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The bar for success as Grand Master here has been set extraordinarily high. Successors would be wise to divide their time with a 24-Month Gauge—even if they are not able to pack their terms with the kind of ceaseless activity we’ve witnessed lately.
It’s hard to explain how this happened, but because of the path I have tread in Freemasonry these past twenty or so years, I have been in regular contact with grand masters and grand lodges around the country. I talk to, correspond with, and otherwise am kept aware of what many of them do with their terms of office. I read their grand lodge periodicals, follow them on social media, and always try to remember there must be diversity in leadership styles even as I wonder how some approach their jobs casually or even haphazardly. Therefore, I can say without any hesitation, mental reservation, etc. that our Bro. Steve has been the most consequential Grand Master in this country in the decades I’ve been hanging around the apartments of the Temple.
How can something so subjective be declared fairly?
It’s the quality and quantity of the programs hatched or revamped for the benefit of the Craft since May 2024. And much of that is oriented for the education of the Freemason and the preservation of Masonic culture.
I don’t have a complete list, so overwhelming is the evidence, but here’s what I can tell you (in no particular order):
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| MW Steven A. Rubin |
✓ Civic Square Club
✓ Speakers Bureau
✓ Ambassadors Abroad
✓ Lodge of Excellence Program
✓ Grand Lodge Retention Program
✓ Masonic Passport Program
✓ Masonic Culture Classes
✓ Chamber of Reflection in Masonic Hall
✓ Masonic Con New York
✓ Grand Lodge Community Service Initiative
✓ Académie Esoterica
✓ restored Masonic University’s Masonic Scholars Program
✓ HIRAM online system
✓ Grand Lodge official cigar
✓ Masonic Walking Tours
✓ A Grand Lodge tartan
✓ 1781 Society
✓ Masonic Hall Committee
✓ Special Projects Committee
✓ New Member Welcome Kit
✓ Lodge Vitality Grants
✓ Marketing Committee
✓ Long Range Planning Committees
✓ Craftsmen Online
✓ Our Quarry newsletter
✓ new management of the ESM magazine
That’s not all of it. Plus, there were countless tweaks to systems and unexpected emergencies that had to be tackled. Of course he didn’t do it all single-handedly, but he’s the engine that propelled the bus. (Sometimes there should be a muffler, but be that as it may.)
Bravo to our Grand Master on his truly amazing service to our Grand Lodge. And congratulations in advance to RW Robert Hogan, who will become our next Grand Master this afternoon. I cannot attend (somebody has to work and pay the bills in this country!) but I’ll post whatever news I can gather.
If the other grand lodges had leadership like this, no one would have time or feel need to worry about declining membership numbers.
2 comments:
In Maryland the GM serves two 1-year terms, as does the DGM. By long-standing unwritten agreement, no one opposes the DGM or GM in their reelection. The SGW and JGW. are elected once and don't advance. Usually the DGM, who does advance, has served one term sometime as SGW or JGW.
How similar is Maryland's system to New York's?
I think that’s the same system. It can get a little more exciting here though. I think it was nine years ago when the DGM was voted out of office after his first year. He returned in 2024 to enter the contest for GM. He was clobbered in the vote tally, maybe because his candidacy was so heretical that most voters were repulsed.
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