Grand Family at the Wadsworth Masonic Temple

Yesterday was an all day meeting in Wadsworth.  Since Medina County Chapter No. 243 was having its inspection yesterday, the Grand Family meeting and other committee meetings were scheduled for the same day.

The day started at 8:00 AM with coffee and donuts and then at 9:00 AM the meetings started.

INVESTMENT COMMITTEE:
The new Investment Committee meet from 9:00 AM -- 9:45 AM.   Two representatives from Merrill Lynch gave a presentation on how they would handle investing for the Grand Chapter. The first thing would be to establish an Investment Profile, at no cost, to determine what they felt was in the best interest of the Grand Chapter.  Norm LoBell with be talking with them in the future to determine if we want to have the profile done.

The only other thing talked about was possible legislation to be introduced at Grand Chapter that would increase per capita a $1 per year for five years.  Last year the Grand Chapter had a deficit of about $3000 and this years it will be around the same.   Information about why a per capita increase may be necessary and how Ohio compares to other Grand Jurisdictions will be forthcoming.

FINANCE COMMITTEE --10:00 AM until 11:30 A.M.
As usual this meeting consisted mostly of looking at the budget and determining why we have overspent any line items.   At this time we are really in line with the budget.

The completion of the Proceedings was discussed.   MEC Way Dill is bring them up to date.  The Grand Chapter is making a $250 donation to the RA Foundation for each completed Proceeding.

The item causing the most discussion was purchase of a Past Grand High Priest's jewel.   The jewels that the PGHPs wear are owned by The Grand Chapter and upon the death of a PGHP are returned to the Grand Chapter.   At present there is no jewel in stock.   So it appears that a jewel will need to be purchased.  Major Problem!!!   There is over 3 ounces of gold in the present jewel.   With the stones and gold, the cost of a new jewel will be around $7,000.   Now let me tell you Companions, that is now going to happen!!  Quotes for less expensive jewels have been obtained.   There is one that is of nominal cost that a GHP could purchase and it would be his.  The family would keep it at his death.   One way or another the Grand Chapter will lower the cost to something reasonable.

GRAND FAMILY -- 1:00 P.M. until 3:15 P.M.

After lunch the Grand Family meeting commenced.   The Grand Family meeting consists of PGHPs, current Grand Line Officers and all DDGHPs.

I am not going to go into a great amount of detail about most of the meeting.  It consists of reports from the DDGHPs, and various committees or Grand Officers.

I am, however, going to write about discussion had about a the General Grand Chapter.

The first discussion centered around Royal Arch Research Assistance or R.A.R.A.   General Grand Chapter has supported research in  Central Auditory Perception (CAPD) for years.     MEC Dale Ray has been instructed to discontinue all R.A.R.A. payments to General Grand Chapter until they have resumed CAPD research or established a new philanthropy.  If research in CAPD is continued, payments to General Grand Chapter's R.A.R.A. will be resumed   If a new philanthropy is chosen, then the Grand Chapter of Ohio will have to vote on whether or not to support it.   This would be done in October.  MEC Ray has been instructed to get communications to all Chapters in regard to this situation.  Please note that the Grand Chapter of Ohio does not wish to discontinue support of General Grand Chapter's philanthropies.   However, if it changes from CAPD research, then that support must be approved by the members of the Grand Chapter of Ohio.

General Grand King Edmund D. Harrison was in attendance for another reason and he gave us an update on the search for a new CAPD research group.  It has been narrowed down to two colleges and hopefully one will prove suitable.

Right Excellent Companion Harrison, Past Grand High Priest of New York and General Grand King, was at the meeting to make a pitch for the Grand Chapter of Ohio rejoining the General Grand Chapter.  After he spoke he thanked the Grand Officers for giving him the chance to explain why Ohio should be a member of General Grand Chapter.

END of GRAND FAMILY