Mariner Lodge #2 - Ancient Freemasons 1285 Orange Grove Road Charleston, South Carolina 29407 http://www. marinelodge2afm.org Date of Activities: Dec lllh 2010 - Dec 1 ~ 1 20 11 RE: Submission for Mark Twain Masonic Awareness Award Summary: Steeped in Masonic history. its Southern charm and storied past high ly revered by local Masons, Charleston. SC offers ideal opportunities for Mariner Lodge #2. Mariner Lodge, the result of five combined lodges in 2000, envisioned building on time-honored traditions of Masonic leadership, community involvement, and trong fraternal brotherhood. Mariner continues to enjoy unsullied reputations for performing excellent ritual work, spawning talented Masonic leaders, supporting community programs, and engaging non-masons in its celebrations. Mariner Lodge is fortunate to be in Conde Nast Traveler's 2011 ''Top U.S. City" and proudly celebrates Masonry's distinguished past as shared with this historic and beautiful town. Contact Information: WBro Richard C. Ivey, WM Mariner Lodge #2, AFM I 08 Winding Rock Road Goose Creek, SC 29445 Mobile - 843.343.6700 Email - ivey.rc@grnail.com
\ PLANNING-SECTION 1 What was the planning process? Mariner Lodge's planning proces involved many steps. In 2010 we discussed in open lodge the value of community involvement, the potential benefits of participating in local activities, and methods for engaging non-masons in our celebrations. Brother Richard Ivey, Senior Warden at the time, formed a team to brainstorm ideas and develop a suggested slate of activities. Our Senior Warden then assembled the officers and leaders of the lodge for a working lunch and the group decided on which activities to pursue and which brothers would lead each function. (See Appendix 1 for a complete list of 2011 Mariner Lodge Officers. See Appendix 2 for each Officer's assigned activity functions.) What were the goals? The goals we established were to maximize community participation, involvement, and promotion within available resources and to recruit as much support and participation as possible from other local Masonic Lodges. (Sec Appendix 4 for the" 12 by 12 Plan for Community Awareness & Involvement".) What was your estimated budget? Our philosophy on budgeting was to be creative in generating contributions or revenues from one event to cover the cost of other events. This method of budgeting seemed not only fiscally responsible, but helped us establish goals and participation since the budget for events to be held later in the year were dependent upon the success of events held earlier in the year. Therefore, we decided to not budget for any specific event or even for the year's activities, but to use only those funds we could generate. The Tiler's Breakfast, for example, was funded by the Tiler donating back the honorarium given to him each year for his services to the lodge. Money raised from the Comic Convention held in March 2011 was used to purchase material for the Lodge of Sorrow that was held in September. How many brothers would the project involve? Each project involved 10 brothers at a minimum. One event involved over 70 brothers. (See Appendix 6 for Brief Summary of Events.) Who are the intended beneficiaries? The intended beneficiaries were Brothers of Mariner Lodge and their immediate families, brothers of other Masonic Lodges in the Charleston, SC area and their families and other non-mason groups such as our local First Responders, local cancer victims, as well as the general public. Execution/implementation - Section 2 How did your initiative generate Masonic energy and ideas? Our working lunch outside of the lodge in September of 2010 was the perfect venue for getting Brothers to speak freely about ideas and develop them in a social setting. This enabled us to quickly and efficiently reach a consensus on the focus of our activities and the resources needed to insure their success. By planning our events in September of 20 I 0 it allowed the leader of each event time to plan
individually and recruit participation as well as affording the officers opportunities to review the plans, make recommendations and provide guidance for further success. What was the activity schedule? Our goal was to hold some type of event each quarter during the year and to involve different groups of members and engage different community target groups. (See Appendix 4 for a listing of the 12 by 12 Community Awareness & Involvement and Events Schedule for 2011. See Appendix 6 for further details of each of the events in Appendix 4.) How were communications managed? At the beginning of 201 l, the Worshipful Master mailed to all members his Master's Message, which included our goals and plans for 201 1. (See Appendix 3 for a copy of this message.) Announcements of each event were then made through as many different mediums as possible including telephone calls, text messages, emails, snail mail, and announcements through visitations to other lodges. To remind members of events and to confirm their support, the leaders of each event duplicated these efforts, held rehearsals as necessary, and handed out our lodge business cards with contact information for each officer. We also publish The Mariner Lighthouse, our lodge newsletter, to keep members informed and to advertise upcoming events. We also posted pictures of the events in our Newsletter and on our bulletin boards in our lodge. (See Appendix 9 for issues of the 2011 Mariner Lighthouse.) How were brethren involved and how often? The leaders for each event volunteered for the event or service that interested them and those who participated did o for their own edification. Because the ideas were generated by the members, they were anxious to participate and performed well. Because we held numerous events, each member could choose how they wanted to participate and in most events - how long they wished to participate. Many members walked in the Relay for Life event, others came out on Christmas Day and cooked for the firefighters, while some volunteered time and talents to build the props and learn the ritual for the Lodge of Sorrow. Each event leader developed further leadership skills that will help them and our lodge in the future. Outside the lodge, how many people were involved? The Comic Convention brought over 400 local residents through our Lodge halls for many hours. Freemason Night at the Joe had over 4,000 spectators in attendance and included District and Grand Lodge leaders as well. We also included other Masonic appendent bodies (Knight Masons & AMD) which brought another 20-30 Brothers. For the Lodge of Sorrow, a local church choir with 18 members provided the music and another 50 non-masons were in attendance. Evaluation/Reflections- Section 3 Who were the beneficiaries? The firefighters and first responders in our community who dedicate their lives to protecting us 24-7-365; the victims of cancer diseases who need care, support, and nurturing as they fight for their lives; the widows and family members of our departed brothers who dearly miss their loved ones and need an occasional reminder of the memories of happy days spent with them; and the Brothers and their families of Freemasonry through all of Charleston, SC who participated and supported each of these events.
- II. ' ( What did your lodge accomplish? We offered recognition and appreciation to those who protect our community. T heir responses indicated our recognition inspired them even more to do their jobs well knowing we do appreciate their effo rt~s and dedication. We raised $2,225 to be used for researching cures for cancer. We renewed the connections between our lodge and the widows of our deceased brothers who need sometimes to be assured they are not forgotten. Several of these widows felt estranged and forgotten by their late husband's friends. Our connection reas ured them that our fraternity is there to help support our widows and they do have a brother they can call upon to help in time of need. What did your Lodge learn? Several lessons and impressions were shared by participants in open lodge. We acknowleded there is no greater compliment than to lay down one's life for a friend. We were reminded that, as Masons, it is our duty to be supportive of those who are weaker, less knowledgeable, and less fortunate than we are. We acknowledged that to rescue a victim is a humanitarian effort required of us all. We observed how a few people working together can accomplish great things. We learned the results of our efforts were far greater than our initial goals. We learned that we have the capacity to do even greater things next year. Weal o learned it is easy to forget those who leave us for the celestial lodge above, and even easier to forget those who depended on them for financial and emotional support. As a result, we will increase our efforts to communicate with our fraternal widows and live up to the obligations we as masons undertake. What would your lodge do again? We will continue to do many of the same functions for the coming year but with even more energy. The Mariner Lighthouse is generating revenues through advertisements. These funds will assist us in budgeting for next year's events. We have already secured another Comic Convention for 2012. The Tiler's Breakfast for our local first responders will be held on Christmas morning again. 2012's Relay for Life team is already being assembled and we have decided to conti nue our "Lodge of Sorrow" ceremony every other year. What would your lodge do differently? This year. we will increase the number of first responder stations from 2 to 10 and involve member from at least two other lodges. By next year, we hope to make this a district-wide effort and serve every first responder station in districts l and 2 of South Carolina. By 2013, we hope to make this a statewide effort through our Grand Lodge and serve every first responder station in the state. Next year, we will set higher goals of fundraising and member participation with the Relay for Life and we will concentrate even more efforts on marketing and offer transportation for our widows to attend the Lodge of Sorrow ceremony and dinner. How did the activity change/affect Masonic identity? Our fi rst re ponders now know who we are, where we are, and that our fraternity is upportive of our community in unique and valuable ways. By wearing jogging suits and taking off the tuxedos, we were able to show all the Relay for Life participants that Masons are ordinary people who come together to do extraordinary things, and that we put first the needs of those less fortunate than ourselves. Often the wives of our members feel left out of Masonic programs and ceremonies. T he Lodge of Sorrow symbolized to them our shared love for their deceased, and reassured them that we remember
' m~ : ' ' their heartache and their needs as they travel on without their late husbands. (See ~.,., Appendix 5 for Photos of the events. See Appendix 10 for Comic Convention Advertisements.), How did participation in the program affect lodge members? The Tiler's breakfast takes place on Christmas morning. This day was purpo ely chosen because it is a day when most of us want to be home with our families. However, it i also a day when our first responders do not have that choice. They are there to protect us - even on our special holidays. For our members to give of themselves on this special day to ju t say "thank you" to others and spend a little while in fellowship with our firemen, reflected invaluable blessings back to us emotionally and fraternally. Our members are looking forward to this event and the response for member volunteers has been overwhelming. Those who participated in the Lodge of Sorrow shared just how deeply they were touched by this beautiful ceremony and the special fellowship they shared with the widows during the dinner. Those who participated in the Relay for Life shared how much they enjoyed the unofficial stamina competition and sharing refreshments with other participating group. (See Appendix 5 for Photos of the Events. See Appendix 11 for the Lodge of Sonow Program.) How did the activity serve the community through Masonry? Mariner Lodge served the community in many different aspects with each event. We showed our appreciation to those that serve us on a daily basis and became involved and counted among the many organization that support research and medical care efforts. We also did not forget those who are otherwise easily forgotten. We served our widows and sparked renewed friendships and made them feel appreciated and valued. Tn each event, we focused on putting other first, fulfilling a need, and representing well the spirit of Freemasonry.
APPENDIX TABLE OF CONTENTS APPENDIX 1-2011 Mariner Lodge Officers APPENDIX 2 - Role of Lodge Officers for Maximum Community Involvement APPE DIX 3 - Master' Message APPENDIX 4 - The 12 by 12 Plan for Community Awareness & Involvement APPENDIX 5 - Listing of Folders on CO-Rom APPENDIX 6 - Brief Summary of Events for 2011 APPENDIX 7 - The Mariner Lighthouse for 2010 APPE DIX 8 - Mariner Lodge Banquet Program 2010 APPENDIX 9- The Mari ner Lighthouse for 2011 APPENDIX 10 - Comic Convention Advertisement APPE DIX 11 - Lodge of Sorrow Program