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From the Personal Representative

The Call of Greatness. Raising the Standard: Wisdom, Strength, and Beauty in Action

Brethren,

As we gather for our October Stated Meeting and look toward November, we are stepping into a season of deeper reflection and intentional action across the Santa Rosa Valley and Napa Lodges of Perfection.

If you want to improve your life, it starts with a relentless commitment to your personal growth: raise your standards, hold the line, and live with total intentionality.

Together, we embody this through four fundamental pillars:

• Education: Commit to continuous learning and self-mastery. Growth dies the moment you assume you know enough.
• Wisdom: Apply your knowledge with discretion, discernment, and integrity in every decision you make.
• Strength: Build resilience—mental, physical, and moral—to carry your burdens and support those around you.
• Beauty: Seek excellence, order, and honor in how you craft your life, your work, and your character.

Whatever you undertake, remember: Practice like you've never won—stay hungry, disciplined, and sharp. Perform like you've never lost—step into every moment with unshakeable confidence and focus.

Questions for Discussion at Our November Meeting

To dive deeper during our time together next month, here are three questions for us to reflect on and discuss as a brotherhood:

1. On Wisdom & Education: What is one area of your life where you have gathered knowledge, but need to exercise better wisdom and action to actually improve your daily standard?
2. On Strength: Where are you currently being tested, and what practical boundary or discipline do you need to establish this month to stay strong?
3. On Beauty & Legacy: How are you bringing order, harmony, and excellence into your home, work, or community so that your effort reflects true beauty in action.

The Scottish Rite in Northern California is entering an exciting new chapter—one built not upon division, but upon growth, brotherhood, and a shared commitment to the future of our great fraternity. Santa Rosa Scottish Rite has experienced significant change in leadership, and with that change has come renewed energy, new members, and an opportunity to strengthen the presence of Scottish Rite Masonry throughout our region.

A significant portion of our new leadership and many of the Brothers joining Santa Rosa Scottish Rite are located in the Napa Valley area. As participation continues to grow, plans are developing for the eventual formation of the Valley of the Vines, which will be led by Most Worshipful Past Grand Master David Perry. At the same time, I will continue leading the Santa Rosa Lodge of Perfection as Santa Rosa moves forward into its next chapter.

Until such a transition becomes official, however, we remain one Scottish Rite family. We continue together under the leadership and guidance of Brothers David Perry and I. We are working toward the same purpose and supporting the same fraternity. It is important that every Brother understands that the future formation of a Napa Valley body is not the result of disagreements, competing visions, or a desire to separate ourselves from one another. Rather, it is a practical response to geography, growing membership, and the considerable distances many Brothers must travel to participate regularly.

In fact, this growth should be viewed as a sign of success. When Scottish Rite Masonry grows to the point that additional communities can support active and thriving bodies, our fraternity becomes stronger. Santa Rosa's success should be Napa's success, and Napa's success should be Santa Rosa's success. We must encourage one another, attend and support one another's events whenever possible, share ideas and always remember that the bonds of Brotherhood extend far beyond the walls of any particular Valley or meeting place.

Our recent Reunion in Pasadena was a wonderful reminder of what makes the Scottish Rite so meaningful. Brothers came together in fellowship, education, ritual, and friendship, demonstrating that although we may come from different cities and Valleys, we remain united by the principles and obligations we share as Masons. We returned from Pasadena energized and looking toward the future—not simply with the goal of increasing our membership numbers, but with the greater purpose of developing better Masons and making meaningful contributions to the communities we serve.

The opportunity before us is much greater than establishing another meeting location. We have an opportunity to build a stronger Scottish Rite presence throughout Northern California. By strengthening Santa Rosa while cultivating the growth taking place in Napa Valley, we can introduce more Master Masons to the lessons of the Scottish Rite, provide greater opportunities for fellowship and Masonic education, support charitable endeavors, and make our fraternity more accessible to Brothers throughout the region.

Change can sometimes create uncertainty, but our response must always be Brotherhood. There should be no “Santa Rosa versus Napa.” There should only be Brothers helping Brothers. We should celebrate each other's accomplishments, encourage each other's growth, and recognize that strengthening one Valley ultimately strengthens Scottish Rite Masonry throughout Northern California.

We have tremendous reason to be optimistic. New Brothers are joining. New leaders are stepping forward. Fellowship is growing, and there is renewed enthusiasm for what Scottish Rite can accomplish in our communities. If we remain united in purpose and committed to one another's success, both Santa Rosa and the future Valley of the Vines can flourish for generations to come.

As we move forward together, may we remember that locations may change, leadership may change, and new Valleys may eventually be formed—but the Brotherhood that unites us does not change. We remain Scottish Rite Masons, bound together by our shared values and our desire to leave our fraternity and our communities better than we found them.

Brethren,

As we quickly approach the final months of 2026, now is a good time to take care of your 2027 Scottish Rite dues of $120.

If you have not yet paid, we encourage you to submit your dues at your earliest convenience. If you have already paid, thank you for your prompt payment and continued support of our Valley.

Let's finish 2026 strong and begin 2027 together.

Pay Your 2027 Dues — $120

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