Official Visit Golden Rule Lodge #409 – Sept. 14, 2009
By R.W. Bro. Terry M. Hornibrook, DDGM

MasoniCHIP Program: Our District Project

Brethren, seldom do we have the opportunity to present our fraternity in such a positive and worthwhile perspective as we have now. Our society is in a state of great turmoil and upset. We can make a positive difference. Recent events only point out this sad fact. The horrific abduction and subsequent death of 8-year-old Tori Stafford is an example of the degradation to which our society has reached. The killing of a twelve-year¬ old autistic boy by his neighbour in Alberta this past August for no apparent reason is another. Many other occurrences could be listed

We have been given the perfect vehicle to do good and save other families from the same feelings of hopelessness and despair. That is why I am endorsing the promotion of the Masonic Chip programme as my district project this year. I am asking for your help and support to reach across the whole district and beyond. We can portray our fraternity in its true light and create a positive public awareness.

The Masonic Chip programme is the most comprehensive and complete child identification kit, ever been developed. It consists of both still pictures and a short video of each child processed. It also contains a DNA sample, a physical description of the child, a series of questions which help determine where they might go if they are upset to be by themselves. Their voice and its patterns are recorded. If you enlist the aid of medical professionals or dentists and their assistants there is an opportunity to provide a dental imprint.

All of this material is given to the parent or guardian at the end of the session on a CD disc and in hard copy. This information is placed in a sealed manila envelope at the end of the interview and is given to the parent, hopefully never to be opened. All the sponsoring agency keeps is a permission slip signed by the parent to state that they voluntarily took part. The parent or guardian must be present when the interview is conducted.

This package is provided free of charge to each child. There is a cost to the sponsoring agency (Hopefully Your Lodge), of three dollars for each child.

Masons in the Boston area started Masonic Chip in 1996. Dr. David Hardee, who was the guest speaker at the Grand Masters banquet in Toronto this past July, developed the dental wafer now in use. I am now going to share some of the information he communicated to us.

Over 1.9 million children have been done in North America since the programme's inception. Ontario Masons have processed over 18,000 children as of the end of July. This programme was introduced and supported by our Past Grand Master Alan J. Petrisor and is fully endorsed by our current Grand Master Raymond S. J. Daniels.

I am not sure whether you realize that over 20,000 children go missing in Ontario every year. Most are victims of seduction not abduction. Some of these occurrences are never reported. A parent or other family member takes them, they go willingly. Others are lured by unscrupulous inter net users. These children are vulnerable and easy prey.

Since its inception, some older victims have reconnected with their families. Because of the ability to project what a child might look at as they age, some have seen themselves on the internet and made contact. Others have been released shortly after abduction because of what they learned during the interview. One girl who was abducted was placed in a back seat. There she proceeded to rub saliva on the seats and the windows, when abductor asked her what she was doing? She said that she was leaving her DNA. He immediately released her. In Ontario the program has been expanded to include older people with various forms of dementia. It works with children, why not the elderly?

The promotion of the MasoniCHIP program in your community has many positive facets. It portrays masonry in a beneficial manner. It protects our most valuable resource, our children. It serves as a deterrent to potential felons. It may also result in an immediate influx of applications for membership. As I stated this is your opportunity to let the light of Masonry shine in our district.

In closing I would like to leave you with this quote. Attributed to Etienne de Grellet 1773-1855.
"I SHALL PASS THROUGH THIS WORLD BUT ONCE; ANY GOOD THING THEREFORE THAT I CAN DO OR ANY KINDNESS THAT I CAN SHOW TO ANY HUMAN BEING, LET ME DO IT NOW, LET ME NOT DEFER IT OR NEGLECT IT, FOR I SHALL NOT PASS THIS WAY AGAIN."

Before, taking part in this program every helper must under go a police check, which is available free of charge since it is for a volunteer purpose. This does not have to be a solely Masonic venture. It is hoped that other community groups would be to willing to help. The Lions clubs in some areas have aided, as well as early childhood educators. Only your imagination and effort is needed to make this a success. Your wives, family or friends can also help. The wider the support base the more successful we can be.