Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of California Richard D. Baskin, GHP

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1 THE WORKMAN Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of California Richard D. Baskin, GHP April 2017 Vol. VIII No. 11 GHP MESSAGE 1 M. E. C. SAM PITASSI, RIP 3 GRAND KING MESSAGE 3 FROM THE GRAND LECTURER 4 GRAND SESSIONS 5 GENERAL GRAND CHAPTER 5 GOLDEN STATE RESEARCH CHAPTER 5 GRAND CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIPS 6 THE CLOTHES LINE 6 THE ENCOMPASSER 7 THE RIFLE RAFFLE 7 and 13 GRAND HIGH PRIEST S CALENDAR 7 CONTACT INFORMATION 7 MAKE YOUR MARK! 8 GRAND SESSIONS 2017 REG DOC 9 and 10 TRIENNIAL REGISTRATION DOC 11 and 12 Grand High Priest s Message Companions, With the arrival of Daylight Saving Time, Spring seems to be officially here. American inventor and politician Benjamin Franklin is credited with promoting the idea in as essay he wrote called, An Economical Project for Diminishing the Cost of Light, to the editor of The Journal of Paris in In the essay he suggested, although jokingly, that Parisians could economize candle usage by getting people out of bed earlier in the morning, thus making use of the natural morning light. Throughout the years there have been various reason for Daylight Saving Time and, yes, it is Daylight Saving Time, not Daylight Savings Time. Whatever the reason for the time change, I will enjoy the additional time I can be outdoors and enjoy the beauties of our Great Creator. We are once again in the season of Royal Arch Festivals, a time when we are able to welcome new Companions into our Chapters to experience all the benefits of membership. Unfortunately, in our haste to bring in new Companions, we have tarnished the brilliance of this ceremony by not doing our due diligence and allowing an unqualified individual to take all or part of the degrees. In all such cases we harm our reputation as a professional Page 1 of 13

2 organization and leave the candidate wondering how this could have happened and questioning his standing in the fraternity. There are a number of ways we can handle this, but since each investigation did not reveal an intentional disregard for our rules and regulations, I have chosen to use this as a training opportunity. We are working to improve the Royal Arch ritual experience, as well as improve education and the necessity of guarding of the West Gate falls squarely in that wheelhouse. To that end, we need to ensure all our Companions understand we are bound by the rules and regulations set forth in the Constitution of The Most Excellent Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the State of California. Germane to this discussion is Article XVI, section 154, which delineates the qualifications for our degrees. Section 158 references investigations. Section 160 references balloting. Although our Constitution does state that there is no requirement for investigation, prudence should cause the High Priest to ensure that the individual is in fact known by a member of the Chapter and has a valid dues card from a recognized Grand Lodge. If all is in order there in no need for investigation. If there is a question, the application should be referred to an investigative committee. Lastly, no one seeking membership should be allowed to take the degrees without being voted on. Just because someone shows up at a festival with an application is no reason the deviate from our Constitution. If he was not voted on and approved by the members of the Chapter, he is not eligible to receive the degrees. The learning opportunity here is to: 1. Ensure the Companions know and understand the requirements for membership as delineated in the Constitution. 2. Understand their responsibility to ensure the man they are recommending is qualified to receive the degrees. 3. Understand they have a duty and obligation to perform an investigation if there is a possibility an individual may not be qualified. 4. Lastly, that there is no reason to rush a man though the degrees without the proper investigation just to increase our numbers. We will only improve the Royal Arch experience by bring in qualified men. The focus should be on quality, not quantity. Additionally, I have asked the Grand Lecturer to address this with the ritual staff in an effort to ensure all Companions understand the requirements to bring a new Companion into our Royal Arch Chapters. On a lighter note, all of your Grand Officers are preparing for our upcoming Grand Session on Tuesday, May 23 rd. We have four resolutions to consider this year and and I recommend them to your consideration so we can make informed decisions when we meet. Please take a moment to download the registration form from our website at and sign up for our Grand York Rite Sessions at the Bakersfield Doubletree Hotel. You will find the latest detail and schedules there as well. And while you are thinking about Grand Sessions, why not buy an Ad for the Souvenir Program? I look forward to seeing you in Bakersfield. Page 2 of 13

3 Let me leave you with two bits of trivia for the month of April. April 18, 1775 The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere and William Dawes occurred as these two men rode out of Boston about 10 p.m. to warn patriots at Lexington and Concord of the approaching British. April 30, 1789 George Washington became the first U.S. President, as he was administered the oath of office on the balcony of Federal Hall at the corner of Wall and Broad Streets in New York City. Richard D. Baskin, KYGCH 162 nd Grand High Priest In Memoriam Most Excellent Companion Xavier A. Sam Pitassi Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of California; Deputy General Grand High Priest ( ), General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons International; Potentate (2011), Al Malaikah Shrine Born August14,1942 Called from labor on February 12, 2017 In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Royal Arch Scholarship Fund, c/o Grand Secretary, Artesia Blvd., Suite 13, Artesia, CA , or to the Shriners Hospital. GRAND KING S MESSAGE Companions, Now the laborer's task is o'er; Now the battle is past; Now upon the farther shore, Lands the voyager at last. KNIGHT OF THE YORK GRAND CROSS OF HONOUR EPHRAIN KIRBY AW ARD Grand High Priest ( ), In Royal Arch Masonry, our symbolic history includes the completion of the first temple at Jerusalem, its subsequent destruction, and ultimately the building of the second temple. Our York Rite brothers, the Knights Templars, comprise an organization patterned after the historical Order of the Temple, whose members made their headquarters on Temple Mount, the ancient site of both temples. Have you ever imagined yourself traveling to Jerusalem, and visiting the place which is so significant in the history and symbology of Page 3 of 13

4 York Rite Masonry? Here is your opportunity. In April of 2018, join my wife, Micki, and me, as the Grand Chapter of California will sponsor a trip to Israel, with an optional excursion to Jordon and magnificent Petra. this group - the Royal Arch Masons of California, would be especially significant, and oh so fabulous. I look forward to seeing you in Bakersfield at our annual sessions. We will visit the ancient port of Joppa, so significant to Masons, and see the Templar city of Acco. We will stay at the Sea of Galilee, visit Tel Dan in the north, source of the River Jordan, and taste wine in the Golan Heights. We will see Bethlehem, swim in the Dead Sea, and spend three days in Jerusalem. In Jerusalem, we will visit Temple Mount, site of the first and second temples, and headquarters of the Knights Templar in Jerusalem. We will see the Western Wall, and explore the Western Wall Tunnels, an ongoing excavation, reaching to the foundation of the Temple Mount retaining wall, and will be as close as possible to the original site of the Sanctum Sanctorum. Also while in Jerusalem, we will visit King Solomon's quarries, tour the old Jewish Quarter, and visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This is but a sampling of what we will see and do on what may be a profound, and in some cases a life-altering journey. Final details are still being assembled. All information will be available by the time of our Grand Sessions in May. For now, block off the last two weeks in April - the trip will fall in that range. We hope that you will make the commitment to take this journey with us, to explore our Royal Arch and York Rite history, and to join your companions on a fantastic trip. Feel free to contact me now if you would like more information. This trip on your own would be great. Traveling with friends is always better. But taking the journey with Page 4 of 13 Fraternally Randy Downey, KYCH Grand King FROM THE GRAND LECTURER Companions All, We just completed the second of three planned Schools of Instruction (SOI) in the Central California area. Although this area finds Masons few and far between and York Rite Masons even fewer, we had 17 Companions make the long drive to Hanford Lodge to enjoy a day of Companionship and learning from the ritual staff and the Grand High Priest (GHP), MEC Rick Baskin, who made the long journey from San Diego to join us in Hanford. Many thanks to Hanford Lodge and Royal Arch Chapter #74 for hosting the event and to the Central Deputy Grand lecturer EC Ken Edwards for setting it all up and keeping us on the right path all day! We still have one more SOI for you to attend in Davis Lodge on Saturday, April 29 th, from 9:30 am (coffee and sticky buns at 9:00 am) to 3:00 pm. Please RSVP to our Northern California Deputy Grand Lecturer EC Tom McClellan at <tom.karenmcclellan@sbcglobal.net> for a seat at the luncheon provided by our GHP! These SOIs are intended to be low stress and low key with an informal dress code and a bring your ritual book presentation style! If you don t learn something by attending, I will personally pay for your mileage back home! I generally learn a great deal from

5 the Companions in attendance because the knowledge and experience present in a room always makes the group much smarter than the one! Come on out, join us and prove me right!! GOLDEN STATE RESEARCH CHAPTER All the Best, Steve Goad, Grand Lecturer GRAND SESSIONS 2017 Dates for the 2017 California Grand York Rite Monday, May 22, 2017 Grand Commandery Tuesday, May 23, 2017 Grand Chapter Wednesday, May 24, 2017 Grand Council A copy of the Registration Form is copied at the back of this newsletter. This form and related forms can be found at: GENERAL GRAND CHAPTER The next Triennium will be held in Portland on August 23 through August 30 th next year. General Grand Chapter will be held on Tuesday August 29 th, with General Grand Council meeting on Monday the 28 th. You should put these dates on your calendar now, and plan to register before July 26 th, 2017 to get the best rates. Hotel RSVPs are due July 31 st, This meeting is open to all Companions. This may be the closest the Triennial will be to California in at least 9 years, so give attendance next year your serious consideration. In addition to the meetings, there are numerous other activities planned, and services available, that you may want to avail yourself of. See the 2-page flyer at the end of this newsletter. Page 5 of 13 The mission of the Golden State Research Chapter is to stimulate interest among Royal Arch Masons by expanding their knowledge of Royal Arch Masonry through research leading to the publication of educational materials that expand the understanding of Royal Arch Masons in their history, traditions, and symbolism Information describing why this Chapter was formed is available at The next meeting for our Research Chapter will be held in Bakersfield during the York Rite Grand Sessions in May. All Companions are invited and encouraged to attend. I encourage all Royal Arch Companions to join the Golden State Chapter of Research in order to receive further light in our beautiful Capitular Degrees. Our website address is where we post many papers and newsletters. This is also where you will find an application of affiliation to the Chapter. To become a member of the Research Chapter

6 candidates must submit an application form and a $10.00 fee. There are no annual dues in the Research Chapter. Our flagship publication is publishing the Grand Orations of the Grand Chapter, Grand Council and the Vespers Service of the Grand Commandery. GRAND CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIPS The committee selected five awardees to receive $1, scholarships: Angelina Harris Savanha Moore Madeleine Pollara Aymie Souza Emily Cunningham Scholarship requirements will remain the same. Early submissions can be forwarded to the Office of the Grand Chapter Secretary at Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons Attn: Grand Secretary East Artesia Blvd. Suite 13 Artesia, CA Telephone: (562) FDB.Scholarship@gmail.com Once chosen, the award of $1,000 is renewable for a total of 4 years, as long as the requirements are maintained. Do you know a Rainbow Girl, Job's Daughter or DeMolay that could benefit by knowing this information? What are you waiting for - make that call! For further info about Scholarships, go to the following website: rch/rara.html The Masonic Family has a large number of scholarships available to our youth, but how many of those in need of assistance really "KNOW" they are available? California Royal Arch $1,000 Scholarship requirements: A member of the Masonic Family (ie: Rainbow, Jobs Daughter or Demolay) A US Citizen A California Resident A 3.0 Grade Point Average Enrolled or Accepted at an Educational Institution Deadline to apply for the 2017 Scholarship Program will be published in Jan Page 6 of 13 THE CLOTHES LINE A line of Jackets for our York Rite bodies continues to be available at MP. ENTERPRISES. The price for red and blue is great -- $75.00 plus tax and shipping, for sizes 34 to 49 in short, regular and tall; and $87.00 plus tax and shipping for sizes 50 to 60, also in short, regular, and tall. Purple Jackets are little more expensive at $95.00 for the smaller and $ for the larger. Also available are Men s and ladies vests, tuxedos and shirts, pins, patches, and flags, and OES T-Shirts. Contact Max Luy at (510) ; or at his website: or directly to his at maxluy@hotmail.com.

7 ENCOMPASSER The January 2017 edition of the Encompasser is now available at the following website: passer_issues.html OR. Go to and click on The Encompasser on the left of the top toolbar. THE RIFLE RAFFLE The Henry Repeating Arms Company has donated one of their Golden Boy Freemason Tribute Edition rifles to each Grand Commandery in the United States. See the flyer on page 13 below. Here in California, the Grand Commandery is holding a raffle with 100% of the proceeds to go to the Educational Foundation, which could generate as much as $50,000 for scholarship purposes. Please note that such a raffle is permitted under terms of Section of the California Masonic code. See Grand Commandery line officers or Inspectors to find out how to purchase tickets for this worthy educational cause GRAND HIGH PRIEST S CALENDAR APRIL 2016 MAY 2017 Date Event Location Apr 5 Scottish Rite San Diego Apr 6 Red Cross San Diego Apr 6-9 New Mexico Grand New Mexico York Rite Apr 11 Commandery San Diego Meeting Apr 12 Scottish Rite San Diego Extinguish Lights Apr 16 EASTER: San Diego Relighting the Lights Ceremony Apr 26 Masonic Information Night, Scottish Rite San Diego Apr 27 Chapter #61 San Diego Apr 29 SRICF San Diego Apr 29 Grand Lecturer Woodland OSI May 2 Lodge #626 Chula Vista May 3 Scottish Rite San Diego May 4 Red Cross San Diego May 9 Commandery San Diego May 19- Grand York Rite Bakersfield 24 Sessions May 19- Scottish Rite San Diego 20 Spring Re-union May 25 Chapter #61 San Diego If you would like to attend any of these events and need to know particulars about where and when and cost, please call any of the contact numbers below GRAND CHAPTER CONTACT INFORMATION Grand High Priest: Richard D. Baskin, KYGCH (619) (C) rbkasin@cox.net Grand Secretary: Ken Hope E. Artesia Blvd, #13 Artesia, CA (562) (W) (562) (C) sec-rec@californiayorkrite.org Editor: Phil Hardiman, KYGCH (916) (C) philipandnancy@aol.com Website: GOLDEN STATE CHAPTER OF RESEARCH Website: GRAND SESSIONS, FORMS & SCHEDULES Website: Page 7 of 13

8 Attention Royal Arch Masons in California! HELP YOUR BROTHER MAKE HIS MARK!!! To introduce Master Masons to the Degrees of the Chapter, our Grand Chapter has authorized the conferral of the Mark Master Degree to interested Brethren without fee. A petition to the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons is still required, to take advantage of this opportunity. Keystone Classes are being planned for this program now, for group conferrals of the Mark Master Degree throughout the state in the Fall of This is where YOU come in. Please talk with that Brother you would like to recommend to your Chapter, and tell him of this opportunity to sample the further degrees of the York Rite. To help you explain this opportunity to your Lodge Brethren, the following new materials are available to you: A new Petition for this introductory Mark Master Degree. A brochure inviting a Brother to explore the Chapter Degrees. You can print these new materials from the Grand Chapter website, at Or you can ask any Chapter Secretary, District Inspector, or Grand Chapter Officer for copies of these new materials. Be sure to explain the advantages of this opportunity to your Lodge Brothers: The Mark Master Degree expands and extends the Craft Degrees, shedding further Light on what it means to be a Mason. Further Degrees in the Chapter are entirely optional. This is an opportunity to share Masonic fellowship with members of other Lodges in the local community. No proof of proficiency is required to advance in Degrees. -- Companions, please talk with your Blue Lodge Brethren today!! -- Page 8 of 13

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