GRAND MASTER'S PROCLAMATION REGARDING LONGEVITY MEMBERS
From: MWB Jason D. Swindler, Grand Master of Masons In South Dakota
To: All Masonic Lodges and all Freemasons under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of South Dakota
Brothers all,
I think we can agree that promoting Masonry, both inside the Craft and out, in South Dakota is an important part of seeing to it that this Fraternity is here long after you and I are gone. I believe one way to do this is recognize Brothers that have met specific criteria such as age and years of service to the Craft in South Dakota. These Masons are our libraries of knowledge and our link to the forefathers of our noble Fraternity. It is my belief that our Brothers that meet the criteria should be recognized and honored for their dedication to Masonry in South Dakota.
It is my hope that along with giving these Brother Master Masons some rightly deserved accolades we will help promote what Masonry is all about in our state. These Brothers and their families should never have to be worried about being in good standing with the Grand Lodge of South Dakota. Achievements such as mentioned above deserve attention from both the Grand Lodge and the entire Jurisdiction.
You will also recall that when you were Initiated an Entered Apprentice, you were asked to contribute something of a metallic nature, so as to teach you that should you ever meet a friend, but more especially a Brother Master Mason in like circumstance, you should contribute to his relief as liberally as you could without material injury to yourself.
After due consultation with the other elected officers and committees of our Grand Lodge, I have decided to make the following Proclamation:
I HEREBY PROCLAIM that Lodges will not collect per capita from a Brother Master Mason who has reached 95 years of age and who has served his Lodge for a minimum of 25 years as a member in good standing, nor shall the Lodges be required to pay Grand Lodge per Capita for those Brothers on the Annual Report that is due by February 15, 2021.
While I do not believe that I have the authority to waive his dues all together, I would humbly ask that each Lodge consider following suit and not charge these Brothers dues of any kind.
Continue to search out Light, be the Light and shine your Light my Brothers.
Fraternally,
Jason D. Swindlerm Grand Master of Masons in South Dakota
Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of South Dakota
520 S. First Avenue Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57104-6902
605-332-2051
Office@MyGrandLodge.org