Cedar Rapids Scottish Rite - Knights of Saint Andrew Meetings

KSA meeting 2/21/26
Gavel @ 1315

In attendance: Graeme, Bryce, Dion, Rusty, John, Dan KCCH, Josh, Scott 33, Bubba, Doug KCCH,

13:21 - Bryce update on questionnaire and database information management.

Anonymity and automation; voice or hyperlink options

13:27 - Coordinate Council Updates

Higher ups like Brad and Tom moving up has maxed their capacities and they are looking to pass on responsibilities:

Dion as Degree Master for 18; Looking to replace the Senior Warden spot in 18th
John as Wise Master for 18
Bryce taking over reunion book building
Brad wants people to be trained for positions – Can this apply to sitting on board meetings as a delegate?

13:35 - Current Business

Looking for and Broadcasting opportunities to members. If degree openings or other help is needed call Scott

2 x stage help
Food help

Grand Lodge Library Tour for SR—invite your blue lodge friends
Mitzpah Ritual bootcamps on 2nd Wednesdays, focus on getting the knowledge, muscle memory, and words right.
Doing another X-mas Gala! Fundraising for us this time.
Dallas Trip Discussions. Possible future DC trip?
Ritual discussions

Openings and closings writing

15:25 - Introduction of plan for summer camping trip

Volga, Quad Cities, Scott's uncle…

15:40 - Proceeded to Close

15:46 - Gavel

KSA Meeting: 11/15/25

VM - Graeme Eldeen
SW - Dion Baylor
JW - Russ Royce
Chap - Josh Burchland
Sec - John Stevenson
Deacon - Bryce Buckallew
Treasurer - Dan Beason
Sentinel - Dan Beason
In Attendance - Jon Hilliard, Scott Miller, John Grunwald

Open at 1:19pm

Introductions of Squires John

What inspired you to become a Mason?

What do you want Masonry to be? Are you willing to make it that?

22 Nov Turkey Pass out – Dion in charge if interested

Survey, conversation led by Bryce:

What can SR do that would get you more interested in coming?
Suggest an Activity that you would like to participate in
Times/Distances willing to travel
What would you like to see changed in the Scottish Rite
What degree do you want to lead/take part in?
I'm excited about x, what would you like?
Any obstacles?
How often are you coming? have attended in last year, last five years?
Would you like a meeting at your home lodge?
Do you know who your board member is?

Discussion on Hierarchy and interactions when asking for help.

Motion on conducting survey by Bryce, seconded by John S, unanimously carried

Helping De Molay parking control? At the Gala should be us? How to split money for raffle/auction?

Widows and Orphans- free gala, pins

Glengarry for KSA members- carried

16th degree –full ritual with obligation preparation.

Rewriting ritual coming up—incorporate more official ritual, philosophy

Follow up on shirts/hats

Friendly discussions on histories of emeritus knights

Close at 4:06pm

KSA Meeting: 10/18/2025

VM - Alex Ward
SW - Dion Baylor
JW - Russ Royce
Treas - Dan Beason
Sec - Graeme Eldeen
Deacon - Bryce Buckallew
Sentinel - Eric Hubert
Chap - Josh Burchland
In attendance: Joel Kasper, Doug Wlson

Open at 1:30pm

Happy Birthday to Sir's Joel Kasper and Chris Martin

9/27 minutes read

Christmas gala job list:

Door greeter/ Table Bussing (x2): Dion and Joe
Auction/raffle attendant: Bubba
Library attendant: Russ
Kitchen attendants (x2): Josh and Eric
Tour Guides/Floating: Graeme and Bryce and Alex
Musician attendant: Josh
Cash Box: Dan

Ksa shirt discussion

New Business: Need to resupply sashes-Dan will source materials

Knighting practice

Close at 3:05pm

KSA meeting: 09/27/2025

VM - Alex Ward
SW - Russ Royce
JW protem - Dan Beason
Treas - Dan Beason
Sec - Graeme Eldeen
Deacon - Bryce Buckallew
Sentinel - Eric Hubert
Chaplain - Josh Burchland
In attendance: Bubba Piper, Joe Buresh, Harold VanBeek

Open at 1:15pm

Minutes from previous meeting read

Correspondance from Tim Felton

Treasurers report

Old Business:

Christmas Gala-Josh met with the cedar rapids orchestra charity group. 8 string instrument players will be attending for dinner and social hour. We will begin assigning job duties for it at the next meeting.
New Business: Josh Burchland, Joe Buresh, Harold VanBeek, and Bubba Piper field knighted.

Nominations for Next year's Officers:

VM: Graeme Eldeen
SW: Dion Baylor
JW: Russ Royce
Treasurer for life: Dan Beason
Sec: Alex Ward

Practice Knighting Ceremony

Reminder to send e-mail to Grandcomder@scottishrite.org to make recommendations for the next deputy SGIG

Close at 4:20pm

KSA meeting: 08/23/2025
(Meeting follows presentation given by SRNJ)

VM - Alex Ward
SW - Russ Royce
JW - Bryce Buckallew
Sec - Graeme Eldeen
Treas - Dan Beason
Deacon - Josh Burchland
Sentinel - Bubba Piper
Chap -
In attendance: Jon Hilliard, Scott Miller

Open at 1:25pm

Recap of Greene trip

Russ nominated for and approved for knighting at the next reunion.

Practice for knighting ritual at the next KSA meeting

It was suggested that we start a pool to fund a group trip to DC.

First donations to this pool were received of $160
and remitted to the treasurer.

KCCH investiture will be multi-valley. Sept. 14th. 330pm, dinner at 5.

Christmas gala.

Invitation is nearly finalized.
RSVP Amy (with payment) by 12/8.
Open to blue lodge and demolay.
Discussed having a small charity auction, with proceeds to help sponsor Demolay.

Septempter KSA meeting moved to the 27th, due to Grandlodge the same weekend as scheduled meeting.

Discussed carpooling for Hiram in the Hills oct 4th at 9am in decorah.

Close at 2:55pm

Happy Birthday to Scott on the 28th.

KSA meeting: 07/19/2025 (Informal)

In attendance: Alex Ward, Dan Beason, Scott Miller, Bryce Buckallew, Josh Burchland, Doug Wilson, Bubba Piper, Graeme Eldeen, Scott's son Allen.

Met at Scott's house in Greene, Iowa.

Brief meeting, followed by lunch, and a trip out to see restored ww2 military equipment.

Meeting topics:

Progress on the Christmas gala.

Date is set for December 20th, 5pm social hour, 6pm dinner.
Will be open to blue lodge members and significant others.
RSVP by December 6th, fliers are still in progress.
Looking for local small bands for ambiance music.
Caterer has been contacted.
Business casual for attendees, suit and regalia for KSA, no hats.

August 23, Wisconsin valley brothers will be coming to perform a northern jurisdiction degree, and asked for assistance from KSA.

They just need several of us to come wearing a white t-shirt and blue jeans.
Lunch at 11, degree at 12.
Regular KSA meeting on the 16th moved to the 23rd, following the degree presentation, to allow knights to attend both.

KSA meeting: 06/21/2025

VM - Alex Ward
Sec - Graeme Eldeen
SW - Dion Baylor
JW - Russ Royce
Sentinel - Eric Hubert
Deacon - Bryce Buckallew
Treasurer - Dan Beason
Chaplain - Josh Burchland
In attendance - Doug Wilson, Bubba Piper, Jon Hilliard, Scott Miller

Open at 1:30pm

Previous months minutes

Old business- acquired large safety pins for field knights and ribbons for officer medallions.

Determined that we would acquire 10 blackwatch sashes to begin with, at $7 each.

Discussed progress on Seminole Valley, additional help needed, and possibly pairing our barbeque with a day of repair for the volunteers

Phoenix SR has completed MC-symbolic, and we now have a template for group mastercraftsman courses, that we can emulate for those that want to take the courses but need help. This will work for all of the MC courses EXCEPT philosophy.

Moment of silence for Paul Anderson, Don Stamy, and Squire Buresh's brother.

New Business-Degree performances to be done in other valley's, dates and times tbd

Game day discussions

Valentine's dinner for the coming February initial discussion

We've been asked to take over the SR Christmas party

FK Eric Hubert took Bubba Piper as squire initiate.

Iowa city #4 is looking for help with a 2nd degree, July 14th at 7pm

Potential of doing the October coordinate council meeting at iowa city 4. This is not yet confirmed.

Table lodge discussion, and practice at making the toast requested

Scott asked for a volunteer to judge degrees at the fall reunion. Bubba volunteered

Discussion of a recognition for founding members of our Valley's KSA.

Ox Yoke for January meeting?

July KSA meeting in Greene, and sight seeing

Scottish Rite Foundation dinner next Friday

Discussed wearing some kind of masonic identification when visiting smaller communities.

Closed at 3:10pm

KSA Stated Meeting: 5/17/25

VM - Alex Ward
SW (pt) - Joel Casper
JW (pt) - Eric Hubert
Treasurer - Dan Beason
Deacon - Bryce Buckallew
Sentinel (pt) - Josh Burchland
In attendance: Scott Miller, Bubba Piper, Jon Hilliard

Open at 1:05pm

Inquiries into a BBQ did not pan out. Its been suggested that we can coordinate with Mason Game Day to bring in food trucks for an expanded event.

Discussion on Sashes and color scheme. Including designators for squires/field knights/formally knighted/blackwatch/formal wear.

Squire-wallace green sash, draped over the kneck and shoulders

Field knight-draped sash is worn left shoulder to right hip

Full Knight-adds sash pin badge

Black watch-adds a glengarry

Officers-St. Andrew’s Cross Medallion

Discussion on working in a ceremony for becoming a Knight Emeritus.

Treasurer’s report

Sir Bryce Buckallew took Josh Burchland as Squire, and Sq. Burchland assumed the Chaplains chair protem.

Close at 2:07pm

KSA meeting: 04/12/25

VM - Alex Ward
SW - Dion Baylor
JW - Russ Royce
Sec - Graeme Eldeen
Deacon - Bryce Buckalew
Sentinel - Doug Wilson
Attending - Dan Beason, Ricardo Bailey, Josh Burchland

Open at 1:30pm

Old Business:

March minutes read
update on bbq inquiries
Shirts are waiting on information about logo adjustments
Bryce gave a review of the 6th degree, and the success of having people asking questions
Russ completed mastercraft-symbolic lodge, and gave advice and useful tips.

Communications:

Reminder that the stage area is off limits for the time being.
It is asked that knighting ceremonies only be done at fall reunions, not at spring reunions, in order to maintain a balance of the time commitments required for the several ceremonies and presentations reserved for reunions.
Double Eagle award application is being edited, so a pause is requested on turning in applications.

It is further requested to keep tracking points, as it is a minor issue and will be straightened out fairly soon.
No applications that had already been turned in will be negatively impacted by this.

New Business

Squire Ricardo Bailey was Field Knighted in recognition of his commitment to the Fraternity, and his ongoing efforts to bring in new membership and increase active involvement.
Mason Game Day has made inquiries with Mindbridge on coordinating a mini game convention.

This would be held at the same time/day/place as one of the currently scheduled game days, with a projected 3-4x increase over current attendance along with increased community awareness of our regularly scheduled events, at no additional cost to either ourselves or Mindbridge
Mindbridge, the group that organizes all of the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City/Coralville large scale conventions for games/anime/books, is excited for the opportunity.
We are currently still in the very early stages of this, and are open to suggestions.
Some early suggestions include: having some brothers give guided tours of the Scottish Rite building and having informational materials on hand for any interested, inviting a food truck during the lunch hour, and ideas for no-low cost promotion/advertising.

Purchase of Blackwatch sashes for Knights Emeritus proposed and approved.
Moment of silence in recognition of the current troubles in the world.
Began talking about plans for a winter event: Possibilities mentioned were Ox Yoke Inn, Feast of Tishri, and/or presentation of one of the lesser known observationals.

Closed at 3:20pm

KSA meeting: 03/25/2025

VM - Alex Ward
SW - Doug Wilson
JW - Russ Royce
Sentinel - Bryce Buckallew
Secretary - Graeme Eldeen
Treasurer/Deacon - Dan Beason
Attending - Jon Hilliard, Scott Miller, Doug Wilson
Guests - Josh Birchland, Richard Meyer

Open at 1:00pm

Mizpah lodge is installing a plaque, and inquiring about tools. Bro. Scott offered tools, and was able to answer their questions.

Minutes for February read.

Showed the first shirt designs Bro. Ricardo had found. Agreed on logo, text to read “cedar Rapids chapter st Andrew” or variant. Inquiry if variable style would work. Black or Wallace green choices.

Agreed on barbeque idea from John. Bryce will start making arrangements to coordinate with available vendor locations. He will also nail down dates, and look into coordinating to coincide with the bonding brothers event. May 31st, tentative date.

Discussed mastercraftman.

Tim Felton’s message regarding recruitment was read and discussed.

April meeting needs rescheduled due to easter. April meeting tentatively rescheduled to the previous week (12th), check with Amy for availability. Dan will coordinate with amy on availability.

Cabins for all weekends around normal date for camp out are already booked up. Alternatives are going to be, potentially, cost prohibitive. Look at alternatives.

Request that we look into scheduling a table lodge. Dan is excited to be in charge of this.

Discussed Taylor Merfeld standing in for orator on the 6th degree, Tuesday.

Closed at 3:15pm

KSA meeting: 02/15/2025

VM - Alex Ward
SW - Dion Baylor
JW - Russ Royce
Sec - Graeme Eldeen
Sentinel - Bryce Buckalew
Attending - Ricardo Bailey, Eric, Terry Heldt, Doug Wilson, Joe Buresh, John English (visitor and future member)

Open at 1:00pm

Phoenix valley is doing the Master Craftsman course as a group project.

Shared invite from them, and discussed the possibility of arranging a program here to assist members of our valley who would like assistance with theirs.
Also discussed how to sign up for the course, and required reading list.

KSA Meeting: 01/18/2025

Venerable Master Elect - Alex Ward

Open at 1:00pm

Public Field Knighting of Squires Eric Hubert and Bryce Buckalew.

Report on the success of the open December meeting at the Ox Yoke Inn, and discussion of topics to be addressed at the next stated meeting, including additional public and Masonic outreach possibilities, and general goals for the ensuing year.

At 2pm, the meeting was paused in order for the Knights to participate in the Installation of Officers for Mizpah Lodge #639 upstairs, after which the Knights invited Mizpah Lodge and their guests to the Installation of Officers for KSA.

Installation of KSA Officers saw Knights Emeritus Scott Miller and Jon Hilliard acting as Installing Officer and Installing Marshal, respectively.

Venerable Master: Alex Ward
Senior Warden (Prior): Dion Baylor
Junior Warden (Preceptor): Russ Royce (in abstentia)
Treasurer: Dan Beason (Knight Emeritus, reinstalled)
Secretary (Registrar): Graeme Eldeen (reinstalled)
Deacon (Master of Ceremonies): Bryce Buckalew
Sentinel (Warder): PVM Rob Schneider (in abstentia)

VM Alex Ward concluded the ceremony and meeting with a restatement of his primary goals for the ensuing year, and inviting all in attendance to join in a celebratory gathering at The Blind Pig.

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Meeting held, Attended by Jon Hilliard KCCH, Doug Wilson, Aaron Kinser, Teri Heldt, Bryan Hemphill.

Bryan Hemphill field knighted.

Nominations and elections held, below elected.

Terri Heldt for VM
Rob Schneider for SW
Bryan Hemphill for JW
Doug Wilson continuing as Secretary
Dan Beason continuing as Treasurer

Group approved setting up a Discord server for KSA usage?, messaging, meeting summaries, ?etc.

Group approved scheduling the next KSA meeting on 1/15/2022 at the Masonic Museum and library. Aaron will let us know when that is firmed up.

Review of KSA caps and shirts acquisition.

Follow up - 1/15 meeting at MML is scheduled.

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copyright 1999-2026 - Cedar Rapids Scottish Rite - All rights reserved.