Marble Musings, Sept 2010

It is hard to believe that only three months have passed since Russ and I were installed as Worthy Grand Matron and Worthy Grand Matron of the Grand Chapter of Minnesota. The saying, “time flies when you’re having fun” is certainly true. Another memorable example of “time flying” in my life was the day Dan and I were married. Those were the fastest eight hours I ever experienced. I now rank this OES life changing experience second to my wedding day. The Grand Chapter trip to Mackinac Island was fantastic. We had a blend of events and scheduled time together paired with plenty of free time for all to scatter and let the spirit of adventure guide them to their hearts’ desire. The weather was perfect and there were many opportunities for delicious food.

Our tour director, Tasha, quickly learned our tour would be different from her previous tours. This group knew each other - when she arrived with the bus, we were all hugging and interacting. She didn’t need special games or activities to assist us in getting acquainted. If there were those new to us, we quickly included them into the fold along with Tasha and our driver, Greg.

Soon after we arrived on Mackinac Island, Tasha saw some of our group hugging and visiting with another group. After her inquiry, she found we had discovered that the Grand Chapter of Pennsylvania tour group was staying at our hotel. They had arrived a day earlier and would be leaving the next day. We also learned that a Wisconsin Grand Chapter group was there a week earlier and Iowa’s Grand Chapter entourage would be arriving the day we departed.

I mention these events to exemplify the small world in which we live and the bond we have as Sisters and Brothers in this wonderful organization. When we encounter a “stranger” and discover a Sister or Brother, it’s like finding a long lost cousin. We have an instant connection or bond from which we can build a strong and lasting friendship. We can initiate a conversation with Eastern Star topics and then expand the conversation to find out more about each other. Most often another link has been added to our chain of friends.

A similar conversation structure could be reversed to aid us with star membership. First, we get to know another person and then inform her/him about Eastern Star as our relationship develops. Perhaps we work too hard to get a person to sign a petition, be initiated, take an office and/or chair a committee instead of getting to know them first. Instead, we could invite them to Eastern Star or Masonic events and show them the type of people we are. They will see the fun we have helping our communities or raising funds for scholarships and other various projects.  They will observe the strengthening of the bonds we have with each other; our Sister/Brother bond.

I’m not suggesting refraining from talking about our fantastic organization. We are indeed promoting and selling Eastern Star and Masonic emblems for our taillights, plus license plate frames and Eco bags with advertising of our name and website. However, we need to first show someone that we care about them as a person. And then, because we care, we’ll want to enlighten them about all the wonderful attributes of Eastern Star versus our wanting them to join Eastern Star and then we’ll get to know them. If someone should ask us about Eastern Star because they noticed one of the items above, we will have a no pressure chance of introducing them to our organization and yet discover more about them.

In the Spirit of Adventure,
Donna Hanley, Worthy Grand Matron