At Our Stated Meeting...

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Brother Junior Warden, Bob Dill, was wished a happy birthday at the opening of the meeting...
An announcement was made describing the method of submission for Illinois Freemasonry articles...
The Installation of Officers of Berwyn Lodge will be Sunday, July 11, 1999 at 2p.m. at the Berwyn Lodge 6836 Cermak Rd...
Argo-Summit will hold a 2nd Degree on July 13th at 7 pm at Argo-Summit Lodge 6222 Archer Road, Summit IL...


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The petition of Brother Calderone was balloted favorable and we are now proud to proclaim that Brother Calderone,  is the newest member of River Forest Austin.

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Brother Joe Ziemba made a motion to form an exploratory committee to research the criteria needed to begin a Local Annual Scholarship Fund for students  in the Lodge's area.   A Committee of Brothers Joe Ziemba, Scott Maginnis, Chuck Christenson P.M. and   Carl Davenport.  The committee was ordered to report their findings at the April stated meeting.

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The proposed bylaw changes were discussed to find out where the lodge wants to go as far as making changes.
Worshipful Master Broecker appointed a committee of Fred Broecker, Carl Davenport, Bob Snover P.M., Chuck Christenson P.M., Mark Maginnis, Scott Maginnis P.M.

The committee will review each by-law and make recommendations to the Lodge.

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Discussion of our Lodge's Masonic Awareness program.

Worshipful Master Broecker reported that our first Masonic Awareness event, the Pool Party,   was a success. We received 4 new petitions that night and have two more coming. A crowd of eighty people attended our Pool Party for an evening of swimming and food. Several discussions about our what our fraternity is were had with the guests.

Brother Davenport reported that he attempted to join the Masonic Awareness list promoted on the Grand Lodge website and was refused membership.  Worshipful Master Broecker was also denied admission to the list. Discussion was had about how the list, which is named after a Grand Lodge Program, was being abused by the Listmaster and he is censoring the membership. It was stated that he is using the Masonic Awareness Program to promote himself rather than the Grand Lodge's Masonic Awareness program. Worshipful Master Broecker said he was on the list, but had an e-mail problem and tried to unsubscribe under one e-mail address and subscribe under another and was also refused admission. He also stated that when he was a member, his messages were moderated and he could not get his messages, including the announcing our Masonic Awareness Appointments of our Lodge past the list administrator and posted on the list. Nor has our lodge been given any information about the program and has been unable to obtain any information about the program from the Grand Lodge's Masonic Awareness Committee Chairman. We do not even know who the District Representative is.

Worshipful Master Broecker has decided River Forest Austin will not participate in this Grand Lodge Program because our lodge has been so mistreated. Worshipful Master Broecker then asked R.W.D.D.G.M. John Williams to investigate this matter and report back at the next stated meeting.

Worshipful Master Broecker then made the proclamation that River Forest will remove itself from the Grand Lodge's Masonic Awareness Program and continue on our path of growth without the assistance of the Grand Lodge's Masonic Awareness Program. He then appointed Brother Carl Davenport as the Lodge Public Relations Director and ordered him to promote our Lodge. Should the Grand Lodge Program become operated in a more Masonic manner in the future, River Forest Austin will participate.

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Pizza was served after the meeting with much brotherly chat.