M OUR VISION:
Caring for Our Members A vision statement is utilized to describe an organization’s long-term goals, and it encapsulates the emotional context of what an organization wishes to become. In Masonic terms, a vision statement represents an organization’s desired transition from a rough to perfect ashlar. In 2010, the Scottish Rite, NMJ, adopted the following vision statement:
“We will strive to be a Fraternity that fulfills our Masonic obligation to care for our members.”
We will care for our members. But, what does it mean to care? This seemingly innocuous word is at the very heart of our vision statement and one that we, as Masons, have obligated ourselves upon. Interestingly, its deeper complexity is the very key to our future and something we should all take a moment to reflect upon. During a recent roundtable discussion, the question was raised of whether this vision statement was still applicable to our organization. In effect, it was acknowledged that we as a Fraternity have deep esteem (care) for our members, and so our work, according to our vision statement, is therefore complete. Right? Not exactly. With esteem and emotional care, we have just begun to scratch the surface. The term “care” is a wonderfully multifaceted word that bears with it three distinct applications:
• Emotional Care • Supportive Care • Nurturing Care Emotional care, or Brotherly love and affection, is a basic tenet of our Fraternity. It is with this level of care that the Worshipful Master greeted each of us at the altar of Freemasonry, and we further obligated ourselves to two additional levels of care for one another. Emotional care is frequently demonstrated through our Brother-toBrother calling outreach.
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ScottishRiteNMJ.org
The Northern Light
