In Spring 2004, our Supreme Council will hold three regional Leadership Conferences for the key members of each Valley. These meetings are an opportunity for leaders—and future leaders—to meet, to exchange ideas, and to share the latest ideas on how Valleys can better serve their members. The conference locations and dates are:

Conferences begin on Friday afternoon with specialized seminars targeted at specific subjects. For instance, there will be sessions for those who fill out the IRS form 990s for their Valleys. In today’s world of complicated state and federal regulations for non-profit organizations, it is essential that Valleys pay careful attention to tax compliance. Also, the Supreme Council’s new Sentinel database system will be introduced, and a hands-on laboratory will give Valley leaders the opportunity to take the software on a “test drive.” The laboratory will remain open on Saturday for other attendees to drop in and see what capabilities are offered. Ladies are a vital part of a healthy Valley, and they are invited to attend the conferences. There will be a session on Friday afternoon for them to share what they enjoy in the Scottish Rite and what they would like to see.

Grand Commander Seale will continue the tradition of “Conference Fellows.” Each Valley is being asked to select their future leaders—relatively new members who have a burning passion for the Scottish Rite. The Fellows will meet with the Grand Commander Friday afternoon for a give-and-take session: what can they do for the Rite, and what can the Rite do for them. The Fellows will have a wrap-up session on Sat-urday with the Grand Commander before the conference is closed.

Saturday’s sessions will have a deceptively simple theme: Things That Work! Session topics will include Best Practices: Operational and Social Activities, Valley Issues and Solutions, Motivating Volunteers, Forging Relationships with Blue Lodges and Concordant Bodies, and Creating a University of Freemasonry in Your Valley. Registrants will attend each of these sessions, with some broken down by Valley size. There is a Saturday luncheon for Brethren and a reception that evening for all.

The 2004 Leadership Conferences will be opened on a space-available basis to ALL Scottish Rite Masons who pay the registration fee. For more information on attending a conference, contact your Valley Secretary.

Grand Commander Seale recently highlighted the importance of the Leadership Conferences saying, “If the Scottish Rite is to meet the challenges facing Masonry in the future, our leaders must be informed and inspired. They must know what works and act to make those programs effective in their Valleys. I hope to see every key member of our Valleys at a Leadership Conference this spring.”