MOVPER (Grotto)

 

I know that their membership numbers were hit pretty hard during recent years (as have all fraternal orders), but seem to be hanging in there OK from what I can tell.

 

Can anyone give me some more info than I can find on the http://www.scgrotto.com/ website?

 

We don't have a Grotto here in Raleigh, NC (closest ones are 3 hours away) so I would even consider joining and getting a charter for one here in Raleigh if the interest would support it, if the requirements could be met, of course.

 

I'm interested in the othe rMasonic Bodies, of course, but MOVPER seems to have a certain allure that I need to investigate right now.

 

Thanks!

 

S&F

 

Dustin

 

Their philanthropy is very heartwarming... "Special Smiles for Special Kids" (dentristry for handicapped children - many need anesthesia even for routine cleanings), Muscular Dystrophy, Special Olympics, etc. All Masonic philanthropy is wonderful, these just happened to really impact me when I learned more about them.

 

From my understanding, they are not necessarily large groups (can be), but tend to be very tight knit. They do have ceremonies for initiation, but do not confer Masonic degrees - it is about fellowship, being positive & optomistic, and having fun.

 

Similar to The Craft, one must inquire to join... 2B1ASK1. It is open to MM.

 

I'll keep everyone abreast of the progress.

 

Perhaps the moderators could create a sub-forum for the GROTTO.

 

I joined due to this thread. The Grotto was the first body I joined after being raised. and I greatful I did. I am currently Monarch (presiding officer) of El Rey Grotto in Ohio www.mastermason.com/elrey and have recently announced my canadacy for The Ohio Grotto Association officer line in the position of Sentinel. www.ohiogrotto.com our charity can by found at www.hfgrotto.org where you can make a donation of any amount to The Humanitarian Foundation to support our Dental Programs. I am excited to see that you are trying to start a new Grotto. I had the priviledge of sitting with one of the Members of the newest Grotto which is in NC and is the one you refer to at our 2007 Supreme Council Session.

 

I wish you the best of luck and please let us know if you do start a Grotto- all of my contact info can be found on the El Rey webpage listed above.

 

Good Luck!!!

In Good Fellowship

Jim T.

When you do institute please let me know as I would love to make the drive there to see it.

 

You should also contact the Supreme Council office at www.scgrotto.com and ask for some pocket petitions nifty little trifold cards that fit in your wallet just like a biz card invented by PGM Bernie Mitchell.

 

Again good luck brother and keep us informed!

also make sure to look into Selama Grotto's Hyperbaric Center they are doing some amazing work and are in the process of opening a Center for treatment of children all 100% free same as the Shrine Hospitals

 

Other Grotto sites of interest

 

 

There is lots of good info on all of these pages!

I am more then happy to help in anyway I can and I am sure our Grotto will be aswell.

 

again Good Luck, we had an official visitation to our local DeMolay Chapter last night, this is an excellent tool to show our support to the youth bodies and to promote the Grotto. El Rey presented a gift to the Chapter and if they have 10 Master Masons attend a regular meeting one of the boys will recieve his Masonic Attendance Merit Bar, we presented the gift to the Master Counciler and then informed their newest member that he will recieve the Merit Bar.

 

We had an amazing turn out with 14 Prophets and 25 total Master Masons in attendance, which means a 2nd Merit Bar will be to another boy.

 

Each of the 11 non-Grotto Masons left with an idea of what our Grotto wants to do and a Pocket Petition in his pocket. If only one of those Masons decides to join our Order we will be thrilled!

 

There will be a picture up on the El Rey site shortly, I am glad you found our site useful and you may read about the visitation now.

First off yes Blue if your Grand Lodge is Recognized by the International Grand Masters Conferance you can join the Grotto - PHA is recognized while PHO is clandestine.

 

We had a local Grotto approached by a PHO member whom we had to turn away but a PHA member would be more then welcome and seeing as PHA does not have Grotto I believe Grotto could be the first step to a real uniting (not merging) of the PHA and "European" Grand Lodges and Brethren. Also if you inform me where you are located I can point you to the correct people in your area.

 

Dustin - Its a real shame what happened with your Grand Master, perhaps you could inform him of what the Grotto situation is in Ohio www.ohiogrotto.com we have 26 member Grottoes in the OGA (at least 20 in Ohio) and none of the other bodies suffer at all.

 

The other point your Grand Master should not concearn himself with how other appendent bodies are effected in fact it is no business of his at all how this would effect other bodies, his only concearn should be "would this organization be of ANY benefit to the Masons in my jurisdiction" if the answer is Yes as I believe it is, he should be happy to support you.