Portland, Maine
October 23 (Wed) - 25 (Fri), 2003
Sheraton South Portland
Hotel - $89 per night
October 23, 2003
-- Program:
President James
Dufresne thanked us all for coming, and called us to order at 8:55. He
called upon Chaplain Willard Wetzel for the opening prayer.
Attending:
Alcorn,
Cynthia and Frank - Barnett, Marie - Bish, Richard and Carol -
Brodsky, Michael - Davis, Helaine - Dufresne, James - Gilbert, Robert
- McCarty, Kenneth - Ralph, Ed and Phyllis - Strand, Gaylord - Smith,
Dustin - Swanson, Catherine - Tabbert, Mark - Triessl, Julie -
Waldman, Glenys - Wallsteadt, John A. - Watkins, Larissa - Wetzel,
Willard - Wilson, Nancy.
Tour of the Grand
Lodge of Maine A.F. & A.M. Masonic Temple.
Nancy Wilson of the
Van Gordon-Williams Library, National Heritage Museum in Lexington,
Massachusetts, presented “Web-based Union Masonic Research Catalog.”
She extolled the virtues of MARC records’ numbered fields: it doesn’t
matter if one cannot read the language of the record: one can
understand what part of the record is which, so can one can search the
field anyway (e.g. the 100-field is always the author). Most softwares
have a “conversion utility” so that many kinds of records submitted
can be added to the union catalogue. She hopes for a world-wide union
catalogue.
Robert Gilbert,
antiquarian bookseller from Bristol England, gave a talk entitled “The
Work and the Worth of Libraries”, or as he amended it, ”Librarians.”
He finds us very useful and gave financial advice: 1. Advertise! On
city and academic websites - get links. 2. Insure for replacement
values, not just purchase costs. 3. Reproduce museum items; make an
image library and charge for use of the images.
Lunch: 11:30 –12:30
After lunch, we
toured the neighboring Maine Historical Society, which faces our
common problems of space and finances. It adjoins and maintains Henry
Wadsworth Longfellow’s home. Most were unaware that HWL was a native
of Portland. Only after graduating from Bowdoin College at age 18,
did HWL go to Boston/Cambridge.
October 24, 2003 –
Business Meeting
President James
Dufresne called us to order at 9:23. He called upon Chaplain Willard
Wetzel for the opening prayer.
Regards from Harold
Davidson, Diane Clements, Harry Strouse were relayed, and concern was
expressed for those not there with us.
Minutes 2002: In an
informal remark, Pres. Dufresne asked that the President not be put on
any sort of “throne,” even as a joke. It is much more comfortable just
to sit at the conference table. Motion to accept 2002 Minutes: Helene
Davis moved; Cynthia Alcorn seconded.
Treasurer’s Report.
- Glenys Waldman, Sec’y, for Michael Wells, Treasurer:
MLMA Income and Expense Summary
10/01/2002 through 9/30/2003
Beginning
balance $
7,280.66
Dues income and
interest 1,982.50
Expense:
#1015 (Kinko’s – copies for MLMA
Annual) ( 8.30)
#1016 (UPS – shipping for MLMA
Annual) ( 15.99)
#1018 (Void)
#1019 (House of the Temple
donation) (250.00)
#1020 (USPS – stamps for dues
mailing) ( 7.40)
#1021 (WalMart – binder and
envelopes) ( 9.61)
Ending
balance $ 8,971.86
Respectfully submitted,
Recommendation: The MLMA checking account approaches
$10,000. Under both the Federal drug laws and the Home Security Act,
transfers in excess of $10,000 require notification to the Federal
government. Current savings account interest rate is 0.7%.
It is proposed that the Treasurer purchase a one-year
term Certificate of Deposit (renewable) for $5,000 at current bank CD
rate.
Ed Ralph moved;
C.Alcorn seconded to accept Treasurer’s recommendation to buy $5000.00
CD. Carried.
E. Ralph raised a
question of examination of the Treasurer’s report/books. Kenneth
McCarty said to add the question into new business.
Motion to accept
Treasurer’s report by Mark Tabbert; Alcorn seconded. Carried.
Membership Report -
G. Waldman, Sec’y for M. Wells, Treasurer
Richard Bish moved
to accept; Alcorn seconded.
Amendment:
notification of deletion from rolls to be made by Treasurer. K.
McCarty moved; Tabbert seconded. Carried. Michel Brodsky added a
suggestion: Prior to reinstatement, a former member must pay dues in
arrears. The original motion that Members in arrears should be removed
from the rolls, with this amendment, was “re-moved.” Carried.
Secretary Waldman
mentioned the MLMA Brochures with a reminder to take those on the
table. There are still some at the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. Please
ask her for copies. They may need rewording, which was the reason only
2000 were printed. N.B.: As of October 28, 2003, they need no
changes: the officers, addresses, and dues structure remain the same.
Mark Tabbert gave
the Museum Committee report: He attended the Association of Masonic
Museums in Europe meeting in Oslo, in June 2003. Mark participated in
discussions of museum nomenclature, and mentioned that the Museum in
The Hague apparently benefited greatly. (To be further discussed in
New Business). The next AMME meeting will be in Stockholm, Sweden
beginning July 8, 2004.
Newsletter: Editor
Al & Cathy Bryant left Grand Rapids after the MLMA meeting last year.
John Wallstaedt, the new Director of the Michigan Masonic Library and
Museum, summarized the situation. A discussion of the possibility of
having the Newsletter published on-line led to the question of the
MLMA website maintenance. Secretary Waldman to ask President Emeritus
Paul Bessel if he wants to continue the maintenance,* and will contact
Cynthia Alcorn, who volunteered to be Editor (again!). She and Kelley
Connolly were appointed by Pres. Dufresne to be Editors of the
Newsletter.
President Dufresne
announced that the group photo would be taken after the banquet at
Deering Lodge in front of their painting of Portland Headight (the
lighthouse commissioned by Brother and General George Washington).
Classification
Committee report: Dick Bish (for Judge Harry Strouse) distributed
copies of the proposed system, saying, “I know what I want. If I can’t
find it, I’ll invent it.” Since we did not have a single system, but
had presented those we use, Bish based his on the 1915 edition of
Boyden, saying he “made a Model T into an SUV.” He moved that: “The
MLMA will recognize & provide a copy of the proposed classification
system to those Masonic Libraries that seek guidance and assistance.”
John Wallstaedt seconded. Discussion followed. H. Davis: commended
Bish. A lively, long discussion ended in applause for Dick. Motion:
Dustin Smith; Wallstaedt seconded: an amendment as follows: Everyone
should look over the scheme within 30 days – by November 24 - and
e-mail suggestions and corrections to Dick Bish,** who will have
discretion to accept or reject them. Carried. Then vote on the
original motion, as amended, was cast and carried. Dick Bish will
send the amended classification system, with a preamble, to Secretary
Waldman.
Michel Brodsky
made a brief presentation on how a European becomes a Mason. One must
research and write papers between degrees: First is a philosophical
paper, after which the candidate becomes a Fellow Craft. He then
writes a symbolic paper, after which he becomes a Master Mason.
Michel followed with these remarks: 1.The Grand Orient in Paris has
the only good Masonic library in France. Otherwise one must use public
libraries. Probably the most complete library is that of the GL of
England. 2. Race is unquestioned. 3. the “regular” lodges demand
belief in a Supreme Being. The “irregular” lodges think they are more
honest when belief is not required. 4. Websites must be compatible, so
that all can read each other’s documents.
President Dufresne
introduced “officially” the first-time attendees: Michel Brodsky (P.M.
Quatuor Coronati Lodge, Belgium), Robert Gilbert (Quatuor Coronati
Lodge, Bristol, England), Dustin Smith (George Washington Masonic
National Memorial), Catherine Swanson (National Heritage Museum,
Lexington, Mass.)
M. Brodsky reminded
us that, except in England, there had been censorship, so that
especially most 18th century Masonic books have false or
fictitious places of publication; e.g. “Philadelphie” or “Paris” were
most likely not published there.
Lunch: 11:30-12:30
Old Business:
President Dufresne
made remarks on Kent Walgren and his two-volume Freemasonry,
Anti-Masonry and Illuminism in the United States 1734-1850: a
Bibliography. As with Larissa Watkins’ work (noted below), it is
available through Oak Knoll Books. www.oakknoll.com.
President Dufresne
presented his list of recommended books, and asked for suggestions.
An MLMA list of endorsed books for a basic Masonic library was
considered a good idea, but there was no further discussion.
Re: “Recognition”
and “regular.” This rapidly became a discussion of By-Laws wording.
Many questions were raised: e.g. maybe change how people join -
review committee? Anyone who pays his money can join? One-year
candidate membership? It was consensus that it is NOT really a Prince
Hall issue. PH may, of course, become members of MLMA. The basic issue
is that of MLMA’s mission, thus its By-Laws. Committee on By-Laws
appointed: Chairman: Mark Tabbert; Ken McCarty, Gaylord Strand, Dick
Browning, President James Dufresne ex-officio.
D. Bish talked
about methods of making ourselves known - Public Relations:
K. McCarty moved
that the President, who wishes to, attend the Grand Masters’
conference in Washington, DC paid for by MLMA, with a cap of $1000.00.
Seconded by Tabbert.
Mailings to Grand
Lodges’ contact people were mentioned but not further discussed.
Mark Tabbert gave a
“multi-media” presentation on preservation. He also reported on his
visit to the Smithsonian Institution – see September 2003 Focus
from Masonic Service Assn.
Larissa Watkins
presented her bibliography, American Masonic Periodicals
1811-2001: a Bibliography of the Library of the Supreme Council, 33º,
S.J. Well earned kudos resounded.
Hotel Situation:
Paid. President J. Dufresne gave two weeks and one day notice. The
issue of cost vis-à-vis Sheraton’s cancellation policy is not yet
resolved.
Motion to have the
President appoint someone to examine Treasurer’s books by McCarty;
seconded by Brodsky. Carried.
Election of
Officers - Slate: James E. Dufresne, President; Dick E. Browning,
Vice President ; Michael G. Wells, Treasurer; Glenys A. Waldman,
Secretary. Motion by M. Brodsky to elect slate; second E. Ralph.
Carried.
Secretary Waldman:
Address changes to be sent to Webmaster Paul M. Bessel and Treasurer
Michael G. Wells.
She asked on behalf
of Treasurer Wells about the “rotating stained-glass thingy:”
Consensus: let Mike Wells dispose of it.
Michel Brodsky
proposed, concerning payment of Membership dues, that Europeans could
send him euros; UK members could send pounds to Robert Gilbert. Each
will send a list of names with payment for all in US dollars, as each
has a bank account in the US. Secretary Waldman to communicate the
relevant address to UK and European Members only as a suggestion to
them for making it easier to pay dues.
Secretary Waldman
asked on behalf of member Kenneth Faub (Pittsburgh, Pa.), whether MLMA
would like to have a lapel pin. Consensus: No.
Question: Should
MLMA meet every year? Consensus: Yes!
2004 Detroit
2005 DC House of
the Temple AASR, SJ
2006 National
Heritage Museum and GL Massachusetts
Mark Tabbert
continued his discussion of the Association of Masonic Museums in
Europe (AMMLA/AMME): He brought greetings, and reported that Andrew
Prescott of the University of Sheffield had spoken on the history of
British lodges and their meeting places.
Mark also had made
small presentation on his exhibit at the National Heritage Museum.
Our European colleagues are very excited and want to associate with us
and the European Union Commission on Libraries. They want us to help
with standards for cataloguing of all media. They also want to work on
the world union catalogue.
Close: 3:50 (15:50)
Respectfully
submitted,
Glenys A. Waldman,
Secretary
Glenys A. Waldman,
Librarian
The Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania
One North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107-2520
Telephone: 215.988.1908
Fax: 215.988.1972
www.pagrandlodge.org
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*Glenys
Waldman and Paul Bessel spoke on the telephone Monday, October 27:
Paul is happy to continue maintaining the website. Glenys and
Cynthia Alcorn spoke Wednesday, October 29. Cynthia will contact Paul
Bessel.
**Contact for Dick
Bish: RKBish@cs.com
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