In this case one picture is worth more than a thousand words!

I was looking for reference material on building a vision to use in a presentation and ran across a copy of The Grand Lodge of Indiana’s mission statement. I thought it captured the essence of Masonry and in such a short statement outlines the mission we all should adopt. Here it is:
Mission Statement of The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Indiana
adopted May 17, 2005
“The Mission of the Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, was, is and shall be, to teach the art of Freemasonry to all Men of Good Character thus inspiring them to practice the art of Freemasonry in their homes, communities and daily lives. This Association of like minded men improves and strengthens the character of each Brother, reflecting Freemasonry and thereby perpetuating the values through the Fraternity.”
The Grand Lodge also further defines Masonry in their Declaration of Principles. Click here to read it.
We would all do well if we accepted these statements and lived them.
I was preparing for a presentation and one of the sections is about a leader’s legacy. Not many Masonic leaders have probably thought about the legacy they want to leave to the Fraternity.
In Dr. Maxwell’s The Law of Legacy he offers four thoughts on how leaders should develop a legacy.
Is your legacy just a bunch of titles you have accumulated to list in your obituary? Wouldn’t it be much more rewarding to know that your contributions will live on?
How do you create a Masonic legacy? Create another leader. Start doing it today!
When I attended John Maxwell’s training I knew parts of it would be filmed so I purposely wore a red shirt so I would stand out when the camera came my way. It worked. Look over John’s left shoulder and you will see a slightly bald guy in a red shirt, that’s me.
Leaders should always do things that will make them distinctive and stand out from others.
On February 12th, my friend Kary Oberbrunner is launching his new book The Deeper Path. To celebrate, he is having a free online book release party where he is giving away over $5000 in cash and prizes from some of the biggest thought leaders in the world. Besides winning some great stuff, you need to check out this book for even bigger reasons. Here’s how The Deeper Path will help your life.
The two most important days of your life are the day you are born and the day you discover why. This book is for those who desire the answer to the “why” question, and this answer is only found by taking the Deeper Path.
If you read The Deeper Path book you will:
Because the book will:
Don’t take my word for it. Kary’s been busy taking well over one hundred people through a 10 session Deeper Path group coaching experience. Read their testimonials or watch a special Deeper Path exclusive video teaching for yourself.
DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU’VE LOST YOUR WAY? IT’S POSSIBLE YOU’VE JUST LOST YOUR WHY. GET A GPS FOR YOUR DREAMS AND START LIVING FROM YOUR TRUE POTENTIAL. TAKE THE DEEPER PATH.
Click on this link to reserve your spot! free online book release party.
As we begin a new year Brother Franklin reminds us of our obligations as Masons.
Have a Great Masonic Day and a Prosperous New Year!
I ran across this video a couple of years ago and thought it was a good way to say Merry Christmas to all. Santa has some great suggestions for leaders who have been good all year. Enjoy!
There has been building for some time in a great number of organizations a momentous catastrophe that if not acknowledged and acted upon will have devastating results.
This event, a Leadership Cliff, will occur in these organizations because effective leaders are not being created throughout their entire organization. Ultimately, over time, this will cause a decline in purposeful intent and productive action that eventually will lead to organizational apathy.
This will occur because these organizations have failed to:Properly select individuals with the proper qualifications to lead
Properly created a process of continuous leadership education
Recognize the importance of creating leaders not followers
Maintain an atmosphere where creative and innovative leaders can thrive
Realize the importance of a shared, inspiring vision
Create effective teams
Understand a sense of urgency exists
Remember what they believe
Practice what they believe
Believe
On Wednesday, December 19th at 8:00pm EST I will be hosting a live conference call to introduce Kary Oberbrunner’s new book The Deeper Path.
Kary is a pastor, writer, speaker and an amazing coach.

We as Masons are always very quick to point out the great leaders who have been members of our fraternity. The founding fathers, US presidents, notable sports figures, and other great men who have rose to prominence or acclaim.
So I ask the question;
Who will men 200 years from now proudly proclaim as members of the Masonic Fraternity?
Who will be the great thinker or teacher, the great president or senator, the great mind who inspires multitudes of others by his written or spoken word?
Are we preparing that great man by allowing Masonry to flourish as system that stresses the improvement of the soul, the embracement of knowledge, the questioning of our condition and then using Masonry as a dialogue seeking answers? To me these things provide an environment that allows great men to rise.
What are you prepared to do today to create the great leaders of tomorrow? If we all do not act today there will be no great Masons. All we will have is a faint memory of great men.
Lead yourself first; begin practicing Masonry today and strive to be that great Mason of tomorrow!