Author: oregonsr
Passing the torch of the Orient’s Leadershipš©
My dear Brethren,
First and foremost, it has been my honor and privilege to work with each of you. Your diligence, loyalty, and hard work have awarded me with honors, here at home and overseas. Every one of these awards and honors were directly effected by your willingness to perform your duties, your dedication to the Scottish Rite, and your loyalty to the Orient of Oregon.
The following is a list of some of our successes, but not all because I want to keep this letter under 10,000 words. Our Scholarship Charity has improved its communications and web page, reaching out better to everyone who might need a scholarship. We increased how many scholarships we provide and the money available for them. The Speech and Language Charity was going broke, the charity is now fully financed because of our due diligence. Portland State University has named its clinic after the Scottish Rite. We also contribute to the University of Oregon, helping their Speech Department with the training of its Speech Language Pathologists and their youth summer camp. The Board of the Orient of Oregon Speech and Language Charity saved the charity from financial ruin. We have also saved numerous Valleys from financial difficulties. Financially, we put together an excellent set of Orient policies and procedures. There are several Valleys who have successfully provided outreach to help their communities. We now have annual training classes for our membership and leadership. Valleys are helping other Valleys, cooperating with each other, and treating Masons like Masons with Brotherly Love. At Reunions at the Medford Valley, we now have five Valleys coming together, each of which puts on a degree. We have developed job descriptions, standard operating procedures, organization charts, and installed computers in each Valley, to improve communication in the Orient, and for the Supreme Councilās Valley Membership Achievement Project (VMAP). We also sold three of our buildings and built a new one for Medford Valley. All three of these Valleys have improved their financial situation with the sale of their buildings. Like I said, this is not a complete list, but it gives you an idea of some of our accomplishments. The leadership and membership have performed above and beyond all expectations and I am very proud of all of you.
My wife has supported me throughout my Masonic career, now it is time for me to be there for her and reciprocate the Love and support I have received. With that in mind I put in my request to retire as your Sovereign Grand Inspector General in January. I have attached the Grand Commander’s letter so you can read more detailsā¦ I know, Masons never gossip.
My Brethren, I can honestly say I am leaving the Orient of Oregon in better shape than I found it. Times bring new challenges every day. Our new Deputy will be able to deal with them; I have complete confidence in our Deputy and believe he will do a great job. Yes, as you assume, I know who it will be but it is our Grand Commander who must make the call. If asked, I will give my opinion and support to our new Deputy 100%. The last time I talk to our Grand Commander he shared that the phone call will take place in a couple of days.
My dear Brothers and friends, I thank you with all that makes me a person and Mason. Your support, loyalty, dedication, intellect, and Brotherly Love will never be forgotten and always cherished!
God Bless all of you and your families!
Fraternity and Loyalty,
Gary W Kuney, 33Ā°
S.G.l.G. in Oregon
Grand Chamberlain of the
Supreme Council
Oregon Speech and Language Charity Board visits UO Clinic
Members experienced first hand what the contributions of Scottish
Rite Masons do to enhance the lives of children throughout Oregon
EUGENE, OREGON (March 30, 2022) – Chairman of Orient Charities Illustrious Brother Bill Anton and Members of the Oregon Speech and Language Charity Board had the privilege of performing a site visit to the University of Oregon HEDCO Speech Pathology Clinic. The Charity Board oversees yearly disbursements to the pediatric section of the clinic; ranging from vital medical equipment & necessary operator training to full scholarships for children to receive services completely free of charge.
HEDCO provides diagnostic evaluations for speech & language/hearing disorders, as well as individual and group therapy. Contributions from the charity have been used to purchase and distribute telehealth equipment throughout Oregon allowing for more equitable dispersion of services. HEDCO is unique as it is a teaching clinic which allows our investment in the community to be twofold; over the past 6 years not only did Oregon Scottish Rite Masons sponsor care for 342 children, but our Orient Charity also helped to train 389 graduate students and clinicians.
None of this could be possible without the continued support of individual donations from Scottish Rite Masons throughout the Orient. If you wish to make an annual or one time donation please see the contact information and form at
https://oregonscottishrite.wordpress.com/oregon-scottish-rite-speech-and-language-charity/
The Oregon Speech & Language Charity is the Oregon Scottish Riteās primary charity and was established in 1980 with the mission of helping language impaired children experience the joy of expressing ideas and being clearly understood. By partnering primarily with clinics on the campuses of the University of Oregon and Portland State University we are now able to serve over 3,000 children every year and we are growing with your help.
Oregon children who are dealing with Stuttering, Aphasia, Autism, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and a multitude of other communication disorders are being assisted by the Oregon Orient Speech & Language Charity.
All money given by this charity stays in Oregon helping Oregon children and our administrative costs are less than 1% of our budget.
Medford Scottish Rite Remembrance & Renewal
Brothers,
Our annual Remembrance & Renewal Ceremony and inner will be on April 18th, with the Ceremony starting at 6:00pm.
Dinner will start at 6:30pm.
The menu is: Lasagna or Pasta Alfredo, Vegetable, Bread, Salad, and Gelato for dessert. Iced Tea, Coffee, or water to wash it all down.
The cost is $20.00 per person due to inflation.
Please RSVP to the Medford Scottish Rite office by April 15.
Hope to see you there.
Ed Davis
Secretary
Orient Speech and Language Charity Update
Dear Brethren of the Oregon Scottish Rite,
As you file your 2021 taxes before Tax Day, we encourage our Scottish Rite Brethren to remember the values that support our tenets of Truth, Brotherly Love, and namely, Charity.
In considering your financial journey for the year ahead, this last value (Charity) is of particular importance. You can make a difference in the lives of children in Oregon and their families who support them, while creating a benefit for your finances.
One powerful way to give is by donating stock to the Oregon Scottish Rite Speech and Language Charity. When you transfer appreciated assets, you avoid paying the capital gains tax, meaning there are potential tax savings coming your way!
In addition, you are eligible to take a charitable deduction for the entire donation amount if you itemize deductions.
I hope you consider this powerful way to support the Oregon Scottish Rite Speech and Language Charity, and your savings, this tax season.
Sincerely and fraternally,
Bruce Kundert, 33Ā°, Iā“Gā“Hā“
President
Oregon Scottish Rite Speech and Language Charity
Portland Valley Spring 2022 Reunion, April 15 & 16, 2022
The Portland Valley’s 251st Simi-Annual Reunion will be on Friday, April 15th, and Saturday, April 16th. All existing Scottish Rite members are encouraged to attend!
Any Valley Members who are willing to assist are encouraged to sign up for a shift, click this link to volunteer.
All dinner and lunches for existing members must be preordered at https://scottish-rite-inc.square.site/
Note: All candidates meals are included in their initiation fees.
Portland Valley 17th Degree Tuesday, March 15th, at 7pm
The 17th Degree March 15th, at 7pm.
Rehearsals
- Mar. 14, 7:30pm, Final Dress
- Mar. 15, 7pm, Conferral
Ainsworth Chapter of Rose Croix No. 1
17th Degree
Knight of the East and West
- Duties of the Degree: To work, to reflect, and to pray. To hope, to trust, and to believe. To teach truths that are hidden in allegories, and concealed by the symbols of Freemasonry.
- Lessons:Ā An army of martyrs have offered up their lives to prove their faith or benefit mankind.
- For refection:Ā Can Masonry teach religion without being a religion? What is the meaning of the vacant chair in the ceremony?
Portland Valley Premieres the Ceremony of Remembrance for 2022
The Portland Valley premiere of the Ainsworth Chapter of Knights Rose Croix Ceremony of Remembrance and Renewal for 2022 will air tonight on our Valley’s YouTube channel.
Your online viewing attendance is encouraged as we honor our dear departed Scottish Rite Brethren of the preceding year and usher in hope for increasing light in the year to come.
Don’t forget to like and subscribe to the Portland Valley’s YouTube Channel to stay up to date on new content.
Orient of Oregon Scottish Rite Education fund Update, Deadline tomorrow, March 1, 2022
Brethren,
Time is almost up for students to apply for the Oregon Scottish Rite Scholarship. So far we have received 14 applications from variousĀ parts of the state, but it would be fantasticĀ if we could get even more!
Once again, all you need to do is direct any student to the new websiteĀ Ā https://orsrscholarships.comĀ and have them apply! It’s that easy!
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
FraternallyĀ yours,Ā
Nicholas Johns, 32Ā°, K.S.A.
PresidentĀ Orient of Oregon Scottish Rite Educational Charity
