[Ashlar521]

I was wondering if anyone else does this . I'm working on starting up a widows program in my lodge . I have our Secretary putting a list together of all our widows and we'll have a Master Mason assigned to her . He will check in on her every so often and see if she needs anything or help fixing something amoung other things , then they will report back how they are doing every meeting . Any suggestions on how to make improvements are welcomed .

[rustybones49801]

Windows as in the computer program?, or as in glass??? You mentioned your secretary as a her. Is your lodge co-masonry?

[Ashlar521]

Originally Posted by rustybones49801

Windows as in the computer program?, or as in glass??? You mentioned your secretary as a her. Is your lodge co-masonry?

Widows , as in the wife of a dead Mason . And no , I don't agree with the making of a woman a Mason . I was saying that our Lodge secretary is gathering up all the name's of the widows of our Bro's that have passed and assigning a Master Mason to check in on her and make sure she is doing all right . No mention that our secretary is a "her" .

[rustybones49801]

OMG!!!!! I must be tired........ That was funny!!!!! Windows..... um yes I did graduamate...... LOL

[Smokey613]

We maintain a widow's list and unoffically keep "tabs" on our widows. Once a year, members of the lodge deliver a food basket to all our widows. We also give each widow a "Widows Pin" to wear if they want.

[cemab4y]

You need to provide all of your widows with a printed list of masons who would be willing to help her, with tasks. If the yard needs mowing, the car breaks down,etc. You can get plastic refrigerator magnets from www.vistaprint.com for free.

Our lodge prepares fruit and gift baskets for all of our widows, and deliver them at Christmastime.

We have an annual widow's dance (and appreciation night) every year at the lodge hall. We serve a dinner, and arrange transportation for all of the widows who cannot drive themselves. We have some widowers in our lodge, and sometimes they start up a romance!

We also help the widows dispose of masonic jewelry (In case the deceased mason has no masonic relatives). We arrange a sale at a decent price, and deliver the proceeds to the widow.

[RoughAshlar]

Our Chaplain takes care of that. We aslo invite them to all our functions, such as Christmas Dinner. Transportation and the costs of the event are obsorbed by the lodge ofcourse.

[Ashlar521]

I have put my program into practice two months ago . Each widow has two Masons assigned to her . Each widow has the name and phone number of the Master and Secretary( it's easier to call the Sec. because he is retired ) . One or both Masons check in on her once a week to make sure she's doing alright . If she needs anything she will call either the Master or secretary , who will then call the respective Masons assigned to her to take care of what ever she needs . That way the Secretary can keep a running log and if the two assigned to her , for some reason , can't get to her , he can then get in touch with someone else .

I have put together a list of mechanics , electritions , carpenters and others that are Masons so if she needs some work done , she will not be cheated out of her money . All she has to do is get in touch with us and we will get whatever problem she has taken care of fairly and correctly or done for free most of the time .

We already gave fruit baskets and cards at Christmas . I was thinking on larger terms than throwning them a dinner once or twice a year or the baskets . I just never thought that fruit baskets and dinners as truely helping and taking care of our Brothers widows .

[Smokey613]

These are excellent ideas. I may put them forth in an informal setting this Saturday before our lodge meeting to get a feel of the response to such ideas. Thanks!