GRAND LODGE
OF KANSAS
A.F. & A.M.

RE-LIGHTING THE TORCH PROGRAM

Re-Lighting the Torch
 2008-2009 Grand Master’s Program

The following guidelines explain the Re-Lighting the Torch program for the 2008 Grand Lodge Year beginning March 22, 2008. Monetary awards will be presented to the first fifteen (15) Lodges completing this program as detailed below. In order to receive this monetary award, proving a Lodge to be a vital and visible organization within its community, these guidelines must be followed to the letter. The program concludes December 31, 2008. All paper work must be in the Grand Lodge Office by January 31, 2009. Paperwork received after January 31, 2009 will not be considered.

  1. Lodges with a membership of less than 75 must voluntarily contribute a minimum of 1 ½ man-hours per member or 80 hours, whichever is greater. Lodges with a membership of less than 200 must voluntarily contribute a minimum of 225 man-hours of charitable labor to their community. Lodges with memberships of 200 but less than 400 must voluntarily contribute a minimum of 300 man-hours. Lodges with a membership of more than 400 must voluntarily contribute a minimum of 375 man-hours. Such projects may include, but are not limited to: repair of playground equipment in the park; painting the house of a deceased brother’s widow; carrying out groceries at the grocery store, etc. There are numerous ways to volunteer in your community. Charitable hours donated to your Lodge itself to clean, remodel or repair may be counted up to a maximum of 50% of the required hours under this program.
  2. When working in the community under this program, every volunteer must have the Square and Compass displayed on their person (ball cap, shirt, pin, etc.)
  3. The Lodge should advertise its service for the program by newspaper ad, posted flyers, word of mouth, etc. This is a suggestion, not a requirement.
  4. The Lodge will have the assisted party or parties sign off (forms will be provided) indicating that “X” number of hours were donated, for what purpose, and who the donor(s) was (were). For example, a member of your Lodge repairs some playground equipment in the park. That brother is responsible for getting the signature from a city official, (or other qualified person) indicating that “X” number of hours were donated by his Lodge to the City.
  5. The Lodge Secretary will forward this form monthly, or as necessary to the Grand Lodge Office. The Grand Lodge Office staff will enter and keep track of hours donated by each Lodge.
  6. The Lodge will hold a “Friends of Masons Night”. The “Friends of Masons Night” must be held between January 1, 2008, and November 30, 2008, and must have at least three (3) prospects present. The Lodge must make all arrangements for their “Friends of Masons Night” through the Grand Lodge Membership Chairman and report back to the Chairman with their results. The guidelines in “Friends of Masons Night” booklet must be followed. These booklets are available through the Grand Lodge Office.
  7. The first fifteen (15) Lodges that have met the above criteria will receive a recognition certificate and a $1000.00 check from Grand Lodge. Fifty percent of these funds are required to go back into the community as a charitable gift (Scholarships, Christmas baskets, etc.) The Lodge must inform Grand Lodge of the name of the person or organization receiving the charitable gift (form will be provided to you). The remaining fifty percent of the funds are to be used for upkeep/maintenance on your Lodge building.
  8. If a Lodge meets all of the foregoing criteria but is not among the first fifteen (15) Lodges to do so, they are still entitled to receive a recognition certificate to be presented at Grand Lodge.
  9. Participation in the Eureka Challenge is not a requirement in order to earn the Re-Lighting the Torch Award; however, your Lodge is strongly encouraged to participate in this very worthwhile program.
Nothing worthwhile comes easy. This program will require a little effort and a lot of desire on the part of your Lodge membership. Your Lodge membership can make a difference in your community. You have the opportunity to Re-light the Masonic Torch in your community and, in turn, Re-light the fire within your Lodge. Remember, “It is better to have tried and failed than to have done nothing and succeeded”.

Please download the form by clicking to the button below. The form is printable.

GRAND LODGE OF KANSAS A.F. & A.M.
Masonic Temple
320 SW 8th Avenue
P.O. Box 1217
Topeka, Kansas 66601
Phone: 785-234-5518 ; Fax: 785-357-4036
Email: glksafam@alltel.net