To view articles from other years click here: -Secretary's Desk Archives-
From the Desk of the Secretary - November 2019
Calendar Schedule
3 Nov – SR Team practice
13 Nov – Executive Committee meeting/3dt practice
17 Nov – SR Team practice
20 Nov – All Bodies, Election of 2020 Officers
KCCH Honors Ceremony
An open to all, State-wide, 32° KCCH Honors ceremony on 26 October was a huge success with members, families and friends observing the ceremony. Illustrious Jamie Smith, Alabama SGIG, thanked each cast participant for their efforts to perform a beautiful ceremony. Montgomery Honorees were Paul J Adams, Robert R Clay, Nicholas L Milner and Daniel W Robinson. We congratulate each of them and our new 33° members, Travis DeFoor and James H Pilson.
A Thank you goes to...
A big thank you to Tom Gates for his outstanding work in the building. The lodge room, dining room and locker area floors are great. He stripped then waxed each floor.
2020 Officers
As a reminder, all 2020 Officers are to be installed on 18 December 2019.
New Grand Commander Elected
In case you did not know, the Supreme Council elected a new Grand Commander, Illustrious James D Cole, who replaced our now-Past Grand Commander Ronald A Seale after 16 years of dedicated service in that position. (Yes, we have a James L Cole, 32° KCCH as a Valley member who has not claimed to be a relative of Ill James D Cole.)
William J Loerch, Secretary
Email:secretary@mgmyaasr.com
From the Desk of the Secretary - October 2019
Calendar Schedule
6 Oct – SR Team practice
9 Oct – Executive Committee meeting/3dt practice
16 Oct – All Bodies, Nominations for 2020 Officers
20 Oct – KCCH Honors Team practice
26 Oct – KCCH Honors Day Ceremony 9:00 AM
33° Honors
The 33° Honors ceremony on 21 September was a huge success with State-wide members observing the ceremony. Illustrious Jamie Smith, Alabama SGIG, and Illustrious Karl Reed, past Alabama SGIG, thanked each cast participant for their efforts to perform a ceremony better than those witnessed in the past. Illustrious Karl Reed then gave an outstanding talk, concluding by saying all Masons, especially Scottish Rite members, must contemplate what will result after whatever each one of us do or say.
Building Maintenance and Improvements
A big thank you to Honorable James Cole and his crew for their superb work in and on the building. The rest rooms in the dining area are looking great, and the outside front light is wonderful. He also replaced the flagpole pullies and rope. They are not finished with all they intend to do. The next time you see James, give him a big thank you!
Forgive me from being absent from the office for a few days. After a couple doctor visits and a tooth canal, am doing better.
William J Loerch, Secretary
Email:secretary@mgmyaasr.com
From the Desk of the Secretary - September 2019
Calendar Schedule
1 Sep – SR Team practice
11 Sep – Executive Committee meeting/3dt practice CANCELLED for 3dt fish-fry.
15 Sep – 33° team practice
18 Sep – Feast of Tishri
21 Sep – 33° Degree Honors Day Ceremony 10:00 AM
22 Sep – KCCH Honors Team practice (26 October 2019 ceremony)
KCCH Banquet
The KCCH meal and auction on 28 August was a success.
2019 Fall Reunion
As you most likely know, the 24 August Class reunion was cancelled due to not having any petitions. Please obtain petitions for the 2020 classes.
KSA Cleanup
Another big thank you to the members of the KSA for cleaning more of the building. Their efforts are extremely appreciated. 2019 has been a great year for the KSA due to superb leadership and willingness to support Valley functions. They are highly visible!
William J Loerch, Secretary
Email:secretary@mgmyaasr.com
From the Desk of the Secretary - August 2019
Calendar Schedule
4 Aug – SR Team practice
14 Aug - Executive Committee meeting/3dt practice
18 Aug - 33° team practice (21 September 2019 ceremony)
21 Aug – LOP meeting
24 Aug – Class Reunion
25 Aug – KCCH team practice (26 October 2019 ceremony)
28 Aug – KCCH meal & auction
Dues
The list of those owing 2019 dues has been reduced to 35 of the 525 members on the active members list. Please pay your dues if you have not already done so
Library Clean Up
A big thank you to the members of the KSA for cleaning and rearranging the library then cleaning the remaining building. Outstanding effort and help!
Contact Information
If you have a change in contact information, notify this office. We have had several USPS returned mail pieces as “UNABLE TO FORWARD”. Trying to contact them by telephone, their phone number is not in service.
Fall Reunion
Hopefully we will have more petitions for the 24 August class. As of now, we have only one petition.
William J Loerch, Secretary
Email:secretary@mgmyaasr.com
From the Desk of the Secretary - July 2019
Calendar Schedule
7 Jul – SR Team practice
10 Jul - Executive Committee meeting/3dt practice
17 Jul – LOP meeting
21 Jul – 33° team practice (21 September 2019 ceremony)
28 Jul – KCCH team practice (26 October 2019 ceremony)
2019 Honorees
This year Honors Day will be held on 2 seperate days. 33° Honors Ceremony will be on 21 Sept 2019 at 10am. The KCCH Honors Day will be 26 October 2019 at 9am
Receiving 33° Honors:
Travis DeFoor
James H. Pilson
Receiving KCCH honors
Paul J. Adams
Robert R. Clay
Nicholas L. Milner
Daniel W. Robinson
Congratulations
Quarterly Newsletter
In our attempt to be in contact with all Valley members, we arranged for the Supreme Council to send a newsletter email to all members who have an email address on file. Of the 360 emails sent, 20 were rejected as invalid address. Those 20 were mailed a letter by this Valley with a printed copy of the newsletter. Of those, 4 have responded with a correct email address. The members not having an email address on file will be sent a letter with the newsletter attached
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier & Scholarship Presentations
The Montgomery Valley held a special meeting of all 4 Bodies on 19 June that included a meal and an outstanding guest speaker. Ill James W. Tate, 33° from Columbus, GA who spoke of his past duties as a guard at the Tomb of the Unknown in Arlington, VA and history of the Cemetery. Following the speaker, the Valley presented 3 scholarship awards and the KCCH presented 4 scholarship awards. As a side note, we had 81 members and visitors attending the function
Dues
The list of those owing 2019 dues has been reduced to 46 of the 526 members on the active members list.
Reunion
The next Reunion will be 24 Aug 2019
A Special Thanks
A big thank you to Honorable Brothers John Van Valkenburg and James Cole for enlarging the Library frame to hold deceased 33° pictures.
William J Loerch, Secretary
Email:secretary@mgmyaasr.com
From the Desk of the Secretary - June 2019
Calendar Schedule
2 Jun – SR Team practice
12 Jun - Executive Committee meeting/3dt practice
16 Jun – 33° team practice (21 September 2019 ceremony)
19 Jun – LOP & Council meeting
23 Jun – KCCH team practice (26 October 2019 ceremony)
26 Jun – KCCH Banquet
Ring and Patent Ceremony
On 15 May, the Valley had a ring and Patent presentation ceremony for the 30 March reunion class members, friends and family who attended this open ceremony. Ill Buddy Wilson, 33°, the Personal Representative, presented the rings, Patents, and a printed copy of “If your Ring Could Talk” to each attending member.
2019 Dues
The list of those owing 2019 dues has been reduced to 48 of the 525 members on the active members list.
August Reunion
Plans for the next class reunion are being worked with a tentative date of 24 August. If you know of a Mason willing to join the Scottish Rite, please get them to fill-out a petition and turn it in with fees to the office.
William J Loerch, Secretary
Email:secretary@mgmyaasr.com
From the Desk of the Secretary - May 2019
Calendar Schedule
5 May – SR Team practice
8 May - Executive Committee meeting/3dt practice
15 May – LOP & Consistory meeting after ring ceremony
19 May – 33° team practice
26 May – KCCH team practice
Patent & Ring Ceremony
On 15 May, the Valley will have a ring and Patent presentation ceremony for the 30 March reunion class of new members. There will be a covered dish meal at 6:30 PM followed by the ceremony in the dining room that is open to friends and family. The regular membership meeting will follow in the Lodge room at 7:30 PM.
Ceremony of Remembrance and Ceremonial of Renewal
The open to all Ceremony of Remembrance and Ceremonial of Renewal held on 17 April was a success with outstanding performances by the cast members. A special thanks to Honorable Zachary Holmes, 32° KCCH for directing and heading the cast compose of: Brother Daniel Robinson, 32°; Honorable James Pilson, 32° KCCH; Brother Alan Davis, 32°; Illustrious John Dijt, 33°; Honorable Paul Mann, 32° KCCH; and Honorable John Hall III, 32° KCCH
Member Communication & Attendance
We have had complaints that some members do not receive anything other than the Scottish Rite Journal and dues notices. As communications between members and the Valley is a two-way street, we submit those members do not keep in touch. That is one of the reasons why we have a web page on-line and have sent emails and letters. It’s a shame those members cannot or will not attend Valley functions. Please spread the word to members who you know about out plight. Thank you.
William J Loerch, Secretary
Email:secretary@mgmyaasr.com
From the Desk of the Secretary - April 2019
Calendar Schedule
5 Apr – Alabama Foundation meeting
7 Apr – SR Team practice
10 Apr - Executive Committee meeting/3dt practice
14 Apr – 33° team practice has been cancelled
17 Apr – Grand Masters meeting 9:00 AM
17 Apr – Maundy/Thursday celebration
21 Apr – SR Team practice
28 Apr – KCCH team practice
Welcome new Members
Welcome to the 8 new Valley members that were in the 30 March 2019 class reunion. They are needed and would like for them to participate in Valley functions.
Maundy/Thursday
On 17 April, the Valley will have the annual Maundy/Thursday recognition of members who have passed to the Greater Beyond; followed by the Ceremony of Remembrance; followed by a meal; followed by the Ceremonial of Renewal. Between the two ceremonies, the Chapter of Rose Croix is the only time of the year when that body is closed, otherwise that body is at refreshment instead of being closed.
Member Outreach
The Personal Representative has challenged each of us to contact three members that have not attended meetings lately to ask them to participate in functions of the Valley.
Honors Days
At 10:00 AM on 21 September, Montgomery will host the 33rd degree ceremony. (Open to 33° Scottish Rite Masons only.)
At 9:00 AM on 26 October, Montgomery will host the KCCH degree ceremony. (Open to all friends and family.)
At this time, no lunch or banquet is planned for either day, hotel reservations have not been made, and registration is not required. A Hospitality Room will have finger foods and drinks in the dining area on both days.
William J Loerch, Secretary
Email:secretary@mgmyaasr.com
From the Desk of the Secretary - March 2019
Calendar Schedule
3 Mar – SR Team practice
10 Mar – 4th Degree Team practice
13 Mar - Executive Committee meeting/3dt practice
17 Mar – 33rd degree team practice
20 Mar – LOP & Consistory meetings
24 Mar – KCCH team practice
30 Mar – Class Reunion
31 Mar – DeMolay
Reunion
Currently, we have no new petitions for the 30 March 2019 class reunion. If you know of any Mason who desires to participate, please get a petition to this office as soon as possible. Remember, we will cancel the class if we do not have at least 5 petitions.
Maundy/Thursday Celebration
Next month (17 April 2019) we will observe the Maundy/Thursday celebration in lieu of a regular LOP meeting. All, including family and friends. are invited as it is an open affair. A meal, furnished by the Valley, is scheduled between the ceremonies.
33° & KCCH Honors
The KCCH degree team and the 33rd degree team are practicing with great results. The Alabama SGIG, Illustrious Jamie Smith 33°,
has scheduled two days for the Honors ceremonies:
10:00 AM on 21 September we will host the 33rd degree ceremony.
9:00 AM on 26 October we will host the KCCH degree ceremony.
At this time, no banquet is being planned for either day, and hotel reservations have not been made.
William J Loerch, Secretary
Email:secretary@mgmyaasr.com
From the Desk of the Secretary - February 2019
Calendar Schedule
3 Feb - SR Team practice
13 Feb - Executive Committee meeting/3dt practice
17 Feb - 33rd degree team practice
20 Feb - LOP & Chapter meetings
24 Feb - KCCH team practice
Monthly Study Group
Due to lack of attendance, the Masonic Study Group that met on the 1st Wednesday of the Month has been canceled for the remainder of the year.
SR Team Practice
The 3rd Sunday of each month schedule for February to September 2019 has been changed from SR Team practice to a 33rd degree Team practice. If there is a need for a SR Team practice on that day, it will be held in the dining room. The 3rd Sunday of each month (October to December 2019) will be a SR Team practice.
Event Attendance
Please attend our Valley functions, they are listed in the web calendar and on the Lodge room entry wall. We are in dire need of attendance at all Valley functions.
William J Loerch, Secretary
Email:secretary@mgmyaasr.com
From the Desk of Secretary - January 2019
Calendar Schedule
2 Jan - Study group/Degree instruction
6 Jan - SR Team practice
9 Jan - Executive Committee meeting/3dt practice
16 Jan - LOP & Council meetings
20 Jan - SR Team practice
Dues and Suspension for non-payment
As of 31 December 2018, we suspended 39 members for non-payment of 2 years dues. If you know any suspended member, please let them know that they may reinstate any time for one-year dues of $100.00
2019 Officers
Our congratulations to the new 2019 Officers that have started their duties and need your support.
Please attend our Valley functions, they are listed in the web calendar and on the Lodge room entry wall. Have you any idea of how to increase attendance at our monthly meetings? We hoped the education portion would help. It has increased participation and discussions about the degree that is presented. Any suggestion will be accepted and is solicited.
William J Loerch, Secretary
Email:secretary@mgmyaasr.com
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