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The next issue of the Square &
Compasses covering the period from October to December
2006 is under compilation and is expected to be ready
by the first week of January 2007. It is proposed to
improve the contents of the Square & Compasses by
including various specific sections in it, so that,
the Regions and the Lodges could send material for inclusion
under these sections, on a regular and continuous basis.
It will I am sure, be appreciated that if the Square
& Compasses is to reflect the spirit and enthusiasm
amongst Freemasons in the country for the magazine,
it should have active interaction with the Regions,
the Lodges and the individual brethren in terms of as
wide a coverage of a variety of interesting contents,
as possible, being included in it. Obviously this will
in turn depend on the interest shown by the brethren
and the contnbution by way of interesting material sent
by them for inclusion in the magazine.
2. The various sections, apart from
the "Grand Master's Message" and "From
the Grand Secretary's Desk" are expected to be
on the following lines:
- Grand Lodge News and Events:- This will be compiled
centrally by the Grand Lodge as may be topical and
appropriate.
- Regional Grand Lodge News and Events- This section
will cover information regarding Regional Grand
Lodge Meetings! Area Meetings and other Combined
Meetings or programmes organized at the Regional
level,the Craft, Chapter, Mark and RAM Lodges. Information
& material in this regard for each quarter maybe
sent by the Regional Grand Secreataires.
- Words of Wisdom - This section will contain extracts
from addresses/speeches of the M.W. the Grand Master,
R.W. the R.G.M's,lOration and Articles of Masonic.
interest contributed by the brethren or downloaded
from the internet, as also those selected from other
Masonic Magazines.
- Lodge Round Up - This will cover news and events
at the Lodge/Chapter/MarkIRAM level, in terms of
news· about Installations, any interesting
events such as Ladies night, Family get together,
Sports, Joint Meetings Quiz Progi-ammes, Workshops
etc. It will be the responsibility of W.M.'s and/or
Secretaries of the Lodges/ChapterslMarkIRAM to send
this information from time to time.
- Charity Projects ~ It is proposed to have a regular
and exclusive section preferably giving Region wise
coverage, for the various Charity Project undertaken
at the RegionallLodge levels with suitable briefs
and write-ups both in respect of individual Charity
Projects undertaken from time to time and about
on going and continuing projects.
- Masonic Landmarks- This section is intended to
cover events such as Silver/GoldenIPlatinumlDiamond
Jubilees etc. of Lodges/Chapter/MarkIRAM Lodges,
as well as the details of the receipt of Long Term
Service Jewels and events such as Consecration of
Temples, Laying of Foundation Stone, Banner Dedications
etc.
- Welcome to the fold - This is an important section
where it is proposed to include not only the names
of our new initiates with some personal details
but also what they have to say about Freemasonry
based on their experience during initiation. Lodge
Secretaries have an important role to play in this
regard, if this section is to be made lively and
interesting, because they have .
to take the trouble of noting what the initiates
had to say after their initiation at the festive
table and convey any interesting observations they
may come across. Alternatively, a procedure could
be started of trying to get a feed back from the
'Initiates' regarding their initiation and their
views about Freemasonry and the same forwarded to
us for suitable inclusion.
- The "Better Half Column" - The Lady
members of the family of Freemasons have an important
role to play in Freemasonry in keeping up the spirit
and enthusiasm of the brethren. We would therefore
like to include a section, where the Freemasons'
Wives Association, if active in any place could
furnish material for inclusion in the magazine,
or individual ladies could be requested to contribute
their views on Freemasonry and how they feel they
can contribute to the efforts of their spouses,
in spreading the message of Freemasonry.
- In a lighter vein - We would like to introduce
in this section, snippets of . both Masonic and
Non-Masonic humour, by way of contribution from
the brethren, which will be duly acknowledged.
- One Liners Box Items- We would like to use suitable
material in this section by way of filler items.
3. Needless to add that suitable photographs
relating to the material included in the above sections
will make the Square & Compasses more interesting.
Accordingly, it is requested that every effort may be
made to furnish as many photographs as possible. These
will be included to the extent space permits & they
are found interesting and suitable. Apart from this
it is also proposed to include a section called "Picture
Gallery" where miscellaneous pictures of interest,
which do not conform to any particular section could
be added.
4 All concerned are requested to send
the material for inclusion specifically marked as such,
addressed to the Grand Lodge of India at Delhi. Efforts
will be made to include information and material received
upto the 15th of the 3rd month of each quarter, in the
quarterly issue concerned. It will also be useful, if
material is sent electronically by e-mail and/or as
attachmentsto the maximum extent possible.
5 Presently the Square & Compasses
does not have as wide a circulation as we would wish,
there being just about 2000 subscribers. We would therefore
urge the Lodges to take up a drive for enrolling more
subscribers, so that the magazine not only becomes viable
but also Masonic Information reaches as many as brethren
possible. Contributions by way of advertisements will
also help the Magazine becoming financially more viable.
6 It is proposed to bring out the current
October to December 2006 issue, as a Special Grand Festival
number, with material made available to us till date.
However effort will be made to include any last minute
material received before the magazine goes for final
print. We would like the above sections to come into
effect w.e.f. the issue for the period from January
to March 2007.
7 All Lodges are requested to bring
this circular to the notice of the brethren in their
Lodges at their next meeting.
With greetings,
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