Dear Brethren and Friends:
First I hope this finds you enjoying the Summer!
This coming weekend is the 2013 Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Council of Deliberation. This year's meeting will be held at the Seven Springs Resort in Seven Springs, PA.
Valley Brothers, Jeffrey Lees and George Burns will receive the Meritorious Service Award. This is a great honor for our Brothers. Congratulations to them and thanks for their continued outstanding service to our Valley.
Bro. Burns currently serves the Valley as a Trustee. He has served on the Reception-Stewards Committee in the past and has been seen in a Degree Cast or two.
Bro. Lees, is our new Sovereign Prince of DeJoinville Council, Princes of Jerusalem. Jeff is one of our Membership Committee's Associate Coordinators, and he is probably most famously known as our Valley Organist.
Due to the Council meeting, the Valley Office will be closed tomorrow, Thursday, 11 July and Friday, 12 July and will reopen on Monday, 15 July.
By now you have no doubt received your bill for dues for the 2014 Scottish Rite year.
This year's dues are $87, which represents the $60 dues to the Valley and the $27 'assessment' or dues to the Supreme Council. Just as your Lodge must pay dues to the Grand Lodge for you, we must do the same to the Supreme Council.
When paying your dues be sure to include your dues bill with your check. I use the bill when posting the dues batch to our membership system, and our Auditors use the dues batches when comparing our dues run report. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Make your check payable to "Scottish Rite Bodies," and send it to the Scottish Rite Office, Masonic Temple, One North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2520.
Our Valley has a great program in which we pay the dues of a member who is the first line signer on 3 petitions in one year. However, the three candidates must be initiated in that year in order for the recommender to qualify for the free dues. If you find yourself in this situation, simply write "Membership Builder " on your dues bill and send it in to the office. Remember, being the first line recommender on 25 new members earns you LIFE MEMBERSHIP in the Valley!
You can also pay your dues by credit card by visiting the Member's Center on the Supreme Council web site, www.scottishritenmj.org . You will be required to set up an account using your email address or your nine digit Scottish Rite member number, which can be found on your dues card. If you do not have a card, call 215-563-1814, and we'll get one ordered for you.
Also on this year's dues bill you will notice that we've added two new funds that you can choose to donate to when paying your dues. In the past we've had the Learning Center Endowment, which will remain, but this year we've added the Almoner Fund and the Equipment Fund.
The Valley's Charity Fund has been used to pay the rent of the Children's Dyslexia Center since the Center opened. This means that our available charity monies can be somewhat limited. This situation has raised the awareness that we needed to create a fund to assist Valley Brethren in distress, this is what the new Valley Almoner Fund will do.
Our Valley's staging props, costumes, officer's collars and aprons are starting to show their age and normal wear and tear are beginning to take their toll. To solve this problem and fund new purchases as needed we've created the new Equipment Fund.
Your consideration of either or all of these funds when paying your dues, is greatly appreciated. As with the Learning Center Endowment fund, you may donate to the Almoner Fund or the Equipment Fund at anytime during the year. As always donors to our Valley funds will be officially recognized in an upcoming issue of The Double Eagle.
Speaking of The Double Eagle, with our Summer 2013 issue we will be unveiling a new format! Keep an eye out for our new look publication!
Yes, it is Summer, and you may or may not have had your vacation yet, but that doesn't mean that it isn't time to begin thinking about our 2013 Fall Class.
Our Fall 2013 Class has been named in honor of the Supreme Council's 200th Anniversary. This historic Class will be the very last Class that will receive the 200th Anniversary Member's Jewel, and they will also receive a special Valley name badge.
Our Fall Reunion will begin on Friday evening, 18 October. The 4th Degree, Master Traveler (DVD) will be presented along with two Degrees, to be announced.
The Reunion will conclude on Friday, 15 November, at which time Kilwinning Chapter of Rose Croix and Benjamin Franklin Consistory will present the 18th Degree, "Knight of Rose Croix," and the 32nd Degree, "Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret," respectively.
While we're on the subject of the Fall, be sure to keep an eye on The Double Eagle, and our Valley's web site calendar, www.philascottishrite.org/calendar_of_events.htm for information regarding our next big Family Life event, "Christmas in Hershey!"
Well, that will do it for this edition. Have a safe and enjoyable Summer. If you are attending the Council of Deliberation meeting this weekend, travel safely and I'll see you out there.
As always I ask the Grand Architect to keep you and your family in His care.
Sincerely and fraternally,
Steven Morrison, 33
Valley Secretary
