THE 167TH ANNUAL COMMUNICATION
MARCH 17 & 18, 2023
HOTEL TOPEKA AT CITY CENTER TOPEKA, KANSAS
Welcome Friends, Family and Brethren.
It is exciting for us all to meet here at the 167th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Kansas. We do so to renew old acquaintances and to ignite new ones, as our relationships are the engines of change in ourselves, in the Craft and in communities across the state. That is the essence of our great fraternity, to positively change ourselves and our surroundings to better humanity and attending this Annual Communication is one step in that direction.
There are several business items that will be discussed and deliberated on. Please remember to keep your passions within due bounds and base decisions on the best interest of Kansas Masonry. When the work is complete, enjoy the banquet, auction and fellowship that will ensue. This is an exciting time in Kansas Masonry with a positive energy infiltrating every aspect of our Craft. Enjoy your time!
Fraternally,
Michael Johnson, II Grand Master 2022-2023
I am Grand Lodge You are Grand Lodge WE ARE GRAND LODGE!
THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2023
8:00 - 11:30 a.m. ....... KMF Board of Trustees Meeting (Emerald)
1:00 - 5:00 p.m ......... Early-bird Check-in & Registration Materials Pick-Up (River)
5:00 - 7:00 p.m. ......... Kansas Masonic Foundation hosts: (Shawnee):
Welcome Reception (open to all)
Silent auction opening
Live auction items preview
2022-23 Lodge Raffle Car Drawing (6 p.m.)
Donor Appreciation Dinner - by invitation only (7 p.m.)
7:00 - 9:00 p.m. ......... Ladies' Activities (Crystal Board Room - main hotel)
FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 2023 (Sunflower Ballroom unless otherwise noted)
6:30 a.m. ................... Check-in & Registration Materials Pick-Up opens (River)
8:15 a.m. ................... Everyone seated for Public Grand Opening
8:30 a.m. ................... Public Grand Opening
8:45 a.m. ................... Ladies’ events starts (Hotel Lobby by elevators)
9:30 a.m. ................... Public Grand Opening closes
Master Masons only. Aprons & proof of registration are required.
9:45 a.m. ................... Tyled Opening of 167th Annual Communication
11:45 a.m. ................. Call-Off for Lunch (Emerald-main hotel)
1:30 p.m. ................... Resume Tyled Session
4:00 p.m. ................... Call-Off or Close as business allows
4:30 p.m. ................... Ladies’ events ends
5:00 - 6:00 p.m. ......... Social hour
6:00 p.m. ................... Silent Auction ends
6:30 p.m. ................... All Masonic Banquet Awards Ceremonies KMF Live Auction
SATURDAY, MARCH 18, 2023 (Sunflower
Ballroom)
8:00 a.m. ................... Resume Tyled Session if required / Necrology Service
9:00 a.m. ................... Close Tyled session if required
Open to public 9:30 a.m. ................... Installation of 2023-24 Grand Lodge Officers
PUBLIC GRAND OPENING
PROCESSION OF GRAND LODGE OFFICERS
REMARKS ON BEHALF OF DISTINGUISHED GUESTS
GRAND MASTER’S CLOSING REMARKS
2022-2023 Grand Lodge Officers
Grand Master Michael D. Johnson, II
Peace Lodge No. 243, Louisburg
Deputy Grand Master Robert D. McClarty
Lindsborg Lodge No. 397
Grand Senior Warden ...............................................Douglas L. Wilkinson
Belleville Lodge No. 129
Grand Junior Warden..............................................Derik L. Hockett, DSM
Ulysses Lodge No. 435
Grand Musician................................................................. Dennis L. Reed
Topeka Lodge No. 17
Grand Piper Kelly J. Long
McPherson Lodge No. 172
Grand Tyler Warren L. Hughes, DSM
Neosho Lodge No. 27, LeRoy
Assistant Grand Tyler Matthew J.B. McNamar
Cosmos Lodge No. 278, Kiowa
PGM - Past Grand Master OM - Grand Master’s Order of Merit recipient
DSM - Distinguished Service Medal recipient
2022-2023 Grand Lodge Officers
Area Deputy Grand Masters
1 Lincoln L. Wilson, Jr., DSM 5 Mark C. Reeder, DSM
2 Daniel C. Minde 6 Curtis A. Utley
3 Mark W. Slubowski 7 Timothy A. Russell
4 Nathaniel G. Nelzen 8 Thomas E. Brandtonies
District Deputy Grand Masters
1A Daniel N. Smith 5C Duane A. Marshall
1B James Baldwin
1C Christopher D. Neeley,DSM
2B W. Neal Gamble, DSM
2C George E. Read
3A Steven E. Robbins
3B Donnie R. Deatherage
Anthony J. “A.J.” Pence
Alex L. Bolinder
Thomas J. Wiese
Warren L. Hughes
Gary R. Goebel
Randy Cornelius
3C James A. Lyle 7C Jakeb T. Johnson
4A Thomas H. Bowen 7D Tom R. Hensley
4B Vincent S. Braun 7E Kendall S. Garton
4C Christopher D. Collins
Thomas A. Shorock
4D Russell L. Walker 8B Bryan R. Minch
4E Jon J. Jordan
Christopher D. Perry
5A Marvin J. Rodriguez 8D William C. “Billy” Brandtonies
5B Wade B. Madden
Grand Lecturers & Assistant Grand Lecturers
Charles L. Ables, Jr.
Andrew P. Cassity
Vernon J. Clark, DSM
Earl E. Genter, Jr.
Michael D. Johnson, II*
Ronald L. Main
James I. Miller
Bernard E. Moore
Dale R. Morrow, PGM
David R. Neal
Donald D. Newman, Jr., PGM
H.Wayne Rector
Robert C. Talbott, PGM
*Assistant Grand Lecturer
Other Grand Lodge Officers
Alex G. Powers, DSM, Kansas Lodge of Research Director
Robert B. Pfuetze, Grand Secretary Emeritus
Arnot F. Baldwin, Jr., Grand Lecturer Emeritus
Ron W. Detwiler, OM, Grand Lecturer Emeritus
Leland G. Salts, Grand Lecturer Emeritus
William G. Updegrove, Jr., Grand Lecturer, Emeritus
5D
6A
6B
6C
6D
6E
8A
8C
167th ANNUAL COMMUNICATION TYLED SESSION
Friday, March 17, 2023 - 9:45 a.m.
• Formal Opening on the Third Degree
• Flag Salute
• Opening Remarks & Preliminary Announcements
• Roll Call of Grand Lodge Officers
• Determination of Quorum
• Credentials Report
• Test of Electronic Voting System
• Reports: Grand Master Council of Administration
Grand Treasurer Grand Secretary
• Consent Agenda (receive reports from the following): Kansas Masonic Foundation, Kansas Masonic Home Grand Lodge Committees: Trials & Punishments, Masonic Education, Public Schools, Lodges & Buildings, Ritualistic Work, Foreign Relations & Correspondence, Publications, Membership, Communications
• Jurisprudence Committee Report
Constitution & By-law Proposals
• 11:45 L-R (for lunch)
• 1:30 R-L
• Election of 2023-2024 Grand Lodge Officers
• Deputy Grand Master's Remarks
• Report of the Committee on Reports of Grand Officers
• Awards & Recognition
• Finance Committee Report
• Jurisprudence Committee Report
• Report of Tellers
• Masonic Education
• Announcements
• Closing of the Grand Lodge of Kansas
Outstanding Mason Award
(local Mason of the year award)
Jonathan Allee ......................... Overland Park Lodge No. 436
Daniel Brown .................................... Hancock Lodge No. 311
Joseph Crumpton .............................. Mayetta Lodge No. 393
Michael Terry .................................. Lindsborg Lodge No. 397
John French, II Derby Lodge No. 365
Kenneth Kramer ................................ De Soto Lodge No. 40
Danny Mattheis.................................. Neosho Lodge No. 27
Jay Stogsdill ............................................. Iola Lodge No. 38
Master’s Achievement Award
Rick Alamo Derby Lodge No. 365
William Brandtonies ..................... Inner Quest Lodge No. 456
Michael Davison ................................ Wyandotte Lodge No. 3
Nicolas Carr .................................. Golden Rule Lodge No. 90
Patrick Carr...................................McPherson Lodge No. 172
Kenneth Kramer .................................. De Soto Lodge No. 40
Douglas Wettlaufer .................. Overland Park Lodge No. 436
School of Instruction
Perfect Attendance
North Star Lodge No. 168
39 consecutive years & 55 total years with perfect attendance,
How can you earn or receive one of these awards? Look
it up on KansasMason.org
Ritualist Awards
(Proficiency Certificate)
Ritualist
Gary Barber ....................................... De Soto Lodge No. 40
Robert Brown................................. Wyandotte Lodge No. 3
Shawn Crabtree................................. De Soto Lodge No. 40
Jacob Davisson ...................... Overland Park Lodge No. 436
Joseph Melton ......................... Overland Park Lodge No. 436
Bryan Minich .................................. Wyandotte Lodge No. 3
Alex Powers Gardner Lodge No. 65
William Price .........................................Peace Lodge No. 243
Perry Siplon ............................. Overland Park Lodge No. 436
Frederick Smith ............................ Albert Pike Lodge No. 303
Douglas Wettlaufer .................. Overland Park Lodge No. 436
Ritualist First Class
Carter Green.................................. Wellington Lodge No. 150
Jack Hiner............................................ Parker Lodge No. 341
John Kramer De Soto Lodge No. 40
Frederick Smith ............................ Albert Pike Lodge No. 303
Senior Ritualist
Jack Hiner............................................ Parker Lodge No. 341
Frederick Smith ............................ Albert Pike Lodge No. 303
Master Ritualist
John French.................................... Sunflower Lodge No. 86
Frederick Smith ............................ Albert Pike Lodge No. 303
Trice-Robison Award
De Soto Lodge No. 40
Albert Pike Lodge No. 303
Report Card on Proposed Constitutional & By-Law Revisions (mark results and report to your Lodge)
• Proposal 1 - PASSED / FAILED
For affiliated bodies, the annual total annual dues, fees, and assessments, charged per member to the members or local entity (e.g., Chapter, Valley, Temple, etc.) by the parent organization (e.g., Grand Chapter, Grand Council, Grand Commandery, General Grand Chapter, General Grand Council, Grand Encampment, Orient, Supreme Council, Imperial, etc.) shall be no more than that of the per capita which this Grand Lodge assesses upon its members.
• Proposal 2 - PASSED / FAILED
The amount sent annually from each member’s per capita tax to the George Washington Masonic National Memorial will increase from .50 to $1.00. (This does not increase the annual per capita tax on members.)
• Proposal 3 - PASSED / FAILED
Increase the annual per capita tax upon each member from $30 to $35.
• Proposal 4 - PASSED / FAILED
Specifying that certification of good standing (not demission) be done in a format approved by this Grand Lodge.
• Proposal 5 - PASSED / FAILED
Correcting a spelling error (wavier to waiver).
• Proposal 6 - PASSED / FAILED
As the Kansas Masonic Home no longer exisits, eliminate the by-law that requires giving $5 from every initiation fee to the Masonic Home.
• Proposal 7 - PASSED / FAILED
Occassional lodges must submit their amended by-laws, to inlcude having at least quarterly meetings, having all separate elected officers, and otherwise working in the same manner as regular lodges.
The election of the Grand Master and Grand Lodge officers is governed by the provisions of the Constitution, Article VI § 3, which states:
(1)The Grand Master shall be chosen by ballot by majority of all votes cast therefor at each Annual Communication, and serve one year as Deputy Grand Master and the following year shall be installed as Grand Master and shall hold office until his successor is installed.
(2)The Grand Senior Warden, Grand Junior Warden, Grand Treasurer and Grand Secretary shall be chosen by ballot by a majority of all votes cast therefor at each communication and shall hold their offices until their successors are installed. The subordinate officers shall be appointed by the Grand Master elect (Deputy Grand Master) and shall serve at his will and pleasure during his tenure.
All voting delegates will receive a ballot for the election of officers. You may vote to advance the entire line, individually, or write in a Kansas Past Master’s name.
Mission Statement
The Mission of the Grand Lodge of Kansas is to encourage and support Freemasonry by assisting its Brothers and constituent lodges to achieve success and prosperity as assets to their communities.
