We Are All Leaders

by Peter J. Samiec, 33˚ , Sovereign Grand Commander

Just recently, all across our grand jurisdiction, the officers chosen to lead their respective Valleys were elected and installed. Congratulations to each and every one of you! You have accepted the responsibility to guide your Valley in the finest tradition of the Northern Jurisdiction. Your Brothers have placed a great deal of confidence in your ability to maintain the fine reputation your Valley has earned, and all eyes will be on you for the next year.

Now, what are those eyes going to see?

I read a book recently entitled Walk the Walk by Alan Deutschman. The author’s main contention is that leaders focus too much on what they say and not nearly enough on setting an example. Ultimately, leadership doesn’t depend on who you are, what you say, or how you say it, but only on what you do.

We often speak loftily of our Core Values; of friendship, morality, and Brotherly love; of faith, hope, and charity. Oh, we’re good at talking the talk, but how do we prove to others that this is what we really believe?

Do we walk the Masonic walk?

A few years ago, a Brother I know well left the Scottish Rite because he felt the direction it was taking was opposed to his personal Masonic philosophy.

A few months ago, he became seriously ill and was hospitalized for a month. During that time, two Scottish Rite Brothers came to his aid. They visited him daily, and when he was discharged, they got him home. They paid for a maid service to clean his house before bringing him home and continue paying for it to this day. They shop for him and make sure he gets to therapy, doctor appointments, etc.

Here’s the punch line: even when the Valley Secretary told them that Jim had demitted from Scottish Rite, they continued to assist him. As a result of their care and concern, Jim has changed his mind about abandoning Scottish Rite and its Core Values.

They’re doing what they’re doing from their hearts, not for any notoriety. “No publicity, please,” is their response to newsletter and website article requests. In my eyes, two fine Brothers are walking the walk.

doesn’t just apply to our officers but to each of us.

So, be an officer who walks the walk— accept the duties, obligations, and responsibilities that come with the office. Give every task your best effort, don’t just pay it lip service. If a meeting or event requires your presence (and sometimes even if it doesn’t), make sure you’re there. Use your relationships to show the bonds of Brotherly care and affection we speak of so highly. In all things, show a unity and harmony of purpose that marks the labors of a Mason. In short, walk the walk. This

I firmly believe we’re at the beginning of a Masonic Renaissance. In my travels, I meet more men whose hair has not yet turned gray; there’s an increased interest in our Fraternity by younger men.

Symbolic lodges appear to be raising more new Master Masons, and some of our Scottish Rite Valleys are seeing an increase in membership as well. Those that I’ve met have an interest and enthusiasm for the Craft that’s refreshing. Excitement is contagious. Big crowds are encouraging. Helping new Scottish Rite Masons can be rewarding.

I attended a reunion back in the days when I was serving as your Grand Lieutenant Commander. While there, I asked the new Sublime Princes if they had a Scottish Rite mentor. To a man, their answer was no. I handed each one a business card and told them they had one now. I still get occasional phone calls from some of them.

Now that ruffled a few feathers in that Valley. It seems that some of the oldtimers were telling these Brothers that they have no understanding of protocol and that nobody communicates directly with the Grand Lieutenant Commander.

We never had a discussion about this, but if and when we do, my first question will be, then who do they communicate with here in this Valley? Hopefully, that conversation would serve as a wake-up call, and their new members' needs will be better served.

The bottom line is that our newest members are watching us, and they’re looking for more Masonic light. We need to show them that we believe in what we say and can lead them to that light that they seek. It makes it all the more vital that we walk the walk, because when we don’t, it will appear that the organization isn’t important to us. And if it doesn’t appear important to us, it won’t to them.

May God Bless us, our great country, and our troops wherever dispersed, now and forever.

Journey on…