As chairman of the Grand Lodge Internet Committee, let me express my gratitude to our Grand Master and Grand Lodge officers for allowing me to continue as chairman for another year. There was some hesitation in asking for blog space because I think of our web site as something that belongs to "everyone else", with me as just a member of the management team that helps to make it work and keep it relevant and current, nothing more and nothing less.

On the other hand, if such blog space can be used to impart information and improve communication, then it becomes a "greater good" effort, so why not try it? My prose won't appear very often, and the instant it looks like I'm hogging space, I'll stop. But for the moment, let's test my first blog for pertinence. 

Palatine Lodge #314 has moved into their new building, and I'm happy to report the change is already reflected on the web site. Ben Hur Lodge #818 has also changed their venue, as well as their meeting night. They now meet in the new Palatine Temple on Thursdays instead of Tuesdays. These two changes have also been on our Grand Lodge web site.

Because Google Maps at the time of this writing was showing the wrong zip code for 455 W Dundee Rd in Palatine, as well as showing nearby landmarks on the wrong side of the street or miles away from their true location, it was decided in the name of accuracy to use links to Yahoo Maps just for these two lodges. We do realize Yahoo Maps are not as "smart phone friendly", but once Google properly handles this issue, we will switch the links back.

We are hoping this problem with Google Maps is not rampant. However, we are requesting you do a "self-test" by checking the map link for your lodge to see if the map, displayed zip code, etc., are all correct. If Google Maps is showing incorrect information, please let the committee know immediately. We'll do two things. First, we'll change, at least temporarily, your map link. Secondly, we'll report all discrepancies to Google. Once we learn that Google has made the corrections, we'll switch back.

Of course, we wish both Palatine Lodge and Ben Hur Lodge all the best in their new home. Both lodges look forward to your visit with eagerness, and their members will be pleased and proud to give you a tour of this great new Masonic venue. No doubt we'll be hearing more about an upcoming dedication ceremony.

Remember please that if your lodge plans to change venue and/or meeting nights, here is the procedure. It is absolutely compulsory that you first properly notify the Office of The Grand Secretary. After confirmation of the change has been received by your lodge from the Grand Secretary, then notify the Grand Lodge Internet Committee. For the obvious reasons, there cannot be any exceptions to this order of operation. Once this full procedure has been followed, we will correct the web site in just a few days.

Here's one last item before we leave the subject of cyber-locating lodges, and this part is for the technically minded. Your Grand Lodge Internet Committee is in search of a module that would enable one to look up a lodge on our web site by zip code. That may sound easy, but this module must also be compatible with DNN (Dot Net Nuke), the platform we are using. We can probably use a search engine to get some ideas, but we would prefer to find a module that's already being used somewhere currently in conjunction with a DNN platform. It would also be good to be able to verify that the "marriage" between this module and DNN is a successful and harmonious one. If you have any ideas, or know someone who does, please inform the committee.

Thanks to all brethren for all the help and support to our web site. Make it a great Masonic year.

Fraternally,

Bill Bussiere