Connecticut Council of Deliberation · Most Puissant Grand Master Grand Council, Royal and Select Masters of Connecticut Escorted by Ill. David L. Sharkis, 330 Ill. Brother and Knight

PROCEEDINGS OF

ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-SIXTH SESSION

OF THE

Connecticut Council of Deliberation

NIANTIC, CONNECTICUT SEPTEMBER 18, 2015

CONNECTICUT COUNCIL OF DELIBERATION

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Connecticut Council of Deliberation

OFFICERS FOR 2014-2015

BRUCE T. WORK, 33°, Deputy for Connecticut Illustrious Commander-in-Chief

A. NORMAN JOHNSON, 33° Commander-in-Chief Emeritus RICHARD V. TRAVIS, 33° Commander-in-Chief Emeritus JAMES R. SPENCER, Jr., MSA, 33° Commander-in-Chief Emeritus DAVID L. SHARKIS, 33° Commander-in-Chief Emeritus KEVIN J. HECHT, 33° First Lieutenant Commander GAIL N. SMITH, 33° First Lieutenant Commander Emeritus THEODORE J. NELSON, III, 33° Second Lieutenant Commander EDWARD R. HAM, 33° Minister of State HOWARD D. TURNER, MSA, 33° Chancellor CHARLES F. WARFIELD, 33° Treasurer VERNON K. CLEAVES, 33° Secretary LOUIS VANDER EYK, 33° Secretary Emeritus RICHARD V. TRAVIS, 33° Secretary Emeritus GERALD F. THOMPSON, MSA, 33° Prior RUSSELL W. GRISWOLD, MSA, 33° Master of Ceremonies ROBERT A. SIMON, MSA, 33° Hospitaler JOSEPH B. CYR, MSA, 33° Seneschal ERNEST A. DUBOIS, MSA, 33° Standard Bearer RICHARD E. FRAZIER, MSA, 33° Captain of the Guard KENNETH B. HAWKINS, Sr., 33° Sentinel WILLIAM L. BREED, MSA, 33° Historian

The next Council of Deliberation Annual Session will be hosted

by the VALLEY OF NEW HAVEN on SEPTEMBER, 2016

HOST VALLEY and YEAR

2017 – WATERBURY 2018 – BRIDGEPORT 2019 – HARTFORD

2020 – NORWICH 2021 – NEW HAVEN 2022 - WATERBURY


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page 1 Front Cover

Page 2 2014-2015 Officers and Host Valleys

Page 3 Table of Contents

Page 4-5 Proceedings Introductions

Page 5 Article of Membership and Proxies

Page 6 Letter of Invitation

Page 7-14 Photos

Page 15 Officers Present and Session Opening

Page 16 Reception of Guests

Page 17-24 Allocution of Commander-in-Chief

Page 24 Preliminary and Final Report of Credentials

Page 25-26 Report of Board of Governors of the Children’s Dyslexia Center

Page 27-28 Report of Center Director

Page 29 Report of Active

Page 29-30 Report of Secretary

Page 31-33 Report of Treasurer

Page 33-35 Report of the Committee on Finance

Page 35-36 Report of Insurance Committee

Page 36-38 Report on Committee on Scholarships

Page 39-41 Report on Supreme Council Highlights

Page 41 Report on Rules & Regulations

Page 42-46 Report on State of The Rite

Page 47 Report of M.S.A. Committee

Page 48 M.S.A. Ceremony

Page 48-49 Report of Nomination Committee

Page 49-50 Report on Next Place of Meeting

Page 50-52 Grand Master's Remarks

Page 52-54 Committees for 2015-2016

Page 54-57 Honorary Members of the Supreme Council

Page 58-60 Meritorious Service Award Recipients

Page 60 Deputies of the Supreme Council for the State of Connecticut

Page 61 Active Members of the Supreme Council for the State of CT

Page 61-70 Connecticut Council of Deliberation Members Listing

Page 70 Honorary Members Listing

Page 70-76 Connecticut Council of Deliberation Rules and Regulations


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PROCEEDINGS

of the One Hundred Thirty-Sixth Session of the


The Supreme Council of Sovereign Grand Inspectors General of the Thirty-Third and Last Degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the

Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of America.

State of Connecticut

ILL∴ BRUCE T. WORK, 33° 45 Phelpscroft Road, Simsbury, CT 06070-2025

Deputy for Connecticut Commander-in-Chief

ILL∴ RICHARD V. TRAVIS, 33° 41 Ashlar Village, Wallingford, CT 06492-3071

Active for Connecticut Commander-in-Chief Emeritus

ILL∴ KEVIN J. HECHT, 33° 23 White Oak Dr, Southington, CT 06489-3835

Active for Connecticut

ILL∴ A. NORMAN JOHNSON, 33° 5124 Ashlar Village, Wallingford, CT 06492

Active Emeritus; Commander-in-Chief, Emeritus

ILL∴ JAMES R. SPENCER, Jr. MSA, 33° 1 Ashlar Village, Wallingford, CT 06492

Active Emeritus; Commander-in-Chief, Emeritus

ILL∴ GAIL N. SMITH, 33° 1 Dover Lane, Columbia, CT 06237

Active Emeritus Member

ILL∴ DAVID L. SHARKIS, 33° 26 Reid Street, Waterbury, CT 06704-2938

Past Active; Commander-in-Chief, Emeritus


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ILL∴ RICHARD R. JONES, JR., 33°

1 Granby Farms Road, Granby, CT 06035 Treasurer

ILL∴ CHARLES F. WARFIELD, 33° 11 St. John Street, Unit E-11, North Haven, CT 06473-2406

Assistant Treasurer

ILL∴ VERNON K. CLEAVES, 33° 31 Stillwood Road, Wallingford, CT 06492-4730

Secretary

MEMBERS

ARTICLE 200 – The Active, Emeriti and Honorary Members of the Supreme Council accredited to each State; the Past First and Past Second Lieutenant Commanders of the Council of Deliberation; the Past Commanders-in-Chief of Consistories; the Past Most Wise Masters of Chapters of Rose Croix; the Past Sovereign Princes of Councils of Princes of Jerusalem; the Past Thrice Potent Masters of the Lodges of Perfection; those members of Subordinate Bodies in the State who have received the Meritorious Service Award from the Council of Deliberation of such State, and the first three elected officers as well as the Treasurer and the Secretary of Subordinate Bodies, shall constitute a Council of Deliberation for that State of which the Deputy for that State shall be ex officio Illustrious Commander-in-Chief.

ARTICLE 329 – The first three officers as well as the Treasurer and the

Secretary of each subordinate Body shall be elected. All other officers shall be elected, or appointed by the presiding officer of the Body as the Rules and Regulations of the Body provide.

PROXIES

ARTICLE 201 – Any Officer of a Subordinate Body of the Rite who is entitled to a seat in the Council of Deliberation for the State, but is unable to be present at any session of such Council, may appoint as his proxy, to act in his stead, any member of such Subordinate Body, provided, however, that such proxy shall not represent more than one member of such Council.


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LETTER OF INVITATION CT COD, A.A.S.R., NMJ, USA

August 17, 2015 Dear Brother, The One Hundred Thirty-Sixth Session of the Connecticut Council of deliberation will be held at the Niantic Masonic Temple, 32 Society Rd., Niantic, CT, on Friday September 18, 2015 for the transaction of business relating to the welfare of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Connecticut. A cordial invitation is extended to you to be present. The Council will convene at 1:30pm, with registration beginning at 12:30pm Eastern Daylight Savings Time. Reception of Distinguished guests will commence immediately following the Opening of the Council. The Valley of Norwich will host the Dinner for all of the members of the Council who register in advance. A self-addressed return post card is included for your convenience, to be returned before September 10, 2015. There will be a Host Bar from 4:00pm to 5:30pm. Dinner is scheduled for 5:30pm. Dress for the day will be business attire with Scottish Rite jewels, but NO CAPS. Be sure to send your reservation to Ill. Bro. Vern K. Cleaves, 33°, Secretary, 31 Stillwood Rd., Wallingford, CT 06492-4730, by September 10, 2015. Should you need to reach Ill. Bro. Cleaves by phone, his numbers are home 203.269.0336, cell 203.815.9603 or by email: [email protected]. Enclosed is a copy of directions to the Niantic Masonic Temple and a reservation card. Fraternally, Bruce T. Work, 33° Commander-in-Chief Deputy for Connecticut

Attest: Vernon K. Cleaves, 33° Secretary, CT COD


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ILL∴ JOHN Wm. McNAUGHTON, 33° Sovereign Grand Commander


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ILL∴ BRUCE T. WORK, 33° Deputy for Connecticut

Illustrious Commander-in-Chief


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ILL∴ RICHARD V. TRAVIS, 33° Active for Connecticut

Illustrious Commander-in-Chief, Emeritus


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ILL∴ KEVIN J. HECHT, 33° Active for Connecticut


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ILL∴ A. NORMAN JOHNSON, 33° Active Emeritus



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ILL∴ JAMES R. SPENCER, Jr., MSA, 33° Active Emeritus



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ILL∴ GAIL N. SMITH, 33° Active Emeritus Member


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ILL∴ DAVID L. SHARKIS, 33° Past Active



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THE SUPREME COUNCIL OF SOVEREIGN GRAND INSPECTORS GENERAL

OF THE THIRTY-THIRD AND LAST DEGREE OF THE ACIENT ACCEPTED SCOTTISH RITE OF FREEMASONRY

OF THE NORTHERN MASONIC JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.


In accordance with the preceding notice issued by order of the Illustrious Commander-in-Chief, the One Hundred and Thirty-Sixth

Convocation of the Connecticut Council of Deliberation assembled at Niantic, Connecticut at 1:30pm on September 18, 2015.

The following officers were present:

BRUCE T. WORK, 33° Commander-in-Chief RICHARD V. TRAVIS, 33° Commander-in-Chief Emeritus JAMES R. SPENCER, Jr., MSA, 33° Commander-in-Chief Emeritus DAVID L. SHARKIS, 33° Commander-in-Chief Emeritus KEVIN J. HECHT, 33° First Lieutenant Commander GAIL N. SMITH, 33° First Lieutenant Commander Emeritus THEODORE J. NELSON, III, 33° Second Lieutenant Commander EDWARD R. HAM, 33° Minister of State HOWARD D. TURNER, MSA, 33° Chancellor CHARLES F. WARFIELD, 33° Treasurer VERNON K. CLEAVES, 33° Secretary RICHARD V. TRAVIS, 33° Secretary Emeritus GERALD F. THOMPSON, MSA, 33° Prior RUSSELL W. GRISWOLD, MSA, 33° Master of Ceremonies ROBERT A. SIMON, MSA, 33° Hospitaler ERNEST A. DUBOIS, MSA, 33° Standard Bearer KENNETH B. HAWKINS, Sr., 33° Sentinel WILLIAM L. BREED, MSA, 33° Historian The session was declared open at 1:30pm by the Commander-in-Chief. Gerry Thompson, MSA, 33° led the members in opening prayer. Bruce T. Work, 33° led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance to our country’s flag. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, our distinguished guests were welcomed by the Commander-in-Chief and introduced to the membership, who in turn accorded each with a hearty round of applause.


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RECEPTION OF GUESTS

Brother and Companion RICHARD A. EPPLER, MSA, 320 Most Excellent Grand High Priest

Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons of Connecticut

Escorted by Ill. Edward R. Ham, 330

Brother and Companion, MICHAEL E. SEAMON, 320 Most Puissant Grand Master

Grand Council, Royal and Select Masters of Connecticut

Escorted by Ill. David L. Sharkis, 330

Ill. Brother and Knight Companion BRUCE R. BELLMORE, MSA, 330 Puissant Sovereign, St. Andrews Conclave

Red Cross of Constantine, Connecticut

Escorted by Ill. Jack H. Stevens, MSA, 330

Ill. Brother and Knight Companion RICHARD V. TRAVIS, 330 Active Member of this Supreme Council and Intendant General

Division of Connecticut, Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine

and Appendant Orders for the United States, Mexico, and the Philippines.

Escorted by Ill. James R. Spencer, Jr., MSA, 330, Active Emeritus

Ill. Brother EDWARD E. CHERRY, 330

Deputy for the Orient of Connecticut

United Supreme Council, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry

Prince Hall Affiliation, Northern Jurisdiction, U.S.A.

Escorted by Ill. Richard V. Travis, 330, Active for Connecticut

Ill. Brother and Companion CHARLES W. YOHE, 330 Most Worshipful Grand Master

Grand Lodge of Connecticut

Escorted by Ill. Kevin J. Hecht, 330, Active for Connecticut


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ALLOCUTION OF THE ILLUSTRIOUS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

To the Connecticut Council of Deliberation now in session in Niantic, Connecticut, September 18, 2015: Sublime Princes:

It is my personal pleasure to welcome all of you to this One-Hundred and Thirty-Sixth session of the Connecticut Council of Deliberation and to thank the Valley of Norwich for hosting and planning the activities of the day. To our distinguished guests, I appreciate your taking time out of your busy schedules to honor us with your presence.

“Success is never an accident; it is the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction, skillful execution and the vision to see obstacles as opportunities.”

Necrology

Our Supreme Council has lost three Connecticut Honorary Members this past year and they are: Illustrious John D. Panula, 33° Born 9/22/1934 Coroneted 9/23/1997 Died 3/24/2015 Illustrious Grant L. Brown, 33° Born 12/19/1922 Coroneted 9/28/1983 Died 3/26/2015 Illustrious Thomas G. Larson, MSA, 33° Born 8/2/1923 Coroneted 9/26/2000 Died 5/01/2015


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Additionally, our Connecticut Council of Deliberation has

lost one additional member by the name of: Brother John Radeach, 32°, MSA Born 8/26/1919 MSA 6/10/1983 Died 3/04/2015

Freemasonry and Scottish Rite is richer for the service of these Brothers. Each has served with distinction and their counsel and friendship will be missed by all.

Degree Work

I, together with the other Actives and Emeriti members have been pleased for the most part, with the exemplifications of the degree work this past year, and we especially enjoyed the combined Consistory Degrees portrayed by our 3 Consistories, in Newington, in April. This type of "thinking outside the box" will go far in keeping our candidates interested, along with having convenient and enjoyable degree celebrations. Judging from the almost 200 Brothers present, they also concluded, this was a great idea. All, of the required degrees have been presented, either in live presentation, or when necessary, using DVD's. Several additional degrees were performed by the Valley's, allowing for Brothers to complete their Scottish Rite passports.

We would be remiss if we didn't recognize and thank the several Brothers who work tirelessly behind the scenes in wardrobe, props, lighting, sound and hospitality, making these degree presentations an enjoyable experience for our candidates and members.

One continuing concern in all of our Valleys is the ever present cell phone distraction during our degree work. Sometimes on the part of our candidates, unknowingly, and sometimes on


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the part of our degree casts, using them for prompts and ritual assistance. Brothers, these are distractions that take away from our degree portrayals, and I ask all of the Heads of Bodies to remind our audiences prior to any degree or Valley activity to silence or turn off their cell phones. I would also ask all degree directors to discontinue the use of cell phones for ritual assistance within degree work. A dark or dimly lit stage loses all effect when a cell phone “glow” is observed in the hands of cast members.

Celebrations

On January 31st, after many years of devoted service,

Illustrious Brother Leo H. Lohrman, II, 330 retired as Secretary of the Valley of Bridgeport. The Active, Emeriti, Past Active members and our ladies, were pleased to attend Leo's Testimonial dinner and celebration of over 50 years of service to Masonry in Connecticut. In recognition of this achievement, the Valley of Bridgeport has honored our Brother by naming their theatre the "Leo H. Lohrman, II" Scottish Rite theatre. Congratulations Illustrious Sir!

My congratulations to both the Valley of Hartford for their well-planned and well executed Family Picnic in June, where over 150 Brothers and family members enjoyed a cookout and presentation of Scholarship checks to our recipients, as well as the Valley of Bridgeport for their successful “clam bake” family outing in August. Once again, over 250 Brothers and family members enjoyed a sunny day, great food and most of all fun, camaraderie, and brotherhood in action. These types of celebrations go a long way in getting us back to our basics of, being a fraternity.


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Grand Lodge Relations

Connecticut Scottish Rite is well represented not only

within our Grand Lodge leadership, but within several appendant bodies throughout the state. The following Grand Lodge offices are held by Illustrious 33rd Degree Honorary members of our Supreme Council: Most Worshipful Grand Master, Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master, Right Worshipful Grand Senior Warden, Right Worshipful Grand Treasurer, Right Worshipful Grand Junior Deacon, Right Worshipful Grand Senior Steward, Right Worshipful Grand Tiler and Right Worshipful Grand Organist.

These past 2 years have been trying times within our Grand Lodge and relations with Connecticut Scottish Rite. With the installation of new Grand Lodge Officers this past April, this is quickly disappearing, and relations are returning to the tenants of Freemasonry. While it will take time to heal these wounds, never the less, the healing has begun.

Charities Connecticut Scottish Rite takes our responsibility to the

Children's Dyslexia Center of Connecticut seriously, and therefore provides support as our major charitable activity. Our five Valleys have developed unique fund raising campaigns; the Valley of Hartford "5K road race", the Valley of Waterbury "Walk for Dyslexia", Valley of Norwich clam cake sale at the Stonington fair, Valley of New Haven wine tasting and silent auction, and the Valley of Bridgeport "Turkey Trot" road race on Thanksgiving Day, to name a few. I thank all of our Valleys for their dedicated support.


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ROTC/JROTC This year through the generosity of the Supreme Council,

Connecticut presented 5 different students with JROTC awards, as well as ROTC awards at Yale University and Central Connecticut State University. These presentations were made on my behalf by Hartford Chapter #56 of the National Sojourners Association. My sincere thanks for their efforts and time away from their daily activities.

Scholarships

Connecticut received 18 applications for Abbott Scholarships this year and after due diligence of rating the applications as well as supporting documents, 12 will be awarded an Abbott Scholarship of $ 1,000.00. In addition, the remaining 6 applicants will receive Valley Scholarships from their respective Valley's, providing recognition of our youth and Scottish Rite. Several of our Valleys are able to present their own Valley scholarships to deserving students, and these are greatly appreciated by the recipients, and their families.

Our Scholarship Committee, chaired by Illustrious Brother

Jack Farkas, MSA, 330, spends countless hours on their task, and I thank them sincerely.

Children's Dyslexia Center of Connecticut

This year our Children’s Learning Center under the Direction of Mrs. Cheryl Sharkis celebrated the achievements of 98 youngsters since its inception. All of these students have progressed at least 2-3 grade levels in reading skills, with many surpassing the average. The center is currently providing tutorial


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assistance to 25 youngsters, with approximately 28 youngsters on our waiting list.

We are proud to say that our Board of Directors provides

untold hours of their time to assist in fund raising activities, management of budgets and several other activities. This year due to our present Chairman, Ill. Charles Yohe 330 being installed as Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Connecticut. Illustrious Brother William Bohman, 330 has taken up the reigns as Chairman, and continues to provide the leadership necessary for a successful learning center experience for our youth.

State of the Rite

Communication has been a major concentration of mine this year, as without it, Brothers will not attend meetings they are unaware of, and assistance to Brothers in need cannot occur if we are unaware. To that end, a "Senior Member" calling program was instituted, whereby, the Sovereign Prince and his officer line were given a list of all Senior members in their respective Valley's, along with a brief script, list of phone numbers we had available and asked to contact these Brothers. The purpose of our call was not to ask for money, but to follow-up on their well-being and to offer any assistance these Brothers might need. Unfortunately, we found several out of State Brothers had passed away, and we had not been notified by surviving family. Those Brothers who we were able to contact appreciated our “social” calls and asked we continue this program, as it’s nice to hear what’s going on.

The Valley of Bridgeport took this program to the next level, and started a program of calling all of their members, and going forward will continue at least once a year. I applaud their efforts and concern for our Brothers.


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The Valley of Hartford embarked on a totally new degree

schedule this year, using the "Providence Model" as a guide, and having one Consistory day in April. Feedback has been positive and they will continue this program again this fall.

The Valley of Waterbury has elected a new Secretary this year, with the resignation of Illustrious Brother Clyde W. Kayser, II, M.S.A., 330. Illustrious Brother Clyde is progressing through the Grand Commandry officer line in Connecticut, and the next couple of years he will need to concentrate on those leadership duties. The Valley and I wish him success and know he will provide the leadership necessary, to take Connecticut Grand Commandry to the next level.

This year, as in years past, losses due to death and NPD’s of Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret have exceeded new initiations and restorations, within our State. The last eight years, statewide, we have averaged 144 losses of Sublime Princes with an average of 73 initiations and restorations. Unfortunately, our losses this year will top 200. On a positive note, our initiations and restorations will exceed 85. Still a long way to go, for sure.

“Greatness is not in where we stand, but in what direction we are moving. We must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it - but sail we must and not drift, nor lie at anchor.” -Oliver Wendell Holmes

Conclusion

The capable service of the Actives, Active Emeriti, and Past Active members is most sincerely appreciated, as they have responded to every call of duty with willing assistance, and made my first year as Deputy, a genuine pleasure. Without their wise


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council and cooperation I'm sure Connecticut Scottish Rite would be facing many more challenges than we are today.

I am honored to have been elected to serve as Deputy for Connecticut Scottish Rite, and on behalf of the Actives, Emeriti, and Past Active, I want to express my gratitude to our Sovereign Grand Commander, for the opportunity to serve our Scottish Rite under his leadership. Fraternally and sincerely, Bruce T. Work, 330

Deputy for Connecticut

REPORT OF CREDENTIALS & NECROLOGY

This Committee on Credentials and Necrology respectfully reports that of all the Officers, Illustrious Brethren, Permanent Members, and Representatives who are entitled to seats in this Council of Deliberation, there are 76 who are registered and present. There were 157 deaths of Scottish Rite Brethren during the past year including 9 members of this Council, to wit:

Ill. Robert A. Colbourn, MSA, 33° Robert J. Stika, MSA

Ill. John D. Williams, Jr., MSA, 33° John H. Goodrich, Jr., MSA

Robert J. Turley, MSA John G. Radeach, MSA

Ill. John D. Panula, 33° Ill. Grant L. Brown, 33°

Ill. Thomas E. Larson, MSA, 33°

Respectfully submitted, Vernon K. Cleaves, 33°, Chairman


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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS Children’s Dyslexia Center of Connecticut

To the Illustrious Commander in Chief, officers, and brethren of the Connecticut Council of Deliberation in session at Niantic, Connecticut on September 18, 2015: Greetings from the Board of Governors. Will the members of the Board of Governors who are present please stand and be recognized. My brothers these dedicated volunteers continue to work to support the life changing tutoring provided by the dedicated team of tutors. Please join with me in offering your appreciation for their time and efforts. Thank you for your continued support; please be seated. The doors of the Center remain open largely through the generosity of our Scottish Rite Valleys. Collectively the valleys of Connecticut donate very large sums from their respective treasuries. In addition to these donations and even more important are the fundraisers the valleys run to benefit the Center. The Valley of Bridgeport continues to include the Center as a beneficiary of the Turkey Trot run by Brother Bruce Swan 32°, Brother Dave Urban, 32°, MSA and Illustrious Brother Jack Farkas, MSA, 33° the Valley of Hartford under the leadership of Illustrious Brother Jeff Flynn, 33° run a 5K Road Race/Walk in Newington on the 3rd Saturday in July, the Valley of New Haven under the leadership of their Executive Council Chairman, Illustrious Brother Steve Schreck, 33° will be hosting a Beer Tasting tomorrow evening at 285 Whitney Avenue, the Valley of Norwich under the leadership of Illustrious Brother Ted Nelson, 33° and Brother Les King, 32° runs a clam fritter booth at the North Stonington Agricultural Fair, and the Valley of Waterbury under the leadership of Illustrious Brother Russ Griswold, MSA, 33° will host the Walk for Dyslexia at the Center on Highland Avenue in Waterbury on October 4th. Fundraisers are about to become even more important. When I started on the center board Lexington was paying $125,000 to every center.


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Every center was happy to take the money but, very few worked to raise additional funds or build their endowments. In Connecticut we have always raised additional funds. We are going to continue in that direction by starting new fundraisers, mostly aimed at the non-Masonic community. The Beer Tasting in New Haven tomorrow evening is the first. As Chairman of the Board of Governors I urge you to become active in one or more of our fundraisers, to run, to walk, to eat or to drink. Or, offer an idea or a location for a new fundraiser. This report would not be complete without acknowledging the individuals who continue to give of their time and talents to make the Children’s Dyslexia Center of Connecticut an ongoing success. Illustrious Brother Charles W. Yohe, 33° my immediate predecessor, worked and continues to work enormously hard for our Center. Due to his leadership we are well positioned to take on the challenge of additional fund raising. Illustrious Brother David Sharkis, 33° volunteers untold hours throughout the year to make sure the physical needs of the Center are met. A.J. Kayser and Cheryl Sharkis continue to go well beyond what they are paid to do and are excellent ambassadors for Scottish Rite Masonry and the tutors and tutor-scholars, who work one-to-one with each student, continue to make a difference in the lives of the young people who are afflicted with dyslexia. They are making this a better world – one student at a time. Finally, my brothers, your continued support of the Center is vital! Talk it up in your Blue Lodges. Talk it up in your Valleys. Enthusiastically support your Center because enthusiasm is contagious and because each of you is an important member of our family. Respectfully submitted, William E. Bohman, 33°, Chairman


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REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR Children’s Dyslexia Center of Connecticut

A Scottish Rite Charity

(This report was given by DAVID L. SHARKIS, 33° as Cheryl Sharkis could not

attend this year’s annual session of the Council of Deliberation.)

To the Illustrious Commander in Chief, Officers, and Brethren of the Council of Deliberations, in Annual Session, at Niantic, Connecticut, on September 18th, 2015:

Good afternoon and greetings from all of us at the Children’s Dyslexia Center of Connecticut. I am Cheryl Sharkis and I have had the honor and privilege of being the Director, Trainer, and a Tutor at the Center for the past 14 years.

We are proud to report to you that the Children’s Dyslexia Center continues to develop and progress forward. We have celebrated the achievements of 111 youngsters. Upon completion of their work at the Center, all have progressed at least 2 to 3 grade levels in their reading skills, with many surpassing this average. The most current ceremony was June 8th, with 5 youngsters completing their work at the Center. At present, we have experienced 12 Celebration of Achievement Ceremonies. Alumni continue to periodically stop by to share their achievements and upcoming plans. We are thrilled and moved that they are willing to take time out of their busy schedules and remember their Tutors. There is no feeling better than knowing that you have made a positive difference in a person’s life!

The Center Staff currently includes 8 Initial Level Tutors, 2 Advanced Level Tutors, and 1 Supervisor. In total, the Center’s Scholar training program has certified 32 Tutors. Our next Scholar training cycle is scheduled to begin September 25th and there are


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3 Scholars scheduled to begin their training. We are always on the lookout for a few good scholars, so if you or someone you know is interested, please contact the Center.

The Center is currently providing tutorial sessions to 20 youngsters. Once again, we have finalized each youngster’s annual progress assessment and we are thrilled to report that everyone is progressing and developing, with the gap between their grade levels and performance levels reducing significantly. There are approximately 53 youngsters remaining on the waitlist. If you know of a child that may benefit from participating in the Children’s Dyslexia Center Program, please encourage their families to contact the Center.

We are all very proud to be participating in such a positive and empowering youth program. Enabling these youngsters to better achieve their academic potential is magnificently rewarding and uplifting for all involved. Individual generosity, the annual RUN, Dyslexia Awareness WALK, the Crafts with the Craft, the Turkey Trot and all the continued support from the supporting Masonic bodies perpetuates the rewards.

Thanks to the Scottish Rite philanthropic endeavors, you are enabling these youngsters to live as Will.I.Am’s “Hall Of Fame” lyrics invoke, “You can go the distance, You can run the mile, You can walk straight through hades with a smile….You can be the hero, You can win the gold, breaking all the records they thought never could be broke…. when you’re standing in the hall of fame….” Respectfully submitted, Cheryl A. Sharkis, Director/Tutor Children’s Dyslexia Center of Connecticut


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REPORT OF THE ACTIVE

This report is voluntary year by year, and not required.

No report was submitted or given this year.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY

To the Illustrious Commander-in-Chief, Officers, and Brethren of the Connecticut Council of Deliberation in session at Niantic, Connecticut on September 19, 2015:

The proceedings of the 136th session of this Council of Deliberation have been printed and distributed to all of our members. Membership within the Council now stands at 242. Membership within the Valley’s now stands at 2,531, which is an overall loss of 170. The per capita tax of $10,092.00 will be paid to the Treasurer, based on the information taken from Supreme Council’s published report (shown next page). Respectfully Submitted, Vernon K. Cleaves, 33° COD Secretary


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REPORT OF THE TREASURER

To the Illustrious Commander-in-Chief, officers, and brethren of the Connecticut Council of Deliberation in session at Niantic, Connecticut on September 19, 2015: An examination of the books and accounts of the Treasurer, including the General Fund, Learning Center Fund, and Hospitaler’s Fund has been made and found correct in all details by the Treasurer. Additionally, an examination of the Assets of the Treasurer, including the General Fund, Learning Center Fund, and Hospitaler’s Fund has been made and found correct in all details by the Treasurer. Below are the details:

General Fund

Balance as of July 31, 2014 $228, 086.84

RECEIPTS

Supreme Council Receipts $20,890.50

AASR Investment Trust Interest $2,945.66

Wells Fargo Bank Interest $25.93

Pre-Paid Dinners $1,590.00

Valley Contributions:

Bridgeport $2,939.00

Hartford $3,423.00

New Haven $1,580.00

Waterbury $930.00

Norwich $1,800.00

Gains on Sales of Investments $15,177.61

Market Value of Investments Gain/(Loss) ($7,854.68)

TOTAL RECEIPTS $43,447.26

TOTAL FUNDS AVAILABLE $271,534.10

EXPENSES

Deputy Honorarium $1,000.00

Active Honorarium (2) $1,000.00

Active Emeriti Honorarium $0.00

Secretary Honorarium $1,500.00

Treasurer Honorarium $500.00

Printing, Postage & Supplies $797.71


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Web Site Maintenance & License $0.00

Audit Fees $0.00

MSA Awards and Jewels $335.00

Supreme Council or C.O.D. Session $24,599.82

Office Expense $1,008.50

Miscellaneous Expenses $2,010.73

33rd Dinner Expense $2,018.00

Donations:

Masonic Charity Foundation Endowment Fund

$1,500.00

AASR Masonic Museum & Library Fund

$0.00

Grand Lodge of CT Almoner’s Fund

$1,700.00

DeMolay Youth Activities $0.00

George Washington National Memorial

$200.00

32nnd Degree Learning Center Support

$1,148.50

TOTAL EXPENDITURES $39,318.26

BALANCE AVAILABLE JULY 31, 2015 $232,215.84

ADDITIONAL MONIES ON HAND

Learning Center Fund

Balance as of July 31, 2014 $4,011.06

RECEIPTS


TOTAL FUNDS AVAILABLE JULY 31, 2015 $4,016.93

Hospitaler’s Fund

Balance as of July 31, 2014 $7,259.28

RECEIPTS


TOTAL FUNDS AVAILABLE JULY 31, 2015 $7,268.09


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ASSETS

General Fund

Bank of America Checking $17,642.46

Bank of America Money Market $1,310.65

Wells Fargo Savings $1,807.88

Wells Fargo certificate of Deposit $17,177.60

Scottish Rite Cash Reserve Account $580.90

Scottish Rite Investment Trust (Market Value) $192,246.35

Council Future Session Deposit Receivable $1,450.00

JULY 31, 2015 BALANCE $232,215.84

Learning Center

Wells Fargo Checking $100.00

Wells Fargo certificate of Deposit $3,916.93

JULY 31, 2015 BALANCE $4,016.93

Hospitaler’s Fund

Wells Fargo Savings $1,486.84

Wells Fargo Certificate of Deposit $5,781.25

JULY 31, 2015 BALANCE $7,268.09

TOTAL ASSETS ON HAND JULY 31, 2015 $243,500.86

Respectfully Submitted, Charles F. Warfield, 33° Treasurer

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE To the Illustrious Commander-in-Chief, officers, and brethren of the Connecticut Council of Deliberation in session at Niantic, Connecticut on September 18, 2015: An examination of the books and accounts of the Secretary and Treasurer, including the Hospitaler’s Fund, has been made and found correct in all details by the committee.


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APPROVED BUDGET FOR 2015-2016 ESTIMATED RECEIPTS:

Lodges of Perfection $3,000.00

Councils, Princes of Jerusalem $3,000.00

Chapters, Rose Croix $3,000.00

Consistories $3,000.00

AASR Investment Fund $7,100.00

Supreme Council Receipts $6,000.00

TOTAL Estimated Receipts $25,100.00

ESTIMATED EXPENDITURES:

Deputy Allowance $1,000.00

Active Allowance (2) $1,000.00

Active Emeritus (2) $500.00

Secretary Allowance $1,500.00

Treasurer Allowance $500.00

Printing $2,800.00

Web Site Maintenance $1,000.00

Postage $500.00

Audit $700.00

MSA Awards $400.00

Supreme Council Session $12,000.00

DONATIONS:

MCF Endowment Fund $500.00

AASR Masonic Library and Museum 40th Anniversary Fund $1,000.00

Grand Lodge Almoner’s Fund $1,000.00

DeMolay Youth Activities $500.00

Contingency Fund $200.00

TOTAL Estimated Expenditures $25,100.00

We recommend that the Treasurer of each Lodge of Perfection pay to the Treasurer of the MCF Endowment Fund the sum of two dollars ($2.00) per capita for each person initiated in the Lodge during the fiscal year 2015-2016. Returns to be made no later than August 31, 2015.


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We further recommend that each member of the Connecticut Council of Deliberation urge all members of the Masonic Brotherhood to consider gifts of individual donations by wills or codicils to their present wills to increase the Endowment Fund of the Masonic Charity Foundation to perpetuate the great work of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. We recommend that this budget be approved and adopted. Respectfully Submitted, Charles F. Warfield, 33° Edward R. Ham, 33° Allan E. Acker, 33°, Chairman

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON INSURANCE

To the Illustrious Commander-in-Chief, Officers and Brethren of the Council of Deliberation, in Annual Session, September 18, 2015, at Niantic, Connecticut:

There have been no changes in the coverage in all Valleys for the past Year.

All Valleys are covered under the Supreme Council Master Insurance Program. Minimum coverage for General Liability and Hired and Non-owned Auto coverage is at $ 1,000,000.00 per occurrence and Umbrella liability coverage is at $10,000,000.00. Valleys that do not own buildings receive the coverage at no cost. Valleys that own buildings are invoiced a nominal fee based on their increased exposure. Valleys are also provided the option of obtaining additional expanded liability as well as property, boiler, machinery, inland marine, auto and workers compensation.

If there is a particular coverage or premium question contact Risk Manager Ill. Brother Jeffrey Hodgdon, 33°, through the Supreme


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Council office at 781-465-3325 or email him at [email protected].

We advise all Valleys to keep their inventories up to date and filed

in a safe place.

Respectfully, Max L. Rosenberg, 32°, Chairman Gordon C. Willoughby, 33° Arthur M. Pugh, 33°

REPORT OF THE SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE 2015 SCOTTISH RITE SCHOLARSHIPS

To the Illustrious Commander-in-Chief, Officers and Brethren of the Connecticut Council of Deliberation: This year, The Supreme Council, located in Lexington, Massachusetts has awarded $12,300.00 to Connecticut for Abbott Scholarships. The State Scholarship Committee of the Connecticut Council of Deliberation has recommended 12 applicants to become 2015 Abbott Scholarship recipients. Following tradition, these recommendations were made to Illustrious Bruce T. Work, 33°, Deputy of Connecticut and to the Supreme Council. Named for Leon M. Abbott, Sovereign Grand Commander from 1921 to 1932, the Scholarship Program provides financial support for the continuing education of young men and women from Scottish Rite families and Masonic-related youth groups. Since 1951, more than $3 million has been awarded to students from each state of the Northern Jurisdiction. Eligibility: Those meeting any of the following criteria are eligible to apply for the 2015 Abbott Scholarship program:


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A Scottish Rite Mason of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.

A child of a Scottish Rite Mason of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, who is a high school senior or currently enrolled at an accredited college or university, who has attained a minimum grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.

A member of DeMolay, Rainbow or Jobs Daughters in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction who is a high school senior or currently enrolled at an accredited college or university, who has attained a minimum grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.

The State Scholarship Committee received a total of 22 applications from four Valleys in Connecticut (down 4 from 2014 total). The 12 recipients of this year’s scholarships demonstrated excellent scholarship and genuine financial need. Impressive letters of recommendations from teachers, professors and academic counselors supported all applications. Recipients also exhibited extensive volunteer community service, broad extracurricular activities, leadership and honors/awards in sports, music and drama. Some are holding part-time jobs during the school calendar year and full-time summer employment to help pay for college costs. This year, the Valleys in Connecticut have given their own College Scholarships. The Valley of Bridgeport has given six (up one from 2014) Valley scholarships and 4 matching $1,000 scholarships to the Abbott Scholarship recipients in Lafayette Consistory, the Valley of Hartford has given twenty seven (up four from 2014) scholarships, the Valley of New Haven has given nine (up five from 2014) scholarships, the Valley of Norwich has given three scholarships (the same as 2014) and the Valley of Waterbury did not award any Valley Scholarships this year (same as 2014). Collectively, our five Valleys have awarded a total of sixty one (61) scholarships (up 6 from 2014).


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The twelve recipients of the 2015 Abbott Scholarships are as follows:

Dakota Eckenrode: Duquesne University, Pittsburg, PA

Hannah E. Forsyth: Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA

Emily Everlith: school undecided.

Brigitte A. Curcio: University of Tennessee at Martin, Martin, TN

Abigail M. Forsyth: University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT

Rebecca Harrison: University of Connecticut, Stamford, CT

Christine Ward: University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC

Abigail L Dyer: University of Southern Maine, Gorham, Maine

Brittney C. Curcio: University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT

Alyssa M. Larkham: Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic, CT

Olivia M. LaFargue: Wheelock College, Boston, MA

Gunnar W. Eubanks: University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT The Scholarship Committee would like to thank our Illustrious Commander-in-Chief, the Council of Deliberation and our Scottish Rite Brethren for the privilege of serving in this capacity. We earnestly applaud our Valleys for providing their own scholarship programs. Assisting our youth in achieving their life goals by pursuing higher education is commendable and for this, we all should be very proud.

Thank you my brothers. Respectively submitted, September 18, 2015

Les B. King, 32° David R. Blythe Sr., 33° Clyde Kayser, MSA, 33° Vernon K. Cleaves, 33° Jack J.S. Farkas, MSA, 33°, Chairman


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SUPREME COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS 2015 Session – Indianapolis, Indiana

Our Sovereign Grand Commander will be retiring at the conclusion of the session in Rochester, N.Y., being held August 27 - 29th, 2017.

Resumes will be accepted for the position of Sovereign Grand Commander from the Active membership during December 2015 and January 2016, at which time they will be reviewed, interviews will be held and a nomination presented at the Annual session in Lexington, Mass., in August 2016.

Installation of the new Sovereign Grand Commander will be held in Rochester, N.Y. in 2017.

Executive Session - Membership: June 30, 2014 137,668

June 30, 2015 129,012

Net Loss 8,656

Ritual:

The 19° filming has been completed, edited, and is in the process

of being mailed out. The 20°, 26°, and 31° are all in various stages of filming, editing and completion.

Strategic Planning Committee:

The Supreme Council Strategic Plan is a "Fluid Plan", meaning it's not one that is meant to be printed every other year and set on a bookshelf to gather dust. As new ideas are developed they are shared with the membership, such as the Valley Evaluations. Review of these evaluations will be held with Actives and your executive committees at a soon to be developed schedule. The next program we are developing is a book of "what works" for successful Valleys for degree presentations, ladies nights, Family


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Life programs, etc., and this will be available on the website - members section after it is developed. Watch for further information and requests for your successes.

Recognitions:

Due to the recent difference of opinions and discontinued communications between the Grand Lodge of France and the Supreme Council of France, the Southern Jurisdiction as well as the Northern Jurisdiction will not recognize a new Supreme Council in France, nor will we get in the middle of the issues. Grand Lodge National has forbidden their members from joining the Supreme Council, and a second Grand Lodge has been trying to be formed, which we would not recognize either.

Masonic Education:

As Lord Baden Powell once said, "A fisherman does not bait his hook with food he likes. He uses food the fish likes." So to with Masons -Are we influencing our members to live the life of displaying the character, honor and integrity, which we maintain as the cornerstone of the fraternity? It might lead us to ask ourselves, "Has becoming a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason become one of those things (less appreciated) due to the simplified path to attaining this station?"

Annual Meetings:

2016 - Executive Session Only - Lexington, Mass. 2017 - August 27-29, Rochester, N.Y. 2018 - Executive Session Only - Lexington, Mass. 2019 - August 25-27, Milwaukee, WI 2020 - Executive Session Only - Lexington, Mass. 2021 - August, Cleveland, OH

Constitutions & Jurisprudence:

A Lodge of Perfection has been given dispensation to form in Guantanamo Bay, through the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.


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Children's Learning Center:

Jobs of the Director are supervision, observations, reporting, tutoring etc. Jobs of the Board of Governors are creative fund raising ideas, not adding burden to the center director, tutors, and/or staff, and to provide a 10 year plan of action for the center's survival and continuance.

Nominations:

This past year, Connecticut had 74 new Brothers initiated into Scottish Rite, and with the nomination standard of 1 for every 75, the SGC was into "close enough" and gave us 1 nomination - Charles C. A. Duke, of Valley of Norwich.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND REGULATIONS

To the Illustrious Commander-in-Chief, Officers and Brethren at the Connecticut Council of deliberation in session at Niantic, Connecticut on September 18, 2015:

There have been no requests or recommendations to amend or change any of the By-Laws during the past year. Therefore, no action is recommended or requested by this Committee at this One Hundred Thirty-Sixth Session of the Connecticut Council of Deliberation.

It has been an Honor and a Privilege for each of us to serve on this Committee during this past year.

Respectfully submitted, KEVIN J. HECHT, 33°, Chairman LEONARD F. D’AMICO, 33° BRADLEY K. COONEY, 33°


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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE STATE OF THE RITE

To the Illustrious Commander in Chief, officers, and brethren of the Connecticut Council of Deliberation in session at Niantic, Connecticut on this 18th day of September, 2015, greetings: The purpose of this report is to discuss the “State of the Rite” for the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite within the State of Connecticut. My focus will be on the structural changes which have been taking place within our jurisdiction during the past few years, and to promote discussion for means of continuing improvement. With the help of our Deputies and Actives, both past and present, we have made great strides in coordinating the work of our separate Valleys within each Consistory as well as across the entire State. Last spring, we held a state-wide Consistory day in Newington, which was very well attended, and in which Scottish Rite Brothers from across Connecticut worked together to portray the new 32° with drama, energy, and deep meaning. It is my hope that we will continue to work together, state-wide, to give a joint portrayal of the 32° each year. In the fall of 2016, the 32° will be portrayed on the same day across the entire Masonic Northern Jurisdiction of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. Working together across our entire Grand Jurisdiction in Connecticut is both possible and beneficial. We are a small state geographically, but we have enormous resources of talent and ideas. Bringing together Scottish Rite Brothers from our several Valleys and Consistories to plan, participate in, and present our degrees provides our Candidates with the best possible portrayals of our lessons. Moreover, having a larger talent pool to draw from allows us to harken back to the “glory days” we hear our elders talk about


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when there were understudies for each major part in a degree, and if you didn’t show up for the rehearsals you didn’t take part in the degree. More to the point, in order to retain membership in our Order we need to inspire our new Scottish Rite Brothers with the quality of our degrees and our programs; and we need to give them good and satisfying work to do. In our Blue Lodges, we begin and close each meeting with the admonition to our Masters that they are to “set the Craft to work and give them good and wholesome instruction for their labors.” This admonition is equally applicable to our Order. By drawing from a greater talent pool and by holding ourselves to increasingly higher standards, we can present degrees and programs that will truly inspire our new and long-standing Brothers. Further, the energy and good spirit engendered by good work well done is one of the best ways I know to facilitate that feeling of fellowship that our leaders so often--and rightly--talk about. While this is done now primarily for the state-wide presentation of the 32°, we are beginning to see some ways in which this practice is impacting our individual Valleys and Consistories, as well. Certainly, we see our Valleys working together within each Consistory in many positive ways. First, we have successfully divested ourselves of the old practice of presenting the 4°, 14°, 18° and 32° each season in each Valley, which left little time for other laudable pursuits. Worse, these same sets of degrees done in each Valley were often portrayed by the same Brothers, leaving little room for new Brothers to take parts. Now, I see our separate Valleys meeting together within each Consistory to plan and present the degrees for each season in order to avoid unnecessary duplication. The Valleys of Hartford and Norwich have developed a relationship whereby it has become common practice to find Brothers from both Valleys involved in many degrees throughout the year. The


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same holds true for the Valleys of Bridgeport, New Haven and Waterbury. And this is spreading. This new practice has numerous benefits. First, it allows greater opportunities for fellowship between our several Valleys. Beyond this, it allows us to present new degrees not seen for some time in Connecticut. Further, it provides new parts for interested new--and seasoned--Brothers to take, making them active members in our Order. Moreover, each Valley now has several open meeting nights which can be used for lodges of instruction, programs, and other means of fellowship. On a state-wide basis, seeing a particularly talented Brother performing in a degree may lead to asking him to help in a different Valley or Consistory from his own. This helps raise the level of all those participating in that degree. The goal of Masonry, including Scottish Rite Masonry, must be to continue to raise the bar of expectations for our members, not to lower it. Our stated goal as Masons, from the opening lecture of the Entered Apprentice degree, is to “improve ourselves in Masonry.” I’d like to talk about another way in which I think that can be done, here. I mentioned the idea of a “lodge of instruction” for a Scottish Rite meeting. We stumbled into this idea in the Valley of New Haven, when several key parts in the 18th degree could not be filled on a particular night. We didn’t know there was a problem until the last minute. Instead of cancelling the degree, we went forward in a different format. We set the chairs in the formation for the degree. We sat the Candidates in the chairs for the Knights, putting them in the middle of the action, and encouraging them to interact with us. We then “walked through” the degree, reciting portions of the lectures when appropriate, and discussing aspects of the degree as they came up. We encouraged all Brothers present to interrupt with questions or comments as we went through the degree, and even had a few “ringers” in the audience to ask questions at specific times to spark further discussion. It was a remarkable experience. It allowed us to discuss lessons from previous forms


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of the degree, without violating any mandates of the Sovereign Grand Commander. It suggested areas for further study and inquiry to all present who were interested. And it allowed our Candidates to participate in the process of learning the lessons of the degree, within the spirit of the degree, and in a setting of profound fellowship. Of course, this is just one example of a means to maintain or revive that sense that the Scottish Rite is the “college of Freemasonry.” In the Valley of Hartford, to better involve candidates and to make the degrees more intimate, they have been making frequent use of the pit area in front of the stage to perform their degree work. Hartford has also made use of their new screen and projector to show degrees on DVD as well as other inspiring videos. Similar developments are taking place throughout our several Valleys. The better we perform our work, the more likely it will be that our new Brothers will be drawn to participate in our programs, degrees, and fellowship. The more we interact with one another across the state, the more ideas we are exposed to, and the better we can all become. Some degrees require large casts. This is an opportunity for greater involvement by new Brothers, and for greater interaction amongst our Valleys. It is also a great challenge to conduct enough rehearsals to portray each degree as well as possible. Rehearsals – even for those who don’t have speaking parts – are essential to the portrayal of a great degree. Whether a degree flows smoothly, the reaction of those on stage to the principal speakers, and the sheer numbers of those forming part of a crowd of villagers, a gathering of acolytes, or band of soldiers, all contribute to the impact and the drama of a degree. In order for a degree to be successful all of the cast members need to attend the rehearsals.


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This also gives each member of the cast an opportunity to hear the lessons of the degree over and over, to internalize those lessons, and to draw upon those lessons when dealing with the challenges of our day-to-day lives. We can also bring new Brothers into our degree work by simple and obvious means: In the Valley of Bridgeport each new 32nd degree Mason is simply notified that he will be expected to participate in a non-speaking part in an upcoming degree. In the Valley of New Haven, we have portrayed degrees in which only new Scottish Rite Brothers are asked to participate. For many of us, once you’ve had a taste of the comradery and satisfaction of performing or participating in a degree, you want to come back for more. Nor are the degrees the only means of doing this. We learn how to be good Masons by interacting with one another as Brothers. The lessons of Freemasonry are best learned in a spirit of Fellowship. In all of our Valleys our Family Life programs are flourishing. We are experiencing fellowship, family values and brotherhood throughout the state at programs including family picnics, baseball games, concerts, fishing trips, beer and wine tastings, Oktoberfests, programs for our children and grandchildren, and on bus rides to any of these numerous events. This is a good time to be a Scottish Rite Mason. Let’s continue to make it even better. Respectfully submitted, BRADLEY K. COONEY, 33° Commander-in-Chief, Lafayette Consistory RIC MANNER, 33° Commander-in-Chief, Nathan Hale Consistory DICK MILLER, 32° Commander-in-Chief, Connecticut Consistory


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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE Ill. FREDERICK H. LORENSON, 33°, MERITORIOUS

SERVICE AWARD

August 24, 2015 To the Connecticut Council of Deliberation in Session September 18, 2015 in Niantic, CT: The Committee on the Ill. Frederick H. Lorenson, 33°, Meritorious Service Award recommends the following worthy Sublime Princes to receive this distinction at the 136th Annual Session of the Connecticut Council of Deliberation: Valley of Norwich Orville Campbell, Jr. Valley of Hartford Arnold Grot Valley of New Haven James Kleinkauf Valley of Waterbury No nominee Valley of Bridgeport John A. Amarilios Robert (Bob) J. Furce Each of these Sublime Princes has been nominated by the Presiding Officers of their respective Valleys for their outstanding service to the Valley, freemasonry, and the Scottish Rite. Respectfully submitted, The Thrice Potent Masters The Sovereign Princes The Most Wise Masters And the Commanders-in-Chief of the Valleys Bruce R. Bellmore, MSA, 33°, Chairman


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MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD CEREMONY Brother ORVILLE CAMPBELL, JR., Brother JAMES KLIENKAUF, Brother JOHN A. AMARILIOU, Brother ROBERT FURCE, and Brother ARNIE S. GROT, 32° were selected to receive the Meritorious Service Award. Illustrious Brother KEVIN J. HECHT, 33° presented the awards ceremony. ARNIE S. GROT, 32° was presented the award at a future date at the Valley of Hartford.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS To the Illustrious Commander-in-Chief, Officers, and Brethren of

the Connecticut Council of Deliberation in session at Niantic,

Connecticut on September 18, 2015:

Your Committee on Nominations offers the following slate of

Officers to serve this Council of Deliberation for the year 2015 –

2016

Commander-In-Chief Bruce T. Work, 330

Commander-In-Chief Emeritus A. Norman Johnson, 330

Commander-In-Chief Emeritus Richard V. Travis, 330

Commander-In-Chief Emeritus James R. Spencer, Jr., MSA, 330

Commander-In-Chief Emeritus David L. Sharkis, 330

First Lieutenant Commander Kevin J. Hecht, 330

First Lieutenant Commander Emeritus

Gail N. Smith, 330

Second Lieutenant Commander Edward R. Ham, 330

Minister of State Howard D. Turner, MSA, 330

Chancellor Russell W. Griswold, MSA, 330

Treasurer Richard R. Jones, Jr., 330


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Assistant Treasurer Charles F. Warfield, 330

Secretary Vernon K. Cleaves, 330

Secretary Emeritus Richard V. Travis, 330

Prior Gerald F. Thompson, MSA, 330

Master of Ceremonies Robert A. Simon, MSA, 330

Hospitaler Joseph B. Cyr, MSA, 330

Seneschal Ernest A. DuBois, MSA, 330

Standard Bearer Richard E. Frazier, MSA, 330

Captain of the Guard Kenneth B. Hawkins, 330

Sentinel Earl S. Evans, MSA, 330

Historian William L. Breed, MSA, 330

Fraternally,

THEODORE J. NELSON, III, 33°

Chairman

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE NEXT PLACE OF MEETING

To the Illustrious Commander-in-Chief, officers, and brethren of the Connecticut Council of Deliberation in session in Niantic, Connecticut on September 18th, 2015: The Committee on Next Place of meeting is pleased to report that the 137th session will be held in the City of New Haven, Connecticut and hosted by the Valley of New Haven. The date and time of this meeting along with the meeting place will be announced as soon as plans are finalized and letters will be sent to all members of this Council of Deliberation, in advance, as required by our Rules and Regulations. Your committee recommends the adoption of this report.


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Respectively Submitted, Martin Ede, M.S.A., 33°, Chairman Jack J.S. Farkas, M.S.A., 33° This report was accepted by the Commander-in-Chief and ordered printed in the proceedings.

GRAND MASTER’S REMARKS

Illustrious Commander in Chief and Brothers all:

Last October, after I was elected to serve this jurisdiction as Grand Master for a second time, I sought out and read numerous books on leadership. In 1996, when I was privileged to serve as Grand Master the first, and what I thought would be the only time, the Grand Lodge leadership team concluded that our Fraternity faced two major challenges: membership and leadership. Some of you may remember that I took the stance at that time that it was fruitless to bring in new members if we didn't fix the leadership issue first. Nineteen years later, the continual decrease in our membership would seem to bear that out.

Interestingly, when the current Grand Lodge officers started to develop a multi-year strategic plan, they arrived at the same conclusion. So, I'm pretty big on leadership development. I would like to see this Grand Lodge develop a Leadership Institute to help any Masons who are interested in improving their leadership skills.

I purchased and read several books by Jon Gordon. The following was taken from Jon Gordon's book The Energy Bus, and as I read these, please reflect on how they apply to what we've


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experienced recently in our Grand Lodge. Here are Gordon's 10 thoughts on leadership.

1. People follow the leader first and the leader's vision second - It doesn't matter if the leader shares a powerful vision, if the leader is not someone who people will follow the vision will never be realized. As a leader, who you are makes a difference. The most important message you can share is yourself.

2. Trust is the force that connects people to the leader and his/her vision - Without trust there is a huge gap between the leader and the vision. Without trust people will stay off the bus. However, if people trust the leader they will hop on the bus with the leader and help move the bus forward towards the vision.

3. Leadership is not just about what you do but what you can inspire, encourage and empower others to do.

4. A leader brings out the best within others by sharing the best within themselves.

5. Just because you're driving the bus doesn't mean you have the right to run people over - Abraham Lincoln said, "Most anyone can stand adversity, but to test a man's character gives him power." The more power you are granted the more it is your responsibility to serve, develop and empower others. When you help them grow they'll help you grow. Isn't this what Scottish Rite teaches us?

6. “Rules without Relationship Leads to Rebellion.” As a leader you can have all the rules you want but if you don’t invest in your people and develop a relationship with them they will rebel. This applies amazingly to children as well. It's all about relationships.

7. Lead with optimism, enthusiasm and positive energy, guard against pessimism and weed out negativity.

8. Great Leaders know they don't have all the answers - Rather they build a team of people who either know the answers or will find them.


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9. Leaders inspire and teach their people to focus on solutions, not complaints.

10. Great leaders know that success is a process, a journey, not a destination. John Wooden, the legendary UCLA basketball coach, never focused on winning. He knew that winning was the by- product of great leadership, teamwork, focus, commitment and execution of the fundamentals. As a leader, focus on your people and process, not the outcome.

So, as you each go back to your Valleys and to your Lodges, I hope each of you will remember some of these thoughts and that each of us will work to be better leaders and in doing so will make our Valleys and our Lodges better and stronger so that we can attract, grow, and maintain a strong and vibrant membership.

Thank you for your time and your kind attention, and Illustrious Commander in Chief, thank you for your generous hospitality and for your inspired leadership.

Respectively, CHARLES W. YOHE, 33° Most Worshipful Grand Master

2015-2016 C.O.D. COMMITTEES

BUSINESS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN John F. Martin, Jr., M.S.A., 33° MEMBER Newton Buckner, III, 33° MEMBER Jeffrey A. Flynn, 33°

CREDENTIALS & NECROLOGY COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN Vernon K. Cleaves, 33° MEMBER Burton F. Turner, 33° MEMBER Howard D. Turner, M.S.A., 33°


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DISPENSATIONS CHARTERS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN Kenneth B. Hawkins, 33° MEMBER Theodore J. Nelson, III, 33° MEMBER Austin P. Clark, 33°

FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN Charles A. McCollum, M.S.A., 33° MEMBER Richard R. Jones, Jr., 33° MEMBER Edward R. Ham, 33°

INSURANCE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN Melvin E. Johnson, 33° MEMBER Arthur M. Pugh, 33° MEMBER Gordon C. Willoughby, 33°

MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN Eric W. Manner, 33° MEMBER All Presiding Officers of All Valley's

NEXT PLACE OF MEETING COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN Martin Ede, M.S.A., 33° MEMBER Jack J.S. Farkas, M.S.A., 33° MEMBER Shane Dufresne, 32° NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN Theodore J. Nelson, III, 33° MEMBER All Honorary Members

RULES & REGULATIONS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN Bradley K. Cooney, 33° MEMBER Earl S. Evans, M.S.A., 33° MEMBER Gary G, Arseneau, 33°

STATE OF THE RITE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN 3 - Commanders-in-Chief HISTORIAN COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN Kenneth B. Hawkins, 33°


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MEMBERSHIP & RETENTION COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN Charles H. Tirrell, M.S.A., 33° MEMBER Whitney P. McNulty, M.S.A., 33° MEMBER Joseph B. Cyr, M.S.A., 33° MEMBER Arnold Grot, M.S.A., 32°

SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN Jack J.S. Farkas, M.S.A., 33° MEMBER All Valley Secretary's

STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN 3 - First Lieutenant Commanders

COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN David L. Sharkis, 33° MEMBER Frank G. Way, M.S.A., 33°, Webmaster MEMBER All Valley Secretary's

ALTERNATE YEAR COD PLANNING COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN Martin Ede, M.S.A., 33° MEMBER Steven M. Allinson, 32° MEMBER Richard R. Jones, Jr., 33° MEMBER Valley Secretary's

HONORARY MEMBERS OF THE SUPREME COUNCIL

A. Norman Johnson Sept. 30, 1970

Robert C. Stalhammer Sept. 28, 1977

William F. Carpenter Sept. 26, 1980

Arthur J. McKinney Sept. 30, 1981

Leo H. Lohrman, II Sept. 29, 1982

James R. Spencer, Jr. Sept. 28, 1983

Allen E. Acker Sept. 26, 1984

Austin P. Clark Sept. 26, 1984

Gail N. Smith Sept. 25, 1985


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Richard V. Travis Sept. 24, 1986

Leonard F. D'Amico Sept. 30, 1987

George A. W. Nousiainen Sept. 30, 1987

Carleton V. Erickson Sept. 27, 1988

Thomas M. Maxwell, II Sept. 27, 1988

Vernon K. Cleaves Aug. 29, 1989

Bruce T. Work Sept. 25, 1990

Robert E. Strom Sept. 29, 1992

Matthew F. Griffin Aug. 31, 1993

Richard A. Incorvati, Sr. Aug. 31, 1993

Charles F. Warfield Aug. 31, 1993

Edward R. Ham Sept. 27, 1994

Robert D. Sherrick Sept. 27, 1994

Edward F. Dingus Oct. 03, 1995

Clyde W. Kayser, II Aug. 27, 1996

Raymond G. Schuster Aug. 27, 1996

Russel F. Haugh, Jr. Sept. 23, 1997

Fred B. Candee Sept. 29, 1998

Kevin J. Hecht Sept. 29, 1998

Burton F. Turner Sept. 29, 1998

Charles B. Fowler, Jr. Sept. 28, 1999

Walter E. Kaechele Sept. 28, 1999

Charles C. Maxson Sept. 28, 1999

Arthur M. Pugh, Sr. Sept. 28, 1999

George C. Andres Sept. 26, 2000

William H. Bohman Sept. 26, 2000

Howard W. Orr Sept. 26, 2000

Barry M. Spero Sept. 26, 2000


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Randy S. Stevens Sept. 26, 2000

John M. Van Kirk Sept. 26, 2000

Bradley K. Cooney Sept. 25, 2001

John F. Martin, Jr. Sept. 25, 2001

Bruce R. Bellmore Sept. 03, 2002

Theodore J. Nelson, III Sept. 03, 2002

David L. Sharkis Sept. 03, 2002

Kenneth B. Hawkins, Sr. Sept. 23, 2003

Anthony F. Keegan Sept. 23, 2003

Donald L. Smith Sept. 23, 2003

Alfred C. Adinolfi Sept. 23, 2004

Gerald F. Thompson Sept. 23, 2004

Charles A. Buck, Jr. Aug. 30, 2005

Jack J.S. Farkas Aug. 30, 2005

John F. Kessler Aug. 30, 2005

Elmer F. Manley Aug. 30, 2005

Gustaf R. Bodine Aug. 29, 2006

Joseph B. Cyr Aug. 29, 2006

Jack H. Stevens Aug. 29, 2006

Howard D. Turner Aug. 29, 2006

David R. Blythe, Sr. Aug. 28, 2007

Arthur H. Carlstrom Aug. 28, 2007

Richard R. Jones, Jr. Aug. 28, 2007

Steven P Schreck Aug. 28, 2007

Francis G. Way Aug. 26, 2008

Paul L. Chello Aug. 26, 2008

Sidney W. Isenberg Aug. 26, 2008

Richard C. Memmott, Sr. Aug. 26, 2008


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Eric W. Manner Aug. 25, 2009

Ralph W. Rose Aug. 25, 2009

Charles W. Yohe Aug. 25, 2009

Newton Buckner, III Aug. 31, 2010

Martin Ede Aug. 31, 2010

Russell W. Griswold Aug. 31, 2010

Whitney P. McNulty Aug. 31, 2010

Carl J. Mossberg Aug. 31, 2010

Kenneth A. Barrett Aug. 30, 2011

Jeffrey A. Flynn Aug. 30, 2011

James L. Vander Eyk Aug. 30, 2011

Carl H. Anderson Aug. 28, 2012

William L. Breed Aug. 28, 2012

Ernest A. DuBois Aug. 28, 2012

Richard E. Frazier Aug. 28, 2012

Craig T. McClellan Aug. 28, 2012

Robert A. Simon Aug. 28, 2012

Charles H. Tirrell Aug. 20, 2013

Gary G. Arseneau Aug. 20, 2013

Earl S. Evans Aug. 20, 2013

Roger W. Read Aug. 20, 2013

George Talisse Sept. 01, 2015

Melvin E. Johnson Sept. 01, 2015

Vincent Cowie Sept. 01, 2015

Gordon C. Willoughby Sept. 01, 2015

Charles A. McCollum Sept. 01, 2015


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RECIPIENTS OF THE ILL. ARTHUR M. BROWN, 33°, MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD

Robert C. Stalhammer 1971 Russell F. Haugh, Jr. 1993

Joseph A. Hamzy 1972 Donald L. Smith 1994

Arthur J. McKinney 1980 John F. Martin, Jr. 1994

James R. Spencer, Jr. 1980 John M. Tabak 1994

Richard E. Frazier 1983 Willis E. Copeland, Jr. 1994

Robert J. Turley 1983 Bruce R. Bellmore 1995

Gail N. Smith 1985 Clyde W. Kayser, II 1995

Thomas M. Maxwell, II 1985 Bradford H. Ross 1996

Troy S. Adcox 1985 Donald S. Sabo 1996

Franklin D. Bushwack 1986 Steven P. Schreck 1996

Paul D. Lodola 1986 Armand A. Brodeur, Jr. 1997

Ronald B. Burke 1987 Richard A. Eppler 1997

Carl L. Edgerton 1988 Thomas R. Sulier 1997

Morton N. Katz 1988 Alfred J. Chapman 1998

Ralph W. Crane 1988 Charles A. Duke 1998

William L. Milton 1988 George C. Andres 1998

Allen N. Morander 1989 Rudolph A. Gaydos, Jr. 1998

Clifford E. Brautigam 1989 Willard J. King 1998

Robert E. Eno 1989 John H. Goodrich, Jr. 1999

Donald E. Robinson 1990 Peter M. Gray 1999

George E. Long 1990 Stacey E. Hoyt 1999

Robert W. Lampe 1990 Grey D. Zane, Sr. 2000

Clinton E. Driscoll 1991 Samuel A. Frink 2000

Elmer F. Manley 1991 Bruce H. Poole 2001


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Herbert W. Mower 1991 Bruce M. Hanson 2001

Kenneth E. Fears 1991 Joseph B. Cyr 2001

Charles H. Reeve, Jr. 1992 Roger W. Read 2001

Irving Lieff 1992 Adam J. Karovsky, Jr. 2002

John R. Lewis 1993 Frank H. Lesco 2002

John W. Taylor, Jr. 1993 Howard D. Turner 2002

Robert D. Sherrick 1993 John J. Sexton 2002

Gerald F. Thompson 2003 Russell W. Griswold 2007

Jack J. S. Farkas 2003 Allen G. Meyerjack 2008

John D. Williams, Jr. 2003 Charles B. Clark 2008

Robert J. Stika 2003 Danny A. Camp 2008

Arthur H. Carlstrom 2004 Robert A. Simon 2008

Daniel George 2004 William F. Manger 2008

Ernest A. Dubois 2004 Charles A. McCollum 2009

Whitney P. McNulty 2004 Donald H. King 2009

David B. Urban 2005 Earl S. Evans 2009

Franklin J. Davis 2005 William L. Breed 2009

Jack H. Stevens 2005 David M. Costner 2010

Ralph W. Rose 2005 Elliott J. Wilcox 2010

Francis G. Way 2006 Rev. Craig T. McClellan 2010

Harry E. Needham, III 2006 Charles D. O'Neil 2011

Martin Ede 2006 Lewis O. House, IV 2011

Raymond Dolyak 2006 Nicola M. Iannone 2011

Richard A. Wingate 2006 Dennis O. Cyr 2012

Carl J. Mossberg 2007 Frank Dlugoleski 2012

Charles D. Weiss 2007 John Sasser, III 2012

Charles H. Tirrell 2007 Jon M. Fischer 2012

Gary D. Shepard 2007 Robert J. Cascone 2012


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RECIPIENTS OF THE ILL. FREDERICK H. LORENSON, 33°, MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD

Dale T. Cunningham 2013 Steven H. Allinson 2014

David M. Robinson 2013 Walter Grube 2014

Harvey Hartin 2013 Arnold Grot 2015

Jeff L. Stober 2013 James Kleinkauf 2015

Daniel Galozza 2014 John Amarilios 2015

Edward I. Childs 2014 Orville Campbell, Jr. 2015

Paul B. Iltchenko 2014 Robert J. Furce 2015

DEPUTIES OF THE SUPREME COUNCIL FOR THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT

Elected Deputy Died *Charles William Carter May 19, 1865 June 13, 1903 *Charles Learned Hubbard Sept. 16, 1903 Nov. 12, 1918 *Charles Melville Gerdenier Feb. 07, 1918 Dec. 03, 1940 *Arthur Morton Brown Dec. 03, 1940 June 12, 1949 *Chauncey Houston Clements June 13, 1949 Mar. 26, 1958 *Irving Emerson Partridge Mar. 27, 1958 May 11, 1981 *Leon Alvah Bradbury Sept. 25, 1975 Dec. 06, 1984 *William Campbell Sept. 28, 1978 June 26, 1981 Arthur Norman Johnson July 01, 1981 *Frederick Howard Lorenson Sept. 28, 1994 Aug. 26, 2010 Richard Vernon Travis Sept. 23, 1997 James Ralph Spencer, Jr. Aug. 29, 2006 David Louis Sharkis Aug. 30, 2011 Bruce Tyler Work Aug. 23, 2014

(* Denotes Deceased)


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ACTIVE MEMBERS OF THE SUPREME COUNCIL FOR THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT

Honorary Active Died

*George Whitefield Bentley Jan. 28, 1863 Oct. 20, 1864 June 05, 1901 *William Riley Higby Apr. 26, 1858 Oct. 20, 1864 Sept. 04, 1902 *Charles William Carter May 18, 1865 May 19, 1865 June 13, 1903 *Henry Odgen Canfield Sept. 17, 1901 Sept. 16, 1903 July 25, 1910 *Charles Learned Hubbard Sept. 18, 1894 Sept. 16, 1903 Nov. 12, 1918 *Albert Seymour Comstock Sept. 15, 1903 Sept. 18, 1919 Aug. 25, 1936 * Charles Melville Gerdenier Sept. 20, 1904 Sept. 22, 1910 Dec. 03, 1940 *Carlton Hickox Stevens Sept. 19, 1922 Sept. 25, 1941 Sept. 28, 1943 *Arthur Morton Brown Sept. 17, 1918 Jan. 07, 1937 June 12, 1949 *Chauncey Houston Clements Sept. 29, 1943 Sept. 28, 1944 Sept. 28, 1944 * Irving Emerson Partridge Sept. 26, 1945 Sept. 29, 1949 May 11, 1981 *Frederick William Hummel Sept. 24, 1941 Sept. 24, 1958 Feb. 28, 1982 *Leon Alvah Bradbury Sept. 25, 1968 Sept. 27, 1971 Dec. 06, 1984 *William Campbell Sept. 27, 1967 Sept. 28, 1978 June 26, 1981 Arthur Norman Johnson Sept. 30, 1970 Sept. 27, 1979 *Frederick Howard Lorenson Sept. 24, 1975 Oct. 01, 1981 Aug. 26, 2010 Richard Vernon Travis Sept. 24, 1986 Aug. 27, 1996 Gail Nelson Smith Sept. 25, 1985 Sept. 26, 2000 James Ralph Spencer, Jr. Sept. 28, 1983 Sept. 03, 2002 David Louis Sharkis Sept. 03, 2002 Sept. 26, 2008 Bruce Tyler Work Aug. 25, 1990 Aug. 29, 2011 Kevin Joseph Hecht Sept. 29, 1998 Aug. 23, 2014 (* Denotes Deceased)

RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE

CONNECTICUT COUNCIL OF DELIBERATION ANCIENT ACCEPTED SCOTTISH RITE OF FREEMASONRY

ARTICLE I

Title and Allegiance Sec. 1 This Council shall be known as “Connecticut Council of Deliberation of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry.”


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Sec. 2 It is formed under and hereby acknowledges and yields allegiance to the Supreme Council of Sovereign Grand Inspectors General of the Thirty-third and last degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Northern Jurisdiction of the United States of America, having its Grand East in the city of Lexington, Massachusetts.

ARTICLE II Meetings, Notices, Quorum

Sec. 1 The Connecticut Council of Deliberation shall meet annually. The time and place of each Annual Meeting shall be determined by the Council, provided, however, that such time and place of meeting may be changed by the Deputy for any reason deemed by him to require such action. Sec. 2 A special meeting of the Council may be called by the Deputy for such time and place within this state as he shall determine, or by this council at any annual meeting. Sec. 3 Written or printed notice of each annual or special meeting of this Council shall be given by the Secretary, to be served either personally or by mail, to each member at least ten (10) days before said meeting. Such notice shall state the purpose thereof. Sec. 4 Accredited representatives of a majority of the Scottish Rite Bodies in this state shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

ARTICLE III Members, Officers

Sec. 1 The members of this Council of Deliberation shall be such as are prescribed by the Supreme Council. Sec. 2a The Council shall elect the following officers at each annual meeting to hold office for one year or until their successors shall be elected and installed:

First Lieutenant Commander Second Lieutenant Commander Minister of State Chancellor Prior Treasurer Secretary Hospitaler Master of Ceremonies Seneschal Standard bearer Guard Sentinel


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Sec. 2b The Commander-in-Chief shall appoint a member of this Council of Deliberation as Grand historian who shall keep a record of all events of historical significance and report thereon to this Council annually. Sec. 3 In case of vacancy in any office, by death, removal from the jurisdiction or otherwise, or failure to elect officers in this Council, the Illustrious Commander-in-Chief may make appointments to be in force until the next annual meeting. Sec. 4 Each officer of this Council shall perform the duties customarily incident to his office in accordance with Masonic usage and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by resolution of this Council or by the Illustrious Commander-in-Chief. Sec. 5 The officers shall be installed at the annual meeting or as soon thereafter as practicable. Sec. 6 Scottish Rite Bodies in this State may elect members of the Rite in good standing in the Northern jurisdiction as Honorary Members under such rules and regulations as their By-Laws may prescribe; provided, however, that no member of a Valley may be elected an Honorary member of the Valley in which he is a member. Sec. 7 Semi-public installation of the officers of Scottish Rite Bodies in this State is permitted. Sec. 8 A personal contact shall be made with each resident Connecticut member of the Scottish Rite before he can be suspended or dropped from membership for non-payment of dues and assessments. The Trice Potent Master of each Valley shall be responsible for the personal contact in his Valley. The Secretary shall retain the report for future reference and the records. Sec. 9a This Council of Deliberation authorizes the holding of dual memberships for members of the Scottish Rite in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. Sec. 9b A member of the Rite holding membership in a Valley outside of this State may apply for dual membership in a Valley in this State provided dual membership is permitted in the State of his membership, or a waiver of jurisdiction is obtained. Sec. 9c A dual member shall be required to pay the customary dues of the Bodies which he joins, but no fee becoming a dual member shall be charged.

ARTICLE IV Standing Committees

Sec. 1 At the close of each annual meeting, the Illustrious Commander-in-Chief, or in his absence the presiding officer, shall appoint the following Standing Committees to continue in office until a new committee be appointed:

Committee on Business Committee on Credentials Committee on Dispensations and Charters


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Committee on Finance Committee on Meritorious Service Award Committee on Necrology Committee on Next Place of Meeting Committee on Nominations Committee on Rules and Regulations Committee on State of the Rite Committee on Insurance

Sec. 2 The Committee on Business shall review the address of the Illustrious Commander-in-Chief and shall make recommendations regarding the appointment and disposition of the several parts of the address. Sec. 3 The Committee on Credentials shall pass on the qualifications of every person presenting himself for attendance at each annual or special meeting of this Council and to report thereon at such meeting. Sec. 4 The Committee on Dispensations and Charters shall investigate every application for a dispensation or charter and make a written recommendation thereon to this Council. Sec. 5 The Committee on Finance shall audit the books and accounts of the Secretary, Treasurer, and Hospitaler and make a written report thereon at the annual meeting of this Council. It shall prepare and present a budget of estimated receipts and expenditures for the ensuing year. Sec. 6 The Committee on Meritorious Service Award shall consist of the Presiding Officers of the Bodies of the Rite in the State, who shall present recommendations in writing through the Chairman of the Committee, to the Commander-in-Chief prior to each Council of Deliberation annual meeting. Sec. 7 The Committee on Necrology shall report at each meeting of this Council the names, degrees, titles, and date of death, of all members of the Supreme Council in this State dying during the preceding year, together with similar data on such other outstanding Masonic leaders as it may deem proper. Sec. 8 The Committee on Next Place of Meeting shall recommend at each annual meeting of this Council a place for subsequent annual meeting or meetings of this Council. Sec. 9 The Committee on Nominations shall consist of the members of the Supreme Council accredited to this State. It shall be the duty of such Committee to nominate candidates for election to the offices of this Council at each meeting place. Sec. 10 The Committee on Rules and Regulations shall consider all matters pertaining to the laws, rules, regulations, and jurisprudence referred to it by the Deputy or by this Council and shall make recommendations thereon. Sec. 11 The Committee on State of the Rite shall consider throughout the year all matters pertaining to the State of the Rite in this State, make recommendations to the Deputy from time to time, and it shall make a written report to this Council at each annual meeting.


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Sec. 12 The Committee on Insurance shall consist of three members who shall administer all insurance and related matters pertaining to the Scottish Rite Bodies in the State of Connecticut.

ARTICLE V Finances

Sec. 1 The Secretary of each Body of the Rite in this State shall, annually, at least 7 days prior to the annual meeting forward to the Secretary of the Council of Deliberation a detailed statement of the proceeding year’s work and a remittance of the per capita tax of one dollar ($1.00) (as amended 8/15/2007) per each member on its roll of membership as of May 31. Sec. 2 This Council at any annual or special meeting may vote assessments on the Bodies of the Rite in this State as this Council shall deem proper, provided, however, that every such additional assessment shall be designated for some particular purpose and shall be used only for that purpose. Sec. 3 The fiscal year of this Council shall begin on the first day of August in each year and shall end on the 31st day of July in the next succeeding year. Sec. 4 No money shall be drawn on the Treasurer except upon a warrant signed by the Secretary, countersigned by the Illustrious Commander-in-Chief, and issued in payment of an appropriation or in accordance with an order previously made by this Council. Sec. 5 The Secretary, Treasurer, and Hospitaler of this Council of Deliberation shall be bonded in such manner and in such amount as shall be determined by resolution of the Council, or in default of such determination then determined by the Deputy, the premium on such bonds to be paid by this Council.

ARTICLE VI Jurisdiction of Valleys

Sec. 1 Each Valley in this State shall have concurrent jurisdiction within the State of Connecticut.

ARTICLE VII Meritorious Service Award

Sec. 1a An award be known as the “Arthur M. Brown, 33°, Meritorious Service Award” is hereby renamed for the State of Connecticut to be known as the “Frederick H. Lorenson, 33°, Meritorious Service Award”. It shall be conferred upon Scottish Rite Masons who, by reason of meritorious services of a masonic character, are worthy and should be so cited. Sec. 1b The award shall consist of a jewel in memory of the late Deputy for this State, Ill. Frederick H. Lorenson, 33°. Sec. 1c The recipients must have received the grade of Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret.


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Sec. 1d The awards in any one year shall not exceed the number of Valleys in the State, and nominations hereafter shall be so limited that no Valley shall have more than two holders of such award per seventy-five (75) members in its Lodge of Perfection; provided, however, that if in any one year a Valley would be prevented by such limitation from having a member eligible to receive the award, the Presiding Officers of such Valley may present one nomination to the Council of Deliberation which may confer the award on the member so nominated, even though it exceeds the above limitation. Such number of awards mat be reduced by the Council of Deliberation, but may not be increased. (N.B. Not to exceed Constitutional limitation on nominations in each valley.) [ART. 905(d)] Sec. 2a The following procedure shall be followed by this Council relative to selecting those who are to receive such awards and in presenting the awards to those selected. Sec. 2b The presiding officers of the Bodies of the Rite in the State shall present recommendations in writing to the Council of Deliberation, nominating the member or members of their Bodies whom they feel should receive the award. No presiding officer is eligible to receive this award while he is involved in the nominating process. Sec. 2c Such nominations shall be referred to the Standing Committee on Meritorious Service Award at least one month prior to the annual meeting of this Council, except that by unanimous consent of this Council nominations may be referred to the Committee at the annual meeting for consideration at that annual meeting. Sec. 2d The Committee on Meritorious Service Award shall consider the nominations referred to it from the various Valleys and shall make recommendations to the Deputy, at each annual meeting thereof, of members of the Rite in this State to receive the Meritorious Service Award. Sec. 3 The presentation of the award and insignia shall be made by the Deputy, or someone selected by him. Such presentation shall be made either in the Valley in which the recipient is a member or at the meeting of the Council of Deliberation, as the Deputy may determine. Sec. 4 The jewel shall consist of an ornamented gold bar, one and a half inches long, with the words “Connecticut Council of Deliberation” in gold letters set in red enamel. A second gold bar, one and a quarter inches long, is suspended from the first bar by 5 gold links. On this bar shall be the words “Frederick H. Lorenson, 33°, Meritorious Service Award” in gold letters set in red enamel. A double headed eagle, emblem of the Thirty-Second Degree, is suspended from this second bar by three gold links. The figures “32” are of gold set in a triangle of black enamel. The height of the jewel shall be two and three-quarters inches.


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ARTICLE VIII Amendments

Sec. 1 By Amendment of the Supreme Council Constitutions, etc. Upon amendment of the constitutions and regulations of the Supreme Council of Sovereign Grand Inspectors General of the Thirty-third and last degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of America, or upon the promulgation or any decree of said Supreme Council, inconsistent with any provision of these Rules and Regulations, then in every such event, and without any further act or deed whatsoever, these Rules and Regulations shall be deemed to be and shall be automatically amended in conformity therewith. Sec. 2 By Council of Deliberation, these Rules and Regulations may be amended at any annual meeting of this Council by a majority vote of the members present, provided the proposed amendment or amendments have been presented at the proceeding annual meeting, and due notice thereof shall have been given to the members and provided, further, that an amendment or amendments may be adopted at the annual meeting at which it is presented, by a two-thirds vote of the members present, thirty (30) days notice of the proposed amendment or amendments having been given to the members. Sec. 3 All By-Laws, Rules and Regulations previously adopted by this Council are hereby rescinded.

Connecticut Council of Deliberation · Most Puissant Grand Master Grand Council, Royal and Select Masters of Connecticut Escorted by Ill. David L. Sharkis, 330 Ill. Brother and Knight

Documents