Grand Guardian's Supreme Session 2008 Report

Our Supreme travels started with Donna Goede and me arriving on Friday night, July 25, 2008.  We traveled early so that Donna was in for YPP Training and Training to be a Trainer.  Donna spent all day Sat. and into the evening finishing her classes.

On Sat. we asked Kim Stratmann to join us and did some site seeing at the House on the Rock, a wonderful architectural oddity.  We enjoyed a leisurely day but got back in time for Mom Kim to help set up Ways and Means and to meet up with our other Missouri adults and girls who were arriving for the start of Competitions on Monday.

Sunday night the Supreme Musician and her committee put on a Capital Revue of the talents that had been displayed that day.  Our Missouri girls did an outstanding job.  Elise Ardrey performed vocal solo, Brianna Hall played the piano and Our Missouri Ensemble from Bethel #49 sang the closing.

Elise Audrey- #49- 1st.  Place Vocal Solo
Becca Hairer- #49-3rd Place Humorous Monologue
Brianna Hall-#19- 1st Place Piano and 2nd Place Ballet
Tiffiany Hudson - #19- 2nd Place Dramatic Monologue
Missouri Ensemble-1st Place Vocal Ensemble-(Becca Hairer, Katee Leonberger, Amy Bush, Sarah Heath, Elise Ardrey- all from #49)

Shortly there after, we realized that “Flat Craig” had missed the trip!  A quick call home and a long search by Dad Knarr, found Craig hanging out in my chandelier.  Another quick trip to Fenton to meet Dad Vezeau ensured that “Flat Craig” would make it to Wisconsin. (I wonder what caused him to hide there?)

Monday kept the girls busy with varied competition times for their Music and Dance.  Donna and I spent a few hours working the ways and means table and greeting the rest of the Missouri Girls and Adults who had arrived.  We then took off for downtown Madison to see the Capital, the convention center and the Olbirch Gardens that overlooked a beautiful lake. We joined up with some of our delegates and our Daughters to enjoy a lunch built around what else?—Cheese.  Ever had Cheese Fudge?

On Monday afternoon, we were treated to a Pep Rally in the Atrium (just like our own Capital Plaza) with the Washington State Band, and Bucky the Mascot. It was loud, proud, and fun for all.  We had great seats on our balcony outside out room...  Ads were placed in the Supreme News Exchange to congratulate our Daughters on their Monday competitions.

On Tuesday, the girls trooped off to do Ritual competitions and the competition was tough. It was followed by rehearsal for the Formal Opening.   Many of our Missouri girls were asked to help out by carrying flags for missing jurisdictions.  They wanted to make Mom Toni proud, since as the Supreme Marshal, this was her contribution.  Thanks to Miss Kim Underwood for keeping everything going smoothly.  Everyone changed quickly so we could make the buses for the HIKE baseball game starring the Madison Malllards.  We started with a good barbeque dinner under HUGE tents, it was warm and muggy and rain had been predicted all day but had yet to appear.  I believe we had between 350-400 people attended the game.  Lots of attendance prizes were given and some were even thrown at the ball game to waiting hands.  How ironic that as I sat there watching a local team that one the Supreme Officers threw a small plastic bag that landed in my lap.  Inside was a lovely eagle pin and in its claws was our American Flag.   It must have been a sign from my Guardian Angel.   Shortly after that the skies opened up and we ran for cover.  That’s the most rain in a short time that we had ever seen.  By the time we made it to the buses, we were all wet.  Back at the Hotel, some of our delegates were waiting for us with a great Pizza Party.  Thanks to Mom Joleyne Nelson and Mom Sandy Flanery for organizing this celebration to honor our daughters and to wish our Miss Missouri, Erica Wallace the best of luck in her Miss International competition.  I took a few minutes( about 30) to talk to the girls about impending legislation.  Since I was sent to Supreme to represent Missouri and our Daughters, I took the time, like several other Grands before me, to explain the amendments. We had a wonderful discussion and the girls were very vocal with ideas and opinions.  Their input confirmed my trust in their good judgment and their ability to really think through the issues.

Wednesday morning, and the Business of Supreme began.   It started with introductions, “Flat Craig” and I made our first appearance together.   We were treated to an hour long presentation by Shelly Cole, Director of the YPP program. The power point program was a great addition to the explanation.   Then came the first of the many Amendments.  They included a block of 11 which were passed that involved a date change to comply with the SGG year end.  Some involved just adding the designation of CAV to bring them into compliance.  All of these will be printed and distributed at a later date.   Ritual revision was again postponed until 2011.  The new format will be 5x8.5 in spiral bound books.

The Budget for 2008-09 was presented and passed and it was balanced! The session came to rest so we could rush upstairs and change for the Formal Banquet and Formal Opening.  Again “Flat Craig” and I were introduced, this time he wore his formal blanket.  Many were impressed and wanted to meet him… The Missouri girls did a great job in the various flag presentations and made us proud.  GBHQ Daniella Brand, Stephanie Crabtree and Booklyn Childs were announced as $1000 HIKE Award Winners.  Stephanie was also given a plaque for the number of years she has attained $1000 in HIKE Donations.  After the Opening, I was able to meet with all the other Grand Guardians and Assoc. Grand Guardians that were attending.  It was a chance to meet and exchange information about our Jurisdictions and how we are solving the Promotion issues, raising funds and just keeping girls interested in our Order.  Marilyn Olson and  “Col.” Bob Clore headed up this discussion.

Thursday saw the Supreme Bethel Meeting and the drawing of  Jenna Larson from Minnesota as Supreme Bethel HQ,  Missouri was very fortunate to have the following girls receive offices and reps.:

Alagos (Brazil) - Amy Bush #49
California 7 & 8 - Brianna Hall, #19
Roraima (Brazil) - Kelly Weber, #44
Installing Canadian Flag Bearer - Sarah Heath, #49

This meeting was closed and we all went to the All Job’s Daughters Luncheon  It was a fun meal and the tables were decorated like a Hollywood Movie Opening. We were happy again to have our daughters collect many awards:  the Ritual awards were presented but many of us needed to leave in order to attend SCG afternoon session.

Ritual Awards

Tiffany Hudson, #19 - 3rd Place: Chaplain, Ages 15-20
Erin Howard, #47 - 1st Place: 1st Messenger, Ages 10-14
Elise Ardrey, #49 - 1st Place: 1st Messenger, Ages 15-20
Amy Bush, #49 - 1st Place, 2nd Messenger, Ages 15-20
Carolyn Kirchhoff, #4 - 2nd Place: 3rd Messenger, Ages 10-14
Erica Wallace, #7 - 1st Place: 4th Messenger, Ages 15-20
Brianna Hall, #19 - 1st Place: Story of Job, Ages 10-14
Becca Hairer, #49 - 3rd Place: Story of Job, Ages 10-14

It was very exciting when the announced that our State Ritual Team was #3 in the World.  WOW. What a tribute to our girls and our coach Barb Hall.  This showed what dedication can accomplish.  They were third by 2 points--Yea Team-Katie Richardson, Brianna Hall, Samantha Sciara, Carolyn Kirckhoff, Katee Leonberger, and our two alternates, Tiffany Hudson and Erica Wallace.

In this Session, for the first time, the SGC passed an immediate amendment. It takes a unanimous vote to pass, meaning not one dissenting vote.  This amendment allowed Queensland to become a JGC, but still remain incorporated in order to remain compliance with Australian Law.  If it had been defeated, it would have been the end of Job’s Daughters in Australia.  This was very emotional and when it passed, everyone was cheering, crying, and applauding.  Missouri and Idaho presented a skit to promote the location of St. Louis as the place to hold Supreme Session 2011.  Missouri and Idaho girls were having fun playing forest animals on the Supreme floor and handing out bags of goodies representing St. Louis. It was voted to have the Session in St. Louis in 2011.

We all met and attended the Jurisdictional Dinner for Missouri/Idaho.   Kathy Kinnek, GG Idaho and I introduced and gave small gifts to our Supreme Officers and our Miss International candidates.  We were proud to recognize Toni Underwood, Supreme Marshal, Donna Goede, Supreme Treasurer, and Erica Wallace, Miss Missouri.  Toni announced her Supreme Bethel appointments, Mom Linda Sinley, PGG-MO. and James Day. PAGG- Idaho. We again moved quickly, to change and dress for the Miss International Pageant…It was a beautiful pageant and our own Miss Missouri, Erica Wallace was a wonderful representative for our state.  Not only was she poised and well spoken but beautiful.  It showed when she was chosen 2nd Runner up. There was lots of cheering!

Friday found us once again in SGC session for the election of Supreme Officers:

Supreme Guardian: Marilyn Olson, Wyoming
Associate Supreme Guardian: Bob Clore, Virginia
Vice Supreme Guardian: Elaine Gray, Queensland
Vice Associate Supreme Guardian: David Robblee, Wyoming
Supreme Guide: Toni Underwood, Missouri
Supreme Inner Guard: Rick Holloway, Idaho
Supreme Marshal: Bobbie Hoglund, Maryland
Supreme Outer Guard: Randy Hansen, Utah

Board of Trustees: Denise Noonan, Indiana
Board of Trustees: Robin Henderson, Oregon

Another amendment that was going to involve all Job’s Daughter was nicknamed the Heritage Amendment.  It dealt with allowing girls to become Job’s Daughters with the sponsorship of a Master Mason and no blood relationship..  After a long discussion, it was defeated.

We finished and left for the Grands/Assoc Grands and Past Grands/Past Assoc. Grands Luncheon.  A good meal and a good time was had by all.

After rehearsals and a great dinner out at the Steak and Lube, we all went to the HIKE dance.  What afun time and we raised a lot of money for the HIKE kids.  Missouri girls rock on the dance floor.  They were leading many of the most popular steps.   Way to go girls!

Saturday was our last day and there was not a business meeting!  Many of the girls and adults had been site seeing during the week and so we took some advice and went in search of “Little Norway” an original settlement of Norwegians  who came here for a better life.  It was interesting to see how they lived and worked with lots of ingenious tools and hard work.  It also included a building that was bought disassembled and rebuilt on the property.  It was the official building of Norway from the Chicago Exposition.  The wood working was beautiful.  It was a lovely tour and Momma Donna and I got to connect with some of our own heritage.  Thanks to Karen Grattendick who took lots of pictures.

Saturday night brought us the Supreme GC Installation, and we got to sit back and enjoy seeing our Missouri delegates do so well.  Congratulations to Mom Toni, Momma Donna, and Mom Linda.  Our GBHQ, Daniella looked lovely escorting Toni and Brianna got a new dress to escort Momma Donna!

We were all tired but happy.  Donna Goede headed off to fly to Fla. to meet friends and family for an anniversary cruise. What a way to end a week.  I decided to load the car and get ready to leave on Sunday.  Good thing, it gave me a chance to get good nights sleep and head home.

Thanks to all who chose me to represent our state.  It was an exciting and busy week. I tried my best to understand and vote in a conscientious manner, taking into consideration the views of our daughters and what was best for our organization.  It is not always easy to make decisions that affect people all over the world and our state.  Thanks to Dad Ashley’s Diaries for helping me to remember names and details that are easily forgotten.

While driving home, I was going over the events of the week and was so thankful to represent such wonderful and well mannered girls.  I will remember a woman who overheard me telling about talking to our daughters and getting their opinions concerning impending legislation.  She was appalled that we would discuss this with the girls.  She’s wrong, we are “right” and with God’s grace we will continue to move in this same direction of teaching our girls to be ‘The Fairest In All The Land.”

Sincerely,

Nancy R. Knarr,
Grand Guardian