Hiram's Words - April 2016

The Offical Publication of the Grand Chapter of Illinois

Volume XV,I Issue 2

Hiram’s Words ram-il.org

ON PAGE 8 ON PAGE 16 ON PAGE 20 The Craftsmen Opportunity Knocks Society of Past Return to the Quarry Masters

GRAND OFFICERS Most Excellent Grand High Priest

Excellent Grand Royal Arch Captain

Sean P. McBride

Patrick J. Robin

Right Excellent Deputy Grand High Priest

Excellent Grand Principal Sojourner

James M. Tome

Timothy J. Vice

Right Excellent Grand King

Excellent Grand Master of the Third Veil

Jerald H. Starks

William Wojtas

Right Excellent Grand Scribe

Excellent Grand Master of the Second Veil

Byford “Bo” Cook

Charles R. Robertson

Right Excellent Grand Treasurer

Excellent Grand Master of the First Veil

Alan M. Hubble

D. Scott Dayton

Right Excellent Grand Secretary

Excellent Grand Steward

Dale L. Corrice

Edward “Ed” Steffy

Excellent Grand Chaplain

Excellent Grand Steward

Vincent Riti

Travis L. Stewart

Excellent Grand Captain of the Host

Excellent Grand Organist

Randy Vawter

John B. “Jack” Hall

Excellent Grand Webmaster

Mission Statement:

Timothy J. “Tim” Ward

It shall be the goal of the Grand Chapter of Illinois, working through its subordinate chapters, to consistently and responsively enhance those lessons taught in the Symbolic Lodge; by developing and promoting programs: • That build character in our membership • That foster growth in prospects for fellowship • That provide opportunities for increasing leadership skills • That allow our lodges and chapters to make a difference in our communities

Our Vision: It is our vision to be the concordant body of choice for the brethren of the Symbolic Lodge by fulfilling our mission better than any person or fraternal organization.

Contact: Hiram’s Words is a publication of the Grand Chapter of Illinois. If you have any questions about one of our publications, please contact us at grandwebmaster@ram-il.org 2

In this issue

On The Cover

4 Grand High Priest’s Message

by Sean P. McBride, MEGHP

5 From the Secretary

by Dale Corrice, REGS

7 Or Are There?

by Bill Perkins, PHP Franklin #8

8 Reframing Your Chapter

by Alan Schwartz, EHP, Lincoln Park Chapter #177

10 The Craftsmen Return to the Quarry

by Sean P. McBride, MEGHP

11 General Grand Chapter Conference Comments

by Randy Vawter, EGCoH

13 Making Good Men Better

Pekin Chapter held a 160 Year Re-Dedication Ceremony and Table Chapter event. See page 13 for details

by Jim Tome, REDGHP

14 Pekin Chapter Rededication

by Charles Robertson, EGM2V

16 Opportunity Knocks: The Emerging Leaders Program

by Scott Dayton, EGM1V

18 Royal Arch Masons Charitable Foundation

by Patrick J. Robin EGRAC – Chairman RAMCF Fundraising Committee

20 Society of Past Masters

by Alan Hubble, REGT, REPGHP

22 Upcoming Events •

April 16 - 3rd Annual Quarry Day

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April 20 - Palatine Chapter 4th & 5th Degrees

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April 23 - School of Instruction - Freeport

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April 28 - Logan Chapter 4th & 5th Degrees

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April 30 - Joint Chapter/Council/Shrine Day

•

May 14 - 7th Annual Illinois/Wisconsin Chapter Day

•

June 18 - Bement Chapter Day

The thoughts and opinions expressed in these articles are those of the individual unless stated otherwise and do not necessarily reflect those of the Grand Chapter of Illinois 3

Grand High Priest’s Message

by Sean P. McBride, MEGHP Greetings Companions, during my time serving in our Grand Chapter elected officer line, and now as your Grand High Priest, I have realized the importance of effectively communicating with each other and how it impacts our fraternity.

With the use and many times, over-use of e-mail, text messaging and other forms of modern communications, we seem to have to have far too often lost the personal, Brother-to-Brother, or Companion-to-Companion connection that our fraternity is intended to nurture and ultimately flourish among us.

Modern electronic communication is a fantastic invention and allows us to transmit announcements and other important information and updates, but sometimes there is a need for more personal contact, something as simple as a quick phone call when more important issues need to be discussed, especially when the topic of conversation can be interpreted in a variety of ways if you can only assume the intent in which a statement is made.

What is said in a concerned or even joking manner by intention can be taken as being critical or even condemning, when that was not the intent at all. Nothing will ever be more effective than looking each other in the eye and meeting each other upon the level.

But sometimes even when we are having a conversation as a group, or even one-on-one, our intentions can be taken the wrong way depending not on what we say, but how we say it. As a very wise man said to me recently “A spoon of sugar will go much farther, than a spoonful of vinegar”.

Some of my experiences and more especially my observations of interactions between others have caused me to reflect upon how words, actions and particularly the manner in which we present ourselves can have a great and lasting impact upon how our Companions react to us.

I would ask each of you, my Companions to step back and consider how your words and actions are taken by others and if the manner in which you present yourself will reflect your true feelings and intentions. It will likely make each of us better Companions!

May Brotherly Love Prevail!

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From the Secretary

by Dale Corrice, REGS

Bylaws

For both the constituent chapter and the Grand Chapter, bylaws are used. What are they? In simple terms they are the

rules which the group organization functions under.

Constituent chapter bylaws cover what is basically unique with the chapter such as: name, chapter number, meeting

place, day of meetings, frequency of meetings, time of meetings and annual meetings. They must include the costs of membership that is the fee for degrees, annual dues and fees, life-time member dues, etc. They can include other limits on a chapter such as the Captain of the Host is elected, specific committees, officer functions, etc.

They should be short. It is not necessary to include for example what the duties of a committee are. What one needs to

remember is a bylaw sets a rule. Any deviation from the rule must be approved by Grant High Priest’s dispensation.

Ok, why does the Grand Chapter code state:

2-3. Every chartered chapter and every chapter under dispensation shall have a code of bylaws conforming to the Bylaws of this Grand Chapter. All amendments to the bylaws of chartered chapters shall be submitted to the Chairman of the Jurisprudence Committee for approval before any action is taken, except to change the date of stated convocations.

We, the several constituent chapters (the Grand Chapter) have imposed limits on each constituent chapter, some of

which are: 2-12. Stated convocations are those held at the time prescribed in the bylaws. At such convocations all general business shall be transacted with the chapter opened on the Capitular Degrees of Masonry. (2002) 2-17. The Annual Convocation shall be held in the last two months of the fiscal year or in the first month of the fiscal year.

(Currently three chapters are in violation)

5-47. No part of the work shall be omitted, abridged or shortened, nor shall any ritual be used that is not authorized under the provisions of these Bylaws, except by special dispensation of the Grand High Priest.

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6-53. No chapter shall confer the four degrees upon any candidate for a less sum than twenty-five dollars, provided, that in cities of more than 250,000 population, the minimum fee shall be thirty dollars.

(Currently four chapters are in violation)

As you can see, there are several limits on a constituent chapter. Every time a constituent chapter changes its bylaws, then, they need to be reviewed and approved by the chairman of Jurisprudence. We currently have at least seven instances of code violations. Each chapter should have a copy of their bylaws with the Grand Chapter Constitution and bylaws. In that way the High priest has access to all rules under his jurisdiction.

How does a chapter change/update its bylaws? Available from the Grand Secretary is a suggested format to amend a chapter’s bylaws.

Amendments Section 1

All former by-laws of this Chapter not contained herein are hereby repealed and annulled, and the foregoing

established in their stead.

Section 2

Any action or edict of the Grand Chapter, which has the effect to alter any part of these by-laws, shall be deemed

an amendment thereto, without any action on the part of this Chapter.

Section 3

Any portion of the whole of these by-laws may be amended or annulled, and others substituted in their stead

provided that such amendments are:

1.

Presented in writing.

2.

Read before the Chapter at a stated convocation, after which all resident members shall be notified.

3.

Laid-over until the next stated convocation before being voted on.

4.

Passed by two-thirds of the members present that voted.

This may be done before submitting the change (s) to the Grand Secretary to be sent to the Chairman of Jurisprudence

for approval. Again, the only thing the chairman of Jurisprudence is looking for is that the change is in agreement with existing Grand Chapter bylaws which all of us are under obligation to follow.

2-93. It shall be the duty of the High Priest (9)

To have a copy of the Constitution and Bylaws of the Grand Chapter on the pedestal in the east whenever the chapter

is open.

I wonder how many chapters conform to this bylaw. The Grand Chapter bylaws are available on the Grand Chapter web site as well as from the Grand Secretary for $20.00.

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Or Are There?

by Bill Perkins, PHP Franklin #8 Recently, while participating in the conferring of the Past Masters Degree, it dawned on me that there are several uniquely Masonic things missing from this degree. Namely the hoodwink, cable-tow and working tools. As I milled this over in my head, both that day and later, I began to look deeper at this masonic void. Why are these missing? Why were they left out. What should they be? Should they be there? Or, are they there and we just don’t see them?

Let us begin with the hoodwink.

Wearing a hoodwink is not unlike peering into the unknown. We’ve all been there. We’ve heard the sounds and voices. We’ve been ushered about not knowing where we are going, nor where we would end up. Here we see the sounds and those who are speaking, yet we are mentally hoodwinked.

Past Master?

We know that it is part of the Chapter, yet we don’t fully understand the idea. We may have only recently joined a Lodge, so how could we be a past anything? Then the hoodwink comes off, as we are told why this degree is conferred and the importance it guards and of setting an example, and growing as a productive member of society.

Now what of the cable-tow.

You will recall the Right Worshipful Master’s first address to you in this degree as you stood at the altar before him. He congratulated you upon on your election to receive same. Symbolically you were elected to receive this Degree; in actuality your were elected to receive all the degrees of the Chapter. You have been bound from one, to another to another, to yet, another.

In the Mark Master Degree you came to understand humility and the importance of your word. Not yet knowing that in the degree which will follow, you will learn of the importance of completion. Here, between those two lies the lessons of responsibility and harmony. Both important to you as a man, husband and father.

By now you may well have an idea as to what the working tools are, and if you’re thinking the gavel you are wrong. The working tool of this Degree is born of amicable, discrete and virtuous conduct. Yes, the working tool of the Past Master Degree is you. Your work at the three parts of the day, as noted by the twenty-four inch gauge, are the working tools of the Past Master.

The five senses that measure that need, the hands and feet that move to fulfill that need, and the heart, whose sole reward is the joy of helping another.

The one who looks the other way, wears the hoodwink. The one who does not reach out to help another, is burdened with the cable-tow. And he who seeks payment in this life for deeds done, has little reward in that which is to come.

Yes, they are all here, same as before you just have to look a little deeper.

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Reframing Your Chapter

by Alan Schwartz, EHP, Lincoln Park Chapter #177

Once a year, I teach a class in organizational behavior for health professions educators (doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and

other teaching faculty who are seeking a Master’s degree in education in order to become academic leaders and scholars). For years, I’ve used an outstanding book called Reframing Organizations: Artistry, Choice, and Leadership by Lee Bolman and Terrence Deal. This year, I’ve also had the privilege of serving as High Priest of my Royal Arch Chapter, and have been thinking about how what we know about organizations can be applied in our Chapters (as well as Councils and Lodges).

Reframing Organizations describes four frames, or lenses, for examining an organization. Each frame highlights unique

aspects of the organization. The four frames are the structural, human resources, political, and symbolic.

The structural frame envisions the organization as a machine, seeking to achieve its mission as efficiently as possible. Structure includes the systems of command, control, and communication. Because of the Masonic predilection for equality, our Chapters usually have very simple structures: a presiding officer (with a couple of deputies), an administrative core (the recorder and treasurer), and other officers and members. This structure is at once highly centralized (the High Priest, at least formally, is in command with the Chapter) and yet decentralized, as most communication is shared with the entire Chapter and each Companion is expected to participate in the mission of Royal Arch Masonry. In order to accomplish the many functions of a Chapter, the High Priest usually must create more structure by appointing committees. The structural frame reminds us that efficient committees are large enough to spread out their work yet small enough so that they can meet easily and each member feels personal responsibility for the outcome. It also reminds us of the importance of keeping a clear (written!) picture of the organization – do each of our members know all of the appointed committees and their chairs, who to ask when they have questions, and how to get involved?

Are we taking advantage of communication technology to keep our Companions up-to-date and the in-the-know?

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The human resources frame envisions the organization as parent, responsible for taking care of its members. This lens

focuses our attention on what motivates our members, what makes a Chapter satisfying, and how we can develop Companions into future officers and leaders. Many of us have been in toxic work environments, and know the kinds of behaviors that lead us to quit and look elsewhere. Interestingly, though, lack of frustration is different from motivation. We know that for people to develop to their full potential, they must have their basic needs met first – Companions must feel safe, welcomed, and valued. The human resources frame also encompasses the important problem of choosing who will and will not be a good fit for a particular organization – which symbolic lodges will recognize as “guarding the west gate.”

The political frame envisions the organization as a jungle – a place of scarce resources where competition and coopera-

tion determine how those resources will be divided. Although “politics” and “power” are often spoken of negatively, we regularly need to negotiate in order to achieve our aims, and power can be exercised responsibly. Indeed, we have many examples in our Chapter degree work of proper exercise of power for the benefit of the whole. One key insight from the study of organizations is that power collects around dependency – if yours is the Chapter that can put on a terrific Holy Royal Arch degree, your work will be much in demand.

The symbolic frame casts the organization as a stage upon which the members play roles and together create the culture

that distinguishes Chapter from Chapter as well as from the Lodge that might meet in the same hall and all of the other organizations in which the Companions spend their days. Of course, Masonry itself is heavily symbolic in its teaching, but organizational culture goes beyond the rituals and allegories. In fact, in Illinois, because we have a standard ritual, most of the degree work itself is not an organizational symbol. On the other hand, each Chapter has its own history, stories, jokes, artifacts, and distinctive unwritten practices that make up “how things are done here.” Learning this culture is crucial for new Companions – and experienced members often need to take those newcomers under their wings and demonstrate by example – and is a big part of why visiting other Chapters is so fascinating.

Looking at a Chapter through each frame individually can offer new insights. Even more powerful is the concept of

reframing problems that face organizations. Sometimes a challenge in one frame is better solved through another. Often what appears to be a structural failing or a political challenge is really masking a misguided incentive or a dysfunctional cultural norm.

Effective leaders benefit from taking a flexible approach to their organizations.

Reframing Organizations is available at Amazon.com and in many other bookstores. Prof. Bolman also offers a self-rating

quiz that you can use to evaluate your own strengths in each of the four frames at http://www.leebolman.com/frames_selfrating_scale.htm

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The Craftsmen Return to the Quarry

by Sean P. McBride, MEGHP The time is nearly here when “The Craftsmen will Return to the Quarries” as The Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the State of Illinois resumes its labors on Saturday April 16, 2016 at Sand Valley, near Danville, Illinois. Companions from far and wide will assemble for a great day of fellowship, fun and fraternalism in this unique and beautiful setting, with presentations of the Most Excellent Master and Holy Royal Arch Degrees for all qualified candidates, who have previously received the Mark Master and Past Master Degrees.

In the spirit of brotherly love and fraternal relations, the Grand Chapter is pleased and very excited that we will be teaming up with our Brethren from the Scottish Rite, as presentations of the Scottish Rite 7th Degree, Provost and Judge and 13th Degree, Master of the Ninth Arch, will be presented by the Valley of Danville following the conclusion of the Chapter work.

Coffee and donuts will be served at 8:00am and the Most Excellent Master Degree will begin at 9:00am, followed by the Holy Royal Arch Degree. A feast of smoked beef brisket, pulled pork barbeque and sides fit for King Solomon will be served, after which the Scottish Rite Degrees will commence.

Spread the word in your Chapters and get a car load of Companions together and join us in the Quarry as we write the next “Chapter” in this historic period of “Rebuilding the Temple of Illinois Royal Arch Masonry”.

What a great opportunity for a worthy and well qualified Master Mason to experience the rewards of becoming a Royal Arch Mason and, or Scottish Rite Mason in such a unique and impressive manner! Please register your candidates and make your

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required lunch reservations with Companion Ryan W. Irby, EGST at rwirby13@gmail.com or (217) 918-0247 by Monday April 11th.

Lunch is $12.00 per person.

All Royal Arch candidates must be accompanied by a representative of the Chapter they will be a member of and be vouched for as having received the Mark and Past Master Degrees and submit the dates the Degrees were received and the location where the Degrees were conferred.

Interested candidates for the Scottish Rite Valley of Danville should contact the Valley Office at (217) 446-7620 to obtain a petition. All candidates for the Valley of Danville must be a resident of the State of Illinois. Courtesy work for candidates that have petitioned other Valley’s is available, with prior approval.

Do not miss, what could prove to be a once in a lifetime opportunity! Hope to see you there!

General Grand Chapter Conference Comments

by Randy Vawter, EGCoH I have attended many conferences in my Masonic career. If you are like me you begin to see how many of these conferences seem to blend together and the subject material is normally the same regardless who speaks. Yet, I continue to attend these conferences and I can expect the same degree of boredom. Someone will speak about membership and how we should embrace the idea of hearing why our candidates join are ranks. Someone else will speak on Lodge activity’s and offer their spin of fun activities and ideas for lodges to bring members back to our meetings. Then there is my favorite boring topic where I struggle to keep my eyes open. Someone will speak about the topic of a mentor program. Now, I’m not against a mentor program. Actually, I would encourage chapters and lodges to have a mentor program. But, normally those who speak about mentor programs are only offering ways to exchange phone numbers with new members and perhaps offer our new members a ride to the next lodge meeting.

Not very inspiring.

So, imagine the excitement I felt about being asked to attend the East Central Conference put on by our General Grand Chapter during the weekend of March 12th in Bay City, Michigan. That’s about a 6 hour drive for me. My expectations of the weekend were not high but it always allows me to talk with our Grand Chapter officers and hear their ideas and concerns about our Grand 11

Chapter. That alone gave me reason to attend. Our Illinois delegation consisted of our MEGHP Sean McBride, our REDGHP Jim Tome, myself, and our GM1stVeil Scott Dayton. I drove up to Sycamore, Illinois to meet with Jim Tome while Scott and Sean drove to Bay City separately. Our plan was to meet for dinner on Friday Night but unfortunately Sean arrived later in the evening and missed our great chat where Scott, Jim and myself resolved the issues of world hunger.

Saturday morning we had a great breakfast after which opening comments were lead by Larry Inscho our General Grand Royal Arch Captain who then introduced Steve Tiner our General Grand Scribe. Since this conference consisted of the General Grand Chapter and the General Grand Council we broke off into two separate sessions. On the General Grand Chapter side we heard from the current Grand Master of Michigan and several of his officers.

This was NOT a typical conference meeting. It was apparent these fella’s meant business. The first question asked was this...

“How many of you believe that Freemasonry is a Life Long Commitment?”

Of course, we do! It wasn’t long after the question was asked that many of us started to squirm in our chairs. These guys had a plan. That question was and is the theme behind all they do in Michigan. Their programs are hard hitting and and has become a major shift in the way they think about masonry as a whole. Today, members in lodges in Michigan are always members of the lodge they are raised in. They can never NOT be a member of that lodge.

They are considering (not proposed yet) that any candidate who becomes a master mason and demits from the fraternity then those who signed his petition must pay for the loss of revenue in the form of dues. This is a BOLD idea. But it goes back to the Life Long Commitment promise. Far too often, we seem to accept anyone into the fraternity who has an interest in being a member.

They suggest that anyone who makes the comment, “I just want to see what you guys do” should be a warning that those candidates may be the first to demit unless you have a good plan to offer more than just stated meetings. They heavily suggest all lodges to have weekly functions where family members are invited. These weekly events have many purposes. Not only does it give our members the chance to have more fellowship it also is a great way for potential candidates to meet the group.

These are some of the things that I took away from the conference. It was refreshing to hear different points of view that I can bring back for discussion in my Chapter and Lodge. I would encourage everyone to consider attending next years conference.

This conference was the best conference I have attended.

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Making Good Men Better

by Jim Tome, REDGHP Recently, I attended the General Grand Chapter’s annual regional conference with a number of other Grand Chapter Officers in Bay City, Michigan. What an experience! This is an event – held entirely at no cost to anyone attending (other than travel, accommodations and meals) – that brings together Brethren and Companions to talk about some of today’s biggest problems, challenges and opportunities in Freemasonry. To be honest, Companions, I LOVE this conference.

One session of the conference talked about how to assess, set-up and manage investments for your Masonic Body. I don’t know about you, but my wife doesn’t let me have the family’s checkbook and it seems whenever I am using my credit or debit card it’s to buy her something! That’s about the extent of my “fiscal responsibility!” But this session introduced – at a very simple and easy level – ways to have your Chapter’s investments managed, the types of things you should plan for, what to look for in reporting and even how to work with your local bank or investment professional. This alone was well worth the trip!

Another great session – and somewhat related – was on creating a budget for your Chapter. I am guessing not many High Priests have one of these (I know I really didn’t in my year as High Priest). Well, you need one! Simple or thorough, a budget makes managing activities, fundraising, per capita and other business matters easy. Don’t know where to start? Well, there are a couple of break-out sessions at our own Grand Convocation coming up this July!

Next up was the highlight of the conference: An overview of the process the Grand Lodge of Michigan is introducing to its Lodges to deal with prospective members. It’s a nearly year-long process that has shown fantastic results: A nearly 75% retention rate of ACTIVE Brethren in the Lodge. It’s truly the mentoring program that Freemasonry has always promised (and maybe, long ago, delivered). Want to know more? Yep, there’s a break-out session at this July’s Grand Convocation that borrows some aspects of the program.

Other than that, there was a lot of fellowship, sharing of some truly great ideas across jurisdictions and commiserating that we all seem to be facing the same problems (lack of new members, poor attendance and participation, struggling finances and Companions who decide to deprioritize their Masonic experience. The good part was that everyone seemed to agree that the conference addressed many of these issues and all thought they could bring something home to deal with them at their state and local level.

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Companions, one benefit of our membership in the General Grand Chapter is free attendance for ANY Companion at this annual, regional (the next one is in Kentucky’s Bourbon Country!) educational conference. In fact, anyone can attend! Just let your DDGHP or a Grand Officer know that you are interested.

There’s one more aspect I almost forgot: The Emerging Leaders Program. Held in conjunction with this conference, it’s a multiyear, professionally-taught curriculum that is designed to teach leadership skills so that you can lead your Chapter, a District or even the Grand Chapter. On the other hand, you can simply use it to make you a better man. And isn’t that Freemasonry is all about? Making a good man better?

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Pekin Chapter Rededication

by Charles Robertson, EGM2V On Saturday, March 19th Pekin Chapter was honored to have MEGHP Sean McBride and the Grand Officers of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of Illinois re-dedicate its chapter after over 160 years of service to the craft and community. Grand Chapter Officers with 2 pro-tem officers, MEPGHP William (Bill) Hussey and DDGHP Charles (Chuck) Maruizza, did a wonderful job with the ceremony to an audience of approximately 40 Companions, ladies, and friends. After being extended an invitation, the Executive Director of the Pekin Chamber of Commerce was also in attendance that evening. Companion John (Jack) Hall, MEPGHP, EGO was also presented with his 60 year membership certificate on behalf of MEGHP McBride and EHP of Pekin Chapter, Jeff Knight.

After the re-dedication ceremony, 32 Companions, ladies, and friends retired to the dining room for Pekin Chapter’s 1st Annual Table Chapter. Daughters of Bethel 55 and Demolay of Fides Chapter served a 4 course meal with toasts made by Pekin Chapter Officers in between. Our MEGHP gave the traditional “last” toast to our departed Companions then surprised the guests by making an additional toast to the Chef and Masonic youth. MEPGHP Bill Hussey introduced that evening’s guest speaker, Todd Creason, with the banter they are well known for, including his special recognition of Judy Gordon, Grand Guardian of Illinois Job’s Daughters. Companion Creason reflected on the changes that 160 years has brought to not only Pekin Chapter but the United States and the world. The final point that stuck with all in attendance is…….the “greatest generation” is those members right now, those who carry the torch of Royal Arch Masonry for future generations to discover the beauties of our ancient and honorable craft.

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Opportunity Knocks: The Emerging Leaders Program

by Scott Dayton, EGM1V In March of this year I had the pleasure of attending the General Grand Chapter’s regional session in Bay City, MI. I was graduating from the Emerging Leaders Program, a three year leadership training program offered by the three York Rite General Grand bodies. Several years ago, (then) DGHP Alan Hubble recommended several candidates – myself included – to GHP Bill Hussey for enrollment in this course, and there I was, finally at its end, graduating in front of a room of Grand Officers from around the Midwest. (Truth is I nearly missed the ceremony because they had rearranged the session agenda while I had skipped out to the mens room…)

I usually chuckle when I hear the phrase “he’s a natural born leader” because no one is. No one is born knowing how to motivate other people to set them in a common direction. Leadership is a set of skills. And, like any other skill, leadership can be taught.

Just ask any military veteran. The Emerging Leaders Program is a chance for any companion in good standing with their Grand Chapter to learn and develop the skills needed to be a leader in our fraternity at the local, district or state level.

The program consists of two one-day training sessions per year, with the third year being participation in the General Grand Chapter regional session workshops alongside your Grand Chapter officers. The one-day training sessions are offered several times a year at the various General Grand Chapter regional sessions around the country (I drove a couple hours to Michigan for the annual sessions I attended over the three years), and these first two sessions consist of lectures, roundtable discussions, and homework for the following year. The training sessions I attended were taught by retired corporate executives who were also past presiding officers of Grand Bodies in their home states. These guys really knew what they were talking about and were committed to sharing the deep experiences in leadership they learned over long, successful careers in both business and the fraternity. I can’t say enough about the quality of the time spent learning from these men. The third and final year of the program is spent attending workshops and participating in topical discussions with the Grand Officers, an opportunity to experience firsthand how the skills and knowledge you’ve acquired can be applied.

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Now, a remarkable feature of the Emerging Leaders Program is that the program is free. No charge to you. No charge to your Chapter nor the Grand Chapter. It is open to any companion willing to put the work into learning to be a leader in the York Rite.

The only cost you are responsible for covering is for getting yourself there and home again (plus any lodging costs if you want to stay overnight). This Emerging Leaders Program is one of the benefits supported by the per capita we send to the General Grand Chapter.

Interested in enrolling? The opportunity is knocking for you right now. Contact me directly if you ‘d like to talk about my experience in the program, I’d be happy to discuss it with you. You can reach me at (312) 451-6042 or dsdayton@gmail.com . Or reach out to any Grand Chapter officer if you’d like to be considered for enrollment. Our Grand Chapter needs to build a pipeline of solid leaders at all levels in order to grow and foster Capitular Masonry in Illinois in the years and decades ahead.

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Royal Arch Masons Charitable Foundation

by Patrick J. Robin EGRAC – Chairman RAMCF Fundraising Committee April is Autism Awareness Month! Before we can raise funds we must raise awareness.

If you have not done so already please visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RAMCharitableFoundation/. While you are there make sure to like it and share it with you friends! We will be posting even more facts and features about Autism this month than usual. We are doing are part to raise awareness but we could use your help in spreading the word! You can also find out more information about Autism, Marcfirst, and the RAMCF at our website www.RAMCF.org.

This year all the proceeds that we raise will be given to Marcfirst once again. If you are not familiar with Marcfirst I invite

you to please check them out at www.marcfirst.org. I believe they speak for themselves much better than I ever could. It would be great if we could give them even more money this year. In order to do that we will need your help!

How can you help you ask? This year we have made it easier than ever to donate to the RAMCF. Rather than mailing out

a Red Letter to all this year we have created a GoFundMe page. This will allow you to donate via your checking account, debit or credit card from the comfort of your own home. Even better is that you can share the link with all your friends and family to give them a chance to help out as well. To donate to the RAMCF simply go to https://www.gofundme.com/e5p2rk5w. Please share this as often as possible with as many people as you can! Remember that donations to the RAMCF are tax deductible!

Have you ever wanted to be a member of the Society of Zerubbabel? What is that you ask? How can I join? What do they

do? How can I identify the members of the Society? The finishing touches are being put on the Society! They are almost ready for the Charter Members to sign up! Look for the Society’s doors to be open at this year’s Grand Session!

Our two raffles are up and running in full force. The first is our Life Membership Raffle. The lucky winner of that raffle will

win a Life Membership in the Masonic Body of their choosing with a value of up to $1,500.00. 5 second places winners will win a year’s dues in the Masonic Body of their choice with a value up to $100.00. There are only 1,000 tickets being sold for this raffle.

They are available through your Chapter Secretary, your District Deputy Grand High Priest, or any of the Grand Chapter Officers.

With over 60,000 Masons in the state these tickets should sell out fast! The second is our statewide 50/50. This is the third year we are doing this raffle and it has continued to grow. For every $1,000.00 raised we will be giving away $500.00. Last year we gave away over $3,500.00. This raffle is open to anyone and everyone. The winners will be drawn at this year’s Grand Session and you do not need to be present to win. As of right now we are already up to 3.5 pots! Every Companion was sent 5 tickets. If you need 18

more you can get them from your Chapter Secretary, District Deputy Grand High Priest, or any Grand Chapter Officer! The more we sell the more we can give away to YOU and the more we can donate to Marcfirst!

Thank you to those who came out to the Most Excellent Cooked Steak Dinner in Danville last moth! The food was

fantastic! A great time was had by all! Even with all the eating and laughing that was taking place we were still able to raise over $400.00! The general consensus of all who attended was that this really should be an annual event!

The Pekin York Rite Bodies are once again running a dart tournament with all the proceeds going to the RAMCF. The

event will take place on Sunday April 24th at Goodfellas Smokehouse located at 1414 N. 8th Street in Pekin. Registration is at 3:00pm with the tournament beginning at 3:30pm. The entry fee is only $10.00 per person. If you would like more details please contact Charles Robertson at 309-648-1793.

Pekin is attempting to double their contribution this year so they are giving us another great event to attend as well

as the dart tournament already mentioned. On Saturday May 21st they will be holding a Sporting Clay Shoot at the Oak Ridge Sportsman’s Club in East Mackinaw Illinois. It is $70.00 per shooter which includes 100 clay birds and donations to both the RAMCF as well as The Grand Council’s Nursing Scholarship. For more information please contact Jeff Knight at 309-645-4655.

If your Chapter will be holding an event where 100% of the proceeds will be going to the RAMCF we will be more than

happy with helping you promote it. If you have any questions I can be reached at Patrick@randrcorp.com. I look forward to hearing from all of you!

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Society of Past Masters

by Alan Hubble, REGT, REPGHP A Program for Inducting Blue Lodge Past Masters into the Society Our Fraternity has been most fortunate to have outstanding leaders that provide wisdom, vision, guidance, and teamwork at many levels throughout Masonry. One element that is typically common to these great leaders is that they acquired the practical skills and knowledge of leadership by working their way through the chairs of their Blue Lodges, eventually culminating in their being elected as Worshipful Master of their Lodge. It is this journey, these skills, that inspired wisdom, and the practical knowledge that we recount in honoring and inducting these Masonic leaders into the Society of Past Masters.

The Society of Past Masters was created by the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of Illinois and made available to York Rite Colleges to present and induct Past Masters of Blue Lodges. The cast assumes the roles and places of Blue Lodge Officers, from Marshall to Worshipful Master. Guided by Past Master Adoniram, each officer recalls the Masonic duties of their office. But more importantly, they relate how the performance of those duties taught them practical applications of leadership through learning the two moral lessons of humility and dignity, and the two practical lessons of knowledge and the powers of observation. During the time of their Masonic journey through the offices, the future Worshipful Master began to acquire and understand the many facets of leadership that would form the foundation of his distinctive service to his lodge in becoming Master.

Masonic leaders spend many years acquiring the knowledge, skill and wisdom to lead a group of men to higher achievements, a more profound sense of humility, how to get the best from inspired teamwork, and the beauty of silent dignity by example. It is a key statement made during the presentation of the “Society” that such a valuable resource as our Past Masters should remain active, and mentor future Worshipful Masters and leaders of the future.

Symbolically, as a Master’s journey to the Oriental Chair began in the Northeast corner of the lodge, the Society of Past Masters places the Past Master in the Northeast Corner as an allusion that this is the beginning of their second Masonic journey in applying that leadership not as Master, but as a Brother.

The original idea for the Society of Past Masters included how it could be effectively used to inspire our Past Masters to remain active leaders, nurture those skills in newer members of our Craft, and outline the path of education for our officers and leaders 20

of the future. Presenting our program and inducting Past Masters into the Society was one element in the first of five pillars of his strategic plan leading to a highly successful year as Grand High Priest of Illinois. As the best programs come from teamwork, to develop and elevate the concept to a high degree, we reached out to other well-respected Illinois Masons to co-author the script; Russell Schlosser, Charles Hileman, Richard Carnall, Omar Ali and the late Jim Brown. Once the major work was completed, it was the various members of the original cast who contributed additional ideas to make the presentation that much more meaningful; a true example of the continuous benefits from teamwork. This program galvanizes the indispensible connection York Rite has with the Blue Lodge, and the debt we owe to its leaders.

Once written, the presentation drew support and encouragement from James Patton, Deputy Governor General of the YRSCNA and Bruce Rhinehart, Grand Governor of the State of Illinois. Lance J. Welter, Deputy Governor of Illinois, also a cast member, said it well, “A key lesson, that of humility, radiates from the beginning to the completion and is one of the most important aspects of our Fraternity”.

Currently we have two active casts, one from the Chicagoland area and one from East Central #81 in Paris, IL. The program has been very successful. We hope to recruit volunteers in the Chicago area so as to increase the number of Blue Lodges whom we could visit.

If you would like to know more about the Society of Past Masters and how your Colleges could present this at Blue Lodges in your state, or if you have a Blue Lodge who would like us to present the program and induct their Past Masters into the Society, please contact Lance Welter at lancew2021@aol.com in Chicago and Sean McBride at sean@nwcable.net.

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Grand chapter Ladies luncheon

Christmas in July Thursday, July 14, 2016 12:00 Noon Bloomington‐Normal Hotel & Conference Center Join us for a Luncheon of Chicken Caesar Salad and Chef�s Selec�on Seasonal Sou� Cost of the meal is $30.00 per person.

Program provided by the ladies of T’s Cookie Jar Reservations can be made online at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/grand-session-2016-tickets17817243816

�ues�ons about reser�a�ons should be directed to William Wojtas at ordbillw@gmail.com or 1‐773‐860‐7355.

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Gather your Working Tools “What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?” (Luke 20:17)

Companions, it is time to resume our labors in the quarry at the

3rd Annual Grand Royal Arch Quarry Day and Scottish Rite Degree Presentation

In the event of rain, the event will be held at the Danville Masonic Temple, located at 109 W. North Street, Danville, Illinois 61832

Saturday, April 16th, 2016 at Sand Valley 16395 Lewis Road Danville, IL 61834

Agenda     

8:00am...Royal Arch Registration Opens/Coffee & Donuts 8:50am...Chapter Opening 9:00am...Most Excellent Master Degree 10:00am...Holy Royal Arch Degree 11:30am...Remarks/Chapter Closing

      

11:30am...Scottish Rite Registration Opens 11:45am...Lunch 12:30pm...Declaration of Principles/Scottish Rite Opening 12:40pm...4th Degree DVD Showing 1:15pm...7th Degree, Provost and Judge 2:15pm...13th Degree, Master of the Ninth Arch 3:00pm...Remarks/Scottish Rite Closing

The Quarry is located off of Perrysville Road, just east of Atherton Cemetery.

It is about a one minute drive off of Interstate 74.

Candidates for the Most Excellent Master Degree must have received the Mark Master and Past Master Degrees previous to that day.

New candidate fees for those joining the Valley of Danville Scottish Rite are $290.00, which includes dues and per-capita thru June 30, 2017.

"Courtesy work is available for candidates from other Valley's, with prior approval"

Lunch will consist of Beef Brisket, Pulled Pork BBQ and sides.

Meal reservations are required and should be sent to the Candidate Coordinator below.

The deadline for meal reservations is April 11 Candidate Coordinator: Ryan Irby (217) 918-0247, rwirby13@gmail.com

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Application for Perpetual Life Membership in the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons International Please print or type Name _____________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________ City _______________________________________________ State ____________

ZIP _________________________

Phone _____________________________________________ E-mail _____________________________________________ I am a member in good and regular standing of ________________________________________________ Lodge No. _______________, located in the city of _____________________________________________, in the Grand Jurisdiction of ____________________________ and a member in good standing of ______________________________________________ Royal Arch Chapter No. _____________ located in the city of ________________________________________________ in the Grand Jurisdiction of _____________________________.

The sum of US$25.00 submitted this __________ day of ___________________________ , 20______.

I understand that, should I forfeit my membership in my lodge or chapter for any reason, that the fees for Perpetual Life Membership are not returnable.

Signed ____________________________________________ Mail to: General Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons Intl PO Box 128 Greenfield IN 46140-0128

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