I recently saw this on a road sign and it gave me pause for thought. I thought it might give some of our members comfort or inspiration. It is always easy to raise your hand in a vote when everyone agrees with you and you with them. it is much more difficult when you know this is not the case. Not only is it the right of every member to express his or her opinion; I think it is their responsibility. The best decisions this lodge has ever made have been after various ideas/views have been weighed by the group under the full light of day. Some topics are more hotly  "debated" than others. Some subjects are just uncomfortable for some people. There are, however, appropriate and inappropriate ways for members to make their beliefs known. One of the most inappropriate I could have conceived of was discussed Tuesday at meeting. In my time with the lodge so far, I have often felt alone in my views, the only sane mind at the asylum, or just wondering if everyone else even has a basic understanding of something. In the end, usually after much more time or fuss than I would have originally viewed as necessary, the group does come up with a good decision. it might not be the one you wanted, but it's usually not what the other guy wanted either. The next statement goes out to all my fellow "nuts". Although sometimes you  may feel your voice is lost, your views unappreciated, your hard work gone unnoticed, you may always come to meeting and exercise your right of franchise and cast a vote. Please come and socialize . . . some "nuts" are my favorite people. To ALL my fellow members . . . beware . . . sometimes a nut is just a nut.
Fraternally yours,
Michael A. Werle
Exalted Ruler

the