NASSAU – Most Worship-ful Grand Master Carl R. Culmer, head of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons (Bahamas), says that his organization will play an even larger role in the future socio-economic development of The Bahamas.

Culmer was recently elected as Grand Master of the Prince Hall Association Grand Lodge. He previously served as District Deputy Grand Master for District I (New Providence).

Culmer said that the thrust will "take one step further" some of the programs established by his predecessors and will allow the Masonic Body to play "an improved role in society."

One of his priorities as Grand Master will be to ensure that the Grand Body and its subordinate lodges play a larger role in working with the country's youth – particularly the young men – at a time when crime and immorality appear to be on the rise.

Grand Master Culmer said it is his belief that the Masonic teachings of spirituality, morality, equality and brotherly love can have an impact on the nation's young men and women.

He said it is time that Bahamian men of good moral fibre take the lead in helping to bring about the turnaround needed, especially among the youth, and that as Masons, the Prince Hall Affiliated family is prepared to stand in the gap and "speak up" and to make a difference "whenever necessary."

"Masons and good men throughout this country have to stand up and show the nation that there are still a lot of men of good character in this country who would like to see this country move from where it is, especially in terms of the social ills that are impacting our country," Culmer said. "It's important for Masons as well as good men to stand up and speak up and lead the way so that we as a group can ensure that the good side of life will not be overshadowed by persons who would prefer to bring disgrace to this nation."

Culmer added it is also "very important for us to leave this nation in a better state and a better place than we met it."

Grand Master Culmer said that the Prince Hall Association (PHA) Fraternity is filled with "both veteran and young Masons" who are positive role models in the Bahamian society and who, because they "come from all facets of society," have a wealth of knowledge, wisdom, capability, understanding and professional expertise to assist in alleviating a number of the negative issues impacting society.

He said the Grand Lodge has established a youth committee that will work closely with the youth of the nation – and in particular the young men – in an attempt to curb some of the social ills affecting this group of persons.

"I don't see our youth – particularly our young men – as being lost. I see them as being misguided and in need of direction," Grand Master Culmer said. "That's why I have established a committee responsible for working with the country's youth and whose focus is to address some of these very same problems."

He said the committee is "comprised of young, energetic examples in the community and some of our veteran Masons who will work hand-in-hand with the various organizations in an attempt to help stem the tide of crime and immorality that is facing our society and our youth."

"We have a long history of assisting the youth of our nation and so we see this as an opportunity to expand our involvement in any number of activities relating to the youth," he added.

Grand Master Culmer said the plan will be implemented throughout the 10 districts that comprise the Prince Hall Affiliated family, including the Family Islands, to ensure "the universality of our projects and that all Bahamians will be able to benefit from whatever programs that

are already in place or will be put in place in the near future."

Grand Master Culmer said the fraternity will continue to focus on helping to bring public awareness to the importance of voluntary blood donations, cancer awareness and healthy living in addition to the continuation of many of its social outreach programs that have positively impacted a number of Children's Homes, in addition to homes for the elderly.

"We are a group that does not brag about the things that we do; we just go out there and do it because we believe that if there is a need in our society that we can assist with, we should just go out there and do it without any fanfare or media attention," Culmer said. "And while that approach may not have generated the kind of publicity other organizations receive, it is our belief that filling the void and ensuring that society benefits from our functions is the most important contribution we can make to helping make The Bahamas a better place."

LEADERSHIP TEAM — Most Worshipful Grand Master Carl R. Culmer (third right) with members of the Grand Lodge, following elections held in New Providence. Grandmaster Culmer served as District Deputy Grand Master for District I (New Providence) prior to his election as Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge. Pictured (from left) are: Kenrick Braithwaite, Grand Treasurer; Ersley Johnson Grand Senior Warden; Sanford Culmer, Deputy Grand Master; Carl R. Culmer, Grand Master; Fred Ferguson, Grand Junior Warden; and Wendell L. Barry, Grand Secretary). (Photo by G. JAMARI CHEA)