Freemasonry

Masonic Energy Initiative Leads to

Green "Business" Certification

On August 24, 2004, Mill Valley Lodge No. 356, F & AM, was one of seven Marin County "businesses" that received Green Business Certification by the Marin County Board of Supervisors at a Green Business Recognition Ceremony held at the Marin Civic Center. The Green Business Recognition program was launched by the County of Marin’s Community Development Agency in April of 2002. The Mill Valley Masonic Lodge, which is a fraternal organization and not a business, is currently the only community organization that has gained this recognition, joining fifty-four other businesses already certified, bringing the total to sixty-one in Marin. Green Business certification requires that businesses meet higher standards than required by law in energy and water conservation, waste reduction and pollution prevention.

Mill Valley Lodge was recognized for its efforts to promote a more sustainable community included the following:

Installation of a 3.9kW solar energy system on its roof, which made the Masonic Lodge the first commercial property in downtown Mill Valley to generate and return electrical power to the grid;
Building a new American's with Disabilities Act compliant restroom with low flow toilet and an infrared self-closing faucet;
Replacing two 50-gallon gas water heaters with energy efficient on-demand water heaters;
Replacing incandescent lighting with compact florescent fixtures saving almost 4000 watts throughout the building (2000 watts in the ballroom and Lodge rooms alone);
Installing an astronomical clock to turn off all lighting circuits at a selected time in case any light might have been left on;
Automatic light switches in the bathroom;
Adopting a more stringent recycling program;
Reaffirmed our commitment to carpooling - member's of the Lodge have been "car pooling" from the Lodge's inception in 1903, long before that word had popular meaning.

Lodge member, architect and urban planner Charles Sands designed the renovation plans and oversaw its implementation: Bro. Sands other works have included managing the rehabilitation of the San Francisco Embarcadero, assisting in management of construction of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SF MOMA), and construction of International Airports in Odaiba, Japan (including the Aquatic Park), China, and Saudi Arabia. In addition to being environmentally friendly and fully ADA accessible, the work remains true to the original Craftsmen-Victorian design of the building: While the Lodge room is constructed in a Craftsmen-Victorian interpretation of the Classical Ionic Order, symbolic of wisdom, the new pediment in the dining room is a Craftsmen-Victorian interpretation of the Doric Order, symbolic of strength we are likely to gain through nourishment at our feasts. As Bro. Sands stated about the use of an environmentally friendly, renewable solar energy, "It is particularly appropriate given the solar mythology that abounds in the Masonic Degrees." As to the work itself, the foregoing lighting changes were done by the Mill Valley firm of Caletti Construction and it's sub-contractor Nowell's, Inc. of Sausalito. The Solar System installer was Marin Solar in San Rafael. For his part in the project, Charles Sands has been nominated to receive the City of Mill Valley's Milley Award: As co-nominator, Hon. John Leonard, former Mayor of Mill Valley stated about Charles Sands' work on the project, "[H]as brought the Hall into the 21st Century and once more made it capable of functioning as a center for the arts and community performances without in any way lessening its charm or historical character. This work was of particular significance because the Masonic Hall is one of Mill Valley's most important historical buildings." [Letter dated April 19, 2004 from John Leonard to Milley Committee.]

The foregoing contributions to building a better community are part of over a century of progressive contributions by the Lodge and its individual members to our friends and neighbors in the City of Mill Valley and County of Marin. The Lodge Hall at 19 Corte Madera Avenue in Mill Valley was one of the first downtown buildings to utilize electric lighting and was a hub of early community events: From 1903 to 1908 what is now the ball room was rented to the City of Mill Valley which used the modern building as office space and for City Council Meetings. Throughout the years, including the 1925 expansion of the building, the latest and best fixtures and technologies have been incorporated.

Individual members of the Lodge have used knowledge and skills gained there to the betterment of the community. At the Chamber of Commerce Mixer hosted by Mill Valley Lodge, former Mill Valley Mayor and historian John Leonard said that the Masonic Lodge was essentially a school of procedures where thirteen of the City's first eighteen mayors learned or honed their leadership skills. These lessons were taught and learned within the context of Masonic philosophy with its emphasis on individual and collective virtue and ethics. This was evident in the significant civic contributions of such Mill Valley Mason's as Past Master George H. Harlan, Esq., who organized the Golden Gate Bridge District, the Marin Municipal Water District, Tamalpais Union High School District (for which he served as trustee for 13-years), Marin Community College District, and Marin Dairymen's Association.

Other Mill Valley Mason's whose individual contributions are still felt every day in Mill Valley included Frank Bostwick, who led the successful effort to establish the Mill Valley Municipal Golf Course, and Carl Fenima and David G. Hudtloff, who organized the City of Mill Valley's original park and recreation department.

The Masonic Lodge and its constituent members continue to carry Masonic ideals and philosophy outside the Lodge and into the community. For example Lodge member and architect Bill Cullen leads the effort on the Old Mill Commons Affordable Housing Project and, in addition to his architectural work, operates Relict® Memorials, both of which endeavors contribute to creating a sustainable environment for everyone. Lodge member and environmental consultant Kevin Dugan assisted in facilitating Mill Valley Lodge's energy initiative and is seeking to encourage other Lodge's to pursue similar environmental sustainability programs. In this vein, in addition to utilizing Green technologies in the Mill Valley Masonic Events Center, the Lodge hosted the Marin County Green Building and Solar Expo in March, 2004, at which the general public were provided extensive information about green construction techniques, solar systems architecture and design, financing, and green planning and policy.

As the Lodge enters its second century in pursuit of its fraternal and eleemosynary purposes, the current officers and members of Mill Valley Lodge No. 356, continue to strive towards creating a better, more sustainable community and are very appreciative of the County's recognition of the Lodge's efforts to not only conserve, but also generate electricity by conferring Green Business Certification upon the Lodge. We are pleased to share not only the power we generate, but also to make our beautiful and historic facility available to the community for rent for everyone's special events needs.