A View from the Podium
Debra LaVergne, Past President Rebekah Assembly of California, 2024-2025
I had multiple hats for the week. As Grand High Priest of the Grand Encampment, I was part of the team responsible for the Joint Memorial Service. We used the Rebekah Lodge opening prayer, the Odd Fellows Lodge opening ode, the Encampment closing ode and the Patriarchs Militant closing prayer around a memorial display based on a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, “Life’s Journey”.
Rebekah Assembly seemed to run very smoothly. I might have been frantic the hour before, but once sessions opened each day, all stayed calm. My officers know what I need, and provided a few small bottles of Diet Coke every day, along with other gifts.
Nominations for office filled Thursday morning. The only position with two candidates was for the three-year term as Rebekah Assembly Director.
Thursday was visiting time as well. After I declared the lunch recess at noon, I took my officers over to Grand Lodge to visit before they took their lunch break. Grand Lodge officers were scheduled to visit the RA sessions as soon as we went back into sessions at 1:30pm. Since these visits took away from our meal time, I had arranged for a box lunch for the Rebekah Assembly and Grand Lodge officers.
The first highlight of the week was when Dave Reed sang “Give Yourself to Love” for me.
Thursday afternoon, we handled legislation. We had only seven bills and one resolution for the legislation committee to consider. They had most of it in advance and worked with the makers to clarify the intent before the bills came before the Assembly.
Thursday evening was the DMC, Dedicated Members for Change, reception. I attended briefly. Having woken up at 3:30am, my bed called me away.
Friday morning was the report of the Finance Committee and presentation of the Budget. After that passed without controversy, we took a break then went into elections for Rebekah Assembly. The slate of officers elected are President Marcy Harper Seibel, Vice President Linda Hoelscher, Warden Melinie Caines, Secretary Donna Miller, 3-year Director Heather Reynolds, 1-year Director Nancy Latu, IARA Representative Marilyn Nichols, Alternate IARA Representative Sue Michener, RCS Director Phoebe Astill, 3-year Homes Board Director Dianna Mann, 1-year Homes Board Director Debra LaVergne, Odd Fellows Foundation Director Joyce Link.
The Legislation Committee presented the one resolution, which was updates to the RA Standing Rules to make it more gender-neutral. After a little discussion, it was adopted.
Past President Elizabeth Mowry-Harbstreit spoke about Sister Betty Moates, because Sister Betty’s Past President jewel had been in her keeping, and she had brought it for me. This jewel was first given to Lizzie Coombs, a member of Stella Rebekah Lodge #22 at the completion of her term in 1909. It was passed to her daughter, Ruth Bettinger, in 1965. Ruth Bettinger had brought Betty Dawson into membership in Sigma Tau Theta Rho girls club when Betty was 15. When Betty completed her term as President in 1975, the Bettinger family gave it to her.
Friday was a luncheon at the Black Bear Diner for the Past Appointed Officers of Rebekah Assembly.
Friday evening was Good Fellowship Night. The first filk piece presented was “The 12 Hours of Grand Lodge”. The evening ended with a showing of Join or Die, which is now available on NetFlix.
Saturday morning was time for President-Elect Marcy to present her officers and program, and for IARA President Mira Pittman to give awards. I received the Medallion Award.
Saturday evening was installation. Dave Reed and I turned everything over to the Installing officers, and sat together in the back row on the podium, until I went down to be obligated as a Director, then commissioned as DDP for District #3. We had given our officers their past officer jewels before the installation started, but we went down to the floor to be with them when their jewel presenters pinned them. Dave Reed and I pinned each other’s jewels.