Dick Brownings Report of the Grand Secretaries Conference

Masonic Library & Museum Association - MLMA

An International Organization of Librarians, Archivists, Curators, & Directors

Dick Browning's Report

on the Grand Secretaries Conference

Greetings Everyone! I want to give a report on the Grand Secretaries Conference that Glenys and I attended last week on behalf of the MLMA. We were introduced early Monday morning to the Grand Secretaries during the opening ceremonies. Later that afternoon we gave a one hour presentation about the MLMA and how it could be of great help to a Grand Secretary. I believe the presentation was well received because we had two Grand Lodges sign up "on the spot" and several others indicated that they would get with their people back home with the idea of joining! We had a new full color brochure (See below) made special for the conference and a membership application. The brochure we gave to everyone and ask that if they wanted to join to take an application and sent back to us. There were very few applications left after the meeting ended on Tuesday. Several Grand Secretaries, whose Grand Lodge belong to the MLMA, came by after our presentation and said they fully support our organization. During the Grand Secretaries' Banquet on Monday evening and the Grand Master's Banquet on Tuesday evening we had a chance to talk with officers from many of the States. I believe that our time and money was well spent. In late March I plan to write every Grand Secretary whose Grand Lodge is not a member a letter, with a brochure, stressing the importance of the library and museum they have and the advantage of membership in the MLMA. Hopefully this will be a gentle reminder for them to "sign up". I must tell you that I did NOT hear one bad comment about the MLMA. Those who knew of us said we had a positive image. We just need to keep up the good work.

Please welcome our two new members from the conference:

Colorado Library & Museum Association Gerald A. Ford, Grand Secretary gerald.ford@coloradomasons.org The Grand Lodge of New Mexico Danny R. Calloway, Grand Secretary gndsec@nmmasons.org Eric, I'll send you the paper work on these in the next day or two; remember no dues for 2006 Again, it was a pleasure for me to represent the MLMA at this very important conference. I trust that my actions will meet with your approval. Fraternally, Dick E. Browning, PGM President MLMA