To My Texas Masonic Brothers,

I want to express to you my excitement for the 2007 Masonic year. I look forward to a successful year and working hand in hand with the lodges in our great jurisdiction. For several years, I have observed that some lodges need assistance in certain areas. Many Grand Lodge programs have been developed to help lodges be more vibrant and successful in all areas of Masonry. These include Warden’s Retreats, The Gift of Life, Take Time to Read, Together Against Drug Abuse and Masonic Education Workshop Programs. These programs are all necessary and have been very productive for lodges, but I feel more can be done to help your lodge at the local level.

I want to introduce a new and exciting Grand Lodge program to assist your lodge. This new program is called the “Lodge Assistance Mentor Program” or “L.A.M.P”.  The L.A.M.P. Program provides a procedure for lodges to access assistance from Grand Lodge and resolve specific problems. The L.A.M.P. Program is a tool for lodges to get ideas, recommendations and solutions to administrative and educational needs. The list of needs might include attracting new members, re-energizing members, lodge administrative issues, facility improvements, degree assistance, mentorship, long range planning, fund raising, or any crucial area of need the lodge has.

In order to administer the L.A.M.P Program, a Grand Lodge Committee has been established. When requested to do so, the L.A.M.P. Committee will contact the lodge, ascertain and address the area in which the lodge desires assistance. Lodges requesting assistance should contact the District Deputy Grand Master in their respective district to seek assistance from the L.A.M.P Committee.

I encourage every lodge in Texas that desires to improve in the areas of lodge administration or education to utilize this committee to the fullest extent possible.

Sincerely and fraternally,

Donny W. Broughton
Grand Master