The Phylaxis Notes. Of The Phylaxis Society. annual convention - Ontario, california 2015 Photo Essay. Lamp of Knowledge Lit in Ontario

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1 The Phylaxis Notes Of The Phylaxis Society 1 annual convention - Ontario, california 2015 Photo Essay Lamp of Knowledge Lit in Ontario 2 3 The Executive Secretary of The Phylaxis Society, Honorable Alex Smith, lit the lamp of knowledge on March 5th, 2015 in Ontario, California to open the forty-second annual convention of The Phylaxis Society (photo 1). The official opening ceremony and memorial service (photos 27 through 30) took place on the Thursday morning of the convention. For anyone who has not attended this convention over its forty-two year history, you need to know that this is one of the best conventions in existence for Prince Hall Masons devoted to knowledge and history. If you are seeking knowledge about Prince Hall Masonry, or if you wish to share knowledge about the same, plan to attend the next convention in Chicago, Illinois in April of See page 12 of this newsletter for details about registration. 4 Many of the members who were present on Thursday morning for the joint opening and memorial service posed for a group photo (photo 5 below). 5

2 6 The Phylaxis Notes of The Phylaxis Society 7 pre-convention Relaxation 8 9 Los Angeles Fashion District Tuesday evening hospitality convention registration 2

3 pre-convention Relaxation A few officers of the Phylaxis Society and Phyllis Chapter and their spouses arrived on Monday and Tuesday to be in place for Wednesday morning board meetings. President Robert Campbell (MS), Katrina Williams (CA), Rosie Moore (PA), and Larry Moore (PA) are among the early arrivals (photo 6). Several Phyllis Chapter members pose in photo 7. On Tuesday afternoon, some of the early arrivals took an excursion to the Los Angeles Fashion District (Photos 8 and 9). On Tuesday evening, President Campbell hosted a casual hospitality for early arrivals (photos 10 and 11). Brother Jessie Watkins, FPSH (NM) and Brother Harold Bendaw, FPSH (NM) get set up for convention registration (photo 13). Members of the local Inland Empire Chapter and Ruby Forsha Auxiliary help organize the souvenir packages in photo 12. Members fraternize and dine on Wednesday and on Thursday morning before the convention opens (photos 14 through 19). The Phylaxis Notes of the Phylaxis Society A Society for Prince Hall Freemasons Who Seek More Light and Who Have Light to Impart Copyright All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, or stored in any retrieval system, without written permission from the Phylaxis Society. MAIL CORRESPONDENCE TO: The Phylaxis Society PO Box 5675 Albuquerque, NM The Phylaxis Notes is an official publication of The Phylaxis Society. The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect those of The Phylaxis Society or the Society s staff. Any article appearing in this publication expresses the opinion of the writer, and does not become the official pronouncement of the Phylaxis Society.

4 annual board meeting 20 The Phylaxis Notes of The Phylaxis Society Wednesday meet and greet Honorable Alex Smith (NM) chaired the board meeting (photo 21) on Wednesday morning. The day started with breakfast (photo 20) and ended with a joint session of the Phylaxis Society Board of Directors and the Phyllis Chapter Board (photo 22). The evening ended with a meet-and-greet social for all registered members. California Grand Master Lovell Morgan (standing to the right in photo 23) greets ladies of the Phyllis Chapter. On Thursday morning, the joint opening and memorial service formally kicked off the convention. The Phyllis Chapter officers in 35 conduct their ritualistic opening ceremony. Following the opening on Thursday morning, members boarded a bus (photo 31) for the traditional Masonic, historical, Afrocentric tour in the host city. This has always

5 The Phylaxis Notes of The Phylaxis Society joint opening and memorial service Masonic historical Afrocentric tour been a unique introduction to the host city, and so it was in California. Before starting the tour, the group had lunch at The Luxe Seafood and Grill Buffet in Ontario (photo 32). The Afrocentric tour started with a visit to the African American Museum of Beginnings in Pomona, California (photos 33 and 34) where we were greeted by the Mayor of the City of Pomona, the honorable Elliot Rothman, a Freemason in the Grand Lodge of California (photo 35) who presented the Society with a resolution. Grand Master Morgan of California was so impressed with the museum that he presented the museum with a monetary token of appreciation at the annual banquet on Saturday (photo 75). The museum is in its infancy, but its exhibits are nearly bursting at the seams. After the visit to the

6 38 The Phylaxis Notes of The Phylaxis Society Masonic lodge visitation Friday morning workshops museum, the tour proceeded to the San Bernardino City Hall where Prince Hall Masons in the city were instrumental in having a statue of Martin Luther King, Jr. erected on city property (photo 36 and 37). On Thursday evening, we called upon the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of California to open an occasional grand lodge at the hotel for the benefit of brothers visiting from other jurisdictions (photo 38). The host OES chapter opened for the benefit of visiting Eastern Stars. Tytone Horn, FPSH (CA), president of the Inland Empire Chapter of the Phylaxis Society, presented History of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of California to begin the workshops (photo 40). Brother Alonza Tehuti Evans, FPSH (DC) presented Social Impact of Prince Hall Freemasonry in the District of Columbia in the 19th Century (photo 41). Brother Frederic L. Milliken, FPSH (TX) presented Rev. John Marrant, Preaching to the Black Loyalists in Birchtown, Nova Scotia (photo 42). Brother John B. Williams, FPS (CA), webmaster for presented How to use the Phylaxis Website (photo 43). 43 The Phyllis Chapter luncheon was on Friday at noon (photos 44 through 47). Masonic workshops continued after lunch on Friday with a presentation from Brother Alton Roundtree, FPS (DC) on Social Media: A Leading Edge of Social Issues (photo 48). Brother Clarence Baker, FPS (CA) presented History of the Youth Department of the MWPHGL of California (photo 49). After a short break, the moderator, First Vice President Ulysses Cooper, FPSH (UT) admitted the family of PGM Nicholas Locker, FPSH (MA) in preparation to induct PGM Locker into the Masonic Hall of Fame (photos 50 and 51). PGM George Blue, FPSH (CA), a replacement for a last minute cancellation, presented Masonic Education (photo 52). Brother Damajo Smith (photo 53) presented The History of the MWPHGL of North Carolina: and also presented information of interest regarding the Council of Representatives. Another last minute replacement was provided by Brothers Daryl Andrews, MPS (IL) and Tyrone Jackson, FPSH (IL) on Combatting Clandestine Masons (photo 54). 6

7 The Phylaxis Notes of The Phylaxis Society Friday - Phyllis Chapter lunchen Friday afternoon workships and masonic hall of fame

8 55 56 The Phylaxis Notes of The Phylaxis Society 57 Phyllis chapter fashion show president s breakfast On Friday evening, the Phyllis Chapter had its annual fashion show (photos 55 through 57). On Saturday morning, invited guests attended the President s Breakfast (photo 58 and 59). Masonic workshops continued on Saturday morning with a presentation by Brother John B. Williams, FPS (CA) on Democratic Collaboration in Masonry (photo 60). Brother Stephen Hill, Sr., FPS (CA) presented Knights of Pythias of North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa (photo 61). Brother Ras T. Cannady, FPS (CA) presented Remembering Honorable Robert W. Brown, FPSH (Posthumously). Dr. Donald Ware, MPS (CA) presented Prince Hall York Rite Family (photo 62). Second Vice President Larry Moore (second from right in photo 63) presented certificates to honorary fellows of the Society elected at the session. They are Edward Mitchell, FPSH (NM), MWGM Lovell Morgan, FPHS (CA), and to the far right, Chester Turner, FPSH (CA). The Phylaxis luncheon on Saturday afternoon (photos 64 through 66) focused on the Four-Bs Awards for Books, Business, Ballots, and Brotherhood. Awardees for 2015 pose in photo 65: Brother Donald Ware (left), Deputy Grand Master for the MWPHGL of California (Brotherhood); Dr. Margaret Hill (lower center) (Books), and Mr. Edward Fieboh (right) (Business). 8

9 Saturday morning workshops Saturday phylaxis luncheon

10 67 The Phylaxis Notes of The Phylaxis Society election and installation of officers prince hall school art commission display After lunch, members of the Phylaxis and the Phyllis Chapter voted on their favorite portrait of Prince Hall submitted by students of the Prince Hall School in Philadelphia. Students are asked to do research on the man for whom their school is named and draw him as he might have looked. First, second and third prize winners are shown in photo 69. Jeff Menzise, FPS (DC) presented the last workshop Symbolically Speaking: African Lodge # 1 (photo 68). MWGM Lovell Morgan, FPSH (CA) then conducted a forum fielding questions from the craft to him as grand master. MWGM Lovell Morgan conducted the election and installation of officers. All six administrative officers retained their positions for two more years. A new member was elected to the Board of Directors, Brother Charles Stewart, FPSH (IL) for the term The annual awards banquet was the last official activity of the convention (photos 71 through 76). Man of the Year was shared by Treasurer Harold Bendaw, FPSH (NM) and Financial Secretary Jessie Watkins, FPSH (NM) (photo 75). 70 chi rho fraternity 10

11 71 The Phylaxis Notes of The Phylaxis Society 72 When all has been said and done, the Phylaxis Curator, Brother Lawrence Haley, MPS (GA) packs up (photo 77) and prepares to ship the paraphernalia of the Phylaxis Society and the Phyllis Chapter. Brother Haley was awarded the Jno G. Lewis Medal of Excellence this year, the highest award given to a member of the Society. Photo Credits: Frederic Milliken, Larry Moore, Rosie Moore, John Williams: annual banquet 11

12 The PHYLAXIS SOCIETY PO Box 5675 Albuquerque, NM Chicago in 2016 Find these forms at: