M.W.
JAMES F. TROUTT II
MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND
MASTER
“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy path. (Proverbs
3:6) At this very moment I thank Him for the opportunity to praise and
magnify and glorify His holy name. I give Him all honor and praise and
glory, for He is worthy to be praised and it is through Him, that we live
and move and have our being. Our help is in the Name of the Lord, for the
Lord, Our God, is Mighty. He is King of kings, Lord of lords, the Prince of
Peace, Wonderful, Counselor, Jehovah, God the Provider, the Lamb of God, the
Great I Am.
Again, I greet you in the Nam~ of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is
through His grace and His mercy we are here this morning and that I am able
to stand before you to give an account of my stewardship from July 2001
through July 2002. This session completes my twentieth consecutive year as
an officer and servant of this Grand Lodge. I thank God for the privilege of
serving and acknowledge that I do not deserve to be your Grand Master, but
it is through His Grace that I am.
We learn in the first degree that no man should ever enter upon any great or
important undertaking without first invoking the aid of deity. Let us pray.
(***) Gracious and eternal God, our Father, Author of Nature, Giver of all
good gifts and graces, we come before you this morning Lord God with bowed
heads and humble hearts, praising, magnifying and glorifying your Holy Name.
Father God we thank you for this day, and for your tender mercy and your
loving kindness, but more especially for your divine Grace--that undeserved
kindness with which you bless us every single day.
Lord we pray this morning for our families, both immediate and extended
family Lord, that you would just touch. Keep us healthy and strong, safe and
secure in your name.
Lord we pray this morning for the sick and shut in, the homeless and for the
hungry that you would just touch Father God if it’s your will.
Father God, we ask you this morning to continue to bless us. We ask you
Father God to forgive our sin and we ask you to heal us. You already know
Father that this Grand Lodge has been troubled for two years now and we
continue to pray for healing. ‘We are pressed on every side by troubles, but
we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don’t give up and
quit ... we get knocked known, but we get up again and keep going. ”II Cor.
4. 0 bless your holy name Lord, my strength and my redeemer.
We pray Lord God that you will grant us strength to run from anything that
stimulates lust, to follow anything that makes us want to do right, to
pursue faith and love and peace and to enjoy the companionship and
fellowship of those who call on you with pure hearts and those who call
themselves our brethren. Help us to be kind to everyone, to avoid foolish,
ignorant arguments in this session and always. Help us to be patient Father
God and to gently teach those who oppose the TRUTH. Change their hearts so
that they will believe, come to their senses and escape the Devil’s trap.
Today, Father, we are gathered in your name and we are asking you to bless
us in the name of the Lord. We pray Father God for your guidance during this
99th Annual Communication. We pray for your wisdom Father to conduct the
business of this Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge in peace and
harmony.
We pray for our visiting brethren and for their families. We pray for their
understanding as we go through the pain of the struggles of another tough
year. And Father God we pray that the words or our mouths and the
meditations of our hearts will be pleasing in thy sight, 0 Lord our strength
and our redeemer. These and all blessings we ask in thy Holy Name and in the
name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
It has been a great honor to serve this Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand
Lodge for a second year as its Grand Master. Each of you is welcomed to this
our 99th Annual Communication. It is also my special privilege to welcome
Most Worshipful Grand Master Phillip Ambrose, MW Grand Master of the Grand
Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Japan, as well as MW Brother Elichi
lnae, Past Grand Master, who have traveled all the way from Tokyo, Japan.
We regret that Most Worshipful Grand Master Charles C Taylor, MW Grand
Master of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Oregon, Idaho and
Montana, Inc. was unable to attend our ~ Annual Session, but very honored to
have received M.W. P.G.M. Joseph L Harvey, who is representing the MW Grand
Master.
It is always a pleasure to have the delegation from the Most Worshipful
Grand Lodge of Washington and this is a good opportunity to congratulate
Most Worshipful Grand Master Jimmy Reid on his election to the highest
office in Masonry, on June 15, 2002.
We also take this opportunity to congratulate the other brothers elected to
serve as officers on that date.
Finally, we welcome all visitors and pray that you will be so kind as to let
us know if in any way, we may be of service to you during your visit.
NECROLOGY
The Angel of Death has again shown up at the doorstep of our lodges and has
claimed the lives of some of our members. Man that is born of a woman is of
few days, and full of trouble. We now pause to pay tribute to those brethren
called from labor to eternal rest since we last met. Those who have answered
the final roll call during the past Masonic year are:
Death
2001………….2002
Edward S. Dickerson, Sr. Russell L.
Smith
J.C. Logan Lodge #53
Perseverance Lodge #103
June 22, 2001
February 5, 2002
Levye Davis
Louis J. Grant Sr.
Olympus Lodge #45
Abiff Lodge #37
July 31, 2001
March 10, 2002
Austin E. Spearman Henri R.
Linton
Harmony Lodge #2
Cassia Lodge #5
August 10, 2001
March 14, 2002
James L. Hines
Thomas Daniel Sr.
Mabuhay Lodge #59
Egyptian Lodge #44
August 31, 2001
March 20, 2002
Columbus Black
Leonard Baldwin
Cassia Lodge #5
Cassia Lodge #5
September 1, 2001
March 31, 2002
David L. Buren
James Irby
J.C. Logan Lodge #53 Arthur
Ury Lodge #73
September 21, 2001
April 2, 2002
Eugene M. Gomes Jr. Leroy Canty
Pride of Washington Lodge #98
Cassia Lodge #5
September 22, 2001
April 10, 2002
Earnest Smith
Frank Massey
Martin Luther King Jr. Lodge #65
Hercules Lodge #17
September 28, 2001
April 28, 2002
Willie Stell
Lemuel Lee Smith
Hercules Lodge #17
October 19, 2001
May 20, 2002
We pray for their souls and for the families they left behind. We, too, will
be dropped from the rolls when the Grand Master of the Universe calls us
home. Let us prepare now live so that we might hear the words, ‘Well done,
good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of the Lord.” WB Grand
Chaplain, please lead us in prayer. (***) Amen (*)
STATE OF THE DISTRICTS
District Number 1
--Progress is being made in this district under the astute leadership of
RWDDGM Dwaine T Coverson. Newly appointed last year, RW Coverson has
done an outstanding job. This district has eight lodges. Its membership has
increased approximately 7% overall with membership going from 294 members on
June 20, 2001 to 317 on June 20, 2002.
RW Brother Coverson travels to every lodge for the Grand Master’s
Visitations. Additionally, he has been called upon to serve on various
investigation committees including the Ernestine Anderson Investigation
Committee. RW Coverson also doubles as the Project 2, Project Manager, which
is another full-time job he does extremely well.
He also has encouraged lodges to work together to put on joint affairs and
pool resources. He encourages community activities and church calls for
visibility and recommends the grand lodge give rebates for the sale of
raffle tickets. Rebates worked well in 1998. We commend RW Coverson for his
outstanding leadership. District Number 2 has had many successes under the
capable leadership of its former District Deputy Grand Master, RW Brother
David M Milton. Unfortunately, military requirements dictated that he go to
Korea for a year and RW Samuel J. Hunt has been appointed to sit at the
helm. Under his leadership, the brothers of District Two have begun
traveling together and have introduced a new traveling trowel. The purpose
of the travel is for the members of District Two to visit each other’s
lodges, look in on the sick and distressed, and assist lodges with
deteriorating memberships.
RW District Deputy Grand Master Hunt serves in the dual capacity of
Worshipful Master as well as DDGM. He has reported 358 active members in his
district and stresses the importance of strong family units. RW District
Deputy Grand Master Hunt has done extremely well at taking over the reigns
with no previous experience and no knowledge that he would be asked to
serve. District Two intends to restore its Past Master’s Council, and the
District Deputy suggests in the area of youth that every Junior Warden
should be a member of the Knights of Pythagoras. We commend him for his
service.
RWDDGM Arthur T Broady
continues to serve in District Number 3, facing many great challenges that
most districts never contend with or see. The pool of resources needed to
increase membership is extremely limited throughout the district, which did
include Pasco, Walla Walla and Yakima. It is extremely unfortunate that’
Guiding Star #6 in Yakima and William H Upton #11 of Walla Walla had to be
closed this year for lack of membership. Number 6 was down to one member and
Number 11 only had two. RW Broady informs me that all property has been
turned into the Grand Lodge. If William H Upton Lodge is not revived, we
need to consider having another lodge take the name of such a historical
figure.
Pioneer Lodge thrives on overcoming obstacles and works hard in its
community, the District Deputy boasts that 10% of the membership pays dues
on time every year, and their taxes are current. He and the Craft are
committed to serving their community and this Grand Lodge.
The district has supported all Grand Lodge programs and has been actively
involved. Most of the members of Pioneer attended the Lodge Visitation. RW
Broady leads by example and is always out in front—having contributed to
Financial Recovery, attended many Grand Lodge meetings and functions,
participated in the scholarship program and the centennial celebration
committee. We continue to commend him for his outstanding leadership and
service.
District Number 4
of Spokane, Washington, still survives under the leadership of RWDDGM
Melvin H Powell. This small district has significantly managed to
maintain most of its membership of 44 brothers; 29 in Number 3 and 14 of the
15 reported by Number 40 last year. Membership this year totals 43.
Both lodges have been active in the community, contributing to the African
American Graduation Ceremony held at Gonzaga University, causing the Pine
State Athletic Club to sponsor three African American students who received
$500 each in scholarship money, and sponsoring a community wide breakfast to
improve relationships and fellowship in the community. They also sponsored
two teenagers in the Hoopfest held in Spokane annually.
The roof repair scheduled previously was completed during this Masonic year.
Another improvement was the donation of two brand new N’s by PM Jerry Harvey
in an attempt to have sporting event fundraisers. The brothers and sisters
of District 4 served as ushers during the service held for Past Grand Matron
Eleanor Chase.
This district had a Grand Master’s Visitation, hosted by Number 3. It hosted
the Grand Master’s staff meeting on May 18, 2002 and participated in the
Spokane Lilac Festival Parade fully regaled with my permission. This Grand
Lodge was well represented in the parade having a better turn out than ever.
Again, Perfect Ashier Lodge #40, has the distinction of being the only lodge
in the entire jurisdiction that did not show up for the Grand Masters
Visitation.
District Number 5,
under the leadership of RW District Deputy Grand Master C. David Henry,
has had a difficult year and continues to experience challenges. True
Resolution #16 has managed to maintain all but two of its members, held
church calls, a children’s Christmas party and a Mother’s Day function.
African Genesis Lodge #101 has been totally out of touch with the District
Deputy due to what appears to be military commitments, however, RW Henry
recommends suspending the charter of 101 due to lack of activity and
insufficient reporting.
District Number 6
remains with RWDDGM Leroy Trent of Lee Grant Rogers Lodge #61. The
total membership was 251 last year, but as of the writing of this report,
numbers are not in for this year. This district was well represented during
the Far East District Session held in Korea in March 2002.
Outstanding support, total commitment, and excellence continue to describe
District Number 7 under the leadership of Right Worshipful District
Deputy Grand Master Gardner M Torrence, Sr., who stepped down from that
position May 30, 2002.
We are pleased to announce that RW Daniel R Poole is serving as the
new District Deputy Grand Master, after an extremely impressive Change of
Command Ceremony in Okinawa on May 25, 2002.
While the district had an overall increase in membership of nine percent Oki
Mil had the only increase gaining 24 while Toni lost 9. The district
continues to lend outstanding support to this Grand Lodge in every respect.
They have fully supported financial recovery, public relations, producing
the monitor and the website, and over thirty subscriptions to the monitor,
outnumbering any other district. I could not ask for better support from a
District Deputy than I have received from District Number 7. 1 have great
expectations of its new District Deputy, RW Poole.
District Number 8
still struggles with military turnover and decrease in membership. This year
the membership decreased by 1. RWDDGM Clifton Claybrooks, Jr., has
been doing all he can to keep things going. He has asked for assistance from
two former DDGM’s and has assisted with the establishment of degree teams.
This district enjoys outstanding fraternal relations with the Most
Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Philippines, and attended their district
session this year. Both the outgoing and incoming Most Worshipful Grand
Masters greeted our members with warm welcome and brotherly love. The
District Deputy reports that MWGM Jones, MW Grand Lodge of Hawaii, is
attempting to put our lodge under Hawaii, which is totally inappropriate and
a breach of protocol, as well as Jurisprudence. We thank RW Claybrooks for
his service.
No District Deputy has done more in support of this great jurisdiction of
ours than RWDDGM Andrew Morgan of District Number 9, the
senior DDGM in this jurisdiction, whose sustained superior performance over
a period of twenty-one consecutive years as District Deputy Grand Master has
been responsible for more than half of the membership in this Grand Lodge.
This district continues to be the largest district in the entire
jurisdiction with over 500 members as well as the largest number of lodges.
At the writing of this report, the overall increase or decrease in
membership for the year has not been compiled, although my initial figures
show an increase of 27.
District Deputy Morgan has developed a supplement to the petition that will
obtain enough information from petitioners to keep track of them long after
they leave Europe. The district is also in the process of creating a web
site, which will enhance his success in maintaining current membership.
Some base closures are anticipated which may cause us to lose a couple of
lodges, but it is not clear yet. We could lose 63 and 79, however if it
happens it won’t be before 2006. We have requested that the District Deputy
return the charter of Jacob #86 and it is on the way to us. RW Morgan would
subsequently want to reissue that charter for a lodge he is trying to open
in Greece.
Booker T Washington #91 was inactive, but has been reactivated by PSDDGM
Robert D Cassidy. His work there in Germany has borne much fruit, however he
will soon be coming back to the states and we are naturally concerned about
the future of the lodge.
The members of Mediterranean Number 104, at a recent meeting, voted
unanimously to surrender their charter due to lack of support from this
Grand Lodge. Apparently they felt we should intervene on their behalf
because the Grand Lodge of Turkey suspended the worshipful master from the
Grand Lodge of Turkey. We were not sympathetic due to the fact that this
Grand Lodge does not allow dual membership in the first place. In addition,
they were only to meet on international waters and were not keeping that
agreement.
After communicating with the District Deputy Grand Master, my decision was
that we should accept the charter and bow out gracefully.
The Jurisdictions of Oklahoma, Texas, Illinois, Massachusetts and Georgia,
the Shrine and others joined together with Washington in the celebration of
St John’s Festival. That was followed by a huge joint picnic the same day.
No word on whether or not they had the baseball tournament this year, but
I’m sure we won if they had it.
Right Worshipful District Deputy Grand Master
James L Shepard, Jr., has not reported as of the writing of this
report. Only two of the lodges in District Number 10 had submitted
reports to the Grand Lodge at the writing of this report and overall those
two showed a decrease. RW Shepard faces tremendous odds considering that
people only go to Korea to serve a one-year tour of duty.
Western Corridor Tri-step #99 has asked that it be relocated and that the
name be changed as well. I have approved of the relocation, waived back
taxes because no records could be found of previous members, and directed
them to submit by-laws to jurisprudence in order to change the name.
The district did an excellent job in hosting the 33rd Annual Far East
District Session, and of particular note was the outstanding way they
established protocol at the banquet. It was by far the best I have seen
since becoming Grand Master.
District Number 11
was also under the leadership of RW David M Milton until the return
to the district by RW Brother Larry Opher in April of this year, after a
one-year tour in Korea. RW Milton did an outstanding job of holding down
both districts for a full year. Now, RW Opher has hit the ground running and
is really on top of things. He reports a total membership in District Ii of
137 members.
During this Masonic year, Spanaway and James W Davis lodges requested
permission to consolidate. Having completed all of the necessary steps
required by Code, I granted permission that now needs to be sustained by
this Grand Lodge.
District Number 12,
headed up by RW Freddie Banks, is the home of Mabuhay Lodge #59.
Although I have seen an email from the Worshipful Master saying that the
reports are on the way, to this date they have not been received.
Headquarters Lodge #75 has been quite successful this year and their numbers
dropped on June 20, 2002. WM Robert Tucker, PM Sidney A. Breckenridge, Sr.
and WM William T. Hall have handled all of the administration. I have been
informed that WM Tucker turned in a check in the amount of $1,000 for
financial recovery.
Headquarters lodge is down to 44 members and I have instructed WM Tucker to
notify all members that they must join some other lodge.
Headquarters Lodge was designed to be a holding lodge only, to allow 90 days
for brethren to find a permanent home. Instead, it had become a lodge some
members decided they liked and found they could be dues paying members
without doing any Masonic work. Most of the members were previously members
of overseas lodges and lost contact with the lodges after returning to the
States.
STATE OF THE CRAFT
This administration has seen another difficult but challenging year. During
all of my years in this Grand Lodge, line officers have typically served in
each position for three years, gaining a wealth of experience in each area.
This year, we had a brand new Grand Junior Warden, a brand new Grand Senior
Warden with no previous experience as Grand Junior Warden and a Deputy Grand
Master who only had three years in line rather than six.
This clearly made my year more challenging, and a year of teaching and
training. Additionally, we had a brand knew Grand Treasurer this year who
needed to be trained in his position. Similarly, I was challenged last year
by becoming Grand Master and rather than having assistance from a Grand
Secretary who was a seasoned veteran, I was faced with having a Grand
Secretary with absolutely no previous experience as a Grand Lodge Officer
serving in ANY capacity.
While you may think or believe this is all insignificant, I am not aware of
any Grand Master that has been faced with these types of challenges. Last
year, I stated that although I had been a Grand Lodge Officer for 20
consecutive years, and although 1 0 of those years were as an elected
officer, I found that trying to prepare for being Grand Master was like
trying to prepare for the death of a family member. No matter how long you
try to prepare for it, when it finally comes, you are not as ready as you
think you are, or would like to be.
Accordingly, we need to begin to take a closer look at what we are doing
when we elect our officers. Many brothers are anxious to move up and to move
up quickly. This Grand Lodge is built on history, vision, experience,
tradition and a great deal of hard work over an extended period of time. We
have out shined and out done a great many Grand Lodges all over the country,
because we produce many sharp and knowledgeable Masons.
When we begin to move too quickly, we lose that knowledge and we are not as
sharp as we were when we made great strides toward becoming the best. The
Jurisdiction begins to suffer because of lack of knowledge and lack of
experience. Officers don’t know the answers to questions because they have
not experienced things and had no one to teach them. We begin to break
tradition and take many shortcuts for the sake of convenience or to move
someone up a little faster. We begin to make costly errors.
Our line officers used to be visible throughout the jurisdiction six to
eight years prior to becoming the Grand Junior Warden.
Since the sixties, the jurisdiction always knew who would become the next
Grand Junior Warden, because the brother elected was serving as a committee
chairman, an appointed grand lodge officer, a District Deputy Grand Master
or was serving in some other significant position.
He was always working hard, but was not necessarily trying to become a Grand
Master. He was just trying to improve his lodge, or his district, or the
Grand Lodge. He was working hard because it was the right thing to do. He
was working hard because that’s what Masons do. He was working hard because
he was first prepared in his heart. He never sought out positions, or if he
did, he never said it. He just worked hard.
Almost every brother appointed to the position of District Deputy Grand
Master went on to become a Grand Master. Somebody saw their potential and
gave them an opportunity to show what they could do. Known examples include
Past Grand Masters Sylvester J Lake, Carlton B Tucker, Billy V Morris,
Daniel L Lunsford, Victor S Baxter, William C. Rheubottom, James B Sloan,
and your current Grand Master. No doubt, there have been far more. These are
just the ones I know for sure without researching anything.
We have reached a point now, where brothers have begun to apply for
positions in the Grand Lodge. How does one do that? I have had brothers send
me r6sum6s to apply for the position of District Deputy Grand Master. I have
had brothers ask for positions. Twenty years ago that was the absolute sure
way to guarantee you did not get a position.
Now, we not only have brothers asking to be appointed to positions, we have
brothers asking you to elect them to positions. You should think real hard
about voting for any brother who finds it necessary to ask you to vote for
him. The brothers you vote for should be the brothers who are doing so much
work that you can’t wait to cast a vote for them to do another year or move
up another step.
If this jurisdiction is to survive, we need to take a hard look at the
‘State of the Craft.” What is the state? Are we the strong jurisdiction we
used to be? Are the masons and the leadership of the jurisdiction as sharp
as they used to be? Are we going to begin choosing leaders with no
experience who embarrass us to shame? Where are we going? What came you
here to do?
Again, it should be pointed out that Article 13 of the Code states that
those official acts not approved, and those official acts not reported
during the grand lodge session, become null and void on the day the session
closes. Several acts need to be reported, and will be mentioned throughout
this address.
During this year, I approved the establishment of a United Grand Commandery
that you need to approve. Whether or not your Grand Master felt it was
appropriate is not at issue. We had brothers who wanted this York Rite Body
and it was not up to me to tell them they could not have it. There was
another York Rite Body, The Royal and Select Council, established in 2000
that I believe we never had an opportunity to vote to approve, but to go
back now would only cause chaos.
TRIALS
We had a Masonic trial on William C Rheubottom, formerly a Grand Master. The
trial commission of his peers found him guilty by unanimous vote and
recommended emphatically, that he be suspended for 15 years. I reviewed
their recommendation and rationale and decided to suspend him as
recommended.
Charles E Berry, former Grand Secretary, was also tried and convicted by a
commission composed of his peers. The commission, chaired by the Deputy
Grand Master, voted unanimously to expel Berry from Masonry. After reviewing
their recommendation and rationale, my decision was to expel him as
recommended. If I were to not concur with these recommendations, it should
have been expected that I would justify why I did not concur.
On June 16, 2001, Lonnie R Traylor, Past Master, was found guilty
unanimously by a trial commission. When we attended the 98’hAnnual Session
last year, his punishment had not been determined, and the Appeals and
Grievance Committee did not act on it, making it unfinished business for
this session.
The trial commission chaired by RWDDGM Dwaine T Coverson, recommended a two
to three year suspension, and in this case I did not concur. We had recent
trials for similar crimes that were punished much more severely. I felt it
was more appropriate to be consistent and therefore increased the
recommended period of suspension.
There was a trial in Okinawa Military Lodge #68, on Burnell Thompson, former
Senior Warden of that lodge. He was found guilty of having resigned from the
office of Senior Warden. I have supported the lodge in that decision as
well.
ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICERS
You should have witnessed the work of your elected officers and I have
decided to allow you to make your own assessment of their performance. The
one officer brothers do not usually witness is the Grand Treasurer, RW
Andrew Harris. I believe you will find that he has done an outstanding
job of keeping track of your money.
It is always interesting to note how most brothers think it is real simple
to be Grand Master and anybody can handle it. At a recent Grand Masters
visitation, I tried to explain how difficult it is to get things done and
how it requires a great deal of cooperation from a lot of people. No Grand
Master can be successful at anything without the support of the craft.
In response, I was told “All you have to do is tell your district deputies
what you want and give them a deadline. I’ll have that information for you
by next Friday.” Well, Friday came and went and I still don’t have this real
easy information.
We have talked about celebrating our 100th Anniversary for two years now and
are really getting ready to make a huge celebration out of it. Yet, if you
look at the cover of the Souvenir Book this year, it appears that we are
currently celebrating our 89h anniversary and that the Grand Chapter is 10
years older than the Grand Lodge. Yet, people believe everything is easy.
On the other hand, the Lord has been with me in the selection of my
appointed officers, and when God is with you, who can be against you? Some
of the officers really stand out in my mind. Grand Marshall Charlie
Walker is present at almost every Grand Lodge function there is, and
attends almost everyone of the Grand Master’s visitations. Grand Junior
Stewart and Aide-de-Camp Emanuel J Taylor, Jr. will do anything for
this Grand Lodge.
He goes to the Grand East and does all sorts of yard work and clean up
projects and anything he sees that needs to be done, he just does it. Nobody
ever has to ask him to do what obviously needs to be done. He aids the Grand
Master and anyone else who needs his assistance for any reason without
prejudice. He has unquestionably been a choice given to me by God.
Grand Tyler Ron Carpenter
is a loyal and very supportive officer of this Grand Lodge. He was
rejuvenated in Masonry by this appointment he never dreamed he would even
have. He makes every effort to get to all Grand Lodge functions.
God obviously had His hand involved in the selection of most of my District
Deputies as well. They have served this jurisdiction extremely well despite
what people expected. I am happy with all of them, but there are a few who
really stand out. In district one, Seattle, RW Coverson wears two
hats, serving as the DDGM and the project manager at the same time.
This brother has been successful in pulling Seattle lodges together and
having them work together in a cooperative spirit. He has been successful in
getting them to pay taxes and rent in a timely manner. As the Project
Manager, he has brought the Grand East out of the red and into the black.
When he took over the project, it owed the Grand Lodge over nineteen hundred
dollars.
Not only has he gotten our money back for us, but in addition to that, he
has secured contracts to place antennas on the roof of the building which
produce an income of $21,600 per year and he managed to get us a $1,000 sign
up bonus for the second antenna being installed. This is an outstanding
brother and he is saving you additional money because in his case as well as
the Aide-de-Camp, they are performing two jobs in an outstanding manner,
thereby saving the cost of registration kits and per diem.
RW Gardner M Torrence,
former District Deputy Grand Master of District Number 7 is now a Special
District Deputy Grand Master working directly for the Grand Master and doing
a myriad of jobs. To his credit goes an outstanding district that has
received the coveted Worshipful Master and Lodge of the Year Awards for at
least two years in a row and he has been named DDGM of the Year as well.
Over and above what is required of him as the DDGM, he has established,
designed and developed the Grand Lodge Web Site in its current format which
has had over 10,000 hits. He has produced, published, proofed, edited,
formatted, designed your Masonic Community Monitor, reducing the cost of
publishing and printing, while giving us the most professional looking
monitor we have ever had.
He has worked to provide RW Patrick Hughes with memorabilia to be sold
during our one hundredth year of service as a Grand Lodge.
RW Torrence is an integral part of the Centennial Celebration Committee
chaired by RW Hughes and we anticipate a great income to this Grand Lodge
from his work on this committee.
Finally, RW Torrence was responsible for the first ever change of command
ceremony conducted in this jurisdiction at a black and white ball and
banquet in Okinawa, Japan, sponsored by Torii 46 and Oki Mil 68. During this
ceremony, attended by some 400 guests, RW Torrence was relieved of his duty
as DDGM and RW Daniel R Poole was commissioned the new DDGM of District
Number Seven. After the banquet, we received five petitions for the lodges
and six for the Eastern Star.
Lastly, I must commend RW Andrew Morgan for his sustained superior
performance over a period of 21 consecutive years of service. No district
deputy has done more for this jurisdiction than RW Morgan. There have been
times over the last 21 years that he has been responsible for more than half
of our membership. He was also responsible for establishing or retaining
some 23 lodges that accounted for a third of the lodges in the jurisdiction.
With increased lodges and increased membership, we naturally have increased
revenue and a far more stable Grand Lodge. Every member of the jurisdiction
is indebted to RW Morgan for the knowledge, membership increases and revenue
he has produced over the years. Today, he has the largest membership of any
district in the entire jurisdiction and those referred to as “Morgan’s
Masons” are usually as sharp as any masons you will meet.
We don’t often think of Past Grand Masters as appointed officers, but
sometimes they serve in appointed positions. I cannot over emphasize the
support, counsel, hard work and dedication I have received from PGM
Carlton B Tucker. He, too, wears two hats and serves in the dual
capacities of Chairman of the Comptroller Board as well as Convention
Director. I don’t know of anyone in this Grand Lodge that puts more of his
heart and soul into trying to ensure that this Grand Lodge is successful. He
is creative and innovative and offers what seems like millions of
suggestions for improvement-and what is significant is that he is doing it
because he is first prepared in his heart. He can’t get promoted. You can’t
be MORE than a Grand Master.
Allow me to take this opportunity to ask each of these brethren to stand,
that they may be identified and everyone here assembled may know them. RW
Deputy Grand Master, please raise the craft and lead them in giving these
brethren Public Grand Honors.
Again, I remind you that Matthew 12:30 reads “Anyone who isn’t helping me
opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against
me.” It is extremely difficult to lead two thousand, two hundred people when
any part of your staff is working against you.
My hands have been cuffed, not by the Seattle PD or the Spokane Police
Department or the Tacoma PD, but by the membership of this Most Worshipful
Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons. For two years, I have
been trying to find the keys to these cuffs, so that we may all prosper and
profit as you follow me while I follow the Lord. Although I have not found
the keys, we just keep praising His holy name and rejoicing NO MATTER WHAT.
While I have commended PGM Tucker for his outstanding support, the
Comptroller Board under his leadership has at times been less than
supportive of him and your Grand Master. This Grand Body voted last July to
contribute $1,500 toward the Prince Hall Bust in Barbados. RW LeRoy Trent
contributed the first $400 of that and we voted to pay the rest by the
sitting of the next Conference of Grand Masters in May.
Last July, a check was written for $500 toward the bust, but it was never
cashed and never cleared the bank. In April I asked the Board for a check in
the amount of $1,500 to hand carry to the Conference. I told them I would
ask for the $500 check to be returned to me, and that if the Executive
Secretary could not produce that check, I would bring the $1,500 check back
to Washington.
The Board voted five to three to give me a check for $1,000 despite my
request, thereby forcing me to order that the check be written for $1,500
and compelling an official act. My decision to order the check for the
$1,500 was based on your vote to pay it and not on my personal whim. We vote
on what we would like to do at Grand Session and my job is to carry out your
wishes.
On the other hand, the Board has done a great deal of work this year and
should be commended for the amount of hours they have spent reviewing and
assessing the tax structure as well as the insurance program you have all
been hearing about for several months. Past Grand Masters Swanigan, Morris
and Tucker have each put in countless hours trying to get this program off
the ground. They, as well as 1, are hoping you will vote in favor of this
program at this session.
CONFERENCE OF GRAND MASTERS
The Conference of Grand Masters was a great deal different this year than it
has been in previous years I have attended. In February, I expressed to the
Grand Master of Oregon, Idaho and Montana that I really had no interest in
going this year because people who were unhappy with the Conference seemed
to be afraid to express it. Many of us who serve for two to three years, as
opposed to being lifetime Grand Masters are tired of wasting our time.
The Conference should b-e a forum for exchanging ideas and tapping into what
other jurisdictions are doing. Grand Masters should be able to learn from
each other and build on each other’s strengths. Instead, we have Grand
Masters saying we are not going to allow Grand Master Doe to be seated this
year unless...in my opinion, the Conference does not have any
authority to tell any jurisdiction it cannot be seated.
Additionally, there is a serious question about the passage of a motion that
requires each jurisdiction to contribute $500 to the Conference. I think
before this jurisdiction continues to support the Conference, we should find
out the purpose of donating the money and the goals of the Conference.
There was quite a discussion last year, pertaining to PHA (Prince Hall
Affiliated) and PHO (Prince Hall Originals).
During the course of a full year of study, it was agreed that there was not
a great deal of validity regarding RHO and the final decision by this
conference was that we would not recognize them as regular.
AFRICAN LODGE #459
Last year, I reported that a great event was being planned by the Most
Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. This event took place
on April 27, 2002 and was the re-opening of African Lodge #459, a Masonic
experience base-d on St John’s Day, June 25, 1792. We made rich history by
re-opening African Lodge with sifting Grand Masters in every station and
place, attired in full colonial dress. Reports were given by committees such
as the Report on the Turtle Feast.
It featured Prince Hall giving a charge to the lodge, which talked about how
we should act and how we should not be hanging out in bars and giving
Masonry a poor image. It also included a revisit to the 200’hAnniversary,
September 29n 1984 when African Lodge was reformed. There ~as also an
unveiling of the official portrait of Prince Hall.
In my 30 years of Masonry, nothing was ever more awesome or exciting. Each
of the lodge officers was called by the name of the original officer in that
position. My name was Cato Underwood, and I was the Senior Stewart. SW
Morris of Egyptian 44 was the only other member of this jurisdiction
present. One jurisdiction had 45 brothers who attended.
For your information, you are all eligible to become a members of African
Lodge 459. WB Sidney Breckenridge has done so already.
FRATERNAL RELATIONS
Fraternal relations are excellent with all adoptive and concordant bodies.
We approved the establishment of a United Grand Commandery, Knights Templar
this year that you need to bless in order for it to be legitimate.
During the Masonic year 1999-2000, this jurisdiction established a Royal and
Select Council, which was never approved by this Grand Lodge. To maintain
peace and harmony, it should be allowed to continue so that we don’t have
chaos, however we should officially approve its establishment.
CONCLUSION
This administration inherited many challenges this year, just as the
previous administration inherited challenges a year ago, making it extremely
difficult to concentrate on anything positive or creative. As long as we
continue to have brothers in the jurisdiction who are more concerned about
their personal advancement than they are about the future of this
jurisdiction, the jurisdiction will continue to suffer.
You are reminded once again that in Proverbs 29:1 8 it says “where there is
no vision, the people perish.”
Vision can be very cloudy when there are so many people working against
their own Grand Lodge and the Grand Master is wearing handcuffs. Yet, I
still have the vision to have an endowment or trust fund with $50 million.
We currently have that opportunity and the opportunity to remain solvent for
the next thousand years. My recommendations will explain.
When first elected in July 2000, 1 had a vision that with over 2000 members
in this Grand Lodge, we could easily raise $200,000 with a small donation of
$1 00. That amounts to 27.5 cents per day for a year.
Everybody can afford 27.5 cents a day, but everybody did not contribute. I
am proud to report that when I last saw the figures, we were in excess of
$29,000 and I am almost certain we have now gone over the $30,000 mark.
While many may find that insignificant, I am thankful that we have brothers
who care about this jurisdiction enough to make a difference, and I just
keep praising His holy name.
Many have asked how the money will be used and that has not been decided
yet. Initially, we thought we needed the money to replenish the kitty and
for the financial recovery of the grand treasury. Now we realize the grand
treasury is fine because lodges that were not paying their taxes are doing
so.
We have been operating this Grand Lodge in the red for many years for
whatever reason. Sometimes it has been because we had unexpected expenses
like the $30,000 repair of the roof in the Grand East and the $21,000 court
case with the OES. Other times it has been because we have received less
income than projected, and there are many more reasons.
The bottom line remains the same-we have been operating in the red since
approximately 1983. 1 know of no other corporation that could operate in the
red for 20 years without going under, however, Freemasonry still survives.
Why, because of some dedicated masons who do what is right-no matter what,
and refuse to let this Grand Lodge go down on their watch.
As a matter of unfinished business, an investigation was conducted regarding
the Ernestine Anderson Affair. The following is the result of that, knowns
and unknowns, of that investigation.
This address could probably go on for two days, but I am going to bring it
to a close here. God has bestowed upon me a great honor by choosing me to
serve this Grand Jurisdiction as its humble and faithful leader and servant.
I pray that what I have done has not only been pleasing in His sight, but in
yours as well. There is a song by Donnie McClerken that says when you’ve
done all you can do, you just stand. I have done all I can do. The business
of this Grand Lodge is now in your hands.
I leave you with my favorite scripture from the book of Joshua: If it seem
evil unto you to serve the Lord, then choose you this day whom you will
serve, but, as for me and my house, we’re going to serve the Lord.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1)
That the Group Life Insurance Program described
below be adopted. A life insurance policy is purchased on every member of
the jurisdiction that pays $5,000 in the event of death. This Grand Lodge is
named as the beneficiary on every policy. Upon the death of a member, the
Grand Lodge receives the $5,000 from the insurance company and distributes
$1,500 to the deceased member’s lodge for the member’s family; $500 to
Masonic Relief (to be used for increased insurance premiums); $500 to the
member’s lodge to increase the treasury; and $2,500 to an endowment or trust
fund. In the endowment or trust fund, by law, the principle cannot be
touched; only the interest may be spent. ADDITIONAL RATIONALE: During a
visit to the Grand Lodge of Washington, I discovered that in 1989 they had
$21 million in endowments and trust funds. This year, it was reported that
they had increased to $43 million. At a minimal twelve percent interest,
that Grand Lodge will make 5.6 million dollars this year. If this
recommendation is adopted, we would be on the way to becoming solvent and
stable for the next thousand years.
2) That the election procedure used last year be
adopted permanently. RATIONALE: For years this Grand Lodge has had
difficulty getting out on time (before noon on Wednesday). When this system
was used last year, our Grand Session ended by 1:30 p.m. for the first time
in many years. Once we perfect the new system, we should meet our goal to
get out before noon.
3) That the charter of Mediterranean Lodge be
returned to this Grand Lodge as requested by 100% of the membership.
RATIONALE: The members were not aware that we do not allow dual membership.
One brother was suspended by the Grand Lodge of Turkey for being a member of
this Grand Lodge. Mediterranean Lodge thought this Grand Lodge would
challenge that suspension, but since we do not allow dual membership, we
agree with the suspension. In addition, the lodge was chartered with the
provision that it was only to have lodge meetings on international waters.
The lodge has violated that agreement. Lastly, we should be very careful not
to move to quickly when issuing charters in the future. We chartered that
lodge when it had never been under dispensation.
4) That we be sustained in the decision to close
Guiding Star #6, William H. Upton #11 and Jacob #86. RATIONALE: None of
these lodges have enough members to meet.
5) That we be sustained in the decision to have in
this jurisdiction, a grand body known as the United Grand Commandery Knights
Templar.
6) That the Code Committee become a standing
committee in this Grand Lodge. RATIONALE: It is important that a committee
be on board all year round to update changes, have page inserts printed and
sent out to the jurisdiction and generally maintain the upkeep of our
Masonic Code. That will end our difficulty with voting in changes to the
Code that never seem to get into the Code.
7) That the Grand Lodge consider changing the fiscal
year dates from the current June 21 to June 20 and become April 1 through
March 31. RATIONALE: Each year the Grand Treasurer and the Grand Secretary
have an extremely difficult time giving this Grand Lodge an accurate report
of all transactions for the year. The year closes out on June 20 and the
time between that date and the day we begin the Grand Session does not allow
sufficient time for them to give a thorough and accurate report.
If we change the fiscal year, when we come to Grand Session, they will only
be reporting from April 1 of the previous year through March 31 of the
current year. When we get to session, all quarterly and annual reports will
have been completed and submitted and we will have accurate reporting which
may even be capable of being sent out in the mail.
8) That Past Master Joseph Harrison, Grand
Photographer Emeritus, Past Master Chillis N. Nickelberry, Grand Trustee
Emeritus, Past Master Squire Moore, Jr., Aide-de-Camp, Emeritus and Past
Master A. Rudolph Hill, Past Grand Secretary, be made Life Members of this
Grand Lodge. RATIONALE: All of these brethren have served this Grand Lodge
and their lodges over an unusually extended period of time. We have honored
three of the four by naming them Emeritus, but there is no provision in the
Code for what that means. Life Members are exempted from dues, receive a kit
at grand session and receive per them at grand session. Those three things
show our appreciation in a positive manner.
9) That Past Grand Masters not be counted against the
total limit on Life Members. RATIONALE: We are supposedly limited to 17 life
members because of the cost of their benefits. P.G.M.'s are already entitled to
kits and per diem, so there is no consequence when they are made life
members.
10)
That per them be increased from the current $150
to $300. RATIONALE: The Convention Director must negotiate to get the things
we need when we contract with a hotel to have Grand Session. That
negotiation is based on how many room nights we guarantee the hotel. If 150
people get a room for four nights, that amounts to 600 room nights. If grand
lodge officers receive $150 per them and it costs $350 to stay in the hotel,
and they are near home, they have no incentive to stay in the hotel. If we
fail to meet the guaranteed number of room nights we can be penalized
thousands of dollars. When we failed to meet the requirements in July 2000,
the hotel wanted $23,000 from us. The cost of the meeting spaces and
amenities we have negotiated this year without the guaranteed room nights
would be $63,000. With the room nights, it is totally free.
11) That R.W. D.D.G.M. Andrew Morgan be made an Honorary Past
Grand Master of this Grand Lodge. RATIONALE: R.W. Morgan does not meet the
normal criteria for this honor that is set in the Code, however his
accomplishments and achievements far exceed what is normal for receiving
this honor so I am asking this Grand Lodge to waive all criteria pertaining
to Honorary Past Grand Masters. He has served this jurisdiction as the D.D.G.M.
of the largest district for 21 consecutive years, and has been responsible
for more than half of the membership in the entire jurisdiction. He further
had almost half of the lodges throughout the jurisdiction, has more lodges
in his district than any other district, has served on practically every
committee the grand lodge has and has not missed a Grand Session in the
entire 21 years of being a D.D.G.M.
12)
That I be sustained in the decision to suspend
William C Rheubottom, Past Grand Master, after his trial
13) That I be sustained in the decision to expel
Charles E Berry, Past Grand Secretary, after his trial.
14) That I be sustained in the decision to suspend
Lonnie R Traylor, Past Master, after his trial.
15) That the first $20,000 in the Financial Recovery
Fund be used to start our Endowment or Trust Fund.
Fraternally submitted,
/s/JAMES F. TROUTT II
Grand Master
