Thomas F. Boduch M.D., 32°,
K.C.C.H.
Masonic/Community partnerships have many
benefits.
The VISION 2013 movement is so named because the Grand Lodge of Tennessee was chartered in 1813 and will be celebrating its 200th anniversary in 2013. Looking toward this milestone emphasizes that VISION 2013 is a long-term effort which will not provide instant solutions to the problems of declining membership and decreasing participation by members but, rather, must be continued on an ongoing basis to reverse these trends. VISION 2013 is overseen and guided by a steering committee, chaired by Bro. Alan Smith, 32°, K.C.C.H. Individual programs are directed by Task Forces, consisting of one or more Brethren and Appendant Body representatives. The steering committee meets monthly and is comprised of the current elected Grand Officers and Task Force members.
Three of the six community involvement projects deal with major problems facing society today—spousal and child abuse, illiteracy and poverty housing, and homelessness. The other three involve youth (working with 4-H clubs), Masonic Military Veterans, and organ donor awareness. Lodges are not expected to attempt all six projects but, rather, are encouraged to adopt one or two best suited to their members’ interests and resources.
Regrettably, many spouses are victims of domestic violence and are often assisted by a domestic violence shelter. Through their District Charity Fund, Tennessee's District 8 Masons (Nashville–Davidson County) assist local shelters by making donations of food, clothing, supplies, and by providing volunteers to make facility repairs. District 16 Masons (Chattanooga–Hamilton County) similarly assist a screening center for abused children. In smaller communities, individual Lodges assist shelters. Efforts are being coordinated and expanded statewide by Bro. Brent O. Swanson, 32°, Valley of Nashville.
Schools across Tennessee are using new teaching methods using computers and workbooks to help students learn to read. Tennessee's Lodges are assisting schools by purchasing and donating additional books and by providing adult volunteers to spend time listening to students read aloud. This program is directed by Bro. Billy Joe Wallace, 32°, Valley of Memphis.
Inadequate housing and homelessness are prevalent social problems that adversely affect children, families, and communities. Many organizations, both public and private, attempt to deal with these problems. The largest and most successful is Habitat for Humanity International (HFH). In 1996, VISION 2013 began cultivating a statewide partnership with Tennessee's Habitat affiliates (See related article in the June 1998 Scottish Rite Journal).
Brethren assist Habitat by serving on boards and committees and with all aspects of house construction. The annual Grand Master's Work Project (GMWP) sponsors and builds at least one house in partnership with an affiliate located in the current Grand Master's home region. The first GMWP house was built in July–August 1998 in partnership with Blount County HFH. Projects are planned through the year 2002. This program is directed by the author of this article who is assisted by Ill. William L. "Bill" Whisel, 33°, Valley of Memphis, and Brother Dan E. Welch, 32°, Valley of Nashville. For updated information, please visit the Internet site at www.gmwp.org.
4-H is the youth education program of the Agricultural Extension Service. It encourages diverse groups of youth to develop their unique skills and talents to the fullest potential. Tennessee Masons are working with local 4-H clubs by providing adult leaders who plan, coordinate and direct activities, and, when necessary, make a Lodge available as a meeting place. This program is directed by Ill. James L. Pointer, Sr., 33°, Valley of Knoxville, who, in conjunction with the Knoxville Scottish Rite Bodies, has worked with 4-H for over 24 years.
The Masonic Service Association of the U.S. in cooperation with Grand Lodges throughout the country, supports and maintains a network of volunteers in VA Medical Centers, state Veteran's homes, local hospitals, nursing homes, and communities to help meet the needs of our Masonic military veterans. In today's health care environment, patients typically spend less time in hospitals and receive the majority of care in out-patient settings. Working with the Masonic Service Association, Brother Jesse N. Riggs, 32°, Valley of Nashville, is expanding our volunteer network accordingly.
Today, more than 60,000 Americans await life-saving organs. Thousands of patients die needlessly each year due to lack of donated organs. Anyone can save lives by agreeing to be an organ and tissue donor. All that is required is a signature on a driver's license. Assisted by Brethren who have been an organ recipient, program director, Bro. Don Jones (a heart transplant recipient) speaks extensively across the state about organ donor awareness. Green organ donor awareness lapel pins are awarded (to both Masons and non-Masons) in return for an appropriate driver's license signature. Pins are supplied mounted on a card bearing the VISION 2013 logo and Brother Jones's message: "Be an organ donor—it's the Masonic thing to do!"
These exciting programs afford Tennessee Brethren an
opportunity to put into action outside the walls of the Lodge, those lessons
we teach inside its walls. Becoming involved with any of these programs is
relatively easy—most already have an organizational structure which
interfaces well with our Lodges and Appendant Bodies. VISION 2013 programs
are constantly developing, expanding, and inspiring other efforts. For current
information, please contact the author of this article, Bro. Tom Boduch at
423–919–4095 (webmaster@gmwp.org) or visit the Internet site at
www.gmwp.org/vision2013