V.W. Bro. Robert G. Haynes

St. Lawrence District

Third Vice President Election Candidate Biography

· Name: Robert Graham Haynes

· robert.haynes209@gmail.com

· 613-530-5531

· Initiation Date: March 2, 2016

· Lodge Name(s) and Number: Lansdowne Lodge No. 387

· Office of Master: June 24, 2022 – June 6, 2024

· Concordant Bodies: Scottish Rite

Grand Lodge, District and Lodge Offices Held: 

· Grand Steward – July 18, 2024

· District Secretary – July 2023 – June 2024

· St. Lawrence District Association – Secretary/Treasurer – May 2024 to present

· Contributions to The Craft: Worked closely with R.W. Bro. David Wilkins as District Secretary during his tenure as the St. Lawrence District DDGM. Assisted in editing the DDGM Trestle Board, scheduling meetings, and acted as the Director of Ceremonies for the DDGM at Grand Lodge visits (such as Grand Master Banquet, Deputy Grand Master Banquet, Tri-District Day of Masonry and Lodge of Instruction).

Aided with the planning and execution of several “Robbie Burns Dinners” as a member of Lansdowne Lodge. As Master of Lansdowne Lodge, our lodge had the honour of assisting with the Investiture of Grand Stewards V.W. Bro. Mark Kelly and V.W. Bro. Donald Slack in 2023. 

· Education: Community College – Electrical Technician

· Professional Experience: President of a Land Development Corporation and Residential Construction company for over 30 years. As President, this corporation successfully developed and constructed over 300 residential units as well as 40 condominiums.

· Employed by the Ontario Ministry of Solicitor General, Correctional Services as a lieutenant and staff training officer at a maximum-security institution. 

· Community Involvement: Was one of the original organizers of the “Cobourg and District Homebuilders Association” and was their inaugural President.

· Community Volunteer Supporting minor hockey as Chairman of the “Steve Smith Celebrity Golf Classic” for 7 years in Cobourg.

· DDGM Prep course Completed this course twice: April 3, 2018 and May 30, 2022

St. Lawrence District has enjoyed a long line of very capable DDGM’s that have provided dedicated leadership to our District, and it is my hope that with your assistance and support we will continue to maintain the principles of this high office. 

With the emphasis now leaning towards Ritual Education and Mentorship (REM), our district will continue this tradition and break new ground with further improvements.

Our close ties and cooperation with Grand Lodge are essential to our ongoing success.

It is also extremely important to include our Entered Apprentices in activities such as lodge dinners, lodge fundraisers and visiting other lodges, in and outside our district. Carpooling to other lodges gives us a great opportunity to bond friendships with our newest members and make them feel like they’re part of the lodge family.

Regular attendance at the Grand Lodge Communication is also very important, allowing for the establishment of lasting contacts and friendships. 

I hope that my presence and activity in our District will indicate the dedication and drive I will give to the office of 3rd Vice President. Together with your support, I am confident that we can work together for the good of the Craft and the good of St. Lawrence District.

·  Lansdowne Lodge No. 387

  Robert Smith

St. Lawrence District

Third Vice President Election Candidate Biography

· Name: Robert Dale Smith

· [Optional] Contact Information: rdsmith@cogeco.ca 613-498-0827 (h) 613-802-6046 ©

· Initiation Date: May 6, 2014

· Lodge Name(s) and Number: Lyn Lodge 416

· Office of Master: 2023-2024, 2024-2025

Degrees Obtained: Lodge offices held: Initiation May 6, 2014, Passed October 7, 2014, Raised March 3, 2015 

Offices: JS, SS, JD,SD, JW, WM  

· Concordant Bodies: Ancient Arabic Order of the Noble of the Mystic Shrine, TUNIS Shriners; Outer Guard, Captain of the Guard, 1st. Ceremonial Master, 2nd. Ceremonial Master, Brockville District Shrine Club Past President 2017 & 2023

· Grand Lodge, District and Lodge Offices Held: None

Contributions to The Craft: I never go into a lodge and not notice the rough and smooth ashlars at the front of the lodge. As a teenager I had lots of friends, but I didn’t see the same values as many of my teachers or older people in our society.  As time passed, I worked hard and built my confidence, just as the rough stone became smoother. Now as a municipal councillor, I constantly help others in the craft as well as my community where I enjoy brotherly love and friendship. 

As with all masons I am on a masonic journey and have worked my way through the chairs at Lyn Lodge # 416 and have just finished my second year as a Worshipful Master.

· Education: Graduate of Thousand Secondary School, Sir Sanford Fleming College Recreation Leadership Diploma, St. Lawrence College Building Environmental Systems Diploma, St. Lawrence College Management Progrm Diploma, St. Lawrence College Plant Engineering Maintenance Association Canada (PEMAC)

· Brief Professional Experience: Upper Canada District School Board Custodian-in-Charge, 1000 Islands Charity Casino Environmental Supervisor, Assurant Solution Facilities Manager, United Counties of Leeds and Grenville Facilities and Asset Manager, Funeral Director Assistant Barclay Funeral Home Brockville

· Skills and Expertise: Leadership, Empathy and Compassion, Honesty and Integrity, Communication (verbal and written), active listener, problem solving, teamwork, adaptability, creative thinker, time management, dependable, responsibility and confidence,

· Community Involvement: Past President Lyn & District Softball Association, Past President Lyn Days Festivals, Past President Kinsmen Club of Brockville, Past President Brockville and District Shrine Club, Municipal Councillor Township of Elizabethtown-Kitley, Chair of Village of Lyn 225th Anniversary Celebrations and Canada 150th Celebrations, Chair of the Lyn Santa Claus Parades

· Volunteer Work: Assisted with building the Heritage Place Museum, Up grades to the Lyn Ball Diamonds/canteen facility, and pavilion, Fundraising committee to rebuild the Five Mile Lighthouse, participated with Earth Days/Community Clean Up, and T.I.S.S 40th Reunion Chair and 50th   Reunion Co-Chair 

· Awards and Honors: Village of Lyn Citizen of the Year, Kinsmen Club of Brockville Rookie of the Year/Top Kinsmen/Outstanding Maple Leaf Award of Distinction, Township of Elizabethtown-Kitley Outstanding Contributions to Recreation, Brockville and District Shrine Club Past President Outstanding Contributions.

· List of Masonic Workshops, Seminars, FCF: None

· DDGM Prep course Completed? None

I visualize the St. Lawrence District full of successful lodges, where masons practice their craft in a judgement-free and friendly environment. 

As masons we need to help each other increase our membership through a variety of community activities. We need to help each other in amalgamation processes where we make our lodges stronger and more active. I want lodge members to be proud of being a mason, proud of their communities and proud of their country. 

Non-masons should see us as role models in the community. Someone with high moral standards, someone who belongs to an organization that is making the world a better place. 

The St. Lawrence District has a rich history, that has been supported by wonderful masons over many years. I want to continue this trend where we put honour and virtue above rank and fortune

·  Lyn Lodge No. 416

  V.W. Bro Sean J. Lawrence

St. Lawrence District

Third Vice President Election Candidate Biography

· Name: Sean James Lawrence

· Contact Information: sealaw66@gmail.com 613 880 2941

· Initiation Date: November 16, 1987

· Lodge Name(s) and Number: Sussex #5 and St. Francis #24

· Office of Master: St. Francis #24 2017

· Degrees Obtained: Lodge offices held all chairs up to Master

· Concordant Bodies: 

·  Royal Arch current 1st Principal Prince of Whales #133

·  Knights Templar Gondemar Preceptory:Sub. Marshall

·  High Priesthood: Adoniram Council #2 GRO

·    The Operatives: St Lawrence Seaway Assemblage Treasurer 

·  

· Grand Lodge, District and Lodge Offices Held: District Secretary St Lawrence District 2018-19

·  Grand Steward 2019-2021

· Contributions to The Craft: I have been very active in the district over the last 10yrs. District education chair and mentoring. I currently run a weekly zoom call for fellowship and masonic education every Wednesday evening. We started this call at the beginning of the pandemic.

· Education: Financial Planner

· Brief Professional Experience: I have been a Financial Advisor since 1996 and currently have my CHS (Charter Health Specialist) currently finishing my CLU (Chartered Life Underwriter I have sat on the board of directors for the local chapter for ADVOCIS (life underwriters association of Canada) since 1996 and been president 2009-2010 and 2018-present.

· Skills and Expertise: Numerous courses and seminars yearly

· Community Involvement: I am very involved in my community helping out different charities with fund raising

· Volunteer Work: Smiths Falls Community Hospital Foundation board member from 2002-2016. Chair from 2016-2019

· Advocis 1996-present current president.

· Smiths Falls Chamber of Commerce since 2007 current Chair

· Carleton Place DBA treasurer 2015

· Awards and Honors: Smiths Falls athletic recognition dinner for my Karate instruction 2017

· List of Masonic Workshops, Seminars, FCF

· DDGM Prep course Completed? Yes 2018

I believe that St Lawrence district has a very long and proud history of Masonry in Ontario and we need to celebrate it. We also need to look to the future and make our Lodges more welcoming and inviting to new younger members to both grow and move our craft into the next 100 years. As new technologies become available, we need to see how they fit into our vision and make it easier for new members to participate in our order. I also think we need more education, mentoring and finally more fellowship to build our bonds as Masons.

·  St. Francis #24