We had two degrees conferred in District 107 in July. One July 22nd, True Fellowship 52 conferred the third degree. On July 30th, Mountain View 244 conferred the first degree. Both events were conducted with full casts (no doubled speaking parts), costumes and props, and did an excellent job teaching the lessons of the degrees.
In Mountain View, most degree team members had their portions memorized, in order to better convey their roles. The space is small and intimate for degree work, but this actually helps, as candidates definitely felt as though they were part of the degree, and not merely observers. Our new first degree members are April and Brad Winchester of Cupertino 70, and Cristina Alonso of Ocean View 143 in Half Moon Bay. The team included Debra LaVergne, Jane Beckman, Aer van de Water, Victor Gonsalves, Sara Bruce, Tatiana Kuvaldina, Scott Spence, Katy Dickinson, Mason Wolf, Justin Gabaldon, and Debbie Wolf as director.
In San Jose, after a last-minute cancellation, the team found themselves conferring an entire third degree for one candidate, Ron Weiss of Ocean View 143 in Half Moon Bay. This is pretty unusual, but the team was still happy to give their best third degree as only True Fellowship #52 can. As the lodge is now operating on six month terms, new officers have been installed since the last time they conferred this degree, and several members were new to the roles they were doing. Although everyone was reading, they read very well. Most importantly, the conductor, Kat Powell despite being in the role for the first time, absolutely nailed the floor work, which is complex. In addition to Kat, the full degree team included Lisa Harrigan as Noble Grand, Scott Spence as Vice Grand, Debbie Shuler as Past Grand, Andrew Crockett as Chaplain, Jane Beckman as Warden, Mason Wolf and Debbie Wolf as right and left supporters to the Noble Grand, Terrance Seddon and Megan O’Neil as right and left supporters to the Vice Grand, and Mariko Kawaguchi as Inside Guardian.
I think Ron had a really special and unique experience by being the sole candidate for such a heavy degree, and I hope he takes the memory of that experience (along with the special bling we gave him) as a cherished moment in his Odd Fellows journey.
The next degrees that will be offered in the district are the second degree on August 25th in Saratoga, and the initiatory on August 31st in Cupertino. And in September the third degree will be offered in San Jose on September 23rd. Though anyone looking to get all 3 degrees at once can look into attending the all degree day in Vallejo on September 26th, being offered by the Richard Brouse Degree Lodge #190.
— by Mason Wolf
