Message

                 Grand Chancellor's Message

The New York City Marathon ended on Sunday, November 6, the Pythian marathon goes on. Membership is our marathon and it is a race that never ends. It is for this reason that we must emphasize membership recruitment and retention.

The ”Ask” Program is the basis for obtaining new members, as it is seldom that anyone will ask you if they can become a member. Personal contacts are always the best. I am asking my fellow brothers to consider ways to introduce the subject of Pythianism to friends, family, co-workers, and the wider community by highlighting our charitable work, social programs and benefits offered.

To assist you with the ASK Program, I intend to have increased media attention and other means of raising public awareness for the Knight of Pythias. I intend to support the Supreme Lodge in promoting Community Service as part of Public Relations.

Invite a prospective member to any open membership function, a dinner, a breakfast, and/or an informal meeting.    Ask him to become a Pythian; invite him to participate in rank work. One need not wait for 3 in one rank work. Our objective is to get new members as soon as possible. If necessary, more than one rank work can be done during the year.

An idea that has been effective for some lodges in the past is to Offer free dues to any and all initiates and/or reinstated members, for one year. At the next council meeting, I will propose the waiving of the per capita tax for this period. To help the Grand Lodge offset their per capita tax to Supreme, please ask new members to buy at least one piece of Pythian Attire: a hat or shirt etc.    Though they are not paying dues, this will offer new members some “stake” in the lodge and Knights of Pythias. Get them involved. All lodges MUST ensure that their Inner and Outer Guards welcome any new members at EACH and every meeting as they are the hosts of the lodge. A Mentor Program (Big Brother Program) is also recommended to ensure that new members feel comfortable at Lodge meetings and participate in committees and Lodge activities. Getting new members involved will increase the likelihood that they will become dues-paying members.

The week of February 19-25, 2012 is Pythian Recruitment Week throughout the Order. The Domain of New Jersey will be participating in this. I hope to put New Jersey on the map the same way we are with our involvement in the Eagle Scout Program; Either at the top or very close to the top of the list.

I have appointed Past Chancellor Barry Winston as Chairman for the Pythian Recruitment week and will be sitting down with him within the next week to discuss our plans to make this event a major success. Barry, thank you for taking on this important role.

In addition to the important work we do on behalf of: Cystic fibrosis, Deborah Hospital, American Cancer Society, Center for Food Action and all of the local charities supported through the annual bike-a-thon, I am hoping to work with you to continue these programs and to increase our fund raising abilities. Particularly during these very challenging economic times, these charitable organizations struggle to continue their missions. Right now, we are in the midst of our coat drive for children and adults which will conclude December 15. If anyone wishes to donate coats, jackets or other warm clothing, please contact Past Chancellor David Judovin or Grand Master at Arms Mel Feldschneider.

One idea that I am proposing which addresses both retention and recruitment is for lodges to get together for social events to better acquaint themselves with their brothers. I encourage the secretaries from each lodge to contact the lodge closest to them and consider ways to get together in a relaxed, social setting. This could be a dinner, a sporting event or even a joint fund raising event.

This is an exciting and important time for the Knights. I am sure our Founder, Justus H. Rathbone, would be so proud of the work we all do on behalf of this great organization. I challenge all of us to be creative in considering ways to expand our programs for the coming year. Again, I am honored to be Grand Chancellor and look forward to working with you to make this year and the years which follow, successful ones.

I would like to thank the Dinner Committee Past Grand Chancellor Sir Marvin Diner, Past Chief Deputy Grand Chancellor Jerry Weiner for preparing such a wonderful evening and Past Special Deputy Sir Jeff Zerowin for his work on the ad journal which you will find on your tables. In lieu of dinner-favors, proceeds from tonight’s event will be donated to the leukemia/lymphoma society.

On a personal note, I am dedicating this upcoming year to my late wife Joan without whom I would NOT be standing before you tonight. Please raise your glass and join me in a toast to my late wife Joan. “Joan, this year is yours and I promise to make it a success. You are missed but not forgotten.”