Srmemberhandbookv2.Pdf
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Preface ou are now entering a new era in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Y Freemasonry. Scottish Rite Masonry is a philosophy of life, teaching the relationships that you should maintain toward your fellow man, as well as your relationship to God. The ceremonies were presented reverently, and with earnestness of purpose when you became a member of this institution. The Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man were emphasized in our degrees. You were taught that learning is an individual matter, and you will be more useful to yourself, your community and to the Rite, if you listened intently to the unfolding of the lessons of the degrees. You were also taught that you must carry this light into the world with you and exemplify to those about you the beautiful lessons you were taught. If the lessons are not put into effect in your life and character they are but so much "sounding brass and tinkling cymbals." You now have the opportunity to make yourself a leader to whom your friends and neighbors will point to as one worthy of the name. If after receiving the Thirty‐second Degree you were no better than when you began your journey, your investment of time and money may have been wasted. Many men have been reawakened, intellectually and spiritually, during the conferring of these Degrees but, it takes time, money, and people to make that happen. To harness all of this in one place, the Scottish Rite needs leaders. Leaders, such as yourself, men willing to learn the skills necessary to read the materials about how the organization is structured and take action on these lessons to make the Scottish Rite better tomorrow than when we received it. It is the hope and prayer of the officers and members of the Scottish Rite Bodies of your Valley that your experience has been enlightening, significant and profitable. ii January 2016 Purpose his document contains very little about the ritualistic work of the Scottish Rite itself. Excellent reference manuals are available, such as A Bridge to Light by Dr. Rex R. T Hutchens, 33, Grand Cross Court of Honour (GC), which you received at the conclusion of the Thirty‐second Degree. This excellent publication is a resource for the Member Development program and should help you whenever you have a question regarding any of the degrees in Scottish Rite Masonry. Another reference you will need for this program is the Scottish Rite Ritual Monitor and Guide by Arturo De Hoyas, 33, Grand Cross Court of Honour (GC), Grand Historian. Should you desire more information concerning the symbolism and lessons of the Scottish Rite degrees visit this reference. The book is also used in the Scottish Rite Master Craftsman program available from the Supreme Council. The program is an excellent primer into the basics of the Scottish Rite for all members. Another great source of information concerning the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry is Albert Pike’s Morals and Dogma, Annotated Edition, edited by Arturo de Hoyos, 2011. The focus of this document is primarily of a "member development nature." Although some references to practices may be common throughout the Southern Jurisdiction, it is the intent of this work to give you an insight into the organization of the Scottish Rite in general and the Valley and Orient, in particular. iii January 2016 Table of Contents Preface ............................................................................................................................................. i Purpose ........................................................................................................................................... iii MODULE ONE: Within these Walls – An Introduction to the Scottish Rite ................................... 1 What is "Scottish" about the Scottish Rite? ................................................................................... 2 Significance of the Different Colored Official Caps ......................................................................... 2 Greetings and Salutations ............................................................................................................... 3 Organization of the Scottish Rite .................................................................................................... 5 Jurisdictional Organization – The Supreme Council ....................................................................... 5 Orient Organization ........................................................................................................................ 6 Executive Committee ...................................................................................................................... 8 Executive Committee/Directors ..................................................................................................... 8 Degrees and Ritual Education ....................................................................................................... 10 What is a Scottish Rite Reunion? .................................................................................................. 10 Degree Teams ............................................................................................................................... 10 Patents .......................................................................................................................................... 11 The 14th Degree Ring ................................................................................................................... 12 Education and Sandwich Supper .................................................................................................. 12 MODULE TWO: Membership ....................................................................................................... 13 Dues .............................................................................................................................................. 14 Per Capita Assessment .................................................................................................................. 14 Dues Cards .................................................................................................................................... 15 Increasing our membership .......................................................................................................... 15 Affiliations ..................................................................................................................................... 15 Certificate of Good Standing ......................................................................................................... 16 Re‐Affiliation ................................................................................................................................. 16 Perpetual (Life) Membership as prescribed by the Supreme Council .......................................... 17 Dual and Plural Membership ........................................................................................................ 18 Waiver of Jurisdiction ................................................................................................................... 18 Electronic Petitions ....................................................................................................................... 19 Suspension in Blue Lodge ............................................................................................................. 20 Suspension .................................................................................................................................... 20 Reinstatement ............................................................................................................................... 20 Reduced Initiation Fees For Candidates Under 31 Years Of Age .................................................. 21 Mentoring ..................................................................................................................................... 22 MODULE THREE: Leadership ........................................................................................................ 24 Leadership Skills in Brief ............................................................................................................... 25 iv January 2016 Leadership ..................................................................................................................................... 25 MODULE FOUR: The Valley Secretary – The Man Behind the Leader ........................................ 33 Membership Activity Reports ....................................................................................................... 34 Statement of Fees and Report of Investitures (Form 330) ........................................................... 34 Sentinel Online Membership Management System ..................................................................... 35 Names in Full ................................................................................................................................. 36 Other Information the Valley Secretary Reports .......................................................................... 36 Financial Accounting of Scottish Rite Programs and Activities ..................................................... 37 Investment Policies and Guidelines .............................................................................................. 38 Wills & Bequests ..........................................................................................................................