Page 29 - MFM Nov Dec 2021

and every one of you, I really appreciate all you’ve agree, but I think that’s a good thing: I always know
done for me. Brother Grand Treasurer Bruce, your where Reid stands. And I also know, that whatever
sharing of changes in the I.R.S. rules, and practical decision I make, he will back me 100%, and I thank
applications for the finances have been much you Reid. Oh boy. Brother Deputy Grand Master Will,
appreciated by Grand Lodge, and I thank you. Grand and I say this in sincerity, your friendship is probably
Secretary Brother Reid, I will truly miss our phone the most valued thing I’ve gotten out of this Grand
conversations, being as Broadus Montana and Helena Lodge line. Thank you. And last, but not least, and
are so far apart, most of our business was conducted I know she’s not here, but Mary-Alice, I thank you.
by phone. And we did talk quite a lot on the phone. She’s made me much more a man than I really am.
As I had said before, Brother Reid and I don’t always

Membership statistics for the
2010-2011 Masonic Year
Raised 108
Reinstated 54
Affiliated-New 9
Total Increase 171

Demit to non-affiliate 49
Suspended UMC 1 Recalling MWPGM John Mangen
Deceased 274
Suspended NPD 172 During the 2010-2011 Masonic year, Most
Total Decrease 496 Worshipful Grand Master John and I enjoyed the time
we had working together and the discussions we had
Number of Lodges Gaining Membership 14 on a variety of topics, including cattle branding.
Number of Lodges Losing Membership 67
Number of Lodges With No Change 13 It is worth sharing part of the philosophy of MWPGM
Plural Members 236 Mangen. Here are some examples of his philosophy -
"Never kick a cow chip on a hot day," "Always drink
Average age 67 years upstream from the herd," and "An onion can make
Membership as of 06/27/2011 5,794 people cry, but there has never been a vegetable that
can make people laugh."
Membership as of 11/01/2021 3,729 The best example I can give of Brother John's reaction

During the 2010-2011 Masonic year there were 23 to life events is the one I personally witnessed when
Lodges who either met less than four times or less I visited John's ranch. That night, his wife, Mary-Alice,
during the year or did not report the number of prepared dinner – and it was a wonderful dinner –
times that they met during the year. The indication but she also baked fresh bread. And, unfortunately,
from the completion of this section of the Annual during the distraction of things going on, the bread
Returns is that many of our lodges are not meeting got burnt a little, and when it arrived at our table,
in accordance with their By-Laws and several are not our Grand Master John responded, "This bread is all
meeting the minimum allowed. This is likely a sign burned, ...but by gosh, I like it that way."
of a lodge that is struggling and should be receiving
attention from their District Officer. I think what you see is that brother John had a trait
that was true to his personality and lifestyle, and it
During the 2010-2011 Masonic year a pilot program is best expressed by the expression, "Cowboy-up,"
was initiated for mandatory background checks. This because that's what he always did.
program was received with mixed response. Many
brothers thought it was long over due and others -Reid Gardiner, Past Grand Secretary
not so much. Proposed legislation to continue as a
mandated program failed at session.
Legislation entitling Lodge Treasurers as Elected
Officers to Vote at the Annual Communication
Passed.

Montana Freemason Page 29 Nov/Dec Volume 97 No.5