Tonight I headed to Waynesville Ohio for the regular meeting of Robert L Williams AMD. They had a nice dinner prior to the meeting. Considering the current health conditions they had a good turnout. The seats were all marked so folks were 6ft apart. They also held their annual elections and installation of officers for 2021.
Well
I originally had planned to attend the 4th District Chapter Meeting tonight but
something came up and I was not going to be able to leave in time to make it. I
did, however, Zoom into the Leadership Meeting for Antioch Shrine and represent
the Greeters since the meeting started at 7 and I finished up what I needed to
get done at 6:55 (and caused me to miss the other meeting as I mentioned
above). This was a hybrid Zoom/in person meeting but as I mentioned I was just
barely able to attend as part of the Zoom meeting. We covered upcoming events
and discussed the Shrine Hospital move from Cincinnati to Dayton.
Tonight our Grand Guard in conjunction with his team of members of several Chapters counted the ballots for both legislation and new officers for the upcoming year. Since our normal in person system was not feasible this year we mailed ballots to those who, by the code, were identified as eligible to vote. Let me say this was a monumental task to make this happen and our Grand Secretary and his wife Donna along with several others who helped him achieved this tasked deserve everyone’s thank. Surprisingly most of those returning ballots appeared to have read the instructions and voted per the instructions while being given the opportunity to vote for or against Legislation per their on conscience and for the officers they wanted to serve this Grand Chapter in the upcoming year. All results will be announced at an invitation only gathering October 7th with each Chapter receiving the results along with all reports for 2019-20. While I would have personally liked to have proceeded in the normal matters associated with our Grand Session this year as in prior years, my paramount concerned had to be for the welfare and health of our members and Chapters. I hope next year by the time of our Grand Session we can once again meet together as in the past. I urge all members to do their best to stay safe and healthy and comply with the temporary changes needed to ensure everyone’s health. We may not all agree on how things can be done to get us back to “normal” in our Royal Arch Chapters but hopefully we all do agree that working together to ensure we grow and prosper must be our common goal.
Today wasn’t busy going to meeting but rather following up on administration items for Grand Chapter. October 7th is fast approaching when I will turn over control to the next Grand High Priest. I guarantee a peaceful turnover which our Grand King and I have already started working on about a month ago. This weekend we will have a team counting ballots (which were due back yesterday).
While I officially went out here in April (though we couldn’t hold an in person meeting and used ZOOM to install new officers) I returned tonight to help fill in as needed in the officer line as I knew some couldn’t make it. While it was basically an officer only driven meeting, a couple joking said, I was staring back through from the bottom again. I enjoy going to the meetings but next time I will be on the sidelines.
Tonight I had to travel to Springfield and stayed for the Grotto meeting in Springfield. Several from Achbar in Columbus travelled over as their meeting got cancelled this evening. With everyone wearing a mask (and many wearing their Grotto mask) we were spread out through the room to socially distance while they covered several different topics. Many of their new Prophets from July were in attendance. The Monarch from Achbar forgot his fez and got to wear the special one Khana Shahar has folks to wear if they forget their fez. It is all in fun.
I had intended to head to Kentucky for their in
person Grand Session tomorrow but after some further discussions with some
folks from the medical field decided against attending. While it isn't that I'm
extremely concerned about getting the virus infection, I was reminded if anyone
in attendance had it I would need to quarantine for two weeks and thus would have to miss
the installation of the new Grand Chapter officers. I
decided since there will be a sizeable crowd in a smaller enclosed area, social
distancing might be difficult and even with a mask might be a challenge. This
is the same location I’ve attended in the past for their Grand Session and the
room it is held in is not that large. On a normal year it is sufficient in size
but not sure about under the current conditions. Better safe than sorry.
Today was our first opportunity to meet since March at the Dayton Masonic Center and it was good to see several I haven’t seen since March. There was plenty of room to social distance and the meeting, after we ate, was fairly short as the outside speaker had to cancel out last evening as they had been quarantined. A little later I met REC Dan Smith where we exchanged the GHP jewel I had lent to him for his official picture. He was in Dayton to review the Dayton Masonic Center site for our annual installation for Grand Chapter on October 7th.
Tonight
I attended a Zoom meeting where a few from the Ohio Grotto Association got
together to discuss the possibility of some suggestions to bring o the Ohio
Board of Trustees for the Association. We discussed a couple of items
and it was a good meeting where we found out some things that we were unaware
of but will probably still bring up the items for the Boards consideration in
February. Since the Association only gets together 3 times a year (and this
year two meeting had to be cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns), the February
meeting will probably be filled with items to discuss for the future. I’m glad to see folks are thinking about
things despite some of the challenges we are all facing with the virus and its
overall effect on the organization.
Today in West Carrollton we held our annual meeting, elections and installation. Grand Superintendent Dan Conley was in attendance. The meeting was compacted and items which could be delayed were referred to our next meeting. Greg Clatterbuck was elected and installed as the new Excellent Chief.
Today I attended a reduced Conclave held online in addition to a minimal number in person. (While I could have attended in person, I decided to leave more room for DeMolay’s and parents of those being installed) by attending online. While I would have preferred to attend in person, especially as Grand High Priest, I’m hoping next year we can be back more to normal so I can attend in person.
Every year the Grand High Priest is required to reveiw the contents of our safety deposit box. I picked today for that review (I originally had planned it in around April before COVID-19 hit). We have in it a couple of the old style PGHP jewels along with the original hand written ritual. Also contained in the box are a few other miscellaneous Grand Chapter items that might prove helpful to recreate our records in the case of a disaster at the office.
Tonight I went to Warren Ohio to attend the stated meeting for Ali Baba Grotto. They had a reasonable turnout especially since many of their members will be at the building most of the weekend for a car show they are hosting. They ran a very efficient meeting and reviewed the plans for the weekend to ensure all areas were covered. I was glad to be headed back home at a decent hour since I headed to Cleveland around 7 this morning.
It is with great sorrow to announce that Companion Carl Boggs passed to eternal rest September 15th, 2020. Brother Boggs was just three weeks short of his 103rd birthday.Companion Boggs of Walnut Chapter 172 laffiliated from Temple No. 155 in June 1995 and was a member of Groveport Lockbourne Lodge # 801. His Chapter experiences are remarkable as his journey from Mark Master to Royal Arch was accomplished in one month in 1940. Companion Boggs recieved an 80 year service award from Most Excellent Grand High Priest Jeff Shaw on March 6, 2020.
Tonight was our monthly stated meeting and we had 11 members present. For a Grotto of only 42 and several members out of state or unable to physically attend, I think this is pretty good. We had several items to cover but kept things moving so we were done within an hour. We then had refreshments and a quick game before heading home.
This afternoon I headed to Dayton where Unity Chapter held their stated meeting. They also read a letter from Mt. Moriah, who also meets in the building, asking to merge with them after voting to do so at their meeting last week. Mt. Moriah has been working to turn things around for a while but just can’t get much help from their own members. Another factor is there are 3 Chapters in the Dayton Temple and they have gone from 13 Lodges down to 5. Both Chapters have been working closely over the past few years and currently both have the same Secretary. While I hate to see any mergers, this might be one that will benefit Unity and possibly Victory who also meets in the temple as some who can’t attend during the day will probably move over to Victory Chapter.
Well tonight I headed to Norwoods stated Chapter meeting But the must have decided to forego the meeting or have it remotely. I’m glad this wasn’t really that far and I really probably should have confirmed prior to heading there this evening. The best part is it was a nice easy drive and I got home really early. P.S. I looked at another source when I got home at it didn’t mention a meeting tonight... guess I should have used that source.
Tonight I travelled to Tiffin Ohio for the stated Chapter meeting of Grand Royal Arch Captain Ken Foy. They had a very good turnout especially since they haven't been able to meet in person for six months. The Temple Board did some massive renovations while the Temple was not in use and it looks great. It turned out to be a nice drive up and back.
Today's meeting was somewhat unplanned but needed to be held to finalize some events in our district along with a couple of Grand Chapter activities. With the way everything has gone this year, often future planning has had to take a back burner as everything has been changing so fast it might need to be replanned tomorrow. That being said, planning is a necessary part of getting things back a little more towards being normal and I think that is what everyone is hoping happens soon.
Tonight Pam and I traveled over to Athens Ohio with Grand Marshal Greg Clatterbuck and his wife Kathy for the Grand High Priest Reception. This is also the home district of Grand Scribe Rod Carr. We were supposed to have this back in May but for obvious reasons it had to be delayed. This is one reception that I've made for many years and they have a great facility to hold the event.
Well today we have are final business session and after that I’m headed home. We will vote on some straightforward legislation and elect the new person to the line. With 4 running it might take a while. When I getting home I’m headed to my Councils stated meeting.
Last night was the opening session and today we had the first business session here is Louisville. Originally there were 5 running for the entry position in the Supreme line, but only 4 were nominated. We will be voting tomorrow on this and a few by-laws type changes. I’m hoping to be headed back by noon tomorrow.
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Well yesterday we were supposed to have a Shrine Greeters Meeting but since I didn’t get a notice we were having it and when I spoke to the Club President he was hesitant about having a meeting, I decided not to go. I did, however, get my sisters old car changed to my name and get plates after she decided to get rid of it. Today I’m headed to Louisville through Friday for the Grotto National Convention.
Tonight I headed to Parkersburg West Virginia to their monthly Grotto meeting. I met a young man from an Ohio Lodge and took the opportunity to talk a little bit to him about the York Rite in Marietta. They had a good turnout (about 30) but that’s partially because tonight was a steak night for dinner. They had prime rib, salad, a huge potato and corn along with dessert. They kept their meeting moving at a good pace and I was able to start back home at a decent hour.
Tonight I headed to Springfield for two purposes. First, I handed off the GHP to Dan Smith for him to use in official picture and second to attend the Stated meeting at Springfield which I also did. Attendance was somewhat lite but I was able to present them with a pin they earned for donations to the Royal Arch Foundation. It felt good to be back traveling after spending the past couple days dealing with the aftermath of our fire (which I’m hoping to get the majority resolved this weekend.
