Title:	Master's Message for January, 2012
Date:	12/31/2011
Brethren, Family and Friends: Happy New Year! I hope everyone is enjoying their holidays. As this Trestle Board is for the month of January, this will be my final Trestle Board as Master of Riviera Lodge. It seems only a few months ago that I began my term as Master of our Lodge. I cannot believe how fast this past year has gone by! I have been honored to serve as the Master of Riviera Lodge and I thank you for the confidence showed in my election as your Master. It has been a great year! I have had the opportunity to serve and work with so many worthy Masons. This year also has been a journey of enlightenment and personal growth. I would like to take this opportunity, to extend my thanks and gratitude to all those who have helped me during my year as of Master of Riviera Lodge. I thank my officers for their hard work, dedication, and loyal support throughout the year. I would like to thank Wor. Charlie Eprem for the labor and creativity he utilized in designing our improved Web site. The new Site will ensure that the Web Site information is informative, current, and revealing to our Community and the outside world that our Lodge is active, vital and relevant. As I indicated in my February Trestleboard message, design of a new Web Site was my main 2011 goal for more effective communication and greater visibility. I am certain this will benefit Riviera Lodge through membership gains. I particularly want to acknowledge my appreciation to Wor. Bill Branch and Wor. Ev Maguire, our Secretary and our Treasurer, respectively . They never failed to provide me the assistance and/or advice when needed. Without these two Brothers, administration and leadership of this Lodge would be much more difficult. Wor. Maguire, with his excellent work, decisions and good judgment throughout the year as Chairman of the Finance and Leadership Committee, assured that we were able to practice our greatest Masonic beliefs, which is Charity. During the last year we served the Palisades community with school grants, scholarships and other youth activities. We kept a high positive visibility in our Community. I hope that the brethren will support a belief that I have, in small measure, contributed to the well being of this Lodge. Our financial aid policy has drawn the attention of Grand Lodge. Following is an extract from a 12/1/11 letter from Grand Master Frank Loui: “The donations of our members and lodges directly improve the lives of our fraternal family members, children, and schools and strengthen the communities in which we Masons serve. As Grand Master, I am pleased to recognize Riviera No. 780 as one of the Top 25 Most Charitable Lodges in California for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2011. Your lodge members and officers deserve a great deal of credit for this achievement, which signals the importance of charity in the life of your lodge. Thank you for demonstrating leadership in relief. We can take pride in the ongoing tradition of charity and service that distinguish us as Freemasons.” Looking forward to 2012, we will have our annual Officer’s Open Installation on January 14th. Three Past Grand Masters, R. Stephen Doan, Dave Doan and Larry Adamson will make up the Installing Team. It is imperative that you make reservations for this event as a large turn-out is expected. Please reserve with Secretary Branch at (310) 454-2054 or wbranch@earthlink.net. A 2012 Officer’s Installation practice will be held following the January 5th Stated Meeting. 2012 Membership Cards are enclosed herein for Life Members and for others currently paid. If you have not done so, please support Riviera Lodge by submitting your dues as soon as possible. Once again, and to all the Brethren, I wish to thank you all for this amazing life experience and for all the kind courtesies and help you have given me and our Lodge during 2011. Wishing you a very happy and prosperous New Year, I remain, fraternally, Alan K. Pak Worshipful Master
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