2002
Scottish Rite Leadership Conferences
Photo:
Bro. Dean R. Alban, 32°
"The third century of Scottish Rite Freemasonry is upon
us, and we face many exciting opportunities. We will focus on
these opportunities in our 2002 Leadership Conferences and learn
how to set-and achieve-our goals. Everything we do in Scottish
Rite must focus on membership: keeping our current members happy,
attracting new members, and changing to better serve our members
and their families. This is the theme of our Leadership Conferences,
and I challenge each Scottish Rite Mason to create or accept
one new idea, adapt it, refine it, and put it to work in your
Valley. I welcome each of you to join me in this critical effort."
With these inspirational words, Sovereign Grand Commander C.
Fred Kleinknecht, 33°, opened each of the four Scottish
Rite Leadership Conferences in 2002, except Des Moines where
circumstances prevented his participation: NE & SE Sectors,
Charlotte, North Carolina, March 15-16; North Central Sector,
Des Moines, Iowa, April 5-6; NW & SW Sectors, Reno, Nevada,
April 26-27; and South Central Sector, New Orleans, Louisiana,
May 17-18. Similarly, the hosts of each of the Conferences-Ill.
Bros. William B. Brunk, S.G.I.G. in North Carolina, Gary L.
Sissel, Deputy in Iowa, David J. Morgan, S.G.I.G. in Nevada,
and Ronald A. Seale, S.G.I.G. in Louisiana and Lieutenant Grand
Commander-welcomed all of the Conference participants, in particular
the 264 Scottish Rite Fellows, generally 32° Brethren under
age 50. These select Scottish Rite Masons, chosen by their individual
Valleys for their talent and dedication, are the newest leaders
of the Rite, and at each Conference, except Des Moines where
Ill. Seale stood in for him, Grand Commander Kleinknecht met
with them in a special group session to get their direct, frank
input regarding the issues of particular concern to them. Ill.
Ronald A. Seale, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Louisiana and Lieutenant
Grand Commander, helped facilitate discussion at all of the
Scottish Rite Fellows meetings, and Ill. John W. Boettjer, 33°,
G.C., attended each session as a recording secretary.
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| Most of the leading participants in
the 2002 Scottish Rite Leadership Conferences posed for
a photo in Reno, Nevada. Left to right, they are: Ill. John
M. Myers, 33°; Ill. William G. Sizemore, 33°, G.C.;
Bro. RW Rawson, 32°, K.C.C.H.; Ill. Earl E. Ihle, Jr.,
33°; Ill. John W. Boettjer, 33°, G.C.; Grand Commander
C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33°; Ill. S. Brent Morris, 33°,
G.C.; Ill. E. John Elmore, 33°; Ill. Jim Tresner, 33°,
G.C.; Bro. W. Kirk MacNulty, 32°; and Ill. Robert G.
Davis, 33°. Photo: Bro. John T. Caselli, 32° |
These meetings were held on Friday, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm,
and were conducted at the same time the other Brethren attending
the conferences had opportunity to participate in one of four
other special meetings held during that same time. One group
was led by Ill. Earl E. Ihle, Jr., 33°, Director of Development
for the Southern Jurisdiction, and was of special interest to
local Directors of Development. A second group, led by Dr. S.
Brent Morris, 33°, G.C., addressed "Membership for
the Millennium" and, in particular, updated local Membership
Chairmen regarding this all-important subject. A third Friday
afternoon meeting was led by Ill. William G. Sizemore, 33°,
G.C., Grand Executive Director of the Supreme Council and Director
of Education and Americanism. Orient and Valley Directors of
Education and Americanism, along with other interested Brethren,
attended this meeting to share ideas on the subject and hear
of the Supreme Council's new programs in this area. Finally,
Valley Secretaries, Orient officials, and other interested Brethren
were invited to participate in the meeting of a fourth group,
a Secretaries' panel and discussion of the new Degrees. Four
outstanding Secretaries-Ill. Bros. Robert G. Davis, Guthrie,
Oklahoma; E. John Elmore, Greensboro, North Carolina; John M.
Myers, Wichita, Kansas; Curtis M. Edic, Omaha, Nebraska-answered
questions for an hour. Then, Ill. Arturo de Hoyos, 33°,
Grand Archivist and Grand Historian, took the floor to field
questions regarding the Revised Standard Pike Ritual, which
he and Dr. Morris are guiding to completion. Discussion was
spirited and productive in each of the four groups as participants
had the opportunity to voice their concerns and get answers
to their specific questions. Significantly, the title and theme
of the 2002 Leadership Conferences was "It's All About
Membership," and every presentation, general meeting, or
breakout session focused on some aspect of this subject.
Following these meetings, Brethren, ladies, and guests in Charlotte,
Reno, and New Orleans were invited to view a live performance
of "A Conversation with General Albert Pike." After
being introduced by Ill. Bob Davis, Ill. Jim Tresner, G.C.,
in the character and costume of Grand Commander Pike, adroitly
and often humorously, fielded questions from the audience regarding
Pike's life and philosophy. In Des Moines, where Bros. Bob and
Jim could not attend, Brethren and guests enjoyed viewing the
Supreme Council's new videotape highlighting the Bicentennial
Biennial Session in Charleston. A get-acquainted mixer with
light refreshments concluded the first day of each Leadership
Conference. Friday evening was left free for the Brethren to
share with their ladies, and at each conference the host S.G.I.G.
or Deputy and his lady invited all conference presenters, attending
Grand Masters, and other Masonic dignitaries to share in fellowship
and a delicious dinner.
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| Five 2002 Leadership Conference participants
pause for a snapshot in Des Moines, Iowa. Left to right,
they are: Ill. John M. Myers, 33°, Secretary, Wichita,
Kansas; Ill. John W. Boettjer, 33°, G.C., Managing Editor,
Scottish Rite Journal; Bro. William Herbert "Skip"
Boyer, 32°, Director of Executive Communications, Best
Western International; Bro. W. Kirk MacNulty, 32°, a
Director and Consultant, Applied Futures, Inc.; and Ill.
Curtis M. Edic, 33°, Secretary, Omaha, Nebraska. Photo:
Ill. Don E. Lavender, 33° |
The agenda for the all-day Saturday session of each sectional
conference was, with slight variations, the same. A ceremonial
opening at 8:30 am included an invocation, presentation of the
colors, welcome, and introductions. This was followed by one
of four breakout sessions. The Brethren were divided into four
groups by color-coded badges so that each person attending could
participate in a smaller group discussion facilitated by an
experienced presenter. The 50-minute breakout sessions, their
presenters, and subjects were: Ill. Tresner, "The 1997
Strategic Plan after Five Years" (facilitated in Des Moines
by Ill. Morris); Ill. Davis, "Non-Dues Revenue: Raising
Funds for Survival" (facilitated in Des Moines by Ill.
Curtis M. Edic, 33°, Secretary, Omaha, Nebraska); Ill. Elmore,
"The Three Rs: Recognition for Retention and Recruitment";
and Bro. W. Kirk MacNulty, 32°, "Vision-Based Change."
At 9:45 am and 2:00 pm, the Brethren convened in a general session
to hear one of four special presenters: Bro. William H. "Skip"
Boyer, 32°, "Commonsense Leadership for Uncommon Times"
(Charlotte and Des Moines); Bro. MacNulty, 32°, "Vision-Based
Change" (Charlotte); DR Rawson, 32°, K.C. C.H., "Change
Is Essential" (Reno); and Ill. George O. Braatz. 33°,
"Breaking the Barriers" (New Orleans). Each of these
breakout or general sessions is presented in article format
in this special issue of the Scottish Rite Journal so that Brethren
not able to attend the 2002 Leadership Conferences can benefit
from the information shared at these important meetings.
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Grand Commander Kleinknecht
(left) congratulates Bro. Lewis Anthony "Tony"
Rist, 32°, K.C.C.H. (center), on his wood carving of
the Scottish Rite double-headed eagle for the Valley of
Reno, Nevada. Ill. David J. Morgan, 33°, S.G.I.G. in
Nevada and host of the NW & SW Sectors Leadership Conference
in Reno, joins in thanking Bro. Rist for his fine work.
Photo: Bro. John T. Caselli, 32° |
In Reno and New Orleans, the easy availability of shopping
and entertainment precluded a ladies' program, but during the
Charlotte conference, the ladies enjoyed a special luncheon
where Dan Truhitte performed. He starred as the young German
officer in the movie version of The Sound of Music. In addition
to some impromptu dance numbers, Mr. Truhitte sang a medley
of his most famous songs, including "Sixteen Going on Seventeen"
from The Sound of Music. During the Des Moines conference, the
ladies visited Salisbury House, featured on A&E Cable Network's
American Castles series, toured the beautifully restored state
capitol, and shopped at the Historic Valley Junction Mall. In
New Orleans, the Brethren were invited to attend a special presentation
of the Entered Apprentice Degree, Scottish Rite Ritual, performed
in the nearby auditorium of the Scottish Rite Temple on May
17 at 9:30 pm.
After Saturday afternoon's last breakout meeting, the Brethren
gathered in a general session to review and close each conference.
At these meetings, the conference host, a representative of
the attending S.G.I.G.s and Deputies, the Grand Master of the
host state (17 Grand Masters, 4 Deputy Grand Masters, and 14
Grand Secretaries attended the 2002 Scottish Rite Leadership
Conferences), other Masonic dignitaries, and Sovereign Grand
Commander Kleinknecht shared their thoughts on the events of
the day. Ill. Kleinknecht also thanked the Brethren of the host
Valleys for all of their hard work and cordial hospitality,
and congratulated the Brethren for their dynamic participation.
A reception with hearty hors d'oeuvres followed each of these
wrap-up sessions.
As every Scottish Rite function should be, each of the 2002
Leadership Conferences was a first-class meeting masterfully
conducted and thoroughly enjoyed by all participants. Most importantly,
however, the attending Brethren were empowered to return to
their various Orients with many ideas to promote membership
growth and retention in their local Valleys.
Congressman
Dennis R. Rehberg Receives K.C.C.H.
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| Posing for a photograph after the special
K.C.C.H. investiture on May 24, 2002, for Congressman Dennis
R. Rehberg are (l. to r.): Ill. George R. Adams, 33°,
Deputy in Washington, D.C.; Congressman Rehberg; Ill. C.
Fred Kleinknecht, 33°; Ill. Jack D. Rehberg, 33°,
S.G.I.G. in Montana, Grand Standard Bearer of the Supreme
Council, the Congressman's father. Also attending the ceremony
were Pat Rehberg, the Congressman's mother; Ill. Bros. William
G. Sizemore, G.C., Grand Executive Director; Dr. S. Brent
Morris, G.C., Director of Membership Development; Arturo
de Hoyos, Grand Archivist and Grand Historian; Earl E. Ihle,
Jr., Director of Development; Arnold L. Flottman, Head Guide,
House of the Temple; Bro. Armen H. Garabedian, 32°,
K.C.C.H., Guide, House of the Temple; and Bro. Todd E. Carton,
32°, K.C.C.H., Chief Financial Officer. Photo: Ill.
Arnold L. Flottman, 33° |
On May 24, 2002, at 10:30 am in the Executive Chamber of the
House of the Temple in Washington, D.C., Congressman Dennis
R. Rehberg was invested with the Rank and Decoration of Knight
Commander Court of Honour. Ill. George R. Adams, 33°, Deputy
in Washington, D.C., masterfully performed the ceremony, which
was conducted in a special session in deference to the Congressman's
busy schedule. Following the investiture, Bro. Rehberg thanked
all involved and noted how proud he was to receive this honor
in recognition of his long civic and Masonic service. He also
said he was glad to share Masonic information with other members
of Congress and pleased to work with many Congressional colleagues
who are Freemasons. After exchanging congratulations with all
present, Sovereign Grand Commander Kleinknecht concluded the
festive event by personally hosting a tour of the House of the
Temple for the Congressman and his parents.
Kristine
Falk Is Ak-Sar-Ben Queen
There
is an air of pride and accomplishment at the residence of Ill.
Robert A. Falk, 33°, these days. Bro. Bob's daughter Kristine
was named the 105th Queen at the Ak-Sar-Ben Coronation Ball
held Saturday, October 20, 2001, in the Ak-Sar-Ben Coliseum
in Omaha, Nebraska. (Ak-Sar-Ben is Nebraska spelled backwards.)
More than 2,700 people attended the gala event, including eight
couples from Scottish Rite, and learned about the Falk family's
dedication to the Omaha community.
Kristine, 24, now lives in Dallas and works for the National
Association of Security Dealers as an examiner. Like her entire
family, she has volunteered for several organizations including
American Cancer Society, Special Olympics, and Habitat for Humanity.
She grew up in the Omaha area and was very active in sports,
cheerleading, and band.
Her mother, Katherine, was a highly regarded schoolteacher
(deceased in 1988) and an active volunteer. She was part of
Junior League and Fontenelle Forest projects. Bro. Bob and Katherine
have three other children-Carolyn Sund, Nancy LeFebrve, and
Carl Falk.
Bro. Bob gives most of the credit to his present wife, Janice,
for helping prepare for the Coronation. Jan is known throughout
Omaha for her extraordinary volunteer work for many organizations.
At last count, she has served as president of 17 different boards
and chaired fund-raisers for a least eight organizations. She
is a Professional Registered Parliamentarian and has received
numerous awards for her volunteer work in the Omaha community,
including the Ak-Sar-Ben/Ike Friedman Community Leadership Award
in 1999. Jan brought three daughters to the family when she
and Bob married in 1992.
Illustrious Falk is a native of the Omaha area and graduated
from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. He is a well-recognized
investment professional with over 40 years of experience that
is part of 105 years of Falk family experience in the investment
field serving Nebraska and Iowa. Ill. Bro. Bob has served the
Omaha Scottish Rite Valley as its investment manager since 1982
when he replaced his father, Carl, who held the position for
many years.
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Ill. Robert A. Falk,
33° Photo: © Marcus
of Omaha Fine Photography
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Also involved in volunteer service to the Omaha area community,
Ill. Falk has been Director/Chairman or President of a long
list of civic organizations including Boy Scouts, Lutheran Medical
Center, Fort Calhoun School Board, and Fort Calhoun Chamber
of Commerce. He is a member of the Swedish Council of America's
Royal Round Table, Swedish Cultural Committee, as well as the
International Order of Vikings.
A long-time supporter of the Omaha Scottish Rite, Ill. Falk
is the Personal Representative to the S.G. I.G. in Nebraska,
Ill. Warren D. Lichty, 33°. He serves as Treasurer of the
Cathedral Board Association, Lodge of Perfection, Scottish Rite
Foundation of Omaha, Scottish Rite Foundation of Nebraska, and
Chairman of the Omaha Valley Invest-ment Committee. He is the
chief investment manager of funds for Scottish Rite, Nebraska
Youth Foundation, and Tangier Shrine. He is a great support
for Omaha Scottish Rite and has been very instrumental in the
renovation project of the Scottish Rite Masonic Center. The
Brethren of the Valley of Omaha are very proud of Queen Kristine,
the Falk family, and their accomplishments. Their support of
the Omaha Scottish Rite is deeply appreciated.
Reprinted, edited for length,
from the Omaha Valley News (Nov. 2001)
Illustrious
D. Walter Jessen, 33°, Presented Fifty-Year Membership Certificate
In Louisiana
| On April 27, 2002, at the Reunion Banquet
of the Valley of Lake Charles, Louisiana, Ill. D. Walter
Jessen, 33°, Past S.G.I.G. in Louisiana and Past Grand
Chancellor of the Supreme Council (center), was presented
his 50-Year Scottish Rite Membership Certificate by Ill.
Ronald A. Seale, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Louisiana and Lt.
Grand Commander of the Supreme Council (right). Ill. T.
Scott Strickland, 33°, P.G.M. and Personal Representative
in Monroe, Louisiana (left), joined the Brethren in congratulating
Ill. Jessen. Dr. Strickland was the nephew of the late Ill.
Dee A. Strickland, 33°, also Past S.G.I.G. in Louisiana
and Ill. Jessen's predecessor. |
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Scottish
Rite Foundation of Nebraska Holds Annual Meeting
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| At the recent Scottish Foundation of
Nebraska Annual Meeting, S.G.I.G. Warren D. Lichty, 33°,
President, was pictured with the seven state clinicians
and Molly Grierson, former Denver Clinic patient. The clinicians
presented a new video about the four Nebraska clinics, and
Molly spoke about her language disorder treatment. The clinicians
surprised the members by wearing shirts with the RiteCare
logo. |
Interested
In The Scottish Rite Journal On Audiocassettes?
Nearly
every month, the Supreme Council receives requests for audiotapes
of the Scottish Rite Journal. Sometimes the requests
are from visually impaired Brethren or their family members.
Other Brothers simply wish the convenience of playing the tapes
while driving or during other appropriate moments. But is there
enough demand to justify the expense?
If you wish to receive the Scottish Rite Journal on
audiocassettes (of necessity, some time after the publication
month of each issue), please write to: Grand Executive Director,
1733 16th St., NW, Washington, DC 20009-3103; fax to 202-387-1843;
or reply online to cacotto@srmason-sj.org.
At this point, the Council would like to determine the need
for this distribution and how much interest there is among the
Brethren. If feasible, this service will be free for a trial
period of three months to dues-current Brethren who are certifiably
visually impaired. However, other Brethren, Lodges, or Masonic
organizations will be requested to prepay $30 for the same three
monthly audiotapes (s/h included). To be considered for this
service, please submit your request, with full contact information,
by no later than October 1, 2002. If instituted, this trial
program will be evaluated after three monthly tapes have been
distributed. If deemed successful, the program will be offered
free to visually impaired Brethren and to others at a special
price of $100 per year for 12 monthly audiotapes.
American
Studies Class Visits House Of The Temple
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| In what has become an annual tradition,
on Monday, May 6, 2002, students in the American Studies
Program at the Glenelg Country School, Glenelg, Md., toured
the house of the Temple in Washington, D.C. The visit was
arranged by Bro. David C. Weeks (Sharon Lodge No. 182, Reisterstown,
Maryland) Director of the Civic Leadership Program of the
school, and attended by 30 eleventh-grade students and three
faculty members. The purpose of the trip was to explore
symbols in architectural ornamentation. Other sites visited
were the Supreme Court, Library of Congress, and FDR Memorial.
Ill. Arturo de Hoyos, 33°, Grand Archivist and Grand
Historian, and Ill. John W. Boettjer, 33°, G.C., Managing
Editor, Scottish Rite Journal, provided an introduction
to Freemasonry and an orientation to the building, especially
the symbolic significance of many of its architectural details.
Photo: Ill. Arnold L. Flottman,
Jr., 33° |
Grand
Master Pledges Support Of Scottish Rite In Louisiana
| Recently, Ill. Ronald A.
Seale, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Louisiana (left in photo) was
pleased to thank M.W. Bro. Joseph H. Baker, Jr., 32°,
K.C. C.H., Grand Master of Masons in Louisiana (right),
for his pledge to support the Scottish Rite in all Louisiana
Grand Lodge programs. |
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Deputy
Provencher Recognized For Blood Donations
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On May 2, 2002, Ill. Dennis
E. Provencher, 33°, Deputy in Okinawa and Guam, made
the front page of Stars and Stripes with an illustrated
article titled "Giving Gets His Blood Pumping."
The story featured a photo of Ill. Provencher donating his
28th gallon of blood and receiving a plaque in recognition
of this significant achievement. Congratulations, Deputy
Provencher, for setting this outstanding example of Masonic
civic action! |
Research
Society Receives Permanent Charter
Photo:
Bro. Bob Johnson, 32°
Since May 8, 1991, the Scottish Rite Research Society has operated
under Letters Temporary authorized by Ill. C. Fred Kleinknecht,
33°, Sovereign Grand Commander. In late 2001, given the
Society's decade of outstanding scholarly accomplishment and
growth, the Society's Board of Directors voted unanimously to
request Letters Patent of Perpetual Constitution for the Society.
An ornate Permanent Charter, complete with official stamps and
gold seals, was developed in the office of the Scottish Rite
Journal and forwarded for signatures to Ill. C. Fred Kleinknecht,
33°, Sovereign Grand Commander; Ill. David Kruger, 33°,
Grand Secretary General; and Ill. Thomas C. Raum, Jr., 33°,
Grand Chancellor.
The intent was to have a ceremony focused on the Charter as
part of the Society's meeting at the 2003 Biennial Session.
Regrettably, however, Ill. Forrest D. Haggard, 33°, G.C.,
longtime President of the Society, was forced to resign for
reasons of health as of March 2, 2002. Thus, to honor Ill. Haggard
for his service to the Society by listing him as the Charter
President, the process for completing the Patent of Perpetual
Constitution was put on a fast track and dated March 1, 2002.
By May 17, 2002, it was ready for review by Ill. Haggard. Pictured
in the photo above, Ill. Haggard reviews the Charter with Ill.
John E. Mowen, 33°, Personal Representative (left), and
Ill. Robert L. Tomlinson, Jr., 33°, Secretary, Valley of
Northeast Kansas. The Charter is now being appropriately framed
and will be placed on permanent display in the House of the
Temple in Washington, D.C.
On March 2, 2002, the Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht appointed
Ill. William B. Brunk, 33°, S.G.I.G. in North Carolina,
as Acting President of the Scottish Rite Research Society.
Supreme
Council, 33°, Of Togo Recognized
On June 5, 2002, Sovereign Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht,
33°, distributed a letter to the Members of our Supreme
Council and all Regular Supreme Councils and Sovereign Grand
Masters of Others in Amity with the Supreme Council. The letter,
constituting a decree of the Supreme Council, S.J., U.S.A.,
recognizes the Supreme Council, 33°, of Togo. The Republic
of Togo, which is twice the size of Maryland, is on the south
coast of West Africa and is bordered by Ghana, Benin, and Burkina
Faso. The Officers of the Supreme Council, 33°, of Togo
are: Ill. Moise Fiadjoe, 33°, Sovereign Grand Commander;
Ill. Eteh C. Barrigah, 33°, Lieutenant Grand Commander;
and Ill. Sylvain S. Lassey, 33°, Grand Secretary General.
The Supreme Council's official address is c/o Dr. Moise Kwassivi
Fiadjoe, 30 rue Pasteur Baeta, 1321 Lome, TOGO.
Masonic
Service Association In Action
Lois
V. Lance, Representative in Gainesville, Florida, for the Masonic
Service Association of North America (MSA), is shown on the
next page presenting a computerized device to Tommy Calhoun,
a Veterans Nursing Home patient. Tommy cannot speak and has
limited use of his hands and arms. The device will help Tommy
communicate with his nurses and visitors.
Representing the Grand Lodge of Florida in the photo with Mrs.
Lance are (l. to r.) R.W. Harry S. Lance, 33°, Past District
Deputy Grand Master and Past MSA Representative; R.W. Frederick
J. Latsko, 32°, District Deputy Grand Master; and M.W. George
Hayes, 33°, Past Grand Master of Masons in Florida.
The MSA brings Masons and their families together to volunteer
in local Veterans Hospitals. Duties vary according to the facility,
but they may include escort duties, taking patients to therapy,
doctor, eye, or dental appointments, and simply visiting with
patients. Most MSA volunteers are veterans, too, so they are
veterans helping veterans. Some volunteers work as little as
four hours a month. Others work as much as 150 hours. Basically,
MSA volunteers donate whatever time they can to this good cause.
To find out how you can assist in your area, contact the Masonic
Service Association, 8120 Fenton St., Silver Spring, MD 20910-4785.
Tel. 301-588-4010; Fax 301-608-3457; E-mail msana@
ix.netcom.com.
Submitted by Ill. Harry S.
Lance, 33°, Ocala, Florida, Scottish Rite Bodies
Hez's
House Revisited
The article "Hez's House an Early Lodge" by Bro.
Walter J. Klein, 32°, K.C.C.H., in the June issue of the
Scottish Rite Journal referred to Masonic symbols carved
above the doors and windows of the Hezekiah Alexander stone
residence and Masonic meeting hall in Charlotte, North Carolina,
1774. Only two of these symbols, however, were pictured on the
inside front cover of the June issue. Here are drawings of several
Masonic-related symbols incised on the exterior stones of the
house. They are arranged below in the following order: Trowel;
Square & Compasses, early French version; Tubal Cain; the
Three Great Lights of Masonry in a Heart, emblems of the Third
Degree; Crown representing King Solomon with Three Jewels representing
the Third Degree. The last carving, located on an interior narrow
staircase leading to the room that was used as a Lodge meeting
room, includes the familiar form of the Square and Compasses
used today. It appears to have told Masons ascending the stairs
"This way to Lodge."
