Category: Orient News

Passing of Ill. Deary Vaughn, 33°, Sovereign Grand Commander, United Supreme Council AASR (PHA) SJ

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Photo: Ill. Deary Vaughn, 33°, Sovereign Grand Commander, United Supreme Council AASR (PHA) SJ

Brethren,

The role of the workman has been called and, one Master Mason, Ill. Deary Vaughn, 33°, Sovereign Grand Commander, 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.

December 14, 2020

On behalf of the Supreme Council, 33°, A.& A.S.R. of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction, USA, I extend my condolences and heartfelt prayers to the family of Illustrious Deary Vaughn, 33°, who served as Sovereign Grand Commander of the United Supreme Council AASR (PHA) SJ from 2003 until his passing today.

To my Brethren and friends of the United Supreme Council AASR (PHA) SJ, I offer to you my prayers and my pledge of continuing support. You have lost a great leader and an outstanding Mason.

As with all who met him, I count it an honor to have called Deary my friend and Brother. He extended the kindest courtesies to me whenever I was in his presence, and he truly walked the Masonic path.

To his successor, Illustrious Corey D. Hawkins, 33°, and the other officers of his Council, I have pledged our continued support and best wishes as they deal with this significant loss.

I will miss my good friend. May his memory continue in our hearts as we continue our Masonic journey that he himself traveled so well.

Sincerely and fraternally,
James D. Cole, 33°,
Sovereign Grand Commander, A. & A.S.R. of Freemasonry, S.J., U.S.A.

Oregon “Two-Week Freeze” implements new restrictions on Fraternal Meetings 12/01/2020

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Grand Master’s Guidance Nov. 30, 2020
two-week-freeze-update_11.30.2020Download

The current FAQs regarding Fraternal Orders can be found at: https://sharedsystems.dhsoha.state.or.us/DHSForms/Served/le2390r.pdf

And additional resources and information can be found at:
https://govstatus.egov.com/or-covid-19?gclid=Cj0KCQiAzZL-BRDnARIsAPCJs73dkvh8vmbEC_0-NZu_h6C5_YDiGwrcXZYdh5_B2nWgZUAXEzCDAU0aAsl1EALw_wcB

More information will be available on December 3rd, 2020 from the State Governor’s office.

Appointment of the Orient Personal Representative for the S.G.I.G. in the Orient of Oregon

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Ill. Br. Vanderpool

Dear Brethren,

It is my honor and privilege to introduce to you my new Personal Representative for the Orient of Oregon, Illustrious Brother Dale Vanderpool, 33º, Inspector General Honorary. Br. Dale brings great leadership skills and insights from the workings of the Scottish Rite Valley of Eugene. He has been a valuable member of the Masonic Community and served on the Scottish Rite’s charity and Orient committees for many years. Please welcome him, and thank you, Brother Dale, for your service to the Craft.

Fraternally,
Gary Kuney, 33°
Grand Chamberlain &
S.G.I.G. in Oregon

Possible Wildfire Disaster Relief Funds Sept. 23rd, 2020

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SGIG Letter HeadDear Brethren,

I hope this communication finds you in good health and safe.

I have spoken to our Sovereign Grand Commander, Illustrious Brother James Cole, 33°, and he informed me the Supreme Council will be establishing a disaster relief fund for those affected by the wildfires in Oregon with a page set up on their website to receive donations.

Portland Valley will be utilizing the Acacia Fund 501(c)3 to aggregate the donations, not culminating the funds. These funds will be solicited throughout the United States and every penny of this fund will go to the relief of the general citizens of the State of Oregon affected by the wildfires. In other words the recipients are not required to be members of the Scottish Rite or Masons. None of the monies donated will be utilized for the cost of administration.

I have appointed a state wide committee of Illustrious Brothers to analyze the needs throughout the state and disburse the funds. The committee consists of Illustrious Brother Lyle Logan,33°, PGM, Illustrious Brother Hank Stockhoff, 33°, and Illustrious Brother Eric Gazow, 33°. I greatly appreciate the assistance of these Brothers for volunteering to help administer this endeavor.

All Valley Personal Representatives are requested to gather the necessary information from anyone in Oregon requesting aid and provide the following criteria for disbursement of relief funds:

  1. The full name of the person requesting assistance.
  2. A brief explanation of the nature of their need and the reason for the request or what damages occurred to cause the need for assistance.
  3. An explanation of any insurance coverage of the damaged property and if there is an expectation of any reimbursement for coverage.

If you feel there is any additional relevant or pertinent information that should be shared with Illustrious Brother Eric Gazow. If any requests come in from individuals other than the various Valley Personal Representatives the requests will not be considered at this time.

Again let me state that this is for the assistance of all Oregonians.

Thank you and God bless you all!
SGIG Sign
Gary Kuney, 33°
Grand Chamberlain &
S.G.I.G. in Oregon

Topics & Speakers wanted for Orient of Oregon Virtual Leadership Workshop July 11th

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32nd_degree_sr_logoGreetings Brethren,
 
We are pleased to announce the 2020 Orient-wide Leadership Workshop will be held this July 11th via an online presentation format.

At this time we are calling for the submission of any requests for topics or volunteer presenters from the Leadership and Officers of the various Valleys in Oregon.

Some ideas so far for requested presentations are sharing best practices, policies, and procedures on topics such as; 

  • Membership: How does the Valley Membership Achievement Program (VMAP) or other programs work for increasing and retaining membership activity in your Valley?
  • Be a Freemason: Does your Valley have an outreach program with the local Blue Lodges to help them with getting good and qualified new members?
  • Leaders & Mentors: How does your Valley’s Leadership Pass the Tools and inspire the development of future Officers and Leaders?
  • Event coordination: What successful and fun events are held in your Valley and can they be improved?
  • Communication: What are effective methods of communication with your Membership?
  • Degree Conferrals: What does your Valley do around planning and conferring of the Scottish Rite Degrees?
  • Finances & Fiduciaries: How does your Valley prudently manage the Membership’s assets, gain income, rent out your facility, and balance an annual budget?
  • Investment in the Rite Future: What are the long term goals for the Valley’s property or assets and what plans are made to invest and preserve them for the next generations of Scottish Rite Masons over the next 10, 50, or 100 years?
  • History, Culture & Traditions: How does your Valley preserve and pass on its history, culture and local traditions to current and new members?

Presentations should be 15-20 minutes at most. If you have the ability to pre-record your presentation on video with PowerPoint slides or clearly visible visual aids that is ideal.

Also it is highly recommended to review and use the resources provided by the Supreme Council at https://scottishrite.org/members/2020-workshops/

Please contact Br. Nate at secretary@portlandsr.com to make arrangements to do a presentation for the Orient by your Valley.

Information on attending or viewing the online presentations will be provided at a later date.