implementing guidelines or requirements they feel are necessary for the safety of their stakeholders, members or tenants. The individual Mason is encouraged to exercise all precautions that he feels are necessary to maintain his own wellbeing.

Fraternally,

Daniel J. Lawes

MW Grand Master

Decision 2021-006 (COVID-19 Protocols)

January 30, 2021

Decision: 2021-006

RE: COVID-19 Meeting Guidelines

This decision must be read in all Masonic Lodges and delivered to all Masonic Temple Associations within the Jurisdiction and shall become effective as of the date of this letter.

Acknowledging the following:

• Freemasonry is a volunteer organization and each man must come to its doors of his own free will and accord.

• Each Lodge, its Lodge Leadership, Masonic Temple Association and affiliated Masonic Organization is responsible for the safety and well-being of its members.

• The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted communities in our State to varying degrees.

It is therefore my decision that all Masonic meetings and functions may proceed in accordance with CDC, State and local health department guidelines. Absent specific guidelines from these governing bodies, these minimum expectations are set forth:

• A non-porous mask consisting of at least two layers covering the mouth and nose must be worn at all times by each attendee.

• Lodges and Masonic Temple Associations must provide hand sanitizer at the entrance of the Lodge room and in all other communal spaces.

• Visitation between Lodges must be kept to a minimum and for necessary purposes only.

• Anyone who is experiencing symptoms of illness should not attend any Masonic functions.

• Candidates must be notified in advance that physical distancing may not be possible during Degree work and that their participation is entirely voluntary.

Fraternally,

Daniel J. Lawes

MW Grand Master

Educational Articles:

Concerning Ritual – From the Master

The Grand Lecturer has a tag line that reads: “Love your ritual.”

I know that some of us may not be that enamored with the ritual and practice.  I have learned over the years that the more involved I am with it, the more I understand the use of it.  Each of us has one thing that has stood out in our memory about one or more of the Degrees.  Come to practice, we can do a short discussion on what those things are, and share with others.

WB Ed Kordas PM our Lodge Lecturer, is always looking for someone to do a new part in ritual that they have not done.  What part would you like to learn and perform?

If you are working on the Grand Lodge, Ritualist Program then learning, practicing and performing these parts will do two things for you. 

  1. If you become interested in Lodge Leadership it is a great experience to perform and actually do these different parts. 
  2. Some things in the ritual are required for a Brother to be installed as the Master.

Remember, that we always have a need for a Brother who can deliver a Degree Lecture.   

From the Grand Lecturer regarding Entering or Retiring from a Lodge While at Work (Tyled)

A brother never salutes the Sr. Warden when entering or retiring from a Lodge while at work (open). There are two exceptions to this:

  1. The Stewards, when re-entering the Lodge as directed in the Standard Work (ed. Note: during degrees).
  2. At Grand Lodge Communications, when the Grand Master declares it as a means to permit movement in and out of the Communication but not interrupt the Grand Master during the work.

Entering a Lodge while at work: After being admitted into the Lodge, approach the West Line of the altar and give the appropriate salute. When recognized by the Master, then take your place.

Retiring from a Lodge while at work: Approach the West Line of the altar and give the appropriate salute. When recognized by the Master, then go to the Lodge door, where the Jr. Deacon will alarm the Tyler and open the door for you. Do not open the door for yourself.

You wish to Speak: Stand and salute the Worshipful Master. When recognized, direct your comments to the brother you wish to address.

Grandview:

Registering:

Yes brethren, we are beating this drum hard.  The Grand Lodge and therefore Twin Peaks is strongly encouraging all members in good standing to register on GrandView.  If you have already done so, please don’t feel free to read any further.  However, if you have not and would like to, but you have forgotten how, read these instructions, which are for your computer or tablet. You can also download and register on the phone app, but I will not go into those instructions here.

  1. Enter https://ut.grandview.systems into your web-browser.
  2. Click on “Member Portal”.
  3. Click on “Member Registration”.
  4. Enter your Lodge number, which for Twin Peaks is “32”.
  5. Enter your Member ID. This number can be found on your dues card and will be likely either 3,  4 or 5 digits.
  6. Enter your last name. This is case sensitive. For example, if your name is “John Smith”, entering “SMITH”, “smith” or anything but “Smith” will not work.
  7. Click on “Check Membership Status”.
  8. Enter your email address.
  9. Enter a password that you can remember but is not easily guessed. The password must contain at least 8 characters.  Then confirm your password in the second box.
  10. Click “Submit”.

You should now be registered.

I’ve already mentioned in “On the Secretary’s Desk” that we will rapidly come to the point where in order to respect data privacy laws, we will not be permitted to send electronic communications from Twin Peaks to you using separate email lists except for targeted emails or direct emails. These are emails sent to you directly by the Master, Secretary, etc. and intended for you only. The emails you won’t get would be bulk emails (like Trestleboards, event notices, etc. that are sent to all the members of the Lodge.

Other Benefits of Registering on Grandview.

  1. Access to the minutes.
  2. Access to the Lodge bylaws.
  3. You will be able to make updates to your personal information, which includes mailing addresses, phone numbers and email addresses.
  4. Pay your dues online.
  5. Create posts to be shared with the other brethren as well as to read posts from them as well.
  6. Access to Grand Lodge stuff too.

How to Set your Notification Preferences and Communication Options in Grandview.

  1. Login to GrandView.
  2. Click on “My Portal”.
  3. Click on the “My Profile” tile.
  4. Click on “Communication Options”.
    1. There are eight settings here, and they control whether or not you get any information from either Grand Lodge or Twin Peaks. They are divided into “Lodge Options”, “Grand Lodge Options”, and “Options”.
    1. In order to receive any electronic communications from Twin Peaks, you should have at least “Emails” checked (enabled) under “Options”. 
    1. In order to receive any electronic communications from Grand Lodge, you should have at least “Grand Lodge Emails” checked.
  5. Click on “Notification Preferences”. These control “how” you will get these communications. There are four options for each Utah Lodge you are a member of:
    1. Text – these will be sent to your cell phone if you have added that phone number to your “Contact Information” section.
    1. Voice – similar to text.  Note that currently, Twin Peaks does not subscribe to a voice message service. So, for Twin Peaks members, this can be left unchecked.
    1. Email – electronic communications will be sent to your email address entered under “Contact Information”.
    1. Letter/Mail – in the case that the Lodge must send a mailing, checking this option will include your information on the mailing labels printed for any communication.

Emails or Letters will be Sent to all Members Under the Following Circumstances

Regardless of whether you register on GrandView and allow electronic communications from GrandView, some emails and/or letters will be sent.

  1. Dues notices and dues cards.
  2. Delinquent dues notices.
  3. Summonses.
  4. Any communications from the Master or the Secretary directly to you only (targeted email or letter vs. bulk email or letter).