ROYAL ARCH FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2010
To the Most Excellent Grand High Priest, Officers, and Companions of the Grand Chapter of Ohio:
The Royal Arch Foundation is pleased to submit the following report for year 2009 – 2010:
The vision or goal of the Foundation is: To be the charity of choice for all Royal Arch Masons in Ohio; to
keep our membership informed of our activities; to encourage their financial support of the Foundation; to
generate funds through innovative fund raising efforts; to involve all Royal Arch Masons with the activities of
our selected charity; and to create a permanent endowment fund to ensure the financial viability of the
Foundation for the future.
The Foundation has selected the Adopt American Network, headquartered in Toledo, as the charity
worthy of our support as Royal Arch Masons. In the United States, more than 114,000 children have been waiting
in the foster care system for years. An overwhelming number of them have suffered neglect, abuse and
abandonment. They long to belong to someone – to have a loving touch, a reassuring hug, the security of a
permanent adoptive family.
Every child deserves a home and family where they can feel safe, secure and loved. Adopt America
Network’s mission is to find forever families for the children who wait in foster care. Their national network of
volunteer adoption specialists brings together those special children with families that offer love and
permanence.
Each year, three trustees of the Foundation complete their appointed term of office. The newly
installed Grand High Priest may choose to re-appoint them or select other qualified Companions to serve on
the Foundation board. Following his installation in October, 2009. Most Excellent Companion Losasso
appointed the following Companions to serve as trustees:
M. E. C. Wayne S. Dill
(Terms to expire in October, 2012)
M. E. C. Kermit Zimmerman
M. E. C. Robert Draye
The other six trustees, previously appointed are:
M. E. C. Jerry Crawford
(Terms to expire in October, 2011)
M. E. C. Robert D. Crabbs
M. E. C. Garis Pugh
Continuing to serve as trustees are:
M.E.C. Jean Justus
(Terms to expire in October, 2010)
R.E.C. Norman Lobell*
R.E.C. Don Losasso*
RAF Charity Auction: The Foundation’s fourth annual silent auction was held following the Grand Chapter
banquet in 2009. We are grateful for the wide variety of items that were donated by the Companions and
ladies – ranging from hand crafted items, collector items, sports memorabilia, to a gold pocket watch. These
gifts allowed us to generate over $3000.00 that was forwarded to the Foundation’s Endowment fund. The
endowment fund, with monies generated at the four auctions coupled with donations has grown to over
$18,000.00. Another silent auction will be held on Wednesday, October 6th. This auction will open at
3:00PM to give the Companions a greater opportunity to visit (and perhaps bid on items!) In addition, for the
first time, Most Excellent Companion Losasso is allowing a live auction that will be held during the grand
banquet. A reminder that credit cards can be used to pay for any winning item.
AAN Annual Dinner / Auction: Adopt America Network conducts their annual Charity Auction in Toledo
each October. Attending in 2009 was Most Excellent Companion Donald Losasso and Lady Theda, Grand
King Steven Oliver and Lady Susan and three Foundation board members and spouses. Grand High Priest
Losasso, on behalf of the Foundation and the Royal Arch Masons of Ohio, presented Adopt America a check
for $15,000.00 bring our total contributions to Adopt America to $120,000.00.
Additional Support: In addition to the financial support we provide to AAN, Royal Arch Masons in the
northwest Ohio area have taken an active part in the activities of Adopt America:
 The 7th district again hosted a number of AAN employees and kids at their annual hog roast
(and they too held an auction with the monies going to the Foundation)
 Companions of the 8th district, for the 6th year purchased 25 tickets for AAN families and
kids to join us at our annual outing at annual district outing at the Toledo Mudhens baseball
game;
 Participated with AAN at the Browning Masonic Community’s annual Car Cruise In.
 Continued, for a second year picking up and deliver donated items from Bed, Bath & Beyond
every two weeks; and then worked two days with AAN in their distributions of these donated
items to families within the Adopt America Network, Lucas County Child Services and other
groups. Our thanks to the members of Ft. Industry Masonic Temple for the use of their facility
for the “Gifts-in-Kind” distribution.
 For the first time ever, the Foundation, in support of Adopt America, is holding a chicken BBQ
fundraiser in Toledo on August 22nd. This report is written prior to the event, but initial response
appears most positive. If this first event proves successful, we hope to expand to several locations
across the state. More on this at Grand Chapter!
Royal Arch Mason: In 2009, the General Grand Chapter International granted permission to the Adopt
America Network to include articles in their national magazine – the Royal Arch Mason. Several articles
were published in 2009, and then, unfortunately, due to some conflicts at General Grand Chapter (it being
pointed out that Ohio, not being a member of General Grand, was having articles published when there were
other Grand Jurisdictions within General Grand Chapter that had charities that deserved coverage). The
Royal Arch Foundation and Adopt America Network are grateful to Emory Ferguson, Larry Gray and Jim
Hodges for sharing the message of special needs adoption in those several issues and look forward to
perhaps allowing articles in future publications.
Awards: Individuals, Chapters and Districts are recognized by the Foundation for their contributions.
Certificates are prepared for contributions at the $100 and $250 levels; lapel pins are presented at the $500
(Sapphire stone), $1500 (Amethyst), $2500 (Ruby) and $3500 (Diamond) levels. We were pleased to
present the following awards for 2009:
Lapel Pins: Rt. Ex. Companion R. Keith O’Dell (Sapphire pin)
Rt. Ex. Companion Robert Thomas (Amethyst pin)
2009 Certificates given 10 / 30 / 2009:
Recipient
1ST CAPITULAR DISTRICT
ST. MARY #51
WAPAKONETA
2ND CAPITULAR DISTRICT
TWIN VALLEY #240
BATAVIA #112
WYOMING #146
4TH CAPITULAR DISTRICT
R. KEITH O'DELL
URBANA #34
6TH CAPITULAR DISTRICT
GARIS E. PUGH
MARION #62
CAREY #159
GARFIELD #150
SENECA #42
CRYSTAL # 157
FORT MEIGS #29
OAK HARBOR #162
TOLEDO - PORT LAWRENCE #161
8TH CAPITULAR DISTRICT
WAYNE S. DILL
CLYDE #90
WAKEMAN #177
MARSHALL #47
HURON #7
MANSFIELD HI-12 #408
10TH CAPITULAR DISTRICT
DELAWARE #54
DONALD L. LOSASSO
JOHN E. HOLLBACK JR.
ATHENS #39
RUFUS PUTNAM #108
N. LEE PETERSON
CHARGRIN FALLS #152
HEIGHTS #206
17TH CAPITULAR DISTRICT
TUSCARAWAS $38
GRAND RIVER #104
WESTER RESERVER #8
ROBERT THOMAS GOLF OUTING
BILLOW CHAPTER #483 OES
DAVID M. SHEPPARD
GAND CHAPTER OF OHIO
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ROYAL ARCH FOUNDATION
Financial Report
August 13, 2010
OPERATING ACCOUNT
Beginning Balance 8/13/09
$13,523.48
Income
Donations
Auction (2009)
Total Income
$21.364.83
$3,184.00
$24,548.83
Expenses
Adopt America
Endowment Fund
Grand High Priest Reception
Office Expense
Total Expense
Balance On Hand 8/13/10
$15,000.00
$3,158.08
$275.42
$891.85
$19,325.35
$18,746.96
ENDOWMENT ACCOUNT
Principle and Interest:
From 2006 Auction & Donations
From 2007 Auction & Donations
From 2008 Auction & Donations
From 2009 Auction & Donations
Total as of 8/13/10
$5,888.28
$3,767.96
$5,206.84
$3,158.08
$ 18,021.16
The Companions are reminded that the Grand Chapter website: www.ohioram.org, has a link to the
Royal Arch Foundation. The site includes our Mission Statement, listing of trustees, forms for the charity
auction, other related Foundation information and a link to Adopt America’s website. Take the time to check
it out!
We conclude this report with a short historical report of the Royal Arch Foundation which was written for
inclusion in the Chapter Management Manual. Please note the final sentence: The Royal Arch Foundation –
“Ohio Royal Arch Masons helping an Ohio based charity.” Your support, contributions and efforts on behalf
of the Foundation and the Adopt America Network are sincerely appreciated. Royal Arch Masons – thanks
for all you do!!
Wayne Dill, Past Grand High Priest,
Royal Arch Foundation Chairman
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ROYAL ARCH FOUNDATION – (a short history)
In 2001, several Royal Arch Masons felt there was need for a charity that could be supported by the
Ohio Royal Arch Masons – something in Ohio that we could “put our arms around.” After several meetings,
we were introduced to Edieann Didham, President of the Adopt America Network headquartered in Toledo.
Her presentation on the need to place special needs children into permanent homes – those children with
emotional or physical handicaps; older children and teenagers; sibling groups; minority or mixed race
children – the kids that are in the foster care programs - the kids that no one wants to adopt, convinced us
that we had found the charity that we were looking for.
Subsequently, in 2002, the Royal Arch Foundation was formed. Chairman of the Grand Chapter’s
Jurisprudence committee, George Hall, submitted Articles of Incorporation to the state of Ohio and filed for
501(c)(3) status with the IRS. We were incorporated by the state and were granted our 501(c)(3) status by
the IRS in September, 2003.
Nine trustees plus a Foundation secretary were selected to serve on the Foundation board. A
resolution was passed that the Grand High Priest, and each of his successors, immediately following his
installation into office, appoint three (3) trustees to serve on the Royal Arch Foundation board for period of
three (3) years. The original founding trustees and secretary were:
Robert Crabbs, President
James McDonald
Robert Wise
Wayne Dill, Vice-President
Jean Justus
Robert Draye
Jim J. Buckingham
Garis Pugh
Kermit Zimmerman
Robert D. Blankenhorn – Foundation Board Secretary
The Foundation adopted the following Mission and Vision statements:
“The mission of the Royal Arch Foundation is to support the charitable endeavors of the Grand
Chapter of Ohio through our involvement with an Ohio based charity. We will do this by providing financial
support through various fund raising activities and by encouraging an active participation by our membership
with our selected charity.”
“The vision or goal of the Foundation is to become the charity of choice for all Royal Arch Masons in
Ohio; to keep our membership informed of our activities; to encourage the financial support of the
Foundation; to generate funds through innovative fund raising efforts; to involve all Royal Arch Masons with
the activities of our selected charity; and to create a permanent endowment fund to ensure the financial
viability of the Foundation for the future.”
To recognize those Companions, Chapters and Districts for the financial support, the Foundation
established the following protocol: A Chapter donating an amount equivalent to $1.00 per member will
receive a certificate for 100% participation; an individual, Chapter or District donating $100.00 will receive a
silver certificate; a $250.00 contribution will be recognized with at gold certificate. $500.00 is a lapel pin with
a Sapphire; $1500 an Amethyst; $2500 a Ruby; and at the $3500 level, the stone will be a diamond. The
$3500 level equals the cost to AAN to place one child in a permanent home. (The four stones were selected
as they correspond to the colors of the 4 banners of the Royal Arch degree.) Unlike some other charities
where awards are based upon an annual donation, all contributions to the Foundation accumulate and the
award is continually upgraded to the next level.
A small percentage of donations are held by the foundation to pay for administrative expenses – this
includes postage, the cost of certificates and lapel pins, brochures, etc. No salary or expenses are paid to
any of the board members. (All donations to the Foundation should be sent to PO Box 511, Shelby, OH,
44875 – not to the Grand Secretary’s office.)
In 2005, the Foundation formed an Endowment fund to ensure our long term financial viability. To
help fund the endowment, the Foundation sponsors a silent auction during the annual Grand Chapter
Convocation.
Ohio Royal Arch Masons are encouraged to share the message of the Royal Arch Foundation and
our connection to, and our support of Adopt America Network’s efforts of special needs adoption, not only
within our Chapters, but as well as our communities, churches, and other civic groups.
The Royal Arch Foundation – “Ohio Royal Arch Masons helping an Ohio based charity.”