Richland Lodge No. 283

As Senior Warden of Richland Lodge it was my privilege and pleasure to attend the 2015 Lodge Leadership Retreat on March 27th through the 29th, hosted by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington, at the Pasco Red Lion Hotel.

The weekend agenda was filled with engaging and informative speakers who challenged us to reflect on our roles as officers and leaders, opportunities to listen to and share ideas with members of other lodges, and of course time to fellowship and enjoy a number of great presentations as we gathered together for meals throughout the course of the weekend.

The many events were tailored to address various challenges facing lodge officers, and while we were able to choose the most relevant topics to our particular roles in lodge, it was difficult at times to narrow down those choices from all of the excellent material being presented.

If there was one message that I continually heard coming through all of the presentations, for me personally, I would have to say that message was “planning.” Planning early, often and together.

It called to my remembrance the often quoted modern day proverb of caution which plainly states; “failing to plan is planning to fail.”

And so as a heartfelt thanks to all of the Grand Lodge officers and staff, as well as those who put in countless hours behind the scenes to make the past weekend possible, let’s all be actively “planning” to continue doing great things together in masonry and leave our own legacy upon which future generations of masons can continue to build in this time honored tradition.

Fraternally,
Bro. Larry G. Wilson
Senior Warden, Richland Lodge No. 283

On Saturday December 6th, 2014 at 2 PM Richland Masonic Lodge No. 283 celebrated the 70th annual Installation of Officers for the 2014 – 2015 lodge year.

For the benefit of friends and family who may not be entirely familiar with offices held in a Masonic lodge, brief descriptions are featured below:

• Worshipful Master: WB Luis Ojeda
  The Master is the senior officer of a Masonic Lodge and it is the highest honor to which a lodge may appoint any of its members.
• Senior Warden: Larry Wilson
  The Senior Warden is the second of the three principal officers of a lodge and is the Master’s principal deputy.
• Junior Warden: Bill Miller
  The third of the principal officers is the Junior Warden. The Junior Warden is charged with the supervision of the Lodge while it is in recess for meals or other social purposes.
• Secretary: VWB Charles Davis
  The Secretary’s duties include recording meeting minutes, completing statistical returns to the Grand Lodge, and advising the Worshipful Master on matters of procedure
• Treasurer: WB George Saito
  The role of the Treasurer includes, among other things, keeping the accounts of the Lodge.
• Senior Deacon: Raul Rodriguez
  The principal duty of the Senior Deacon is to introduce visitors and conduct candidates about the Lodge.
• Junior Deacon: TBA (To Be Announced)
  The duties of the Junior Deacon include carrying messages from the Senior Warden to the Junior Warden and monitoring the main door of the lodge.
• Senior Steward: VWB Harold Galpin, and Junior Steward: VWB Ron Galpin
  The Stewards fulfill a number of junior assistant roles.
• Tyler: Ron Sponseller
  The Tylers duty is to ensure that only those who are duly qualified gain entry into the lodge meeting.
• Chaplain: WB Curtis Snow
  The principal duties of the Chaplain include leading prayer before and after the lodge meetings
• Marshall: WB Gary Hinkle
  The Marshal’s duties include the organization of processions and ensuring correct precedence in formal proceedings.

Congratulations to all new and returning officers for the 2014 – 2015 Year! (listed below) For the first time in the history of Richland lodge the brothers have voted to install WB Luis Ojeda as the first Master in 68 years to serve a second term.

Step up night for all officers will be Monday November 17th at 7:30 PM.

Installation of officers for the coming year will be held Saturday December 6th at 2 PM with food and fellowship to follow.

• WM: WB Luis Ojeda
• SW: Larry Wilson
• JW: Bill Miller
• Secretary: VWB Charles Davis
• Treasurer: WB George Saito
• SD: Raul Rodriguez
• JD: TBA
• Tyler: Ron Sponseller
• SS: VWB Harold Galpin
• JS: VWB Ron Galpin
• Chaplin: WB Curtis Snow
• Marshall: WB Gary Hinkle

Often Imitated Never Duplicated

On Monday October 6th, 2014 WM Luis Ojeda and a number of brothers joined in a celebration honoring the Past Masters of Richland Lodge No. 283 (pictured below).

(Front Row, left to right) Worshipful Brother Connie Eckard 62nd WM 2007, Worshipful Brother Joe Davis 60th WM 2005, Worshipful Brother Vern Fichter 15th WM 1960, Worshipful Brother Charles Davis 44th WM 1989, Worshipful Brother Earl Root 31st WM 1976, Worshipful Brother Curtis Snow 30th WM 1975. (Back Row) Worshipful Brother Ronnie Dawson 68th WM 2013, Worshipful Brother Paul Huckleberry 65th WM 2010, Worshipful Brother Earl Fordham 67th WM 2012, Worshipful Brother Ron Galpin 51st WM 1996, Worshipful Brother Doug Packard 45th WM 1990, Worshipful Brother Harold Galpin 39th WM 1984.

Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to fellowship over dinner before entering lodge with several Past Masters from other local lodges who were in attendance as well. Brother John Lawson, Master of Kennewick, gave a talk on his year in the East at Kennewick Lodge No. 153.

It was indeed an honor and a pleasure to recognize these fine brothers for their service.

For more information on the Masonic Fraternity, please feel free to Contact Us

“In most states west of the Mississippi, one of the first buildings to spring up in territorial or state capitol would be a Masonic lodge…”

The above video,  put together by producer Carl Hartman and western history expert Mike Moore, was recently being circulated among some of our brothers via email and we thought it was worth sharing.

Note: Mike Moore is a Scottish Rite Fellow who writes monthly educational articles for the Denver Consistory’s Rite works, is a part of the Colorado Grand Lodge’s Speakers Bureau, an archivist for the Denver Consistory, and a past Master of his lodge. Brother Moore has also authored two Masonic Almanacs.

For more information visit http://www.greencheesemedia.com/masonicwest/index.html