The Workman - June 2022

THE WORKMAN R. Scott Husmann, GHP Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of California JUNE 2022

Vol. XIV No. 1

GHP MESSAGE GRAND SESSIONS 2022 GRAND SESSIONS 2023 GRAND LECTURER SECRETARY ESSENTIALS THE ENCOMPASSER GOLDEN STATE RESEARCH CHAPTER GRAND CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIPS

1 3 3 3 4 4 4 4

THE CLOTHES LINE 5 GRAND HIGH PRIEST’S CALENDAR 5 TAX REPORTING 6 CONTACT INFORMATION 6 SECRETARY ESSENTIALS 7–8 RESEARCH CHAPTER PETITION 9 4-WAY RECEPTION, SFYRB 10 RECEPTION FOR MEGM AND REGCG 11 RESULTS OF GRAND CONVOCATION 12 -- 13

Grand High Priest’s Message Companions, As the newly installed officers of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons begin the new term, let me express my sincere gratitude on behalf of all these fine men. We are truly honored to represent you and Royal Arch Masonry in California. There was a remarkable turnout at the Grand York Rite Sessions this year. You could sense from all the energy in the air that everyone was more than ready to meet in person once again.

There may have been a few hiccups, supply chain issues, and knocking off the rust after thirty-six months since our last in-person sessions. Masons stepped in to overcome any difficulty that arose, as we always do.

There are several people deserving our appreciation for their efforts. I wish to personally and publically thank the Grand Sessions Committee, Excellent Companions Dave Glass, Tom Krummell and Most Excellent Companion Randy Downey, for all their work organizing and overseeing this fine gathering of York Rite Masons.

MEC Philip Hardiman, all of us want to thank you for your loyal and dedicated service as Grand Secretary to Most Excellent Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of California, tending to all the affairs and business of our organization, but especially for the personal service you’ve given each individual Royal Arch Mason. We owe you a great debt of Page 1 of 13

appreciation. You have left an indelible stamp on our fraternity as Grand High Priest and as the Grand Secretary. Well deserving of all our praise and gratitude.

Following are my comments from the Annual Installation of the Grand Officers: What can I say to this Grand Convocation that hasn’t been said by the 167 Grand High Priests that have presided over this body before me? Let me try my best. First my term pin. It simply says, “I Am a Royal Arch Mason.” It doesn’t have my name on it. When you pin it on your lapel and put that red jacket over your shoulders, I ask that you do your best to represent Royal Arch Masonry. Let it be your reminder, not only of the obligations you took, also your sincere attachment to the fraternity. Be ever mindful in public and private that you represent our fraternity when you are in the character of a Royal Arch Mason. And if someone should ask, “you are a Royal Arch Mason?” ……you have heard the reply somewhere before.

Next, the tie I have selected to represent my term as Grand High Priest. It is a black tie.

The red coat, white shirt, black slacks and black tie is the dress of a Royal Arch Mason.

The black tie, as my term tie represents my philosophy that we, as Royal Arch Masons, are in this together. We are to aid, protect and support one another. There is no distinction in our primary duty to our craft.

Will all presiding High Priests please rise. All Past High Priests rise too please. Excellent Companions, what is our number one duty, our primary function? To make new Royal Arch Masons of course. Who’s charged to see this done? We are. It is the single most important function we can perform. Who is here to assist you? Look around this room.

We are, every single one of us here. There are very few Chapters in this state that are capable of conferring all four of our degrees. This is where we find ourselves today. We need each other’s help companions to accomplish what we are tasked with. Reach out to other Chapters when you need help. It benefits them as well as your Chapter. Please be willing to help when called upon. You may be seated.

It has been said that exalting many new Royal Arch Masons is the rising tide that will raise all our ships. This is true to a certain extent. We obviously need new members to replace ourselves. When we do confer our degrees we elevate ourselves and we elevate our Chapters. Few things can be as rewarding, as well as building and securing our future than the conferral of the degrees and exalting new Royal Arch Masons. But let us not forget our members that are not actively participating in our Chapter’s activities.

Like most you, I have been disappointed with the turnout at times. We question ourselves, did I fail, how could I have done better? Did I just miss an opportunity? We know there are many reasons members aren’t regularly participating; jobs, age, health, health of family members, personalities, distance, commitments to other Masonic bodies. Here is what I ask of you. Never stop trying. Keep letting them know they are important. Employ the talents you have in your Chapters.

What does your Chapter aspire to be? Go into the temple and see what improvements can be made, either for strength or ornament. You know what your Chapter has to offer, its traditions, its identity, its talents. As the man who appointed me to the Grand Line, Page 2 of 13

MEC Randy Downey, said, “Let Your Light Shine.” I would add to that, help others so they may let their light shine, because, “I Am a Royal Arch Mason.” Thank you, Companions.

Fraternally, R. Scott Husmann, KYGCH 168th Grand High Priest, Royal Arch Masons of California

GRAND SESSIONS 2022 Companions and Sir Knights This year we enjoyed the first in-person meeting in 3 years! It was a lot of work for staff and our volunteers, but it was a great success. At the Vespers program on Sunday we celebrated the lives of 15 Grand Presiding Officers who passed since May of 2019 and 277 other Companions and Sir Knights who gave up their working tools.

Later Sunday evening, the after dinner program was MC’d by MW Ken Nagel, who did his usual excellent job, with final remarks by our Grand Master, MW Wilkins, who inspired all with his general remarks about the York Rite and his appreciation for the Knight Companion of the Temple award presented to him by the Grand Commandery.

The three Chair Degrees on Monday (OHP), Tuesday (TIM), and Wednesday (PCA) were well attended with more than 30 at each conferral. All presiding officers should make an effort to attend these degrees as they are well-worth the effort.

Chapters, Councils and Commanderies should support their presiding officers in this endeavor by providing one night lodging and covering the degree fee.

The only down-side to the Sessions was a few incidents of Covid occurring shortly

after attendees returned home after Wednesday – 16 known cases at this point out of 254 registrants. This is not an alarming number, but it does argue in favor of attendees, especially those in vulnerable health categories, of being careful about wearing a mask and taking other, well-known precautions.

Grand York Rite Sessions Committee

GRAND SESSIONS 2023 May 14, Sunday – Grand Banquet May 15, Monday – Grand Commandery May 16, Tuesday – Grand Chapter May 17, Wednesday – Grand Council May 18, Thursday – Corporation

GRAND LECTURER Companions All: Happy New Capitular year! Congratulations to the new Grand Officers serving our new GHP, Scott Husmann! It should be a stellar year with a return to normalcy in our meetings and ritual! The Omicron variant of COVID has proven to be the Most transmissible yet, But the effects are the mildest so far!? Please continue to exercise caution in your meetings and don’t forget that a

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dispensation can always be granted to postpone or hold a stated Convocation virtually if needed! Now is the time to plan for fall conferrals of our degrees to pick up on the surge of new Masons coming up in our Blue Lodges now. The ritual staff is ready to help prepare for those conferrals and the qualification of officers for next year! Please reach out to them now while we have plenty of time to prepare! I look forward to getting around the state to see your good works personally! Let’s have a Great Year!

Your Most Humble Grand Lecturer Steve

SECRETARY ESSENTIALS Secretaries new and old: near the end of this newsletter you will find a two-page document that serves as guidelines for Secretaries and Recorders – especially new ones.

Another good source of information for the Secretary can be found in the Grand Chapter Forms and Documents folder, called Chapter Secretary Desktop Procedures, at:

https://yorkriteofcalifornia.org/encompasser %20issues/Encompasser_January_2022.pdf

GOLDEN STATE RESEARCH CHAPTER

Companions, The next Research Chapter meeting has now been scheduled for October 22nd, during the Annual Communication of Grand Lodge. The meeting will be held at 12:15 pm. You do not need to be a member to attend!! But we will be happy to read your petition at the time. A blank petition is provided at the end of this newsletter.

Please complete and send to the new Secretary, Bruce Rick. Bruce can be reached at: bar972@outlook.com .

Other officers elected at our most recent meeting on May 17th include EC Ron Alcorn, High Priest; Richard Villegas, King; Gary Iverson, Scribe; Phil Hardiman, Treasurer; and Bruce Rick, Secretary.

http://www.yorkriteusa.org/cagyr/forms/Chapter

If you are prompted for a username and/or password, call your Inspector, or anyone in the CONTACTS section below.

GRAND CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIPS

ENCOMPASSER

Applications for 2023 will be available soon: http://www.yorkriteofcalifornia.org/royalarch/rara.html

The January 2022 edition is now available on the website. If you must have hardcopy, please call the Grand Secretary’s office at the contact numbers listed below.

The deadline to apply for the 2023 Scholarship Program is March 3, 2023.

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Submissions can be forwarded to the Office of the Grand Chapter Secretary at Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons Attn: Grand Secretary 8815 Indian Wells Ct Santee, CA 92017-2434 Telephone: (619) 993-4840 E-mail: Grand.Secretary.ca@gmail.com

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 -- $115.00 plus shipping, for sizes 34 to 49 in short, regular and tall; and $125.00 plus shipping for sizes 50 to 59, also in short, regular, and tall; and $135.00 plus shipping, for sizes 60-69. Also available are Men’s and ladies’ vests, tuxedos and shirts, pins, patches, and flags, and OES T-Shirts. Contact Max Luy at (510) 502-3224; or at his website: www.mpenterprises.weebly.com; or directly to his email at maxluy@hotmail.com.

GRAND HIGH PRIEST’S CALENDAR JUNE 2022 TO MAY 2023 Date June 3

Event CAGYR Corporation meeting

Location ZOOM

June 4

June 23—26 June 25 June 27 July 2

Commandery Orders Eureka Lodge #16 Hiram Award Nevada Grand Sessions Grand Bethel, IOJD Special Convocation Funeral Service Constitution, Atlas Chapter Chapter and Council Festivals Golf Tourney Council #13 Ice Cream Social

July 3

4-Way Reception

July 4

4th of July Parade

June 6 June 9 June 12—14 June 16—18 June 18 June 19 June 20

July 8-9

Red Cross SW Regional July 17 Grand Master’s Breakfast July 19 Mom’s Birthday July 23 KYCH & YR College Aug 6 East Bay 3-Way Reception Aug 7 SF 3-Way Reception Aug 13 3-Way Reception Sept 5 Labor Day Sept 7 Eureka Lodge #16 Sept 12 Gold Country Chapter #11 Sept 18 Constitution Parade Sept 19 Commandery #4 Sept 22- Family Vacation 30 Oct 1-2 Grand Chapter Ritual Conference Oct 3 Eureka Lodge #16

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Sacramento 8am Auburn Auburn Reno, NV Visalia Zoom Auburn San Francisco Comptche CANCELLED Auburn Auburn San Luis Obispo, 11 am to 1 pm Los Angeles, 3pm to 9pm Newhall, 6am to 10am Las Vegas Los Angeles

Red Bluff Alameda Orange Park, SF San Jose Everywhere Auburn Auburn Nevada City Auburn Yosemite Visalia Auburn

Oct 10 Oct 17 Oct 2123 Oct 2325 Nov 7 Nov 14 Nov 21 Nov 24 Nov 28 Nov 29 Mar 3-5, 2023 Mar 11, 2023 Mar 12, 2023 May 1318

Gold Country Chapter #11 Auburn #4 Commandery Grand Lodge Colorado River Fall Festival Eureka Lodge #16 Gold Country Chapter #11 Auburn Commandery #4 Thanksgiving Sierra Nevada Council #13 AMD Grand Officers’ Conference 3-Way Reception 3-Way Reception Grand Sessions

Auburn Auburn

GRAND CHAPTER CONTACT INFORMATION

San Francisco Laughlin, NV

Grand High Priest: R. Scott Husmann, KYGCH (805) 482-6756 (H)

Auburn Auburn

Husmann@sebastiancorp.net Grand Secretary:

Auburn

Richard W. Bullard, KYGCH 619-993-4840 (C)

Everywhere Auburn Folsom Visalia

Grand.recorder.cm.ca@gmail.com Assistant Grand Secretary: Tom Krummell, KYCH 1123 J Street Sacramento, CA 95814 (562) 924-6500(W) x 1001 (916) 844-8252(C)

San Diego Inland Empire Visalia

Tom.Krummell@gmail.com

Editor: 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, or go to the Grand York Rite website calendar at:

http://www.yorkriteofcalifornia.org/royala rch/ghpcalendar.html

TAX REPORTING

Phil Hardiman, KYGCH (916) 712-4814(C)

Grand.recorder.cm.ca@gmail.com Website: WWW.YORKRITEOFCALIFORNIA.ORG

Robert Wellington of Orange County Chapter No. 73 is willing to assist Chapters with guidance to restore their tax exempt status, if needed. If you would rather speak to a brother, Companion and Sir Knight, than an IRS or FTB agent, feel free to contact Bob at 714-396-0846, or rozekroy@gmail.com

GOLDEN STATE CHAPTER OF RESEARCH Website: WWW.GOLDENSTATECHAPTER.ORG GRAND SESSIONS, FORMS & SCHEDULES Website: WWW.CA-GYRS.ORG

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SECRETARY and/or RECORDER ESSENTIALS Forms and Documents you will need are located at the Grand York Rite website, which is: www.yorkriteofcalifornia.org.

Scroll down and click on "York Rite Forms and Documents." Then click on the appropriate logo. A window opens where you enter the userid, which is "cagyr" and the password, which is "brio" Scroll down to Officers Manual, which has information for the Secretary, and print that out. Many concepts in the Grand Chapter manual are relevant to the Councils and Commanderies.

Priorities are as follows: 1. Dues Collection – You should send out dues notices no later than October, with payments from members due by December 31st.

2. Membership control -- Especially important is the very last item, “Royal Arch Monthly Report.” This is relevant to you as a Secretary/Recorder if you do not yet have a userid for access to MMS – Masonic Membership Solutions. If you fill the paper report out each month, whenever you encounter changes to the membership, you will find it much easier at the end of the year to produce the year-end report, which is used to compute the amount of per capita the Chapter needs to pay. That payment is due by Jan 15th each year. Important changes to your membership include new members, demits, remits and deaths. Maintain e-mail addresses for members and you can easily then forward the monthly newsletter, The WORKMAN, to them.

3. Do not cavalierly suspend members for non-payment of dues. There is a Constitutional process that should be followed rigorously in order that members, who may have moved and not received your dues notice, are treated fairly. See the following sections of the relevant Constitution in order to learn about this process: Chapter: See Section 201 in the Constitution at http://www.yorkriteusa.org/cagyr/forms/Chapter/ROYAL%20ARCH%20C onstitution%202018%20Rev1.pdf Council: See Section 30-10 in the Constitution at http://www.yorkriteusa.org/cagyr/forms/Council/Grand%20Council%20C onstitution%202018%20Rev1.pdf Commandery: See Section 347 in the Constitution at http://www.yorkriteusa.org/cagyr/forms/Commandery/GRAND%20COMM ANDERY%20Constitution%202018%20Rev1.pdf Page 7 of 13

4. Per Capita -- The Per Capita payment, due each Jan 15th, does not require action by the Chapter to be paid. You will need good, up-to-date end-of-year number of active members that is crucial for us when we compute your per capita payment. Without good data you will most likely overpay your per capita requirement. It is sensible to begin your process near the end of the CY, as soon as possible. It is also sensible, if you have access to the Grand Lodge database, to check each member to see if they are still alive. But most important is getting a userid to utilize MMS. 5. Insurance -- The Insurance payment, due each July 15th, does not require action by the Chapter, Council or Commandery to be paid. You will be billed for the payment by the Grand Secretary-Recorder.

6. Lodge Book of Marks – Maintain this up-to-date, or perhaps arrange for a PHP to take on the responsibility of maintaining.

7. Minutes – Take good minutes, but don’t over-do it by trying to capture everything that is said. Focus on having a clear representation of motions made and the vote count by which they passed or failed. In addition to keeping petitions in a separate file, it is good practice to replicate the basic petitioner information in the minutes. It is also a good practice to keep the names of attendees at each meeting in the minutes. If conferring a degree, keep a copy of the cast members and the candidate(s). Also, please send the candidate class names to the Grand Secretary.

8. Grand Sessions – Before the April meeting, remind the Dais officers they are responsible to attend, and arrange a stipend if your Chapter, Council or Commandery can afford it. Remind members who expect to attend to be sure to take their dues cards. If Dais Officers of the Chapter and Council cannot attend, they may issue a proxy, or they may elect a representative. This is true also for Commanderies, whose members cannot issue proxies. The appropriate forms can be obtained on the Grand York Rite website: Scroll to "Elected Representative and Proxy Credentials."

9. Order of High Priesthood – Be sure the current HP and PHPs know they are eligible to receive this Order. In fact, it is a Constitutional requirement! Share the petition with them and send to the Grand Secretary. This requirement does not appear to be true for the Thrice Illustrious Master Degree or the Past Commander’s Association.

Petitions for all three bodies are available at the secure website.

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4- WAY RECEPTION HONORING

Most Excellent Grand High Priest, R. Scott Hussman Most Illustrious Grand Master, Guy Chalmers Right Eminent Grand Commander, SK Craig Flagtwet Most Worshipful Grand Master, Jeff Wilkins DATE: July 3rd, 2022

Time: 5:30 pm social 6:30 pm dinner

Location: Van Nuys Masonic Lodge 14750 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, CA 91405

R.S.V.P. to rsvp@sfvyrb.org

Please RSVP before July 1st, 2022

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GRAND YORK RITE OF CALIFORNIA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD ELMER B. CURTIS

GRAND CHAPTER ROYAL ARCH MASONS - 2022 GRAND CONVOCATION REPORT GRAND OFFICERS Grand High Priest .............................. R. Scott Husmann ............. Gold Country Chapter No. 11 Grand King......................................... Thomas C. Chavez ..................... California Chapter No. 1 Grand Scribe ......................................... David E. Sokol ............................ Shasta Chapter No. 9 Grand Treasurer .............................Leland G. Routt, PGHP .................. Stockton Chapter No. 2 Grand Secretary........................... Richard W. Bullard, PGHP ........... San Diego Chapter No. 61 Grand Lecturer ................................Steven R. Goad, PGHP ............ Kern Valley Chapter No. 75 Grand Chaplain North ........................... Philip W. Sugg ................ Gold Country Chapter No. 11 Grand Chaplain South............................ Steven Lerner ..................... San Diego Chapter No. 61 Assistant Grand Secretary ............... Thomas A. Krummell ........... Gold Country Chapter No. 11 Grand Captain of the Host ................ David G. Rathgeber ...Jerry A. Wohlfarth Chapter No. 130 Grand Principal Sojourner .................... Gary M. Iverson ........................ Whittier Chapter No. 91 Grand Royal Arch Captain ................... David Anderson .................... Woodland Chapter No. 46 Grand Master of the Third Veil ......... Cameron T. Williams ................ Woodland Chapter No. 46 Grand Master of the Second Veil .........Robert K. Geiger ....................... Whittier Chapter No. 91 Grand Master of the First Veil .............. Michael Murphy ........................... Shasta Chapter No. 9 Grand Orator ....................................Jonathan H. Prestage ... Siminoff Daylight Chapter No.163 Grand Marshal North....................... Jarrod D. Washington .......... Gold Country Chapter No. 11 Grand Marshal South ....................... Christopher Radcliffe..Jerry A. Wohlfarth Chapter No. 130 Grand Organist .................................. Nicholas Theriault ............. Gold Country Chapter No. 11 Grand Sentinel .....................................Brandon Duenas .......................Howard Chapter No. 14 GENERAL GRAND CHAPTER ROYAL ARCH MASONS INTERNATIONAL AWARDS EPHRAIM KIRBY AWARD Edgar W. Fentum .................................................................. Siminoff Daylight Chapter No. 163 DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL IN BRONZE Daniel L. Doornbos ................................................................................Howard Chapter No. 14

GRAND CHAPTER ROYAL ARCH MASONS OF CALIFORNIA AWARDS GRAND HIGH PRIEST DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL Dinesh Chhabra ...................................................................................Oakland Chapter No. 36 Darrell Hunter ........................................................................................... Chico Chapter No. 42 Charles Malear ................................................................................ Kern Valley Chapter No. 75 Teodorico J. ATJ@ Oliva ........................................................................... Signet Chapter No. 57 David Vassall ................................................................................. San Diego Chapter No. 61

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HIGH PRIEST OF THE YEAR High Priest of the Year for the State M. Robert Bettencourt ................ San Luis Chapter No. 62

High Priest of the Year Department #1 Arnulfo J. Palma Ancient Chapter No. 31 High Priest of the Year Department #2. . . . .Cameron T. Williams...... Woodland Chapter No. 46 High Priest of the Year Department #5 .......... Anthony C. McLean ... J. Wohlfarth Chapter No. 130 SECRETARY OF THE YEAR Secretary for the State ................................... Ron W. Alcorn III San Gabriel Valley Chapter No. 100 Secretary of the Year Department #1 ............ Jeffrey Schloo .............. Petaluma Chapter No. 22 Secretary of the Year Department #2 ............ Donald Black ...................... Shasta Chapter No. 9 Secretary of the Year Department #3 ............ Gary Jackson ............ Kern Valley Chapter No. 75 Secretary of the Year Department #4 ............ A. Sherm Ostrom Santa Monica Bay Chapter No. 97 Secretary of the Year Department #5 ............ W. Austin Swank ......... San Diego Chapter No. 61 DISTINGUISHED MEMBERSHIP AWARD n/a MEMBERSHIP EXCELLENCE AWARD Gary K. Jackson ............................................................................ Kern Valley Chapter No. 75 Chapter with highest percentage increase in membership (14.3%).. Kern Valley Chapter No. 75 Chapter with the highest number of new members (7) ............................. Signet Chapter No. 57

RUSSELL D. ROBERTS PERPETUAL TROPHY D. Mickel Edwards .......................................................................... Washington Chapter No. 13

GRAND LECTURER=S RITUAL MEDAL Miguel A. Vazquez-Marino.............................................................High Desert Chapter No. 127

RESOLUTIONS Resolution 2022-01 Resolution 2022-02 Resolution 2022-03 Resolution 2022-04

To all meetings and conferrals on Sunday ...................................... Passed Committee Re-structuring ............................................................... Passed To increase per capita to $23 .......................................................... Passed Ritual Change in the obligation........................................................ Passed

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