My Brothers,
First, I would like to thank you for electing and installing me as your Grand Master for the ensuing year. Never in a million years would I have believed that I would be serving you the Craft of South Carolina as Grand Master once again.
  As all of you know, this has been a most difficult two years… with the lack of communication from the Grand East the first nine (9) months after the installation of our Past Grand Master and then the Pandemic comes along causing all Lodges to close by order of the Governor.
  I believe that during this period of time, the Craft has lost faith and trust in our Grand Lodge.
  My Brothers, that is now in the past. I know it will be hard to forget all that happened during those two years, but in order for us to go forward, let’s just say “This is day one in a new era; we will be “OK.”
  I pledge to you there will be open communication from the Grand Master’s Office. I will meet you on the level and listen to you. We may not agree on everything, but we will agree to disagree at the end.
I remember just as all of you something we hear every time we meet. “Harmony is the chief strength and support of all regular institutions, but more especially this of ours.” Brothers, without harmony in our Lodges and Grand Lodge, nothing is going to change.
  I feel that you, the Craft, have lost trust in your Grand Lodge and the Elected Line. We want to earn that trust back. As Most Worshipful Jack Marler, PGM has said over and over in the past, it is important to be a TEAM. Your new TEAM is going to work extremely hard to earn your trust back, therefore we need to know what you need from us. Call, text, email or just catch us as we travel around.
  TRUST! You will hear that word often over the next year. You may be wondering about my Grand Master’s Pins. I could not order them until after the election at Grand Lodge. They should be delivered during the middle of June. I will make sure that your District Deputy Grand Master gets them as soon as they arrive. 
  The message on the pin reads, “Working Together – Making A Difference.” My Brothers, I am asking you to work with us as we work to make the future of the Grand Lodge of South Carolina, AFM better not only for ourselves, but for all of those that will be coming after us.
​
Fraternally,
Ronald C. Mitchum
Grand Master

​Happy Holidays from Laura and I to our Masonic families, wherever dispersed. We wish everyone a season filled with peace, love, and harmony. Enjoy this time of year with your family, recharging those batteries for the upcoming year. To all those elected and appointed in our subordinate Lodges, we extend congratulations and look forward to working with you in the ensuing year.

To the many in the “Masonic Family” that are practicing the true teachings of Masonry, we thank you for what you do. You are a beacon of light and inspiration to us during our travels. The outpouring of your friendship and hospitality are never forgotten.

A true builder has the ability to proficiently construct. My topic, “The Most Important Part of a House” is a topic of much needed discussion in our times. It may seem like a simple part of the overall construction process, but your foundation is the most important part of your entire project. The biggest reason for this is any mistakes made in the foundation will only get worse as you go up. It’s referred to as “compounding defects,” and it means that mistakes grow. An example: You notice that your slab foundation is 3/4” out of square when you start framing. It’s also 1/2” out of level across the total building. You figure, “well, I can handle that. I’ll just adjust it in the framing.”

As you complete the framing, you get up to the roof (if only one story) and notice that the building is now 1” out of square and 3/4” out of level. Well, you figure you can capture it in the roof framing. By the time your metal roofing arrives, the square panels don’t fit on your “out of square” roof and you have “to make it work.” In the end, everyone can see that the roof is out of square, and the simple mistakes in your foundation
have ruined the look of the house. Not only has it ruined the look, any future repairs being made will then require custom individual cuts, which require a huge amount of extra work for the Craftsman. This in turn will be very costly to the owner. Remember, it was a “simple” mistake, and it just got worse and worse as he went up in the construction process. You have circumvented the building standard, and everything must be adjusted to compensate.

Here’s another reason that your foundation deserves the highest focus and attention to detail: your entire house sits on top of it!

A True Builder requires a house be plumb, square, and level with a firm and adequate foundation. Anything less will prove that structure to be inferior. Likewise, on the speculative side, it is considered treasonous to the Craft. If a candidate is allowed to move up before he is truly ready, it is a Masonic Offense. By promoting an unworthy or uneducated candidate, you not only cheat and wrong the candidate, but your Lodge of its future, every other Ancient Craft Lodge, and every Appendant Masonic Organization. These organizations rely on our individual Lodges to vouch for good men with good work, true work, and square work to build those organizations.

An Ancient Craft Lodge assumes a huge responsibility not only for the future of Freemasonry, but the future for all other affiliated organizations. This means our candidates MUST be investigated properly. This means our three grades of workmen should be proficient in the work before being allowed to move up to the next degree. If candidates are proficient in the work, they are ready to fill the chairs in the Lodge when the time comes. They will not be overwhelmed with learning so much information and performing their duties. They will have a “firm foundation.” When they have finished the Ancient Craft chairs, they will be ready for future leadership in other appendant bodies because they have learned proper protocol in our Ancient Craft Lodges.

Again, here’s another reason that your foundation deserves the highest focus and attention to detail: your entire house sits on top of it!

For our appendant bodies to be successful, we MUST support our local Ancient Craft Lodges. We MUST support our Grand Lodge and Grand Master. Not just in words, but in actions and deeds. As long as Masonic Affiliation is a prerequisite for that membership, our appendant organizations RELY SOLELY on the Ancient Craft for membership. Until things are different, our Ancient Craft Lodges are the ONLY training ground for the future leadership in our appendant organizations. If the Ancient Craft Lodge is the “Foundation of Masonry,” the walls and roof cannot outgrow the foundation without it being detrimental to the entire structure.

My Grandfather use to say; “It’s not always what you say, but it is always what you do that makes the difference.” As Ancient Craft Lodge members, officers, and leaders of the Craft, let us not forget the importance of “The Foundation.” Serve, Protect, and Support your Blue Lodge! Our future depends on it!

​May the Grand Architect of the Universe be with you and keep you safe until we meet again.
Respectfully,

Walter C. Disher II

Grand Master

​ GRAND MASTERS MESSAGE Whether your Lodge is dark or not, Laura and I hope that you are enjoying the summer with friends and family, going on vacation, grilling, gardening, camping, or just soaking up some sun and making Vitamin D.  Have you ever taken something apart and been unable to get it back together? Have you ever taken a break and come back to what you were working on and have everything fall right into place? When you do this, you are using the other hemisphere of your brain, which gives a short break to the hemisphere that was previously working. Many great minds in the arts and sciences throughout history have used this as a way of expanding the efficiency of their brain. Genesis 2:2 of our Great Light explains that on the seventh day, God rested from his work. Most successful people choose to take time to make memories with their friends and family. They avoid burn out and afterwards come back to work and Lodge feeling rested and refreshed, ready for fellowship and degree work. It is not about how fast you are running around, but how many things you have completed accurately. As you read this article, I have visited Grand Lodges in Florida, Washington, D.C., and Louisiana. Our Grand Lodge Officers have completed the first phase of training for the District Deputy Grand Masters and the Appointed Subordinate Grand Lodge Officers and Committeemen. This will hopefully make us more efficient from a Grand Lodge standpoint for our Lodges. South Carolina will be hosting the Southeastern Masonic Conference in August in Charleston, followed by the District Inspirational Meetings in the fall and District Instructional Meetings in January. We ask that you consider some topics of interest that you feel should be covered at future training sessions. You can voice and share this through the surveys taken at the District Instructional Meetings. Your attendance at each of these events is crucial for the future success of your Lodge and District. I am asking the Worshipful Master of each Lodge to compile a list of charities or community projects that have been completed in 2019 by the end of the calendar year, listing time and money donated. I personally feel that this is a great selling and informational tool that our Lodges have to influence the community in a positive light concerning our Fraternity. Your compiled list will help us with the assessment of our worth and community commitment and impact at the local level in our state. It can be as simple as Lodge X donated $300.00 to the X homeless shelter. Please take time to collect this information and share a copy of it with your District Deputy. We have information that will be coming out in the following months about our Grand Lodge Building and Library and Museum Fund. If you haven’t been to our Grand Lodge to see the historic Masonic artifacts in our museum, please take the time to do so in the near future. If you give our Grand Secretary advanced notice, he can schedule time to give a personal or group tour of our building.  I want to mention something that is of great concern to me in our Fraternity today. On the evening that I took my first degree, a Past Master that I knew congratulated me on taking my first step in Freemasonry. He reminded me of the questions that we are asked and the answers I gave before being initiated (Re: 2015 Ahiman Rezon, page 60). First, I came here because I wanted to be here, it was my choice. Second, I was here because I was impressed with the positive things that Freemasonry had
done for mankind, AND I desired knowledge. Third, I would CHEERFULLY CONFORM to all the ancient usages and established customs. He reminded me that our Lodge is a HAVEN from the world of chaos. We are NEVER to bring divisive countenance, religious intolerance, or political correctness into our walls. As your Grand Master, I encourage you to take the lesson that Worshipful Brother Bill Swicegood gave me that evening and let it resonate with you. Often times, a majority of my time and that of Grand Officers and Worshipful Masters is spent on issues that stem from people that only want their way no matter the cost to their Lodge, District or our State. They refuse to CHEERFULLY CONFORM to our rules. This robs our Fraternity of harmony, causes dissention, membership loss, and is mentally draining to productive members. Question yourself;  Do I still:  Want Masonry to be viewed in a positive light Desire knowledge  Agree to cheerfully conform to our order Remember that most of us joined this group because we realized that we are not average. We do not like doing the bare minimum, like the rest of the outside world. You are special Brethren, so be special!    Finally Brethren, thank you for what you do on a daily basis to make your community, state, and nation be the best that it can be.  May our Grand Architect bless and keep you until we meet again. 
 Respectfully and Fraternally,   
Walter “Cal” Disher II   
​Grand Master 

​GRAND MASTERS MESSAGE WHERE ARE WE NOW!
 A journey begins with a destination in mind or a goal to achieve.  My journey to the Grand East began in 2010, when several Past Grand Masters asked me to consider offering for Junior Grand Warden, but at age of 51, I was not in a position to consider such a prestigious office.  I continued to serve on committees and actively support my Lodge, Grand Lodge and the Scottish Rite, where I was serving as Sovereign Grand Inspector General for the 7th year.  By 2012, I had numerous young Masons, who witnessed the positive changes that we were and still are experiencing in the Scottish Rite, approach me from all parts of the Jurisdiction to consider offering as Junior Grand Warden.  After listening to my Brethren, and serious discussion with my family, personal discussion with all the Past Grand Masters, Lynn and I began what has been a wonderful journey.  This is and has always been about serving the best interests of the Brethren and Freemasonry in South Carolina and to improve the experience of our members.  
From my years of experience in business and The Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite, I have found opportunities to research, discuss, and most importantly, to listen to the Craft about where we are and the roadmap to a brighter and better future for those men that join, engage in and eventually, lead the Craft.  I have witnessed many wonderful things on this journey from the promise of a family at a Lewis Degree for infant sons of Master Masons, to the generosity of South Carolina Freemasons at home and in the support of other Jurisdictions of so many in need, to the great joy of visiting Veterans in all of our VA locations in for a friendly handshake, prayer and humble gift to just say thank you for their service, to the hard work of Grand Jurisdictions that are literally fighting for their recognition, to the grandeur of the established Ritual and Ceremony when I see excellent Ritual at home and other Jurisdictions. 
I have had the honor of visiting with grieving widows and families at the death of some of our Brethren, laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, visiting and touring Gettysburg Battlefield and visiting many with many great Lodges and presenting George Washington Portraits.
Sadly, I have seen and spoken to men who have lost their way, and unfortunately, far too many that decided by their selfish motivation to tarnish the very core of our Brotherhood, through their total disregard for their obligations and their Brethren.  I have seen where the complacency of leaders has led to discouragement and disgust of members that has led to their decision to leave our beloved Craft.  Most often, it is related miscommunication or poor leadership.  The leadership gap that some of our Fraternity is experiencing comes from members who want status, presumed power and inexperience. This comes from misguided and even a total misunderstanding of what it takes to be a true Freemason and Servant Leader of our Fraternity.  I am deeply concerned for our Fraternity, when I see men who have gained leadership roles, when their actions and personal bias has shattered the true meaning of Masonic Brotherhood.
​
So Where ARE We Now!   We are much better off today than just a few short years ago because of several initiatives that have been emphasized for several years including improved membership awareness, improved Lodge management tools, improving Masonic Education, and a new spirit of hope and success.
In most parts of the Family of Freemasonry in South Carolina, true leaders, who have listened and studied, are now more aware of the issues facing our Fraternity including membership engagement, listening and working to improve communication with all the members, and thus improving the VALUE of membership rather than simply talking about financial problems all the time.  After all, isn’t Brotherhood about supporting one another and taking time to celebrate our faith, fellowship and our successful actions with each other, the critical part of our beloved Fraternity.  
 Value increases when all members feel and know that they are an important part of the success of our Fraternity!  All of Freemasonry, including our Appendant Bodies and Lodges, benefits by increasing membership value.  If your Lodge chooses to improve value, then you must have serious discussion and civil debate to plot a course forward, instead of simply fading away.
 Today, we are much better off due to the tireless efforts of MW Gerald Carver and our Grand Lodge Staff, and Lodge Secretaries that have implemented our Membership Management Tools.  Thank you, MW Brother Carver, for your passion for our Fraternity.  We are now using the features to review, plan and prepare our Leadership to really “lead the Craft!”  Today, our Worshipful Masters, Secretaries and Wardens have the capability to connect with all members and to examine what needs to be done to improve their individual needs.  But like all tools, used properly, they can improve the results of work.  Used improperly or neglected, they will be of little or no use to those that have access to the tools.   Are you listening to your members?  Are you even trying to reach them?
  We see in many places a renewed spirit and enthusiasm for our Fraternity because those that are using the tools are seeing results from listening and moving forward by implementing better meetings, better outreach to members and more visibility in our communities.

​ Finally, Gentlemen, my time as your Grand Master has come to a close, and it has been my strong belief, indeed, my commitment to the Craft that we must look to the future so as to prepare for success.  We need to be cautious and guarded to make certain that we are working together.  Treasure your membership and take a positive approach to moving forward!  We have many issues facing us in the coming days, Stand Tall for what is right!  Stand Tall against those that do not have the best interest of the Fraternity at heart.  Eliminate fear of change by doing the work to plan based on facts and not just emotion.  It has been the honor of my life to serve Freemasonry, now and in the future as well.  Remember “It is not how much a man or person may know that is important, as much as the purpose for which he knows it.”  (MW T. Harry White, Grand Master) Thank you, my Brethren all and may God Bless Freemasonry in South Carolina!      Sincerely and fraternally,    Michael Smith, Grand Master

​GRAND MASTERS MESSAGE
The Future IS Now!
PLANNING FOR SUCCESS!
As we begin the new Masonic year, it is THE BEST TIME to examine the status of your Lodge,
address the issues facing your Lodge and prepare a plan for success. As previously stated, I
believe that fear is the most crippling attitude that must be addressed before our Lodges can
really progress and increase the value of membership. Often Lodges are crippled by fear of
trying new things. Over the past several years the Grand Lodge Officers have consistently
promoted several key initiatives from our research and study. Several Masonic Lesson Plans
over the last 4 years under the banner of the LODGE OF THE FUTURE, have shown proven ways
to, improve Ritual Quality, increase Member Communication, add meaningful Masonic
Educational programs, develop a realistic financial plan or budget plan not only for 2019 but for
the next 5 years so that you can take steps now to protect your Lodge, and finally how to
become active in the community. Members and men in the community can see the difference
that Freemasonry makes in the lives of our members and highlight who and what Freemasonry
does for others!
Many Lodges are addressing their issues and are seeing real progress. More members
attending meaningful meetings, adding new member with better and meaningful ritual being
taught, improved communications with members, improved financial status, and regaining a
meaningful place in our communities.
Unfortunately, many of those that have not seriously addressed these issues are struggling to
keep their Lodges open. After all, the primary role of a Lodge is to make Freemasons, not just
put on degrees but make Freemasons! As of this writing we have 52 Lodges in this Grand
Jurisdiction that have not raised a candidate in over 2 years or more! Only 4 Districts do not
have any Lodges on this list!
In order to become a place where members, both old and young, want to come and participate,
we have to get our house in order. This means addressing those items that directly impact the
members. Complacency is our number one issue. Choose not to be complacent! It will take
work and working together!
EMBRACING THE YEAR TOGETHER!
As we all begin our new year, with our officers taking their respective leadership roles in our
Lodge, it is important that we take time to plan for this year! Will it be better that last year?
Will our Lodge make a difference to our existing members?
Prepare by reviewing the “Lodge of the Future” series of Lesson Plans and Lodge Education
Topics, you may find these at www.scgrandlodgeafm.org under the Resources Tab. Use these
for enhanced education. Gather and analyze your Lodge data with your officers to plan a course
of action and establish a vision and pathway for your Lodge success.
Our Lodges have made a great impact in 2018 with support of Disaster Relief of members and
Lodges in South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida. Our Veterans visitations and gift project was
outstanding with gifts and supplies to 3 of our Veterans Units. We have visited 4 units and one
more to the Richard Johnson VA Hospital in planning for 2019. Brethren, thank you!
Our Grand Lodge office and Museum have had dramatic improvements this year! We have had
several degrees held in the Grand Lodge this year and I had the distinct honor to present the
MM Lecture in our Grand Lodge in 2018. It is YOUR Grand Lodge and Museum, please schedule
a visit and tour, get dispensation to hold a degree or regular meeting. Consider a District
Meeting at your Grand Lodge! You will be well pleased and honored!
Your Grand Lodge office and staff, MW Bro Gerald Carver, Grand Secretary, MW Bro. Jack
Marler, Grand Treasurer, Ms. Debbie Morrell, Ms. Connie Bennett and Wor. Bro. Pete Bailey are
the best and work so hard to support our Lodges and members.
Many committeemen, and your Grand Lodge officers are working hard to serve the craft and
are to be congratulated for their vision and support.
Finally, Gentlemen, my time as your Grand Master is rapidly coming to a close, and it has been
my strong belief, indeed my commitment to the Craft that we must look to the future so at to
prepare for success. History clearly demonstrates that success comes from preparation,
understanding and practice. Many great Freemasons have passed through your doors. Our
members will engage when we create, prepare and share goals for your Lodge and work to
accomplish those goals. I am certainly convinced that when our members feel as if they are
important to the success of the Lodge, then we can succeed because we choose to work
together. See the Lesson Plan which reviews the key initiatives for your review and study! Or
call or email me directly and I will forward to your attention!
Michael Smith, Grand Master, mike.d.smith@milliken.com or call at 864-680-0966.
“If you want people to play like champions, we must expect them to prepare like champions
and to treat them as champions.”
MASONIC EDUCATION LESSON PLAN NUMBER 10
JUMP STARTING THE NEW MASONIC YEAR
BACKGROUND: Planning for Success
ISSUES: Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail.
NEEDS: Engagement of Your Member with a Vision for Success.
APPLICATION: Planning for 2019 Success and Implementation
Step One: Officer Engagement and Alignment – Worshipful Master
Worshipful Master, you should plan a meeting with your 2019 officers as
quickly as possible to discuss the key issues facing your Lodge and determine
the priorities for 2019.
a. Operational Excellence. Is your Lodge operating and on budget.
b. What are the pressing needs for the Lodge Stability / Success?
c. Are your Officers ready to confer our Ritual properly?
d. Are you capable of reaching all your members today?
e. Is your Lodge ready to support Community Projects?
Step Two: Set the Plan for your Lodge and Plan your Calendar for 2019.
a. Key Project Committees
b. Key Event Planning and Committees
c. How will you motivate and inspire your members
d. Set the Craft to Work – Work for Excellence!
Step Three: Communicate your 2019 plan with ALL of your members. Let them know the
key items, events and calendar for your year. Plan and communicate your
Educational programs and special family events for you Lodge and get
members involved and engaged. Committees work well to create engagement.
Step Four: Report and Recognize your success and celebrate those that help
accomplishment. King Solomon delegated to other leaders to accomplish the
task. You will be successful with the cooperation and working with other.
Finally It’s ALL about the members and the harmony of the Lodge. Do what is right for
your Lodge members, even if it is difficult and you will accomplish your Goals
and make a difference in 2019.
May God Bless you and your Lodge in this important endeavor!