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The Rensselaer - Schenectady GRAND LECTURER'S CONVENTION
Will be on SEPTEMBER 22ND
at BEUKENDAAL LODGE in Scotia!

Very Worshipful JASON E. DZEMBO

Assistant Grand Lecturer
for the
Rensselaer - Schenectady Masonic District
BIO -
Brother Dzembo’s Masonic career began in April of 2000. A third generation prodigy, he followed in the footsteps of his father and his grandfather, and joined Mount Zion Lodge No. 311 in Troy. He was appointed as a Steward the following fall and began to move up the ranks.

In 2003, he affiliated with Clinton Lodge No. 140 and Apollo-King Solomon’s Lodge No. 13. That fall he was elected Junior Warden of Clinton, and in 2005, he was elected Worshipful Master. The following year, he became Master of Mount Zion.

In addition to his Blue Lodge duties, Brother Dzembo served as Vice-President of the Rensselaer-Schenectady Masters & Wardens Association from 2005-2006, and as President of the (renamed) Masters & Officers Association from 2006-2007. He filled in as President Pro-Tem during early 2008. He is also a member of Iran Grotto and current Secretary of the exclusive Bull Moose Society.

In May of 2007, he was appointed Assistant Grand Lecturer of the Rensselaer-Schenectady District, to fill the vacancy left by Right Worshipful John Henry’s promotion to Regional AGL. He is also the founder of the HIRAM Program (Help Improve Ritual and Masonry).

Outside of the Lodge, Very Worshipful Dzembo works for the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. He is a blue belt in tae kwon do. He lives in Rensselaer with his wife Robbin (without whom none of what he does would be possible) and their St. Bernard, Tobbi (who, despite his best efforts, insists on shedding on his tuxedo).

2008 - 2009 Ritual Calendar
(Schedules are subject to change without notice. Please confirm dates with the AGL or with the individual Lodges.)

Date

Lodge

Degree

Contact
August 26th Rensselaer-Schenectady District School of Instruction - Opening / Closing Jason Dzembo
September 22nd Rensselaer - Schenectady District GRAND LECTURER'S CONVENTION Jason Dzembo
October 2nd Clinton No. 140 First Degree Wor. Ed Dudden
October 9th St. George's No. 6 First Degree Wor. Damon Carr
October 11th Rensselaer-Schenectady District School of Instruction - First Degree Jason Dzembo
November 13th St. George's No. 6 Second Degree Wor. Damon Carr
November 20th Clinton No. 140 Second Degree Wor. Ed Dudden
December 13th St. George's No. 6 Third Degree Wor. Damon Carr
December 18th Clinton No. 140 Third Degree Wor. Ed Dudden
January 3, 2009 Rensselaer-Schnectady District School of Instruction - Third Degree Jason Dzembo
January 8th St. George's No. 6 First Degree Wor. Damon Carr
January 31st Rensselaer - Schenectady District Third Degree @ GRAND LODGE Jason Dzembo
February 19th Clinton No. 140 First Degree Wor. Ed Dudden
February 26th St. George's No. 6 Second Degree Wor. Damon Carr
March 19th Clinton No. 140 Second Degree Wor. Ed Dudden
March 28th Rensselaer-Schenectady District School of Instruction - Second Degree Jason Dzembo
April 9th St. George's No. 6 Third Degree Wor. Damon Carr
April 16th Clinton No. 140 Third Degree Wor. Ed Dudden
Ask the AGL
August 3, 2008 -
Summer is half over, and it's time to start looking forward to the coming year! In the next two months, we have two important Ritual Events coming up!
On August 26th, we will hold the first of four Schools of Instruction scheduled for this year. This one will focus on the Opening and Closing of Lodge, in preparation for September. I encourage all 2008-2009 officers to attend if possible, so that you are brushed up and ready to open and close your Lodge properly and professionally. This SoI will be held at 7:30 PM, at the TROY Masonic Community Center. No dinner is planned, but please feel free to bring your ritual book.
On September 22nd is the Rensselaer-Schenectady Grand Lecturer's Convention. It will be hosted by BEUKENDAAL Lodge in Scotia. There will be an "attitude adjustment" at 5:30, dinner at 6:30, with the meeting starting promptly at 7:30. The cost of the dinner is $15. Please be sure to make your reservations, to David Foote (drfoote1@nycap.rr.com) or Art VanVranken (artcrane@nycap.rr.com) by September 15th.
The work for the Grand Lecturer's Convention will be the Hiramic Legend, focusing primarily on the three ruffians and the craftsmen, as well as the transition back to a regular Lodge at the conclusion of the drama. I would like to have the positions of the ruffians, the first three craftsmen, the seafaring man, the guard and the chaplain/secretary/off-stage voice filled before the convention, so if you would like to take a role in this event, please let me know.
Don't forget the coveted Howard Potts Award! This Award is presented to each Lodge that brings their Master, Wardens, Deacons and Masters of Ceremony to the Grand Lecturer's Convention. At Grand Lodge last May, four awards were presented to the Rensselaer-Schenectady District. Let's see if we can meet or beat that level this year!

June 29, 2008 -
Q: Is it okay to portray the Second Section of the First Degree on a different night than the First Section? Is a time limit between sections?

A: Technically the only parts of the Degrees that the ritual explicitly says can be postponed to a later communication are the First and Third Degree Historical Lectures. The drama (i.e., the Second Section of the Third Degree) should be performed the same night as the first section.
Realistically, though, there's nothing that says the Hiramic Legend MUST be done at the same meeting as the first part of the Degree. There's no statute of limitations on how long may transpire between sections of the Degree. However, it is important to remember that ALL parts of each Degree should be presented before the candidate/brother can proceed. So a candidate should not go on to the Second Degree until he has seen the entire First Degree (including the historical lecture). He should not go on to the Third Degree until he has seen the entire Second Degree. And he should not be allowed to sign the By-Laws or attend a Master Mason meeting until he has seen the entire Third Degree (including the Hiramic Legend and the historical lecture).