Brethren,

The 767th Lodge in Indiana began a very short time ago as a vision shared by a handful of men—a vision for a return to practices of an earlier age, combined with bright ideas for the future. It was to be a Lodge where dull stated meetings were consigned to the ash heap; a Lodge where gentlemanliness, formality, fun and the festive board all combined to be something heretofore unseen in Indiana. And it succeeded.

This Lodge WILL fulfill its promise to its founders, its members and Indiana Freemasonry. We have hope and vision for the future. The things we set out to accomplish two years ago will be done, and more.

We will actively engage guest speakers for our meetings.

We will exemplify alternative degree rituals.

We will use new technology where it is appropriate and show new ways to accomplish the goals of the fraternity (after all, we are unique—no other Lodge in Indiana can say every single one of its members is connected with e-mail).

We will make certain our Festive Boards are events that others will want to emulate. We want to be the Lodge others get ideas from for successful programming.

We envisioned this Lodge as a small group of men that would remain small, so we could get to know each other and care about each other. That vision has not changed, my Brothers.

We welcome visitors from other Lodges to come and see what makes Lodge Vitruvian special. We value true Masonic scholarship, and earnestly encourage new ideas while embracing a return to customs that built this fraternity nearly three centuries ago. At our Festive Board we endeavor to have guest speakers, or a presentation by our own members.

We are a unique mix of progressive traditionalists, and we invite other Masons who share this vision to help us continue to build this, the newest of Indiana Lodges.

And we welcome the man who is just beginning to seek Masonic light. Lodge Vitruvian is expensive to join. We do not meet every month. We believe in taking time advancing from Entered Apprentice to Fellow Craft to Master Mason. We dress formally and believe that Freemasonry should be teaching its members true gentlemanliness, in the best and most honorable sense of the word. We believe that business meetings are a bane to be quickly dispensed with so that we might better enjoy good food and each others' company, as our forefathers did. We believe in higher standards that are rewarded by fun and camaraderie. If you are making that tentative decision to knock on the door of a Lodge and seek admission, consider our Lodge's philosophy and see if it coincides with yours.

This year will be a great one for us, and everyone's input is valued. I look forward to seeing and hearing from each and every one of you.

I remain sincerely and most fraternally,

Christopher L. Hodapp, P.M.
Worshipful Master
Lodge Vitruvian #767