Meridian Chapter U.D., Royal Arch Masons of Oregon

The first Stated Convocation of Meridian Chapter, Under Dispensation, Royal Arch Masons of Oregon was held at China Palace Restaurant, 968 N.E. Stephens St. in Roseburg, OR on Tuesday, September 23, 2008 A.D., A.I. 2538.

At 7:00 P.M. the Dispensation to form Meridian Chapter was read, and an open installation of the High Priest, Scribe, and Principal Sojourner was presided over and conducted by Excellent Companion Santino Lupini, Grand Captain of the Host, acting as representative of Most Excellent Companion Daniel E. Crockett, Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Oregon, with Carl Carlson serving as the Installing Marshal. Lawrence J. Stokes was installed as Excellent High Priest; Russell Howard, II as Scribe; and Timothy J. Randall as Principal Sojourner.

The Chapter was opened at 7:50 P.M. on the Royal Arch Degree. Companions Jeff Day, Bob Brickey, Mark Barondes, Erik Arneson, Richard Surroz, and Carl Carlson were unanimously balloted upon to be added as members of the Chapter U.D., bringing its membership up to 18.

Jeff Day was elected Secretary and Richard Surroz was elected Captain of the Host. Santino Lupini proceeded to install Jeff Day as Secretary, Richard Surroz as Captain of the Host, and Mark Barondes as Master of the Second Veil.

Fees for initiation and dues were established.

Two petitions were read for Brethren seeking to receive the degrees of Capitular Masonry by initiation, and will be balloted upon at the next stated Convocation of Meridian Chapter.

The members of the Chapter conducted various other matters of business relative to the formation of the Chapter, and the Chapter was closed at 9:15 P.M.

The duly installed officers of Meridian Chapter, U.D., as constituted at the close of its first Stated Convocation were:

Lawrence Stokes, Excellent High Priest;
Russell L. Howard, II, Scribe;
Jeffrey R. Day, Secretary;
Richard Surroz, Captain of the Host;
Timothy J. Randall, Principal Sojourner;
and, Mark de Rohan Barondes, Master of the Second Veil.

Installation of the King, Royal Arch Captain, Master of the Third Veil, Master of the First Veil, and Sentinel will be performed at a later date by representatives of the Grand Chapter.