The Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. M. of Canada in the Province of Ontario, has instituted
a program called the Cornerstone Project. The original concept was begun by The Grand
Lodge of Utah. Then few years ago the program was implemented in Ontario
and has evolved since it's introduction.

The primary purpose is to encourage and recognize lodges that plan, implement and manage
a well-rounded yearly lodge program that promotes lodge activities, brotherhood, charitable
work, and involvement in the community.  It is based on the concept that the cornerstone
is the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation and is important because
all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position and strength
of the entire edifice. The true purpose of this initiative is to challenge lodges to rise above
their current standard, or raise the bar, and set new standards by which they are judged
by their members and others.  The cornerstone is also symbolic to Freemasons because
it provides the basic tools for understanding and growing the larger intellectual edifice. So we may endeavour to “raise a superstructure perfect in its parts and honourable to the builder.”

As the proper placement of the cornerstone ensures a solid foundation upon which to build  any  structure,  so  too  it  teaches  our  lodges  the  important  lesson  of  having innovative and vibrant programs to ensure that our lodges are strong, “until time shall be no more.”

Just as the newly Initiated Entered Apprentice symbolically represents the cornerstone of the lodge and thereby its future; so too does the lodge symbolically represent the cornerstone of The Grand Lodge and its long-term sustainability. Each of the constituent lodges have their own  unique  challenges,  but  we  all  stand  together  with  one  common  goal, that  of ensuring the sustainability of the Craft.

The CORNERSTONE Project has been developed to assist lodges with these many challenges.  Its  primary  purpose  is  to  encourage  and  recognize  lodges  that  plan, implement  and  manage  a  well  rounded  yearly  lodge  program  that  promotes  lodge activities, brotherhood, charitable work and involvement in the community.

Although good planning and strong management is a vitally important component to the overall success of any lodge, it must never be forgotten that in order to maintain the momentum in the lodge the members must have a compelling idea of where the lodge needs to go, what type of members it will attract, what benefits it can provide, and how the organization needs to be perceived in the community if it is to thrive.

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Currently the following Lodges in the Frontenac District had been awarded with such rewarding distinction:

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• Queen's Lodge No. 578

• Frontenac Lodge No. 621

• Victoria No. 299

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