Proposal for new Standing Committee

Masonic CHIP (Child Identification Program) Support Committee

Whereas Freemasons in over thirty (30) jurisdictions currently are engaged in child identification programs generating various identifiying items and supplying them to parents or guardians in recovery kits free of charge.

Whereas a comprehensive Masonic CHild Identification Program (Masonic CHIP) has evolved in more than nine (9) Masonic jurisdictions in North America to include tooth impression (Toothprints TM), full face still photo or recorded action interview, as well as various other identifying methods and materials in their comprehensive recovery kits.

Whereas a turn-key operations model and handbook, developed by Massachusetts, and evolved to efficiently replicate the Masonic CHIP events in any jurisdiction intent on providing and/or raising the necessary financial resources and committing manpower to support ongoing Masonic CHIP Events.

Whereas the American Dental Association and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has endorsed this comprehensive Masonic CHIP (Child Identification program) and is looking for Freemasons to institute this program Nation-wide with the Toothprints TM wafer.

Whereas the inventor and patent holder of the tooth impression Toothprints TM wafer, a brother Mason, will be able to offer his creation exclusively to Masonic jurisdictions conducting Masonic CHIP events until February 2007. After that time he will have to offer his product to other service and fraternal organizations that wish to include it in their child ID programs. The ADA will at that time be looking to latch on to other organizations in States that are not yet including the Toothprints TM wafer in their ID programs.

Be it resolved, that the conference of Grand Masters of Masons in North America create and establish a standing committee for Masonic Child Identification Program Support. Such committee will enter a start-up stage under the direction of a three (3) member executive committee who will serve initially for three years and will report annually at the Grand Masters Conference.

The purpose of said committee, is to encourage and assist jurisdictions to engage in comprehensive Masonic CHIP events that include tooth impression wafer (Toothprints TM) and full face still photo or recorded action interview, and various other identifying items as the individual jurisdiction may determine. In addition, to serve as a resource & clearinghouse providing the information, technology and expertise necessary for any jurisdiction to efficiently conduct events that supplies identifying items in recovery kits to parents or guardians free of charge.

The structure of said committee shall be a three (3) member executive committee who will serve initially for three, four and five years of start-up respectively. After three years, one executive member will be elected each year at the February Grand Masters Conference to serve a three-year term. During start-up the executive committee will identify and enlist a maximum of two (2) representatives from each of the seven (7) area conferences including the All Canada Conference to promote the adoption of Masonic CHIP in their respective areas. The area members will agree to serve, one for two years, and one for three years during start-up. During the second year, the area conference will elect one (1) new member to rotate on to the committee and begin a two-year term in February 2006. The process will continue and the area will recommend one each year to serve a two-year term in rotation for those jurisdictions engaged. The committee shall thus be limited to seventeen (17) members, three Executive members, and two each from the seven area conferences.

The operation of said committee shall be primarily through e-group, telecommunication and visitation. The primary duty of the executive committee is to engage and encourage additional jurisdictions to appoint State Directors for Masonic CHIP events, record accurate progress and deliver an annual report to the Conference of Grand Masters of Masons in North America. The executive committee will explore the creation of a central purchasing entity, which is now being spearheaded by Massachusetts and develop a national web page with e-groups. The area conference members will maintain communication with the Grand Masters of engaged jurisdictions and their duly appointed Masonic CHIP State Directors. They will observe and advise jurisdictions in proper efficient operations of Masonic CHIP events and report their findings and innovations to the executive committee. The committee will have no operating budget and all members will cover their own expenses.

 The committee will concentrate on program operations. Each jurisdiction is responsible to provide and/or raise funding, identify and purchase the equipment all items necessary to conduct its own Masonic CHIP events. The committee will however advise all jurisdictions about particular opportunities for funding support from non-Masonic foundations and general public appeals that are working in other jurisdictions.