Personal Representative
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 Ill  Lee T. Porebski, 33°Personal Representative of the Sovereign Grand Inspector General in the Orient of California Valley of Burlingame |
Are We Alone? Those of you who get the California Freemason probably noticed that title on the front cover of the June/July issue, but did you read the story and see who it is about? The story is about our own Jim Nickerson K Very Important Item We had a visitor to our Childhood Language Center Advisory Board meeting in June. It was Ray Godeke the Vice President of Finance for the California Scottish Rite Foundation. Brother Ray was kind enough to visit with us and share his insight into the financial condition of the San Francisco and Burlingame Childhood Language Center. As with most non-profits and charitable organizations these days, the news was not good but not terrible either. The bad news is that the contributions we receive have dropped, the grants we receive have dropped and the income that we receive from our investments, which are handled through the California Scottish Rite Foundation, dropped like most portfolios had for everyone. The advisory board has taken steps to reduce expenses, but these steps result in the fact that we are not doing the job we need to do which is to support our great philanthropy and help those children who need our help so desperately. The staff at our Center is now down to only two very dedicated people and two people can only help a limited number of children. The good news is that we can do something about it, but it will take all of us to roll up our sleeves and get to work. First we need to raise money. This can be done in several ways, contributions, grants and fund raising. We need everyone who reads this Bulletin to sit down and think about the company that they work for or retired from. Many of these companies are possible sources of grants. Pick up the phone and become the front person for the Language Center. Find out whom to contact for an application for a grant and pass the information that you gather to me or Glenna Milleman. How about fund raisers? We have been lax in running fund raisers, and we need people to help coordinate these efforts. Then there are contributions. How about that spare change? There is a container out at every meeting or event. Drop in your dollars. Some of us can dig deeper to make ongoing contributions. Try to become a 365 Club Members by contributing $250.00 per year and remember, you don’t have to send in the entire $250.00 at one time. You can contribute monthly, quarterly or even by credit card. Of course larger contributions are always welcome $1000.00, $5000.00 any amount you can gather, there is no limit. You can also contact Bob Hunter to talk about a planned giving program to help support the center long into the future. The important thing is to help, it is our pleasure and our duty. |
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 Ill Richard Brown, 33°Venerable Master Lodge of Perfection  |
Brethren, both April and May were very busy months for your valley. In April we attended a Leadership Conference in New Orleans. There we were presented some new and innovative ideas about Scottish Rite. Two of our Brethren, Bro. Ethan Cheever, 32° KSA and Bro. Ephram Cheever, 32° KSA, attended a one on one conference with Sovereign Grand Commander, Ill Ronald A. Seale, 33°. Then in May we traveled to Scottsdale AZ and attended an annual communication and witnessed degree teams from California, Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico put on all 29 degrees. There were 113 candidates present. Some of the degrees were more interesting than others, however, overall they were very good. I did come to the conclusion that we could have fielded a degree team there and been well received. I believe that our degree teams are now ready to take their place among the other western states at the next annual communication and come out among the top teams. On June 18th and 19th we had a very successful spring class, and again I was convinced that we are ready to provide a degree team for the next annual Southwest Degrees, which will take place around the 2nd or 3rd week in May 2011. At each of the events we attended – both New Orleans and Scottsdale – it was clearly brought home to me that our Valley is becomin g known within the leadership of the Supreme Council. On more than one occasion, in the middle of a conversation our Valley was mentioned. I want to also mention that it is not too late to join the 365 Club for our Childhood Language Center, it is $250 to join, and the full amount can be paid in cash, check or credit card. You can also spread the $250 out over a period of time by paying a portion each month with cash or check. You can also put it on a credit card and pay it off over a period of time. While we are on the subject of funds for our Childhood Language Center, each of us can approach businesses which we frequent and ask for a donation of goods or services to be auctioned off at our annual silent auction in December. And don’t forget to carry that application for degrees with you and be ready to present it, and help a potential candidate complete it, and get his check with the completed form. I wish each of you a healthy, happy summer. See you at our next stated meeting.
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 Carlos Monsanto, 32°, K SAWise Master Chapter of Rose Croix  |
At the time you are reading this bulletin, we have just concluded our Spring Degree Conferral, and we are now into summer relaxation as lodges are dark for the months of July and August. Time to refresh our body and mind and be ready for the coming events.
Going to back to the Spring Degree Conferral, let me give you a brief overview of the 17th degree Knight of the East and West and 18th degree Knight Rose Croix. 17th - The lessons of this degree are that loyalty to God is man’s primary allegiance, and temporal governments not founded upon God, and His righteousness will inevitably fall. The apron is of yellow satin, with crimson and gold, and with a sword and Tetractys (of the Tetragrammaton) on it. The jewel is a heptagon of silver and gold, with crossed swords on a balance on the obverse, and lamb on the Book of Seven Seals on the reverse. The jewel is hung from a double order -- one black (left-to-right) and one white (right-to-left), representing good versus evil. A gold coronet is also represented. 18th - This degree teaches that life and its strengths come from God. The rose signifies the dawn, and the cross is a sacred symbol of antiquity in many cultures. One is taught to be tolerant of others errors and their faults. The Apron is of white leather or satin, bordered in red, with a skull and cross-bones, a red passion cross, and three red rosettes. The grand jewel is a gold compass open on a quarter circle. A rose-cross is between the legs of the compass, and under it is a pelican, tearing its breast to feed its seven young, on the obverse, and an eagle with wings extended, on the reverse. On the circle are the letters I.N.R.I. If you have not witness the Spring Degree Conferral please make every effort to attend the Conferral in the Fall. The ritual teams and stagecraft have been working hard rehearsing to deliver a quality ritual that is both memorable, educational and enjoyable. |
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 Glenna Milleman, M.A., CCC-SLP Director  |
Dear Friends, Advocates, Champions and Contributors of our Philanthropy
In a few short weeks, we will be closing fiscal year 2009-2010 at the Childhood Language Center. To date, we — and I mean all of us mentioned above — have contributed to improved speaking, thinking and reading skills for the lives of approximately 56 children this year. In addition, we have provided 99 children with evaluations and screenings. The number of therapy hours provided to the public total 3,091 — so far. These facts are measurable data that can be easily documented and should, indeed, be a cause of pride for all of us. What can’t be easily documented and can only be seen on the faces, and in the voices, of the children we serve is the joy and confidence they have gained. They are thrilled with the academic and emotional successes they can employ at home, school and in social situations. They stand a little taller, smile much more than before therapy, and volunteer information with enthusiasm rather than with fear. As a group, Scottish Rite members, their families and our devoted community supporters continue to provide a way to a better life for these children. Not one of them will ever forget where they were given their hope for a better future — The San Francisco and Burlingame Scottish Rite Childhood Language Center. Next month I will be submitting our budget for the Childhood Language Center for the fiscal year 2010-2011. If you can find a way to become a 365 Club member, you too will know the pride and thrill one can feel supporting this philanthropy. Your contributions result in rapid returns for the children who can’t speak for themselves; they are relying on the Friends, Advocates, Champions and Contributors of the San Francisco and Burlingame Scottish Rite Childhood Language Center to make their miracles happen. If you have questions about contributions, please speak with Lee Porebski, Robert Hunter or myself. Come visit your Childhood Language Center! With admiration for all the possibilities you make happen! Glenna Milleman, Director |
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The cause of human progress is our cause,
the enfranchisement of human thought our supreme wish, the freedom of human conscience our mission, and the guarantee of equal rights to all peoples everywhere, the end of our contention. |
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