Brethren:
I find it both an honor and a pleasure to send all of you this greeting as Personal Representative for the
Valley of Las Cruces. While I knew that this time might come, I did not expect that it would come so quickly. So,
as I sit down to write this, I was somewhat awestruck and perhaps a bit overwhelmed by the tasks that I see before
us. I am also keenly aware of the efforts that have gone before, and those that are still on-going in our organization.
There are many who work hard to support our Valley, but today I want to mention two in particular: Ill. Delmar
Sanders, and Ill. Bill Williams.
Illustrious Brother Williams served faithfully as Director of Work for our Valley for quite a while, even commuting from Yuma, Arizona. It has been largely through his efforts that our reunions run smoothly, and he always seemed to manage to pull degree teams together and keep things running smoothly.
Illustrious Brother Sanders, as you all know, served as Personal Representative in the Valley before my appointment, and he also served for several years as Director of Work before that. That all adds up to many years of service to the Valley for both of these Brothers. Those years represent many more duties and responsibilities that I can list here. As they retire from their positions in the Valley, we should all remember that we owe these men a large debt of gratitude for their efforts. Without them, we wouldn’t be where we are today. I hope that they will both continue to enjoy participating in our Valley for a long time to come, and not be strangers at our meetings and reunions.
I made mention above of tasks lying before the Valley. There are perhaps too many to list in their entirety here,
but I’ll mention a few things. Our projects in support of our (Rite care) Learning center are on-going and our
fundraising activities need support and expansion. The goals and objectives of the Scottish Rite Fellows program
are also on-going, our degree work should be refined and expanded as resources permit. Upkeep and beautification
of our Temple is important. Our Valley should have, perhaps needs, an education and mentorship program.
Committees need to be appointed in some cases, and in other cases given direction and set to work. Even this partial
list is a little bit intimidating, but I feel like we can accomplish these, and more. We can and should also have
some fun in the process.
In the near future, I’m going to be contacting many of you and asking for your help, or for information, or both. I
hope you’ll keep in mind that I’m asking for the good of the Order, and contribute what you can. Many hands will
make light work.
I want to remind you all about the Regional Reunion coming up in April. It will be hosted by the Valley of Santa
Fe and promises to be an exceptional event. It is important that you register in advance for this reunion so that the
organizers have an idea of attendance, numbers of meals required, etc. See the form for details, and govern yourselves
accordingly.
Finally, I’ll leave you something to think about. I read this somewhere, and it stuck in my mind.
Are you a Brother, or an acquaintance?
Do your lodge Brothers know who you are? Do they know how you’re doing, whether you’ve been sick, busy, or
on vacation? Do they know what business you’re in, what you do for fun on weekends, how your family is?
When you haven’t seen someone for a while, do you call or visit? If so, you are a Brother, and you have Brethern.
Now find an acquaintance in your lodge and help him be a Brother too.
Or, do you need to remind people of your name or ask theirs? Are you asked what lodge you belong to? Have you
forgotten a sign or password? If so, you might be seen as an acquaintance. Get out, attend meetings when you can,
get involved, and be a Brother to your Brethren.
Fraternally,
Kevin Schwebel, 32° KCCH
Personal Representative
Valley of Las Cruces
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