STATED MEETING 2nd TUESDAY OF THE MONTH
585 Nauvoo Road, Lewisberry, PA 17339
Lowther Manor Lodge No. 781 F. & A.M.
CONSTITUTED FEBRUARY 9th, 1957
lodge commitTees
A lodge whose activities were limited to only those the Master and other officers could oversee themselves would be a very dull lodge indeed. As we conduct a wide variety of activates, committees were established to assist in the administration of these good works. They provide service opportunities for many members whose talents and interests lie in particular areas.
AUDIT
PURPOSE: This committee is responsible for completing the annual audit of the lodge's financial and Trustee accounts.
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DUTIES: Conducts the annual lodge audit in accordance with the procedures established by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.
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CHAIR: JEFFREY L. HEISS, P.M.; RONALD H. SHUEY, P.M., DOUGLAS E. MICKEY, P.M.
BANQUET
PURPOSE: This committee assists the Worshipful Master in the planning and execution of the lodge’s annual anniversary banquet and special events.
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DUTIES: Selects and confirms date and location, budget, menu, speaker, VIP guests, reservations & seating, funds received/paid, supervises setup & take down and other particulars.
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COCHAIRS: MILTON S. GOUSE, JR, P.M. & THOMAS S. KENNERLY, JR, P.M.; W. ANDREW BIITNER, P.M.
BLOOD DONOR PROGRAM
PURPOSE: This committee assists the Worshipful Master in the conduct of the Masonic Blood Donor Program.
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DUTIES: Sets quota for and monitors donations to the program. Makes periodic reports at stated meetings as to purpose and status. Works with other committees to promote and/or conduct donations at lodge events.
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CHAIR: GARY A. DAMBACH
CAR SHOW (TRADE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM)
PURPOSE: Primary funding source for LML's votech scholarship. Secondary funding source for LML academic scholarship.
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DUTIES: All activities related to the planning and conduct of the car show.
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COCHAIRS: JOHN G. ALFORD, RONALD H. SHUEY, P.M.; DALE M. HAUZE, P.M., W. ANDREW BITNER, P.M., MARK E. GAINES, P.M.,
CHARITY
PURPOSE: Stewardship of the permanent charity fund of the lodge.
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DUTIES: Responsible for review of requests and proposals for disbursements from the lodge for charitable purposes.
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TRUSTEE, W. ANDREW BITNER, P,M. (ALMONER)
COMMUNICATIONS & OPERATIONS
PURPOSE: To improve lodge communication with the membership and the administrative functions of the lodge.
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DUTIES: Supports the W.M. and the secretary in communicating with the members. ASSISTANT SECRETARY – Assists the secretary in the performance of these duties. WEBMASTER/CTO – In charge of the website, social media and IT initiatives.
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MILTON S. GOUSE, JR., P.M. - SECRETARY; JEFFREY L. HEISS, P.M. - WEBMASTER/CTO
RICKY PATRICK, P.M. - EBULLETIN
FINANCE
PURPOSE: To assist the W.M. treasurer, trustees and committees in their duties where financial/accounting skills are required.
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DUTIES: Financial analysis and management accounting functions as directed.
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CHAIR: JEFFREY L. HEISS, P.M. - (AUDIT COMMITTEE)
FLOOR WORKERS/PROSPECTIVE LINE OFFICERS
PURPOSE: To insure there are an adequate number of members trained in lodge business and ritual work. To provide an identified line of succession for vacancies in line officer positions.
DUTIES: Attend all stated, extra SOI and rehearsal meetings. New floor workers and prospective line officers learn the same business and ritual work that a new line officer would who have no previous line officer experience.
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CHAIR: JEFFREY L. HEISS, P.M., S.W.
FUND RAISING
PURPOSE: To raise funds to support our charitable activities and to offset operating expenses of the lodge.
DUTIES:Be the lodges fund raising experts. Identify and propose the most effective fund raising activities. Insure proposals are in accordance with Masonic law and identify required dispensations and/or authorizations. Identify core event leadership, talent and monetary resources for new/augmented fund raising activities.
COCHAIRS: THOMAS S. KENNERLY, JR., P.M., MILTON S. GOUSE, JR, P.M.
FUNERAL & MEMORIAL SERVICE
PURPOSE: To insure an adequate number of members are proficient in the Masonic funeral service to fulfill the lodge’s obligation to provide services for deceased brethren and their families
DUTIES:Learn and maintain proficiency with the Master’s, Chaplain’s and Warden’s parts in the services. Attend LML conducted funeral & memorial services.
CHAIR: JOSEPH L. PACHECO, W.M. (MASTER), W. ANDREW BITNER, P.M. (CHAPLAIN), TERRY COFFMAN, P.M. (CHAPLAIN),
JEFFREY L. HEISS, P.M.
MEETING PLACE, FURNITURE & MASONIC PARAPHENALIA
PURPOSE: Assists the Worshipful Master maintain stewardship of the lodge’s building and property.
DUTIES:Procures and maintains the lodge building, real estate, furnishings and masonic paraphernalia.
W. ANDREW BITNER, P.M., MILTON S. GOUSE Jr, P.M., RICKY N PATRICK, P.M., TODD L. SNYDER, P.M., TERRY COFFMAN, P.M., VAUGHN L. SCHWALM
HIGHWAY PICKUP
PURPOSE: Community outreach & public service. It also serves as a social event (breakfast) and membership event.
DUTIES:Coordinate & execute all aspects of the lodge’s highway trash pickup program.
CHAIR: MARK E. ESSIG, P.M.
INSTRUCTION
PURPOSE: To insure lodge ritualistic work and business of the lodge is of the highest quality.
DUTIES:The Senior Warden is responsible for assigning “qualified” brethren to the trestle board. It is the W.M.’s duty, assisted by the Chairman, to insure line officer’s, PLO’s and floor workers are properly instructed. Committee members act as degree mentors for instructees, monitor their progression and insure they understand the symbolism underlying the ritual work. The committee leadership conducts scheduled practices and rehearsals assisted by the members. Degree instructors/mentors meet one-on-one with an instructee for individual instruction.
CHAIR: TODD L. SNYDER, P.M*., ASST CHAIR; JEFFREY L. HEISS, P.M*., THOMAS S. KENNERLY, JR, P.M., MILTON S. GOUSE, JR. P.M., TERRY COFFMAN, P.M. *District 2 School of Instruction Representatives
MEMBERSHIP (FRIEND TO FRIEND)
PURPOSE: This committee assists the W.M. and the lodge by proposing, conducting and participating in various lodge, media and community events and activities that promote masonry and interest in Lowther Manor Lodge.
DUTIES: The committee proposes membership goals and tracks performance. Coordinates with other committees to insure opportunities to build membership are taken advantage of. Committee members conduct and/or coordinate open house/s, friend to friend dinners and other membership events. Coordinates with other event committees to insure there is a top-notch Masonic & LML information presence.
CHAIR: JOHN L. COLE, JR. P.M.. TODD L. SNYDER, P.M., PHILIP B. FAIRMAN
MENTORING (MASONIC EDUCATION)
PURPOSE: To insure new members are proficient in their obligations, how to gain admission to other lodges and other Masonic knowledge required by the G.L. of PA mentoring program.
DUTIES: J.W. – Matches newly entered masons with a mentor for the purpose of learning their obligations to advance in degrees. CHAIR: Conducts the formal Masonic Mentoring program and leads scheduled mentoring sessions. MEMBERS: Assist the CHAIR in conduct of mentoring sessions. DEGREE MENTORS: Masons who are knowledgeable in the obligations of the 1st & 2nd degrees who are able to work with new masons on a one-to-one basis. The mentoring committee and mentors also serve as one of the primary means of identifying new line officer canidates and providing them the necessary encouragement and support.
JOHN L. COLE, JR. P.M., JEFFREY L. HEISS, P.M.
PAST MASTERS ADVISORY BOARD
PURPOSE: To provide advice and counsel to the Worshipful Master and Wardens. It has proven to be an invaluable resource as the members represent over 1,200 accumulated years of Masonic service experience.
DUTIES: The Advisory Board has no authority save the benefit of the accumulated experience of those who has served in the East.
CHAIR: W.M.; S.W., J.W., ALL PAST MASTERS
PICNIC (ANNUAL FAMILY CORNROAST & BBQ)
PURPOSE: The annual family corn roast & BBQ is the largest family event sponsored by the lodge. It is open to members, their families, guests and prospective members.
DUTIES: Organize and conduct the annual corn roast and family picnic.
STEWARDS
PROGRAM & ENTERTAINMENT
PURPOSE: To assist the W.M. in annual program planning and scheduling.
DUTIES: Reviews and makes recommendations to the W.M. concerning lodge programs, Masonic minutes, and programs for ladies, guests, and visitors.
CHAIR: JEFFREY L. HEISS, P.M.
SCHOLARSHIP (ACADEMIC)
PURPOSE: Conduct of the LML academic scholarship program.
DUTIES: Advertises screens and selects recipients of the scholarships. Attends scholarship presentation events. Recommends number and amounts of scholarships. Proposes revisions to the scholarship’s charter.
CHAIR: MARK E. GAINES, P.M., TERRY COFFMAN, P.M., MARK E. ESSIG, P.M.
STEWARDS
PURPOSE: To enhance the quality of lodge meetings and events.
DUTIES:Menu planning, Purchasing, Food Preparation, Food Service, Setup, and Cleanup
HEAD STEWARD: RICKY PATRICK, P.M., JAMES E. KREITZER; DONALD R. BARLUP, THOMAS V. KIMMEL
VISITATION
PURPOSE: To support members of the lodge and widows who are ill, in need, who require support and to contact those who have ceased to participate in the activities of the lodge as defined in DUTIES below.
DUTIES:
DUTIES: This committee’s duties are specified in the Digest of Decisions, as follows:
A. To visit the sick, disabled, and needy Members of the Lodge.
B. To visit the widows and families of deceased Members.
C. To make personal contacts with the Members who have not attended the Lodge consistently (at least twice a year, Lodge Members living at great distances from the Lodge are excepted).
D. To make personal visits to each Member who is in danger of being suspended by the Lodge or who has indicated his intent to resign but has given no reason (Lodge Members living at great distances from the Lodge should be contacted by letter or telephone).
E. To visit personally, or to contact by letter or telephone, those Lodge Members, their wives, or widows and mothers of deceased Members who reside in the Masonic Homes.
S. BERNE SMITH, P.M., P.M., GREGORY M. COLE, P.M., ARTHUR L. SMITH