The Most Illustrious Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of the State of California Proceedings of the 143rd Annual Assembly Ventura, California April 28, A. D. 2003, A. Dep. 3003 2003 Proceedings - Grand Council, Cryptic Masons of California Grand Council Officers 2002-03 142nd MOST ILLUSTRIOUS GRAND MASTER ..................... Dalton A. Noland Palo Alto Council No. 51 (831) 438-3742 522-66 Bean Creek Rd; Scotts Valley 95066-3351 Barbara DEPUTY GRAND MASTER .................................... Edmund W. Heath Cyrus Council No. 15 (805) 340-7841 P. O. Box 3025; Camarillo 93011-3025 Dorothy GRAND PRINCIPAL CONDUCTOR OF THE WORK ............ Larry A. Reynolds, Sr. Roseville Council No. 54 (530) 885-5996 1255 Boot Hill Ln; Newcastle 95658-9658 Barbara GRAND TREASURER .................................... Donald C. Gross, MIPGM San Jose Council No. 20 (408) 255-1846 12182 Kirkbrook Dr; Saratoga 95070-3204 Shirley GRAND RECORDER ........................................... Kenneth G. Hope Shekinah Council No. 35 (562) 436-8271 801 Elm Ave; Long Beach 90813-4414 Sonny GRAND DIRECTOR OF RITUAL .................................... Ken G. Nagel San Jose Council No. 20 (408) 984-0839 2131 Briarwood Dr; Santa Clara 95051-1944 Kathleen GRAND CHAPLAIN ........................................... Calvin G. Lessing Palo Alto Council No. 51 (650) 941-5668 683 Panchita Wy; Los Altos 95051-1944 Kathleen GRAND CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD ................................... Jose A. Fiss Alhambra Council No. 25 (818) 899-4134 13436 Bracken St; Arleta 91331-5707 Rosa Maria GRAND CONDUCTOR OF THE COUNCIL ........................ Robert G. Grauer Redwood Empire Council No. 46 (707) 664-1870 8861 Poplar Ave; Cotati 94931-9606 Marianne GRAND STEWARD ...................................... William J. “Joe” Ryland Alhambra Council No. 25 (626) 287-5881 5212 Kauffman Ave; Temple City 91780-3948 Katie GRAND SENTINEL ................................. John C. “Jack” Carpenter, Jr. GRAND ORATOR ............................................ John L. Cooper III GRAND MARSHAL ........................................ C. Leslie Dent, MIPGM GRAND ORGANIST ............................................. Carl F. Miescke GRAND SOLOIST ............................................... W. Bruce Pruitt GRAND BIBLE BEARER ............................................. Frank Loui GRAND STANDARD BEARER .................................. John W. Runcie II GRAND CALLIGRAPHER .................................... Albert G. Cowan, Jr. ASSISTANT GRAND RECORDER ................................. Albert M. Lewis
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The Most Illustrious
Grand Councilof
Cryptic Masonsof the State of
California
Proceedingsof the
143rd Annual Assembly
Ventura, CaliforniaApril 28, A. D. 2003, A. Dep. 3003
2003 Proceedings - Grand Council, Cryptic Masons of California
143rd Annual AssemblyMonday, April 28, A. D. 2003 A. Dep. 3003
Marriott Ventura HotelVentura, California
Most Illustrious Companion
Dalton A. Noland142nd Most Illustrious Grand Master
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CertificationThis is to certify that the following transcript is a true copy of the Proceedings of the 143rd AnnualAssembly of the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of the State of California, held in the City ofVentura, County of Ventura, State of California on the 28th day of April, A. D. 2003, A. Dep. 3003.Witness my signature with the Seal of the Grand Council, Cryptic Masons of California, affixed andthe attestation of the Grand Recorder.
Dalton A. NolandMost Illustrious Grand Master
ATTEST:
Kenneth G. HopeGrand Recorder
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Dalton A. Noland
142nd Most Illustrious Grand Master
2002-03
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Biography of Dalton A. NolandMost Illustrious Grand Master, 2002-03
BornDalton Alexander Noland: Born on 7-14-38. Eldest son of Alexander George Noland and BerthaLeota Noland (maiden name “Pickett”) both deceased.Trout Creek, Ontario, Canada. Three brothers Kenneth, Terry, Dennis and one sister Anita. Allof whom, reside in Canada.
WifeBarbara May Noland (maiden name “Hague”).Past Matron Willow Glen Chapter, No. 530, Order of the Eastern Star. Past President Willow Glen Chapter, Past Matron’s Association.Past President San Jose Scottish Rite Women’s Association (three times). Past President of Palo Alto York Rite Ladies Auxiliary.Past President and Treasurer of Delta Theta Tau Sorority. Rebecca (I.O.O.F.).
EducationKing George Public School, Kirkland Lake, Ontario. Kirkland Lake Vocational and Technical College. Master in Business Administration: Thru a Correspondence Course. Master in Theology: Thru a Correspondence Course.
MilitaryCanadian Army: Communications & Weapons Specialist.(Specialist Training “Cadre Instructor”). Specialties: Expert Rifle Marksman, boxing, unarmed combat, weapons and survival training skills.Physical Trainer of Royal Canadian Dragoons, Black Watch, Canadian Guards, Royal CanadianRegiment, 22nd Regiment, P.P.C.L.I., Royal Canadian Light Horse Artillery. Served: Suez and Germany.United States Navy: Served on U.S.S. Delta AR9. U.S.N. Diver, Shallow Water, RebreatherApparatus, Scuba.
Hard HatGreat Lakes training in diesel/gas/turbo engine repair. S.E.R.S. training State of Washington.Weapons training Camp Pendleton Marine Base.Served: Japan, Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam in MeKong Delta, Saigon and Qui Nhon.Served with: Air Rescue, Recon Marines, Seabees, Army and Korean Army, Brown Water NavySquadron No. 530.
CivilThurston Tool and Die, Machinist, San Leandro, California. Started as Setup Specialist (Trainer). Caterpillar Tractor, 12 years manufacturing management at San Leandro Manufacturing Plant inCalifornia
Blue LodgeRaised in Fraternity Lodge No. 399, San Jose CA. 1983. Worshipful Master of Fraternity Lodge No. 399 in 1990. Life member.Affiliated member Soquel/Pajaro Lodge No. 110. Inspector Masonic District No. 175 since 1991. (Became M.D. 575 in 2001).Inspector Santa Clara Valley Daylight Lodge No. 844 during their Dispensation and Charter.
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Member Quatuor Cononati Lodge No. 2076 Correspondence Circle.Member El Camino Research Lodge. Member Southern California Research Lodge. Life member Past Master’s Association. Former Grand Lodge Committee on Task Force for Masonic Renewal (1996).
York RitePast High Priest Palo Alto Chapter No. 93 of Royal Arch Masons. Past Illustrious Master Palo Alto Council No. 51 of Cryptic Masons. Past Commander Palo Alto Commandery No. 47 of Knights Templar. Past Governor El Camino Real York Rite College No. 131.Past Excellent Chief Clanna Ruid Ruide Council Knight Masons No. 58.Past Very Worthy Celebrant VIII, Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis.Presently Secretary/Treasurer Golden State College, Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis.Past Sovereign Master of Santa Clara Valley Council No.248 Allied Masonic Degrees.Honorary Member of Britannia Council Knight Masons No. 303.Former Inspector Dept. No. 3, Arch 7 of Cryptic Masons in California (1995).Knight York Cross of Honor (KYCH) San Francisco Priory No. 38. Knight of the Red Branch of Eri and Appendant Orders.Life Member Grand College of Rites of the U.S.A.Life member Holy Order Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests. Life member Order of Thrice Illustrious Masters. Life member Past Commanders Association of California. Life member Masonic Order of the Bath U.S.A. Life member Ye Ancient Order of Corks.Member and Senior General-Saint Francis Conclave - Red Cross of Constantine.Member Royal Arch Mariner Oxford Lodge No. 1.Member California Commandery No. 1. Knights Templar.Member Philalethes Society.Member Battalion and Bells.Member The Saint Lawrence Association.Member Oasis Council No. 64, Cryptic Masons of California.Honorary Charter Member Britannia Council No. 303 of the Allied Masonic Degrees.Charter Member Butte Preceptory No.179 in Rothesay, Isle of Butte, Scotland. (Grand PrioryStrathclyde).Past Governor of El Camino York Rite Sovereign College Knights of York.
AASRExecutive Director/Trustee/Secretary of the San Jose Scottish Rite Foundation since 1990. Representative San Jose Scottish Rite to the California Scottish Rite Foundation since 1990. General Secretary/Recorder/Registrar San Jose Scottish Rite Bodies since 1990. Invested Knight Commander of the Court of Honour (1993).Coroneted 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason (1999). Publisher/Editor Rite News for the San Jose Scottish Rite Bodies since 1988. Charter Member Scottish Rite Research Society.Life member Royal Order of Scotland. Life member Robert the Bruce.Life member Firth of Forth.
ShrineMember Islam Temple Past President Santa Cruz Shrine Club (1998). Life member Camel Herders.
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Past Trustee Santa Cruz Shrine Club Board.Other
Honor member Bethel No. 233 Job Daughters. Past Advisor on the Willow Glen Rainbow Board.Life member and Heros of 76’, National Sojourners, General Morrill W. Marston, Chapter #412Past Patron Willow Glen Chapter #530, Order of Eastern Star.Life member Willow Glen Chapter #530 Order of the Eastern Star now Blossom Hill Chapter.Rose Award Nominee by the Chamber of Commerce, City of San Jose.
InterestsMasonic History. Writing.Senior Center volunteer in Scotts Valley.Teaching computer skills to senior enthusiasts.Target Shooting at the Los Altos Rod and Gun Club Range. Scotts Valley City Council if time permits.
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Officers of General Grand CouncilCryptic Masons, International
Perry B. Anderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GENERAL GRAND MASTERM.I.P.G.M. - South Dakota 216 N. Van Buren(605) 224-2406 Pierre, SD 57501
Maurice C. “Bud” Himes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DEPUTY GENERAL GRAND MASTERM.I.P.G.M. - Alabama 1314 Fern Rd(334) 886-2163 Slocomb, AL 36375
Joe Vale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GENERAL GRAND PRINCIPAL CONDUCTOR OF THE WORKM.I.P.G.M. - North Carolina 3609 Southwood Dr.(704) 824-3444 Gastonia, NC 28056
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Journal of Proceedings of the143rd Annual Assembly of the Grand Councilof Cryptic Masons of the State of California
Informal Opening Ceremonies
Reception of Distinguished Members and GuestsGRAND CHAPTER
Most Excellent Companion Harry T. Hall, K.Y.G.C.H., Grand High Priest, and the Officers of theGrand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the State of California.
GRAND COMMANDERYSir Knight Robert C. Coe, K.Y.G.C.H., Right Eminent Grand Commander, and the Officers of theGrand Commandery of Knights Templar of the State of California.
DISTINGUISHED VISITORSMost Worshipful Brother M. William Holsinger, Jr., Grand Master of Masons in CaliforniaMost Puissant Companion Perry B. Anderson, K.Y.G.C.H., General Grand Master of the GeneralGrand Council, Cryptic Masons International. Past Grand High Priest, Past Grand Illustrious Masterand Past Grand Commander of South Dakota.Sir Knight Richard B. Baldwin, K.Y.G.C.H., G.C.T., Right Eminent Grand Generalissimo of theGrand Encampment, Knights Templar of the U.S.A.Most Excellent Companion Xavier A. “Sam” Pitassi, K.Y.G.C.H., General Grand Captain of theHost; Deputy Grand High Priest - Southwest Region; Past Grand High Priest of California,Eminently Distinguished Grand Governor of California, Sovereign York Rite College of NorthAmerica.Right Puissant Companion H. Edward Barr, K.Y.G.C.H., Deputy General Grand Master -Southwestern Region of the General Grand Council, Cryptic Masons International. Most IllustriousPast Grand Master of California.Sir Knight Paul A. Monroe, K.C.T., Past Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of KnightsTemplar of Arizona; Southwestern Department Commander, Grand Encampment Knights Templarof the United States of America.Right Puissant Companion Donald C. Gross, K.Y.G.C.H., General Grand Captain of the Guard of theGeneral Grand Council, Cryptic Masons International. Most Illustrious Past Grand Master ofCalifornia.Most Excellent Companion Murray E. Cooke, K.Y.G.C.H., Past General Grand High Priest of theGeneral Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons International, Past Grand High Priest of California.Most Excellent Companion Stanley C. Miller, K.Y.G.C.H., Most Excellent Grand High Priest of theGrand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of Oregon.Sir Knight James G. Kelley, Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery KnightsTemplar of Nevada.Sir Knight Robert A. Elsner, K.Y.G.C.H., Right Eminent Past Grand Commander of the GrandCommandery Knights Templar of Arizona.
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Most Illustrious Companion David G. Stankow, K.Y.G.C.H., Most Illustrious Past Grand Master ofthe Grand Council of Nevada, Grand Secretary-Recorder of the Grand York Rite of Arizona.Mrs. William Chant, CT, Past Supreme Worthy President, Supreme Assembly Social Order of theBeauceant.Mrs. Fred Buxton, CT Past Supreme Worthy President, Supreme Assembly Social Order of theBeauceant.Mrs. Carolyn A. McGill, Grand Royal Matron, California Grand Court, Order of the Amaranth.Bro. Roy Mathews, Grand Royal Patron, California Grand Court, Order of the Amaranth.
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Grand Oration“Back to the Future”
by: John L. Cooper III
Most Illustrious Grand Master, Most Worshipful Grand Master, brethren and ladies. It is a pleasurefor me to speak to you once more as Grand Orator. Over the years I have had the privilege of servingour Grand Council on several occasions as your Grand Orator, and each Grand Master has affordedme an opportunity to share some of my thoughts with the leaders of the York Rite in California.Today is no exception, and I personally thank Most Illustrious Companion Dalton Noland for onceagain lending me a platform from which to bring to your attention matters of importance to the Craftin general, and York Rite Freemasonry in particular. It is my hope that today will add to ourunderstanding of the challenges we will be facing in the near future. In fact, my topic today concernsevents that will happen in California in the very near future – within the next fifteen months at most,and which in all probability will cause all Masonic leaders in California to re-examine long-heldopinions, and cherished beliefs. Some will greet what I have to say with enthusiastic support andapproval. Some will greet it with dismay, and perhaps even anger. My goal today is to help youunderstand what will happen, and why, with particular attention to its impact on our chapters,councils and commanderies.All Knights Templar in California have to be Cryptic Masons; all Cryptic Masons have to be RoyalArch Masons; and all Royal Arch Masons must first be Master Masons. This fundamental truthgives the York Rite of Freemasonry a crucial stake in how many Master Masons we have availableto us as candidates, and the quality of those Master Masons determines the quality of our ownmembership. The quality of our York Rite membership determines the quality of leadership, and thequality of our leadership determines our very existence as a quality extension of Ancient CraftMasonry. Even if we wished to do so, as York Rite Masons we cannot ignore fundamental issues thataffect Ancient Craft Masonry in California. We have too much at stake merely to concentrate onissues of importance to us as York Rite Masons. Issues affecting our craft lodges affect our chapters,councils and commanderies. Let us then take a look at a major issue which will be before us asMaster Masons in the next few months.In 1992 the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia launched what has come to be known as the“One Day Class” program for conferring the three degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry in one day.Although the District of Columbia actually took two days to confer the three degrees, and continuesto do so, all the other Grand Lodges who adopted the program thereafter conferred all the degreeson groups of candidates in a single day. Today more than half the Grand Lodges in the United Stateshave, or have had, “One Day Conferrals” of the degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry. Over the elevenyears since the first of these special conferrals in 1992 by the Grand Lodge of the District ofColumbia, the debate over the validity of the “One Day Conferral” and its value to Freemasonry hascontinued unabated.Should you wish to consult an excellent source of information on this subject, I invite you to visitthe website of Brother Paul Bessel. Paul is a Grand Lodge Office in the Grand Lodge of the Districtof Columbia, and is a Masonic researcher and scholar interested in the analysis of statisticalinformation about Freemasonry. On his website you will learn the history of these “One DayConferrals”, and lists of reasons why some Freemasons are passionately attached to this way ofmaking Masons, and why some Freemasons are passionately opposed to the same thing. It is clearto me that if we took a poll of Masons in this room we would find some that strongly support theidea; some who oppose it with equal fervor; and some who are uncertain as to what all the debateis about. It is to the last group that I am addressing my remarks today. If your mind is already madeup, one way or the other, I doubt that I will have much influence on your opinion. If you know
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enough about it to have a firmly held conviction, one way or the other, I am unlikely to change yourmind – if it needs changing. But listen anyway – just in case I share something you have not yetconsidered.It is curious that when the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia conferredthe three degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry in a period of two days, it was considered by manyMasons as an innovation, widely condemned as a violation of the fundamental law of Freemasonry.Perhaps this widespread condemnation was a result of a misunderstanding of the ancient practice of“Making a Mason at Sight,” which has always been reserved to Grand Masters, and which resultsin the conferral of the degrees in some abbreviated form and in a short space of time – usually in oneday. In truth, the right of “Making a Mason at Sight” – all the degrees conferred in one day on acandidate – is actually older than the practice of conferring the three degrees of Ancient CraftMasonry on separate occasions, and certainly much older than the practice of requiring a candidateto demonstrate his proficiency by memorizing part of the Ritual as a condition of advancing to thenext degree.Equally old in Freemasonry is the practice of conferring the degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry onmore than one candidate at a time. Although jurisdictions differ in how they do it, a group ofcandidates will individually participate in part of a degree, and then join with others in the group forother parts of a degree. Doing this is not an innovation in Masonry any more than conferring all thedegrees in one day is an innovation. What was different in 1992 in the District of Columbia, and inother jurisdictions after that, was the bringing together of these two ancient practices – conferringall the degrees over the space of one or two days, and conferring these degrees on a group.Change is not easy. In the 1950’s many churches adopted the Revised Standard Version of the Bibleas the version to be read in its church services. For many church members the new, contemporarylanguage was jarring on the ear, and it was difficult for many to adjust. The beauty of the AuthorizedVersion of 1611 – called the King James Version, after James the First of England under whosesponsorship it had been translated from the original languages, was missed. The fact that biblicalscholarship had advanced in the more than three hundred years since the King James Version waspublished was overlooked by many who were used to the sonorous, if inaccurate, translation. Thereis a story that the pastor of a major congregation in one of our larger cities noticed that one long timechurch member had not been to church recently. He called on her at her home to find out why, andin the course of his visit, the conversation turned to why she was avoiding coming to church. Not oneto mince words, she was adamant that she did not like the new version of the Bible that was beingread in church. As far as she was concerned, she told the pastor, if the King James Version was goodenough for the Apostle Paul, it was good enough for her!We often cling to familiar patterns and habits not because we understand them, but just because theyare familiar. Finding out that our cherished notions are not as ancient as we thought they were canbe unsettling. And it is unsettling to some to learn that conferring the three degrees of Ancient CraftMasonry all in one day is almost a Landmark in Masonry. Indeed, when Bro. Albert Mackey, thecelebrated Masonic scholar of the 19th century, published his list of 25 Landmarks, one of them wasthe right of a Grand Master to make a Mason at sight. Rather than being an innovation, its historyis long, and its roots go deep. What the District of Columbia did in 1992 was not so much adeparture from a time-honored way of doing Freemasonry as it was the use of a time-honored wayof doing Freemasonry in a new context. Up to that time “Making a Mason at Sight” had been usedonly to make prominent men Masons. It was now used to make ordinary men, most of whom had noparticular claim to political or social prominence, Masons in one day. Overlooked was the fact thatthis supposedly “new” way of making Masons shared some important characteristics with the wayit was practiced when only one man at a time was made a Mason in one day.First, “Making a Mason at Sight” had always been the exception rather than the rule. In the Districtof Columbia it was, and still is, the exception rather than the rule. Most candidates for the degreesof Ancient Craft Masonry in the District of Columbia continued to receive the degrees in the
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traditional manner – one at a time, and on separate occasions. Secondly, “Making a Mason at Sight”involved using the traditional rituals of Freemasonry to do it, with modifications in procedures thatwere at most accommodation to the group nature of the conferral rather than any fundamentaldeparture. A study of the practice of “Making a Mason at Sight” from the earliest recorded instancein 1720 in London, England, down to the latest such conferrals revealed many more instances ofmodifying the ritual to accommodate the circumstances of the candidate than was the case in the firstgroup conferrals in the District of Columbia. In other words, the supposed “innovation” pioneeredby the District of Columbia was not much of an innovation at all, when considered in the context ofwhat Mackey thought was a Landmark. The “innovation” consisted in using an old tool in a newcontext, and not much more.Over the next ten years after 1992 various Grand Lodges in the United States experimented withvariations of what had been pioneered by the District of Columbia. However, until 2002 most of theGrand Lodges were smaller Grand Lodges, the most notable exception to that pattern being theGrand Lodge of Illinois – a Grand Lodge close in size to the Grand Lodge of California. Each yearmore and more Grand Lodges tried conferring the degrees on a group of candidates, and all threedegrees in the same day. But in 2002 things took a new, and more serious turn. Major Grand Lodgesjoined the list of Grand Lodges offering the “One Day Conferral” as an option to the customaryconferral of degrees on three separate occasions. Ohio stunned the Masonic world when it Raised8,000 Master Masons on the same day in March, 2002. Never before had that many new MasterMasons been created all on one day. The idea of the “One Day Conferral” had reached a new andcritical level. Many of the standard arguments against the “One Day Conferral” had to be re-examined, and were re-examined by Masonic leaders across the country. Nothing like that had everhappened in the history of Freemasonry in one day – and very little like that had happened even inone year in any American Grand Lodges since long before anyone alive could remember. We hadgrown so used to the idea that most men were not interested in Freemasonry that we were astoundedthat 8,000 men wanted to become Masons all at once. We had grown so used to the idea thatFreemasonry was not attractive to the younger generation that we were astonished to find out thatmen in their twenties and thirties – in droves – wanted to become Masons. We were so used to theidea that our sons and grandsons would never ask that all-important question – ask us if they couldbecome Masons – that we could not believe our eyes when hundreds and hundreds of sons andgrandsons came from all over America to Ohio to become Masons alongside their fathers andgrandfathers. What had changed? Did Ohio go out to the shopping malls and give an application toany man who would take one? Did Ohio promise these candidates that they would get a free vacationin Hawaii if they signed up? Did Ohio take in men who would be rejected as applicants by any self-respecting Masonic lodge? Did they raid the prisons and the flop-houses on skid row to get all thosemen? What was going on?The word soon spread from Ohio across the country as to what had happened. No, they didn’t handout applications on Main Street to any man who happened to walk down the sidewalk. They didn’tpromise a vacation in Hawaii to any man who would sign up. They didn’t by-pass their lodges, andconfer the degrees of Masonry on any man, good or bad, who walked in the door. Each and everyone filled out an application for the degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry, each man was investigatedby a regular Masonic lodge in Ohio, each man was balloted on in the traditional manner by a regularlodge of Masons, and unanimously elected to membership. Not a one was coerced or bribed, ortalked into signing an application. Each and every one asked to become a Mason of his “own freewill and accord.” So why? What happened? How did they do it?Last summer our Grand Master and Executive Committee invited the Grand Secretary of Ohio tocome to California to spend two days with us, and to talk to us about their experience. We learneda lot in those two days. We asked questions about how they did it – and why. We talked at lengthabout all the usual concerns and objections that are raise about such “One Day Conferrals”. And wecame away convinced that Ohio had done something of great value for Freemasonry in this country.We came away understanding that the use of an ancient way of making a man a Mason – a variation
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of “Making a Mason at Sight” – was an alternative that we needed in California. The only questionwas how – and when – it would happen. Everyone present believed not only that it should happenin California, but that it could happen and would happen – and in the not too distant future.Our conversations with the Grand Secretary of Ohio were not the first time that we had studied these“One Day Conferrals.” The year before we had sent a team – including our then Grand Lecturer andthe four Assistant Grand Lecturers – to Arizona to study their program. Then – last month – we sentanother team to New York to witness 3,000 men made Masons in “One Day Conferrals”. In bothinstances, our study teams returned with positive and enthusiastic endorsement of what they hadseen. Not only did this alternative, and ancient, way of making Masons worked, it had some positiveaspects that making Masons in the current and customary manner lacks. They reported an excitementon the part of both the candidates and those conferring the degrees that is all too rare in thecustomary method. How often have you and I attended an Entered Apprentice Degree and felt a senseof sadness at the empty sidelines. Here is the most important step in the life of the candidate – theevening that he embarks on a lifelong journey into Freemasonry – and nobody cares enough to cometo see him off of his voyage. How many times have you and I sat in embarrassed silence in a lodgewhile inept and poorly prepared officers struggled to confer the degrees of Masonry in a manner thatmakes us want to crawl under the carpet for shame. How many times have you heard lodge officerstell a new Entered Apprentice or Fellow Craft Mason that he really doesn’t have to do much tobecome a Master Mason. All he has to do is memorize a short Obligation, learn a few basics, reada simple booklet and take an open-book test. How many times have you listen to well-meaningMasons tell these candidates that he doesn’t’ need to understand anything about becoming a Mason– none of that “Masonic Education stuff” – but that all he has to do is just get through the degreesas soon as possible so that we can appoint him as Junior Steward. You see, we tell him, the lodgehe joined is going out of business soon because it doesn’t have any officers, and we want him to getthe degrees over with as soon as possible so that he can save our lodge! Oh – and by the way – heis told he can’t talk to anyone about Masonry. Don’t tell his wife anything about the degrees – its allsecret, you see. And we never ask him if he has a friend who might like to be a Mason. We are soconvinced that no one wants to be a Mason anyway, what would possibly be different about hisfriends? And to confirm what we have done to him, using the “traditional” ways of Making aMason”, we make sure that if he doesn’t come back after his Third Degree that no one ever calls him,talks to him about Masonry, gets acquainted with his family and friends, or does anything else tomake him feel like he joined a premier organization. And unless he is already a Master Mason hewill join the thousands and thousands of Entered Apprentices and Fellow Crafts who never becomeMaster Masons – because why would he want to anyway? From the beginning we have told him thatthe organization he is joining is a loser, and he is probably a loser, too, for being dumb enough to“join the Masons.”Contrast this with what the candidates for the “One Day Conferrals” experience in places like Ohioand New York. They probably learned about Freemasonry, and its ideals, from a public relationscampaign telling the public what it is that Freemason are and what they do. In Ohio and in New Yorkprofessional “ads” about Freemasonry were developed to show in movie theaters – not asking mento “join the Masons,” but telling them who Masons are and what they do, along with a telephonenumber to call. In New York they mailed letters to business and professional men telling them aboutFreemasonry, and asking them to call the same number, or contact a website they created, if theywanted more information. And they sent letters to their own members telling them if they had sonsor grandsons who ought to become Masons to give the Grand Lodge the information, and they wouldbe contacted about the forthcoming “One Day Conferral.” Innovative? Yes. Expensive? Yes.Effective? Yes! Did any California men become Masons in Ohio and New York in the “One DayConferrals”? You bet they did. We routinely receive requests for a waiver of jurisdiction onCalifornia residents from other jurisdictions – usually sons and grandsons of Masons in thosejurisdictions – and lodges routinely approve the waivers. California men travel to Arizona, to Ohio,to New York, to become Masons. And smart lodges, who approved these waivers in the first place,
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contact them when they come home and ask them to come down to the lodge in their own communityand find out more about what they experienced in Arizona, or Ohio, or New York. What else didthey do that we aren’t doing now? They gave their members an excuse to talk about becoming aMason to friends and relatives. Our rules against talking someone into becoming a Mason – becausethat’s what solicitation really is – don’t apply. Not only can we talk to men about becoming Masons,we need to be doing so. We have discovered that the “One Day Conferrals” provide just the kind ofexcuse that many of our members have been waiting for to talk about Masonry.What more did they do? They conferred the degrees using some of the best ritualists available. Whenis the last time your lodge had “try outs” for the parts? When is the last time that there wascompetition among your best ritualists to see who gets to do the work? When was the last time yousaw a degree conferred letter-perfect, with dignity and drama, where every speaking part could beheard by all those in attendance, and where the meaning of the spoken word came through to you ina new and powerful way? What more? They used their best and most experienced Masons to tell thecandidates the meaning of the degrees in special education sessions between the degrees, and – insome cases – following the Third Degree of Masonry. When was the last time you were thrilled thatan Entered Apprentice or a Fellow Craft – or a new Master Mason – really understood what he hadexperienced? When was the last time you heard him talking enthusiastically about the meaning ofour degrees? Well, it happened in Ohio, and in New York. And it will happen here. There is nodoubt that California will make the same commitment to this ancient – and alternative way – of“Making a Mason.” And I predict that it will happen sooner than you or I ever imagined. It mayeven happen within the next fifteen to eighteen months.Why? Why would California be seriously interested in a “One Day Conferral” as an alternative wayof “Making a Mason”? I have listed some things, above, that distinguish these conferrals from thedegrees as conferred in many lodges, but obviously not all lodges exhibit the depressingcharacteristics outlined above. Some lodges do a very good job of Initiating, Passing, and RaisingMasons. Is there any evidence that men made in these good lodges are better Masons than those whoare made Masons in the “One Day Conferral” in other jurisdictions? Is there any evidence that theyare not as good Masons? Again, take a look at Paul Bessel’s website to read some of his conclusions.As he studied the practice across the country he found that there was little difference betweenMasons who took the degrees in the traditional manner, and those that took the degrees in throughthe “One Day Conferral” method. About the same number dropped out, or were suspended for non-payment of dues; about the same number came back to lodge and became active; about the samenumber in both groups became lodge officers. So if these results were the same, why try a new wayof making Masons? The answers lie in the numbers of new Master Masons, and the impact of thesenew Masons on their lodge.Please remember that I told you that by every test these new Masons were the same quality Masonsas all others who applied for the degrees of Masonry and received them in the traditional way. Thatmeans that, other things being equal, a lot more men discovered that Freemasonry was attractive tothem than ever before. If the experience of Ohio were replicated in California, we would have eightthousand new Master Masons in one year. The last time that the Grand Lodge of California had8,000 new Master Masons in one year was 1956! We had over seven hundred lodges in 1956. Todaywe have 350 lodges. If each lodge Raised 22 Master Masons this year – they would have to confersixty-six degrees in one year. At a recent Wardens’ Retreat we asked for a show of hands from theSenior Wardens present as to how many of their lodges were up to conferring sixty-six degrees ina single year. Only a sprinkling of hands went up. They had not thought about the consequences ofhaving to do all that work – and felt unprepared to do so.Again, assuming that each of those 8,000 men was a man who should be a Mason, with thereluctance of many of our lodges to tackle such a daunting task, a huge number would have been putoff by lodges not interested in working hard to make them Masons. And remember that I wascounting each and every lodge in the state. Some are small, and in communities with a small
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population. The burden would obviously fall on the lodges in the metropolitan areas to care the load.And I suggest that they would simply collapse under the staggering weight of the task.Let me refocus your thinking in the matter. If the Grand Lodge of California were to take the sameapproach as Ohio and California, and make a major effort to identify a huge number of men whowant to be Masons. If we attracted them so successfully that they filled out applications forindividual lodges, were investigated in the normal manner, and unanimously elected to receive thedegrees of Masonry in our lodges – we simply could not accommodate them for years and years!If we expect to grow again in dramatic and significant ways in the next few years, we will have tolook to other methods to do it. We may have been able to handle it in 1956, but not today. We aresimply too small to do so.I, therefore, suggest to you that it will be a given that California will try a “One Day Conferral”. Ihave already received a resolution which would authorize it, and there well may be a Grand Master’sRecommendation on the subject. It may not happen this year, but I firmly believe that our memberswill vote to allow an alternative way of making Masons. The possibility of the infusion of new andquality men into our lodges will be just too much to pass up. And when lodges realize that there aregenuine benefits from having significant numbers of new Masons available and eager to practiceFreemasonry, and to become officers in their lodges, the decision will be an overwhelming one.What will be our role as York Rite Masons in all this? We have some choices before us. First, ourinfluence on the outcome. A key to the success of all the “One Day Conferrals” is the appointmentof a mentor for each candidate. Everyone one of the 3,000 candidates in New York had a mentorassigned from his lodge. That’s three thousand mentors. They were trained in what they wereexpected to do as mentors, and that training included a commitment to see that their candidateattended his lodge as soon after his Third Degree as possible. It included a commitment to helpinghim learn about his new Fraternity, to meeting his family and friends, and making sure that theyknew something about Freemasonry as well. And it included a commitment to continue to be “afriend, whom I afterward found to be a brother,” as someone once said to you and me. What amagnificent opportunity for every man in this room to make a new friend, and to influence hislifelong perception of what Freemasonry is all about. It will be impossible, if he really becomes yourfriend, for him to fail to notice that part of your passion for Freemasonry includes your Royal Archchapter, your Cryptic Council, your commandery of Knights Templar.He will ask you questions about Freemasonry. What are “Masons Marks”? And you tell him aboutMark Master Masonry. He will ask you about King Solomon’s Temple, and you will tell him aboutthe completion and dedication of King Solomon’s Temple as explained in the Most Excellent MasterDegree. He will ask you about the importance of the Bible in Freemasonry, and you will tell himstories from the Bible of the destruction of King Solomon’s Temple, the Babylonian Captivity, therebuilding of the Temple under Zerubbal. He will ask you the meaning of the Lost Master’s Word,and you will tell him the stories of Hiram Abiff, of Adonhiram, of the Three Principal Sojourners,who discovered things of inestimable value to the Craft. He may even ask you about the KnightsTemplar, and stories he has heard about their connection with Freemasonry. You don’t need to weara red coat, you don’t need to give him a pamphlet, you don’t need to recruit him to become a YorkRite Mason. You just have to be who you are – a friend, whom he now knows as a brother – and allthe rest will fall into place.You cannot do this directly as a York Rite Mason, but you can do it as a member of your lodge. Thisroom is filled with men of influence in Masonry in California. You can make a difference. You cangive thoughtful consideration to supporting any changes in our law which may be necessary toexpedite this ancient alternative way of becoming a Mason. You can look around for men whoshould be Masons, and for whom the One Day Conferral may offer an opportunity to talk about hisinterest in becoming a Mason. You can talk to your sons and grandsons about an exciting way ofbecoming a part of something that has made his father or grandfather the kind of man he admires.You can prepare yourself to help confer the degrees, or teach the candidates, or help with the
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planning and the logistics. Or you can volunteer, when the time comes, to serve as a mentor – oneof the greatest honors you may ever have in Freemasonry. You can do all this, and more. OR: Or youcan leave here today skeptical of the new use of this ancient way of Making a Mason. You can returnhome confident that the Freemasonry you love may not be here when your great-grandson discoversit. You can go away confident that there will be fewer Masons in your lodge next year than this year,and that fewer and fewer Masons who survive will want to learn anything about the York Rite ofFreemasonry. You can help us light the Light of Freemasonry for 8,000 or more men who needMasonry right now. Or you can sign up for the crew that will turn out the lights after the last lodgecloses and the last Mason leaves. It’s your choice!
Following the Grand Oration, the ladies and guests were excused.
Official Opening Ceremonies
The Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of California was opened by Most Illustrious CompanionDalton A. Noland, Most Illustrious Grand Master in Due and Ancient Form.The Assistant Directors of Ritual and Cryptic Arch Inspectors, under the direction of the GrandMarshal, formed the lines West of the Altar.
INVOCATION
The invocation was delivered by Right Illustrious Companion Calvin G. Lessing Grand Chaplain.
The Most Illustrious Grand Master stated that all Companions being properly vouched for as CrypticMasons in good standing and in possession of authenticated credentials and declared that the 143rdAnnual Assembly was convened and called for the Preliminary Report of the Committee onCredentials.
Preliminary Report of the Committee on Credentials
Your Committee on Credentials reports that there are at least twenty percent of the forty-onechartered Councils of this Grand Jurisdiction represented at the opening of this 143rd AnnualAssembly and, in accordance with Section 7-3 of the Grand Council Constitution, a constitutionalquorum is present for the transaction of business.
Respectfully submitted: Daniel C. Kaffka, Jr. (15), ChairmanFrederick J. Potter (15)Maurice W. Bralley, Jr. (15)Robert V. Wright, Jr. (15)Claude D. Martin, Sr. (15)Frederick W. Ervast (15)
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General Grand Council Cryptic Mason of the YearINTRODUCTION OF FORMER RECIPIENTS
David P. Ottinger, Jr. (1982) Roy M. Haber, Jr. (1988)Albert M. Lewis (1996) Robert R. Vargo (1997)Robert G. Grauer (1998) Larry A. Reynolds, Sr. (2000)Dennis L. Ward (2001) Robert A. Wrede (2002)
2003 RECIPIENTCalvin G. Lessing - Palo Alto Council No. 51
General Grand Council Adult Leadership AwardCompanion Isador Ortega, Sr. - Merced Council No. 47
Reception of Most Illustrious Past Grand MastersM.I. Comp. Donald C. Briggs (1979) M. I. Comp. David P. Ottinger, Jr. (1988)M.I. Comp. Jack H. Devers, Sr. (1989) M. I. Comp. Ira R. Herring (1992)M.I. Comp. Bruce Carmitchel (1993) M. I. Comp. C. Leslie Dent (1994)M. I. Comp. Roy M. Haber, Jr. (1995) M.I. Comp. H. Edward Barr (1996)M.I. Comp. Paul McCleary (1998) M. I. Comp. Donald C. Gross (1999)M. I. Comp. Max C. Livingston (2000) M. I. Comp. James G. Baum (2001)
Most Illustrious Companion Donald C. Briggs, Senior Most Illustrious Past Grand Master present,responded for the Most Illustrious Past Grand Masters.
Reception of Grand RepresentativesThe Grand Recorder read the list of the Grand Representatives and those present responded.
AnnouncementsThe Grand Master made the following announcements before proceeding with the business at hand:
1. Annual Election of Officers will be held at 11:00 a. m.2. Annual Installation of Officers is scheduled for 5:00 p. m.3. Thrice Illustrious Master Degree will be conferred at 2:00 p.m.4. When votes are called for, the voting delegates will display their voting delegate card.5. All Emergent Resolutions, Petitions and Appeals must be presented in writing and read
prior to 11:00 a. m.6. Speakers on Resolutions will be limited to three (3) minutes in favor and three (3)
minutes opposed. The proponent of the Resolution will be given first opportunity tospeak and will be given a chance to speak last.
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7. Reports of Committees will be received without Motion to Accept. The exceptions arethe Budget and the Omnibus Report.
Adoption of Proceedings of 142nd Annual AssemblyA motion was made, seconded and carried to ACCEPT the Proceedings of the 142nd AnnualAssembly, as printed and distributed.
Annual Message of the Most Illustrious Grand MasterRight Illustrious Deputy Grand Master, Distinguished East, Grand Officers of this Grand Council,Distinguished Guests, and Companions all. I extend to each of you a welcome to Ventura Californiaand to the 143rd Annual Grand Assembly of the Most Illustrious Grand Council Cryptic Masons ofCalifornia. The Grand Sessions Committee under the chairmanship of Illustrious Companion JohnArgue, must be applauded for their outstanding accomplishments. Their task is by no means an easyone, or a task without countless concerns and many times headaches. To all our guests we extend amost gracious thanks for your attendance at our California Grand Sessions and we trust your staywith us will be a memorable one.This has been a personally rewarding and challenging year. The sad news first. Nine eleven aseveryone knows not only brought down the World Trade Centers but caused a downfall in the stockmarket. The good news. The Grand Council tightened its belt and ended the year under budget. Theother good news is I have had the extreme pleasure and honor of serving with two distinguishedMasons. The Most Excellent Grand High Priest, Companion Harry Hall, of the Grand ChapterRoyal Arch Masons of California and Right Eminent, Sir Knight Bob Coe, the Grand Commanderof Knights Templar of California. The friendship we have established will be shared for theremainder our lifetime. I believe I can safely say on our behalf that everywhere we traveled yourwarm hospitality and genuine friendliness was overwhelming. The food, too, was great! Just onelook at me can tell you that. The support provided by all the Companions and their lovely ladies wasfar beyond my expectation. There are truly no words that enable me to express my appreciation inyour electing me to have served as your Grand Master. This is your Grand Council and we are atyour service. Soon I shall look back and it will be but a memory. One that I shall forever cherish andnever forget!What can I say about the Council's Grand Family? Other than, it is just that, a Grand Family! One,of which, I am extremely proud. And one I must express my appreciation and thanks. They traveledup and down the State of California at their own expense and time. The welfare of our Councils theirprimary value at heart. They deserve many accolades for their advice, assistance, encouragement andsupport.It was my pleasure, during my year, to appoint Right Illustrious Companion Calvin Lessing, KYCH,an exemplification of York Rite, for his second term as Grand Chaplain, MIPGM, Companion C.Leslie Dent, KYGCH, as my traveling Marshal, Right Illustrious Companion John "Jack"Carpenter, Jr., my York Rite son, as Sentinel in the progressive line, Right Illustrious CompanionFrank Loui, whom I traveled with for twelve years as Inspectors of the Grand Lodge of California,as our Grand Bible Bearer, Right Illustrious Companion John W. Runcie II, KYCH, my dailycompanion in the Scottish Rite, as Standard Bearer, Illustrious Companion W. Bruce Pruitt,KYGCH, PGC, Knights Templar of California the man with the golden voice, as Grand Soloist, andlast but in no way the least Right Illustrious Companion John Cooper, KYCH, a man both wise andunderstanding, to serve as our Grand Orator.
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To Right Illustrious Companion Ken Nagel, Director of Ritual, the ADRs, Inspectors andCommitteemen who serve our Councils every year THANKS, ONCE AGAIN. Soon they willcontinue serving another year. Soon Right Illustrious Ed Heath our Deputy Master shall begin hisjourney at the helm of the Grand Council ship. Whatever storm, if any, may lay ahead, I assure you,the ship is in capable hands. He, without any doubt, has the best crew possible backing him. This year Freemasonry, especially the York Rite, lost two dear and true Companions. My York Ritefather, MIPGM Companion Harry LeBleu, KYGCH, and Right Illustrious Companion Al Cowanour Grand Calligrapher. Harry was not only a friend but a confidant providing me with his rich andinteresting experience. Both share this day with us. And, as the lines of an old army ballad goes:"Old soldiers never die, they just fade away" and as these old Masonic soldiers who served the GrandCouncil so well were finally called to lay aside their working tools they leave behind a rich memoryin the hearts and minds of many that will never fade away. Every time any of us tell a story of whichthey shared a part they will surely live again. Also, Helen Fike the wife of MIPGM, Vernon Fike,KYGCH, passed on and is finally at rest with her beloved Vernon.My thanks to MIPGM Donald Gross, KYGCH, who believes that a person has not earned their dailywage unless they have helped someone who can never repay them. Companion Don you have neverrefused to help when I needed it. Thank you Shirley, for allowing me to borrow Don. RightIllustrious Companion Kenny Hope and Illustrious Companion Al Lewis I know the weight youcarry on your shoulders keeping the Grand Council in order, year after year. You have supportedmany Grand Masters as well as keeping the ship on course. Yours is a many times thankless job. Godbless each of you.As I draw to a close there is a story that I wish to share. I had just come down the grapevine headingfor a reception when I decided it was time to fill my vehicle with fuel. I was at ends with myselfwhen I realized I didn’t have my wallet! A while back I had changed from my traveling clothes ata rest stop wanting to arrive at my destination in a presentable manner. I immediately called my wifeBarbara concerning the situation. I had to have her put a stop on the credit cards. She told me to staywhere I was and await a phone call. Soon I received a call from MIPGM Max Livingston. He askedmy location and told me not to worry. Arrangements were on the way. Soon Right Illustrious Joseand Rosa Maria Fiss came to the rescue. Jose asked how much money I needed. I told him justenough to get me home after the event. $30.00 should be sufficient. He handed me $100.00 andrefused to take any money back. I would be heading home with more money than I had left with. Nota bad deal. Soon I received a call from the Highway Patrol stating that they had recovered the walletand was sending it to my home address. What a relief! More money than was necessary, the walletcomplete with driver’s license, credit cards, cash, etc. heading home. A check was immediately sentto Jose on my arrival home. The moral of this story is the closeness found in real Companions.Remember the biblical story of the Good Samaritan? This is the real brotherly love, the real reliefand the real truth that many just speak about but never experience.A wise man said each of us is a center in this Universe, speaking to God of God. What has morevalue than a life of providing for others, making a child’s or adult’s unbearable existence moretolerable? God has given each of us that choice. What have we done with it? Don’t wait, should theopportunity present itself, reach out.Where would any of us be without our closest companion, our wives! Those lovely ladies thataccompany us and provide us with positive support when our energy seems to have found somewhereelse to go. To my wife Barbara, my right arm and many times my left, I know God has provided mewith your love. It is my absolute wish that every Companion, Brother and Knight be as fortunate asI. I had to travel around the world but was always led by God to a place by your side. We were, are,and will always be one!
STATE OF THE CRAFTThe world we once knew has been rapidly changing. There has been Watergate, the Clinton scandaland the World Trade Center causing an outcry of Terrorism. The United Nations couldn’t seem to
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come to any conclusion. The United States and Britain were seemingly going to war. Was theInternational system crumbling around us? Masonry, once vigorous, has been for several yearscollapsing like a falling star. People became more concerned for their own family survival. Jobs wereon the decline and so was the money market. People were remaining in the ill perceived safety oftheir homes. After all, everything they thought they had to know was being shown on T.V. We werebecoming couch potatoes and sedentary as an old ship barnacle.Recently, things are beginning to change in America. Hopefully, for the better. We have a nononsense courageous President. Terrorists now know what it is like to feel insecure! Freemasonryis finally responding and rebuilding its base! We are at war!Have you noticed the change in warfare itself. War once destroyed everything in its path, now itattempts to destroy only what is necessary. If war can change, as we know it has, so can society. Itwas once stated Freemasonry is but a reflection of society.Well, society is on the mend! Freemasonry once Trinitarian it is now Universal! Jews, Christians,Moslems, Hindus, Irishmen, Scotsmen, Englishmen, Chinese, Mexicans, and Filipinos find refugewithin our walls. Their children’s children shall understand even more than we do today. Masonshave been made aware in their lodges that we are all children of the same God? Religious segregationis being removed and no longer tolerated in Masonic Lodges. As our active members become evermore involved in Masonic activities there will be less time for outside activities. Non-Mason contactwill become the norm. How can Masonry expect new members when our only contacts are withMasons. Meanwhile, the inactive Mason, is not primarily concerned with the dilemma. His is, in anout of sight out of mind position. Is Masonry advertising? Is it reaching those outside of Masonry?You know the answer. Yet, we have so much to tell. Not just about our great history. Not justbecause we are the World’s oldest and largest fraternity. We have more! We have a public intereststory of world wide philanthropy. Even active Masons are not aware of the multiple philanthropieswe support. Those many gifts and support we provide to the lives of many! If we don’t do somethingabout our advertising to the non-Mason and our society at large. SOON nobody will even know whatMasonry WAS.One Grand Lodge put up a road sign stating the following, If you are interested in finding out moreabout Freemasonry call this number. At least they are making an attempt!I am proud of being an American, and what’s more, of being a Freemason. Let’s start making itknown. Let’s get out of the box!
Dalton A. Noland, Grand Master
Addenda to Annual Message of the Grand MasterITINERARY
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Omnibus ReportYour Committee on Jurisprudence, to which has been referred the various actions of the MostIllustrious Master during his term of office, including:
a. Approval of Amendments to the By-Laws of constituent Councilsb. Granting Dispensationsc. Approving Awardsd. Making Appointments and Accepting Grand Representativese. Issuing necessary Edicts
reports that we have carefully considered and reviewed all of his Official Acts, and find them correctas to form and within the provisions of the Constitution of the Grand Council of California.We therefore respectfully recommend final approval of all the Official Acts of the Grand Master,as detailed in the Addenda to his Annual Report to be published in the Proceedings of this 143rdAnnual Assembly.
Respectfully submitted: Donald C. Briggs (51), ChairmanEdmund W. Heath (15)Jose A. Fiss (25)Larry A. Reynolds, Sr. (54)
Report of Committee on Reports of Grand OfficersYour Committee on Reports of Grand Officers wishes to commend the Grand Master for his manyvisitations to the Councils, and his promotion of Cryptic Masonry to this and other Jurisdictions. Hisusual good judgement was displayed in the appointment of Grand Officers, Inspectors andCommitteemen.Our ever-efficient Grand Recorder again presented his usual fine report of his respective activitiesand responsibilities and we commend him for his dedication to the Craft.We commend our Director of Ritual, who has had work shops which to create an develop greaterknowledge in the ritualistic work of Cryptic Masonry.The Grand Treasurer has again rendered a clear account of his stewardship of the funds of the GrandCouncil for the last year; we commend him for his good work.Reports of other Grand Officers are examples of their unselfish labor and interest to our belovedRite, merit the good will and commendation of the Grand Council.
Respectfully submitted: Ira R. Herring (47) ChairmanWilliam J. Ryland (25)Robert G. Grauer (46)
Respectfully submitted: Donald C. Gross (20), Grand Treasurer
Annual Report of the Grand RecorderToday marks the completion of my eleventh year as Grand Recorder of this Grand Council. I assureyou that the Grand Office is functioning in an efficient and timely manner and we will continue ourefforts to cut costs and stay under budget as we have each year.I am happy to report that all Councils have paid their Per Capita. Thank you Companion Recorders,your hard work is truly appreciated if not always recognized.There are 12 Illustrious Past Masters serving as presiding officers of their Councils this year, thesame as last year. Even with 4 meetings per year, 30% of our Councils are having trouble generatingenough qualified officers to serve as Illustrious Masters. This is not a healthy trend and must bereversed.There were one consolidation this past year. Solvang Council No. 63 consolidated with San LuisObispo Council No. 38 on January 1, 2003. Once again I must report to you that the Grand Councilof California has fewer members than the year before. The membership statistics show a net loss of5.0% for 2002, which is a significant drop compared to a loss of 6.7% the year before. 12 Councilsdid not greet even one candidate in 2002! Companions we need to build our membership base, andmore effort needs to be put into membership recruitment. Membership is the lifeblood of anyorganization and should be the top priority of all our members, especially the officers. Only 8Councils showed a net gain, and we commend them for their efforts. Our current membership nowstands at 5,401 Companions.
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MEMBERSHIP STATISTICS
Number of Members as of December 31, 2001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,687
My sincere thanks to all the Recorders for their dedication and hard work in sending in their reportsand Per Capita on time. To Illustrious Companion Marshall F. Parker, and his Companions, myappreciation for your help in getting the California Encompasser labeled and sorted. To IllustriousCompanion Al Lewis, our Assistant Grand Recorder, you know how much I appreciate your talentsand friendship.To our Most Illustrious Grand Master, Dalton A. Noland, and all the Grand Officers, thank you foryour support and encouragement this past year, it has been a distinct pleasure working with all ofyou for the betterment of our Grand Council.
Respectfully submitted: Kenneth G. Hope (35), Grand Recorder
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Grand Council Financial Statementsand Independent Accountant's Review
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Report of the Grand Director of RitualI thank the Grand Council membership for allowing me to serve once again in this capacity as GrandDirector of Ritual and I hope to continue as long as desired by the membership. This past CrypticYear has been both rewarding and disappointing which I will explain in the following report. State of our Ritual: The overall state of our ritual can be characterized as good and much improvedover last year. It has been rewarding to witness our festival degrees being conferred in an outstandingmanner. Many of our members shine as excellent ritualists. Our candidates continue to voice theirpleasure in the quality of our degrees. All of which prove that our membership is not frightened byritual. But it is disappointing in that in many of our Councils that’s where it ends. Too many of ourofficers do not memorize their work for opening and closing and our Councils continue to use theirritual books during open meetings. This practice would never be tolerated in our Blue Lodges andI don’t think we should consider our York Rite Council to be a second class organization. Theleadership of our Councils must step up and take charge, demanding that their officers meet theircommitments or replace them with those that will. I continue to hear that our membership is olderand that we just have too many other activities to learn our work. To this, I simply say, look at ourdegrees. If we can accomplish there, we can accomplish it in our meetings as well. To ourmembership, I plea, be proud of your councils, be proud of yourselves and be proud of our beautifulritual. Among our 41 Councils, 16 can confer both Degrees, 10 can confer one or the other and 15 can notconfer either Degree. My goal is still to continue working towards every Council having the abilityto confer at least one of our Degrees. ADR/Inspector’s Seminar and Workshops: This past year there were 11 Ritual and AdministrativeWorkshops scheduled throughout our state as well as our annual ADR/Inspector’s Seminar inMerced. It was rewarding to see many new faces take part in our degree work and performingsuperbly at the school of instructions. Although Schools of Instruction were scheduled in all of ourDepartments, 2 Arches chose not to participate at all. It was disappointing that 7 Councils had norepresentation at any of our schools. As an example, in recently flying in to one of our departments,I was met at the airport by the ADR. He drove me to the lodge hall, which was opened by theInspector of the Arch. But to my dismay, only 1 companion showed up from 1 of the 3 councils inthe Arch. I was embarrassed for the ADR and Inspector who had put in a lot of time and planning,only to be let down by their councils. I enjoy traveling throughout the state and meeting with ourmembership. Observing those that choose to participate and strut their stuff is a pleasure to watch.In other Arches there is no leadership from the Inspectors and no planning takes place to ensure ourschools are productive. We must all do a better job! We as the leadership of our councils must eitherlead or get out of the way for those who will. For those schools that were productive, emphasis wasagain placed mainly on the floor work, particularly on Opening and Closing of our Councils wherewe are most visible. Exemplification of our Degrees to those Councils that don’t have degree teamswas a success, stressing a theme of fellowship through participation in practicing Ritual andenhancing our ability to fill in where needed at our Festivals. Once again, a special thank-you must go to MI Ira Herring who hosted the ADR/Inspector’sSeminar in Merced. Also to all the Councils who hosted a School of Instruction in their area. Ritual Cup Award: Our Ritual Cup Award program was again a great success. It was very rewardingto have a nominee from every Council this year. I caveat this by saying that not every nominee wasrecommended to actually win the award, but the best of the best in each council was recognized forhis efforts. These companions were outstanding in every way, all very deserving of recognition. Onceagain, a winner from each department has been named and from these department recipients, anultimate winner chosen to receive the cup. I am pleased to announce the following results:Department 1 – Ed Lim from California #2
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Department 2 – Gregory Voetsch Jr. from Sacramento #1Department 3 – Richard Potts from Sonora #5Department 4 – Sean Foran from Omega #11Department 5 – George Morton from Orange County #14Department 6 – Julian Cambridge from San Diego #23My congratulations to all for their outstanding efforts in delivering the ritual so superbly. From thislist, special congratulations are in order to Companion George Morton who has been selected asthe 2003 “Ritualist of the Year” recipient. Administrative: This was a very quiet year for changes in our ritual staff. I think stability in ourArches is essential to grow as a Grand Council, and I am happy to announce that our Departmentsand Arches will remain numerically and geographically intact. During this past year, we did have 2 Inspectors ask to be replaced and we accepted their resignationswith regret. Illustrious Companion Al Cockrell replaced Illustrious Companion Miles Mallette inArch 6 and Illustrious Companion Fenton Mereness replaced Illustrious Companion Jack Greenin Arch 8. To Companions Miles and Jack we give a huge thank-you for their service and toCompanions Al and Fenton, we welcome them to their new positions.As far as this upcoming year, there will be a change in only 1 of our departments. In Department 4,we say must say goodbye to its ADR, Illustrious Companion John Argue. John has been a mainstayon our ritual staff and his efforts with those Councils in his area has always reaped a quality success.John has agreed to take on the position of Grand Chaplain this coming year and his efforts with theritual staff will we sorry missed. Again, thank-you John for always being there. The department’scurrent Inspector in Arch 11, Illustrious Companion James Guiddy has agreed to move up and takeon the responsibilities of ADR. We thank James for his years as Inspector and we know he will doa superb job in his new role. To fill the hole in Arch 11, Most Illustrious Companion Bruce O.Carmitchel has agreed to take the Inspector’s position. We have all seen Bruce’s enthusiasm andwe are confident Arch 11 will be in good hands. Thanks Bruce for again serving our Grand Council.Recommendation: Last year, I recommended that a review of our current ritual be made, not tochange any of the ritual itself, but rather to further enhance and clarify the explanation of the floorwork thereby ensuring we stay standardized throughout our state. In working with the Ritual Staff,this has been accomplished. Although nothing has been formally changed in the ritual book, furtherexplanations of the floor work will be made in the next revision of our ritual. This past year, I had the pleasure to sit in the East and confer the Council Degrees upon my son inthe state of Washington. I did though have to follow their established ritual, one, which is publishedby General Grand Council. Although most of the ritual between our Grand Jurisdictions is the same,there are segments of our ritual that has changed over the years. Most Grand Jurisdictions in theUnited States follow the ritual of General Grand Council, which was adopted in 1900 and has beenunchanged since 1960. In my research, I have been unable to determine why our Grand Jurisdictionbroke away from the rest of the country. I have suggested to the Grand Master and his progressiveline that it may be desirous to again align ourselves with the other Grand Jurisdictions who followthe ritual of the General Grand Council. I have recommended that we review the differences, and ifit is determined that there is no reason to be different, that we consider a move to realign ourselveswith the other Grand Jurisdictions of General Grand Council. Shortly, I will be providing copies oftheir ritual to the executive line and ritual staff and we will be reviewing it during the year. I do notsuggest that there is anything wrong with our current ritual. And it is never beneficial to change forthe sake of change, but it appears that over the years, decisions were made which moved Californiaaway from the other Grand Jurisdictions, and I think a review of those changes are in order. Finally, I again want to say thank-you for your confidence in me. I have truly enjoyed working withall the Councils of our Grand Family. I promise to always give you my best efforts to ensure that theritual being performed throughout our state is one with which you can all be proud.
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Respectfully submitted: Ken G. Nagel (20), Grand Director of Ritual
Report of the Grand ChaplainThe Grand Council lost one Past Grand Officer and one Grand Officer this past Cryptic year. PastGrand Master, M.I. Companion Harry W. LeBleu, K.Y.C.H., who served as Grand Master in 1997,and also as Director of Ritual from 1990-1992, and Ill. Companion Albert G. Cowan, Jr., ourGrand Calligrapher for many years were summoned to the Supreme Grand Council above. We willmiss them and their wise counsel. We are also saddened with the loss of 42 Illustrious Past Mastersand 211 Companions. Our sympathy and prayers are extended to the families of our departedCompanions.Our Committee on Necrology held a combined Grand York Rite Vesper and Memorial Service onSunday, April 27th at the Marriott Ventura Hotel prior to the opening of Grand Sessions. As usual,this service was very well attended.
Respectfully submitted: Calvin G. Lessing (51), Grand Chaplain
Report of the Committee on Budget and FinanceYour Committee on Budget and Finance is pleased to submit the following budget for the 2003-04Cryptic Year.
Respectfully submitted: Edmund W. Heath (15) ChairmanVincent A. Bell (25)Kenneth G. Hope (35)Donald C. Gross (20)Larry A. Reynolds, Sr. (54)
Motion was made, seconded and carried to APPROVE the budget.
Report of the Committee on Time and PlaceThe following is the report of your Time and Place Committee for projected Grand Sessions forTemplar years 2003 thru 2009.2004: Location - Sacramento. Chairman Larry Reynolds, Sr.. The contract has been signed withthe Sacramento Hilton -Arden West Hotel. The room rate is $99.00 plus tax per night. The dates areApril 24 thru April 28, 2004. They have established a Web site: www.2004gyrs.org2005: Location - Bakersfield- General Chairman John C. Carpenter, Jr.. This will be a trial “3 DayGrand Session” to be held at the Holiday Inn on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday. If it works thenin 2007 we will return to this hotel for 3 years in a row to obtain a better room rate.
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2006: Location: Visalia. Chairman Russell Roberts. No hotel has been selected as of this date, buta room rate of $84.00 per night is planned. Talks are underway with the Radisson Hotel and theHoliday Inn Airport.2007-08-09: Location - Bakersfield - Tentative.
Respectfully submitted: Edmund W. Heath (15) ChairmanJose A. Fiss (25)Kenneth G. Hope (35)Larry A. Reynolds, Sr. (54)
Report of the Committee on Appeals and GrievancesYour Committee on Appeals and Grievances has not received any reports, or have we been askedto rule on any grievances.Our special thanks to Most Illustrious Grand Master Dalton A. Noland for being asked to serve onthis Committee and we are extremely happy that we have nothing to report!
Respectfully submitted: H. Edward Barr (11), ChairmanSidney H. Cerates (17)Jose A. Fiss (25)William J. Ryland (25)
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Report of Report of the Cryptic MasonsMedical Research Foundation Committee
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Respectfully submitted: H . Edward Barr (11), ChairmanScott B. Arens (58)Robert C. Hansen (12)Paul B. Dobie (37)David E. Higdon (43)Sidney H. Cerates (12)Jon D. Humphreys (1)Dennis L. Ward (27)R. Craig Bailing (45)Walter D. Hanisch (54)
Recorder of the Year AwardArthur C. Meigs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Long Beach Council No. 26
Membership AwardsDISTINGUISHED MEMBERSHIP AWARD
Larry G. Hammill (7 new members) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . King Solomon’s Council No. 29
MEMBERSHIP EXCELLENCE AWARDB. J. McCuiston (5 new members) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . San Jose Council No. 20
Harry W. LeBleu Ritual AwardGeorge W. Morton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Orange County Council No. 14
Grand Master’s Achievement AwardSacramento Council No. 1; Gateway Council No. 13; Ventura Council No. 15; Alhambra CouncilNo. 25; Bakersfield Council No. 28; Amador Council No. 31; Shekinah Council No. 35.
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Final Report of the Committee on CredentialsYour Committee on Credentials reports that there are present and entitled to vote at this AnnualAssembly the following:
12 Grand Council Officers11 Past Grand Council Officers
2 Assistant Directors of Ritual4 Inspectors
19 Illustrious Masters16 Deputy Masters17 Principal Conductors of the Work
2 Proxies / I. M.1 Proxies / D. M.1 Proxies / P. C. W.0 Elected Representatives
143 Illustrious Past MastersThere are 195 registered Delegates to this Annual Assembly.Marysville Council No. 3 was not represented at this Annual Assembly.In addition we have visitors from General Grand Council and the Jurisdictions of Arizona; Nevada,Oregon, South Dakota.
Respectfully submitted: Daniel C. Kaffka, Jr. (15), ChairmanFrederick J. Potter (1527)Maurice W. Bralley, Jr. (15)Robert V. Wright, Jr. (15)Claude D. Martin, Sr. (15)Frederick W. Ervast (15)
Annual Election of Grand OfficersThe Grand Master stated that the specified hour having arrived for the Annual Election of Officersfor the Cryptic Year 2003-04, he would appoint the Tellers and review the election process.
APPOINTMENT OF TELLERSIllustrious Companion Robert D. Wright, Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ventura Council No. 15Illustrious Companion Malcolm G. Hill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Roseville Council No. 54Illustrious Companion Donald A. Journey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alhambra Council No. 25
Most Illustrious Companion Paul E. McCleary, Past Grand Master, nominated for Grand Master,Right Illustrious Companion Edmund W. Heath.There being no further nominations, Edmund W. Heath was declared elected Most IllustriousGrand Master by the acclamation of the Grand Council of California.The Grand Council then continued with the nominations and election of Officers of the GrandCouncil of California for the Cryptic Year 2003-04. The results are as follows:
RIGHT ILLUSTRIOUS DEPUTY GRAND MASTERLarry A. Reynolds, Sr., Roseville Council No. 54
RIGHT ILLUSTRIOUS GRAND PRINCIPAL CONDUCTOR OF THE WORKJose A. Fiss, Alhambra Council No. 25
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RIGHT ILLUSTRIOUS GRAND TREASURERDonald C. Gross, MIPGM, San Jose Council No. 20
RIGHT ILLUSTRIOUS GRAND RECORDERKenneth G. Hope, Shekinah Council No. 35
RIGHT ILLUSTRIOUS GRAND DIRECTOR OF RITUALKen G. Nagel, San Jose Council No. 20
The Grand Master stated that the Companions elected, having accepted their election, were nowofficially declared elected to their several stations and places.The Grand Master-elect then announced his appointed officers for the Cryptic Year 2003-04:
RIGHT ILLUSTRIOUS GRAND CHAPLAINJohn A. Argue, Ventura Council No. 15
RIGHT ILLUSTRIOUS GRAND CAPTAIN OF THE GUARDRobert G. Grauer, Redwood Empire Council No. 46
RIGHT ILLUSTRIOUS GRAND CONDUCTOR OF THE COUNCILWilliam J. Ryland, Alhambra Council No. 25
RIGHT ILLUSTRIOUS GRAND STEWARDJohn C. “Jack” Carpenter, Jr., Bakersfield Council No. 28
RIGHT ILLUSTRIOUS GRAND SENTINELFrederick J. “Tiny” Potter, Ventura Council No. 15
ILLUSTRIOUS GRAND ORATORSean N. Foran, Alpha Council No. 39
RIGHT ILLUSTRIOUS GRAND MARSHAL (NORTH)Oliver C. “Slim” Rieder, Visalia Council No. 43
RIGHT ILLUSTRIOUS GRAND MARSHAL (SOUTH)Daniel C. Kaffka, Jr., Visalia Council No. 43
ILLUSTRIOUS GRAND ORGANISTCarl F. Miescke San Jose Council No. 20
ILLUSTRIOUS GRAND SOLOISTE. Floyd Griffin, Ventura Council No. 15
ILLUSTRIOUS GRAND BIBLE BEARERRobert C. Rieder Visalia Council No. 43
ILLUSTRIOUS GRAND STANDARD BEARERAlfred M. Cockrell, Jr. Roseville Council No. 54
ASSISTANT GRAND RECORDERAlbert M. Lewis, Shekinah Council No. 35
Report of Committee on Charters and ConsolidationsYour Committee on Charters and Consolidations upon following the guidelines specified in theConstitution has one consolidation to report. Solvang Council No. 63 has consolidated with San Luis
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Obispo Council No. 38 and the newly consolidated Council is known as San Luis Obispo CouncilNo. 38. This action was approved by the Grand Master as of 1 January 2003.
Respectfully submitted: Max C. Livingston (26), ChairmanDonald C. Gross (20)Marcus J. Anwyl-Davies (35)
Report of Committee on InvestmentsMarch 1, 2002 thru December 31, 2002
Respectfully submitted: Donald C. Gross (20) Investment Chairman
Report of the Membership CommitteeMy Committee is pleased to welcome each of the 163 new Cryptic Masons greeted in California in2002. In 2002 we Greeted 13 more Companions than in 2001. This congratulation is extensive to theteams that performed our beautiful ritual in these conferrals and also to the Companions whorecommended these 163 petitioners for Degrees.I want to congratulate all the Councils that performed Degrees and greeted new Select Masters. TheCouncil with the most Greetings in 2002 was again Omega Council No. 11 in Van Nuys with 32 (nine
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more Greetings than in 2001) , followed by King Solomon Council No. 54 in Vallejo with 15 andCalifornia Council No. 2 located in San Francisco with 9 Greetings.It is indeed with sadness that I report to you that 12 Councils in our State did not greet a singleCompanion in 2002. I strongly urge all Councils in our State to appoint an active MembershipCommittee to work together with the Royal Arch Chapters in your area. Please attend all Royal Archconferrals. Address the newly exalted Royal Arch Masons and invite them to continue their ritualadvancement by joining a Council of Cryptic Masons. Members of this Grand Council MembershipCommittee are spread all over our State. Please contact your local Membership Committeerepresentative or myself for guidance on how to effectively approach Royal Arch Masons. Our GrandOffice will provide you with application forms and literature that you can distribute to all qualifiedto join our Councils.It is no news to any of you that the future of York Rite Masonry depends on how effectively we bringMaster Masons to our Chapters, Councils and Commanderies. Statewide our Council membershipdropped 5 percent to 5401 Select Masters. The tools and the approach that brought you and 5400others to join a Council of Cryptic Masons are indeed effective and proven successful even today. Weall know what needs to be done. Everyone meeting here today knows that the need to bring newmembers is imperative. Everyone in this room knows that at the current rate of decline ourmembership we will be reaching an “alarming low” very very soon. Companions, the future of Cryptic Masonry and our York Rite is in our hands today !!!
Respectfully submitted: Carlos H. Gonzalez (11) ChairmanDavid E. Higdon (43)Jon D. Humphreys (1)Howard H. Barnes (27)
Emergent Resolution 2003-1The proponent of this Resolution proposes to amend Article 3, Section 3-7 of the Constitution.WHEREAS, Section 3-7 Proceedings states: “The printed proceedings of the Grand Council......” andWHEREAS, it is far more economical to produce the proceedings on a C.D. and save printing andpostage costs.NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the word “printed” be deleted.
Respectfully submitted: Kenneth G. Hope (35)
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON JURISPRUDENCEYour Committee on Cryptic Jurisprudence to which was referred Emergent Resolution 2003-1 seekingto produce the proceedings of the Grand Council of California on a C.D., has considered the same andfinds it to be in proper order and that it will accomplish the desired purposes.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON POLICY AND PURPOSESThe Committee on Policy and Purposes finds Emergent Resolution 2003-1 in full compliance withGrand Council methods and procedures and will not in any way affect the Policy or Procedures of theGrand Council and recommends an affirmative vote.
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Emergent Resolution 2003-1 was ADOPTED.
Grand York Rite of California, Inc.Annual Financial Report
GRAND SESSIONS ACCOUNT CLOSING BALANCE AS OF 12-31-02 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24,317.12
Submitted by: Kenneth G. Hope, Chief Financial Officer
Special ResolutionsSPECIAL RESOLUTION No. 1
WHEREAS, the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of the State of California has by custom honored ourDistinguished Guests and Companions from our sister jurisdictions, in appreciation of their fraternalinterest and association, andWHEREAS, a number of such Dignitaries are present at this Annual Assembly.NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that all Distinguished Guests at this Annual Assembly, notpreviously accorded Honorary Membership in this Grand Council be so recognized.
Respectfully submitted: Kenneth G. Hope (35), Grand Recorder
Special Resolution No. 1 was ADOPTED.
SPECIAL RESOLUTION No. 2WHEREAS, the City of Ventura, California has proven its hospitality by acting as host city to thisAnnual Assembly of the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of the State of California, and
WHEREAS, as a result of this hospitality, the deliberations and accomplishments of this AnnualAssembly have been made easier and more successful,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that this Grand Council and all the Companions herein assembled,do herewith go on record as expressing their deep appreciation to the City of Ventura for theiroutstanding hospitality and friendship expressed to all who have attended this Annual Assembly.
Respectfully submitted: Kenneth G. Hope (35), Grand Recorder
Special Resolution No. 2 was ADOPTED.
SPECIAL RESOLUTION No. 3WHEREAS, the Host Channel Islands York Rite Bodies, working as a team, under the leadership ofIllustrious Companion John A. Argue, General Chairman, have so ably planned, prepared andexecuted the arrangements for this Annual Assembly, andWHEREAS, the Grand York Rite Sessions Committee, 2003, under the most able leadership of theGeneral Chairman and the Chairmen of the several committees and the committee members, havegiven of their time and talents to make this Annual Assembly so successful,NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this Grand Council and all the Companions herein assembled,
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do herewith express their sincere appreciation for a job well done and take this opportunity to publiclythank each and every one of the Companions and Ladies for their part in making this AnnualAssembly so pleasant.
Respectfully submitted: Kenneth G. Hope (35), Grand Recorder
Special Resolution No. 3 was ADOPTED.
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Annual Installation of Grand OfficersMost Illustrious Companion Dalton A. Noland, Most Illustrious Grand Master, welcomed thosepresent to this 143rd Annual Installation of Grand Officers of the Grand Council of Cryptic Masonsof the State of California. He then requested the Honorary Grand Marshal, M. I. Companion C. LeslieDent, KYGCH, MIPGM, to present the Grand Officers to this Grand Council, and the following wereinstalled into their respective stations by M. I. Companion Paul E. McCleary, MIPGM:
143RD MOST ILLUSTRIOUS GRAND MASTEREdmund W. Heath - Ventura Council No. 15
DEPUTY GRAND MASTERLarry A. Reynolds, Sr. - Roseville Council No. 54
GRAND PRINCIPAL CONDUCTOR OF THE WORKJose A. Fiss Alhambra Council No. 25
GRAND TREASURERDonald C. Gross, MIPGM - San Jose Council No. 20
GRAND RECORDERKenneth G. Hope - Shekinah Council No. 35
GRAND DIRECTOR OF RITUALKen G. Nagel - San Jose Council No. 20
GRAND CHAPLAINJohn A. Argue - Ventura Council No. 15
GRAND CAPTAIN OF THE GUARDRobert G. Grauer - Redwood Empire Council No. 46
GRAND CONDUCTOR OF THE COUNCILWilliam J. “Joe” Ryland - Alhambra Council No. 25
GRAND STEWARDJohn C. “Jack” Carpenter, Jr. - Bakersfield Council No. 28
GRAND SENTINELFrederick J. “Tiny” Potter - Ventura Council No. 15
GRAND ORATORSean N. Foran - Alpha Council No. 39
GRAND MARSHAL (NORTH)Oliver C. “Slim” Rieder, - Visalia Council No. 43
GRAND MARSHAL (SOUTH)Daniel C. Kaffka, Jr., - Ventura Council No. 15
GRAND ORGANISTCarl F. Miescke - San Jose Council No. 20
GRAND SOLOISTE. Floyd Griffin - Ventura Council No. 15
GRAND BIBLE BEARERRobert C. Rieder - Visalia Council No. 43
GRAND STANDARD BEARERAlfred M. Cockrell, Jr. - Roseville Council No. 54
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PROCLAMATIONMost Illustrious Companion Bruce Carmitchel, KYGCH, MIPGM, Installing Grand Marshal made thefollowing proclamation: "In the name of the Most Illustrious Grand Council of Cryptic Masons ofthe State of California, I proclaim the Officers of this Grand Council to be duly installed into theirrespective offices with the Grand Honors of Masonry."
Official Closing of the 143rd Annual AssemblyThere being no further business appearing before this 143rd Annual Assembly of the Grand Councilof Cryptic Masons of the State of California, the Grand Council was closed in ample form by MostIllustrious Companion Edmund W. Heath, Most Illustrious Grand Master, with peace and harmonyprevailing.
Edmund W. HeathMost Illustrious Grand Master
ATTEST:
Kenneth G. HopeGrand Recorder
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Minutes of the 49th Annual Assemblyof the Grand Council of
Thrice Illustrious Masters of CaliforniaApril 28, 20032
City of Ventura, California
The 50th Annual Assembly of the Grand Council of Thrice Illustrious Masters in California wasopened in Full Form at the Marriott Ventura Hotel in the City of Ventura, County of Ventura, on April28, A. D. 2003 A. Dep. 3003.Thrice Illustrious Master . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David E. HigdonThrice Illustrious Senior Warden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John A. ArgueThrice Illustrious Junior Warden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gerald L. EastonThrice Illustrious Chaplain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Thrice Illustrious Recorder/Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kenneth G. HopeThrice Illustrious Steward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Thrice Illustrious Sentinel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cast Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert R. VargoCostumes and Makeup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arthur C. MeigsImmediately following the formal opening of the Assembly, Most Illustrious Companion EdmundW. Heath the 142nd Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council, Cryptic Masons ofCalifornia, was received. He was accorded the Grand Honors of Masonry by three time three andescorted to a seat in the East.
The Thrice Illustrious Master relinquished the gavel of authority to the Most Illustrious Grand Masterand invited him to preside. The Most Illustrious Grand Master declined the invitation to preside.However, he made a few appropriate remarks before retiring from the Assembly.
Those eligible Illustrious Masters and Illustrious Past Masters, who were in waiting, were thenanointed and crowned as Thrice Illustrious Masters. They were then presented with certificates, silvertrowels, lapel pins and wallet cards attesting to their membership in the Order.
The Thrice Illustrious Master introduced the cast and expressed his appreciation to those whocontributed their time and effort in making this event successful.
A motion was made, seconded and carried to accept the minutes of the 49th Annual Assembly of theGrand Council of Thrice Illustrious Masters of California as published in the Proceedings.
The purposes of the Assembly having been accomplished, the Grand Council of Thrice IllustriousMasters in California was closed in proper form with peace and harmony prevailing.
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2002
-03
Gra
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2003 Proceedings - Grand Council Cryptic Masons of California
Respectfully submitted: Kenneth G. Hope, Thrice Illustrious Recorder
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Distinguished Visitors to 2003 Grand SessionsMost Worshipful Brother M. William Holsinger, Jr. Grand Master of Masons in California.
Very Worshipful Brother John L. Cooper III, K.Y.C.H.,- K.C.T., Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodgeof Free and Accepted Masons of California.
Worshipful Brother Howard A. Born, Grand Marshal of the Grand Lodge of California.
Worshipful Brother David D. Johnson, Grand Sword Bearer of the Grand Lodge of California.
Worshipful Brother John F. Lowe, Junior Grand Deacon of the Grand Lodge of California.
Most Puissant Companion Perry B. Anderson, K.Y.G.C.H., Most Puissant General Grand Master ofthe General Grand Council Cryptic Masons International. Past Grand High Priest, Past GrandIllustrious Master and Past Grand Commander of South Dakota.
Sir Knight Richard B. Baldwin, K.Y.G.C.H. - G.C.T., Right Eminent Grand Generalissimo of the GrandEncampment Knights Templar of the U.S.A. representing Sir Knight William J. Jones, K.Y.G.C.H. -G.C.T., Most Eminent Grand Master of the Grand Encampment Knights Templar of the U. S. A.
Most Excellent Companion Xavier A. “Sam” Pitassi, K.Y.G.C.H., General Grand Captain of the Host,General Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons International. Deputy General Grand High Priest, Southwest Region. Past Grand High Priest, Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of California, EminentlyDistinguished Grand Governor of California, Sovereign York Rite College of North America,representing Most Excellent Companion J. Benny Allen, General Grand High Priest.
Right Puissant Companion H. Edward Barr, K.Y.G.C.H., Most Illustrious Past Grand Master of theGrand Council Cryptic Masons of California; Southwestern Regional Deputy General Grand Master,Cryptic Masons International.
Sir Knight Paul A. Monroe, K.Y.G.C.H. - K.C.T., Right Eminent Past Grand Commander of the GrandCommandery of Knights Templar of Arizona; Right Eminent Southwestern Department Commanderof the Grand Encampment, Knights Templar of the U. S. A.
Most Excellent Companion Murray E. Cooke, K.Y.G.C.H.., Past Grand High Priest of the GrandChapter of Royal Arch Masons of California; Past General Grand High Priest of the General GrandChapter, Royal Arch Masons International.
Right Puissant Companion Donald C. Gross, K.Y.G.C.H., General Grand Captain of the Guard of theGeneral Grand Council Cryptic Masons International, Past Grand Master of the Grand Council ofCryptic Masons of California.
Most Excellent Companion Stanley C. Miller, K.Y.G.C.H., Most Excellent Grand High Priest of theGrand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of Oregon.
Most Illustrious Companion David G. Stankow, K.Y.G.C.H., Most Illustrious Past Grand Master ofthe Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of Nevada, Grand Secretary-Recorder, Grand York Rite ofArizona.
Sir Knight Robert A. Elsner, K.Y.G.C.H., Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of KnightsTemplar of Arizona.
Sir Knight James G. Kelley, Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar ofNevada.
Mrs. William Chant (Lois), C.T., Past Supreme Worthy President of the Supreme Assembly, SocialOrder of the Beauceant.
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Mrs. Fred Buxton (Carol), C.T., Past Supreme Worthy President of the Supreme Assembly, SocialOrder of the Beauceant.
Mrs. Carolyn A. McGill, Grand Royal Matron, California Grand Court, Order of the Amaranth.
Brother Roy Mathews, Grand Royal Patron, California Grand Court, Order of the Amaranth.
Mrs. Sara Lee Martin, Supreme Deputy for California, International Order of Rainbow for Girls.
Miss Lauren Maiman, Grand Worthy Advisor, International Order of Rainbow for Girls.
Mrs. Carolyn LaValley, Grand Guardian of California, International Order of Job’s Daughters.
Brother William W. Short, Associate Grand Guardian, International Order of Job’s Daughters.
Miss Robyn Waite, Grand Bethel Honored Queen of California, International; Order of Job’sDaughters.
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Recapitulation of 2002Annual Returns to Grand Council
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q1 123 0 2 0 0 0 2 3 0 0 5 0 8 117 0 -4.92 218 9 0 0 0 0 9 3 0 0 6 0 9 218 0 0.03 103 1 0 0 1 0 2 2 0 0 2 0 4 101 4 -1.95 47 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 3 0 4 44 0 -6.46 206 4 0 1 0 0 5 6 0 12 12 0 30 181 0-12.1
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Grand Council Committees2002-03
CRYPTIC JURISPRUDENCE POLICY AND PURPOSESDonald C. Briggs (51), Chairman Max C. Livingston (26), ChairmanEdmund W. Heath (15) Marcus J. Anwyl-Davies (35)Larry A. Reynolds, Sr. (54) Donald C. Gross (20)Jose A. Fiss (25)
BUDGET & FINANCETIME & PLACE Edmund W. Heath (15), ChairmanLONG RANGE PLANNING Vincent A. Bell (25)Edmund W. Heath (15), Chairman Kenneth G. Hope (35)Larry A. Reynolds, Sr. (54) Donald C. Gross (20Jose A. Fiss (25)) Larry A. Reynolds, Sr. (54)Kenneth G. Hope (35)
CHARTERS & CONSOLIDATIONSREPORTS OF GRAND OFFICERS Max C. Livingston (26), ChairmanIra R. Herring (47), Chairman Marcus J. Anwyl-Davies (35)Robert G. Grauer (46) Donald C. Gross (20)William J. Ryland (25)
COMBINED VESPERSAPPEALS & GRIEVANCES Fr. Charles E. Maier (14) ChairmanH. Edward Barr (11), Chairman Kenneth G. Hope (35)Sidney H. Cerates (17) Calvin G. Lessing (51)William J. Ryland (25)Jose A. Fiss (25) CRYPTIC MASONS
MEDICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATIONRITUAL H. Edward Barr (40), ChairmanKen G. Nagel (20), Chairman Scott B. Arens (58)Kenneth K.S. Won (2) Jon D. Humphreys (1)Robert L. Henson (54) Dennis L. Ward (27)David E. Higdon (43) Robert C. Hansen (12)Robert R. Vargo (14) Sidney H. Cerates (12)Harold S. Haulbrook (11) Paul B. Dobie (37)John A. Argue (15) David E. Higdon (43)
R. Craig Bailing (45)CREDENTIALS Walter D. Hanish (54)Daniel C. Kaffka, Jr. (15), ChairmanClaude D. Martin, Sr. (15) MEMBERSHIPRobert V. Wright, Jr. (15) Carlos H. Gonzalez (11), ChairmanFederick J. Potter (15) David E. Higdon (43)Maurice W. Bralley, Jr. (15) Jon D. Humphreys (1)
Howard H. Barnes (27)EXECUTIVEDalton A. Noland (5146), Chairman YOUTHEdmund W. Heath (15) Edwin D. Clarke (20), ChairmanLarry A. Reynolds, Sr. (54) Kenneth E. Ruyle (20)Jose A. Fiss (25) Mrs. Pat Mosier AdvisorKenneth G. Hope (35) Mrs. Sara Lee Martin AdvisorKen G. Nagel (20)
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AWARDS GRAND MASTER’S ADVISORYDalton A. Noland (51), Chairman Harry W. LeBleu (29), ChairmanEdmund W. Heath (15) All M.I.G.M.’sRobert G. Grauer (46)Ken G. Nagel (20)Jose A. Fiss (20)John C. Carpenter, Jr. (28)Larry A. Reynolds, Sr. (54)William J. Ryland (25)Kenneth G. Hope (35)
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Grand CouncilGrand Master of Ish Sodi Awardees
1985 Marlin L. Esh1985 James S. O. Greene1985 Richard D. Glass1985 Charles E. Moomey1985 John W. Worman1986 Ernest W. Lathrop1986 H. Larry Kean1986 Samuel T. Flowers1986 Roy M. Haber, Jr.1986 Richard L. Gesner1987 Ernest B. Smith1987 Fred W. Morrow1987 G. Elmo Hall1987 Albert G. Cowan, Jr.1988 William F. Cominolo1988 Carl W. Allison1988 E. Clifford Still1988 B. Frank Summers1988 Mervyn D. LeGros1989 John W. Stube1989 Apolinario T. Concepcion1989 Lawrence D. Hyatt1989 Bruce S. Stuart1989 George W. Beal1990 Stephen S. Hedington1990 Addison D. Ryan1990 Anthony J. Sanborn1990 Daniel C. Kaffka, Jr.1991 Donald C. Gross1991 Donald J. Spencer1991 Albert F. Reynolds1991 John H. Spittler1991 Thomas W. Storer1992 Xavier A. Pitassi1992 Nicholas W. Peterson1992 Robert R. Vargo1992 Lawrence E. Sheller1992 David C. Brown1993 Arthur C. Meigs1993 Edwin F. Seaward1993 Frederick T. Alexander1993 Leslie S. Wilson1993 Dwaine W. Jones
Robert A. Freyer 1994Albert M. Lewis 1994
William N. Brasher 1994Fredrick W. Hughes 1994
Fergus K. Smith 1994Parker J. Harrington 1995Edelito H. Medina 1995
Robert C. Coe 1995Marshall F. Parker 1995
Earl S. Lindauer, Jr. 1995John L. Cooper III 1996
Kenneth G. Hope 1996Roy W. Boltz 1996
Edmund W. Heath 1996Dennis L. Ward 1996
Robert G. Grauer 1997Calvin G. Lessing 1997
Bernard R. Seamans 1997Mourad Kaplanian 1997
Frederick G. Kleyn III 1997George E. Davis 1998
Sidney H. Cerates 1998John M. Robertson 1998Gregory A. Louis 1998
Edgar W. Fentum 1998Frederick J. Kussman 1998
Joe D. Petree 1999David M. Shull 1999David E. Sokol 1999Jack E. Green 1999
Claude D. Martin, Sr. 1999Paul B. Dobie 2000Billy R. Ross 2000
Richard E. Potts 2000John C. Carpenter, Jr. 2000
Walter A. Souza 2000B. M. “Chik” Hylton 2000
Harry W. LeBleu 2001Larry A. Reynolds, Sr. 2001
Wilbur H. Stevens 2001Jerry M. Sherrill 2001Gerald L. Easton 2001
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2002 Donald C. Briggs2002 Robert C. Hansen2002 Carl F. Miescke2002 James A. Guiddy2002 Harold S. Haulbrook2002 Rickey O. Ward2002 Robert L. Henson
General Grand CouncilCryptic Mason of the Year Awardees
1971 Frederick D. Flye1972 Robert C. Farmer1973 David H. Terry1974 Leland O. Glandon1975 Otto C. Hielscher1976 Rudolph H. Hupe1977 David S. Forsyth1978 Everett J. G. Chapman1979 Douglas C. Semmens1980 Howard W. Cliff1981 Ira W. Helm1982 David P. Ottinger, Jr.1983 C. Kenneth Buss1984 William B. Carter1985 George C. Stinebaugh1986 Lud L. Handley1987 Don F. Anders
Roy M. Haber, Jr. 1988James J. McDonald III 1989
Robert C. Thomas 1990Paul G. Acord 1991
Thomas W. Storer 1992Lawrence E. Shellar 1993Edward R. Jury, Sr. 1994
John P. Gibson 1995Albert M. Lewis 1996Robert R. Vargo 1997
Robert G. Grauer 1998Frederick G. Kleyn III 1999Larry A. Reynolds, Sr. 2000
Dennis L. Ward 2001Robert A. Wrede 2002Calvin G. Lessing 2003
General Grand Council Adult Leadership Awardees1984 Everett L. Halstead1985 Henry E. Stickney1986 Thomas M. Boles1987 David S. Forsyth1988 Peter G. Gibson1989 Frank M. Smallwood1991 Robert G. Taylor1992 Edwin D. Clark
John F. Morgan 1995Frederick G. Kleyn III 1996
Frank E. "Bill" Lind 1997Ken Ruyle 1998
Mr. Vernon M. Cable 1999Mrs. Anna Lind 2000
Martin E. McKeay 2001William S. Moses 2002
Isador Ortega, Sr. 2003
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Councils of Cryptic Masons in CaliforniaSince Organization of Grand Council in 1860
NAME YEAR CITY MEMBERS
Sacramento No. 1 1860 Sacramento 117California No. 2 1860 South San Francisco 218Marysville No. 3 1860 Yuba City 101Sierra Nevada No. 4 1860 Placerville +++Sonora No. 5 1861 Sonora 44Shasta No. 6 1862 Red Bluff 181Virginia City No. 7 1865 Benicia +++Siskiyou No. 8 1867 Yreka +++Helena No. 9 1868 Helena, MT +++Stockton No. 10 1870 Stockton 56Omega No. 11 1871 Van Nuys 481Oakland No. 12 1883 Alameda 247Gateway No. 13 1897 Auburn 74Orange County No. 14 1898 Anaheim 180Ventura No. 15 1901 Ventura 124Pasadena No. 16 1902 Pasadena +++Santa Cruz No. 17 1905 Salinas 63Fresno No. 18 1905 Fresno 61Santa Barbara No. 19 1908 Santa Barbara +++San Jose No. 20 1909 San Jose 150Pomona No. 21 1909 Pomona 70Oroville No. 22 1909 Oroville +++San Diego No. 23 1910 Chula Vista 257Siskiyou No. 24 1910 Yreka +++Alhambra No. 25 1912 Rosemead 103Long Beach No. 26 1915 Long Beach 152Valley No. 27 1915 San Bernardino 119Bakersfield No. 28 1919 Bakersfield 59King Solomons No. 29 1920 Vallejo 231Naval No. 30 1921 Vallejo +++Amador No. 31 1924 Sutter Creek 84Azusa No. 32 1924 Azusa +++Hollywood No. 33 1925 Hollywood +++Imperial Valley No. 34 1925 El Centro +++Shekinah No. 35 1926 Bellflower 429
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NAME YEAR CITY MEMBERS
Zabud No. 36 1926 Woodland +++Pacific No. 37 1927 Eureka 48San Luis Obispo No. 38 1927 San Luis Obispo 108Alpha No. 39 1927 Santa Monica 144San Fernando Valley No. 40 1947 San Fernando +++Coalinga No. 41 1950 Coalinga +++Foothill No. 42 1951 West Covina 68Visalia No. 43 1951 Visalia 149Sierra Nevada No. 44 1953 Quincy 42San Pedro No. 45 1953 Manhattan Beach 74Redwood Empire No. 46 1953 Sebastopol 158Merced No. 47 1953 Merced 50Unity No. 48 1954 Los Angeles +++Zabud No. 49 1955 Pico Rivera +++Butte No. 50 1957 Oroville 117Palo Alto No. 51 1959 Palo Alto 141Oneonta No. 52 1959 South Pasadena +++Adoniram No. 53 1960 Whittier +++Roseville No. 54 1960 Roseville 141Porterville No. 55 1961 Porterville +++Antelope Valley No. 56 1961 Lancaster +++Centennial No. 57 1961 Needles +++Helix No. 58 1961 Escondido 206Riverside No. 59 1974 Riverside 141Imperial Valley No. 60 1979 Imperial 37Modesto No. 61 1979 Modesto 78Nevada No. 62 1979 Nevada City 48Solvang No. 63 1987 Santa Maria +++Oasis No. 64 1997 Victorville 61
2003 Proceedings - Grand Council Cryptic Masons of California
Past Grand Illustrious Masters1860 Adolphus Hollub1861 James L. English1862 William A. Davies1863 Anderson Seavy1864 Frederick F. Barss1865 Frederick F. Barss1866 William F. Knox1867 Leonard Gross1868 William T. Reynolds1870 Powell S. Lawson
1871 Henry S. Orme1872 George T. Grimes1873 William M. Petrie1874 Louis Cohn1875 William A. January1876 William M. Petrie1877 Edwin A. Rodgers1878 Edward R. Hedges1879 John W. Rock1880 Daniel P. Bystle
1881 Daniel P. Bystle1882 George A. McKenzie1883 Franklin H. Day1884 Robert G. Cunningham1885 Charles L. Field1886 William E. Oughton1887 William E. Oughton1888 W. Frank Pierce
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Past Grand Masters1860 Isaac Davis1861 William C. Belcher1862 Adolphus Hollub1863 Isaac S. Titus1864 William A. Davies1865 Anderson Seavy1866 James L. English1867 Alvin B. Preston1868 Joseph Isaacs1870 Frederick F. Barss1871 Stephen Wing1872 Thomas Kyle1873 William Reynolds1874 Powell S. Lawson1875 Henry S. Orme1876 Henry S. Orme1877 George T. Grimes1878 William M. Petrie1879 Edwin A. Rodgers1880 Edward R. Hedges1881 Edward R. Hedges1882 John W. Rock1883 Daniel P. Bystle1884 George A. McKenzie1885 Franklin H. Day1886 Charles L. Field1887 Charles L. Field1888 James B. Merritt1889 William E. Oughton1890 W. Frank Pierce1891 W. Frank Pierce1892 W. Frank Pierce1893 David P. Marshall1894 George Penlington1895 Charles E. Gillett1896 William H. Davis1897 Henry Ashcroft1898 Robert Ash1899 August Wackerbarth1900 Jacob H. Neff1901 William Scarborough1902 John C. Bisbee1903 Albert H. Merritt1904 David M. Sutherland1905 Edward Kell1906 Charles J. Willett1907 Charles W. Norton
1908 William H. Gaynor1909 William O. Girardey1910 Thompson W. Drullard1911 Benjamin B. Cartwright1912 Joseph A. Courter1913 Thomas O. Heydenfeldt1914 Charles S. Anderson1915 William P. Butcher1916 Robert H. DeWitt1917 Harvey L. Martin1918 Samuel E. Burke1919 H. Ray Fry1920 David J. Reese1921 Ernest E. Ford1922 Francis H. E. O'Donnell1923 Clark H. Shaw1924 J. Albert Dole1925 Chas. P. MacLafferty1926 William L. Duggan1927 Charles H. King1928 Mattison B. Jones1929 Hirma S. Hutchings1930 Lewis E. Kent1931 Seward M. Estabrook1932 Edward B. Spencer1933 Daniel B. Richards1934 Joseph H. Wilson1935 Clifton S. Hite1936 James V. Tonkin1937 Walter Bonnett1938 Melvin A. Bresee1939 Frank C. Homan1940 Roscoe G. Hewitt1941 Baker W. Blanchard1942 William P. Humphreys1943 Frederick M. Jacobs1944 Albert F. Ross1945 George G. Verbryck1946 Arthur C. Parsons1947 James M. Kemp1948 Hugh D. Moncur1949 Arch W. Palmer1950 Leo J. Wilson1951 John H. Robinson1952 Hamilcar Smith1953 Joseph A. Garry1954 Frank Marple
1955 J. Fred Helms1956 Robert R. Ruchti1957 Howard Gee1958 Robert W. Cottle, Sr.1959 Emmet H. Ernst1960 Robert L. Karnes1961 Irvin B. Beckham1962 Arch Bradshaw1963 Charles W. Redlin1964 Eggert Rohwer1965 Andrew F. Johnson1966 Theodore F. Tower1967 Leonard Hooper1968 Arthur B. Ledbetter1969 George C. Holstein1970 Benjamin T. Salmon1971 Charles G. Hulse1972 C. Robert Beck1973 George D. Yale1974 Leonard L. Cutshall1975 Clifford L. Duncan1976 Paul O. Gooder1977 Robert J. McKeay1978 Howard L. Taber1979 Donald C. Briggs1980 Jay L. Brown1981 Phillip F. Hofer1982 Louis J. Wells1983 Vernon T. Fike1984 Victor N. Legerton1985 Everett J. G. Chapman1986 Laurence C. Cook1987 George C. Little1988 David P. Ottinger, Jr.1989 Jack H. Devers, Sr.1990 Gene P. Pierce1991 Don F. Anders1992 Ira R. Herring1993 Bruce O. Carmitchel1994 C. Leslie Dent1995 Roy M. Haber, Jr.1996 H. Edward Barr1997 Harry W. LeBleu1998 Paul E. McCleary1999 Donald C. Gross2000 Max C. Livingston2001 James G. Baum
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Past Deputy Grand Masters1860 Willliam C. Belcher1861 Adolphus Hollub1862 Isaac S. Titus1863 William A. Davis1864 Anderson Seavy1865 Louis Cohn1866 Alvin B. Preston1867 Joseph Isaacs1868 Frederick F. Barss1870 Stephen Wing1871 Thomas Kyle1872 William T. Reynolds1873 Powell S. Lawson1874 Henry S. Orme1875 George T. Grimes1876 George T. Grimes1877 William M. Petrie1878 Edwin A. Rodgers1879 Edward R. Hedges1880 John W. Rock1881 John W. Rock1882 Daniel P. Bystle1883 George A. McKenzie1884 Franklin H. Day1885 Robert G. Cunningham1886 James B. Merritt1887 James B. Merritt1888 William E. Oughton1889 W. Frank Pierce1890 David P. Marshall1891 David P. Marshall1892 David P. Marshall1893 George Penlington1894 Charles E. Gillette1895 William H. Davis1896 Henry Ashcroft1897 Robert Ash1898 August Wackerbarth1899 Jacob H. Neff1900 William Scarborough1901 John G. Bisbee1902 Albert H. Merritt1903 David M. Sutherland1904 Edward Kell1905 Charles J. Willett1906 Charles W. Norton1907 William H. Gaynor
1908 William O. Girarde1909 Thompson W. Drullard1910 Benjamin B. Cartwright1911 Joseph A. Courter1912 Thomas Heydenfeldt1913 Charles S. Anderson1914 William P. Butcher1915 Robert H. DeWitt1916 Harvey L. Marvin1917 Samuel E. Burke1918 H. Ray Fry1919 David J. Reese1920 Ernest E. Ford1921 Francis H. E. O'Donnell1922 Clark H. Shaw1923 Harry Maundrell1924 Chas. P. MacLafferty1925 William L. Duggan1926 Charles H. King1927 Mattison B. Jones1928 Hiram S. Hutchings1929 Lewis E. Kent1930 Seward M. Estabrook1931 Edward B. Spencer1932 Daniel B. Richards1933 Joseph H. Wilson1934 Clifton S. Hite1935 James V. Tonkin1936 Walter E. Bonnet1937 Melvin A. Bresee1938 Frank C. Holman1939 Baker W. Blanchard1940 Baker W. Blanchard1941 William P. Humphreys1942 Frederick M. Jacobs1943 Albert F. Ross1944 George C. Verbryck1945 Arthur C. Parsons1946 James M. Kemp1947 Hugh D. Moncur1948 Arch W. Palmer1949 Leo J. Wilson1950 John H. Robinson1952 Hamilcar Smith1953 Joseph A. Garry1953 Francis S. Brennen1954 J. Fred Helms
1955 Robert R. Ruchti1956 Howard Gee1957 Robert W. Cottle, Sr.1958 Emmet H. Ernest1959 Robert l. Karnes1960 Irvin B. Beckham1961 Arch Bradshaw1962 Charles W. Redlin1963 Eggert Rohwer1964 Andrew F. Johnson1965 Theodore F. Tower1966 Leonard Hooper1967 Arthur B. Ledbetter1968 Paul A. Bigsby1969 Benjamin T. Salmon1970 Charles G. Hulse1971 C. Robert Beck1972 George D. Yale 1973 Leonard Cutshall1974 Clifford L. Duncan1975 Paul A. Gooder1976 Robert J. McKeay1977 Howard L. Taber1978 Donald C. Briggs1979 Jay L. Brown1980 James K. Wilson1981 Louis J. Wells1982 Vernon T. Fike1983 Victor N. Legerton1984 Everett J. G. Chapman1985 Laurence C. Cook1986 George C. Little1987 David P. Ottinger, Jr.1988 Jack H. Devers, Sr.1989 Gene P. Pierce1990 Don F. Anders1991 Ira R. Herring1992 Bruce O. Carmitchel1993 C. Leslie Dent1994 Roy M. Haber, Jr.1995 H. Edward Barr1996 Harry W. LeBleu1997 Paul E. McCleary1998 Donald C. Gross1999 Max C. Livingston2000 James G. Baum2001 Dalton A. Noland
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Past Grand Principal Conductors of the Work1860 James L. English1861 Isaac S. Titus1862 John A. Tutt1863 Charles L. Danielson1864 William A. January1865 Alvin B. Preston1866 Joseph Isaacs1867 William F. Knox1868 Stephen Wing1870 Thomas Kyle1871 Powell S. Lawson1872 Henry S. Orme1873 George T. Grimes1874 Edmund T. Wilkins1875 Edwin A. Rodgers1876 Edwin A. Rodgers1877 Edward R. Hedges1878 John W. Rock1879 Daniel P. Bystle1880 George A. McKenzie1881 George A. McKenzie1882 Franklin H. Day1883 Robert G. Cunningham1884 Lemuel T. Crane1885 James B. Merritt1886 W. Frank Pierce1887 W. Frank Pierce1888 David P. Marshall1889 David P. Marshall1890 George Penlington1891 George Penlington1892 George Penlington1893 Charles E. Gillette1894 William H. Davis1895 Henry Ashcroft1896 Robert Ash1897 August Wackerbarth1898 Jacob H. Neff1899 William Scarborough1900 John G. Bisbee1901 Albert H. Merritt1902 David M. Sutherland1903 Edward Kell1904 Charles J. Willett1905 Charles W. Norton1906 William H. Gaynor1907 William O. Girardey
1908 Thompson W.Drullard1909 Benjamin B. Cartwright1910 Joseph A. Courter1911 Thomas O. Heydenfeldt1912 Charles S. Anderson1913 William P. Butcher1914 Robert H. DeWitt1915 Harvey L. Marvin1916 Samuel E. Burke1917 H. Ray Fry1918 David J. Reese1919 Ernest E.Ford1920 Francis H. E. O'Donnell1921 Clark H. Shaw1922 Harry Maundrell1923 J. Albert Dole1924 William L. Duggan1925 Charles H. King1926 Mattison B. Jones1927 Hiram S. Hutchings1928 Lewis E. Kent1929 Seaward M. Estabrook1930 Edward B. Spencer1931 Daniel B. Richards1932 Joseph H. Wilson1933 Clifton S. Hite1934 James V. Tonkin1935 Walter E. Bonnet1936 Melvin A. Bresee1937 Frank C. Holman1938 Baker W. Blanchard1939 Roscoe G. Hewitt1940 William P. Humphreys1941 Frederick M. Jacobs1942 Albert F. Ross1943 George C. Verbryck1944 Arthur C. Parsons1945 James M. Kemp1946 Elwin P. Norberg1947 Arch W. Palmer1948 Leo J. Wilson1949 John H. Robinson1950 Hamilcar Smith1951 Joseph A. Garry1952 Francis S. Brennen1953 Ray L.Abraham1954 Robert R. Ruchti
1955 Howard Gee1956 Robert W. Cottle, Sr.1957 Emmet H. Ernst1958 Robert L. Karnes1959 Irvin B. Beckman1960 Arch Bradshaw1961 Charles W. Redlin1962 Eggert Rohwer1963 Anderew F. Johnson1964 Theodore F.Tower1965 Leonard Hooper1966 Arthur B. Ledbetter1967 Paul A. Bigsby1968 George C. Holstein1969 Charles G. Hulse1970 C. Robert Beck1971 George D. Yale1972 Leonard Cutshall1973 Clifford L. Duncan1974 Paul O. Gooder1975 Robert J. McKeay1976 Howard L. Taber1977 Donald C. Briggs 1978 Jay L. Brown1979 James K. Wilson1980 Phillip F. Hofer1983 Vernon T. Fike1982 Victor N. Legerton1983 Everett J. G. Chapman1984 Laurence C. Cook1985 George C. Little1986 David P. Ottinger, Jr.1987 Jack H. Devers, Sr.1988 Gene P. Pierce1989 Don F. Anders1990 Ira R. Herring1991 Bruce O. Carmitchel1992 C. Leslie Dent1993 Roy M. Haber, Jr.1994 H. Edward Barr1995 Harry W. LeBleu1996 Paul E. McCleary1997 Donald C. Gross1998 Max C. Livingston1999 James G. Baum2000 Dalton A. Noland2001 Edmund W. Heath
2003 Proceedings - Grand Council Cryptic Masons of California
NOTE: Virginia and West Virginia do not have Grand Councils.
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List of Recognized Grand Councils and Grand RecordersGeneral Grand Council, International (1883) Fax: 309-593-2812 . . . . . Ronald E. FullerloveP. O. Box 310, Sherrard, IL 61281-0310 E-Mail [email protected] (309) 593-2812
Alabama (1827) Fax: 205-951-0144 E-Mail [email protected] . . Arthur C. HardingP. O. Box 320262, Birmingham, AL 35232-0262 (205) 595-7040
NOTE: Virginia and West Virginia do not have Grand Councils.
* Not affiliated with General Grand Council Cryptic Masons International
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Masonic Calendar
SYMBOLIC or ANCIENT CRAFT MASONRY: Ancient Craft Masons commence theirEra with the creation of the world, calling it Anno Lucis (A. L.), "in the Year of Light,"adding 4000 to the common calendar. Thus, A. D. 2003 equals A. L. 6003. SymbolicLodges hold Communications.
CAPITULAR MASONRY: Royal Arch Masons date from the year of the commence-meant of the building of the second Temple by Zerubbabel, calling it Anno Inventionis(A. I.), "in the Year of the Discovery," adding 530 to the common calendar. Thus, A. D.2003 equals A. I. 2533. Royal Arch Chapters hold Convocations.
CRYPTIC MASONRY: Cryptic Masons date from the year in which the Temple ofSolomon was completed, calling it Anno Depositionis (A. Dep.), "in the Year of theDeposit," adding 1000 to the common calendar. Thus, A. D. 2003 is equivalent to A.Dep. 3003. Cryptic Councils hold Assemblies.
CHIVALRIC MASONRY or TEMPLARY: Knights Templar commence their Era withthe organization of their Order, calling it Anno Ordinis (A. O.), "in the Year of theOrder," subtracting 1118 from the common calendar. Thus, A. D. 2003 is the same asA. O. 885. Commanderies of Knights Templar hold Conclaves.
ORDER OF HIGH PRIESTHOOD: Anointed High Priests date from the year of theblessing of Abraham by the High Priest, Melchizedek, King of Salem, calling it AnnoBenedictionis (A. B. or A. Beo.), "in the Year of the Blessing," adding 1913 to thecommon calendar. Thus, A. D. 2003 equals A. B. 3916. Councils of Anointed HighPriests hold Conventions.
SCOTTISH RITE MASONRY: The Scottish Rite dates as do Ancient Craft Masonsexcept that they use the Jewish chronology, calling it Anno Mundi (A. M.), "in the Yearof the World," adding 3760 to the common calendar. Thus, A. D. 2003 equals A. M.5763. Scottish Rite Consistories hold Reunions or Rendezvous.
SHRINEDOM: Temples of the Ancient Arabic Order, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine marktime by cycles. Each 30 years from the Hegira of July 15, A. D. 622 constitutes a cycle,in which 19 of the years contain 355 days and 11 years contain 356 days. ShrineTemples hold Sessions.
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Notes
2003 Proceedings - Grand Council Cryptic Masons of California
2003 Proceedings - Grand Council Cryptic Masons of California
Dates of Annual and Triennial Sessions
The 150th Annual Convocation of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the Stateof California will be held at the Hilton Sacramento Arden West Hotel in the City ofSacramento, County of Sacramento, on April 26th, A. D. 2004, A. I. 2534.
The 144th Annual Assembly of the Grand Council, Cryptic Masons of California willbe held at the Hilton Sacramento Arden West Hotel in the City of Sacramento, Countyof Sacramento, on April 27th, A. D. 2004, A. Dep. 3004.
The 146th Annual Conclave of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of the Stateof California will be held at the Hilton Sacramento Arden West Hotel in the City ofSacramento, County of Sacramento, on April 28th, A. D. 2004, A. O. 886.
The 144th Annual Convention of Anointed High Priests of California will be held at theHilton Sacramento Arden West Hotel in the City of Sacramento, County of Sacramento,on April 26th, A. D. 2004, A. Beo. 3917.
The 52nd Annual Assembly of the Grand Council of Thrice Illustrious Masters ofCalifornia will be held at the Hilton Sacramento Arden West Hotel in the City ofSacramento, County of Sacramento , on April 27th, A. D. 2004 A. Dep. 3004.
The 24th Annual Conclave of the Past Commanders Association of California will beheld at the Hilton Sacramento Arden West Hotel in the City of Sacramento, County ofSacramento on April 28th, A. D. 2004, A. O. 886.
The 66th Triennial Convocation of the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons,International will be held in Rapid City, South Dakota on October 2-5, A. D. 2005, A.I. 2535.
The 42nd Triennial Assembly of the General Grand Council, Cryptic Masons,International will be held in Rapid City, South Dakota on October 2-5, A. D. 2005. A.Dep. 3005.
The 63rd Triennial Conclave of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of theUnited States of America will be held in the City of Houston, Texas on August 11-16,A. D. 2006, A. O. 888.
Grand Council Officers2003-04
143rd MOST ILLUSTRIOUS GRAND MASTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Edmund W. HeathVentura Council No. 15 (805) 340-7841P. O. Box 3025; Camarillo 93011-3025 Dorothy
DEPUTY GRAND MASTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Larry A. Reynolds, Sr.Roseville Council No. 54 (530) 885-59961255 Boot Hill Ln; Newcastle 95658-9658 Barbara
GRAND PRINCIPAL CONDUCTOR OF THE WORK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jose A. FissAlhambra Council No. 25 (818) 899-413413436 Bracken St; Arleta 91331-5707 Rosa Maria