"The Surveyor": October/November 2012

TTTTHE SSSSURVEYOR

In the Surveyor

From the East . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

2012 Committees . . . . . . . . . 2

Master’s Calendar . . . . . . . . 3

From the West . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Masonic Education . . . . . . . . 4

Book Review . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

The Role of Secretary . . . . . 4-5

Duties of Officers . . . . . . . . 6-8

My Cousin George . . . . . . . . 9

Noteworthy News . . . . . . 10-11

2012 Officers Directory . . . 12

TTTTHE SSSSURVEYORVol. XIII No. 6 George Washington 1776 Lodge #337 F&AM Trestle Board October/November 2012

A New Brother Begins the JourneyBy Chuck Carroll

WHITEFISH BAY, WI

“Is this a lodge or the Love

Boat?” I found myself asking as newly

initiated Br. Adam Roder, in open lodge,

stood in the East and publicly proclaimed

his intentions, and asked his future

father-in-law, Br. Mike Plumley visiting

from Bethany Lodge No. 821 of Black

River, New York, for his daughter’s hand

in marriage.

With a Bachelor’s Degree in

Architectural Engineering from MSOE, Br.

Roder is currently pursuing a Masters

Degree in Science and Structural

Engineering, also at MSOE, while working

as a Building Inspector for the City of

Milwaukee.

Br. Roder is also a member of the

Triangle Fraternity whose membership

includes our Junior Deacon, Br. Joe

Fahrenkopf and our beloved Past Master,

Br. Andy Paradowski.

When asked why he wanted to

become a Mason, Br. Roder replied, “I

would like to become a Mason to become

a part of a Brotherhood of men that I may

come to know, trust and serve.” (A New Brother Continued page 11)

Jerry Thompson Honored for 60 Years On Thursday, September 20, Brothers Joe Fahrenkopf,

Junior Deacon; Otto Tesch, PM, Chaplain; and Chuck Carroll,

Worshipful Master, descended on the home of Brother Jerry

Thompson to deliver a certificate and pin from the Grand Lodge

of Wisconsin, honoring his 60th year of membership in the

Fraternity.

Br. Jerry was stationed near Lompoc, California in 1952

when he got his EA degree at Santa Ynez Lodge No. 262, and was

then transferred to San Luis Obispo where he received his FC

degree at King David’s Lodge No. 209.

Later that year he was raised at Southern Pines Lodge No.

484 in his hometown of Southern Pines, North Carolina. While

stationed in Germany, Jerry got a chance to tour Lucerne,

Switzerland where he met his future wife, Isabel, who was touring

with her mother and sister. Needless to say, he followed her back

to Wisconsin and he has been here ever since! Jerry joined the

Brown Deer Lodge which eventually consolidated with GW1776.

Br. Roder “proposes” to his future father-

in-law.

Vol. XIII No. 6 George Washington 1776 Lodge #337 F&AM Trestle Board October/November 20122

Lodge Phone Number (414) 979-1776

2012 Lodge Committee* Chairs

Lodge Projects

Co-Chairs:

Jim Roberts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 414-332-8247 [email protected]

William Hutchins . . 262-309-3500 [email protected]

Education, Entertainment & Social Events

Co-Chairs:

Otto Tesch . . . . . . . . . . . 414-445-3537 [email protected]

Joe Fahrenkopf . . . . 920-296-3171 [email protected]

Community Relations

Co-Chairs:

Frank Nuernberger . 414-357-8141 [email protected]

Keith Sargeant . . . . . . . 414-881-7060 [email protected]

Publicity & Member Outreach

Co-Chairs:

Tyler Kristopeit . . . 608-346-0066 [email protected]

Seth Swanson . . . . . . 408-315-9601 [email protected]

*Not sure which committee to join? That’s easy. It’s been

decided for you. All members of GW1776 are members of each

and every committee!

Message

from the

East

W o r s h i p f u l

Master

Chuck Carroll

Special Election EditionThis issue of the Surveyor includes an excerpt from

George Washington's Farewell Address where he discusses the

danger of political parties to the democratic process. Looking

at the current state of politics, we can see that some of his

warnings were prophetic. Seeing the madness that seems to get

worse every four years, it is comforting to know that this sort of

foolishness is not part of our annual elections of officers. As

Free and Accepted Masons, we recognize how important is our

right as individuals, to be able to vote our conscience, free from

electioneering and the dissension of warring factions.

I have appointed our Senior Deacon, Br. Tyler

Kristopeit, to assist Br. Keith Sargeant in the Nominating

Committee. Br. Keith has been working diligently to provide the

lodge with a list of qualified and interested nominees for the

various offices that are up for election, as well as those who are

interested in appointed offices. In this issue of the Surveyor,

you will find an article that divulges the various duties and

responsibilities of the different offices, also the second part of an

article about the Lodge Secretary, and an interesting article

about voting methods, all of which make this a Special Election

Edition of the Surveyor.

What a year this has been! It has been absolutely

fantastic! We set a lot of goals, and even though we didn't

achieve them all, (most being the kinds of projects that take

more than a year to develop) we still made amazing strides. Our

work with the youth in the community was a new thing in our

lodge and continues with an opportunity for our lodge to

become active in DeMolay in the upcoming years through Br.

Dave Bowen's efforts. I had a very active and fun group of

officers to work with this year and a lot of support all year long.

Sure there was some resistance, but when you are working with

men of such high caliber as our lodge members, "resistance is

futile!" I remember an old saying, "All through life my brother,

if you'd be a happy soul, keep your eye upon the donut, and not

upon the hole!"

GW1776 is only 12 years old. That is a very young

lodge. According to the historical documents that I have had a

chance to peruse over the past few years, there were some very

big birth pains and we're still experiencing some growing pains,

but that is to be expected. I have every confidence in the young

men coming up in this lodge and while I definitely had doubts

and fears when I first joined this "older gentleman's" lodge

seven years ago, those worries have long since passed. I have

gotten to know the young men that have since been raised and

who will be our future leaders and I know it will be alright.

I know that there are a lot of members who have not

been at many meetings this year but I encourage you to come on

election night. No Mason is required to attend meetings, but on

election night you have a chance to exercise the most important

and meaningful right of being a Mason. Your right to vote is

more than a privilege; it is a sacred duty. Your vote determines

the direction the lodge will take in the upcoming year. Will we

continue to move forward? Will we take a step backward? Will

we remain stagnant? How important is your vote? Last year, I

was elected by a two-vote margin. It is not for me to tell you

how to vote. Under the Trial Code, Chapter 101 of the

Wisconsin Masonic Code Annotations, it lists as unmasonic

conduct, among other things:

To try in any manner to influence the vote of

another either for or against any person for a

Masonic office...

No, it's not up to me to tell you how to vote, but what I can tell

you is that if you don't come to vote for the men who will lead

the lodge into the future, then you have no stake in the future of

the lodge.

Vol. XIII No. 6 George Washington 1776 Lodge #337 F&AM Trestle Board October/November 2012 3

October 2012S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30 31

November 2012S M T W T F S

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30

The Master’s Calendar 2012

October Highlights

October 2, Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. Stated Meeting

FC Degree for Brother Adam Roder

6:00 p.m. Light Supper

October 16, Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. Stated Meeting

6:30 p.m. Light Supper No Reservations Necessary

October 18, Thursday, Stein Club at Sprecher

October 29, Monday, 7:00 p.m. District 12 Meeting at Henry

L. Palmer Lodge, Light Supper at 6:00 p.m.

This is a mandatory meeting for lodge officers, all

Master Masons are invited and encouraged to attend.

October 30, Tuesday, Masonic Haunted Cinema NightMasonic Haunted Cinema NightMasonic Haunted Cinema NightMasonic Haunted Cinema NightJoin us for a Special Evening of Tricks & Treats as we present

Mel Brooks’ Classic Horror/Comedy,

“Young Frankenstein!”

October 31, Wednesday, Halloween

November Highlights

November 6, Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. Stated Meeting

Election Night at the Lodge


November 11, Sunday, Veterans Day

November 15, Thursday, Stein Club at Sprecher

November 16, Friday, Surveyor Deadline

November 20, Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. Stated Meeting.


November 22, Thursday, Thanksgiving

From the West (Wing of the Hospital)

Brother Senior Warden, Frank Nuernberger was recently admitted to St. Mary’s

Hospital after experiencing a stroke. The day after he was admitted to the ICU, Barb and I

went to see him. He was in good spirits, and I even witnessed a couple of belly laughs from

him! I chided him for not meeting the Surveyor deadline for his Message from the West, and

then offered to take dictation for any message he would like to pass on to the brethren. Here is

his Message From the West.

–ed.

Elections are coming up. Vote for the party of your choice, but regardless of

the outcome, have a party!

Right now, I can’t think straight. When things like this happen you find out

you have more friends than you realize.


Masonic Educationby Richard D. Marcus, PM

VotingVotingVotingVoting

Methods Methods Methods Methods

Elections and electioneering have been going on in

Wisconsin extensively of late, but the fall is the time when lodges

meet to vote on new officers. I would like to comment on the types

of voting methods used, and why our methods are different for

officers, new members, and voting on ordinary motions in Lodge.

Masonic lodges operate their meetings within the basic

framework Robert's Rules of Order; it is therefore instructive to

look there for voting methods. You might be surprised, but Robert's

Rules has Milwaukee heritage. During the severe winter of 1874 in

Milwaukee, Major Henry Martyn Robert of the Army engineering

services wrote his Pocket Manual of Rules of Order for Deliberative

Assemblies here. It was first published in Milwaukee in 1876 and

then in Chicago.

Later rising to the rank of Brigadier General, Henry

Robert's intention was to promote orderly discussion by any group

or business not just rules for legislative bodies.

Voting methods are usually classed into voice, show of

hands, taking a rising vote, written ballots, secret ballots, and

electronic voting. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.

A voice vote (viva voce) is used in many small meetings,

but is subject to the interpretation of the chair as to whether yes or

no predominates. Hence, a show of hands (or as we say, "vote as a

Mason") has the advantage of being recorded in minutes and being

open to all to see. For most ordinary matters, voting as a Mason is

sufficient. Unless the issue is for bylaw changes in a Lodge or votes

in Grand Lodge requiring super-majorities of 2/3, we use majority

rules.

But some issues are deemed to be special. Voting for

officers is done on a written ballot with tellers reporting the

outcome. This has the advantage of giving anonymity in their vote.

The primary problem with paper ballots, collection, and verification

is the extra time it takes. Majority rule is used in these sorts of

elections.

We have one election that is particularly Masonic, and that

is the election of new members using a ballot box with each member

voting with anonymity. New member voting is intended to require

unanimous consent. Clearly, bringing new members into the lodge

is important for a lodge to survive over time, but all must see the

new members to be worthy brothers for a lodge to prosper. It is

therefore the single issue over which we need unanimous consent.

The time and care given to our voting methods shows the

seriousness we place on the decisions we make.

John J. Robinson’s

A Pilgrim’s PathOne Man’s Road tothe Masonic Temple

by Barb Carroll

A Pilgrim's Path – One Man's Road to the Masonic Temple

by John J. Robinson provides intriguing answers to the puzzling

misinformation, confusion and outright lies spread about Masons

and Masonry. Robinson writes as a non-Mason who is

never-the-less an expert on the history and background of Masonry.

He relates how an incomplete understanding of the Craft can lead

even Masons to engage in odd behavior, such as extreme secrecy

which prevents men from encouraging their sons to join DeMolay

or a Masonic lodge, and can, in some cases even threatens family

life and marriage.

Sometimes the misinformation is deliberate, as in the case

of a unscrupulous fraud who tried to get in the good graces of the

Roman Catholic Church by forging a document he claimed was

written by Albert Pike, an intellectual Freemason, member of

Southern Jurisdiction Scottish Rite, prolific writer and Confederate

general. Even though Leo Taxil admitted to the forgery, and

bragged about it, it was taken as absolute truth by the Catholic

Church and other anti-Masons.

Robinson also asserts that Masons have for too long

"hidden their light under a bushel" much to their detriment. He

suggests ideas for making public the good

that they do in their communities in the

form of scholarships, reading

comprehension programs, children's

hospitals and myriad other beneficial

services.

This is a fascinating read which

can help Masons understand why they

sometimes seem to be under attack and

helps to provide appropriate answers to

those attacks. Immediately following the

publication of A Pilgrim's Path, John J.

Robinson joined a Masonic lodge.

THE ROLE OF THE

SECRETARY: PART IIThe Secretary’s Responsibilities as they

relate to the Worshipful Master and the Grand Lodge

By Tyler Kristopeit

This is the fourth in a series of articles on topics that were

discussed at the 2012 Statewide Secretary’s Seminar, attended

by our Senior Deacon and Assistant Secretary. –Ed.

Henry Martyn Robert


“It is your duty to observe the will and pleasure of the

Worshipful Master in recording the proceedings of the lodge;

transmit a copy thereof to the Grand Lodge when requested; to

receive all monies paid into the lodge and pay them over to the

Treasurer, taking his receipt therefor. Your good inclination to

Freemasonry and this lodge will induce you to discharge the

duties of your office with fidelity, and by so doing you will merit

the esteem of your brethren.”

As you may have gathered from part one of this article, the

Secretary’s role is one that is better described in long lists than an

interesting composition. Nevertheless, I shall attempt in part two to

describe the Role of the Secretary as it relates to the Worshipful

Master.

To begin: what qualities should a Worshipful Master

realistically expect from the Secretary his brothers have elected?

The Grand Lodge of Tennessee suggested, in 1997, that the ideal

Secretary possess the following qualities:

1. Quick comprehension.

2. Prompt attention to business.

3. Good penmanship.

4. Neatness in the manner of keeping his books.

5. Sterling integrity in his financial dealings with the Lodge and

its members.

These all seem blatantly obvious to me, with the exception

of point number three. As someone who is notorious for his bad

handwriting, I may be biased – but I feel, in this decade, number

three should be substituted with “Computer Proficiency.” A

Secretary should be expected to communicate “on the level” with

all brethren. If the brother uses the phone – the Secretary should call

him. If he uses email – the Secretary should be able to email him.

Fortunately for the script-challenged, such as myself, computer

technology has allowed for every brother – regardless of ability –

to create legible, uniform records that are viewable by all.

Knowing these qualities, what duties does the qualified

Secretary have to the Worshipful Master? Undoubtedly, first and

foremost on this list can be quoted from the Installation: “To

observe the will and pleasure of the Worshipful Master…”. This

observance should not just be done merely for recording the

proceedings of the Lodge, but in all aspects of the Lodge’s

operation (in accordance with Masonic Code).

Think of the Lodge as having a corporate structure: the

Worshipful Master is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the

Secretary the Chief Operations Officer (COO). The Secretary

should be free to make decisions regarding the operation of the

Lodge, as essentially the head of operations, until the Worshipful

Master – as the Executive – directs him otherwise. When the

Secretary and Worshipful Master are of differing opinions, the

Worshipful Master must always prevail except in the case of

breaches of the Masonic Code.

If the Secretary is the COO, then the Treasurer is without

question the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Masonry has evolved

these positions into having ‘checks and balances’ over each other –

to increase accountability. This becomes the second duty the

Secretary has to the Worshipful Master: alerting him to any

financial misconduct or malfeasance on the part of the Treasurer

(just as the Treasurer has the same supervisory responsibility over

the Secretary). Speaking with Secretaries from around the state at

the seminar, it is amazing how often this responsibility is

overlooked – and it makes me happy that our Lodge has not been

forced to endure these sorts of problems like other lodges have.

As the Chief Operations Officer of the Lodge, there are

numerous reports and communication responsibilities that are part

of the Secretary’s job. The Secretary must be willing and able to

constantly communicate with, and on behalf of, the Worshipful

Master. The Worshipful Master should always be informed of

important events in the Lodge, reports due to the Grand Lodge, and

any important events that are happening in the lives of our brothers.

The Secretary should be the one to initiate regular communication,

not just wait to hear from the Master.

Finally, the Secretary has a duty to work with, to never

undermine, and to do everything in his power to help each

successive Worshipful Master. Worshipful Masters ideally change

every year. On the other hand, the Secretary is often seen as a pillar

of permanency and stability in the Lodge and, thereby, brothers

often choose to retain a Secretary over many years. In fact, it is not

unheard of throughout the state for a lodge Secretary to serve in

excess of 50 years (there are a number of them out there today,

believe it or not). Add the expertise a Secretary generates over years

of service with the fact that a Secretary has often times served as a

Worshipful Master, and you can easily see why the craft often

expects a longer term of service from its Secretary.

While this more often than not can be advantageous, the

Lodge must always be wary of the understandable and seemingly

natural inclination on the part of Secretary to become “the power

behind the throne” or the real decision maker of the Lodge. It was

communicated at the Secretary’s Seminar that this, unfortunately,

happens at many Lodges around the State – and is thoroughly

un-Masonic. Ideally, based on what the Grand Secretary said in his

address this January, is that the effective Secretary must be able to

compensate for the varied abilities (and lack-thereof) of every

Worshipful Master the lodge elects.

The effective Secretary, drawing from his experience and

wisdom, must provide good counsel to the Master; must aid in his

decision process, advising him against bad decisions and ideas;

must also make up for any inabilities the Master might have; and,

finally, must never publicly disagree with the Worshipful Master.

If the Secretary chooses to voice his dissent it should be only in

private conversation with the Worshipful Master. Following these

simple steps has always, historically, insured the integrity of the

Lodge’s leadership structure – and also will allow each successive

Master the fair shake and full support they deserve as the Lodge’s

leader for the Masonic year.

In closing, the pen (or, rather, the quill) may be the symbol

of the Secretary’s office, as the Secretary records the proceedings

of the Lodge. But, if ever there was a search for a new symbol for

the Secretary’s office, I would suggest the ‘rubber band’. This ‘new

symbol’ would be appropriate in so many ways, given that the

Secretary must be uniquely flexible year-in and year-out while

completing the work that, in more ways than one, binds our Lodge

together over the often lengthy years of his service.


Duties and Responsibilities of Lodge Officersby Chuck Carroll

Over the years I have often found myself having

conversations about the duties and responsibilities of the various

officers of the lodge. Sometimes it begins with criticism, other

times from sheer curiosity, but mostly from misunderstanding and

misinformation. There are many sources from which to learn what

it is the officers are supposed to do, and the first place to look is

the most obvious and well known: in the ritual of opening a lodge.

The Deacons

According to the ritual, the Junior Deacon sits just to the

right and in front of the Senior Warden and is required to answer

the door and pass messages between the Senior and Junior

Wardens as well as to others in the lodge when directed to do so.

It is the Junior Deacon who introduces a new candidate to the

lodge, and prepares him for the rites of degrees.

The Senior Deacon, who sits at the right of the

Worshipful Master, answers a different door and delivers orders

from the Worshipful Master to the Senior Warden or to anyone,

anywhere when the Master tells him to do so. The Senior Deacon

introduces visitors and leads candidates around the lodge.

There is a unique relationship that develops between the

Deacons and the candidate, as they are the ones who have the most

contact with the candidate during the degree rites. It is they who

answer for the candidate and in so doing, give the candidate his

first impression of the ritual of Masonry. It is therefore most

important that the Deacons know their parts and take their

responsibilities seriously.

The Secretary & Treasurer

The ritual of the lodge describes the Secretary as one

whose primary function is to accomplish whatever the Worshipful

Master intends and desires. The Secretary records the minutes of

the meetings and makes copies available to the Grand Lodge. He

takes money for the lodge and gives it to the Treasurer, who

provides a receipt as part of the checks and balances of financial

transactions to avoid even the appearance of misappropriation.

The Secretary sits to the left of the Worshipful Master.

The Treasurer, whose position is to the right of the

Worshipful Master, though in our lodge, like so many others, the

Treasurer sits next to the Secretary, keeps a true account of lodge

finances, takes money from the Secretary and makes any payments

that the lodge has agreed to when the Worshipful Master tells him

to do so.

There is also consideration in the ritual to allow for a

single position of Secretary-Treasurer. In most cases, the

combined position is usually due to decreasing numbers of

members or decreasing interest and activity by members. The two

positions must coordinate their efforts in order to succeed in their

endeavors.

The Wardens and Worshipful Master

The Junior Warden is in charge of refreshments and is to

keep an eye out for anyone who would over-indulge, thus

preventing drunkenness and gluttony. His duty includes

announcing the refreshments and returning the members to the

business of the lodge for the good of all, when told to do so by the

Worshipful Master.

The Senior Warden helps the Worshipful Master open

and close the lodge and keeps the peace, exhorting brothers, when

necessary, to avoid strife in the lodge.

The Worshipful Master opens and presides over the

lodge, gives the members work to do, and sees that all are given

the instructions needed to complete their tasks.

The Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens

constitute what is known as the Three Principal Officers of the

lodge and are all that is necessary for opening a lodge of Master

Masons and conducting the business of the lodge. But just because

they can run a lodge without participation from any other officer

or member, doesn’t mean that they should have to do that.

Regardless of the amount of authority any lodge officer wields, the

true power in a Masonic lodge comes from the members

themselves.

These duties as laid out in our ritual, recited in flowery,

archaic English, during the opening and closing of lodge meetings,

give only a basic and rudimentary description of what the officer

positions entail, and only for seven officer positions. The Senior

and Junior Stewards, Chaplain, Counselor, Tiler, Soloist, Organist,

are only mentioned in passing or in directions of certain actions

throughout the rituals of the three degrees. So, where do we look

for these? Where do we find more detailed information about all

of the lodge officers? There are many sources, and there are many

variations.

The Chaplain, for example, was not originally a lodge

officer in American Masonry. Albert Mackey, in his Encyclopedia

of Masonry informs us that the office of Chaplain:

What non-Masons think Masons do.


is one which is not recognized in the ritual of the United States of

America, although often conferred by courtesy. The Master of a

Lodge in general performs the duties of a Chaplain.

Of course, eventually Chaplains were appointed in

American lodges. In Wisconsin, the Chaplain did not even have an

assigned seat in the lodge until late in the 20th Century. Even now,

in District 12 there is a lodge that seats its Chaplain, not in the

Southeast, but in the North. The duties and rituals of the Chaplain

also vary from lodge to lodge, although there has been an effort by

the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin to bring order and continuity to this

position. The Chaplain’s duties, once performed by the

Worshipful Master, primarily have to do with reciting prayers and

scripture. But his duties have been expanded to include presiding

over memorial services at Masonic funerals, visiting sick and

distressed brothers, their widows, and orphans, and generally being

the spiritual conscience of the lodge.

In 2009, the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons

of Wisconsin produced The Lodge Chaplain’s Handbook. This

eighteen page manual is essential to a Chaplain’s success. It can

be downloaded from the Publications section of the Grand Lodge

website: http://www.wisc-freemasonry.org

There are also publications available at the Grand Lodge

site for the Lodge Counselor, and for the Senior Warden. Further

details of duties and responsibilities can be found in the Masonic

Code and in our own lodge By-laws. Traditions passed down from

generation to generation also help define the roles that officers

play. For example, in our lodge, it is traditional for the Junior

Warden to provide meals before or after stated meetings, as well

as for any special events or dinners that are planned by the lodge.

The Stewards are expected to assist the Junior Warden in setting

up and cleaning up afterwards. In other jurisdictions, the Junior

Warden merely supervises the Stewards, who are responsible, not

only for set-up and clean-up, but also for providing the meal.

Before delving into the nebulous realm of traditions, let’s

look at what we have available to us, aside from just the directions

given in the lodge rituals, starting with the Code. Chapter 56 of the

Wisconsin Masonic Code deals specifically with the duties of the

Master. It basically describes the Master as having “absolute”

power with some restrictions. As for the duties of the other elected

and appointed officers, the code says this:

57.03 Duties. The duties of an officer of a lodge are those which

pertain to his office and which are prescribed by the ancient

usages of Free Masonry.

To find the ancient usages, we can refer back to the ritual

work as well as to Rev. James Anderson’s Constitutions and The

Ancient Landmarks as expounded by Roscoe Pound and Albert

Mackey. Having already listed the duties according to our ritual,

we look at what Rev. Anderson has to say about the subject in

Chapter V. Of the Management of the Craft in Working:

The most expert of the Fellowcraftsmen shall be chosen

or appointed the Master, or Overseer of the Lord’s Work; who is

to be call’d Master by those that work under him. The Craftsmen

are to avoid all ill Language, and to call each other by no

disobliging Name, but Brother or Fellow; and to behave

themselves courteously within and without the Lodge.

When a Fellowcraftsman is chosen Warden of the Work

under the Master, he shall be true both to Master and Fellows,

shall carefully oversee the Work in the Master’s Absence to the

Lord’s Profit; and his Brethren shall obey him.

All Masons employ’d shall meekly receive their Wages

without Murmuring or Mutiny, and not desert the Master til the

Work is finish’d.

While the Ancient Landmarks have not been officially

adopted, as such, by the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin which is the

supreme Masonic authority in the state, the Grand Lodge does say

it is “subject only to the Ancient Landmarks.” These Landmarks

do not spell out the duties of Lodge officers, but do discuss the

necessity of a lodge being governed by a Master and two Wardens.

However, the eleventh Landmark actually goes into great detail to

describe the duties of the Tiler of the Lodge in guarding the door

from eavesdroppers.

From a study of the various sources discussed thus far,

what I have come to realize is that officer duties and

responsibilities can vary from lodge to lodge based on traditions

passed down in each lodge. One of the best sources for anyone

who is considering taking on the responsibility of an office in the

Lodge is actually the charges given to the officers, by the Installing

Master, during their public installation:

TILER

Brother Tiler, the sword is placed in the hand of the Tiler to

enable him to guard against the approach of cowans and

eavesdroppers, and allow none to pass or re-pass except such as

are duly qualified. Your duty is purely traditional and largely

symbolic; dating back to a time when Masons met in secrecy out

of necessity to avoid death or persecution. Masonic principles

teach men to be square with each other, and thus we despise deceit

and eavesdropping. Since the business conducted in a Masonic

meeting today carries no such grave consequences, you are

charged with the responsibility of simply preventing those who are

unqualified from entering or observing. Your early and punctual

attendance will afford the best proof of your zeal for the institution

and its heralded traditions.

COUNSELOR

Brother Counselor, as Counselor, your responsibilities include

working with the candidates of the lodge who have been elected

for or received degrees. Your goals are to increase the knowledge

and understanding of the younger craftsmen in Masonry by

teaching the Posting Examinations, Wisconsin Program, and other

materials. You are further charged to take a leadership role in the

general Masonic educational activities of the lodge. Your

diligence and dedication to your expected tasks will be measured

through the growth of the lodge and the increased Masonic

understanding of its members.

STEWARDS

Brother Stewards, your duties are generally to assist the Deacons

and other Officers in performing their duties. Additionally, you are

to see that the tables are properly furnished at the hour of

refreshment, and that every brother is suitably provided for. Your

regular and early attendance will afford the best proof of your

devotion and attachment to the lodge. Your eagerness and steady

progress advancing to the Deacons’ chairs will confirm to the


brethren that you are qualified and committed to becoming the

next officers.

DEACONS

Brother Deacons it is your province to attend on the Master and

Wardens and to act as their proxies in the active duties of the

lodge, such as in the reception of candidates into the degrees of

Freemasonry, the introduction and accommodation of visitors, and

in the immediate practice of our ritual. Few stations within the

lodge have as strong an impact upon its success as the Deacons.

New candidates will frame their impressions about your lodge

based on the quality of your execution. Your faithful attendance at

each meeting is necessary to prepare you for the responsibilities

of directing the lodge in the future, as well as to refine and perfect

the ritual that is so much a part of your stations and so vital to the

future of the lodge.

CHAPLAIN

Brother Chaplain it is your duty to perform those solemn services,

which remind us of our Creator whose spirit is refining our souls,

strengthening our virtues, and purifying our minds, that we might

fulfill our lives in service to Him, as we serve others in

Freemasonry and all people throughout the world. Yours is a

most-important office. Since this fraternity shapes and creates the

bonds of brotherhood; those lasting friendships which are more

family-like than casual, it is your responsibility to console those

family members upon the passing of a departed brother, and to

lead the Lodge as we pay our respects in honoring him with a

Masonic Memorial Service. You also bear the responsibility of

keeping all the brethren focused on the Sacred Law which is our

Masonic Trestle board; steering and counseling them when their

actions, prejudices, and desires infringe upon others; reminding

them of their higher duty to the peaceful and harmonious service

of God and man.

SECRETARY

Brother Secretary, it is the Secretary’s duty to observe the will and

pleasure of the Worshipful Master in recording the proceedings of

the lodge; transmit a copy thereof to the Grand Lodge when

requested; to receive all monies paid into the lodge and pay them

over to the Treasurer, taking his receipt therefore. Your good

inclination to Freemasonry and this lodge will induce you to

discharge the duties of your office with fidelity, and by so doing

you will merit the esteem of your brethren.

TREASURER

Brother Treasurer, it is the Treasurer’s duty to receive money paid

into the lodge from the hands of the Secretary, keep a just and true

account thereof, and pay them out by order of the Worshipful

Master and consent of the Lodge. At every meeting you are to

report on the income and disbursements of the lodge and a copy

of your report shall be submitted to the secretary to be included in

the minutes of each meeting. I trust your regard for the Fraternity

will prompt you to the faithful discharge of the duties of your

office.

JUNIOR WARDEN

Brother Junior Warden, your jewel is the Plumb, which

admonishes us to walk uprightly in our several stations before God

and man, to hold the scale of justice in equal balance, to observe

the just medium between intemperance and pleasure, and to make

our passions and prejudices coincide with the line of our duty. To

you is committed the superintendence of the Craft during the hours

of refreshment. You shall act as liaison between the lodge and any

related youth groups and shall make periodic reports to the Junior

Grand Warden and to your Worshipful Master. Your regular and

punctual attendance is particularly requested and I have no doubt

you will faithfully perform the duties which pertain to your station.

Look well to the South.

SENIOR WARDEN

Brother Senior Warden, your jewel is the Level which

demonstrates that we are to seek the common ground. We use the

level to illustrate the compromises necessary to work together and

to agree; and, though distinctions among men are necessary, no

high station should make us forget that we are brethren. Your

regular attendance at our stated communications is essential. In

the absence of the Master you are to govern the lodge; in his

presence, you are to assist him in the government of it. I firmly rely

on your knowledge of Masonry and attachment to the lodge for the

faithful discharge of the duties of this important trust. Look well to

the West.

WORSHIPFUL MASTER

The installation of the Worshipful Master takes a different

approach. The Installing Master first declares his own opinion of

the elected Master:

I find him to be of good morals and great skill, true and trusty -

and as he is a lover of the fraternity wheresoever dispersed over

the face of the earth, I am sure he will discharge his duty with

fidelity.

Then an oath is administered in the form of a series of

questions designed to sum up the most obvious responsibilities of

the Master and answered in the affirmative. The oath involves

agreeing to conform to moral law as well as the laws of the nation;

to be courteous and faithful, respect genuine brethren and reject

imposters; not admit strangers without credentials, or make a

Mason without due inquiry into his character; conform to the

Constitution, By-Laws and Edicts of the Lodge and Grand Lodge;

approve minutes; attend committees and communications

regularly; observe the landmarks; and not recognize an irregular

lodge or Mason.

The Masonic Code dedicates an entire chapter to listing

the duties and responsibilities of the Worshipful Master, while

relegating the duties of all other officers into a single short

paragraph. The Master is the one who is praised when things go

well, and blamed when they go awry. It is understandable in that

light, that so much attention should be paid to the duties of the

Master of the Lodge.

In the May/June 2012 issue of the Surveyor, you will find

an excellent article on pages 7-8 about the Lodge Trustees. Part

One of the article about the Lodge Secretary is to be found on page

4 in the Summer Issue.

If you really want to understand a particular lodge

officer’s duties and responsibilities, find a brother who is or has

been in that office, and ask him. In other words, “To be one, ask

one.”


Washington’s Original Farewell Address, pages 16 (above)

and 18 (below)

My Cousin, Georgeby Chuck Carroll

George Washington and Political Parties

In his Farewell Address, Washington took time to establish his

opinion of the role of political parties in the election process. As

you will see in the following transcripts of pages 16-18, he was

not a fan of the Party system of government. -ed.

“I have already intimated to you the danger of Parties

in the State, with particular reference to the founding of them

on Geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more

comprehensive view, & warn you in the most solemn manner

against the baneful effects of the Spirit of Party, generally.

“This Spirit, unfortunately, is inseperable from our

nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human

Mind. It exists under different shapes in all Governments,

more or less stifled, controuled, or repressed; but in those of

the popular form it is seen in its greatest rankness and is truly

their worst enemy.

“The alternate domination of one faction over

another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge natural to party

dissention, which in different ages & countries has

perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful

despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and

permanent despotism. The disorders & miseries, which result,

gradually incline the minds of men to seek security & repose

in the absolute power of an Individual: and sooner or later the

chief of some prevailing faction more able or more fortunate

than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of

his own elevation, on the ruins of Public Liberty.

“Without looking forward to an extremity of this

kind (which nevertheless ought not to be entirely out of sight)

the common & continual mischiefs of the spirit of Party are

sufficient to make it the interest and the duty of a wise People

to discourage and restrain it.

“It serves always to distract the Public Councils and

enfeeble the Public Administration. It agitates the Community

with ill founded Jealousies and false alarms, kindles the

animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally

riot & insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence &

corruption, which find a facilitated access to the government

itself through the channels of party passions. Thus the policy

and the will of one country, are subjected to the policy and

will of another.” –George Washington

Thanks to the University of Virginia Press for the transcription

and document images of George Washington’s Farewell

Address. The Papers of George Washington Digital Edition, ed.

Theodore J. Crackel, et al, Charlottesville: University of

Virginia Press, Rotunda, 2007-.


Noteworthy News in and About the Lodge

Ashlar Awards Given Out

The first ever Ashlar Award presentation at GW1776

Lodge was made by Br. Otto Tesch, PM to Worshipful

Master Chuck Carroll and Senior Steward William Hutchins

at the Stated Meeting held September 18th. The award

recognizes a senior and a junior member of the lodge who are

responsible for being mentors to a new brother, guiding him

through all three degrees and culminating with his Master

Mason posting. The award consists of a certificate and a pin

that represents the Perfect Ashlar. The candidate, in this

case, Br. Seth Swanson, does not receive a pin, but is

encouraged to take up the task of guiding a new brother

through the process.

MM Posting Cards Dealt in Lodge

Brothers William Hutchins, Seth Swanson, and

Wiley Gladney were presented with their Master Mason

Posting Cards at the September 18th Stated Meeting. The

Masonic Code stipulates that all brothers who have posted in

the MM degree are entitled to a Certificate of Proficiency.

However, these certificates have not been in use for some

time. Early this year, our Lodge Counselor, Br. Walt Smith,

PM, suggested that our lodge come up with a card to give out

to those who have posted. Br. Smith received such a card

from the Michigan Lodge where he was raised.

He had asked Br. Seth, who is a wiz at computer art

design, to help him design a card, but coincidentally, the

Grand Master had the same idea and came up with a card

from the Grand Lodge to be distributed to those who post in

the MM degree, along with an edict that prevents Wisconsin

Freemasons from joining appendant Masonic bodies without

first obtaining their MM posting card.

These were the first cards to be presented at

GW1776 Lodge since the June edict.

Mason of the Year

Brother Walt Smith, PM, Counselor, was

unanimously proclaimed Mason of the Year at GW1776 at

the September 18th Stated Meeting.

Brother Walt, a recent recipient of the Ritual Posting

Card, has shown great dedication to the Lodge this year. As

Lodge Counselor, he faithfully attacked his responsibilities

with a determination that is unequaled by all others, taking

an active role in the progress of every candidate for the

degrees in the lodge.

Gw1776 Masons Get up to Code

Worshipful Master Chuck Carroll was awarded a

Diploma of Achievement for Successful Completion of the

Masonic Code Correspondence Course, May 15, 2012,

along with a pin displaying the course initials with square

and compasses. Senior Deacon Tyler Kristopeit has also

taken the course and is awaiting the results.

Now that they’ve become proficient in the

Masonic Code, their next step is to take the Masonic

Education Correspondence Course, which is based on the

Wisconsin Masonic Handbook, (Green Book). According

to the instructions at the beginning of the course:

It is the desire of the Grand Lodge that this

correspondence course has helped you understand your

fraternity better and allowed you to become familiar with

the Wisconsin Masonic Handbook. It is further hoped that

you will study and research numerous topics in your

efforts to become more knowledgeable of the vast and

colorful history of our Order.

If you would like to learn more about the Masonic

Code, log onto the Grand Lodge web site, click on the

publications tab and take the course! As King Solomon

said,

How much better is it to get wisdom than gold!

and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

--Proverbs 16:16

The first Ashlar Awards for GW1776


TTTTHE SSSSURVEYOR

TTTTHE SSSSURVEYORVol. XIII No.6

©2012

George Washington 1776 Lodge #337 F&AM

Trestle Board

A Bi-Monthly Periodical

Established July, 2000

Chuck Carroll, Editor in Chief

Barb Carroll, Proof Reader

Contributors:

Chuck Carroll; Richard Marcus, PM; Frank

Nuernberger, PM; Tyler Kristopeit; Barb Carroll

Photographers: Chuck Carroll; Tyler Kristopeit;

The Surveyor is printed & mailed by Central File

Inc., Br. Dan Chaudoir, President.

Payment for printing is donated directly to the

George Washington Masonic Fund.

Silver Spring Masonic Center

517 E. Beaumont Avenue

Whitefish Bay, WI 53217

Deadline for submissions for the

next issue of The Surveyor:

Friday, November 9, 2012

Brother Adam Roder, a new Fellowcraft at GW1776

A New Brother (continued from page 1)

Brother Roder is not to be deterred in his quest for

Masonic light. On October 2, he came before the brethren

of the lodge to post his EA degree and his eloquent

answers to the age-old questions put before him made it

seem like he was a guest lecturer giving a talk on the

meanings of Masonic symbols.

Everyone in the lodge was impressed with his

performance and it was my honor to confer the FC degree

upon him that night. Thus far, Br. Roder has proven to be

a feather in the cap of his chief mentor, Br. Joe

Fahrenkopf, and has even impressed our worthy counselor,

Br. Walt Smith. I look forward to his future progress in

the lodge.

Lodge Visitations?

We have only visited a fourth of all the lodges in

our District since June, which means that we still have 11

more to go in order to achieve the Traveling Lodge award,

and only seven months left in which to do it. Any brothers

who would like to continue the District 12 journey that we

started in July should notify WM Chuck Carroll and let

him know that you are interested.

Visit Your Brothers“Charity begins at home,” and this is no less true

for us as Masons. Our first duty is to our fellow brothers

and we should be visiting our brothers who live in the area

but cannot attend lodge for whatever reason. The

Committee that overseas visitations is headed by Brothers

Frank Nuernberger and Keith Sargeant. Ironically,

Brother Frank is one of those who is in need of our visits.

If you have an interest in joining others who are making

the rounds, call Br. Keith.

More Awards to Give OutWe have more awards to hand out to brothers who

have been Masons for 25 years and longer. Those who

live out of the area will have their awards mailed to them,

but those who live nearby, like Jerry Thompson (see story

page 1) deserve at least to have a delegation visit them at

home and make the proper presentation. If you would like

to be one of those who represents our lodge in recognizing

our brothers’ service to Masonry, please contact the

Worshipful Master.


2012 Lodge Officers2012 Lodge Officers2012 Lodge Officers2012 Lodge Officers

Worshipful Master

Charles Carroll

414-336-4252

[email protected]

Senior Warden

Frank Nuernberger, PM

414-357-8141

[email protected]

Junior Warden

Keith Sargeant

414-881-7060

[email protected]

Treasurer

Charles Roeder, PM

262-238-0162

[email protected]

Secretary

Dave Haase, PM

414-964-4080

[email protected]

Senior Deacon

Tyler Kristopeit

608-346-0066

[email protected]

Junior Deacon

Joseph Fahrenkopf

920-296-3171

[email protected]

Chaplain

Otto Tesch, PM

414-445-3537

[email protected]

Senior Steward

William Hutchins

262-309-3500

[email protected]

Junior Steward

Brian Bromberek

414-467-8377

[email protected]

Counselor

Walt Smith, PM

414-906-1695

[email protected]

Tiler

James Roberts, PM

414-332-8247

[email protected]

TrusteesFor Information about the Mandatory Monthly Trustee

Meetings Contact: One of these trustees

Trustee '12

Chuck Roeder

262-238-0163

George Burgess

414-332-5723

Jim Roberts

414-332-8247

Trustee '13

Bob Batchelder

414-678-8785

Mark Truesdell

262-332-9444

Trustee '14

David Haase

414-964-4080

Walt Smith

414-906-1695

Lodge Web Site: WWW.GW1776.ORG Lodge Phone Number: 414-979-1776

November 3

is Election Day

at the Lodge

Come for the apples,

stay for the voting!

"The Surveyor": October/November 2012

Documents

Transcript of "The Surveyor": October/November 2012