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Ionic Lodge No. 31 observed the annual event of installation of officers Saturday with two special guests relating stories about life-changing experiences the North Battleford lodge had helped make possible for them.

Freemasonry is the oldest and largest fraternal organization in the world. Following Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief and truth, philanthropic endeavours are part of each lodge's practices.

The Ionic Lodge's philanthropy is youth. As witnesses to that philanthropy, Taylor Raiche and Cole Knutson, who have each benefited from the lodge's assistance, had been invited to speak to the members and guests at the installation.

Taylor Raiche has been the recipient of assistance from the lodge for several years.

"I am endlessly thankful for the continuous support I've had from this lodge over the past four years," said Raiche, who graduated from North Battleford Comprehensive High School in 2013. "You set such a wonderful, positive example for other members of our community, that the spirit of giving is a great thing."

Her relationship with the Ionic Lodge started when she was in Grade 9.

"I joined the SRC at NBCHS toward the end of my Grade 9 year," said Raiche, "and in June I was asked by my advisor if I would like to attend the Masonic Youth Leadership Camp at Wakaw Lake in July. She told me one condition would have to be made, I would have to come back with more knowledge about leadership than when I left."

At the camp, said Raiche, she learned countless useful strategies for working in groups and for exerting power justly, as well as general life lessons she says she will never forget. She was voted valedictorian for that week's camp.

"I brought so much back to leadership at the school that I was asked to return to Wakaw once more the following summer," said Raiche. "Again my experience was incredible, and I brought back more insight. Those two weeks taught me a lot and I certainly know the people involved in every aspect of the camp helped to shape me into the person I am today."

The Masonic Youth Leadership Camp is a camp for Grade 10, 11 or 12 students, with a curriculum emphasizing leadership and motivational and interpersonal skill development.

Raiche's relationship with the Ionic Lodge also extended to a trip overseas.

"In Grade 11, I was given the opportunity to travel to Europe with the Travel Club at North Battleford Comprehensive and I knew that I could not pass up the opportunity to immerse myself in another culture," said Raiche. "This lodge graciously presented me with $500 for my trip expenses."

The trip was "absolutely incredible," she said, thanking the lodge for that opportunity as well.

Most recently, Raiche has received a $1,000 scholarship from the Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan.

"This group of people never stops giving," she said.

Currently Raiche is enrolled as an arts and science student at the University of Saskatchewan where she is taking the prerequisites needed to apply for the college of pharmacy. She plans to earn a bachelor of science in pharmacy as a steppingstone to a career somewhere in the realm of preventative medicine.

"I am staying very busy these days, balancing my studies, work and volunteering at the Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre, travelling between my two homes in Saskatoon and Battleford to see family and working with the Greystone Scholars Society at the university."

The group also heard from 17-year-old Cole Knutson who had been given a $250 cheque by the Ionic Lodge to assist in travelling to the Maritimes to perform with the 2013 National Youth Band of Canada as leader of the saxophone section. Knutson was one of only three young people from Saskatchewan taking part. 

"Being able to travel so far was unique for me because my family lives a very modest life," said Knutson, "and that means we would rather invest in instruments and lessons than pay for travel."

He said, otherwise, the farthest he's ever been outside of the province is Edmonton, Alta.

"So it was very interesting to fly for the first time, by myself, to a part of the country that I had never seen before," he said.

"One of the best parts of the trip, even though I had never been in an airport, and that I found myself being such a small person in a place like Toronto," he said, "was knowing that I was being supported by my community and by other organizations within my province."

He added, "It was rather amazing I didn't have a panic attack being 4,400 kilometres away from my home."

A project of the Canadian Band Association, the National Youth Band of Canada is a group of young musicians who play at an advanced level under the instruction of exceptional Canadian conductors. In 1978, 1991 and annually since 1994, it has offered an unparalleled musical opportunity for outstanding Canadian instrumentalists, woodwind, brass and percussion, between the ages of 16 and 21. The 2013 program took place April 27 to May 5 at Mount Allison University in Sackville, N.B. and Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, N.S.

"We rehearse for only half a week, but we deliver very, very moving pieces," said Knutson. "We also work with exceptional soloists."

The band members develop strong relationships with each other that can last a lifetime, he said.

"And there could have been no better place to develop those relationships than Sackville, New Brunswick."

He also said, "Being a part [of the National Youth Band] gave me a chance to talk to people who have the same level of drive and passion that I have," said Knutson.

"Meeting people from across the country gave me a perspective on what life might be like across our great country," he added. "I had an opportunity to listen to different accents and how they differ from province to province."

Over the course of his time in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, the band performed eight times, playing in front of more than 6,000 people.

"It was so thrilling to get a chance to play for and with people that understand," he said. "After the week of working with these fine musicians, we were less like friends and more like a big family."

He said, "We spent the entire eight days awake. We were literally having so much fun we didn't sleep. The last night we were so tired … but we still pulled an all-nighter and celebrated our last year with everyone being together."

In 2014, Knutson plans to participate again in the National Youth Band, which will be held in Alberta. He also plans to be part of the Denis Wick Canadian Wind Orchestra, the premier honour concert band in Canada, being held in British Columbia.

"I will see many old friends and meet new ones, but it will never amount to the experience I had in the Maritimes," he said.

"It will be something I will always remember because sometimes the first time doing something is the most important. It impacted me more than I ever could imagine. It's groups like you that make things like this happen and I will definitely never forget the support that I had, so thank you," said Knutson.

Raiche and Knutson spoke following the installation ceremonies, which included the explanation of some of the meanings behind symbols of the lodge and significance of members' titles.

Stone, man's oldest building material, represents man. The tools early stonemasons used to work the stone, revealing what it was intended to be, represent how freemasonry reveals what man is intended to be.

Members also displayed the variety of lambskin aprons worn, patterned after the stonemason's apron, from the simple white apron of an entered apprentice, through several degrees to the more ornate, silver trimmed aprons worn by master masons. Aprons with gold decoration denote the 100th anniversary of the lodge, marked in 2006.

Secretary Don Finan also explained the use of the gavel, which represents authority. It's most common use, he said, is to indicate when a group is to stand, three taps, or be seated, one tap.

The variety of titles used among members was also explained. All members are brothers, or brethren, because it is a fraternal organization. The highest lodge office is Worshipful Master, being filled this year by Bernie Meisner. The term "worshipful" is used in a similar manner as the term of respect used for a leadership position, just as a mayor may be addressed as your worship. In comparing the office to other organizations, said Meisner, it would be called the president's position. Members who have served in that capacity are referred to as Worshipful Brother, as in the case of the immediate past master W. Bro. Al White.

Members who have served appointed positions on a provincial level are referred to as Very Worshipful Brother, or V.W. Bro., as in V.W. Bros. Meisner, Jim Ramsay, Chuck Keilback and Peter Hogger, all 2014 officers of the Ionic Lodge.

Members who have served in an elected position provincially are referred to as Right Worshipful (R.W.) as in R.W. Bros. Kevin Monsebroten, Lloyd Beaumont and Glenn Hunter, also 2014 officers.

Members who have served as Grand Master of the provincial lodge are referred to as Most Worshipful (W.M,), as in M.W. Bros. Don Finan and Pat Hutchinson, who served terms in 2004-2005 and 2008-2009 respectively.

According to the Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan, there are 58 lodges and nearly 3,000 members across the province.