M.W. Robert T. Shipe, 33°
Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Oklahoma
PO Box 1019, Guthrie, Oklahoma 73044

A historic agreement was signed on January 22, 2001, between the Grand Lodge, Shrine, Scottish Rite, and York Rite in Oklahoma.

A historic agreement was signed in Guthrie, Oklahoma, on January 22, between the Scottish Rite, the York Rite, and the Shrine in that state. The Grand Lodge of Oklahoma had been concerned, since the decision by the Shrine to remove membership in the Rites as a prerequisite to Shrine membership, that local Lodges might become membership battlegrounds—a situation to be avoided at all costs. Our then Grand Master, M.W. Lanny R. Sander, 32°, K.C.C.H., encouraged the Rites and the Shrine to arrive at some agreement which would allow the three Bodies to cooperate.

The decision by the Shrine to eliminate the Rite prerequisite was especially distressful in our state because of the long history of cooperation we had enjoyed. For example, the Scottish Rite Temples have traditionally allowed the Shrine to hold a "cold sands" Ceremonial in the Temples at the conclusion of Reunions.

The Imperial Shrine had some difficulties with the original draft of the agreement and advised the Oklahoma Shrine Temples not to sign it. With negotiation, however, the difficulties were overcome, and, with the consent of the Imperial Shrine, the agreement was signed and witnessed. Signing for the Shrine Temples were Bros. Robert E. Howard, 32°, Potentate of Akdar Temple, Billy Ray Williamson, 32°, K.C.C.H., Potentate of Bedouin Temple, and John C. Curry, 32°, Potentate of India Temple. Signing for the Scottish Rite were Bros. Joseph C. Jennings, Jr., 33°, Deputy in Oklahoma; A. R. Powell, Jr., 33°, Chairman of the Guthrie Valley Advisory Conference; Gail R. Watkins, 33°, Chairman of the McAlester Valley Advisory Conference; and Roger R. Scott, 33°, Chairman of the Tulsa Valley Advisory Conference. Signing for the York Rite were Bros. Jimmie R. Dooley, 32°, Grand High Priest of Oklahoma Capitular Masons; Monte G. Hendrix, 32°, Grand Illustrious Master of Cryptic Masons of Oklahoma; and Charles L. Stuckey, 33°, Grand Commander of Oklahoma Knights Templar. As Grand Master, I witnessed the signatures. Bro. Garry D. Odom, 33°, Grand Secretary, Grand Lodge of Oklahoma, also signed as witness.

The agreement arises from the strongly held belief in Oklahoma that cooperation, not competition, is the only means whereby Masonry can grow and continue. This cooperation begins by acknowledging, among other things, that mutual understanding and good feeling among the Bodies of Masonry provide benefits to all concerned, that each organization has its own history and laws, but that the obligations of a Master Mason are binding on him at all times and under all circumstances. The agreement provides:

• The Shrine will not admit anyone into membership who is not a Master Mason in good standing.
• The Shrine, Scottish Rite, and York Rite will make every effort to be certain that Ceremonials, Reunions, and Festivals do not take place on the same dates.
• Shrine Temples will give advance notification to the Scottish Rite and York Rite of all scheduled Shrine Ceremonials to be held in Blue Lodges. The Rites will also provide the schedule of Reunions and Festivals to the Shrine.
• When the Shrine holds a Ceremonial at a Scottish Rite Temple following a Reunion or following a York Rite Festival, the Shrine will not accept into membership at that Ceremonial any Mason who is not a member of either the Scottish or York Rites.
• If approved by vote of the local Shrine Temples, the Shrine will make a list of newly admitted and constituted Nobles available to the Rites.
• The Shrine Temples will allow the Scottish and York Rites to have promotional materials available at Shrine Temples and to man booths promoting membership in the Rites at Shrine Ceremonials held around the state. (The Rites in Oklahoma have traditionally extended the same courtesy to the Shrine.)
• The Shrine Temples will continue to promote the understanding that Shriners are Masons and encourage the Masonic Family concept in Oklahoma, including encouraging their Nobles to consider membership in the Rites.
• The Rites will set a calendar earlier than has traditionally been the case, to allow the Shrine Temples more notice of the dates of Reunions and Festivals.
• The Rites will continue to allow the Shrine to conduct Ceremonials in the Scottish Rite Temples immediately following Reunions.
• The Rites will continue to allow the Shrine to have promotional materials available at Reunions and Festivals, and to man booths promoting membership in the Shrine.
• Upon a vote of the Lodge of Perfection, each Scottish Rite Temple will make available to the Shrine a list of new Masters of the Royal Secret. The York Rite will make a similar list of new members available to the Shrine.
• The agreement concludes with a recognition that the Blue Lodge is the fundamental unit of Masonry and the foundation of the whole system of Masonry in Oklahoma.

As Grand Master, I am happy that the agreement has been worked out. Nothing could be more fatal to Masonry than infighting and bickering between the Masonic Bodies. We have enjoyed growth and suffered losses together. Now, just when we are beginning to see the results of so much hard work on the part of so many, when we are seeing a renewed interest in Masonry among younger men, when more positive media attention is being given to the Fraternity, and when the dawn is beginning to break, it is more important than ever that Masons remain united and working together. I hail this agreement as a step in that direction and as evidence that Masons are, after all, Masons. So long as that is true and so long as we work hard and with intelligence, the future is assured.