Message from your Assistant Valley Secretary & Web Master Don Broxson 32°

We are pleased to present this web site to our Salem Valley members and area Sojourners.  We hope that this becomes a link, that will be used by members and friends to keep up with goings on here in Salem.  The site includes a Calendar of center events that should be very useful.

I had the pleasure recently to attend the Scottish Rite Leadership Conference in Seattle with Valley Chairman David Fuller, 32° K.C.C.H. This was a very enjoyable experience, I met Brothers from all over the west coast representing their valleys and even met our Sovereign Grand Commander, Ill. Bro Ronald A. Seale, 33°. This Brother is one of the best speakers I have had the pleasure to listen to.  He captured the audience with his closing remarks.  During the two day adventure the Supreme Council members present many informative topics covering fund raising, organization, marketing and the new Master Craftsman program.

The Master Craftsman program is a new educational program developed by the Supreme Council as a result of information gathered from the last Leadership Conference. Education of membership was one of the most important topics then and still is.  As a result this new program is geared toward furthering our search for "Light". The program consists two books and six test sections each being multiple choice and one essay question (I learned at the conference only three brothers read the essay questions, one being Brother Seale).  The study materials consist of the book "Bridge to Light" and "Scottish Rite Ritual, Monitor & Guide" written by Arturo De Hoyos, 33°.  The cost of the program is $35 plus shipping, which includes the tests and Monitor.  If you buy the book by itself it would cost $65. What a savings. Supreme is dedicated to making this a learning experience and have untaken the next level of advanced "Light". This next level will cover the more esoteric teachings of the Scottish Rite and will consist of more essay questions and study material found on internet.

I have almost completed the first test and hope to have it in the mail this week. We are looking into the possibly of organizing a study group to help those who may wish to participate in this porgram.