At the inspiration of MWB Jack Butler, PGM, yours truly has issued a challenge of titanic proportion to the Grand Master of Minnesota, MWB Thomas McCarthy.  The Challenge is wholly dependent upon the outcome of tonight's Insight Bowl, pitting the Iowa State University Cyclones vs. the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers.  If your Cyclones are victorious, MWB McCarthy will have to pose for some photographs clad in ISU apparel (furnished by me), and if Minnesota wins, I will reluctantly have to don the Maroon and Gold of Minnesota (furnished by MWB Tom) and submit to photos.  Whatever the outcome, these pictures will find their way to the web sites and publications of both Grand Lodges.  There is even talk of the losing Grand Master having to show up at the victor's Grand Lodge session in the cap and t-shirt, socks, shoes, etc. of the winning school's colors.

However, I am in desperate need of your assistance.  The Grand Lodge of Minnesota holds their Annual Communication in March, so in the event the Cyclones come out on the short end, the loss will unfortunately be relatively fresh and MWB Tom will remember it well.  Unfortunately, we don't have our Communication until September in Sioux City, and I might forget in that length of time, so please help me remember our victory! 
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During the months of October and November 2009, I along with the Lodge Service Committee, conducted 16 Grand Master Area Meetings throughout this Grand Jurisdiction.  These Area Meetings provided me with an opportunity to meet many of you personally and share with you my vision for continuing the Iowa Masonic Journey. 

A big thank you goes out to Tim S. Anderson, Executive Director of the Lodge Service Committee for the many hours dedicated to helping these meeting become the successes that they were.  In addition, much gratitude goes to the Lodge Service Committee members who attended these events and helped them be successful.  Craig L. Davis, Chairman of the Committee on Division & Reference attended the vast majority of the Area Meetings and helped the attendees understand the similarities between effective mentoring and coaching sports.  Thank you RW Brother Craig.  Most of the meetings included presentations and words of wisdom from either Bill Paisley, Executive Officer of Iowa DeMolay, or a Senior DeMolay,demonstrating or reporting on the success of having FUN while making a difference.  Also, I want to thank the 16 host lodges for all of their hospitality.  Last but certainly not least is a great big thank you to everyone who attended one or more of the Grand Master's Area Meetings this year.  You Brothers are the leaders of your lodges and I thank you very much for your attentiveness and receptiveness to the Grand Master's Program this year.
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By now, hopefully everyone should have received their one-of-a-kind Iowa Masonic Calendar.  Judging by the response thus far, both financially and in comment form, I'd have to say that they are a huge success! 

This has been somewhat of a quiet week -- at least compared to the next two.  Following a fairly lengthy Lodge Service Committee meeting in Des Moines, I had the pleasure of visiting Bluff City Lodge #71 (incognito) to help present the very first Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Scouter Award in the state of Iowa. 
This honor is in memory of Daniel Carter Beard, who in the late 19th century, created the Boy Pioneers, an organization which was a forerunner of the Boy Scouts of America, and merged with them in 1910.  The recipients of the first two Daniel Carter Beard awards in Iowa were presented on October 14, 2009 to Brothers Larry Poffenbarger and Erik Moore.

Last night, October 15, we kicked off the first of 16 Grand Master's Area Meetings at Amber Lodge in Quick.  I thank all the brothers who attended and hope they got a lot out of the evening.  Next week, we take the show on the road to Mt Pleasant, Centerville and Pella.

I alluded earlier to the Iowa Masonic Calendars and the response thus far.  The proceeds from this fundraiser will be used to bring the Masonic Model Student Assistance Program to Iowa.  MMSAP is a program designed by former educators to assist schools to identify and assist students who may be at risk for drug abuse, violence, bullying, absence and other things that can derail a young person's life.  It has been helping kids for over 20 years and is in 26 states currently. 

Thanks to all the brothers who have shown their support to this vital project.  I will be posting names of all the donors on my website iagrandmaster.org in the very near future.
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