February Meeting Minues

February, 28th 2011

After sharing wonderful dinner prepared by the Brothers of Bennington’s Mount Anthony Lodge #13 the Young Masons Lodge #111 was opened in due form at 7:28 p.m.

A motion was made and seconded that because of the nature of the travelling Lodge and that members were from all over the state the Worshipful Master and Secretary (Chris Allen and Tobin Winters) needed to both be on the bank account.

A petition was read and accepted for Brother Alex Lenning of Washington Lodge #3.

A suggestion made by the founding M.W.P.G.M. Calvin Keyler was passed along by the W.M. Errol Hinton since he could not be in attendance to discuss the possibility of the Young Masons Lodge hosting a banquet honoring the recipients of the John Barney Medal. It was thought that we could have a speaker and possibly hold it shortly after Grand Lodge so this year’s recipients could be honored. A tentative date was set for the second Saturday after Grand Lodge, June 25th. Past recipients as well as friends and family would be invited to attend. The current year’s winners would not be charged for the meal. Brother’s Chris, Gary and Bob were set as the banquet committee

The next meeting was discussed. It is the annual meeting to be held on May 23rd in Northfield, VT. The elections and installation of officers would occur at that meeting. The election committee would coordinate the recommended slate of officers. The election committee is Brothers Tobin Winters, Jim Baril and Paul Mosher.

It was discussed that Brother Chris Allen would move to the East as the W.M. for the coming term and there was a need for him to take his Past Masters degree. W.M. Hinton direction the Secretary, Tobin Winters to contact the Secretary of the Past Master’s association in District #5 to see if they can schedule him in.

Brother Chris Allen spoke about the importance of having the new YML Officers at every meeting. They are the driving force of the Lodge and would make the Lodge more successful if we could get the continuity of having officers at most meetings.

Brother Tobin Winters suggested the YML could be a good source of promoting technology and the Internet for Masons in Vermont. He offered to put on a session that offered an overview of how to build a website using free or inexpensive online tools and link it to social networking sites like Facebook. A committee was formed consisting of Tobin Winters, Jim Baril and Errol Hinton to further discuss the idea.

The Lodge was then called at ease to hear a point/counter-point on the “one day classes” by Brother Chris Murphy. He gave detailed examples supporting his ideas ranging from Masonic ritual in the Monitor, to Anderson’s Constitutions, to the Regis Manuscript all the way up to the specific Charge To Candidate. A spirited discussion followed as Brother Murphy closed with “Wisdom is gained through reflection… which takes time.” It was truly a presentation to remember.

Shortly after the Lodge was closed in ample form at 8:56 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Tobin Winters
Secretary, Young Masons Lodge #111