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I stand before you a mosthumbled and privilegedbrother; a brother who started

his masonic journey in anAncient lodge, a man,freeborn, coming under thetongue of good repute andwell recommended. As Icontinue my journey, I promiseI will serve you to the very bestof my ability as your GrandMaster.

I would like to thank thosebrethren who have contributedto my growth in the Craft.Many of these brethren have

passed to the Grand Lodgeabove, one in particular beingmy father who was also mybrother. Many of you havecontributed to my growth inways you cannot imagine. Yourcomments and criticisms,observations and questions,recommendations and sugges-tions plus the many conversa-tions over many festive boardsand many miles have made methe freemason I am today. My

mother lodge, the then Union

Lodge No. 9 in NewWestminster, which is nowUnion Solomon Lodge No. 9,

and its core of brethren allowedme the luxury to grow in theCraft, on my timetable, nottheirs. I furthered my educationwhen I affiliated with Mount St.Paul Lodge No. 109 inKamloops and then againthrough my affiliation with thathistoric lodge in Barkerville,Cariboo Lodge No. 4. I wouldlike to thank the brethren andthe Past Grand Masters whohave gone before me. Your

commitment, dedication andlove of the Craft have set thebar high and I hope I canmeasure up to those standards.

I would not be here today ifit were not for my wife Wendy.Her love, support andunderstanding have nourishedme for the past thirty-nineyears and will continue to do sountil time shall be no more.

I am referred to as a BabyBoomer, many of whom are

recognized by more then just

graying hair. We actually havevalues, some of which are

optimism, teamwork, personalgratification, personal growth,health and wellness. I certainlyrecognize within myself someof these values, especiallyteamwork. It is with this inmind that I offer the following:I am a team player and I havehad the luxury and the latitudein positions I held in my formervocations to operate throughthis management philosophy. Itis very simple: you seek input

from those you work with and

after hearing different opinionsand sometimes opposing views

you make what I refer to as aninformed decision.

This year we will follow theFive Pillar Plan, which includesLeadership, Education,Communication, Membershipand Community. As long as Ican remember, I have beenfollowing a plan. It may nothave been a written plan butgoals were set, objectives weremade and successes followed.Short and long term planning

V o l u m e 7 3 / N u m b e r 1

EDITED by Trevor W. McKeown for the Grand Secretarys Office and published by the GrandLodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of British Columbia and Yukon. The VIEWSAND OPINIONS expressed in the Masonic Bulletin are those of the individual authors andwriters, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this Grand Lodge. The editoreserves the right to edit submissions. CORRESPONDENCE: 1495 West Eighth AvenueVancouver, British Columbia V6H 1C9 Canada. WEB: http://freemasonry.bcy.ca TELEPHONE

+1-604-736-8941. FACSIMILE: +1-604-736-5097. EMAIL: editor@freemasonry.bcy.c

Our Grand Masters address...............1

In the news ...........................................3

Lodge notes ..........................................3

Freemasonry online.............................4

DeMolay to be reinstituted................4

Charity ...................................................4

Because I am a freemason..................4

Grand Masters itinerary.....................4

Unity withindiversityMW Bro. Brian Tuckey

SEPTEMBER2009

The heart may conceive and the head devise in vain if the hand be not prompt to execute the design.

M...W.

.. Bro. Brian Tuckey

Grand Master 2009-2010

continued on page 2

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also leads to continuity andconsistency which are essentialfor our growth. A meeting onthe Five Pillar Plan was held inKamloops on 28 August. Theplan will be furthered insubsequent years by the currentGrand Line, which includes the

Deputy Grand Master, Seniorand Junior Grand Wardens,Grand Treasurer and the GrandSecretary. This past year theGrand Line decided the FivePillar Plan is the responsibility ofthe Senior Grand Warden andfor each Senior Grand Wardenthereafter.Educationtopics tostimulate your mind andto stimulate discussion

We need to foster education

in the ancient usages andestablished customs of theCraft so that we no longerbring the integrity ofFreemasonry into question byallowing the reading of ritual inour lodges. We have a proudhistory in our lodges, yet weare allowing our customs andtraditions to be eroded. I askyou to guard your west gate inorder to preserve your historyso that your customs and

traditions remain intact.I would like to see a

ceremony for the investiture ofthe Immediate Past GrandMaster, therefore I have askedthe Committee on Rituals towork on this initiative, whichhas been done and reported inourAdvanced Proceedings.Leadershipmentoringtomorrows leaders today

A Lodge OfficersConference was held at Sun

Peaks near Kamloops in April2008. It was considered asuccess by those attending. Asa result, it was agreed by theprincipal officers that a lodgeofficers conference should beheld every two years indifferent locations within ourjurisdiction. Our LeadershipCommittee, currently chaired byRW Bro. William R. Cave, isplanning to hold the next

conference on 16-18 April2010 at the Tigh Na Mararesort in Parksville.

I have struck an ad hoccommittee under the leadershipof MW Bro. Stephen Godfreyto conduct an organizationalanalysis of Grand Lodge, whichwill include: the rles andresponsibilities of the GrandLine; expectations of theseofficers and of Grand Lodge;service to the brethren andlodges; length of term of officefor these officers; number ofdistricts or regions needed inour jurisdiction. The work ofthis committee will beconducted over the next threeto four years. Your principalofficers have agreed to thisinitiative and the committee willseek your participation.Communicationthe basisfor success

The electronic age is uponus: however we have notadapted well. For many of us,change is a tough concept toembrace, yet embrace it wemust. Our times in the paperworld are changing so quickly itis hard to keep pace. Onlinebanking, travel arrangementsand payments for our manyactivities occur without usleaving our homes. Can thesame be said for Freemasonry?I think not. We continue to livein a paper world. However, thisis about to change. GrandLodge must communicate withyou, the brethren, and ourlodges, in a timely manner. Wemust be efficient and effectiveand keep each other informed.In order to do so, I have askedRW Bro. Michael D. Yule tochair a committee calledElectronic Communication Enhancing our Working Tools.The purpose of the committeeis to examine the manner inwhich we can reduce costs,access Grand Lodge forms andother materials, provide timelyeducational materials, provideinformative newsletters andoffer blogs. This will dovetailnicely with RW Bro. Aidan C.Gordons report from theResearch Committee regarding

electronic communication. Wehave brethren who havedifficulty in attending meetingsyet they wish to be involved.What can we do for them?I urge you to make yourconcerns known to thiscommittee so that we canbenefit from todaystechnology.

I have asked the DistrictDeputy Grand Masters toencourage the following: To improve communication

within a district by theformation of a DistrictMasters and Wardensassociation.

Establish a widowsprogramme for each lodge.

Participation with the LodgeOfficers LeadershipConference.

Electronic communicationbetween the DDGM and hislodges.

Mentorship for tomorrowsmasonic leaders.

MembershiptomorrowsFreemasonry is todayscandidates

The new generation, thenew millennials, enjoy the Craftfor reasons much like us.However, they want goodvalue for time. They enjoy ourritual, symbolism, masonicvalues and yes, memory work,however they will not returnshould they attend a communi-cation that lacks meaning tothem. They enjoy a festiveboard before lodge, meaningfuleducation and fellowship withthe young and not so young.

I am concerned about themanner in which we conductan investigation with apotential candidate. We havemany brothers leaving us aftera few years. Are we asking theright questions? Are we askingthe partner about the commit-ment we expect the man tomake? Should we be includingone of our wives with theinvestigation team? Is thissomething to consider? I haveasked RW Bro. Donald E. Stuttto chair an ad hoccommitteeto conduct an electronic surveyof Master Masons who have

been in the Craft for fewerthan five years. This will parallelthe study he conducted in2007-2008 for MW Bro.Godfrey. We learned from thatstudy that many freemasons didnot complete the surveybecause they had not heard ofit. This survey will be computerbased and will be available thisfall.Communityrecognizingfreemasons

We must have a presence inour communities. Bursaries,both from the lodges andGrand Lodge should be aconsideration for all of us toinitiate and continue.Participation in communityevents such as parades, openhouses and volunteering in thecommunity, as well assponsoring youth activities orsomething similar should be apriority. Perhaps it is time for usto make a presentation to othergroups about the Craft.

My theme this year is Unitywithin Diversity. I ask you toconsider the following: We are united as brothers in

a fraternity calledFreemasonry, which hasthree principles: BrotherlyLove, Relief and Truth.

We practice four rituals orworks: Ancient, Canadian,Emulation and Australian.

Our membership has theyoung and the not-so-young.

We are from differentbackgrounds and differentvocations.

We are composed of fourgenerations: traditionalists,baby boomers, generation Xand new millennials

We have 149 lodges in 27districts which stretch fromdesert-like conditions in thesouthern Okanagan to theArctic tundra, from themountains to the seas,urban and rural.I am proud to be a

freemason for the reasonsstated. Words fail me when Iwalk into a lodge and I seemultiple Volumes of the SacredLaw on the altar. From time

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Grand Masters addressfrom page one

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September 2009 MASONIC BULLETIN of theGRAND LODGE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA AND YUKON 3

immemorial, man has been atwar with his fellow man overreligious differences yet we asFree and Accepted Masons cansit in lodge, side by side, Jewand Muslim, Catholic andProtestant, sitting in peace andharmony.

We have much to bethankful for. Let us take theopportunity to thank thosebrethren who have gone before

us and left for us the legacyof Freemasonry. Let us goforward with enthusiasm andexcitement. Let us celebrate thediversity we have in our Craft.

Thank you for allowing meto serve.

Transcribed from an addresspresented at our AnnualCommunication held in PrinceGeorge on 20 June 2009.

In thenews

The magazine of the GrandLodge of New South Wales andACT recently reported thegenerous donation of $2,000by the brethren of ourCloverdale Lodge No. 168,Langley, to assist the victims ofthe Victorian bushfires.

This past spring, CloverdaleLodge also used the occasion of

its fiftieth anniversary to garnera full page article in the SurreyLeader. The article was apositive piece, promoting thebenefits of masonic member-ship, and ending with a contactphone number. Kudos toCloverdale!

Lodge

notesSelkirk Lodge No 55,Kimberley, will be celebrating itscentenary the weekend of 16-18 October with a casual meet-and-greet on the Friday eveningat the lodge hall.

A Saturday afternoonmeeting will be held, featuringa presentation of the lodgehistory starting with its firstdays in Moyie. This will befollowed by an evening

banquet at the KimberleyCurling Club, with a live bandand other entertainment. If thatstill leaves you wanting forfellowship, the members will behosting a buffet breakfast onSunday morning.

For more information,please contact W Bro. WillNixon at 250-427-2783 orwjnixon@xplornet.com.

Vimy Lodge No. 97 has

lost a Past Masters jeweloriginally presented to the lateW Bro. D.S. (Stew) McWilliams,Worshipful Master of the lodgein 1979. Anyone knowing itswhereabouts is asked tocontact RW Bro. Peter Adamsat 604-581-6668 or emailadams114@telus.net.

On 21 May, a vanload ofbrethren from CumberlandLodge No. 26 braved TheHump, to return EuclidLodge No. 158s travellinggavel to its original home inPort Alberni. The gavel hadmade its first foray outsideDistrict 5 when it waspresented to CumberlandLodge by Barclay Lodge No.90.

A small park adjoining CityHall in Penticton is the highprofile site of Orion Lodge No51s centennial legacy project, asquare column of ebony graniterising eight feet to its brokentop.

The pillar is set in a curvingwalkway with one of its twogleaming surfaces facing east,towards Main Street.

The masonic emblem andthe slogan, Making GoodMen Better are etched intothe east face along with thecentennial years, 19092009.The west and south faces ofthe column are rough cuts,intended to represent therough ashlar. Together with thepolished surfaces, they signifythe freemasons symbolicjourney of moral improvement.

The broken top alludes tothe Hiramic legend and to thework that is yet to be done.

Principal architect andbusiness agent for the legacyproject was W Bro. GordonKerr, who encouraged theLodge to adopt a legacy projectthat was at once useful andbeautiful. Such thinkingresulted, noted MW Bro. BrianTuckey, in creation of a symbolof Freemasonry that willendure, as long as granitelasts.

One of the highlights of theweekend was the visit of 93-year-old RW Bro. Art Fuller

Volunteerto drive a

Cancer Car+1-604-872-2034

+1-800-663-7892

+1-250-712-1101

English MasonicProcessions

from the 18th to the20th Century.

Bro. John Stephen Wade

2009 Prestonian LecturerThursday, September 17th

Victoria Lodge of Education650 Fisgard St. ~ 8:00 pm

Friday, September 18thExcelsior Lodge No. 195

915 W. Hastings St. ~ 8:00 pm

Saturday, September 19thKamloops Masonic Centre343 Nicola St ~ 7:30 pm

Have youresearched amasonic topic?Speakers are required forthe Grand Masonic Dayin Langley on Saturday,6 March 2010.Contact :

VW Bro. John Keirstead

t: 604-524-1661e: keirsteadjohn@netscape.net

Orion Lodge No 51s centennial legacy project, a square column of ebonygranite rising eight feet to its broken top.

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(now in Victoria) who wasWorshipful Master of OrionLodge during the fiftiethanniversary. The weekendwrapped up with a formalbanquet and a gardenbreakfast..

This year marked the tenthanniversary of Rainbow LodgeNo. 180s sponsorship of achildrens fishing derby at PortHardys annual Filomi DaysParade. Their home-madetrophy is composed of twopillars, with globes and a basedepicting the Volume of SacredLaw, square, level and plumb.

OnlineA keyword search on the

internet for freemasonry willreturn a list of over 2.6 millionwebsites. Our Grand Lodgewebsite, freemasonry.bcy.ca, isseventh on that list. With over2,500 visitors a day, it isimportant that our website beaccurate. Please report anyspelling errors, design problemsor errors of fact toadmin@freemasonry.bcy.ca.

DeMolayAttempts have begun to

revive DeMolay in Vancouver,

and they will be conferringboth degrees on ten candidateson 26 September at 7:00 pmat 1495 West 8th Ave.,Vancouver.

Any Senior DeMolayswho are freemasons and wouldlike to help should contactRW Bro. Jim Bennie atjgbennie@vcn.bc.ca.

The group hopes to reinsti-tute Beaver Chapter later in thefall. Beaver was the firstDeMolay Chapter in BritishColumbia, having been formedin 1937. After a break forWorld War Two, it carried onuntil low membership forced itto stop meeting in January2002.

EducationOur congratulations are

extended to RW Bro. James G.

Bennie, whose research into the1901 stage production ofAreyou a Mason? was recentlypublished in Heredom. Thosebrethren without subscriptionsto Heredom, the Transactionsof the Scottish Rite ResearchSociety, can read his paperonline on our website atfreemasonry.bcy.ca.

Heredom. volume 16, 2008.

Because...Because I am a freemason, I

believe that freedom of religionis an inalienable human rightand tolerance an indispensabletrait of human character;therefore, I will stand in mylodge with brothers of all faiths,and respect their beliefs as theyrespect mine, and I willdemonstrate the spirit ofbrotherhood in all aspects ofmy life.

I know that education andthe rational use of the mind arethe keys to facing the problemsof humanity; therefore, I willbring my questions and myideas to my lodge, and strive toadvance the growth of mymind alongside my brothers.

I know that the richtradition of Freemasonry and itsframework of ritual areimportant platforms for growthand learning; therefore, I vowto stand upon these platformsto improve myself as a humanbeing, and I vow to help in themission of the Craft to providetools, atmosphere, challengesand motivation to help eachbrother do the same.

I know that charity is thedistinguishing human virtue,and that personal communityservice is the best demonstra-tion of ones commitment tohumanity; I acknowledge thatwords without deeds aremeaningless, and I vow to workwith my lodge to provideservice to the community, andto promote charity, friendship,morality, harmony, integrity,fidelity and love.

I know that my obligation tocommunity extends beyond mylocal sphere and is partly

fulfilled in my patriotism: loveof my country, obedience to itslaws and celebration of thefreedoms and opportunities itsymbolizes.

I know that leadership isbest demonstrated by commit-ment to serving others; I willtherefore participate in, andhelp work at improvingindividual leadership skills, andserve the brothers of my lodgeto the best of my ability. I knowthat friendship, fidelity andfamily are the foundations of awell-lived life; I therefore vowto be a faithful friend to mybrethren, as I expect my lodgeto respect my personal obliga-tions, and to treat my family asthough my family were theirown.

I know that the last greatlesson of Freemasonry thevalue of personal integrity andthe sanctity of ones word isa lesson for all people in alltimes; I therefore vow to be aman of my word.

I know that Freemasonryspower is best exercised whenits light is shared with theworld at large; I therefore vowto bring the best of myself tomy lodge, in order that mygrowth might be fostered andnurtured, and to present myselfto the world as a workingfreemason, on the path tobuilding a more perfect temple.

Because I am a freemason,these values and aspirations areguideposts for my progressthrough life.

From the Empire State Mason,Fall, 2005.

CharityThe Masonic Community

Charites Fund (Cancer Car) wasthe recipient of a generousdonation in excess of $228,000this past summer from theestate of W Bro. Richard N.Troyer. Equal amounts werebequeathed to the Shrine fortheir transportation fund andalso the BC Childrens Hospitalin Vancouver. The total amountwas just short of $800,000.

Over sixty years a memberof St Andrews Lodge No. 49,Perfection Lodge No. 75 andDeWolf Lodge No. 78,W. Bro. Troyer was one monthshort of being one hundredyears old when he Passed tothe Grand Lodge Above on 26November 2008.

FYI...Freemason in its original

form denoted a stonemasonwho worked principally onfreestone, a kind of limestonewhich can be freely cut andcarved with elaborateornamentation.

4 MASONIC BULLETIN of theGRAND LODGE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA AND YUKON September 2009

Grand Masters Itinerary

SEPTEMBER 20098 T District 14 Zion 77 Vancouver

8 T Board General Purposes Grand Lodge Vancouver8 T Principal Officers Grand Lodge Vancouver12 S District 7 Harmony 37 Grand Forks

17 Th Annual Convocation Royal Arch Masons Penticton18 F Prestonian Lecture Excelsior Lodge Vancouver

19 S Supreme Queen Gizeh Shrine Centre Burnaby23 W District 4N Mackenzie 186 Mackenzie

26 S District 12 Tsimpsean 58 Prince Rupert