Scottish Rite
Membership Team

January 2009 Update

Convenience * Inspiration * Enjoyment

Mark your calendars!  Friday, September 25, and Saturday, September 26, 2009, are the dates for the 2nd Annual Membership Seminar to be held in Lexington.  The agenda is being formulated and the Membership Committee is planning for another great event.

More details as they become available.  Stay tuned! 

From the State of Ohio
For the record, the valleys in Ohio have so far initiated 178 new Scottish Rite members for fiscal year 2008-2009. Thirteen of those were initiated outside the normal reunion venue as 4° members; the remaining 165 were initiated at conventional reunions.

On January 31st, the Valleys of Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Steubenville, and Youngstown, will be hosting a Degree Day.  The Five Valleys will be conferring the 4°, 5°, 7°, 20°, 27°, and 30°.  All valleys and members are invited to attend this event and is an opportunity to bring a candidate for initiation in the 4th degree. If he so chooses, he can then finish his Scottish Rite journey in his home valley or wherever else is convenient for him.

Valley of Detroit
Also on January 31st, the Valley of Detroit in conjunction with Dearborn Lodge No. 172, will be hosting an All Degree Day.  A man may join Freemasonry and then receive the 4°.  The Valley is providing the venue and the workers to make this day a success.  Once again making the joining process convenient.

Good Eating??
For those of you traveling through Bolivar, Ohio on Saturday, January 3rd, you won't want to miss out on Caldwell Lodge's Annual Muskrat Dinner.  The Grand Master of Ohio will be in attendance, and if you've never experienced this delight, you must taste this delicacy.  Unfortunately, I won't be in the area. 

And from the State of Main...
Work In Progress
The Grand Master has asked Ill. Brother Ridlon, Deputy for Main, to resurrect "Chamberlains Chargers". This is a group of dedicated Masons formed back in 2003 for the sole purpose of helping Blue Lodges that are having difficulties.  If you are interested in learning more about the program, please contact Deputy Ridlon. This is a great opportunity for Scottish Rite to help our Blue Lodges.
 
Once Upon A Time
In the Proceedings of the Maine Council of Deliberation in 1975, it is reported: "We note with pride the fact that Maine led the entire Northern Masonic Jurisdiction in percentage of gain during the past year, and that our gain in membership is continuing into this present year."  Deputy Ridlon says, Although I would like to think this was because of my work in the degrees of the Valley of Portland, I can assure you, that was not the case. I think it was because we were all united in one cause, "the betterment of Freemasonry" and the fun and enjoyment we shared in each others company. "The test we must set for ourselves is not to march alone but to march in such a way that others will wish to join us." Brother Hubert H. Humphrey.

Please send us a note with "happenings" and membership events that are working in your Valley.      

It's not to early to begin planning for the Scottish Rite Day to be held on Saturday, November 14, 2009, throughout the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.  Start the day at 10:00 A.M. with the conferral of the 31° and 32°, followed by a great lunch.