Brothers,

The annual grand lodge communication has finished, and the proceedings went well.

The following Grand Lodge Offices were filled:

Grand Master: M.W. Bill Garrard

Deputy Grand Master: R.W. Mike Manning

Senior Grand Warden: R.W. J. Michael Atchley

Junior Grand Warden: R.W. Robert Bradfield

Senior Grand Deacon: W. John Engstrom

Junior Grand Deacon: W. Scott Thomas

M.W. Dave Luebke was elected to a one year term on the Grand Trustees Board, and M.W. Jeff Carlton was elected to a three year term.

The results for the resolutions were:

2013-1: Requires some kind of penalty if found guilty at a Masonic Trial.
PASSED

2013-2: Eliminates hearsay testimony at Masonic Trial.
FAILED

2013-3: Grand Master to approve or reject a Lodge Master’s dismissal of Masonic Charges as frivolous.
FAILED

2013-4: Eliminates a section of code that is no longer relevant, housekeeping for the AMC.
PASSED

2013-5: Requires use of certified mail or in person delivery of Masonic Charges.
FAILED

2013-6: Grammatical correction of AMC.
PASSED

2013-7: Regards the responsibilities of a Masonic Trail Master:
PASSED

2013-8: Creates the position of Masonic Trial Secretary:
PASSED

2013-9: Gives Grand Master the power to decide venue for a Masonic Trail for a Mason from another jurisdiction.
PASSED

2013-10: Specifies how Lodge Members are to be summoned to meet to choose Masonic Trial Commissioners.
PASSED

2013-11: Eliminates the per capita payment to grand lodge for perpetual membership members:
FAILED

2013-12: Withdrawn

2013-13: Ends requirement that applications for Release to Pay Dues be handwritten.
PASSED

2013-14: Ends requirement that petitions be hand written:
PASSED

2013-15: Requires that the lodge a perpetual member transfers from agree to the transfer of the perpetual membership funds to the new lodge.
FAILED

2013-16: Withdrawn

2013-17: Requires that all Lodges carry insurance.
PASSED

2013-18: Adds a clerical form, and changes the name of another.
PASSED

2013-19: Requires a special session of Grand Lodge to be held within 60 days of the arrest/suspension of a Lodge Charter by the Grand Master.
FAILED

2013-20: Requires announcement of vote totals for Grand Lodge Offices.
PASSED

2013-21: Denies the Grand Master the power to suspend a Mason. A Mason can only be suspended by a Masonic Trial.
PASSED

2013-22: Allows nominations from the floor for all Grand Lodge Offices.
FAILED

2013-23: Adds the Grand Deacons to the list of elected officers.
FAILED

2013-24: Withdrawn

2013-25: Withdrawn

2013-26: Withdrawn

2013-27: Indexes Perpetual Membership Fees to the age of the Mason.
PASSED

2013-28: Makes the cost of a Memorial Perpetual Membership ten times dues.
PASSED

2013-29: Withdrawn

Grand Master Recommendation #1: Increases the Petition fee by ten dollars to help fund the George Washington National Memorial Association.
PASSED

Grand Master Recommendation #2: Allows Grand Master to change venue of a Masonic Trial.
FAILED

Grand Master Recommendation #3: Lists Masonic organizations to maintain membership in.
PASSED

The Trustees failed to submit any report, including any info on the purchase of the new Grand Lodge offices. The grand Master MW Carlton explained that the property was purchased in two parts, one for $530,000 on 12/31/12, and the second for $200,000 in March or April of 2013. WBro Adrian Fontes requested a committee be formed to investigate the purchase and report to the Brethren by September 1st. MWBro Larry Shaffer asked if the funds had come from the Truitt Trust Fund, and MW Carlton stated that the funds had come from the General Fund. WBro Fontes then nominated MWBro Shaffer to head the committee. MW Carlton appointed MW Shaffer as Chairman of the investigative committee. MW Carlton explained that the new office and property would decrease the Grand Lodge expenses.

The failure of the trustees to file a trustees report is very irregular, especially given the purchase of the new Grand Lodge Offices.

A new lodge was charted! Hunters Paradise Lodge #85 was chartered by the Grand Lodge.