March 16, 2020

Medford Scottish Rite
3581 Lear Way
Medford Oregon 97504

Subject: Plan of Operation during the Coronavirus shutdown

Brethren,
The recent shutdown of Scottish Rite activities due to the prudent precautionary measures advised by the CDC, Federal and State Medical Organizations and the Orient, require changes as to how we conduct business operations and expectations of the Medford Executive Committee during the course of this temporary suspension of activities and events.

The directive from our SGIG stated the shutdown is effective until further notice. In that respect we are carefully monitoring the situation and planning how to maintain the necessary business required for the administration of the corporation and, its fiduciary requirements.

The Medford Scottish Rite business office is operating on a limited schedule to operate the building and paying the required monthly bills associated with the maintenance of the Scottish Rite Center.

We will be re-evaluating the situation every fifteen days to determine when normal or semi-normal operations may be resumed. At the end of the month of March we will determine where we go during the next fifteen days. The projections by the Federal Government is that the COVID-19 virus will continue through the end of August. This may or may not be accurate but, we will assume the fifteen day re-evaluation will continue through that period. As we normally go dark during July and August, I do not see activities resuming at least until the first of September.

The Executive Committee will be required to meet on the second Monday of the month at 5:30 as we normally do during our dark months, to review the monthly bills and sign off on expenditures as always. The meetings will be executive sessions for that sole purpose but, may be expanded to discuss planning for future operational considerations if necessary. As an executive member, your attendance is obligatory however, if you are ill or feel that you should not attend, please notify the Personal Representative as to your status. Your health and safety and the safety of your Brothers is our highest priority and we do not want to put our Brothers in undue jeopardy.

During the period of operational constraints, we encourage our members to keep in contact with our Masonic Organizations and Brethren by phone, text or emails. During a period of limited social contact and social distancing, some people experience psychological depression and feelings of dread. We are social animals and need to communicate with our friends and families to maintain a positive and optimistic outlook during these times of stress.

Please follow all the recommendations of our medical authorities and keep yourself and your loved ones safe as this nation and the world confronts and curtails this COIVID-19 pandemic.

Fraternally,

Bruce A. Kundert, 32* KCCH
Personal Representative to the SGIG in Oregon
Medford Valley Scottish Rite
medsrpr@charter.net
(541) 326-7879

Brothers of Medford Valley Scottish Rite,

We will be performing the 14th Degree for Certification by the SGIG on March, 02, 2020 at 6:30pm at the Scottish Rite Center.

The 14th Degree Cast has put forth considerable effort, so please attend if possible.
Dress is casual, and there will be coffee and refreshments afterward.

Ed Davis, 32* KCCH
General Secretary
Medford Valley Scottish Rite

Rogue Valley Masonic Appreciation Dinner

Medford Valley Scottish Rite of Freemasonry
Feast of Kadosh and Grand Masters Reception
January 20, 2020

All Masons, their Ladies and guests are welcome to attend the annual Feast of Kadosh presented by the Medford Council of Kadosh at the Scottish Rite Center located at 3581 Lear Way in Medford Oregon.  This Feast celebrates the founding of the Order of Knights Templar and is presented in the month of January. 

We are very happy to have a special guest at our Feast this year; Most Worshipful Brother Ronald Eggers the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ancient and Free Masons in Oregon will be visiting our Valley.

MWB Eggers is also a 33° Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the Portland Valley Scottish Rite.

The reception for the Grand Master will begin at 6 PM and dinner will be served at 6:30 PM.

The Cost is $15.00 per plate and can be paid at the door.
Please RSVP to the Medford Scottish Rite Office by January 17, 2020 at (541) 772-2205 to assure an accurate meal count.

 Looking forward to seeing you there and help us welcome MWB Eggers to the Medford Valley Scottish Rite!

The Medford Valley Scottish Rite was host to the Medford Chamber of Commerce Group on December 5, 2019 at the Medford Scottish Rite Center.

The event was an opportunity for the Medford Valley to show the members and vendors attending our multifunctional facility the possibility of booking a worthy venue for their future promotional, business, educational or recreational events.   The Medford Valley Scottish Rite is an active member of the Medford Chamber and we are committed to expanding our potential revenue generation by offering our facility to the community as a potential event venue.

The Medford Valley Scottish is becoming known in the Medford Community as an active member of the Chamber and our facility has continued to generate interest.  It is our hope that the Scottish Rite will also create interest in our fraternity as the general public gets to know us and the values, principles, virtues and the brotherhood we espouse.

A great time was had by all and everyone enjoyed the opportunity to view our facility and meet with our Building Manager Brother Ed Davis.

Many promising leads were generated for potential future events here at the Medford Scottish Rite Center.

Fraternally,
Bruce A. Kundert, 32° K.C.C.H.
Personal Representative
Medford Valley Scottish Rite

Brethren,

The roll of the workmen has been called, and one Master Mason, Brother Don Virgil Puckett, 32° has not answered to his name. He has laid down the working tools of life and with them has left that mortal part for which he no longer has use. His labors here below have taught him to divest his heart and conscience of the vices and superfluity of life, thereby fitting his mind as a living stone for that spiritual building, that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Strengthened in his labors here by faith in God, and confident of expectation of immortality, he has been granted admission to the Celestial Lodge above. His Brethren mourn the passing of a great man and Mason.

Brother Don Virgil Puckett was born on June 15th, 1930 and passed to the Celestial Lodge on December 17th, 2018. Brother Don was a member of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for 48 years having obtain the title of Master of the Royal Secret on November 21, 1970.   Brother Don was a member of the Riddle Lodge #148 A.F. & A.M. in Riddle Oregon and has spent his later years in Wasilla, Alaska with his beloved wife.  Brother Don was a prolific supporter of the Almoner’s Fund and the Childhood Language Clinic at the Medford Valley Scottish Rite.

The Medford Scottish Rite has initiated a charity donation program to allow members to contribute to the Oregon Scottish Rite Speech and Language Charity; our philanthropic endeavor.

Contributions may be made by check written to “Oregon Scottish Rite Speech & Language Charity” which is tax deductible for the year of your contribution.

The individuals’ contributions will be documented and the contributors will be recognized for their generous donations.  When contributions for the individual contributor reaches a level of $500.00, the individual will be given a nameplate on the Speech and Language Charity “Plaque of Honor” located in the Medford Scottish Rite Center.

Checks are to be collected by the General Secretary at the Medford Scottish Rite Business Office and will be sent to the Charity Board in Portland.   After the last quarter of the fiscal year, the contributor will receive a thank you letter from the Oregon Scottish Rite Speech and Language Charity with, the appropriate tax-exempt number for their contribution as confirmation from the Oregon Scottish Rite Charity Board for submittal with your tax returns.

Your support of this program and your generous contributions to the Oregon Scottish Rite Speech and Language Charity will be greatly appreciated.  These contributions will bring needed assistance to young patients whose lives will be greatly benefitted by your generous gift.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the General Secretary at (541) 772-2205 or by email at office@medfordvalleyscottishrite.com

Fraternally,

Bruce A. Kundert, 32° K.C.C.H.
Personal Representative to the SGIG in Oregon
Medford Valley Scottish Rite
Speech and Language Charity Donation Program initiation ltr – 10-28-2019