The Minnesota Masonic Civility Project Presents: Civility School

I guess this is the new concept of the Ancient Plum, Level and Square

On March 30, 2024, at the Minnesota Masonic Heritage Center, the Grand Lodge of Minnesota conducted a focus group of approximately 40 people comprised of Minnesota Masons and members of the community. The purpose of the group was to seek feedback and input on a new educational program under development with a target audience of middle and high school youth across the state.

The purpose of the new “Civility School” is to present young people with resources, based on our timeless Masonic core values, to assist them in the cold fractured digital world they experience today.

The program was co-presented by John Schwietz, the CEO of Minnesota Masonic Charities, and Reed Endersbe, the Director of Membership Engagement of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota.

The course material was presented using the symbolic working tools of a Freemason, to convey a message that these positive traits are needed of any person to contribute to a better society.

Below is a list of the Masonic core values and tools of Freemasonry mentioned in the program:

The 24-inch gage - How do you spend your time?

Gavel - Dignity

Plumb - Courtesy

Compass and Square - Honor and Integrity

Level - Humility

Trowel - Kindness and Respect

The Civility School will be introduced to the Masonic Membership at the Grand Lodge of Minnesota Annual Communication April 12-13, 2024, in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

The Civility School will be offered to all 128 Masonic Lodges in Minnesota that wish to host it in their Lodge, and present the program to the local middle and high school youth in their local communities.

  

FACE IT FOUNDATION

Photo by Tom Hendrickson

On September 19, 2022, Red Wing Lodge #8 held its second evening dedicated for the purpose of Lodge Education.

After a nice light lunch put together by our Worshipful Master Gary Thomas, we retired to the Lodge room where Past Grand Master John Gann introduced Mark Meir and Bill Dehkes of the FACE IT Foundation.

The FACE IT Foundation addresses the one in ten men who experience depression. Most men fear the stigma, shame, and the lack of understanding surrounding depression. This fear prevents many men from dealing with or asking for help. Untreated depression in men’s lives leads to ruined lives, and shattered families.

The FACE IT Foundation is the only organization of its kind in Minnesota where all the services that they provide are free. Just some of their services include support groups, retreats, Saturday breakfasts, monthly education classes, help in navigating available resources and social activities. 

One of the very important aspects of the program is friendship and support. A man who can develop relationships and a sense of community will not be so apt to isolate themselves when dealing with life’s problems. When men isolate themselves its easily can lead to alcohol and drug abuse or suicide.

In 2019 47,511 Americans died by suicide. Men die by suicide four times as often as women.

The FACE IT Foundation is a unique organization that works to create an awareness and a support system for men to be able to ask for help. It’s an organization that saves lives.

The Grand Lodge of Minnesota has made contributions to FACE IT for the past ten years. This year Minnesota Masonic Charities has made a three-year financial commitment to help them continue their valuable work.

If you would like help or more information or would like to make a contribution the information is below.

 

 

 

Minnesota Masonic Charities 16th Annual Gala

 

On September 25, 2021, the Minnesota Masonic Charities held its 16^th Annual Gala at the Heritage Center-Evergreen Hall in Bloomington, Minnesota. In the past this this event has been held at the Landmark Event Center at the Minnesota Masonic Home. Due to COVID-19 and necessary precautions to protect the Masonic home residents who reside in the Elder Service wing, this necessitated a change in venue.

The Heritage Center is a wonderful place filled with many Masonic items which created a welcoming atmosphere for the 180 guests in attendance.

For those of you who are not aware, the purpose of the Minnesota Masonic Charities Gala is to gather Masons and guests for a social occasion once a year.  It is an opportunity for everyone to dress up, enjoy socializing with old and new friends while enjoying an evening of drinks, dinner, and conversation while raising money for wonderful causes supported by Masonic Charities.

My favorite part of the evening was the after-dinner program. The speaker was introduced by Masonic Charities President and CEO, Eric Neetenbeck.  Eric announced that the Minnesota Masonic Charities has made a gift of thirty-five million dollars to the University of Minnesota for the purpose of establishing the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain. This will be “an interdisciplinary initiative focused on the early diagnosis and treatment of the neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood and adolescence.”  This is cutting edge stuff folks.

The guest speaker was Dr. Damien Fair, the new Co-Director for the Masonic Institute. Dr. Fair is a leading national expert in behavioral neuroscience and brain imaging. He was very recently recruited from the Oregon Health and Science University. Dr. Fair is originally from Minnesota.

Dr Fair provided an overview of his prior research and work which lead him to his current position. He also provided some insight on why he recently chose the University of Minnesota for his future work, while recruited by several universities.  He gave all in attendance, a glimpse of the interdisciplinary work and research that will occur at the new Center.  This will be a “one stop shop” for children and families. He also noted that he will enter the new building for the first time in the coming week, which was made possible by Minnesota Masonic Charities.

In closing, Eric Neetenbeck reminded all attendees of the good causes supported in the past and all the worthwhile ongoing efforts supported by Minnesota Masonic Charities which include Masonic Cancer Center-University of Minnesota, Masonic Children’s Hospital-University of Minnesota, Minnesota Masonic Home, the thousands of scholarships provided, community services such as the Minnesota Masonic Home and now the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain.  

Minnesota Masonic Charities has given one hundred million dollars in the past ten years, and MMC is the largest contributor to the University of Minnesota.

All of that is something for Minnesota Masons to be very proud of and the more reason to support these wonderful endovers that impact the lives of Minnesotans and beyond our states border.

President and CEO Eric Neetenbeek  Minnesota Masonic Charites

John Schwietz Director of Institutional Advancement MMC