This past week has zoomed by. Last Saturday morning Nat, mom and dad, and I flew out of Des Moines for Roanoke Virginia. We arrived there at noon after a chilly flight, Nat's feet got very cold. The event was the 64th Triennial of the Grand Encampment Knights Templar of the United States. It was a bit of a sad occasion as this would have been Sir Knight Richard Baldwin's Triennial. He passed away approx 1 year into service.
Saturday we just rested and look around the old city of Roanoke. The hotel we stayed in was built in the 1880s by the railroad. It has seem many upgrades and improvements since then. There are several good restaurants which we tried. The jumbo shrimp was excellent. Sunday was more sight seeing then a Reception/Social hour that evening..
Monday brought the opening ceremonies and it was my honor to represent Iowa and be escorted in, presented under an arch of steel and greeted by the Grand Master, SK Koon. This was true for all distinguished guests and sitting Grand Commanders. The Grand Master kept the business moving right along, we were always on or ahead of schedule. After lunch those present witnessed history in the making.
The Grand Encampment Knights Templar of the United States of American is now world wide. A very large delegation of Sir Knights from Romania were in attendance. There was also a large delegation from Togo. Italy, France, and Canada were also represented. But is was Romania and Togo that made History. As they now have Charted Commanderies by the Grand Encampment of the USA. The same for Togo. On Tuesday Romania's Commanderys petitioned and were granted permission to form the Grand Commandery of Romania. There is growth and interest in Masonry and the York Rite abroad.
Monday evening the Iowa delegation went to a nice restaurant for dinner then returned to our hotels for hospitality rooms. Several states and the candidates running for office had nice hospitality rooms, the food was good and fellowship great. I always like going to these rooms and meeting people from other states, from the east to west coast. The friendships and acquaintances you make at these meetings far outweigh the meetings themselves.
Tuesday was election day. While there were several rumors running rampant about the election, everything work smoothly. The previous elected officers were elected to the same offices for the 65th Triennial. A good Sir Knight from Texas didn't get elected, and he would have done a good job also, but those elected are good Sir Knights and the Grand Encampment has a great team moving forward. That evening was the Grand Master Banquet, nothing special.
Wed was the installation of the new officers. S.K. Dave of Iowa is the new North Central Department Commander. Congrats Dave. Most of the Iowa delegation stayed to wish him well.
Then we left around 2 for the airport and got into Des Moines at 9. The past days have been recovery for me.
All in all it was a good time.....
Friday, August 21, 2009
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Cornerstone at Eldora
Saturday the Grand Lodge of Iowa layed a Cornerstone for the new Can Redemption Center in Eldora Iowa. I was unable to attend as I was in Bettendorf representing the Grand Commandery at the Grand Chapter session.
Sir Knight Kevin Christians was in charge and reported to me that 11 Sir Knights formed the lines. And though the space was somewhat limited it was a good day.
Thank You to all who showed up and helped the Grand Lodge and the Grand Commandery.
Sir Knight Kevin Christians was in charge and reported to me that 11 Sir Knights formed the lines. And though the space was somewhat limited it was a good day.
Thank You to all who showed up and helped the Grand Lodge and the Grand Commandery.
Grand Chapter and Grand Council of Iowa
This past Thursday, Friday, and Saturday Nat and I were in Bettendorf for the annual meetings of the Grand Chapter and Grand Council. I have been going to these for years, really can't remember the first, think it was in Sioux City when Jerry Marsengill was Grand High Priest and Maxie Yates was Most Illustrious Grand Master. I remember the large portraits of each made on bed sheets hanging behind the head table at the banquet. Those old (now past on) past presiding officers seemed like giants to me, a young boy not even allowed in the meetings. I remember companions Tom Corothers, Jim Irish, Dick Campbell, Maxie Yates, Marion Charlton, Pappy Heur, Jerry Marsengill and many others.
They made sure things were always done right. They were not afraid to speak up, to speak their minds. They weren't always right, but usually they were. I miss those men. While this years session was okay, it and several of the past years have seemed to just be missing something. I think it is the lack of leaders speaking up, the kind of leaders who when they stood up to talk everyone listened and respected. There are still those around and even serving today that have that ability, but it seems to be in less fashion to speak your mind. I do not mean any harm or am I referring specifically to anyone.
Our organizations seem to lack organization. This is as true for the commandery as much as the other masonic bodies. Have we forgot formality? Have we forgot proper procedures? Have we forgot that as head of an organization we are to lead it, be a professional. To take our responsibilities seriously.
This past weekend made me think on these important questions. Not that anything was done "wrong" or "disrespectful" cause it wasn't. Only things have changed alot. And I miss the older ways. Yes I encourage FUN, but Fun is not our sole purpose.
I would like to hear others comments on this......are we lacking leadership? education? How to we improve?
They made sure things were always done right. They were not afraid to speak up, to speak their minds. They weren't always right, but usually they were. I miss those men. While this years session was okay, it and several of the past years have seemed to just be missing something. I think it is the lack of leaders speaking up, the kind of leaders who when they stood up to talk everyone listened and respected. There are still those around and even serving today that have that ability, but it seems to be in less fashion to speak your mind. I do not mean any harm or am I referring specifically to anyone.
Our organizations seem to lack organization. This is as true for the commandery as much as the other masonic bodies. Have we forgot formality? Have we forgot proper procedures? Have we forgot that as head of an organization we are to lead it, be a professional. To take our responsibilities seriously.
This past weekend made me think on these important questions. Not that anything was done "wrong" or "disrespectful" cause it wasn't. Only things have changed alot. And I miss the older ways. Yes I encourage FUN, but Fun is not our sole purpose.
I would like to hear others comments on this......are we lacking leadership? education? How to we improve?
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Cincinnati Ohio
Early last Thursday morning, the sun was just coming up, Dad and I left Des Moines International Airport for Cincinnati Ohio and the meeting of the York Rite Sovereign College of North America. The flight took just over an hour and Dave was on the same flight as us. To our surprise the York Rite College Hosts of Ohio furnished transportation to downtown Cincinnati and our hotel. We stayed in the Netherlands Hilton. An old fabulous art-deco of the 30's hotel. It was magnificent with old world charm. As with most masonic meetings, we found the registration table and got our tickets and name badges.
Iowa had a small delegation, though larger than most years. Two Iowa members were receiving their order of the purple cross. Dad and I received our OPC last year in Reston VA. It is a nice honor, and a good order. The business is boring as usual. There was some excitement Thursday night after the Associate Regents Banquet. Some of the "leaders" had written a new degree and it was given that evening for the first (and last) time. Members from Indiana had learned the new degree and did a good job presenting it. The degree was boring, dry, repetitious, and just taking parts of other masonic ritual and regurgitating it out. Well now you know my opinion. Seems I wasn't the only one that thought that way. After the degree there was much discussion if the "new" degree should be made part of the York Rite College. I would say a vast majority was against it. The next morning it was announced that there would be no vote to make it part of the College and it had been dropped. Seems the leadership does listen sometimes.
Iowa should be proud. Both Iowa colleges, Iowa #37 and Lewis and Clark #199 received certificates as 2009 Honor Colleges. Our Grand Governor was mighty proud as he should be. It was my pleasure to receive the award for Iowa College #37 from Governor General Ed Fowler, Jr. an old acquaintance, it was nice that he remember me and his kind words were much appreciated.
This trip was not only business. I found time to visit the Cincinnati Reds baseball stadium and have a tour. They don't get many tourist, cause the tour guide was so happy to actually have something to do that day other than her nails. I also visited a couple local restaurants and had some very good food. Friday night I made reservations for the Iowa delegation at the Brazilian Steakhouse next door to the hotel. It was a fun change of pace as they serve 15 meat entrees on skewers as you want them and all you can eat. Dave and Greg were smiling with full stomachs.
Saturday brought more boring introductions, followed by the main event, the Order of the Purple Cross. Approximately 120 Knights Companions from North America received this order.
The day closed with an excellent banquet (the food was good) that evening, but a couple of our Iowa group need to get White Dinner Jackets so they would fit in with the crowd. LOL!! The next morning the Ohio host shuttled us to the airport and I was back in Iowa by 3 PM.
Iowa had a small delegation, though larger than most years. Two Iowa members were receiving their order of the purple cross. Dad and I received our OPC last year in Reston VA. It is a nice honor, and a good order. The business is boring as usual. There was some excitement Thursday night after the Associate Regents Banquet. Some of the "leaders" had written a new degree and it was given that evening for the first (and last) time. Members from Indiana had learned the new degree and did a good job presenting it. The degree was boring, dry, repetitious, and just taking parts of other masonic ritual and regurgitating it out. Well now you know my opinion. Seems I wasn't the only one that thought that way. After the degree there was much discussion if the "new" degree should be made part of the York Rite College. I would say a vast majority was against it. The next morning it was announced that there would be no vote to make it part of the College and it had been dropped. Seems the leadership does listen sometimes.
Iowa should be proud. Both Iowa colleges, Iowa #37 and Lewis and Clark #199 received certificates as 2009 Honor Colleges. Our Grand Governor was mighty proud as he should be. It was my pleasure to receive the award for Iowa College #37 from Governor General Ed Fowler, Jr. an old acquaintance, it was nice that he remember me and his kind words were much appreciated.
This trip was not only business. I found time to visit the Cincinnati Reds baseball stadium and have a tour. They don't get many tourist, cause the tour guide was so happy to actually have something to do that day other than her nails. I also visited a couple local restaurants and had some very good food. Friday night I made reservations for the Iowa delegation at the Brazilian Steakhouse next door to the hotel. It was a fun change of pace as they serve 15 meat entrees on skewers as you want them and all you can eat. Dave and Greg were smiling with full stomachs.
Saturday brought more boring introductions, followed by the main event, the Order of the Purple Cross. Approximately 120 Knights Companions from North America received this order.
The day closed with an excellent banquet (the food was good) that evening, but a couple of our Iowa group need to get White Dinner Jackets so they would fit in with the crowd. LOL!! The next morning the Ohio host shuttled us to the airport and I was back in Iowa by 3 PM.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Corydon Cornerstone
Saturday July 18th the Grand Lodge of Iowa performed a cornerstone ceremony for the new Wayne County Jail. A pleasant enough facility, I was a bit worried I might not get to come home though. The Grand Commandery had 9 Sir Knights to form the Arch of Steel for the Grand Master and form the lines for the procession. Amazingly it was only 70 degrees in the middle of July in Iowa. What nice weather, almost didn't need our summer uniforms. Our Grand Master personally thanked each Sir Knight for attending.
On another note, to promote more of the Family and Unity of Freemasonry, I just had to go play golf in the Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star outing. I have played many times in this fun "tournament" and had a great time. They had 108 golfers and another 80 volunteers. Seems like every other hole some past grand Chapter OES officer was giving out candy or had some fun game for us to play. I lost the bean toss, putting contest, and all the other prize events, but went home with a sleeve of balls and a full tummy. My golf game wasn't too bad, our 4 man best ball team shot a 67, with a 57 winning the event. I better get more practice in, even Natalie is beating me on the Wii......and she is happy to tell anyone....
Leave Thurs for Cincinnati for the York Rite Sovereign College to see two of my friends receive the Order of the Purple Cross. Last year Dad and I received this award together in Reston Virginia.
Hope everyone is have a fun Summer
On another note, to promote more of the Family and Unity of Freemasonry, I just had to go play golf in the Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star outing. I have played many times in this fun "tournament" and had a great time. They had 108 golfers and another 80 volunteers. Seems like every other hole some past grand Chapter OES officer was giving out candy or had some fun game for us to play. I lost the bean toss, putting contest, and all the other prize events, but went home with a sleeve of balls and a full tummy. My golf game wasn't too bad, our 4 man best ball team shot a 67, with a 57 winning the event. I better get more practice in, even Natalie is beating me on the Wii......and she is happy to tell anyone....
Leave Thurs for Cincinnati for the York Rite Sovereign College to see two of my friends receive the Order of the Purple Cross. Last year Dad and I received this award together in Reston Virginia.
Hope everyone is have a fun Summer
Thursday, July 16, 2009
HELP
I need HELP. When I was installed Grand Commander I knew there where some commanderies just hanging on by a thread, probably 4 or 5. What I didn't know was that the "Grand Bodies" of the York Rite in Iowa had been keeping them on the books without reports or maybe even collecting per capita or dues. I am not going to argue about why or who, that is history, what I need help with is where do we go from here.
Should an inactive Commandery or Chapter, Council, or Lodge for that matter have it's charter revoked? What determines inactivity? I always took the approach to leave them alone, and let them "die on the vine". But the past couple of years we have seen one or two individuals make the decisions for all and issue demits to all members, approve a consolidation, or turn there charter in. I maintain that you must pay dues to be in good standing, but attendance is not required.
The Grand Commandery of Iowa has created a statewide holding commandery, St. George Commandery No.72. It exists solely under the authority of the Grand Commander and Grand Dais Officers and Grand Recorder. Its purpose is to allow each member to: 1. maintain their membership if the charter is revoked or surrendered 2. to give the Grand Commander the authority to correspond with each member discussing their options as to consolidation, demitting, or affiliation. The Grand Chapter and Grand Council are considering creating such statewide holding Chapters and Councils. I hope they find merit in them because the Grand Commandery and local Commandery is dependant on the local Chapter and Council. We need to work together to strengthen our Rite and maintain our members.
I want opinions. Are these good ideas? Suggestions?
Should an inactive Commandery or Chapter, Council, or Lodge for that matter have it's charter revoked? What determines inactivity? I always took the approach to leave them alone, and let them "die on the vine". But the past couple of years we have seen one or two individuals make the decisions for all and issue demits to all members, approve a consolidation, or turn there charter in. I maintain that you must pay dues to be in good standing, but attendance is not required.
The Grand Commandery of Iowa has created a statewide holding commandery, St. George Commandery No.72. It exists solely under the authority of the Grand Commander and Grand Dais Officers and Grand Recorder. Its purpose is to allow each member to: 1. maintain their membership if the charter is revoked or surrendered 2. to give the Grand Commander the authority to correspond with each member discussing their options as to consolidation, demitting, or affiliation. The Grand Chapter and Grand Council are considering creating such statewide holding Chapters and Councils. I hope they find merit in them because the Grand Commandery and local Commandery is dependant on the local Chapter and Council. We need to work together to strengthen our Rite and maintain our members.
I want opinions. Are these good ideas? Suggestions?
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Ottumwa York Rite
Tuesday July 7th, the Ottumwa York Rite hosted a friendship night. I must say it was a dismal day, filled with heavy rains and winds, but inside their temple all was well. Approximately 40 men and ladies enjoyed a good meal, then the program started. I was introduced and after the usual (but shorter than normal) introduction, the DVD from the Grand Commandery of Indiana was shown. This DVD is the same one the Membership Committee sent to over 500 prospective new York Rite Members. Its is good! The Sir Knight David talked about why one should seek further light in Masonry in the York Rite.
When the evening was done I was informed that they had 5 or 6, with more to follow petitions.
It has been several years since the degrees have been performed in Ottumwa, but I think that is about to change.
When the evening was done I was informed that they had 5 or 6, with more to follow petitions.
It has been several years since the degrees have been performed in Ottumwa, but I think that is about to change.
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