Half Time

Half Time - Two Quarters Down - Two Quarters Left to Make A Difference

I have reached the halfway point of this incredible year as Worthy Grand Matron.

The first half of this last year ended with an unbelievable finale - the institution of a new Chapter in California.  The last two times a new Chapter was instituted were 2006 and 2008.  I was Grand Warder for 2008, but being Worthy Grand Matron for the Institution was a whole different ball game.

The room was completely packed and we had to cut off the reservations because we ran out of room for chairs.  My Worthy Grand Patron performed the short ceremony of opening a Special Session of the Grand Chapter and then my truly amazing Grand Officers performed an inspiring Initiation ceremony for the eleven new initiates.  You know that the Ritual work is incredible when members, who have heard the work many, many times before, get tears in their eyes as the lessons of the heroines of our Order are told.  What can I say but Wow!  I chose my appointive Grand Officers based not on their Ritual ability but based on their past service to the Order and their personality, their desire to serve, their heart.  I suppose I should have guessed that such spirit would translate into their Ritual presentation, but I am so glad that it did.  Everyone who attended got to see an Initiation done right!

Then we instituted the new Chapter, Wistaria Chapter Under Dispensation, in Turlock, and then my WGP and I installed all their officers.  They did a little required business, passing bylaws, opening an bank account and getting a tax i.d. number, then they closed and we went to enjoy refreshments and good fellowship.  What a long, rewarding day!

But at the halfway point, it is good, it seems to me, to pause for a moment and look back before turning again forward.

We've done all our Schools and Ritual Instruction for the members using our new lesson plans and methods.  The responses to all of that were overwhelmingly positive and just outstanding.

We've done just about half of our Official Visits, again using our new formats.  We've had a great many people praising our cut down of the Escort, getting the empty chairs out of the West and eliminating the bulk of introductions.  People are no longer wondering if there is anyone left in the room besides the janitor who hasn't been introduced.  And the programs we've seen so far at the Social OVs have been fun, informative, innovative or all three.  I have received many kind compliments on my remarks too.  I am a little happy that half the OV speech-writing is behind me though.  Those things are hard to write!

We've had one of the two Chapter Anniversaries that will be celebrated this year, a 125th anniversary in San Diego.  Those members know how to throw a party.

We've had one member fun event and it was so enjoyable that people are still talking about it.  We've had some Association events and our astonishing Northern Festival for our Eastern Star Senior Living Community.  The entertainment was fantastic and we raised $6,400 to be added to our Summer Festival money.  My WGP and I are already discussing what we will do with the money for the benefit of our Residents and our Outreach program.

Okay, enough looking back - I am not very good at that anyway.  Let's look forward.

We have all the Receptions for the Grand Officers ahead of us, starting at the end of June.  More speeches, but they are easier to write because you can say fun and just slightly embarrassing things about the Grand Officers.  Too bad I will have to edit out all the really good bits.

We have half the OVs yet to go, with a full week of them just ahead of us, starting tomorrow.  I hope that they continue just as lovely and fun as the ones we've already had.  I hope I keep being able to write decent speeches.

We have more Association events and another anniversary - this time a 100th anniversary.  And of course our Summer Festival at our Home with a big dinner and entertainment night as the topper.  We hope to raise twice as much between the booths and the dinner and another silent auction.  Wouldn't it be great to hit a total of $20,000!?!

And of course, we end the year at our Grand Chapter Session, coming full circle to the place where it all started, on the very last day of this unforgettable year.

Yes, I would say that I am very fairly at halftime.  But I believe that the best may be yet to come, as the future learns from the past.

This next week is a full nine-day trip, starting in Paso Robles, then Oxnard, Simi Valley, San Pedro,  West Covina, Lone Pine, Independence, Rialto, Escondido, San Diego and Downey.  I better work on packing.