This past month, Sovereign Grand Commander Walt Wheeler, 33°, led the Scottish Rite, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction on the “Your Voice, Our Future” Listening Tour - a five-city journey to hear directly from Brothers about the future of the Scottish Rite. Over several weeks, members shared ideas, experiences, and hopes for the fraternity’s next chapter.
“Each conversation reminded me that the strength of our fraternity lies not in buildings or titles, but in the character of its members and the bonds we share,” said Commander Wheeler.
The tour, themed “Shaping Tomorrow, Together,” focused on one thing above all: listening. It marked a new chapter of collaboration between leadership and members across the jurisdiction.
What We Heard Across the Jurisdiction
Across every stop, Brothers voiced a common message: they seek deeper connection, clearer communication, and meaningful opportunities for engagement at every stage of their Masonic journey.
Brothers take part in a 2025 Scottish Rite, NMJ Listening Tour session, sharing experiences and ideas to help strengthen connection and Brotherhood across the JurisdictionLexington, Massachusetts: Renewing Mentorship and Connection
At the tour’s first stop at Supreme Council Headquarters in Lexington, Massachusetts, members reflected on what drew them to Scottish Rite and what keeps them engaged. They celebrated Brotherhood, education, and charitable work, while calling for renewed mentorship and better follow-up after initiation.
“I credit my continued engagement to mentors who introduced me to other aspects of Scottish Rite, such as traveling and completing the passport program,” one Brother shared.
Members emphasized that promises of Brotherhood must be matched by consistent action, ensuring every man feels welcomed and valued in his Valley.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Building Visibility Through Service
In Philadelphia, conversations turned toward the future—how to keep Scottish Rite relevant and visible in modern life. Brothers suggested stronger community service programs, college outreach, and better local engagement following national campaigns.
“When we serve others, through partnering with other community organizations, it shows the good our fraternity brings to the community. That kind of visible service draws positive attention and helps new people discover who we are.” shared one Brother.
Ideas included:
- Partnering with local organizations for coat drives, food distributions, and charitable events that make the Scottish Rite’s core value Service to Humanity more visible.
- Building a presence on college campuses to introduce Freemasonry as a next step for men and young professionals seeking meaning and mentorship.
- Encouraging members to share personal ‘why I joined’ stories to make outreach more authentic and relatable.
All of which will highlight Freemasonry’s values in action. The session reaffirmed unity between national vision and local leadership.
Sovereign Grand Commander Walt Wheeler, 33°, joins Brothers during the 2025 Scottish Rite, NMJ Listening TourCanton, Ohio: Balancing Tradition and Modernization
In Canton, Brothers explored how to preserve the timeless spirit of Scottish Rite while embracing modernization. Members discussed mentorship, generational communication, and ways to keep the degrees engaging and relevant in the digital age.
“The degrees are transformative, offering lessons that come to life through emotional connection and fellowship,” many Brothers shared.
From enhancing Thursday Night at the Rite with on-demand access and live discussions to expanding mentorship through programs like Masters of the Rite and new Valley Ambassador initiatives, participants agreed that quality experiences, not quantity, are what keep members engaged and connected.
Indianapolis, Indiana: Turning Feedback Into Action
The Indianapolis stop emphasized translating member insights into measurable progress. Brothers discussed consistency across Valleys, structured mentorship, and improved orientation for new members.
“We need these connections,” one Brother shared. “Technology is helpful, but the fraternal personal touch is essential.”
Participants stressed that every Brother, no matter his age or background, should feel seen, guided, and valued from the moment he joins.
Bloomingdale, Illinois: Continuing the Conversation
The final session at the Valley of Chicago in Bloomingdale, Illinois, concluded the tour on a note of gratitude and optimism. Brothers expressed appreciation for Commander Wheeler’s openness and for leadership that truly listens.
“Thank you for doing this,” one Brother said. “It showed how much you care about the membership and our ideas.”
Recurring themes included clearer communication, defined leadership roles, and ongoing opportunities for member input. Many recommended expanding ambassador programs, refreshing degrees for modern audiences, and holding follow-up visits to track progress.
“Please do this again,” another Brother shared. “The more people see that this truly is a Listening Tour, the more they’ll want to be part of it.”
Brothers from across the Scottish Rite, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, take part in a 2025 Listening Tour session focused on strengthening mentorship and engagementMoving Forward: Voices That Shape the Future
Across every stop, Commander Wheeler saw the same enduring spirit that defines the Scottish Rite, NMJ, men united by purpose, driven to leave the fraternity stronger than they found it.
The 2025 Your Voice, Our Future Listening Tour confirmed that the Scottish Rite’s strength lies not only in its traditions but in its willingness to evolve. Insights from the tour are already shaping change across the Jurisdiction:
- Monthly Secretaries’ Meetings have been reinstated to strengthen communication and coordination among Valleys.
- Thursday Night at the Rite On Demand has been extended—Beginning with Season 7 this coming January, each episode will be available to watch through the end of the season (April 15).
- Masters of the Rite will return this TNR season in response to member requests for more degree education and is also available on demand through April 15
- The Northern Light will continue featuring papers from Hauts Grades Academy Scholars, expanding Masonic education and thought leadership.
- Ongoing blog features and digital content are helping bring more educational resources directly to Brothers.
Key Takeaway
The 2025 Listening Tour was more than a series of meetings; it was a reaffirmation of Brotherhood in action. By listening first and acting together, Scottish Rite, NMJ is charting a stronger, more connected future for every Brother.
“Your voices are shaping the future of the Scottish Rite,” Commander Wheeler said. “Together, we will continue to build a fraternity that honors our traditions while meeting the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s men.”
Stay Tuned
Stay tuned for updates as more member engagement and mentorship programs take shape—born directly from what we heard, Brother to Brother, across the Listening Tour.