LEADERSHIP REPORT: Unrivaled Innovation in Unprecedented Times

by David A. Glattly, 33˚, Sovereign Grand Commander

Greetings!

I trust this message finds you well. Health concerns are certainly a priority during this current pandemic. It is a time of caution and a time of change. Our travel and meeting schedules have altered drastically. Routine tasks in our daily lives are now more complicated to carry out, adding to our levels of stress and disquiet. This, however, will end. We will get through it.

When the pandemic struck, it took thinking outside the box to find ways to keep in contact with and engage our members.

It is truly amazing how we have adapted. How many of us heard of Zoom before this year? Zoom was a word we knew from Batman comic books and the 1960s TV show. Now, the communications platform has become our common link to attend meetings and even family gatherings. Attending Zoom and other online meetings has brought us together in different and very positive ways. While attending Masonic meetings via Zoom, I have been able to connect with Brothers from a distance who have been unable to attend Masonic events in person for years. When we return to normal life, it will be wise to continue online outreach to stay in touch with distant and physically challenged Brothers. We are a fraternity first. All of our members are important, and it is clear some Brothers have been overlooked for years.

When the pandemic struck, it took thinking outside the box to find ways to keep in contact with and engage our members. Our outstanding staff focused on our social media capabilities to find ways to reach out to our membership. Luckily, in our war chest there were fourteen degrees on video. This trove made the extremely popular Thursday Night at the Rite broadcasts possible. The event was so crowd-pleasing that thousands of our members attended and received passport credit for the degrees they watched. One night, we had more than 3,500 members online! That’s almost unbelievable, but it goes to show you how much the members craved the Scottish Rite message.

I wish that we could have shown all 29 of our degrees, but we were limited by the number of degrees we have on video.

During the Thursday night programs, we also took the time to look ahead and plan. We had to face some tough realities and answer one very hard question: What if the pandemic prevented our Valleys from hosting in-person Reunions in the fall as it did in the spring?

Our answer: Begin planning “Virtual Reunions” just in case.

Virtual Reunions have never been done before. Would the idea work? Well, once again, our staff put together three outstanding presentations in addition to an encore presentation of our second showing. We adapted to the challenges facing our Valleys and made it possible to bring in new members via a virtual reunion. New candidates will have a rich experience, and we are confident these new Scottish Rite Masons will share our sense of pride and belonging.

Nothing replaces the experience of an actual Valley Reunion, but when the times prevent it, we have an alternative. Each Reunion will present the 4th degree plus three other degrees. This will make all candidates eligible for the 32nd degree at their home Valley. The 32nd degree is available on video, but we chose not to show it. Valleys will manage how and when to plan that special experience in the future. (Please note that Virtual Reunions are an option, not a requirement. I hope to not issue any edicts during my term.)

Nothing replaces the experience of an actual Valley Reunion, but when the times prevent it, we have an alternative.

Our Fall Reunion theme is Masonic Legacy, and what a great theme it is. Personally, I’m a third generation legacy, as my father and grandfather were members of my lodge, my Valley, and my Shrine. My son, Matthew, joined my Valley through the Virtual Reunion on October 24, so now I can proudly say our legacy extends to the fourth generation! As Masons, we take pride in our family Masonic legacies. Many of our new members this fall are beginning a Scottish Rite legacy of their own.

Congratulations to all of our new members joining in this fall’s group of reunions, whether in person or virtual. And whether you are starting your legacy or adding to the generations, we welcome you all!

Please stay well!