Welcome to March! Our 2018 Spring Reunion Starts This Month

Welcome To March!

Our Spring Reunion starts this month. If you've made your dinner reservation for the meeting, THANK YOU! 

The evening begins with dinner in the Grand Banquet Room at 6PM. The meeting will open at 7:30PM in Gothic Hall.

Degrees to be presented:

Master Traveler, 4°

Master Elect, 10° -presented by the Officers of Philadelphia Lodge of Perfection, 14°

Master of Mercy, 12°-presented by the Officers of DeJoinville Council, Princes of Jerusalem, 16°

Be sure to bring your passport!

Reservations can be made by calling 215-563-1814. By email to valleyofphiladelphia@outlook.com or by visiting our web site at http://www.philascottishrite.org/our-spring-reunion.html

The Buffet Dinner Menu includes:

Venetian Style Salad

Roasted Red Bliss Potatoes

Vegetable Medley

Chicken Piccata

Penne Pasta in Butter Sauce

Broiled Flounder in Caper Sauce

Chocolate Cake

All dinners are $20 per person. Candidates dinners are free.

Parking is in the Convention Center Parking Facility, 1324 Arch Street. This is the only garage that we have validations (chasers) for. Parking validations are $5 and they are active from 3PM until midnight.

If you haven't made your reservation as of yet. you have ONE WEEK FROM TODAY to do so. That's right. Next Thursday, 8 March is our deadline. Time flies. Don't let it fly by you!

No reservations will be accepted past the deadline. No Exceptions!

IT'S SCHOLARSHIP TIME!

Brethren: 

NOW is the time to apply for the Abbott Scottish Rite Scholarship. The scholarship provides financial support for the continuing undergraduate and graduate education of Scottish Rite Masons, young men and women from Scottish Rite families, and Masonic related youth groups (DeMolay, Rainbow or Job's Daughters).

Eligibility: Those meeting any of the following criteria are eligible to apply for the 2018 Abbott Scholarship program for undergraduate studies:

A Scottish Rite Mason of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.

A student directly related (bloodline or legal means) to a Scottish Rite Mason in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction or a member of a youth organization sponsored by the Masonic Fraternity in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction who is:

1. A high school senior, currently accepted at an accredited trade school who has attained a minimum grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.

2. A high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student currently enrolled at an accredited college or university who has attained a minimum grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.

Applications must be submitted to the Valley office no later than Thursday, March 15, 2018.

Applications forms may requested by writing or emailing the Valley office or by downloading them from the Supreme Council's website (scottishritenmj.org)

Also, exclusive to the Valley of Philadelphia only is the Ill. John K. Young, 33° Scholarship:

Named for the late Right Worshipful Past Grand Master, Active Emeritus of the Supreme Council and member of the Valley of Philadelphia, this educational grant is available to financially deserving children and grandchildren of Valley of Philadelphia members who are enrolled into an acceptable law school in the United States.

Students may apply for this grant each year. Applications for the grant may be obtained by writing or emailing to the Scottish Rite Office. There is no deadline to apply for the grant.

Emails to the Valley office should be sent to valleyofphiladelphia@outlook.com. Written requests should be sent to: Scottish Rite Office, Masonic Temple, One North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2520.

Did You Pay Your Dues? If Not, Please Do So Soon!

Brethren:

As of right now, we still have about 300 of you that still haven't paid your Scottish Rite dues for 2018.

Now, before you remind me that it's only December 20, 2017, the Valley's fiscal year of 2018 began on August 1, 2017. This is why you were billed for dues back in June.

The Supreme Council's Constitution prohibits Valleys from suspending members for non-payment of dues for two years UNLESS the Valley has it in their by-laws to suspend for owing only one year's dues.

This past June at our Valley's Annual Meeting, we, YOU approved a new full code of by-laws which included an amendment that says the Valley of Philadelphia will now suspend members who owe one year's dues.

So far we've billed twice for our 2018 dues. Each time we do this the Supreme Council runs the billing statements and mails them and then charges the Valley for this service, plus postage. Which means if you received two billing statements we've paid twice to remind you to pay your dues.

On or about February 1, 2018 I will have the Supreme Council send our third and FINAL dues billing out. Anyone still owing dues when that notice is sent is hereby notified that if your dues are not paid by our May 18, 2018 Spring Rendezvous, you will be suspended.

We expected to have a large amount of Brethren at this point still owing dues as some have gotten 'comfortable' with the former two year grace period; not to mention, this is a new by-law requirement. But, we'd rather not see a large amount of suspensions because of that former level of comfort.

I fully realize that it's the holiday season and that money is going to gifts, etc. But I would ask everyone to please consider giving themselves a deadline to pay their dues to avoid being in the count for the February 1, 2018 Third Notice billing. This will save YOUR Valley money too.

If you want to, you can pay your dues with your credit card via the Supreme Council's web site (www.scottishritenmj.org), but please be advised, if you do that, they, the Supreme Council will take their $27 assessment (dues) and then the bank charges, sending us less than the $72 the Valley counts on to keep our budget and financial requirements in check.

We have 94 members who owe two years dues at this time making them eligible for suspension RIGHT NOW, but as this is still a new by-law requirement we are unwilling to suspend them without a prior notice and the opportunity to get caught up in their dues. I have notified each of them of this by letter and they have until February 1st to remit their dues or face suspension without the third notice.

If you've paid your dues, thank you for your continued interest in and support of Scottish Rite Masonry and YOUR Valley of Philadelphia. If you haven't please consider doing so soon. We don't want to lose you!

Dinner Reservation Deadline Tomorrow!!!!!

Dear Brethren and Friends:

Tomorrow is our Dinner Reservation Deadline for our Dinner on Friday, 17 November.

Not in yet? Do so now.

If you miss tomorrow, you're welcome to come to the meeting, but you will not be able to join us for dinner. No ifs, No ands. No buts. No fooling. No exceptions.

Call Now! 215-563-1814.

Our New Sovereign Grand Commander to visit our Brethren in Arizona and Florida

Dear Brethren and Friends:

For any of our Valley Brethren residing in Arizona and Florida:

Newly installed Sovereign Grand Commander David A. Glattly, 33°, First Lady Monica Glattly, and Vice President of Charities Michael C. Russell venture to the great states of Arizona and Florida early 2018.

Commander Glattly's goal during this time is to meet with Scottish Rite Freemasons and their guests to discuss the future of the our fraternity and Freemasonry. The events are open to any Brother or Masonic family member who chooses to attend. All dates and locations are listed below.

Every dollar collected for these receptions goes directly to the Scottish Rite Benevolent Foundation. We hope to see you and gather together in fellowship, Brotherhood -- and to have a great time!

Questions? Email MaryAnn Bichajian MBichajian@srnmj.org or call 781-465-3326.

The Arizona date and location is:

Sun City West
Luncheon
Tuesday, January 30
11:30 am 
Briarwood Country Club
20800 N 135th Ave
Sun City West, AZ

The Florida dates and locations are:

Port St. Lucie
Luncheon
Thursday, March 1
11:30 am
PGA Golf Club - Wanamaker Room
1916 Perfect Drive
Port St. Lucie, FL

Naples
Luncheon
Wednesday, March 7
11:30 am
Spanish Wells Country Club
9801 Treasure Cay Lane
Bonita Springs, FL

Sarasota
Luncheon
Tuesday, March 13
11:30 am
Peridia Golf & Country Club
4950 Peridia Blvd. East
Bradenton, FL

The Villages
Breakfast
Monday, March 19
9:30 am 
The Waterfront Inn
1105 Lakeshore Dr. 
The Villages

Tampa
Luncheon
Thursday, March 22
11:30 am
DoubleTree Suites
3050 N. Rocky Point Dr. West
Tampa, FL

Dear Brethren and Friends: 

First I want to thank everyone who's made their dinner reservations for our meeting on 17 November. Big help and I mean that. Thank You!

But, for those that haven't made your reservation yet, this coming Thursday, November 9th is your last chance to do that. Seriously. I won't take any reservations on Friday. Nope. Not one. I don't care what your circumstance or issue is or was. We have a deadline meet it or miss it. Yes, it has to be that way.

Also, we recently had an issue with a Brother and to keep that from happening again: If you click 'Going', call or email and tell me you're coming, YOU'VE MADE A DINNER RESERVATION. If you're just coming to the meeting, you do not need to RSVP. If you check in, a reservation will be made and you will be charged for the dinner. This is a decision made by the Valley's Executive Committee and you will be billed. Govern yourself accordingly. Thank You.

As always, Recommenders are reminded to check with your Candidate to be sure he called in too. This is your responsibility as his recommender. This is still a new experience for him. He's counting on you. Don't let him down.

I've received a few messages, calls and emails regarding Illustrious Bro, Dan Martin's email address from 32° Cast members. Yes the email address provided in your Cast assignment letter is Dan's email address; but, I checked with him this morning. He's having an issue with his phone presently and because of that, his email has been affected. 

Speaking of the 32° Cast: Your first rehearsal is this Wednesday at 7PM in CORINTHIAN HALL. Please make note of that change.

ATTENTION MEMBERS OF THE VALLEY'S HONOR GUARD: By now you should have received my letter letting you know that your presence has been requested at the 32° Cast rehearsals too. With the change of venue for this meeting (Corinthian Hall instead of Gothic) we're going to need everyone involved acclimated to the room; not too mention with the Right Worshipful Grand Secretary, our Active and the Chicago folks visiting we want to be sure to look sharp and professional in our manner of reception of Masonic/Scottish Rite dignitaries.

Hey, we still have PLENTY of tickets available for our Family Life event, 'Christmas in Hershey.' If you want some you better hurry. We always sell this one out. Ticket order forms are available in both the October and November issue of THE DOUBLE EAGLE and you can download one from the Valley website's Announcement page too.

Got to ask. Are you getting tired of my Holiday Party posters yet? Well, like I said, until that ticket stack gets thinner or gone, you're going to see them. Did you order your tickets yet? The Valley's Holiday Party is always an evening of fun. Don't miss it!

Get that dinner reservation in! Have a great week everyone!

Brethren:

 I am sorry to have to announce that our upcoming Family Life event, Villanova vs Georgetown at the Wells Fargo Center on Saturday, March 3, 2018 has been cancelled.

We were forced to cancel this event due to attempted post contract price increase from the Wells Fargo Center.

Our Family Life Chairman, Ill. James Rae, 33° MSA works very hard to keep our Family Life Program alive and enjoyable for you and your family. He is actively searching for a new program to replace this.

I am returning checks to those that have ordered tickets to this event.

As always, Thank You for your continued interest in Scottish Rite Freemasonry, our Valley and its events and programs.