DIGEST OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE 143rd ANNUAL COMMUNICATION
M. W. GRAND LODGE F. & A. M. OF NEVADA
NOVEMBER 12th, & 13th, 2007

In accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Nevada, the One Hundred Forty-Third Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge was convened at the Circus, Circus Hotel and Casino, Reno, Nevada. The Public Opening was called to order by M.W. “Babe” Rodgers, P.M., Worshipful Master of Brucite Lodge No. 42 on Monday morning, November 12, 2007 at 8:30 A.M.

Members of Dewitt Clinton Commandery Knights Templar presented the Colors and then the Pledge of Allegiance was repeated.

M. W. Stanley E. Williams (39&42), Grand Master, also welcomed the assembly.

The Invocation was given by V. R. Gary L. Smith, (26&27), Grand Chaplain.

The tribute to the Flag of the United States of America was delivered by Brother Ronald R. Orr, Jr. of St. John Lodge No. 18, who then presented an American Flag which he had carried in Iraq to Grand Master Williams. Worshipful Brother Dan I. Newman, P.M. of Oasis Lodge No. 41, gave the tribute to the Flag of Canada and Worshipful Brother Richard Mike Hoaglin, P.M. of Mount Moriah Lodge No. 39 presented the tribute for the Flag of the State ofNevada. After the tributes to each Flag the appropriate anthem was sung by all present.

The Heads of Concordant and Appendant Bodies in Nevada were presented at the Altar.
They were:
David J. Morgan, P.G.M., 33rd Degree Sovereign Grand Inspector General, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in Nevada.
Most Excellent Richard E. Stark, Grand High Priest, Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons.
Most Illustrious John C. Singleton Grand Master, Grand Council Cryptic Masons.
Right Eminent W. Wayne Perkins, P.G.M Grand Commander, Grand Commandery Knights Templar.
Edward E. Davis, Eminent Prior, Nevada Priory Number 50, Knights of the York Cross of Honor.
Wilton Swenson, Illustrious Potentate, Zelzah Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Las Vegas.
Craig Phillips, P.M., Executive Officer in Nevada, International Order of DeMolay.
Gordon F. Wessell, P.G.M., Intendent General, Red Cross of Constantine.
Hans J. Scheurer, Right Pre-eminently Distinguished Grand Governor, Sovereign York Rite College for Nevada.
The response was given by David J. Morgan, P.G.M., 33rd Degree Sovereign Grand Inspector General Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in Nevada.

The National Officers were presented at the Altar. They were:
M. W. William G. Roberts, P.G.M., Chairman of the, Masonic Service Association.
W. Lewis E. “Red” Kittell, P.M., State Chairman George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association.
M. W. Don Baugher, P.G.M., Michigan, Executive Director, National Masonic Foundation for Children.
Right Puissant Gerald “Jerry” Ogle, S.W. Regional Deputy Grand Master General Grand Council Cryptic Masons International.
The response was given by M. W. William G. Roberts, P.G.M.

Leaders of the Ladies and Youth Groups were at this time introduced and each brought greetings and a short message to the Grand Lodge. Introduced were:
Mrs. Eleanor Duncan, Worthy Grand Matron, Grand Chapter, Order of Eastern Star.
Miss Caitlyn O’Connor, Grand Worthy Advisor, International Order of Rainbow for Girls.
Miss Heather Stonebarger, Miss Nevada Job’s Daughters, International Order of Job’s Daughters.
Brother Austin Terrill, State Master Councilor, Nevada DeMolay.

M. W. Don Baugher, P.G.M., Michigan, Executive Director, National Masonic Foundation
for Children, addressed the assembly and gave a brief over-view of the Masonic Model Student
Assistance Program.

PRESENTATIONS

M. W. Don Baugher, P.G.M., Michigan, Executive Director, National Masonic Foundation for Children, presented the M.W. Grand Master with a certificate thanking him for his support of Masonic Model Student Assistance Program.

W. Lewis E. “Red” Kittell State Chairman George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association presented the M.W. Grand Master with a certificate of appreciation from the George Washington Masonic National Memorial.

M. W. David J. Guinan, P.G.M. presented a check from his Rotary Club to Masonic Charities of Nevada Inc. for the Masonic Model Student Assistance Program.

M. W. David J. Guinan, P.G.M. and M.W. Arthur K. Cronin, P.G.M. presented the 2007 Silver State Lodge Awards of Excellence to the following:
Churchill Lodge No. 26 for the third year, Ronald M. Anglin, Worshipful Master, Gary L. Smith, P.M., Secretary.
Montezuma Lodge No. 30 for the second year, William Lamar Walters, Worshipful Master, Kirt R. Harmon, P.M., Secretary.
Carson Valley Lodge No. 33 for the fourth year, Timothy R. Johnson, Worshipful Master, Larry W. Darling, P.M., Secretary.
Awards for the First Year were presented to:
Wadsworth Lodge No. 25, Richard V. Meacham, Worshipful Master, Charles F. Steiner, P.M., Secretary.
Oasis Lodge No. 41, James H. Beggs, Worshipful Master, Michael E. Reinhardt, P.M., Secretary.
Benjamin Franklin Lodge No. 45, Timothy Dailey, Worshipful Master, Stephen V. Robison, Jr., P.M., Secretary.
Dhahran Daylight Lodge No. 55, Jonathan Lewis, Worshipful Master, L. Michael Kandt, P.M., Secretary.

W. Larry W. Darling, P.M., Carson Valley Lodge No. 33, presented a commendation to Brother James C. Conrad for service and support of the Lodges of Northern Nevada.

The Grand Master thanked the guests for attending and then closed the public portion of the Grand Lodge Ceremony.

The Grand Lodge was formally called to order at 10:37 A.M. by Worshipful Arthur “Skip” Neel, Master of Mount Moriah Lodge No. 39. The Grand Lodge Officers entered and assumed their stations.

The roll of the Lodges was called and all but one was represented.
The roll of the Grand Lodge officers was called and all were present.
The roll of the Past Grand Masters was called and all who were not present were excused.

Grand Lodge was then opened in Ample Form.

Grand Secretary Cronin introduced the Resolution. He then moved to dispense with reading of the published resolution and that it be referred to the Jurisprudence Committee. It was Seconded and Carried.

The Past Grand Masters of Nevada were introduced and accorded Grand Honors and given a hearty welcome. Grand Master Williams and Deputy Grand Master Kelley welcomed all. M.W. W. Wayne Perkins, P.G.M., (28/26) gave the response.

Distinguished Guests from other Jurisdictions were received and introduced under the direction of W. Joseph E. ‘Jay” Dini, III, Grand Marshal. There were representatives from Alaska, Arizona, British Colombia & Yukon, California, Colorado, Idaho, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, Oregon, Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Nevada and Jurisdictions, Inc., Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

The Jurisprudence Committee moved to grant Honorary membership to the distinguished guests in attendance. Seconded and Carried. They then gave a preliminary report on the resolution, no deficiencies were detected or noted.

The Credentials Committee gave a Preliminary report.

An invitation for the 144th Annual Communication to be held in Las Vegas on November 10 & 11,2008 was extended.

Officers were appointed to tally the votes on the resolutions.
Tellers were appointed for the election of the 2007-2008 Grand Officers.
Ballot for the election of the 2007-2008 Grand Officers was opened.

M. W. Stanley E. Williams, Grand Master, delivered his message. It was received and referred to the Committee on Distribution. The Committee on Distribution submitted its report as to the proper committees to which the Grand Master’s message should be distributed.

The meeting was called to refreshment for lunch.

The Monday afternoon session was called to order at 1:35 P.M. by W. Frank E. “Joe” Crowdis, Worshipful Master of Carson Lodge No. 1. The Grand Lodge officers entered and assumed their stations.

The Preliminary Report of the Finance Committee was presented.

Attending Worshipful Masters were assembled West of the Altar and presented to the Grand Lodge, and Grand Master Williams and Deputy Grand Master Kelley welcomed them. Ronald M. Anglin, Worshipful Master of Churchill Lodge No. 26 gave the response.

The Roll of the Grand Representatives was then called. 33 were present with 7 excused. They were welcomed by Grand Master Williams. Gordon F. Wessell, P.G.M., Grand Representative of Washington, gave the response.

V. W. Arthur K. Cronin, P.G.M., delivered the Grand Secretary’s report. It was received and will be printed in the Annual Proceedings.

W. Lerry D. Chalfant, P.M gave the Grand Trustee’s report. It was received and will be printed in the Annual Proceedings.

W. W. Dalton La Rue, Jr., P.M., Grand Historian, gave his report. It was received and is to be printed in the Annual Proceedings.

The Grand Lodge was called from Labor to Refreshment.

The Grand Lodge was called to Order by Worshipful Brother Leon A. Aberasturi, Master of Fernley Lodge No. 34.

V. W. Michel P. Aurnague, delivered the Grand Treasurer’s report. It was received and will be printed in the Annual Proceedings.

M. W. David J. Guinan, P.G.M., Grand Lecturer presented his report. It was received and will be printed in the Annual Proceedings. He then presented the Ritual and Standard Work Committee Report. It was adopted and will be printed in the Annual Proceedings.

Grand Lodge was called from Labor to Refreshment.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13. 2007

Grand Lodge was called to order by Worshipful Norman D. Sweeney, P.M., Master of Winnemucca Lodge No. 19.
The Grand Lodge Officers entered and assumed their stations.

Worshipful Hans J. Scheurer, Grand Orator, presented his oration, which was received with a standing ovation.

Grand Lodge was called from Labor to Refreshment.

Grand Lodge was called to order by Worshipful Terry I. Rivero, Master of Tonopah Lodge No. 28.

The Final Credentials Committee Report was presented by W. John C. Singleton, P.M.

A motion was made and seconded to be received and adopted. Carried.

All of the remaining Committee Reports printed or presented were received and will be printed in the Annual Proceedings.

M. W. William G. Roberts, P.G.M., gave the Final Report of the Jurisprudence Committee. Then he proceeded to present the Resolution for the action of the Grand Lodge as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 1-2007 REJECTED
A motion was made and seconded for the completed report from the Jurisprudence Committee to be received and adopted. Carried.
M.W. Williams declared the Ballot Box Closed.

The Final report of the Finance Committee was read and the proposed budget was presented. On motion, duly put and seconded, the proposed budget was adopted.

Donations in excess of $20,000 were made through out the year to the General Fund, therefore Worshipful Louis J. Castle, II, Past Master of Daylite Lodge No. 44, presented his personal check payable to the Masonic Charities of Nevada, Inc in the matching amount of $20,000, and stated that his company will match his donation to Masonic Charities of Nevada, Inc. Both of those donations will assist the Grand Lodge financial situation for future years.

Grand Lodge was called from Labor to Refreshment for Lunch.

Grand Lodge was called to order by Worshipful Timothy Fitzpatrick, Jr., Master of Hope Lodge No. 22 for the afternoon session.

On motion of W. Michael E. Reinhardt, P.M. (41), the Grand Masters Hat was passed through the assemblage and over $2,400 was collected for the Endowment Fund.

The election of officers was conducted in regular form, following which the Grand Master-elect, James G. Kelley announced the Appointive Grand Officers. A List of Grand Lodge Officers for 2007-2008 will be found [here].

The Grand Lodge was called from labor to refreshment until 7:00 P.M. to resume Labor for Installation of 2007-2008 Grand Officers.

M. W. Stanley E. Williams, Grand Master, called the Grand Lodge to order at 7:00 P.M. and welcomed the members, relatives and friends attending the Open Installation. He then introduced the Installing team as follows:
Installing Master: M.W. Rodger W. Denn, P.G.M.,
Installing Marshal: M.W. William G. Roberts, P.G.M.
Installing Assistant Marshal: M.W. W. Wayne Perkins, P.G.M.
Installing Secretary: M.W. William B. Berk, P.G.M.,
Installing Chaplain: M.W. George P. “Pat” Williams, P.G.M.
Keeper of the Jewels: M.W. David J. Morgan, P.G.M.
The Officers as shown [here] were installed into their offices according to Ancient Craft Ceremony with prayer and proclamation.

After a final motion authorizing the Grand Master and Grand Secretary to prepare and have printed the Annual Proceedings and to pay all outstanding expenses resulting from this Communication and with concluding remarks, the 143rd Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge F. & A. M. of Nevada was closed in Ample Form at 8:44 P.M.

A reception followed.

Fraternally,

Arthur K. Cronin, P.G.M.
Grand Secretary