Hello, My Brothers, all:

In the interest of ensuring good health for our members to end the year on a positive note, a decision was made to cancel our Holiday Festivities this year.  

Despite COVID-19, 2020 was a successful year with several monthly dinners and a meeting starting in July, a successful fall reunion, where we welcomed 26 new Masters of The Royal Secret, and election and installation of officers for the Bodies and the Valley. Seeing the COVID-19 cases numbers starting to grow again, and realizing that ticket sales for our Holiday Festivities were lagging, it was in the interest of doing the right thing and therefore, we canceled this year’s Holiday Festivities. However, we are planning an elaborate Patriotic event in July of 2021 where we will have an exciting Patriotism event with a celebration in honor of our U.S. flag and all it stands for. A special musical show is scheduled to cap off the evening.

It was mentioned that we had a successful election and installation of officers for the Valley, which includes the four bodies. However, we still have a few officer positions open and encourage any brother who desires to fill a position, within one of the bodies, to please contact Ill. Keith our Valley Secretary at 407-657-4550 and let him know you are interested. He is anxiously awaiting your call.

Even though COVID-19 caused great change in early 2020 and continues to cause concern, your contributions have made it a successful year and I thank each and every one of you as a member of the Valley for your participation, and also honoring our request that you not attend an event, it was done in the best interest of your health. We are also taking advantage of technology and regularly utilizing Zoom for Executive Committee meetings and some of our education sessions, as appropriate. Continued use of Zoom will allow for consistent communications in an efficient and effective way, minimizing travel for our brothers from the coast and the northern part of our Valley. Safely enjoy your Holidays, however you celebrate taking time to count your blessings.

One last reminder. The Grand Commander extended the courtesy of providing your dues card with your dues notice, fully expecting that you would make this payment without additional notice. This is just a reminder that if you haven’t paid your 2021 dues please do so. It would be greatly appreciated as this is the largest source of income for our Valley.

Until next time, remember the many things for which you are thankful!  Be safe in your travels; “whisper wise counsel in the ear of an erring brother;” and respect the dignity of all, as it makes you and our fraternity stronger one action at a time.  We want to ensure that what we are enjoying today will be reliable for those who will follow. Simply stated – “We lead the way today, so those who follow us can lead the way tomorrow!”  Thanks for your continued support and participation, and may the “Spirit of Fraternity” reign supreme within our “Valley of Orlando!”

Fraternally,

Ill. Chester A. “Chet” King, 33°
Personal Representative

“People forget what you say, and forget what you do, but forever remember how you make them feel!”