|
|
REPORT OF SUPREME GUARDIAN 2007-2008
|
|
Read any newspaper or listen to the nightly news on television and
you will be confronted with stories like, “boyfriend arrested for
murder, shooting outside tattoo parlor, or drug dealer arrested.”
Our Daughters and adults are being challenged each day with
incidents that challenge our values.
We are being met with global situations that challenge our
creativity to design ways to address global warming, collapse of
governments, and natural disasters. A
year ago we “Entered Into the Spirit of Our Endeavors.”
The concern then was how does our organization of Job’s Daughters
survive? We were founded in an era when there were no computers, no
face book, and my space. Divorced
parents, single parents, blended families, juggling sports schedules with
school activities, were at a minimum.
A year later the concerns still exist and add to that list blogging,
text messaging, and you tube. Visit
the website of youtube.com and search for “shift happens.” The site
informs the viewer that the number of text messages sent and received in
one day exceeds the population of the planet. While society has changed
and technology advanced astronomically, as Job’s Daughters we emulate
the same values today as when we were founded in 1920.
To quote a Past Supreme Guardian: “What does Job’s Daughters
have that no other organization has?
We have sound principles that when taught by example, lead the
members to develop moral character.”
That is one of our strengths and our Organization is needed more
than ever in a society where values continually are being challenged. We have been a safe place
where daughters can be recognized for their abilities. We have landmarks and bylaws; we have structure and
predictability in a world of unpredictability and insecurity.
A year ago at Installation, I asked everyone to think of ourselves
as a small tree planted in 1920. We
have grown, shaded many daughters, developed deep roots, been battered by
many storms, lost and gained leaves; and seen our world transpire to what
it is today. While roots are
deep and trunk is strong, our branches are becoming bare, and some
branches have lost all of their leaves.
We have initiated daughters and we need to work more diligently on
retaining members. The most
common reason on Annual Reports when Daughters are suspended is lack of
interest and nonpayment of dues. In my travels I have seen many impressive
Jobie-to-Bee programs. We are
getting the girls interested in our Organization at age 8 or 9 and having
them become involved in the bethel’s activities. Is this our hope for the future growth of our Order?
It is yet to be seen how many ten year olds will be active when
they reach eighteen or Majority. Where do we place retention of members in our membership
goals? If lack of interest is
a major reason for decreasing membership, then what can we as adults do to
keep those Daughters interested? The Promotion committee designed a new Jobie-to-Bee brochure. Many jurisdictions have already used one of their own design. The Promotion committee worked on creating an interactive link on our website where Bethels could exchange ideas used to promote membership. The project needed more time to develop and I hope that the next Promotion committee would be able to complete the idea. It was an idea that jurisdictions were interested in having on the website. The individual incentive program continued this year as a reward for Daughters participating in different events within the Bethel, as did the Spirit Award for Honored Queens. I would suggest the Promotional committee investigate an additional award for members who are either Past Honored Queens or older daughters in order to maintain their interest in their Bethel, an incentive for them to be the example for younger members. Jurisdictions and individual Bethels have created attractive and informative promotional material to assist in gaining new members. One of the workshops for the Daughters at Session is a “Make It and Take It” section where they are taught design techniques in order to make a poster and brochure for their Bethel. Each participant will receive a CD with a template for the poster and brochure. A second workshop will share ways to promote our Order, how to talk to friends about our Organization, and make us more visible in our communities. We have dedicated adults in the Bethels who give countless hours to continue the work of Job’s Daughters. We have enthusiastic Daughters who deeply love Job’s Daughters. We often hear the comment, “this is a girls’ organization and the girls should be running things, not the adults.” As adults we mentor our Daughters and teach them the skills needed to develop their ideas. Daughters cannot have a Bethel without adults, and adults cannot have a Bethel without Daughters. It is time we concentrate on both Daughters and adults working together as a team for “Together Everyone Achieves More.” The bethels and jurisdictions who had difficulties this year sang the tune, “I’ll do it MY way.” When Daughters or adults constantly questioned procedures, the focus turned away from growth and the benefits of our Organization. There were three Daughters who disagreed with disciplinary action that had been imposed on them by a Council and filed grievances this year. Being a Bethel Council member is not an easy job. As adults we need to gently guide our Daughters and teach by example. Situations arise that have easy solutions. A Bethel accepts a family event as an excused absence. Yet it seemed that as I traveled I experienced a struggle in bethels between unchangeable expectations and understanding expectations. Do we expect perfect work? Do we let a Daughter use the Ritual to read her part? When do we demand no exceptions in learning memory work? Are we teaching with understanding? In one of the Bethels I visited a Daughter had a learning disability and the parent was thankful that the Bethel adults and Daughters accepted the girl, helped her, and made her feel important. Some bethels looked at each Daughter as an individual, understanding differences while others adopted a high standard with no exceptions. Again, determining that balance is not an easy task and each Council needs to be consistent in their expectations. In the first few months of travel, I heard loudly from Bethel Councils that more Bethel forms were needed on our website. We started the year with having four forms on our website that could be downloaded and now have 32 forms that can be accessed. The Constitution and Bylaws is also on the website. As I visited Bethels there was a variety of ways that Bethel Minute books and Bethel Council Minute books were managed. In the electronic age, we will also have a format for the Bethel and Council Minute book on the website. That will allow for a Recorder and Guardian Secretary to download an interactive page in order to keep the records of the Bethel and place them in a three ring binder. In my travels to Bethels under Supreme, there was only one Bethel that wrote the minutes in long hand. After examining many financial record books, I found most bethels keep their financial records using a computer-generated format. Both Guardian Secretary and Guardian Treasurer books will also be available on the website. No matter what method of record keeping is used, books need to be maintained accurately and timely banking completed when dealing with Bethel monies. Thank you Ashley the webmaster, for all the work you have done this year in getting the forms on our website. It seemed that whenever I emailed at midnight or after, I had a response from you. When I asked about putting something on the website, it was done the same day. (I will make my promise good for chocolate chip cookies!) Thank you, Susan, for your work in getting the Constitution and Bylaws ready for the website. Bethel Guardian Councils were appreciative of the internet availability. Our membership continues to decrease at approximately 5-6% each year. We have initiated girls and the rate of decline in membership seems to have decreased from the years of 9%. On the 2007 Annual Report from actual membership reports received at Headquarters, we have 11,508 members. (Graphs) We have twenty-seven (27) Grand Guardian Councils; twenty-two in the United States, two in Canada, and one in Australia, Brazil, and the Philippines. The average membership in a Grand Guardian Council is approximately 300 and if California and Minas Gerais are not included in that average because their membership is more than a thousand; the average membership is approximately 240. We have six Jurisdictional Guardian Councils: four in Brazil, one in Canada, and one in the United States. There are twenty-one (21) Bethels under Supreme in the United States, eight (8) in Canada, and 127 in Brazil. During our visit to Brazil four Bethels were chartered and five were issued dispensations. If we look at our Directory, (illustrate with Directory- 28 pages=Brazil, take away 28 pp of 67, p. 40 is half of our Directory, Brazil is half of the Directory) about half of the information in the Directory is for Bethels from Brazil. I have asked Marilee Smiley, Supreme Deputy to Brazil to give a report at Session on membership in Brazil. I visited all the Bethels under Supreme. The size of the bethel varied greatly, some are very small, others have a full corps of officers, and some are isolated either by many miles like Anchorage or like Clarksburg and Raleigh, simply because they are the only Bethel in the state. When visiting a Bethel under Supreme, I met with the Bethel Guardian Council, checked the Bethel books, answered questions, and made suggestions. My intent was to visit the Bethel on a regular meeting night in order to observe how they conduct a business meeting. In addition to the regular meeting, they usually performed a special ceremony. Some of the Bethels under Supreme are close enough to a larger jurisdiction and are able to visit and make friendships. The Bethels under Supreme that are isolated need a strong leadership to remain a Bethel. We need to acknowledge their efforts. These bethels do not have a Grand Session or Jurisdictional meeting in which to share ideas, so a Supreme Session becomes a link to other Job’s Daughters. A Supreme Guardian visits for one or two days with a Bethel under Supreme and then leaves. The support for the Bethel becomes the Supreme Deputy appointed to assist the Bethel. She or he is a lifeline for the Supreme Guardian. I have been in contact with the Deputies frequently during this year and appreciate their efforts. The Deputy answers questions for the Bethel, conducts workshops, writes dispensations, and is a constant support for the Bethel. It is with regret that I report six Bethels under Supreme have closed this year: Bethel 4, Carson City, Nevada; Bethel 14 Kalispell, Montana; Bethel 2 Winnipeg, Manitoba; Bethel 1 San Antonio, Texas; Bethel 3 Dallas, Texas; and Bethel 5 Corpus Christi, Texas. Three of these Bethels made the decision to close by their own choice. It was a difficult decision to close the Bethels in Texas. At the Conference of Grand Masters held in Louisville, Kentucky in February, I met with Thomas Griffin, Grand Master of Texas. We discussed the edict that was issued by the Grand Lodge and the completion of requirements that had been imposed on the Job’s Daughters in Texas. In May I sent a letter to Mr. Griffin reviewing what had been completed and asked that the Grand Lodge recognize Job’s Daughters International, and that Bethels be allowed to once again meet in Masonic Lodges, recruit new members for our Organization, and have Masons participate on Bethel Guardian Councils. The Bethels in Texas have not been able to meet for almost two years. With the edict from the Grand Lodge of Texas and the results of that edict, the Executive Supreme Guardian Council voted to suspend the Charters of the three Bethels in Texas. It would be my prayer that one day in the future the Grand Lodge of Texas would recognize Job’s Daughters as being part of the Masonic Family and the importance it has in promoting leadership and Masonic values. It was my intent to visit all Grand jurisdictions this year. I did not visit Alberta because a passport is needed to fly into a country and my passport was in the process of getting a visa for Brazil and not in my possession. Plan B was to make a twenty-four drive, visit for twelve hours, and return twenty-four hours to go to the next scheduled visitation. The Grand Guardian and I spoke on the phone and determined it was probably not the best use of my time. I do apologize to Alberta. I also did not visit the Philippines and was advised not to travel there due to political unrest. In April, Louise Windbiel, the Supreme Deputy to the Philippines, did visit and attended their Grand Session. On the 2007 Annual Report, the Philippines recorded fifteen (15) active bethels and membership increased with 105 initiates in the last year. However, at their Session the Grand Guardian Council did not elect or install an Executive Grand Guardian Council for 2008-2009 and expressed a desire to become Bethels under Supreme. In May a letter was sent to all Bethel Guardian Councils outlining the duties and responsibilities of a Grand Guardian Council and eligibility for a Grand Guardian Council. The letter also asked if members of the Bethel Guardian Councils would consider working for the good of Job’s Daughters at the Grand Guardian Council level. At this time there have been five Assisting Deputies appointed to work with the Bethels assigned to her in order to insure the continuity of the jurisdiction. The Grand Secretary has agreed to continue the duties and responsibilities of that position. During my visit to Australia, I met with an attorney to discuss how Queensland could remain part of Job’s Daughters as a Jurisdictional Guardian Council and comply with the Articles of Incorporation of Queensland. This law protects office bearers and members from personal liability in the event of a lawsuit. In 2003 the Annual Report listed 105 members in Queensland; the 2007 Annual Report listed 64. In our Bylaws, Article XVII, Section 2, it states, “After an affirmative vote of not less than six (6) members of the Executive SGC, a GGC operating with one hundred (100) Bethel members or less shall have their Charter withdrawn.” Two years ago it was recommended to remove the Charter from Queensland. In discussing the structure of a Jurisdictional Guardian Council with the attorney, I was advised that by recommending the elected officers of a JGC to the Vice Supreme Guardian for approval, it would indicate to the laws of Queensland that a JGC is governed by an offshore entity. The members of the Grand Guardian Council of Queensland supported the idea of becoming a JGC and started the process of changing their existing Bylaws to comply with SI-20, the format for the constitution of a Jurisdictional Guardian Council. In order to comply with the laws of Queensland and our JDI Bylaws and to continue to have Job’s Daughters represented in our Organization, you will be asked to pass an immediate amendment. There will be time given to discuss any concerns with the amendment as the visit to Australia occurred after the deadline to submit proposed amendments for this Annual meeting. During my visits to Grand Guardian Council jurisdictions it was a pleasure to meet Daughters and adults. Each visit was unique. The special ceremonies were sincere and heart warming, and always made me feel welcome. We shopped together, relaxed together, shared concerns for our Order together, and spent late nights talking. I would often ask the Daughters their suggestions for Ritual revision and how they would suggestion changing the binding of the Ritual. Our Daughters responded thoughtfully and I heard various responses, from suggestions to change wording and formations to not change the Ritual at all. Most Daughters suggested having the Ritual in an 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 plastic spiral bound book. In many jurisdictions I was able to meet with the Executive Guardian Council. Concerns were often shared about situations in the jurisdiction. In one jurisdiction I met with the GGC for an hour sharing concerns about myspace. Our Bethels compete for time with the many school and social activities. I heard the need for long range planning to develop programs that will look at our financial stability, our membership, and structure. As large companies downsize and adapt procedures in order to survive in a changing economy, do we need to make changes in our organizational structure? I found that a bethel could be healthy with 12-15 members. Is the time right with Ritual Revision in the near future, to do some downsizing? There are fewer bethels with a complete corps of officers than there are bethels with fifteen members or less. I have heard more than once the suggestion to have a Ritual to use when active membership is twenty and another that suggests procedure for a bethel of fifteen or less. This year a Vision 2020 committee was established to look at our Organization, determine our strengths and weaknesses, and set some goals for our future. Leadership in October addressed vision and mission statements and was attended by about 50 people. I feel it is important for the Board of Trustees and the Executive members of the SGC to work with the jurisdictions to continue planning for our future. Where will we be for our 100th Anniversary financially and with membership? With changing economy perhaps it is time to look at the structure of our Organization and suggest changes. In the visits this year I have been accompanied by Mike to all but two of the scheduled visits. Bethels and jurisdictions appreciated having the Associate Supreme Guardian in attendance. Thank you, Mike for helping to look at financial records and offer suggestions to Bethels. Miss International, Brittney Utley, and the Supreme Bethel Honored Queen, Jette Brownlee attended most of the visits also. Brittney usually wrote a report for the SNE about our visits and Jette used her myspace account to communicate about our travels. As we visited Bethels, the girls often had to wait as I talked to adults or examined the Bethel books. The position of Supreme Guardian is a full time job. Perhaps we need to examine the role of our Miss International and Supreme Bethel Honored Queen and redefine their job description. The Daughters enjoy meeting a Miss International and Supreme Bethel Honored Queen. How could the Supreme team be more assistance to Bethels for promotional events and sharing their knowledge of our Order? The HIKE pin this year was the “I Love You” hand inside the triangle. Each time a contribution was made to HIKE, a daughter charm was added. You were asked to ‘build a bethel’ with the addition of charms. Donations for HIKE were more this year than in past years. Thank you for making a difference in the life of a child! The HIKE Fund has become very well known and in the United States we did not have enough funds to fill all the requests, perhaps that is a good problem, if problems can be good. You have made a difference in my life this year as I have traveled here and there, near and far. Your support for Job’s Daughters has been reflected in the love and dedication as you spend hours traveling, serving dinners, cleaning highways, visiting nursing homes, and making a difference in the lives of our Daughters. You have entered into the spirit of our endeavors. The jurisdiction of Wisconsin has been beside me, behind me, and guided me. They have raised money, toted and carted, organized and planned, spent late nights working and sometimes nights without much sleep, been patient and kind. You did not hesitate when asked to perform a task to support not only Session, but also the past four years. Maryland has been by our side and has spent several visits to Madison to work on arrangements. Our friendship has grown as we worked together to host ‘A Capital Session.’ The work of the Supreme Guardian Council would not be possible without the support of the Board of Trustees. Although we meet only two times a year, the work continues all year through technology. There are days when emails fly between the members asking for opinions. Thank you for your listening ear and willingness to discuss and support change. Our organization would not exist without an Executive Manager. Thank you Susan for your support and sharing your encyclopedia of knowledge that you know about our Order and its history. I always appreciated your help and gleaned from your wisdom. Please thank Jennette and Phil for their help with my phone calls. I called to request some more envelopes and when Jen asked me how many I needed, I responded with, “about an inch worth.” Jen simply said, “I’ll send you fifty,” and not until I hung up the phone did I realize she knew exactly how many was an inch worth. I appreciated Phil’s patience with answering questions about Brazil. He is very organized and understands the importance of record keeping. The Supreme committees have been supportive of the year’s endeavors. The chairman insured the success of the purpose of the committee. Thank you for your hard work. I would like to thank Marlene for her work with the SNE. It was always interesting to learn about activities in different jurisdictions. Please continue to share your events on the SNE. Thank you to the jurisdictions that sent their newsletters to me. I have shared your events with other jurisdictions as I traveled. My copy of the Constitution and Bylaws was always with me. I laughed when I saw binders of other people’s taped because of constant use. My binder is now also taped and has numerous post it notes sticking out from pages. I would search the Bylaws for answers to questions and then ask Jurisprudence what other sections apply to my question. I have called Valerie from airports, from home, and while riding in a car. She has responded despite being on vacation or doing family activities. Valerie is on my speed dial. Thank you for your patience with my questions, sharing your knowledge, giving me an opinion and interpretation, and your understanding. You are a special friend and you and your committee are amazing. We have initiated Daughters and our love for this Organization is implanted deeply within our hearts. We do need to be aware and careful of the enemy named criticism. Self-expression has led us to constant challenge of the accepted. It should not disregard courtesy and thoughtfulness. There seems to be a constant questioning of procedures, taking words and challenging and redefining. We often no longer accept what the intent is. We have gone from a world of: Don’t forget to bring your umbrella for the Bethel visit to the zoo. To a world of: Does it matter what color it is? Is it okay to bring my Dad’s golf umbrella? Can I just use yours? I would rather wear my poncho. Should I worry about someone poking another girl? What if someone falls because the sidewalk might get slippery if it does rain? Do we have any insurance? Do we have enough insurance? Would it be easier to cancel the event? We need to listen, to sometimes close our eyes, and listen to our hearts. We live in a world of instant communication and yet have been detached from the needs of each other. We will need futuristic thinkers who have a vision of what Job’s Daughters needs to be in the future. We need to fight for the ideals and purposes, to pull together with common goals for our Order and for our Daughters. You have on your table small bags of sand. Look at each grain of sand. Each is unique, a crystal. Take it with you if you like and look at the grains with a hand lens. The grains radiate different colors. Our Daughters are like those grains of sand, each unique, each different. The grains of sand easily slip through our fingers. It is our responsibility to “play nice in the sandbox.” May you continue to Enter Into the Spirit of our Endeavors with pride, dignity, and honor, for the good of the Daughters and for the good of Job’s Daughters International. Remarks from Friday afternoon: Have you read the book, All I Really Need to Know, I Learned in Kindergarten by Robert Fulghum? The author states that most of what he really needs to know about how to live and what to do and how to be, he learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate-school mountain, but there in the sand pile at Sunday School. These are the things that he learned: Share everything. Play fair. Don’t hit people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess. Don’t take things that aren’t yours. Say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody. Wash your hands before you eat. Flush. Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you. Live a balanced life – learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some. Take a nap every afternoon. When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together. Be aware of wonder. Somewhere in those words is what we can all
apply to our family, our work, our Job’s Daughters.
Everything I Need to Know, I Learned as Supreme Guardian.
I learned that: Rain in the Northwest or hiking for HIKE in Australia does not dampen enthusiasm, Layovers and delays in flights provide time to work, to read, to enjoy quiet time in the midst of confusion. It is possible to be in seven airports in seven days and four of the airports twice. Ritual is the same no matter what the language. A closing cross still brings tears. Friendship knows no boundaries. Dedication to our Order abounds. No matter what country, people are passionate about sports. Kind words become a warm memory that touches the soul. A granola bar is good for you when cookies and milk are not available. A Masonic building is a safe place during a tornado warning. You have touched my heart, brought tears to my
eyes, and put a smile on my face. You have provided me with food.
You have housed me in hotels, homes, historic homes, retirement
communities, a Masonic home, and even a tent. My niece once gave me a
card that read: “I think you know I care about you, but I wonder if you
realize how much, And I wonder if I can ever find the words to tell
you.” I must start with two
simple words – thank you! You
have shared the precious gift of yourself with me. Thank you to the Supreme
Officers for being my Supreme family.
It has been a delight to be with you this year.
Our friendship has grown and I appreciate you accepting to share
this year. Thank you, Mike, for your support this year. You listened and offered your opinion when I asked. Our amazing adventures will be remembered well into the future Thank you, Wisconsin for
sharing unselfishlessly of yourselves.
I have taken your pride and dedication with me in my year of travel
representing the Order that is dear to our hearts.
You have lost yourself in service, one of the greatest rewards.
You have toted, carted, and lugged with tender loving care.
I will forever be in debt to Bev and her capital crew.
You never hesitated when asked to do any job. I often heard this week, “What would you like me to do,
Janine? Can I help carry that
for you?” I have been fortunate to
share this year with the Supreme Bethel Guardian, Maureen, my friend.
You were with me when I became a Bethel Guardian, you were with me
when I became a Grand Guardian, and you were with me when I became Supreme
Guardian. You have shown patience with me, faith in me, and given unselfishly through this year to our Daughters always keeping a focus for the good of the order. As a friend you have had a
listening ear, laughed and cried with me, shared frustrations, and been my
navigator. You have been my
sister, and things do happen for a reason. My family has supported me
in my entire Job’s Daughters’ adventures.
Some of you know my husband as Russ, others as Rusty.
He has been behind the scenes through the past four years and
attended his first Job’s Daughters’ meeting while in Queensland.
His love and patience has been like Job’s.
As you probably know, we have two sons, Russell and Burt who have
understood my endeavors. We
have no daughters yet my niece Mary has been my daughter.
She too has put faith in my dreams, hope in my tomorrow, and the
spark in my imagination. The first year of the
Executive Supreme Guardian Council, I likened it to the first years of
school. From elementary
school to middle school to high school and college, my knowledge has grown
immensely. And it is time to
graduate. The Greek key on
the capes is never ending. It
represents the road of life as it turns back and forth.
We do not know what we will meet as the road continues, but with
faith we will be able to meet the unexpected.
Thank you for Entering Into the Spirit of Our Endeavors and putting
your trust in me. |