Dean R. Alban, 33°
Director of Information Systems

The Sentinel database system provides Scottish Rite Masons a way to connect with “those who otherwise might have remained at a perpetual distance.”

Photo: Elizabeth A. Williams, The Scottish Rite Journal

Freemasonry remains after centuries one of the significant institutions in the world. Its principals of brotherly love, relief, and truth attract good and upright men of all countries, religions, and politics. Our members are company executives, clergy, policemen, professors, tradesmen, politicians, civil servants, lawyers, and shopkeepers, and all are bound together by the same great aim—to regard the whole human species as one great family and to aid, support, and protect each other. No matter where we travel, it is likely that a Brother Master Mason is nearby.

The use of the Internet has raised the level and quality of communications among Freemasons throughout the world. When my son Ryan was raised as a Master Mason, he received emails from well-wishing Brothers in many different countries. By using Internet search engines like Google(tm) and Yahoo!®, it is easy to find active Masonic lodges anywhere that you might travel. Most Grand Lodges have web sites and e-mail addresses. Every Valley in the Scottish Rite Southern Jurisdiction can now communicate quickly by e-mail, electronically update member information, and bring together brethren who share common interests by using detailed data searches.

With the Sentinel Database System, we have the opportunity to communicate with our membership in new and exciting ways. Would you be interested in being a member of a group of fellow Masons who use the Internet to stay in touch with each other? Would you like to receive notices concerning news and events that are vital to the fraternity? Wouldn’t it be nice to communicate with a brother who shares the same hobby, was in the same branch of the military, has the same career, or lives in the same community?

Just in the past few weeks, an Episcopal Priest, who is an active Scottish Rite Mason, contacted Supreme Council Computer Services asking for help in organizing an Internet Forum for clergy who are also Scottish Rite Masons. After a quick search of the Sentinel database, we produced a list of 1,227 Scottish Rite Masons who listed their job classification as “Ministry” when they joined the Rite. E-mails were sent immediately to 50 of these members who had provided their Valleys with electronic addresses. Within three days seven enthusiastic Freemasons were on their way to sharing, supporting, and mentoring one another. New friendships will form, ideas will be exchanged, and the fraternity at large will be enhanced.

There is much room for growth, however, as we have e-mail addresses of only 7,288 members of the Scottish Rite. Please help increase this number! We will publish the results of this effort in the next issue of the Scottish Rite Journal. You can update your record immediately by going to our site. Once there, you may create a member login, review and update your own information, as well as communicate with other Scottish Rite Masons throughout the world. If you prefer, contact your local Scottish Rite Valley, and we will update your membership record for you. We look forward to hearing from you!

Dean. R. Alban is the Director of Information Systems for the Supreme Council, 33°.
Contact: dalban@srmason-sj.org.