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.
 


Comments

Tom Boeckmann
11/15/2009 19:55

Several Iowa Masons have received the Daniel Carter Beard Award...me included. It is an honor but it's not the first in the state!

Reply
Craig Hummel
11/22/2009 16:34

Brother Tom,
Thanks for the clarification. My understanding was that these were the first Daniel Carter Beard Awards actually presented by the Iowa Grand Lodge, but if that is incorrect, I apologize. At any rate, congratulations to you and all the brothers who have won this award -- It says a lot about you as individuals and as Masons. Well done!

Reply
Ryan E Reid link
12/07/2009 19:31

MWGM Hummel - I am sorry you were given incorrect information, BH65 has a member that has received the Scouting Award as well.

Brother Harry Sullivan, at a ceremony held on April 23, 2003 was presented the "Daniel Carter Beard Scouting Award" commemorating a lifetime of service to both the Masonic Order and to the Boy Scouts of America. It is an honor given to Freemasons who practice the ideals of the fraternity and act as role models to the young men who are part of our nation's most outstanding youth organization.

Reply
James C. Costello, PM
11/11/2010 11:23

Most Worshipful Sir,

The National Association of Masonic Scouters was organized to serve the Masonic Fraternity and the Boy Scouts of America following the National Boy Scout Jamboree in 2005. At that Jamboree, Fredericksburg Lodge #4 (George Washington's Mother Lodge) moved its charter and jewels to the site of the Jamboree and invited all Masonic Scouters in attendance there to a called Communication authorized by dispensation of Virginia's Grand Master.

Subsequently, the organization was formally instituted at a national meeting of the BSA in Atlanta. We operate under an adopted constitution and have received the approval of seventeen Grand Jurisdictions in the United States. Our mission is to improve the relationship which has historically existed between the BSA and Freemasonry since the 1910 inception of the Scouting movement. Masons have been instrumental in sharing the positive attributes and morals of Masonry with the youth of the BSA for 100 years. NAMS is promoting the awarding of the Daniel Carter Beard to deserving Masons as a small token of the Fraternity's high regard for Masons who practice the principles of our Craft in their everyday lives especially with their youthful charges.

I would be happy to share all of my information about NAMS with you at your request.

Respectfully, sincerely and fraternally,

Jim Costello, DCB, PM
Capital Lodge of S.O. #66, F&AM, Lansing, Michigan
Chairman, Grand Lodge of Michigan Masonic Scouting Committee
Vice President, National Association of Masonic Scouters

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