by Christopher Hodapp
A new Entered Apprentice with the moniker Zealousideal-Hunt242 posted this photo on Reddit of a 'welcome box' of information and Masonic swag he recently received from the Grand Lodge of New York. Looks to be a coffee cup, a set of stickers, a 'Welcome Brother" booklet of reference information, and a bottle of hand sanitizer (for cleanup after making those dodgy handshakes we're so famous for, dontcha know).
Not a bad little welcome package from the grand lodge level, and a minimal expense to make a good impression on a new member. Nicely done. The box alone can be filled with anything: grand masters' pin, a tie, a special 'new Brother' name badge, a grand lodge monitor, a directory of lodges in the state with visitation protocols, a memory stick with loads of information... anything to cement the feeling that the fraternity has invested some effort and consideration in welcoming a new member. In other words, something more than just an invoice for the year's dues, an invitation to the appendant groups, and a plea to become an officer.
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