THE CALIFORNIA ENCOMPASSER IS THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE GRAND YORK RITE BODIES OF CALIFORNIA AND IS PUBLISHED QUARTERLY TO PROVIDE AN INFORMATION VEHICLE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP Volume 30 April 2015 Number 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS GRAND SESSIONS 2015 2 HARRY T. HALL, REST IN PEACE 2 C. NED RICHTER, REST IN PEACE 3 THE KIND MESSENGER 4 RITUAL & MEMBERSHIP 4 COMPTCHE OUTDOOR DEGREES 5 OPERATIONS & TRAINING MANUAL 5 EDITOR S MESSAGE 6 GOLDEN STATE RESEARCH CHAPTER 7 GRAND YORK RITE CONTACTS 7 GRAND SESSIONS AD PROGRAM 8 GRAND SESSIONS REGISTRATION DOCUMENT 9-10 COMPTCHE REGISTRATION DOCUMENT 11 Page 1 of 12
GRAND SESSIONS - 2015 Of course, we would love to have you from the AMD sessions on Saturday, May 15th, until the reception after Grand Chapter Installation on Wednesday, May 20! But this is not feasible for everyone. Following is suggested for your careful consideration. pay a penalty. Consider also having your local bodies take out an Ad in the Souvenir Program. These funds help defray the expense of Grand Sessions. HARRY T. HALL SUNDAY EVENING, MAY 17 -- Grand Banquet. Not a requirement. But a great event. Come if you can. Formal. MONDAY, MAY 18 -- Grand Council Annual Assembly. Convenes at 8:00 a.m.. Will be over by Noon. Purple jacket and apron. MONDAY, MAY 18 -- Grand Council Luncheon and Cryptic Ladies Luncheon -- While not required, it is nice for you and your lady to attend these, if you can. Purple jacket. TUESDAY, MAY 19 -- Grand Commandery Annual Conclave. Convenes at 8:00 a.m.. Will be over by Noon. Uniform or Blue jacket. TUESDAY, MAY 19 -- Grand Commandery Luncheon and Ladies Luncheon -- While not required, it is nice for you and your lady to attend these, if you can. Uniform or Blue jacket. There are MANY other events which you (and your lady) may want to attend. Breakfasts and luncheons and etc. It would be nice if you can, but not required. See the schedule of events on the registration form below or at www.ca-gyrs.org. NOTE DEADLINES: April 10 for room reservations at the hotel. April 18 for registration for events without penalty. NOTE ALSO: It is very important that you register at the hotel with the Grand York Rite Group. We must guarantee the hotel a minimum number of room rental nights, to obtain the rooms they give us for meetings, etc. This is the only way we get credit for your room nights. Without the minimum met, we Page 2 of 12 Harry Hall was born in Florence, Alabama, the son of Roland L. and Donna Hall.Educated in the City of Florence school system, he graduated from Coffee High School, where he participated in football, basketball, baseball, and track. He was also a member of the National Honor Society. Enrolling in Auburn University in September of 1952, he majored in Business Administration, and graduated in 1956. While at Auburn he was president of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, and a member of the wrestling team.
Harry completed his military obligation by serving in The United States Marine Corps, and had the honor to know and serve with Carl J. Mundy Jr., who later became Commandant. He then returned to his hometown of Florence and went to work for the Pure Oil Company as a sales trainee, and later promoted to Branch Manager. Harry then went on the road with International Playtex Corporation, moving to Mount Laurel, N.J., where he held positions as National Merchandise Manager, and Vice-President, Department Stores. He then joined Hanes Knitwear as Sales Director. He transferred to the Bali Corporation as Senior Vice-President of Sales, and was named President of Kayser Lingerie in 1985. Monica A.M.D. Council # 214, The Royal Order of Scotland; Brian Boru Council # 38, Glenwood York Rite College #183 and is a Knight Mason. Harry is the father of Les Hall, and Grandfather of Lauren and Beth, all living in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He is engaged to Los Angeles native Sharon Rubel. C. NED RICHTER Harry petitioned Killen Alabama Lodge #788 on his 21st birthday, initiated an Entered Apprentice Mason on 12-27-55, passed to the degree of Fellowcraft on 3-15-56, and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on 3-31-56. He later demitted to Florence Lodge#14 where he is still a member. He joined the Florence Alabama York Rite Bodies on April of 1960, and became a member of Zamora Shrine Temple the following month. After his move to California, He served as Master of Van Nuys Lodge #450 in 1996. He served as High Priest of Van Nuys Chapter, #135, and was also a member of Signet Chapter #57. He was named High Priest of the year in 1994. He was appointed to the Grand Chapter as Grand Royal Arch Captain in 1998, serving as Department Officer of Department III. He joined San Fernando Council #40 in 1992, consolidated into Omega Council #11 in 1995, and served as Illustrious Master in 1997. He was named "Illustrious Master of the Year" and received the "Master of Ish Sodi" Award in 1998. He affiliated with San Fernando Council # 75, which was consolidated into Los Angeles # 9. He served as Eminent Commander in the year 2000. Other Masonic organizations to which Harry belongs include Al Malaikah Shrine Temple, Los Angeles Priory No. 27, Knight York Cross of Honor; Valley of Los Angeles Scottish Rite, KCCH, Royal Order of Jesters Court # 84, Santa Charles Ned Richter, KCT; KYGCH passed away on Monday, March 23, 2015. 1947 - Raised a Master Mason in Corpus Christi, TX 1957 - Moved to San Fernando, CA, to work with AiResearch Mfg. Co. of California. Joined the York Rite of Freemasonry. Harbor Light Chapter No. 160, Redondo Beach, P.H.P. Alpha Council No. 39, Santa Monica I.P.M. Santa Monica Bay Commandery No. 61 P.C. Page 3 of 12
Opportunity Lodge No. 704, Hawthome P.M. Masonic Activities: Inspector in the Council for 2 years. Inspector in the Commandery for 3 years. A.D.R. in the Commandery for 2 years. Appointed into the Grand Commandery line in 1985. Past Sovereign Master, San Fernando & San Juan Council No. 105, Allied Masonic Degrees. Past Holy Priest and Prophet of the Holy Cross of the Alpha-Omega 2nd time Master of Opportunity Lodge No. 740 Governor, York Rite College No. 110 Puissant Sovereign of Inland Empire Red Cross of Constantine Knight Crusader of Knight Crusaders of the Cross of the Grand Commandery of KT of Connecticut Grand College of Rites of the United States Brian Boru Council No. 38, Knight Masons Royal Order of Scotland The Philalethes Society EI Bekal Shrine, of Anaheim, Califomia Long Beach Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Knight York Grand Cross of Honor, Los Angeles Priory No. 27 Societas Rosicrucianis in Civitatibus Foederatis Texas Lodge of Research Southern California Research Lodge THE KIND MESSENGER In addition to MEC Harry Hall and RE Ned Richter, we have recently lost several others devoted to the York Rite family: Lady Kim Kussman, wife of RE Dave Kussman, KYGCH, and EC/SK Kevin Conragan are now also with the Almighty and under his protecting care. The Grand York Rite bodies extend the deepest sympathy to the families and friends of these wonderful Christian servants. RITUAL AND MEMBERSHIP Our four bodies exist to preserve and perform the Ritual with which we are entrusted. We use, and maybe over-use, words like sublime, august, holy, sacred, but it is indeed sacred work that we do as we administer our bodies, market our work, perform our ritual, gain new members, and build our bodies. It is sacred in the sense that our work is based on Scripture and is intended not just to make good men better but to make them better in a spiritual sense hence, as webster would put it, our ritual is hallowed by association with the divine. The fine folks we have remembered above all recognized this and supported our work, directly and indirectly. With the same fervency and zeal they brought to the work, we should do the same. Success in all our enterprises begins with success in the Mark Master Degree. There can be no new Royal Arch Masons, Cryptic Masons or Knights Templar if there are no new Mark Master Masons. We are, in duty, bound then to educate ourselves in the ritual and to discipline ourselves to give it priority, WHENEVER POSSIBLE. We must simply do the following in each and every Chapter. And this involves Council and Commandery members, as they are per force Chapter members: 1. Establish a team to practice and perform the Mark Master Degree 2. Calendar a date for the conferral 3. Identify and exhort prospective members at Blue Lodge gatherings Planning is crucial as, of course, you must allow time for receipt of petitions and balloting. But get creative. One Chapter recently held an information night for Blue Lodge members, explained the York Rite and the Mark Master opportunity, and offered to meet later that night and ballot and confer for those who were prepared to submit their petitions then! Remember that no money need exchange hands or delay the process, as the fees are not due until the candidate wants to proceed beyond the Mark. Page 4 of 12
COMPTCHE OUTDOOR DEGREES The 43rd Annual Comptche Outdoor Royal Arch Degrees are scheduled this year for June 26th at Tunzi Ranch. All four Degrees will be conferred on Saturday, with the Prologue beginning at 8:30 a.m. The reservation deadline is June 18th. You could make a vacation around this event. Self-contained RVs and tent campers are welcome to setup from June 23rd through the 28th. There are no 120V hookups but there are chemical toilets in the meadow. There is a hot water shower in the restroom shack, as well as men s and women s bathrooms. Fish Fry Friday night -- $15.50 Breakfast Saturday morning -- $10 Dues Registration -- $12 Companions Lunch -- $12.50 Tri-tip Barbeque Saturday Night -- $20 Breakfast Sunday morning -- $10 Children half-price; only companions pay the registration. Make checks payable to COMPTCHE OUTDOOR DEGREES, and complete and send the registration document below to Guy Chalmers, 50 Lohrrman Lane, Petaluma, CA 94952-3609. OPERATIONS & TRAINING MANUAL For decades, we have all clamored for a single document that gives us what we need to effectively run our organizations. General Grand Chapter has now produced the Manual which meets this need for Chapters and each Chapter should acquire at least one copy for use by its Dais Officers. Councils and Commanderies can benefit from this production as well. Although it is oriented to the Chapter needs, and contains some info specific to the capitular ritual, it does contain the following chapters, which will be found to be useful by all bodies: A. The Art and Science of Leadership B. Officer Selection & Development C. Protocols and Governance D. Membership Management E. Presentation and Education F. Dues, Fees and Budgets G. Communications and Public Relations H. Strategic Planning and Development This new Manual is well worth the cost of $25.00. It can be ordered from the General Grand Chapter as follows: By writing to General Grand Chapter RAM, PO Box 128, Greenfield, IN 46140; or via email at: ramintl@sbcglobal.net OPERATIONS & TRAINING MANUAL Here are some snippets from the Manual Chapters on Leadership and Membership Management. LEADERSHIP There dwells in every Royal Arch Mason the capacity to be greater than himself. As long as the human race has existed there have been men who rose up among their peers to guide and build, or command and destroy, the world around them. Whether as priest, king, general or prophet, they brought a kind of confidence, charisma and comprehension that excited others to follow and trust in their vision of a new order... Determining a single definition of leadership is akin to declaring a standard interpretation of Freemasonry. The concepts are generally known, but each carries an understanding of meaning unique to every person. Still, we have some idea of what a leader and leadership is. One certainly knows a leader, as well as those who pretend... But again, to become a good leader, an effective leader, an inspirational leader, one must equally commit to a never ending process of self-study, education, training, and experience. To guide others and help illuminate their path, there are certain things a good High Priest must be, know, and do. These sorts of things do not usually come naturally, but are Page 5 of 12
acquired through continual work and study... Good Royal Arch Masons continually strive to improve their leadership skills. They do NOT rest on laurels of past personal or professional accomplishments to carry them through, but instead seek out opportunities for increasing responsibility in the Craft to learn and refine the experience of leading other Companions; yet remain cognizant of the length of their cable-tow... To help a Capitular Officer better exercise planning leadership, the PlanAhead chart developed by John Maxwell offers a strategy for successfully utilizing the Law of Navigation: Predetermine a course of action Lay out goals Adjust priorities Notify key personnel Allow time for acceptance Head into action Expect problems Always point to successes Daily review progress MEMBERSHIP MANAGEMENT G.1.2.1. Short Form Investigation : Certainly any member Master Mason eligible to attend a Lodge under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the Jurisdiction is qualified to petition a Chapter in the same Jurisdiction. Although no such process exists in official form, many Chapters have nonetheless taken to accomplishing a practice akin to a shortened form of investigation. In this instance, the most significant tasks a Chapter needs to accomplish to ballot on a petition is verification of the Candidates good standing in a Jurisdictional Lodge, and determination of any waiver requirement. Despite any relaxed processes the Chapter may follow, every effort should be made to accomplish this duty discretely and privately, with submission of a complete report as may be otherwise accomplished. EDITOR'S MESSAGE WEST COAST EASTER OBSERVANCE The Observance this year will be held in Tempe, AZ on April 3-5. More details are available now on page 27 of the January issue of the monthly Knight Templar magazine. Registration will be available soon at www.wseo.us. CALENDARS OF PRESIDING OFFICERS The itineraries can be found at the Grand York Rite website. Hold down the CTRL key and click on the line below. For M.E.C. Jon Humphreys go to: http://www.yorkriteofcalifornia.org/royalarch/ghp calendar.html For M.I.G.M David Chesebro go to: http://yorkriteofcalifornia.org/council/calendar.ht ml For R.E.C. Carlos Gonzalez go to: http://yorkriteofcalifornia.org/commandery/itiner ary.html COMMUNICATIONS As mentioned in previous editions of the Encompasser, communications are vital to assist those seeking further light in Masonry. So resolve now to ACT: 1) broadcast this publication far and wide, and encourage each of your York Rite bodies to buy a 2-year subscription; 2) broadcast the monthly Workman to the leaders of all your bodies; 3) access the following websites, and see that your Companions are aware of their existence and how to access them: www.yorkriteofcalifornia.org www.goldenstatechapter.org www.yorkrite.org And as you continue into this York Rite year, make every effort you can to continually remind your membership of the Colorado River Fall Festival this October. Confer the Mark Master as often as Page 6 of 12
you can and build interest in our brethren of pursuing further light. GOLDEN STATE RESEARCH CHAPTER The website at www.goldenstatechapter.org now contains a copy of the 2010, 2011 and 2012 Grand Orations booklets. Also included is a copy of The Royal Arch Path, by MEC Phil Hardiman, KYGCH. The next Semi-annual meeting will be held during Grand Sessions on Tuesday, May 19 th, after lunch in the Lake Rooms. For information about membership, contact: Ex. Comp Joseph Dongo, High Priest alacabo@gmail.com Dr. Paul Arthur Clark, King steward_lvx@hotmail.com Ex. Companion Bob Morrison, Scribe bpmorrison@sbcglobal.net Ex. Comp Casey Latham, Secretary casey.latham@mycampus.apus.edu GRAND YORK RITE CONTACT INFORMATION Most Excellent Grand High Priest: Jon D. Humphreys (Sylvia) 580 Village Dr. Galt, CA 95632-8156 (209) 745-9193 (H) (916) 205-8104 (C) jonhumphreys42@yahoo.com Most Illustrious Grand Master: David L. Chesebro (Sarah) 1615 9th St Los Osos, CA 93402-2222 (805) 528-7468 (H) (805) 459-2618 (C) dlchesebro@gmail.com Right Eminent Grand Commander Carlos Gonzalez 1745 Camino Palmero St Apt 530 Los Angeles, CA 90046-2942 (213) 369-7926 (C) gonzalez0614@gmail.com Grand Secretary: Ken Hope 11428 E. Artesia Blvd, #13 Artesia, CA 90701-3872 (562) 924-6500(W) (562) 484-1611(C) ca.yorkrite@verizon.net Editor: Phil Hardiman, PGHP 2713 Hoffman Woods Lane Carmichael, CA 95608 (916) 712-4814(C) philipandnancy@aol.com Websites: www.yorkriteofcalifornia.org If you need access to the confidential features of the website, contact one of the officers above for userid and password. WWW.GOLDENSTATECHAPTER Page 7 of 12
Page 8 of 12
Page 9 of 12
Page 10 of 12
Page 11 of 12
G R A N D C H A PTER R O YA L A R C H M A SO N S O F C A LIFO R N IA 11428 E. Artesia Blvd, #13, Artesia, CA 90701-3872 RETURN SERVICE REQ UESTED N ON-PR OFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID LONG BEACH, CA 90813 PERMIT NO. 799 W E N E E D S U B S C R I B E R S The California Encompasser is requesting subscribers to assist with the ever increasing costs of paper, printing and postage. We are also in constant need of new items, fillers, pictures, jokes, educational papers (short) and anything else you might be able to think of. S u b s c r i p t i o n F o r m Yes! I would appreciate receiving the California Encompasser. You will find my check for $100.00 enclosed for a lifetime subscription or $40.00 for a two-year subscription. NAM E: ADDRESS: CITY, ST & ZIP: California Freem asons The Fam ily of F reem asonry M asonry on the Rise Page 12 of 12