Page 10 - Sojourner Newsletter-Winter 2023 Final revised

10 THE SOJOURNER

BRIDGE OF LIGHT COMMITTEE
Charlie Odorizzi, Chairman

The National Sojourners® Bridge of Light (BOL) program is our best and quickest way to increase our
membership. When you deliver presentations, the Toast to the Flag or a program to our Lodge brothers, you
immediately have prospects for membership! There will, almost undoubtedly, be men in the room who have
served in one of our Nation’s uniformed services. There is a good possibility they will have no familiarity with
Sojourners or what we do, but this is a terrific opportunity to talk with them and explain the purposes of Na-
tional Sojourners, how Masonry and military service have been inextricably linked throughout history, and
how they can join us in our patriotic aims and activities. If they served in uniform, it is almost certain they will
qualify for membership. We owe them the opportunity to make an informed decision.

1) The BOL Committee has been working very hard to revise the requirements Chapters must complete to
earn the Odie Howell Award. At this point in time, everything is recommendations until/unless approved
by the Brethren at the ANC. The very first thing identified is some challenges with our math skills! We
totaled the points and seemed to come up with different totals each time. That was a primary reason why
we decided to eliminate the ¼ and ½ point designations. These are much easier to accurately compute
when converting to whole integers such as 1, 2 or 3. This will make it easier to ensure worthy Chapters are
awarded the Odie Howell Award as earned.

2) The second recommendation discussed is whether the “points” system currently used for computations is
something we even wish to see continued, or should we revamp it to a system such as the current
Centennial Heroes checklist. Under this system, the requirements to earn the award will be listed. Some
might be mandatory requirements, while others would be elective. Completing a certain amount of the
combined listed requirements would result in earning the Odie Howell Award. Both options have
advantages and disadvantages to be considered, and we hope to soon arrive at a consensus
recommendation from the committee.

3) The third major area we are discussing involves the time period covered by the award. Currently the Odie
Howell Award is based upon a total of all points earned in two consecutive years. This does not allow for
timely receipt of the award by a Chapter. The committee is discussing the possibility of awarding it
annually instead of bi-annually. This would allow the receipt and recognition to be presented to the
Chapter President, and immediate past President, rather than reaching back two years. Not only does this
allow proper recognition, but the events would also be far fresher in everyone’s mind, and thus likely more
meaningful. If a calendar year option is selected, it will have the additional benefit of allowing the Chapter
officers and immediate past officers to work together toward this achievement. That should lead to greater
cooperation between regimes, and increase camaraderie.

As I stated at the Midwinter Conference, neither the committee nor I have all the answers, nor would we
pretend to have them. We are very open to, and appreciative of, suggestions and input from you and other
National Sojourners. Please feel free to reach out with your thoughts, suggestions, and constructive criticisms.
I cannot guarantee you they will be implemented, but I can guarantee you they will most certainly be
welcomed and considered.