Circle History
The Supreme Grove of the United States of America instituted the first Circles in California.
These Circles were under the jurisdiction of the Grand Grove of California. Many of these Circles did not last long because of the lack of adequate assistance or perhaps because sisters were not permitted to occupy the office of Arch Druidess, this distinction was reserved for brothers only. As the Supreme Grove’s main office was located in Albany, New York, and because of the distance, could not be of much assistance, the membership in 1900 was only 320 in all.
During the term of Noble Grand Arch James F. Martinoni, the Grand Grove of California, in accordance with an action taken by the Supreme Grove at its session in 1898, held a meeting on January 31, 1900 in San Francisco for the purpose of considering and taking the necessary steps to organize a Grand Circle. Delegates were noted present from the 6 Circles including 10 sisters and 2 brothers. All present were unanimous in the idea of forming a Grand Circle. Grand Secretary John M. Graves of the Grand Grove, who was acting as Secretary, was directed to correspond with the Supreme Arch to find out what steps were necessary to procure a charter and a committee was appointed to draft by-laws for the Grand Circle of California.
On December 15, 1900, having been granted a dispensation by Martin A. Beckman, Supreme Arch of the Supreme Grove, a meeting was held by representatives from Boadicea No. 3, Petaluma No. 6, Olive No. 8, Mistletoe No. 9, Golden Gate No. 11 and El Dorado No. 12 at the Druids Hall, 413 Sutter Street, San Francisco, California.
The following Grand Officers were elected at the institution: Grand Arch Druidess Augusta Thornhill; Grand First Bard Anna Sorensen; Grand Second Bard Frances J. Williams; Grand Secretary Bessie Fabbri; Grand Treasurer Emilie Daeweritz; Grand Conductress Virginia Cervelli; Grand Guardian Tina Jahn; Grand Sentinel L. Gosch and Grand Trustees Odelia Schmidt, Minnie Godeau and Carrie Howell.
First orders of business were to appoint a Constitution Committee, set the terms to be the same as the Grand Grove with the next session to be held on the third Tuesday in June 1901, that each Circle be a separate District and that District Deputies be appointed, per capita tax would be 10 cents per member due on January 15, 1901 and that charter fees for new Circles would be $15.00.
The Grand Circle of California was off to a glorious start.
Unlike today in the first years of the Grand Circle the Grand Officers came and went year to year and usually only Grand First and Second Bard followed through to Grand Arch Druidess and many times even this did not happen. I am sure this must have been due in part to the travel necessary to be a Grand Officer. However, there were soon to be other problems, the Supreme Grove would not allow the Grand Circle representation to its convention.
The lack of representation resulted in the laws made by the Grand Circle being repealed and/or changed by the Supreme Grove. Because the Grand Circle of California was subordinate to the Grand Grove of California, Grand Grove brothers who attended the convention were asked for assistance but this did not seem to help. The Grand Grove was having its own problems with the Supreme Grove. At the 1911 convention the Grand Circle voted to withhold financial support and not pay the per capita tax owed or send in reports. The decision resulted in the Supreme Grove suspending the Grand Circle of California on January 20, 1912.
At the 1912 convention the Grand Circle voted to continue its action of nonsupport and appointed a committee to look into incorporation. On September 17, 1912, the Supreme Grove expelled the Grand Circle and, ironically, on September 18, 1912 the Grand Circle of California was incorporated by the State of California and has operated independently ever since.
It should be noted that as a result of becoming independent the Grand Circle of California lost El Dorado Circle No. 12, including its members Past Grand Arch Druidesses Yrma Lacaze and Olga Heiden. Other Circles that stayed loyal to the Supreme Grove were Golden West No. 16 and Marin No. 40. No record tells what happened to these Circles.
Events of interest:
Election of Grand Officers at 10:00 a.m. on third day of convention was adopted June 22, 1911.
First to receive honors, as a Past Grand Arch Druidess, not having served as Grand Arch Druidess, was Ida Wheeler in 1913 after 5 years as Grand Secretary.
Aged Members Benevolent Fund was established June 16, 1914. This has become today’s Grand Circle Members. It was for older members that could not join other Circles to retain their benefits. At this time the benefits were for being sick.
Funeral Fund was established June 17, 1918.
Orphan Fund was established June 22, 1921 was later abolished in 1948.
Grand Circle Relief Fund was established in 1928 began with a donation of $40.00, then added to with a special raffle and a 5 cents per capita tax. Originally meant to be a joint effort of the Grand Grove and Grand Circle it was eventually set up separately.
Scholarship Fund established in 1951 as a joint committee of the Grand Circle and the Grand Grove.
Hospitalization Fund was established in 1955.
7 Star Bulletin began publication in October 1975.
