My most recent responsibilities at Verizon involved high level hardware and software support for switching equipment. When technicians were unable to resolve a problem they would come to me and we would work together toward its resolution. There were times when I could provide an immediate answer and others when the solution was not so obvious. In those cases I would study documentation or consult with other experts and by using these resources, resolve the trouble.
This is very much the approach I would like to bring to the AGL job. In my view the AGL is a troubleshooter that the masons in the district can come to when they need help with the Standard Work as presented in the Blue Book. I do not pretend to be an expert in ritual but I have access to some very knowledgeable people here in Central New York, a network of AGLs and the Grand Lecturer to back me up.
I want to emphasize that Norm and I are here to help with the ritual, not to carry a hatchet and take names. We will soon be visiting all the lodges so that you can see that neither of us possess horns nor a tail. We are all brothers on the level trying to be the best Freemasons we can. The AGL's responsibility is to be the go-to guy for the questions that inevitably arise in running a Masonic Lodge.
The Grand Lecturers convention is coming up on Friday, October, 9 in Pulaski. By now all of you who plan to attend the dinner should have made reservations. The Grand Lecturer will be covering the preparation room, and conductors responsibilities in the afternoon and after dinner he will review the first section of the 2nd degree.
Lastly, I would like to thank the Oswego District for the opportunity to serve in this capacity. I look forward to the challenge and will try very hard not to let you down.