Grand Master Communication - Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Illinois

MOST WORSHIPFUL PRINCE HALL GRAND LODGE
FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS ~ STATE OF ILLINOIS
809 East 42nd Place (Prince Hall Way) ~ Chicago, ILL. 60653-2900
773-373-2725 ~ FAX 773– 624-6031
Office of the Grand Master
March 2, 2014
To Right Worshipful Dwayne A. Smith, Deputy Grand Master, All Elected and Appointed Grand
Lodge Officers, All Past Grand Masters, All Elected Grand Officers, All Elected Heads of House,
All Past Masters, All Worshipful Masters, Wardens, Brethren and to All Persons about the globe
who hold allegiance to the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted
Masons, State of Illinois and Its Jurisdiction.
“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my
beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,
forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15: 57 - 58
Greetings,
It is with a heavy heart, a wavering hand and spiritual thanksgiving that I announce the transition of our
dear brother, Past Most Worshipful Grand Master Archie C. Senter of Rufus Mitchell Lodge #107. His
Last Masonic Rites were performed on February 27, 2015 where a Grand Lodge Resolution officially
declared a thirty day period of mourning throughout the jurisdiction. A Past Most Worshipful Grand
Master’s Resolution also declared the Past Grand Masters of this jurisdiction would observe a thirty day
period of mourning and a Resolution from Rufus Mitchell Lodge #107 declared a thirty day period of
mourning by his Blue Lodge and finally, a Resolution from the Mid-West Conference of Grand Masters
and Masons was read praising his service and dedication to the Masonic fraternity. Other resolutions,
cards of condolence and cards of sympathy from around the globe that were presented to Past Grand
Master Senter’s family.
Previously we lost another notable brother, Ernie “Mr. Cub” Banks, who was a member of Fidelity Lodge
#103 and the 1954 Mason of the Year.
We celebrated Black History Month in outstanding fashion with excellent results. The Children’s
Program was educational and exciting for the youth and the adults. Meanwhile, the adult program “Get on
the Bus” was an absolute fantastic play that was intertwined with history and music. Kudos to every cast
member, the DJ, stage hands, photographers and the brothers who carried and set up extra chairs for the
large crowd. A very special well done and thanks to RW Leroy Berry and Sister Daphne McClain, “you
made us proud.”
A good time was had by all at the Valentine’s Dance that was held on Friday 13, 2015.
Our Annual Mid-Year Session was held February 28, 2015 through March 1, 2015 at the Springfield
Hilton Hotel in Springfield, Illinois. Informative and enlightening workshops were held on Saturday
morning for Deputies, Worshipful Masters and the Craft in general. On Saturday afternoon,
representatives from the Chicago Defender Charities spoke to both male and female members on
volunteering to become marshals for the world’s largest African American Parade, the Bud Billiken
Parade, held annually on the 2nd Saturday in August, in Chicago, Illinois. Afterwards, the
Bogus/Clandestine Symposium that was open to the male and female members, and the general public,
completed a very informative day for everyone.
On Sunday the Benevolent Committee gave their report, which was also open to our male and female
membership, and they answered questions relating to their responsibilities and duties to both the entire
membership and all state communities. After the Benevolent Committee reports were given, the Annual
Mid-Year Session was then officially opened for Master Masons. The Grand Secretary, Grand Treasurer
and Grand Auditors gave their semi-annual reports.
The Grand Master’s Report consisted of information on the Illinois Prince Hall LLC, the Federal, State
and City tax status of the Grand Lodge and that of subordinate lodges, and the up dated and revised
Constitution and By-Laws Books. The Prince Hall Stamp Petition Drive, promoted by the Conference of
Grand Masters and Masons, results were announced and the Jurisdiction of Illinois did quite well. We fell
a little short of the requested 5,000 signatures with 2,824 signatures but placing 6th out of 47 jurisdictions
is not too bad.
It was announced the United Supreme Council will be meeting in the City of Chicago on May 22, 2015
through May 26 2015 and that the Illinois Council of Deliberation will sponsor a golf outing on May 21,
2015. The Loyal Ladies will be sponsoring trips for the ladies as well. Let’s support the United Supreme
Council’s Annual Session, the ICD Golf Outing and the Loyal Ladies. The MWPHGL of Illinois is the
host jurisdiction for this Annual Session and you can assist by purchasing a tee shirt on line at
mwphglil.com
Overall, it was an outstanding, eye opening, informative and harmonious Mid-Year Session, from the
workshops, to the symposium, to the awesome food at the Banquet, to our new comedian and MC and
ending with the completion of giving business reports and answering questions. It was truly an awesome
Mid-Year Session. As many questions as time would permit were answered, as thoroughly as possible,
before the session was officially closed. Thank you and Kudos to all for a great session.
1. We need volunteers for all of our Charitable Committees
2. We need volunteers as Marshals for the Bud Billiken Parade
“Alive, alert, energized and engaged.”
The new Constitution and By Law Books have arrived and are ready for distribution to lodges and the
Craft. Per our Constitution and By Laws, Chapter II, Article III, Section 18, p 52, “every lodge is
responsible for five (5) books,” the Grand Master hereby now, Directs every appointed DDGM and
DDGL to have a new Constitution and By Law Book within 30 days, every Elected Grand Lodge Officers
should cheerfully, immediately and most especially as an Elected Grand Lodge Officer have a new
Constitution and By Law Book to assist the Grand Master and this Grand Lodge and EVERY Master
Mason should have a Constitution and By Laws book for true and correct legal Masonic knowledge. The
books are $25.00 each.
The Midwest Conference of Grand Masters and Masons will be held in Kansas City, Missouri on March
19, 2015 until March 22, 2015 at the Westin Hotel.
“ The Ides of March are upon us.”
Fraternally Yours,
Millard V. Driskell
Grand Master