Committee on Masonic Youth Group Support
This committee was established to bring awareness and support to our Masonic youth in Kentucky,Masonic youth have, and continue, to play a valuable supporting role in Freemasonry; all the while,practicing and learning the tenants of our gentle craft. Aiding and guiding these young adults is a rewardingexperience and I urge you to seek out local chapters, assemblies, and bethels where you or your lodges can be of service. In addition, you will assist local lodges in connecting with Masonic youth and encourage them to not only provide financial support, but that of their time.
Traveling 3-5-7 Staircase Program
The Grand Master will have a Statewide Traveling Staircase of Freemasonry Program. The Traveling Staircase of Freemasonry, location can be tracked using the locator found on the Grand Lodge of Kentucky website and/or the Grand Lodge of Kentucky Statewide Traveling Staircase, Location Facebook Page (see Appendix D). It is important that you follow the directions contained in the Traveling Staircase case to ensure that its location is kept updated, so all lodges have an opportunity to claim it. One or more Masons may claim the Traveling Staircase at any Masonic meeting. It must be claimed and presented in a tiled or open meeting to count. Make sure to follow the directions and sign the registry contained in the Traveling Staircase case. The Traveling Staircase will begin at Simsonia Lodge No. 917, District 2, on October 20, 2026. Rules for claiming the Staircase will be posted on the Location Facebook page and a copy will be included in the Staircase case.
In Freemasonry, the numbers 3, 5, and 7 serve as guiding symbols in the Fellow Craft’s journey up the Winding Stair to the Middle Chamber. The staircase symbolizes the moral fortitude, continuous intellectual development and the pursuit of higher understanding. The first 3 steps represents moral foundation. The next 5 steps represents human senses and the classical order of architecture. The last 7 steps represent the seven liberal arts and science.
Elected or Appointed Grand Lodge Officers and District Deputy Grand Masters are not eligable to retrieve the Grand Master’s Staircase of Freemasonry.
Established nearly 150 years ago, Masonic Homes of Kentucky, Inc. has created communities that give independent seniors and seniors needing assistance a variety of living options and care. We are dedicated to providing an environment where older adults can enjoy a high quality of life in a loving, home-like atmosphere, while maintaining a high degree of independence and dignity.
Masonic Philanthropy
Kosair Charities has been providing funding for pediatric healthcare in the Louisville and Southern Indiana area for over 75 years. In the last year alone, Kosair Charities provided over $7.4 million to help individual children and numerous agencies that serve the needs of children.
First Lady Lana Boggess Selects Both MasoniCare and Sproutlings for Annual Support Campaign
Campaign
Established in 1867, the Masonicare Program of Kentucky provides affordable housing and care for Masons, their wives, widows, and children in financial need. The program is part of Masonic Homes Kentucky, a nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals and families through life’s challenges. Masonic Homes offers independent living, assisted living, personal care, memory care, and skilled nursing, with a focus on serving those who may otherwise be unable to afford care. Masonicare residents receive quality housing and care, along with essential support such as wheelchairs, glasses, transportation, meals, clothing, and other daily necessities.
Funded entirely by donors, the program raises more than $1.5 million each year to support residents who outlive their financial resources. These funds help cover a wide range of daily living and medical needs.
The pin I selected features the Masonic Emblem and the Eastern Star Emblem displayed across the state of Kentucky. Our motto is “Building Our Future Together.” With a generous donation of just $10, you can personally help sustain this meaningful program.
First Lady Lana Boggess Supporting Sproutlings Pediatric Day Care
Sproutlings Pediatric Day Care and Preschool at Kosair for Kids Center is an exceptional place where children can grow, learn, and thrive. It welcomes both medically fragile children and those in traditional care settings, reflecting our belief that connection and inclusion are essential to every child’s well-being, regardless of ability.
“Llama for Leilany” features a young child standing beside a llama in cowboy boots—an image that instantly brings joy. That same sense of wonder, warmth, and charm inspired our new charity pin. Each purchase directly supports the Sproutlings Program by helping provide adaptive equipment and therapeutic services for children with disabilities. For many families, the cost of specialized care, physical therapy, and assistive technology can be overwhelming. By purchasing and wearing this pin, you help ease that burden.
Wearing this pin does more than provide financial support; it builds a community of inclusion and visibility. It tells families of children with disabilities that they are seen, supported, and valued. By joining this campaign, you turn a simple accessory into a symbol of hope and opportunity.
Pins may be obtained or donations to any of the programs by calling Terry Boggess at 270-978-5655.
Emergency Planning
This committee was established to provide Lodges with information and resources that will help them to be better prepared for emergencies and to ensure their meeting place is safe from hazards.
Preserving History
It shall be the duty of this committee to coordinate with the various subordinate lodges to procure, edit, and proof a historical sketch of each respective lodge. They shall utilize the compilation of historical sketches collected by Past Grand Master James N. Saunders as a basis for their work. The end goal of this committee is to publish a multivolume set of the histories of the subordinate lodges, as well as a compilation of biographies of the Past Grand Masters, in conjunction with the 225th Anniversary of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, F. & A.M.
Masons Helping Masons
The Masons Helping Masons Program was designed to help brother Masons who are in need. After a lodge has contributed to a brother’s relief, the lodge may then apply to this program for additional help, if needed, for that brother.
This program was first started by M.W.P.G.M. Brother Herman Forrester for lodges, and expanded later to include individual brothers by M.W.P.G.M. Brother Chris Stout.
By the sale of items which fund this program, such as ties, caps, Grand Master Coins and knives, we are able to have funds available to relieve the distressed.
Veterans Program
This committee was established by M.W.P.G.M. and current R.W. Brother Donald H. Yankey, Grand Secretary, and with this program, we honor our veterans in several ways. We annually assist in funding and supporting our active military and veterans with events across our state.
This year we will continue going into the National, State, and local cemeteries to assist with cleanup and placing flags (done on the Saturday before) in preparation of Memorial Day, also known as Deco- ration Day. Flags should be retrieved by the following Tuesday.
If your lodge can’t travel to one of the National or State Veteran Cemeteries, you may choose a local cemetery to adopt. Please inform your District Deputy, Area Officer, or the Grand Master if you choose this option
GRAND LODGE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The Grand Lodge Scholarship, originated by Past Grand Master Ernest C. Jackson, will be awarded to one lodge in each of the 3 Areas that has claimed the Traveling Gauge and accumulated the most miles, starting in October 20, 2026 until May 1, 2027. The lodges that qualify will receive a $2000 Scholarship to be awarded to a graduating high school graduate of their choice by the end of May 2027. After May 31, 2027, the Lodges that claim the Traveling Guage with the most miles accumulated in each area will be awarded a plaque of achievement at the 2024 Annual Communication. The last date for claiming the Traveling Staircase is October 1, 2027. The lodge that has claimed it last will bring the 24 inch Gauge to the 228th Annual Grand Lodge Communication in Louisville, Kentucky. Each lodge should be pro- moting visitation. Visiting other lodges can be very rewarding as it increases fraternal fellowship. The purpose of the Grand Lodge Scholarship Program is to aid in a student furthering his/her education.
DISTRICT TRAVELING GAVEL PROGRAM
The District Deputy Grand Master is asked to maintain and promote the traveling gavel program in his district. Each district should have a Traveling Gavel, and the District Deputy Grand Master should always know where it is located. It is his responsibility to keep the gavel traveling from lodge to lodge The guidelines below are only suggestions on how the District Traveling Gavel Program might work. If your district has a program in place, then continue with it instead. The purpose of this program is to encourage Masonic travel within the district.
The Traveling Gavel must be placed in clear view of all visiting Brothers.
Suggestions for claiming the Traveling Staircase of Freemasonry
- The traveling gavel may be claimed from a lodge on any regular or lawfully called meeting, excluding only Masonic Funeral Rites.
- The traveling gavel may be claimed by:
- Whichever lodge has the most visitors present.
- If there is a tie, the lodge that traveled the farthest will receive the gavel.
- The Traveling Gavel will be presented before closing the lodge.
- The lodge receiving the gavel will notify the District Deputy.
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3. If the District Traveling Gavel has not moved in more than month since being claimed, the lodge holding it is encouraged to take the gavel to another lodge of their choosing in their district.