The Freemasons are viewed by some with an air of suspicion by those who believe they are cloaked in a shroud of secrecy.
Despite this aura of mystery, the fraternal organization is responsible for much good in the community and the region — and that’s no secret.
“We are not a secret society like some people say,” explained Orv Robson, who has been a Freemason for over 40 years. “We are a society that has secret signs, which we keep to ourselves.”
The explanation for having these signs, such as their stance, grips and passwords, is so members can identify each other, no matter where they might travel throughout the world.
According to Robson, the sole purpose of Freemasonry is to provide fellowship and a way of life to individuals.
“We’re not a service club. We’re a fellowship, a fraternity,” he said. “We are men that are interested in improving our lives through our teachings and in making our world a better place.”
Robson explained that the Freemasons date back to the 1700s.
“We follow the teachings of King Solomon,” he said. “We look at how the craftsmen of those eras went about their daily work, how they worked in society, how they built their kingdoms and how their kingdoms failed.”
Most of the Freemason members today are not literal stonemasons, but are accepted as “speculative” masons.
“We work towards being craftsmen in our society, by improving ourselves mentally and looking after the wellness of our fellowman,” Robson said.
One practical way the membership does this is by funding the Masonic Cancer Car Program. The Grand Lodge of B.C. and Yukon operates this program in conjunction with the B.C. Cancer Society.
It was started in Vancouver in 1987, when the decision was made to help cancer patients by providing them transportation to and from their treatments, free of charge. This service soon expanded to other areas of the province and in 1998 came to the Thompson Okanagan region.
Dick Auty, the local coordinator for the Cancer Car Program, said their van is capable of carrying nine passengers. It is driven by volunteer drivers who pick up patients as far south as Oliver and drive them to the Cancer Clinic in Kelowna and back home again, each day, Monday thru Friday.
Auty reported that since 1998, 30,000 patient trips have been made, covering a total of 825,000 kilometres.
“Masonic members throughout the jurisdiction (B.C. and Yukon) fund the program,” said Auty. He added that the Summerland Health Care Auxiliary had also given several large donations to the cause.
As a volunteer driver for the program, Robson has taken note of the way the patients support one another and form relationships during their time on the road, travelling to Kelowna for treatments.
“When I’m driving I pay attention to how they react to one another and how they are so very positive and they have that support amongst each other,” he said. “That’s the one thing I love about the Cancer Car.”
Summerland’s first Masonic Lodge was formed in 1909. The list of past masters, (which is the equivalent to a president or chairman in other organizations) is long.
“The masters of the Summerland Lodge are significant with respect to whom they were and how they supported Summerland,” said Robson.
The Summerland Lodge has roughly 40 members today. They meet on the third Thursday of the month, September thru June at the IOOF Hall.
The Freemasons do not solicit for new members or ask anyone to join their Lodges. A man must come to Freemasonry through his own heart and approach a known Mason, thus showing an interest. In order to join he would have to “be of age and of good standing,” explained Robson, “Ordinary men who have good morals and integrity.”
He also said that one would have to believe in a Supreme Being and could not be an atheist or agnostic.
“We are open to all race, colour and religion. The goal of the Freemasons is to make good men, better men.”
Men interested in the Freemasons can visit freemasonry.bcy.ca or call Orv Robson at 250-494-1504.
