News In Minnesota Masonry
Grand Lodge Annual Communication – Mankato - April 13th and April 14th
Grand Master Steven R. Johnson and Deputy Grand Master Raymond G. Christensen welcome you!
It’s time to make your plans for attending the 154th Annual Grand Lodge Communication to be held in Mankato, Minnesota for the first time. Open to ALL Masons, as is the annual Grand Lodge banquet on Friday, April 13th, the 2007 session promises to be a very worthwhile event. All Lodge officers and members are urged to bring their wives, who are invited to attend the banquet, the breakout sessions and take part in other ladies’ activities.
Grand Master Steve Johnson urges all Minnesota Lodges to send their full quota of delegates to the 2007 meeting. While the Masters and Wardens are the voting delegates, any Master Mason in good standing is welcome to attend any and all events. Anyone wishing to attend meal events should contact the Grand Lodge office to receive the event registration form, which will be available by the first week of February, phone 952-948-6700 or 800- 245-6050 or by e-mail grandlodge@qwest.net. Invitations and personalized meal reservation forms will be mailed to all Lodge Masters, Wardens and Secretaries by the first week of February.
The Grand Lodge of Minnesota Annual Communication will be held for the first time in Mankato. We are pleased to be at the Holiday Inn, located in downtown Mankato just off of US Highway 169. Hotel reservations at the preferred rate of $79.00 (single or double occupancy) per night, plus tax, are to be made by calling the Holiday Inn 507-345-1234. Be sure to ask for the Grand Lodge or Mason’s special rate when you call the hotel. For those of you who like to wait a little longer to make your reservations, we also have a block of rooms reserved at the Best Western Hotel in North Mankato. For the Best Western our special rate is $74.00 (single or double occupancy) per night, plus tax. The Best Western’s phone number is 507-625-9333 and it is located just across the river from downtown Mankato, again, just off of US Highway 169. If you want to receive the preferred Grand Lodge of Minnesota room rate at either hotel, the ROOM RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE BY MARCH 12, 2007. Late reservations will be accepted on a space available basis, but will probably be at a higher room rate.
Delegates may begin securing their credentials at 7:30 a.m. on Friday at the registration tables located in the lobby of the Midwest Wireless Center, where the Grand Lodge business meetings and most breakout sessions will take place. A public opening ceremony, open to ladies and other guests will take place at 9:00 a.m. on Friday. After clearing the hall, the Grand Lodge will then be opened at 10:00 a.m. by the Officers of Renville Lodge No. 195 and Sibley Lodge No. 209, Grand Master Johnson’s home Lodges.
Other Annual Communication highlights include the annual Friday night banquet, the chance to socialize and mingle with Masons from across the state and nation, reports of various Grand Lodge committees, and election and installation of new Grand Lodge officers on Saturday, April 14th. Grand Master Johnson has promised that our 154th Annual Communication will be one that no active Minnesota Mason will want to miss.
Resolutions introduced will be discussed throughout the Annual Communication and voted on during the Saturday morning session. As of this writing, no resolutions have been submitted.
An open Installation of Officers is tentatively scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon. All members, their families and guests are invited to attend.
The annual Friday afternoon breakout sessions continue to be one of the most important parts of our Annual Communication. While the sessions are not yet finalized, it is intended that the sessions will be interesting and informative. Grand Master Johnson places a high value on Masonic education and the breakout sessions are an excellent opportunity to show some of that commitment. Most of the breakout sessions will be open to all Masons and guests.
For further details, meal reservation forms etc., just contact the Grand Lodge office.
Current Minnesota Mason