General Conference of Grand Chapters, HRAM 58 th Annual Session, Los Angeles, CA Monday Morning Session, July 4, 2016 An Occasional Chapter of Royal Arch Masons was opened at 8:15 A.M. by RE Deputy Grand High Priest Othelo Burton, Deputy Grand High Priest of CA and officers. 8:38 AM: Ante room was cleared! 8:40 AM: Reception of General Grand King Damon Anderson-IL. 8:45 AM: Reception of General Grand High Priest and his core of Officers. They all were given Grand Honors: 9:00 AM: The General Grand High Priest then received The Pass General Grand High Priests and they were afforded Grand Honors and escorted to the Grand East. 9:05 AM: Reception of Past General Grand High Priests, namely: James AL Myers-SC, Johnny McCray-FL, Anthony K. Wells, Sr.-DC, Roosevelt Huggins-TX, John White-PA, James Gaither- DC, Benjamin Mays- KY, V. Fucle-CA, Since Myers was the senior, present, he brought remarks on behalf of all.: 9:10 AM: Reception of John Robinson, GA (General Conference Thrice Ill. Master and RE Grand Warder of KYCH, Dr. George Williams - MD, Deputy Imperial Potentate Carl Parker - CA They all were escorted to East and given Grand Honors. 9:17 AM: Reception of Most Worshipful Grand Master Dr. Donald Ware CA. He then received the visiting Grand Masters. Most Worshipful Grand Master Leslie Dean- BAH, Most Worshipful Grand Master Lewis Nelson - SC, Most Past Worshipful Grand Master Joe B. Lewis - MO. Grand Master enlightened us with a lecture on 133 rd Psalm. 9:25: Opening prayer by Kyle Benson - PA 9:35: Anthem of the Bahama followed by National Anthem of USA. 9:45 AM: Proclamation was read. 9:46 AM: Roll call of Officers and the absentees were noted. Roll call of Jurisdiction absentees noted. Roll call of Alliances with all present. 10:05 AM: The minutes of the Tuesday afternoon 2015 Conference was read; on a motion by Past Grand High Priest Robinson - GA and seconded by Most Excellent Grand High Priest Thurston - FL that the minutes be accepted with the necessary corrections. Motion carried!
10:06 AM: Reception of Past General Conference Grand High Priests Walter Sims and Samuel Jackson who were received and given grand honors. 10:07 AM: The Credential Committee reported that there were twenty-one jurisdictions present. 10:08 AM: The Rules of the Day Committee gave their report. General Conference Grand Scribe Medrick Campbell made the report. Questions by Most Worshipful Grand Master Donald Ware as to rule number twelve. Past General Grand High Priest Myers asked where does the five dollars go? 10:18 AM: The rollcall of committees after which Companion Ferguson was added to the student aid. 10:20 AM: The doors of the conference were sealed and General Grand Scribe Damien Anderson presented the General Conference Grand High Priest for his address. On a motion by John Robinson - GA, that the address be received and turned over to the proper committee. It was seconded by Ron Pillow - TN, Thurston - FL. and Donald Ware - CA. Past Grand High Priest Sims of Pennsylvania offered a substitute motion that the report be turned over to the proper committee. That motion was seconded by Most Excellent Grand High Priest London - PA. 11:05 AM: Past General Grand High Priest James Alston gave the Secretary s Report and on a motion by MEPGHP James Andrews - IN and seconded by Most Excellent Grand High Priest Thomas Brooks DC, that the report be received and turned over to the Audit Committee. Motion carried 11:10 AM: Past General Conference Grand High Priest Johnny McCray - FL. gave the Treasurer s Report and on a motion by Nathaniel Degraffinreadtt - N.C. and second by Walter Sims - PA, that report be received internal to the Audit Committee. Motion carried 11:15 AM: Past General Conference Grand High Priest James Gaither reported on the ritual sales for the year. On a motion by Russell and seconded by MEPGHP Ron Pillow TN, PDGHP Adrian Robinson - DC and PMEGHP Willie Robinson - GA that report be received and turned over to the Audit Committee. There were many unready and after lengthy discussion as to the manner which the funds were received and distributed and the rituals mailed, the original motion was amended that the report be received for Information Only. Motion carried! 11:45 AM: Most Worshipful Grand Master Donald Ware requested to make a statement concerning the jurisdiction of Hawaii. Jurisdiction has been declared irregular and thus will not be seated or recognized in this conference. 11:46 AM: Past General Grand High Priest Walter Sims - PA will not seek office this year. 11:47 AM: The General Grand High Priest along with his guest departed for their Annual Visitation to the Heroines of Jericho.
11:48 AM: The Eastern and Western Alliances gave their reports. 12 Noon: Call Off the Morning Session! 1:40 PM: Call back on! Monday Afternoon Session 1:45 PM: Minutes of the Morning Session were read and accepted by motion from Ron Pillow - TN and second by Willie Robinson - GA. Motion carried 2:00 PM: it was announced that the Audit Report will be made later during the session. Reception of Past General Conference Most Excellent Grand High Priest James W Ellerbee who was given Grand Honors and escorted to the East. 2:06 PM: The Committee on Grand Offices Address reported on the General Grand High Priests address. The committee consisted of Arthur Russell and Ron Pillow. It was moved by Ron Pillow and seconded by Thurston - FL that the recommendations to adopted. Motion carried 2:10 PM: The Southern Alliance report was read by Lewis Thurston - FL and was moved by Willie Robinson - GA and seconded by Andrews and Peterson. Motion carried 2:20 PM: The Committee on General Conference Grand High Priest Address led by Carl London PA, James Mac NJ, and Walter Sims - PA gave their report with recommendations. On a motion by Tucker MA, it was moved and seconded by Brooks - DC and many others that the report be accepted. After lengthy discussion the motion was carried. 2:40 PM: The committee on the Past Master s Degree ritual made their report on sale of the rituals. They sold for six dollars each. It was moved by Thorpe and seconded by Brooks that report be received. 2:55 PM: Student Aide made their report. It was recommended that each receive a fifteen hundred dollar grant. It was moved by Fucle and seconded by Benson and others that the recommendations be complied with. It was recommended that we revisit honors for the recent death of Jeffers. The Oratory Contest report was given. On a motion by the Degraffinreadtt and second by Fuller MA that report be received. 3:20 PM: The Benevolence Committee consisting of Robinson NY and Fucle - CA reported that there was a balance of three thousand dollars. It was moved by Fucle and seconded that report be received. After a few questions the motion was carried. 3:30 PM: The budget was presented by Past General Grand High Priest Huggins and Gregory Bernard - TN. It was moved by Willie Robinson - GA and seconded by Thurston FL and Cook - NC that the budget be received and adopted. Cook - NC questioned about deficit and questioned about the rebate after which the motion was carried.
4:05 PM: We heard remarks from John Robinson, GCTIGM and George Williams, KYCH. It was motioned by Willie Robinson and second by many that Gregory Bernard be honored as Past General Grand High Priest. 4:20 PM: The gavel is presented to Past General Grand High Priest Myers for nomination of the elected officers. A letter from Deputy General Grand High Priests James Blake was read to explain his absence. 3:55.: Nominations of officers conducted by James Myers. He read the rules For elections. General Grand High Priest Deputy General Grand High Priest General Grand King General Grand Scribe General Grand Treasurer General Grand Secretary General Grand Asst. Secretary General Grand Recording Secretary General Grand Trustee 3yr General Grand Coordinators Leslie Dean by Tyrone Peterson James Blake by Ron Pillow Damon Anderson by Roosevelt Huggins Medford Campbell by Willie Robinson Johnny McCray by Nathaniel Degraffinreadtt James Alston by Thomas Brooks Norman Thomas by James Alston Anthony K. Wells, Sr. by James Alston Victor Pettis by Freddie Peete, Rudy Baker by Willie Robinson Willie Tate, Ron Pillow Past General Grand High Priest Huggins gave us instructions for the banquet tonight. Sam Rivers VA, one the reports. Most Excellent Grand High Priest Thurston presented the General Conference with a gift 4:15 PM: Called off with prayer by Ron Pillow.
Minutes of July 5, 2016 General Grand Conference LA Marriott Airport Hotel Session opened at 8:40 AM: Stewardship report of Grand King, Damon Anderson was read and accepted. Committee on Foreign Correspondence: James AL Meyers stated that the email address listed on the letterhead was incorrect, jalmyers@bellsouth.com is the correct one; his phone number, 803-960-1788, was provided as well. PGGCHP Meyers suggested that communication was important in getting information out to the body. Grand Chapter of Serbia should hopefully make it to the Bahamas. They have been having difficult times. GGCHP Dean followed and also spoke of effective communication. Grand Conference Foundation: PGCGHP Meyers indicated the website is no longer active. Two replacements for the webmaster position are being considered. Funds raised at Saturday's meeting were $754; Scholarship money donated at the banquet was $2,000. We are current in IRS filings. Quarterly meetings will be attempted for the future. Our project mode will be "Fund Raising" in 2016. PGCGHP John White questioned the numbers given on the male side for scholarships. He issued a challenge that $1,500 would be donated if three others donated $500 each. Responses from the floor are as follows: Bahamas $500 Roosevelt Huggins $500 Louis Nelson $500 Vodhen G Fucles $500 Jurisdiction of Washington $500 Jurisdiction of Kentucky $500 Jurisdiction of Texas $500 Jurisdiction of Alabama $500 A Donation of $100 was made by Patrick Braithwaite in the name of George Jeffers to the Foundation. GGCHP Dean inquired about the whereabouts of Recording Secretary Anthony Wells. Dr. Ware provided information that A Wells had been attended to this morning and was resting in his room. The Possibility of obtaining the meeting minutes of Monday was entertained. Convention Report: Willie Tate submitted "Convention Report" reflecting net of $15,450 (see attached report). Time and Place: Willie Tate submitted tentative report indicating that The Bahamas will host the General Grand Conference in a city TBA June 30-5 July 2017. The hotel TBA; The 2018 Conference will be hosted by the State of Pennsylvania. Actual cities have not been established for either location (see attached report). C London motioned and Benson - PA seconded the report. PGCGHP Dean spoke on the recent fundraising challenge and acceptance by the various individuals and jurisdictions. PGCGHP Roosevelt Huggins announced 15 pins remained for sale @ $10 each.
Guests were then asked for remarks: Carl Parker, Deputy Imperial Potentate; PGM Joe B Lewis - MO; GM Louis Nelson - SC. Recommendations from GCGHP Report: Were voted on and accepted. Ways and Means: PGGCHP Huggins stated $1580 was raised by the sale of lapel pins; after the report was given, additional sales changed the report to $1,620 raised. Motioned by P Braithwaite and seconded by Marcus Moore and Ron Pillow. Prayer requested for the good work performed by the Ways & Means Committee. PGCGHP Black spoke on the tax exemption for the General Conference. He is presently working towards obtaining sales tax exemption for the Bahamas with GCGHP Dean. Memorial Service: PGGCHP Samuel Jackson reported on service held on Sunday morning. Dr. Reginald Bridges delivered the morning message. History of the memorial service was provided as well. In the report, he recommended that PGCGHP Dwight Parker be named as the new head of the committee. James Meyers motioned that the report be accepted and that the recommendation be accepted. Seconded by Thurston, Parker, Dean, and many others. Dr. Ware suggested that a recording of the history be placed on the website. A prayer was given by the Principal Sojourner for the work/services of Samuel Jackson. GCGHP Dean asked that PGCGHP Meyers speak on Samuel Jackson's tenure. The Chaplain gave a prayer for the success of PGCGHP Dwight Parker. PGCGHP James Meyers motioned that Sam Jackson be given Emeritus Status. It was seconded by all those present. It was stated that a letter be composed designating Samuel Jackson's status as Emeritus, to be presented in the Bahamas in 2017. A photograph will be included on the resolution. GCGHP Dean asked for volunteers for the Grand History Committee. Dwight Parker and PGCGHP Roberson volunteered. It was mentioned by J Mixon - MO that issues with Alliances was creating problems with meeting. Main issue was distances between the various states; Robert Cassidy intervened and mentioned that constitution is correct, but the directory was wrong. At 11:15 AM GCGHP Dean called for a 10-minute break. Reconvened at 11:34 AM with the Medical Team providing a report: There is a need for a wheelchair for the conference. The males need to make a better effort to see about their health. Discussion ensued regarding the possibility of workshops on prostate cancer. Dr. Ware entertained questions relating to healthy living habits. Meeting adjourned at 12 noon for lunch. Session reconvened at 1:30 PM: Minutes of the morning were read by the Asst. Secretary: Corrections made for 1) Title of Deputy Imperial Potentate Carl Parker 2) e-mail address for James Meyers. Motion for acceptance by C Williams - OH; Seconded J McCray that the minutes be accepted with corrections. Remarks from PGCGHP: Benjamin Mayes. PGCGHP expressed happiness at being present at the conference. PGCGHP John White thanked the Companions for meeting the challenge for the scholarship donations. PGCGHP Gaither indicated all the rituals had been sold.
Memorial Team entered at 1:30 PM: PGCGHP Dean called on PGCGHP Meyers who presided over the consecration of the crowns, aprons, and jewels. Presentations for HPGCGHP: Tyrone Peterson - Bahamas Robert Cassidy - Washington State Gregory Bernard - Tennessee Harrison Gregg - Texas 2015 Nominee Souvenir Bags were available for sale from the various houses meeting during the Grand Conclave and General Grand Conference. Willie Robinson requested consideration be given to "C" students in the scholarship selections. Elections: PGCGHP James Meyers presiding announced the position up for election-grand Trustee (3yr Term). Nominated were Rudy Baker VA. Individual was not present, but a letter had been submitted. Other candidate nominated, Freddie Peete KY, spoke of his qualifications and desire for the position. Voting strength was determined to be 150. 2:54 PM: Entrance of General Conference Grand High Court Heroines of Jericho; Introduction of Grand Most Ancient Matron, Anita L Davis by Grand Joshua, John E Fuller. Greetings and introductions were exchanged and the entourage departed at 3:12 PM. The altar was restored and the results of the election were revealed: Ballots were cast and the results were as follows: Peete 91 Baker 72 Questions were raised by PHHP Ronald Robinson about the number of votes cast. It was determined that the total votes were miscounted initially; Presiding officer Meyers indicated the vote was tainted but due to the companions going in and out the issue would be closed. Installation of Freddie Peete as 3yr Trustee was completed. Explanation of ballots: Bahamas (6) and Alabama (7) were omitted from initial count. Closing remarks were received from the Grand Conference Officers. Willie Robins rose again to question selection process for scholarships. GCGHP Dean indicated the information would be discussed with the committee; He also requested that Willie Robinson provide a written proposal for his request. Grand King Damon Anderson announced the trophies for the King Contest had arrived and they were distributed as appropriate. Closeout meeting will be held at 8:00 AM in the Caroline Room in the morning. Closing prayer by Chaplain Benson. Closing of 58 11 ' General Grand Conference of Grand Chapters by Grand Master Donald R Ware.