YORK RITE SOVEREIGN COLLEGE OF NORTH AMERICA
GENERAL ASSEMBLY - RESTON, VIRGINIA - JULY 31-AUGUST 2, 2008
PROGRAM
Reservation Form
Hotel Reservations
Thursday & Friday Tours See Reservation Form for times and price
TOUR 1
TOUR 2
TOUR 3

Attention College Secretaries
        As in the years past, all Orders and Gold Honour Awards received prior to May 31, 2008 will be immediately processed as usual.  Within the months of June, July and August, orders/awards may not be processed until approximately mid-September.  During those summer months, we are extremely involved with the preparation for the 2008 General Assembly (held in Reston, Virginia this year), the handling of 130 Candidates and the closing of the fiscal year.
        If time permits, your orders/awards will be processed in date order upon receipt.  We encourage you to anticipate your needs and if necessary, place your order prior to May 31, 2008.
        We appreciate your cooperation

CHARITABLE MEETINGS ANNOUNCEMENT
U.S. Charitable Fund
        A Joint Meeting between the Sovereign College Board of Directors and the U.S. Charitable Fund Trustees will be held on Thursday, July 31, 2008 immediately following the Board Meeting in the Robert E. Simons Room at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Reston, Virginia.  
        The U.S. Charitable Fund will meet in the Lake Anne Room at 3:00 pm on Friday, August 1, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Reston, Virginia.  
Charitable Foundation of Canada
        The York Rite Sovereign College Charitable Foundation of Canada will meet in the Lake Anne Room at 3:30 pm on Friday, August 1, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Reston Virginia.  
        The York Rite Sovereign College Charitable Foundation of Canada will be holding its 2008 Annual General Meeting on  Thursday, August 21st, 2008 at 11:00 am at the Holiday Inn Select, 970 Dixon Rd., Toronto, Ontario.  All Canadian Regents and Associate Regents are invited to attend.

MEMO TO GRAND GOVERNORS OF THE YORK RITE SOVEREIGN COLLEGE OF NORTH AMERICA
        As Grand Governor, you are an essential member of the Committee of the ‘Study of the Condition of the York Rite Sovereign College’.  The Chairman, R.E.D. Bro. David G. Walker carefully reviews your visitation reports, and your annual report to formulate his overview.
        Please ensure that you have filled out and sent a copy of your Grand Governor Visitation Report  on each College in your jurisdiction and forwarded it directly to David G. Walker, 5130 Elliott Sideroad, Midland, ON L4R 4K3 as well as to the Detroit office, along with your Annual Report, which will be printed in the proceedings.  IT IS OF SIGNIFICANT IMPORTANCE to all of us that your report be completed and submitted to the Detroit office on or before June 1st.
        Nominations for the order of the Purple Cross Class of 2009, Secretary General’s Award and the Sovereign College Service Award must be in the Detroit Office by July 1, 2008, accompanied with complete justification for all nominations.
        Please review Section 6 of the Regulations for the Government of the York Rite Sovereign College of North America in its entirety (pages 16, 17 & 18).  ALSO, instruct your College Secretaries to forward you a copy of their annual returns, financial report and activities report at the same time they send it to the Detroit office (Section 110, page 32).  This will eliminate incomplete, late or missing reports and avoid disappointment of a deserving Companion Knight.
        Also, please ensure that your College Secretaries and Treasurers make hard copies of all computer maintained records.
        Should you encounter singular circumstances, please do not hesitate to contact us for any assistance we can render.
        Thank you for your cooperation and compliance.

GRAND GOVERNORS WORKSHOP
        Grand Governors who have specific questions they would like to have addressed at the Workshop should send them to the Chairman,    R.E.D. David G. Walker at 5130 Elliott Sideroad, Midland, ON  L4R 4K3 or Email: david@iciengraving.com

ATTENTION COLLEGE GOVERNORS From the Sovereign College Office
        Should your College Secretary become sick, or otherwise disabled, please delegate the responsibility to a pro-tem appointment to ENSURE compliance with Section 110 (A) page 32  “Every York Rite College shall submit concurrently to the Secretary General of the York Rite Sovereign College of North America and to the Colleges Grand Governor its Annual Returns, Financial Report, activities Report, and such other reports as may be required from time to time, in and on the forms specified, to be received in the Sovereign College Office no later than July 1 of each year.”  and Section 6 (I) page 18  “A nominee to receive the Order of the Purple Cross of York shall not have his nomination approved by the Board of Directors if the Annual Return and Financial obligation of the College of which he is a member are not received at the Office of the Secretary General by July 1 of that year.” Failure to comply nullifies your OPC nominations.”
        Also the Board of Directors have adopted the policy that all College Secretaries and Treasurers will make hard copies of the computer maintained College Records and Financial Records and give a copy to the Grand Governor.
        Please ensure that your college complies with all the above.
        Governors!  Keep in mind that if your College would like to nominate your College Secretary for the Secretary of the Year Award, please request the nomination form from the Sovereign College Office.  All nominations forms are due back in the Sovereign College Office by July 01, 2008 for consideration.

MEMO TO COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN OF THE YORK RITE SOVEREIGN COLLEGE OF NORTH AMERICA
        In view of the demanding workload of our office staff during the 60-day period, prior to our General Assembly, I solicit your cooperation, to ensure that your report is received in the Sovereign College office by June 1, 2008.  The Sovereign College must conduct all of its business and ceremony in two days.  Therefore, all committee reports will be printed in booklet form by the Sovereign College office, for distribution at our General Assembly - PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOUR REPORT IS NOT CONSPICUOUS, BY ITS ABSENCE.
        Please forward a copy to R.E.D. Bro. David G. Walker, Chairman of the Committee for the Study of the Condition of the York Rite Sovereign College of North America.  His address is 5130 Elliott Sideroad, Midland, ON  L4R 4K3 as well a copy to the Sovereign College Office 500 Temple Ave., Detroit, MI  48201; Fax (313) 833-7735; Email: yrsc_na@yahoo.com
        The members that attend our General Assembly will look forward to reading your report and refer to the printed word in our annual proceedings, which provide a historic record and perpetual reference.
        Your typewritten double spaced copy or if you have a computer available, place your report on disk in Word format, this enables the office staff to readily process your report, saving considerable time.
        Thank you for your cooperation and compliance.

Jurisdiction Dinners Reston, Virginia
        Friday night will again offer a great opportunity to socialize with couples from your jurisdiction.  Reston offers many fine restaurant with facilities well suited to providing the Brethren and ladies in your jurisdiction with a memorable evening.
        A list of the available restaurants in and near the Hotel will be at the Committee Registration desk  when you pick up your tickets after you check into the hotel.

COLLEGE NEWS

SEYMOUR COLLEGE NO. 185 St. Catharines, Ontario
On Saturday, March 29, 2008, Governor General Gene H. Schaber, K.G.C.Y., attended the Annual Meeting and Open Installation of Officers of Seymour College No. 185 in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.  It was the occasion of Seymour  College’s Tenth Anniversary.  Companion Knights and Distinguished Brethren traveled from near and far for this special reunion.  All were presented with a book of the History of Seymour College and a DVD of the Ceremony of 1998.  The large gathering of Ladies and Brethren enjoyed a sumptuous banquet following the proceedings.

ILLINOIS  COLLEGE NO. 15 Chicago, Illinois
A stated meeting of Illinois College No. 15 was held at the Palatine Masonic Temple in Palatine, Illinois on March 27, 2008.  An excellent dinner was prepared and served by Palatine Chapter No. 585 OES.  Their efforts were duly acknowledged and appreciated by all present.
        The meeting was opened by Preeminent Governor Charles Horwitz and his officers.
        The recipients of the Sovereign College Service Award, the Order of the Purple Cross and the Past Preeminent Governors were introduced and appropriately acknowledged for their contributions to our fraternity and society.
        It was announced that our college will confer the Cryptic Super Excellent Master Degree on May 3, 2008 at the Evanston Masonic Temple.
        The members present voted their approval on a suggestion from Hugh Cole, that the college provide name tags for the accompanying ladies to college functions to allow the ladies to become better acquainted.
        Paul Scheeler reported on  a successful Entered Apprentice Degree in colonial costumes.
        Rick Kohn, Public Relations Manager for the Grand Lodge of Illinois united with representatives of other Masonic organizations, discussed elements of the Masonic Awareness Campaign.  Roadside signs depicting Ben Franklin expressing messages.  Inquires about this program will be received by the Grand Secretary's office and will be referred to a lodge near the inquirer’s location.
        Our College will hold its annual meeting on May 17, 2008 at 10:00 am at the Elm Clare Masonic Temple in Chicago.  The Installation and Dinner will follow at Great Escape Restaurant  in Schiller Park, Illinois.

CONEMUGH GAP COLLEGE No. 34 Johnstown, Pennsylvania
        Past Governor, George Kells, Sr. presented the Gold Honour Award to Richard Vogt of Meresdale, PA.  The presentation was made at the recipients Lodge during the Lodge Meeting.
        The College also presented the Gold Honour Award to Doran D. Walker of Meyersdale Lodge and Leonard McMillen, who passed away quite suddenly.
        Our College has been hit with three deaths of our Companions in the past year.
        Many of our members are very active in numerous bodies.

LEWIS & CLARK COLLEGE NO. 199 Sioux City, Iowa
Charter Presentation
        The meeting opened in full form, followed by the formal presentation of the Charter by Governor General Gene H. Schaber to the  Governor of Lewis & Clark College No. 199, Jeff Buchman.  Also present were Grand Governor of Iowa, B.O. Bryngelson; Governor of Iowa College, Greg Anderson; and numerous other Distinguished Guests.
        Following the presentation, Grand Governor Bryngelson who was assisted by Governor General Gene Schaber and Deputy Grand Governor George Harrison in honoring the following recipients of the Gold Honour Award - Dennis Boehmer; Frank Osdoba; and Jeff Buchman.
        The College then proceeded to confer the Order Knight of York on  two candidates.  The Conferral was led by Ron Grass.  The Meeting concluded with appropriate remarks by Preeminent Governor Jeff Buchman; Grand Governor B.O. Bryngelson; and Governor General Gene Schaber, who made numerous complimentary remarks of the conferral and all who participated and he wished the newest College an outstanding future.

Grand Governor B.O. Bryngelson presents the 2007 Service Award for Iowa.
Grand Governor Bryngelson presented David Dryer with the 2007 Service Award. Governor Greg Andersen and  Don Radloff were present.

NORTHEAST FLORIDA COLLEGE No. 114 Jacksonville, Florida
        Northeast Florida York Rite College No. 114, in Jacksonville, Florida on February 9, 2008 conferred the Order Knight of York, and elevated three new Companion Knghts into the Order.  The new Companion Knights are John H. Page, Fred H. Porter, and David R. “Danny” Johnson.
New Companion Knights were  John H. Page, Fred H. porter, and David R. “Danny” Johnson .
        Present were: David C. Wilkinson, MEPGHP, Seneschal; Frederick L. Piasecki, REPGC, Deputy Governor; Edwin B. Moore, III, Grand Governor for Florida of the York Rite Sovereign College of North America; Burt F. Maguire, Governor of Northeast Florida York Rite College No. 114; Richard L. Ames; Clarence N. Gruber, OPC, Primate; and Samuel D. Reasor.
        Also: Quinnie R. Williams, Sr., KYCH; J.B. Hunt, KYCH; Ernest Beeman; Walter M. Hammond, OPC, Past Governor; and Robert E. Hendren, III, KYCH, Secretary. And Robert Gagnon; C. Robert Cooper, Preceptor; Darryl A. D’Angina, OPC, KYCH, R. Ex. Grand Scribe, Grand Chapter R.A.M. of Florida; Robert Gurney Atwell; and William E. Darden, Jr., OPC, KYCH, Deputy Grand Governor for Florida of the York Rite Sovereign College of North America.