Most of our original ideas and plans for 2020 went out the window in March, when the COVID-19 pandemic upended daily life around the world. And while traditional Masonry has faced seemingly insurmountable obstacles this past year, our members, lodges, and Grand Lodge all made incredible progress in 2020 that will continue to shape our jurisdiction for decades to come.

This Annual Report summarizes our tremendous achievements over the past year, especially around the four strategic pillars represented in the 2020 Fraternity Plan, the five-year roadmap we drew up in 2015 to guide us to this point. The first, “rewarding member experiences,” has seen us develop improved candidate-prospecting processes, elevated our leadership training, and cultivated 29 new lodges. “Meaningful and memorable degrees” saw improved ritual and candidate-training programs and dramatically increased opportunities for Masonic education, especially through the new Online Masonic Speaker Series. “Strong lodges and halls” involved expanding the financial, tax, and real-estate services provided through Grand Lodge. “Positive impact on society” resulted in two of the most successful charitable campaigns in our Foundation’s history: Let’s Write the Future, which provided increased access to literacy for underserved students and improved senior care for our most vulnerable; and the Distressed Worthy Brother Relief Fund, our record-smashing drive to provide financial relief, counseling, and mental-health services to our brethren and their families affected by the pandemic, wildfire, and other disasters. This second effort was so successful, it will continue into the future.

Even while we were unable to gather in person, our members’ creativity allowed us to not only maintain, but expand our brotherhood. The best of what we learned will be incorporated into our fraternity’s operations as we re-open our doors and again meet on the level.

As California Masons, we should be proud of the progress we have made in the face of enormous adversity this year. We look forward to a brighter future as our fraternity continues to evolve to meet our 2050 vision—The World in Harmony.

Sincerely and fraternally,

Arthur H. Weiss
Grand Master