The Beehive

It is October and Wisdom Lodge will be well represented San Francisco for the Annual Communication. Once again it is an interesting time to be a Mason. Dan Brown, author of the Da Vinci Code has released a new novel, The Lost Symbol, and for better or worse Freemasonry plays a prominent role in the plot. When the book was released on September 15, it created so much interest in Freemasonry that our own Grand Lodge website went offline due to web traffic that overwhelmed the servers.

The Grand Lodge servers are now back up and running and according to the site, the December issue of California Freemason Magazine will have coverage devoted to Masonic myths in response to the surge in interest created by Mr. Brown’s book. The California Freemason website contains the following positive quote from Dan Brown:

"I have enormous respect for the Masons," Brown told The Associated Press during a recent interview. "In the most fundamental terms, with different cultures killing each other over whose version of God is correct, here is a worldwide organization that essentially says, `We don't care what you call God, or what you think about God, only that you believe in a god and let's all stand together as brothers and look in the same direction.'"

I think this is an opportunity for us to enlighten others who have a newfound interest in our ancient and honorable fraternity.

When we return from San Francisco, we will have important business to attend to at our October 7^th stated meeting. It is proposed that the Lodge increase its annual dues to an amount equal to the per capita amount paid to Grand Lodge plus $36. Currently, the per capita charge exceeds $30, which means that only a small fraction of dues collected is used to fund Wisdom Lodge’s programs. The proposed increase insures that each paying member pays $3 per month for the programs and benefits provided by the Lodge itself.

Wisdom Lodge was not immune to the steep downturn in the financial markets last year. Like other non-profit organizations, Wisdom Lodge suffered losses to its investment portfolio. Fortunately, the market has turned around and our investment fund has recouped a significant portion of its losses. Nevertheless, the reduction in principal means that there is less income generated, which means less money for worthwhile programs. It is important that we be good stewards of our investment funds, and not deplete them. The only way that we can assure this, while at the same time maintaining the level of programs that we have come to enjoy, is by supplementing our investment income with additional funds.

This is your Lodge, so please make your voice heard by attending the stated meeting on October 7^th.

Fraternally,

Paul D. Rosenberger