Masons gathering for convention

About 250 Masons are expected to attend this week’s 131st annual New Mexico Masonic convention at the Clovis Civic Center.

The business part of the three-day convention starting Thursday includes addressing changes to the fraternity’s constitution and legislation and electing a grand master.

“It’s a place for people to meet friends that they haven’t seen since last year’s convention,” according to New Mexico Masons grand master Arthur Tunnell of Clovis.

Besides providing belief-based fellowship with other men, Masons focus on individual development and growth as well as helping people outside the fraternity, according to an organization pamphlet. The Masons operate several charities for children, sponsor youth scholarships and perform public service, according to the pamphlet.

There are about 250 to 300 members in the Clovis Masonic Lodge, according  to Tunnell. There are 6,000 Masons and more than 60 lodges, he said.

 The convention is generally held in the hometown of the grand master. And even though the host location is automatic, it is also an honor, longtime Masons member Mack Page said.

“It doesn’t come around very often,” Page said, referencing this being the fourth state convention held in Clovis, the last in 1998. “We’ll really be parading around. It’s a feather in our hat, actually.”

Tunnell said being part of the Masons has given him a chance to meet people he would never have met otherwise and to go to new places.
“We are made up of all walks of life. We have doctors, veterinarians, lawyers, judges, just everything,” said Mack Page, a longtime member. “And we meet as equals.”

Ernie Kos, executive director for the Clovis/Curry County Chamber of Commerce, said the Masonic convention is the largest to be held at the city’s civic center since it opened and it should have a large financial impact.

La Quinta’s general manager Aaron Goldman said the fraternity has filled almost all 66 of the hotels rooms for Thursday and Friday.
“As a business community,” Kos said. “We’re very excited to showcase our community and the civic center.”