Last week, I shared my vocational experience in leading large programs and organizations in the public, private, and not-for-profit worlds. This week, I’d like to share some of the things I have undertaken to prepare for the role of Deputy Grand Master and, should it seem good to the voting members and the Holy Spirit, to serve as Grand Master.
My leadership career has been like many of you–I’ve been blessed to preside in all four York Rite bodies and Grand Commandery line (Prelate, as well as all the dais offices) as well as serve in the the Grand Lodge, Grand Chapter, and Grand Council lines. I’m a life member of the Scottish Rite (NMJ) and a member of the Southern Jurisdiction, too. I’m also a life member of the Shrine. I’m a member and past presiding member of several appendant bodies as well. I was honored to receive the Grand Cross of Color from the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls back in 1992 (the first Masonic-related honor I received, in fact), and am, with my Lady Debbie, a life member of the parents’ association for Catonsville (Maryland) Chapter, Demolay International.
So, the short version (“TL:DR” in the language of some younger folks), is that I have had the opportunity to serve our Fraternity as an officer in several bodies at the the local, state, and national level. Add to that the leadership experience gained in my vocations and I believe I can demonstrate the ability to lead a large organization of volunteers successfully.
Now, some will say, “But what about all the Grand Encampment-specific things, like the magazine, the KTEF, Templar jurisprudence, and all that? How are you able to know all that on Day 1?” Well, good questions. I ask a lot of questions, and have done so for a long time. I also know that we have a lot of smart people in the Grand Encampment upon whom I can rely to teach as well as advise, especially is something were to suddenly happen to the Grand Master that would require me to step into that role on a temporary or permanent basis. I am a fast study, and can assure you that I will work diligently to fill any gaps in my knowledge as soon as possible. I am also preparing daily by studying our governing documents and over 200 years of proceedings of our Grand Encampment, reading and re-reading page after page to understand not only how we operate today on a technical level, but how we got to where we are over the 200-plus years of the Grand Encampment.
No one can know everything about every aspect of our Order. However, I assure you that I have the ability, desire, and motivation to constantly improve my knowledge and understanding of our inner operations. In fact, it is one of my goals to make as much of our “inside baseball” operations transparent to every member of our Order. Everyone should know (or at least have the opportunity to know) how the Eye Foundation operates, what goes on to publish our outstanding magazine, what are the budgets for our Department Conferences and how much is covered or not covered by registration fees, what are the travel rules for the Grand Encampment officers, and so on. All of these things contribute to good governance and an informed membership. With a better informed membership and greater transparency, we will build a stronger and more sustainable organization and, I pray, a deeper “bench” of candidates qualified and ready to seek office in our Grand Encampment.
To make this happen, we need to grow and yes, make some changes in how we operate and communicate. These changes cannot happen only from the “outside” of the elected leadership. I am confident our Grand Master is fully capable and ready to lead us in this path, and he needs a line of officers with a like mind and desire to move our Order forward with deliberate haste. I would not have undertaken this monumental task of seeking your support and vote to be your next Deputy Grand Master if I did not believe this goal was indeed achievable, and with your votes and support, I am certain we will all be successful.