Red Cross Constantine Statewide - Ohio

Today was the statewide gathering for the RCC with the Grand Sovereign Joe Harrison in attendance at the Ohio Masonic Home. All the degree work was portrayed and over 100 members were in attendance. I think they said this was the 24th year of this activity and I think it is a good idea since each local has a max number who can belong and to put the degrees on right takes many persons and some effort for the set-up.  While we had a few more than normal conflicts this year, this activity came off great. I was glad we stayed on time since I had to leave as soon as we finished with our ritual work to head down to set up for the Luau.

Joint Elks & 3rd District Luau

Tonight at the Elks Club in Dayton we had the 3rd District Luau. We had a nice turnout and everything came off nicely. We had plenty of help setting up, prepping and tearing down. While I had several "experts" on Hawaii in the audience the trivia questions were a little tougher than most could handle but everyone got a participation prize for being good sports. Unfortunately I didn't get many pictures as I  forgot to take them until we were busy tearing down.

Royal Order of Scotland

Tonight was the second annual meeting of the Royal Order of Scotland Burns dinner in Ohio. Our speaker for the evening was MWB Doug Kaylor and the Grand Master for the Royal Order was also present. Martin Trent did a great job setting this dinner up and it is nice that an emphasis is now being put into getting the member to understand why they belong and getting them to feel a part of the organization.

York Rite College Meeting

Tonight we had our meeting in Lebanon to vote on candidates and practice for the degree work next month. I'm really glad we had a practice since you only do the part once and usually are so focused on your part that you rarely think about the next part you will do the following year.

Luau Prep

Well today we went and bought all the items for the Luau and it took the whole evening to get the items and drop them off at the Elks so we have them on Saturday. I still have some remaining prep for the games, decorations etc. but they have all been found and right now I think with maybe a couple exception are ready to go.

Caliph Grotto Stated Meeting

After spending a few days in Knoxville for parents weekend at UT, I travelled to Willoughby Ohio to attend the stated meeting for Caliph Grotto. They gad a good turnout including visitors from 5 different Grotto's. Our Grand Chapter Secretary, MEC Bob Thomas was present, as the is a Past Monarch of this Grotto.

Batavia Chapter and John H. Campbell Council Stated Meetings

Tonight I headed south to Batavia for their Chapter Stated meeting (it just happens the Council meets after them). With tonight's visit, I have been to all but one Chapter since I started in Grand Chapter Line (many multiple time). Tomorrow will mark the final Chapter for the first round and since I already have 91 a second time or greater, I'm hoping to have a second round completed before finishing as Grand High Priest (if I continue to be elected). 

Trinity Chapter Stated Meeting

Tonight we had several absent who normally attend, all with various health issues, but we still had 11 in attendance. We again practiced the opening and closing but more importantly read 3 petitions. Our biggest issue now is getting all the candidates with an open day in which they can attend. What a great problem to have!

Updates

First off today I stopped and got good news that REC John Watkins continues to make positive progress. This evening I was going to try to go to Valley Commandery as he was going to try to attend based on how he felt. Unfortunately I didn't make it as I attended a Community Foundation meeting where I was appointed as a trustee.

Future Grand Chapter Planning

Today REC Greg Clatterbuck and myself met to discuss the 2019-20 Grand Chapter year. We covered almost every topic we need to plan out and set some dates to get further information tightened up. Since the hotel and location for Grand Chapter 2020 is already booked we focused on a 2019 GHP reception and several new activities I hope to have during the year.