3rd District School of Instruction

This morning was our first school of instruction for the year. It was on the Mark Master degree and it was encouraging to see a few junior officers present though we need as many junior officers as possible to help them determine how to do the ritual correctly.There was a lot of interaction and questions during the session. Our non-ritual interpretation portion was done by the 1VP for the third district.Our School Chairman is REC Don Wilcox who continues to provide excellent direction for the school.

My Travels Week of 11/12

While often my travels are dictated by my work schedule, I am going to try keep at a running two week schedule of potential Chapter related visits/events which I plan to post every Sunday or Monday. If anyone from my area is interested in traveling with me, contact me and we will see what we can do.

Week of 11/12

• Monday 12   9th District Oberlin Inspection Chapter
• Saturday 17  3rd District School of Instruction
• Saturday 17  Grand Commander's Reception

Week of 11/19

• Monday 19   3rd District Franklin Inspection Chapter
• Tuesday 20  13th District Athens & Logan Inspections Chapter at Logan

Oberlin 219 Chapter Inspection

Tonight was the Inspection for Oberlin Chapter on the Mark Master degree. It was an exciting night as they had 5 candidates. In addition the Grand High Priest and his entourage were traveling with him.I also heard another Chapter in the Ninth District may have as many as 12 new candidates being brought in very soon. Things just might be looking up. I was also encouraged by the level of ritual work performed and the GHP, MEC Don Owens, must have also been impressed as he passed out three pins for ritual proficiency.

A Little Bit of a Twist

While I might not usually include here (but rather on my Shrine BLOG) information about Shrine activities where I am specifically representing the Shrine as Potentate, tonight was the Annual Inspection for Azizah 57 Daughters of the Nile from Antioch Shrine Temple. The Queen is none other than Doris Crawford, the wife of PGHP Jerry Crawford. I had to tell everyone the reason Doris has been getting such great service this year at Antioch..... I told the building manager Doris was my mother. The Supreme Queen attends all 142 Inspections throughout the US and Canada along with all 22 of the Hospitals. She has been on the road every date since June 30th and it will take approximately 9 months for her to attend all 142 DON groups along with all 22 Shrine Hospitals. And many think attending 5 Chapter Inspections in a year is allot!

Tuscarawas Chapter 38 Inspection

Tonight was the Chapter Inspection of Tuscarawas Chapter in New Philadelphia in the PM degree. This is the home Chapter of PGHP John Gartrell who presided over the degree work for the evening. Also in attendance was REC Ross Black, Grand Master 2nd Veil and DDGHP of the 14th District, Dennis Barlow. This Chapter features many very dedicated members and during the past year the had no loss in membership and even performed the degrees multiple times. For a Chapter from a smaller areas, they are very active.

Wauseon #111 Chapter Inspection

Last Night, Past Grand High Priest George Shell and myself travelled north to the town of Wauseon for their annual Chapter Inspection.Unfortunately. the High Priest had a case of walking pneumonia but the doctor allowed him to attend this evening and he also presided over the Mark Master Degree. The Grand High Priest (Don Owens), Grand Marshal (John Donohoo) and Grand Chaplain (Chester Burton) were also present. They did a good job of the degree work and three persons were honored by the Grand High Priest for their ritual work and devotion to the Chapter (Pictured below with Grand High Priest). As we left, we were delayed for about an hour as unfortunately one of the gentleman attending came a little too close to my car and hit the drivers door. Luckily, as good Masons should do, we swapped information and will let the insurance company worry about it!

Membership

Membership is probably our most important topic. One of the biggest aspects of Membership which we overlook and is really within our control is retention. Most people don't view retention as part of membership but it might be the most important part. Right now we have a good story to tell to get folks to join but what do we have to offer at the Chapter level to keep them coming back? Are stated meetings and ritual work the only events to attend? Does your Chapter hold (either jointly with other Masonic groups or individually) real social activities. I'm not talking about Installations or similar events where we invite the ladies but really don't involve them or they are still formal activities, but rather something just for fun. Also when did you last hold a fund raiser or charity event to raise money? We have to provide a reason to remain a member or our efforts to get new members will be in vain.

My Travels Week of 11/5

While often my travels are dictated by my work schedule, I am going to try keep at a running two week schedule of potential Chapter related visits/events which I plan to post every Sunday or Monday. If anyone from my area is interested in traveling with me, contact me and we will see what we can do.

Week of 11/5

• Wednesday 7 1st District Inspection Wauseon Chapter
• Thursday 8 18th District Inspection Tuscarawas Chapter

Week of 11/12

• Monday 12   9th District Oberlin Inspection Chapter
• Saturday 17  3rd District School of Instruction
• Saturday 17  Grand Commander's Reception

KYCH Meeting

Today was the KYCH Meeting in Hamilton and the Grand Chapter was well represented by those Grand Officers who are KYCH's. Dennis Wilhelm was elected the new Prior to replace Lynn Chadbourne who is the outgoing Prior. Don Owens and Bob Thomas from Grand Chapter were elected Prelate and Sentinel respectively. We had 26(correction from earlier reported number) new Knights invited (including Grand Chapter Officer J. Keith Green) to become KYCH's. As I sat here today it reminded me of almost 20 years ago when I got my KYCH... man I must be old!

Mansfield 28 Chapter Inspection

Tonight I journeyed up I-71 to Mansfield and the 10th District to their Chapter Inspection. REC Bob Blankenhorn was in the cast this evening as this is his Chapter. MEC Robert Crabbs was in attendance as well along with their Regional Officer Ralph Curtiss. The Chapter portrayed the Most Excellent Master Degree for a new candidate. The new District Deputy, Lew Fleege, and new District Education Officer, Ron Horne, both performed like old pros. The High Priest was a Senior DeMolay, Dave Dauterman, who is a Past State Scribe.