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Scottish Rite Valley's - Transfer

The Traveling Man

Registered User
My question is in regard to the Scottish Rite Valleys of the NMJ.

If you join one Valley can you demit or transfer to another Valley in the same Orient?

Example: Valley 1 (the closest to you) had a reunion March 1, you missed it, and they won't have another until next year. Valley 2, which is further away, has a reunion April 1. You don't want to wait until next year so you attend the April 1 reunion and get the required degrees (minus the 32nd). Later that year there is a joint reunion of all the Valleys where the 32nd is conferred. Either before or after that later reunion can you transfer or demit and join the Valley closest to you?

If it is possible to do so, would you need to wait until the next reunion of Valley 1 to do so? Would you forfeit any fees/dues paid and have to pay a new fee and due to join the new Valley?
 

dfreybur

Premium Member
What you describe should be having your degrees done "by courtesy". I've seen Brothers attend mandatory degrees for other valleys, though that was in SJ. In the NJ I've seen Brothers attend optional degrees at other valleys and I've done that myself in the SJ.

Blue lodge principle that almost certainly applies to SR NJ - Once you have petitioned one valley you remain their material. They have to vote to release you. That vote can only take place at a Stated Meeting.

Given the timing you describe there is not time to waive jurisdiction but there time to request degrees "by courtesy".
 

The Traveling Man

Registered User
What you describe should be having your degrees done "by courtesy". I've seen Brothers attend mandatory degrees for other valleys, though that was in SJ. In the NJ I've seen Brothers attend optional degrees at other valleys and I've done that myself in the SJ.

Blue lodge principle that almost certainly applies to SR NJ - Once you have petitioned one valley you remain their material. They have to vote to release you. That vote can only take place at a Stated Meeting.

Given the timing you describe there is not time to waive jurisdiction but there time to request degrees "by courtesy".

That makes sense. The dates were fictional, but the scenario is real. I didn't know if the Valleys worked the same way as Blue Lodge with regards to Jurisdiction because when I asked about it I was told "most of the people in your area go to 'Valley 1' while some go to 'Valley 3'." It makes sense that you would become the material of the Valley you petition. Thanks
 

MarkR

Premium Member
Yeah, while I also can't speak for the NMJ, I'd imagine that courtesy degree work is done between valleys, certainly ones in the same orient. Next week a bunch of us are traveling to Guthrie Oklahoma to see them put on their magnificent work of all 29 degrees in full form over the weekend. One brother from our valley area who was planning on going through the degrees with us next year heard, and asked if he could come with us and get the degrees in Guthrie. Our secretary contacted their secretary with the request, and Guthrie said no problem! So he'll be a member of the Rochester Minnesota Valley but get his degrees in the Guthrie Oklahoma Valley.
 

The Traveling Man

Registered User
MarkR, in the case of the Brother from your Valley, would he be paying his initial fee to the Rochester Minnesota Valley or to the Guthrie Oklahoma Valley (which may have a different fee)?
 

Ripcord22A

Site Benefactor
We had a couple brothers take there degrees in another valley, same orient, our valley provided all the "SWAG" that he got: Hat, Bridge to Light, 14th deg ring ect ect and I believe all the other valley asked was that our valley put on a couple degrees.
 

The Traveling Man

Registered User
Thanks for the responses. I heard back from the Secretary today. He stated what you Brothers stated: petition the Valley and ask that they request Courtesy Work from the other Valley.
 
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