"The San Fernando Valley's Best Kept Secret" Granada Hills Lodge #378 Free & Accepted Masons Grand Lodge of California. Mark Twain

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1 "The San Fernando Valley's Best Kept Secret" Granada Hills Lodge #378 Free & Accepted Masons Grand Lodge of California Mark Twain Masonic Awareness Award Rinaldi Street Granada Hills, California, (8'8)

2 $, GRANADA HILl.S LODGE #378 "The San Fernando Valley's 8est Kept Secret"! ;i FREE & ACC[PTED MASONS GRAND lodge OF CAUFORNIA 16'>l~RINALDI STnHT GltANADA mus. CAUFORNIA (818) Date of Activities: 2012 Masonic Year (December 2011 to December 2012) RE: Submission for Mark Twain Masonic Awareness A"ard mc-weea Summary: In our quest to rejuvenate our new Lodge identity, we created a catchy slogan which was distinct to our region. We were able to excite the community to learn more about Freemasonry and Granada Hills Lodge 41'378~ The San Fer_~andoValley's Best Kept Secret. we held monthly coit'_'liunity events to induce Masonic A'.rareness which brought Masonry beyond the lodge room and into the lives of our families and the community. we made a profound difference by energizing and rejuvenating the meaning of Masonry to Our members and by restoring the public's awareness Masonic charity and values. Brother telao Cardano Jr Worshipful Master 2012 Granada Hills Lodge #378 "The San Fernando Valley's Best Kept Secret" Rinaldi Street Granada Hills, California, (818) celsocardano@yahoo.com

3 Granada Hills Lodge #378 Planning What was the planning process? The strategic planning process began to evolve over 3 years ago when the culture of our lodge was to do one thing only: Confer the degrees of Masonry. With Masonry being contained only inside our lodge room, there was a strong urgency among the members for more charitable and community activities. In planning the 2012 Masonic Year, the incoming Master began to gather input from the members on how we collectively wanted to improve the lodge. With so many ideas to be shared, we employed a vision planning guide to design the lodge plan, set goals and a monthly Executive Committee meeting was established to stay on top and keep track of its progress. What were the goals? After analyzing the current state of the lodge by evaluating our strengths and weaknesses, we established the following goals: Thru monthly projects we would increase the relevance of our fraternity by enhancing the Masonic experience by engaging members and their families. Educate members and the community about the fraternity s history, values and practical application of principles. Strengthen our leaders and cultivate new ones. Go beyond the lodge and instill a wider Masonic perspective, inside and outside the fraternity, by deepening the connection between members, lodges, and the worldwide body of Freemasonry (see Lodge Goals and Objectives, Appendix M). From this, we made an inspiring Mission Statement: By distinguishing our conduct as Men and as Masons, we will make a profound difference in the lives of our Families and Community. What was the estimated budget? Estimating a budget for our monthly projects was not an easy task as the year prior; the Lodge suffered its worst financial loss ever. We therefore had to ensure that each project would be self-sustainable. We increased our fundraising events, had sponsors for each project, had LOTS of volunteers, allocated resources, received many donations and sold Masonic goods to help cover cost. How many brothers would the projects involve? Each monthly event was unique and would range in the number of brothers involved. A Chairman was selected and formed smaller committees comprised of members and volunteers. Each project had a minimum of 3 brothers planning, but saw no less than 20 brothers on site to volunteer their time and worthy efforts during the event. Who are the intended beneficiaries? In our vision, one main priority was to enhance the overall quality of our members

4 experience and improve the basic candidates education. We also aimed to increase the involvement of members families as well as the local community of Granada Hills and the San Fernando Valley as a whole, including other Masonic groups and local organizations, all while supporting several charitable causes. Granada Hills Lodge #378 Implementing How did your initiative generate Masonic energy and ideas? In speaking with the 2011 Lodge Officers, the conclusion was unanimous: We all wanted something MORE than just degree work. Thru our surveys, On the Level and Town Hall meetings, everyone was excited to brainstorm about new charities and community events for the 2012 Masonic year. (See On the Level & Town Hall Meeting, Appendix O & P). We researched new each idea then discussed its feasibility and how it would make a positive impact for the lodge, the community and Freemasonry in general. What was the activity schedule? Each month one major community project was planned on top of the weekly lodge degree nights and Grand Lodge events. In addition to this we establish a weekly Masonic education & mentorship program that covered Candidate education, personal growth guidance, proficiency coaching and degree practice (See Monthly Events/Lodge Calendar, Appendix K). How were communications managed? We made weekly announcements to our members and made event flyers to help visualize and bring awareness to the event (see Event flyers, Appendix F). We promoted events by posting large event posters at the entrance of our lodge. We posted flyers on local community newsletters, our new website and increased the Lodges Facebook Page Likes from 125 to 580, which we also used to promote to a worldwide audience (see Lodge website & Facebook Page, Appendix I). We also put lots of pictures of our past events on our newly improved monthly Trestle Board (see *Monthly Trestle Boards, Appendix E). We also increased our distribution list from 80 to 400 and sent updates to our families and friends. How were brethren involved and how often? Each 2012 Officer was assigned as an event Chairman. Committees were formed comprised of members and candidates to carefully plan and carry out the projects (see Lodge Committees, Appendix L). The Executive Committee also met monthly to discuss the plans progress and meet with the Chairmen and Committees on an As needed basis. Outside the lodge, how many people were involved? Each event reached out to various people ranging from 25 to as many as 250.

5 We started the New Year by hosting a large community event in our 1 st Annual Masonic Information Night in January. We had over 100 guests whom we gave a presentation on Freemasonry. The Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce, Granada Hills Shrine Club, Jobs Daughters Bethel #289 and the Child ID Program were in attendance (See Masonic Information Night, Appendix B). Granada Hills Lodge #378 Reflecting/Evaluating Who were the beneficiaries? To increase the public awareness of the Fraternity our goal was to demonstrate our Masonic principles and values. We produced over 300 Child ID Cards for parents and children in local elementary schools, hospital health clinics, various community and Masonic youth events. In our Annual Lady s Appreciation Dinner in February, we invited over 80 widows to the event and tripled the attendance from the previous year (See Lady s Appreciation Night, Appendix B). What did your lodge accomplish? We went beyond the lodge and connected with the local community and the worldwide body of Freemasonry. Our 1 st Annual Masonic Homes Degree & Tour in March was the first time our Lodge visited a local Masonic Homes Community were we performed a degree for our elderly brethren residing there (see 1 st Masonic Homes Degree/Tour, Appendix B & Trestle Board, Appendix E). In our 1 st Annual Golf tournament Fundraiser was helped champion public school education by bringing awareness to the Raising-A-Reader Charity Program, which helps donate books to children in the lowest performing kindergarten schools throughout California. We recognized local Kindergarten teachers for their outstanding work in educating and in improving child literacy (See 1 st Annual Golf tournament, Appendix B & E and Raising-A-Reader, Appendix G & E). What did your lodge learn? We learned that with the proper leadership, vision, planning and execution, our new vision of the lodge manifested and became the new culture of the lodge today. Each event gave new meaning and rejuvenated Freemasonry s relevance to our members, family and community. We also learned that the sum of the whole is greater than any individual part. What would your lodge do again? We will continue to focus on all charitable causes such as providing breakfast to the Women and Children of the San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission. (See San Fernando Rescue Mission, Appendix B & E). We will also continue to improve our Candidates involvement and enhance the overall experience of our members thru relevant and meaningful projects.

6 What would your lodge do differently? As a majority of the events were done for the 1 st time by our lodge this year, we learned which projects needed more time to be promoted. We will therefore improve our promotions and planning timeframes. We will also reach out to various organizations for more donations to fulfill the expanding needs of our many charitable causes. How did the activity change/affect Masonic identity? In narrowing our vision for the lodge to our three most important goals of improvement, we were able to accomplish our goals of rejuvenating Masonic relevance to the Community and in improving our lodge culture. With each officer serving as a Chairman, we saw strong leadership set by example. We engaged and developed Candidates by allowing them to share their talents in various committees and community events. We were also able to increase Masonic Awareness by getting more of our families to actively participate in charitable and community activities. How did participation in the program affect lodge members? Thru consistent monthly projects we saw an increase of members coming back to lodge as well as a large increase in lodge membership. By creating a new lodge culture based on Masonic relevance, charity and community projects it created a deeper connection with our members which gave them a reason to be more involved and come back to lodge on a regular basis. How did the activity serve the community through Masonry? We made an impact right away on our first day of the 2012 Masonic year, at the 2012 Officers Installation in December. We had our 1 st Annual Charity Toy Drive to show Masonic values and gave our guests the opportunity to donate and help spread the word about this Charity. In the following 2 weeks we collected over 300 toys that were donated to the Shriner s Hospital and other local non-profit organizations for children (See Charity Toy Drive, Appendix B & E). Also in June we hosted another large community event with our 1 st Annual Outdoor Family Movie Night, where we welcomed the community to watch a family movie on our lodge lawn with food trucks that lined up our block to serve food. The local Neighborhood Council, the Boy Scouts and Masonic Youth groups supported and attended this event. During the movies preshow we played a video showing various lodge charities and community programs (See Outdoor Family Movie Night, Appendix B). Our activities were relevant and visible which served the communities needs. We were able to demonstrate and showcase Masonic Awareness to our families, local community, city, county and State of California (See Awards & Recognitions, Appendix H).

7 Granada Hills Masonic Lodge #378 The San Fernando Valley s Best Kept Secret Family & Community Events Stated Dinner with Family & Social Presentations (monthly)* December: 1 st Annual Charity Toy Drive* December: Granada Hills Holiday Parade* December: Officers Installation January: 1st Annual Masonic Information Program & Open House* February: Lady's Appreciation Dinner (Widow/Sweethearts) March: Grand Masters Breakfast March: 1st Annual Covina Masonic Homes Degree & Tour* April: 1st Annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser* April: Public Schools and National Literacy Month* May: Masonic Youth Order Month* May: San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission June: 1 st Annual Outdoor Family Movie Night* July: Hiram Award Reception September: Constitution Observance* September: 163 rd Grand Lodge of California Annual Communications October: Breast Cancer Awareness* October: 1st Annual Travelers Degree & Fellowship* November: Master's Ball Child ID Shriner s Hospital Screen Nobel Elementary Calvert Elementary Jobs Daughters Bethel #289 Easter Valley Emergency Disaster Preparedness Valley Presbyterian Hospital Health Fair Leadership Stated Meeting (monthly) Executive Committee Meeting (monthly)* Temple Board/Hall Association Meeting (monthly) Officers School of Instruction (Monthly) Board of Trustees (Quarterly)* LA Masonic Service Bureau Meeting (Bi-monthly) Candidates Degree Advancement Communications* Communications Committee* Grand Lodge Leadership Retreats Grand Lodge Lodge Certificate Management Program List of Accomplishments, By the Numbers Officers Poster* Yearbook Souvenir Program* New custom Granada Hills Lodge pin & seal* New Annual Awards* Ritualist of the Year* Stewart of the Year*

8 Traveler of the Year* 11 Masters Masons Raised 1 st Candidate in 9 years to gave the Traditional Long Form Proficiency* 1 st time, GHL Officers participated in the State Wide Ritual Competition* 1 st Place in District 525* 1 st Place in Division 5* 1 st time using the Chamber of Reflection* 1 st time Officers use gloves in 3 rd degrees* 12 New & improved issues of the Trestle board Newsletter* New & Improved Website* 350 Likes on Facebook 400 s list Granada Hills Lodge Masonic Goods Store* New originally design Masonic T-Shirts* 2 Kindergarten Teachers Recognized for Outstanding Teaching 350 plus Child ID produced Balanced Budget from a $20,000 deficient the previous year Increased Rental Income by $10,000 Awards Grand Lodge of California Best Ritual Team Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce Membership Plaque City of Los Angeles, Council District Certificate of Appreciation City of Los Angeles, Mayor Certificate of Appreciation County of Los Angeles, Board of Supervisors Certificate of Appreciation California State Senator Certificate of Appreciation California State Assembly Certificate of Appreciation California State Legislator Certificate of Appreciation California State Governor Certificate of Appreciation United States, House of Representatives, Congress Certificate of Appreciation United States, Department of Education Certificate of Appreciation United States Senator Certificate of Appreciation United States President, Barack Obama Certificate of Appreciation

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