Shakespeare Lodge 750

Free & Accepted Masons of the

Grand Lodge of the State of New York

W.˙. Julio Duran, Master

Dedicated Service Awards

Many brothers continue, year after year, to support our Lodge with their presence, time and talent by attending meetings and participating in degrees and programs. There are the brother who serve to inspire and motivate other to emulate their examples of true Masonic dedication. Shakespeare has been honored to have many such brothers among us. They have been recognized by Grand Lodge for their work.

These brothers are awarded a distinctive white apron with purple trimming and a lapel pin. Each award is accompanied by a certificate, signed by the Grand Master. Each is honored to place the initials "DSA" after his name on the rolls of the lodge.

In the spring of 1975, I paid an official visit to the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Delaware.

Aside from fraternalism, my purpose was, in the words of an old song, "to see what I could see" for use in improving our own operations. I listened with great interest to the election of three Brethren as "DSA" -- something new to me. I soon discovered that the initials stood for Dedicated Service Award and that the three nominees had performed this service not by extraordinary work on committees or as officers but by efforts "beyond the call of duty." Furthermore, it was usually the recipient of the award who first discovered the existence of a need and then filled it.

One example will illustrate this. A Lodge with an outstanding drama team was about to discontinue it because of lack of funds; the cost of maintenance of the costumes had escalated beyond reach. One Brother, a retired tailor, took charge without fuss or publicity; without any assistance, he continued to clean, repair, and refurbishes the costumes for years.

I knew that, back home, Brethren had done similar things without reward for their work. New York also had needs to be filled, and I determined to fill them on a larger scale and by selection, not election, because of our size, compared to that of Delaware.

On returning to New York, I put the scheme into operation: the Lodges would recommend nominees, strictly limited in number, to the District Deputy Grand Master, who would select the most deserving for final examination by our Special Awards Committee. At each step, the number selected was cut down.

Those so selected are entitled to wear a special apron and pin, to receive an appropriate certificate, and to use DSA after their names. This is a popular award, especially for sideliners who are not often honored. No Right Worshipful may receive it; however, there are more than a few Doses who, once earning that title, later received the Right Worshipful designation.