at the Jennings McCall Center

Frequently asked Questions and Procedures

1 . Who is eligible to apply?

• A Master Mason who, for at least 5 years preceding date of application, has been continuously a member in good standing in a Lodge of this Jurisdiction and has been a member for 10 consecutive years, or
• The wife, widow, mother sister, mother-in-law or daughter of such a Master Mason or one who died such, or
• A female member of the Order of Eastern Star of Oregon who, for at least 5 years preceding date of application, has been continuously a member in good standing in a Chapter in Oregon, and who has been a member of the Order for 10 consecutive years, or the mother of such member.

2. How are the Life Care Residents supported?

• By income from Home Fund investments.
• Proceeds of the per capita tax levied for the Masonic and Eastern Star Home Maintenance Fund by the Grand Lodge of A.F. & A.M. of Oregon and the Grand Chapter of Oregon, Order of the Eastern Star. At the present time (1997) the per capita tax is $5.50 and $2.00 respectively.
• By donations of money and property, real or personal; by bequest to the Home Maintenance Funds, and income from Home Endowment Fund investments.
• By Social Security, annuities and other pensions paid to members of the Home.

3. Who is responsible for managing the Home?

The Home Board is responsible for the management of the Home. The Board consists of: The Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, Senior Grand Warden, Junior Grand Warden, Immediate Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge and the Junior Past Grand Matron, Worthy Grand Matron and the Associate Grand Matron of the Grand Chapter of Oregon, Order of the Eastern Star.

4. How does one gain admission to the Masonic and Eastern Star Home?

An eligible member will make a request to the Lodge or Chapter Secretary for an application for admission. Further instructions are enclosed with the application form.

5. What are the rules for Residents and visitors at Jennings-McCall?

• It shall be the duty of every resident to promote harmony.
• Kindness and consideration for residents, staff and visitors shall be observed at all times.
• Personal hygiene, established safety and sanitary measures shall be observed at all times.
• No electric blankets or heating pads are to be used without a written order from the physician.
• Hot plates or candles are not permitted in residents rooms. Electric irons are provided and allowed in designated areas.
• Very small amounts of purchased food stuffs such as fresh fruits, crackers or cookies must be kept in covered, sanitary containers. Residents on special diets should consult with the charge nurse regarding allowable foods.
• Housekeepers must not be hindered in their duty of cleaning the rooms. Residents are welcome to make their own beds and clean their rooms if able.
• Apartments shall be maintained at a reasonable level of cleanliness and safety as determined by the Administrator.
• Magazines, newspapers, letters, etc., must be kept to a minimum because of fire hazards
• Residents may continue to do their own personal laundry, if they are able and prefer to do so, in designated laundry areas.
• Residents are not allowed to keep pets.
• Any reasonable visiting hours are allowed.
• All Visitors shall register in the Guest Book located at the Front Desk before visiting residents.
• There will be no overnight guests allowed in a residents apartment.
• Residents are expected to observe the conservation of power and water.
• Residents are expected to conduct themselves as ladies or gentlemen in behavior and language.
• Use or possession of any illegal substance or narcotics is strictly prohibited, unless prescribed by an authorized Physician.
• Smoking is not permitted in any area of the facility.
• Self-medicating residents may keep medications in their apartment. Residents requiring assistance with medication administration will have their medications dispensed by staff members.
• Medical Providers authorized by the Board are the only Medical Providers designated to give professional service to residents unless either the Medical Provider or the Administrator makes other arrangements (i.e., Physician referral or in an emergency).
• It is required for all residents to sign out at the Front Desk before leaving the premises, and must register their expected time of return. If wishing to remain away overnight, the resident(s) must first make arrangements with the Administrator. An approved release must be signed by the person responsible for the care of the resident while absent. When the resident returns he or she must notify the Charge Nurse immediately.
• Residents desiring medical attention must consult the Charge Nurse, the Health Services Coordinator, or the Administrator, and appointments will be made with an authorized Medical Provider according to the Residents' medical need.
• No medication may be brought or sent to any resident. Medication required by a resident will be dispensed as prescribed by the Physician.
• Meals are served at 7:30 a.m. , 12:00 noon and 5:30 p.m. in the dining room.
• Relatives or friends are not to bring furniture or valuables to any resident without prior approval of the Administrator.
• Residents are not to send any of their possessions home with relatives or friends without prior approval of the Administrator.
• Each Resident must abide by current Guidelines governing Life Care Residents of the Home.
• Each resident must also abide by the rules outlined in the Member Care Agreement, which is signed on admission.
• Each resident must, in the event of his failure to conform to any of the foregoing provisions and/or the Member Care Agreement, leave the facility upon notice from the Home Board through the Administrator.
• Residents are not to have any single accounts or joint accounts with a financial institution of any kind. This includes any type of account, i.e.: checking, savings, credit, etc.

6. If I do not wish to remain in the Home after my admittance, what provisions are made for my leaving?

Arrangements can be made for a Life Care Resident to voluntarily leave the Home. Each case will be handled on an individual basis.

7. What becomes of my assets if I should be admitted to the Home?

The Rules and Regulations of the Home require that in return for lifetime care an accepted applicant assigns all assets to the Home Endowment Fund at time of admission.

Herein any assets which have been disposed of for whatever consideration within the immediate past two years prior to making application to the Masonic and Eastern Star Home must be rendered to the Masonic and Eastern Star Home of Oregon along with other assets, real and personal, which are in possession of the applicant before he may be admitted to the Masonic and Eastern Star Home of Oregon.

8. Must an applicant have assets to be admitted?

No. An applicant cannot buy his way into the Home. Any assets one may have at the time of application have no bearing on his acceptance as a Life Care Resident of the Home.

9. May I keep my automobile?

No. An automobile is considered an asset and must be sold or assigned to the Home.

10. How is the Home Endowment Fund used to support the Home?

The Endowment Fund is an inviolate Trust. The principal is invested and only the income from investments may be used to operate and maintain the Home.

11. How does one contribute to the Home Endowment Fund?

• By making a contribution of cash, securities or property to the Grand Lodge. According to the Internal Revenue Service such contributions are tax deductible.
• By bequest in a will, or by making the Endowment Fund the beneficiary of life insurance policies.
• By donation in memory of one who has died, as funeral notices often specify.
• By participation in the fund raising activities of the Masonic Fraternity or the Order of the Eastern Star.

12. How are the Home Funds managed and by whom?

The Finance Committee with the approval of the Trustees of the Grand Lodge, make all investments through the Investment Fund of the Grand Lodge.

13. Is age a determining factor for admissions?

No.

14. May husband and wife be admitted together?

Yes.

15. May husband and wife be admitted separately?

No.

16. Are assisted living services provided to residents?

• Yes. In addition the Facility is staffed by Licensed Nurses to assure that additional care needs are identified and managed appropriately.
• Life Care Residents are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage insurance program and may select a doctor from the authorized list. The may change doctors if needed.
• Any medical condition the Assisted Living Center is not equipped to handle is referred to a medical facility which is equipped to handle such a case.

17. Do physical infirmities bar an applicant from admission?

Applicants must be capable both mentally and physically of caring for their own needs such as dressing, eating, walking, bathing, etc., mentally alert and ambulatory.

18. Are religious services provided?

Yes. Provisions are made for church services in the Home and transportation may be arranged to churches in the area.

19. Is entertainment provided at the Jennings-McCall Center ?

• Yes. Musical with instrumental and singing talent; films of travel and drama; old time fiddlers are examples.
• There are Masonic connected organizations such as DeMolay, Job's Daughters and Rainbow, which visit and perform. Some groups and individuals who have no connection with Masonry but simply wish to display their talents or to entertain an appreciative audience perform on occasions.
• There are sight-seeing and shopping trips, planned and coordinated by the Life Enrichment Coordinators.

20. May I keep up with my hobbies?

Yes. Jennings-McCall has arts and crafts classes. Many Life Care Residents make and sell handiwork. The Jennings-McCall employs groundkeepers, but any resident who wishes to work in the flower gardens or do other outdoor work may.

21. May I be gone overnight, or for a more extended period of time?

Yes. The Administrator can authorize extended absence. Forms must be signed by someone who will assume the responsibility for the Resident's care, health and safe return. If the Administrator feels that there is good reason for not permitting the resident to leave, permission may be refused.

22. May I have visitors?

Yes. Visits by family and friends are encouraged. Visitors may remain for meals, providing prior arrangements have been made. There are no overnight guests allowed in the residents rooms, however two guests rooms are available for rent and may be reserved.

23. What kind of room will I have?

There are Studios and One bedrooms available.

24. Are all rooms outside rooms?

Yes.

25. Can I use some of my own furniture in Jennings-McCall?

Yes. Each person entering the Home may bring selected items of furniture and personal property with the concurrence of the Home Administrator. Resident's may decorate their rooms as if they were at home.

26. What special facilities are available?

• A recreation room with a library and a pool table.
• A beauty parlor/barber shop.
• Limited exercise facilities.
• Parlors with TV and piano.
• Auditorium for special programs and activities.
• In-house barber and beauty parlor.

27. Can I come to the Jennings-McCall Center for a short period of time for intermediate care?

Yes, Respite Care on a private pay basis is provided at Jennings-McCall.

28. Must I have burial plans?

No. The Home has a section in the cemetery at Forest Grove and if the Life Care Resident does not have a prepaid burial plan, the deceased Life Care Resident may be buried there. Family members may also handle funeral arrangements, but by doing so will assume the expenses.

29. Where can I get further information on the Masonic and Eastern Star Home?

Write to the Grand Secretary, The Grand Lodge of A.F. & A.M., 2150 Masonic Way , Forest Grove , OR 97116 , phone (503) 357-3158, or the Administrator, Jennings McCall Center , 2221 Oak Street , Forest Grove , Oregon 97116 , phone (503) 359-4465.

Masonic and Eastern Star Home of Oregon --- 1-503-359-4465

History of the Masonic & Eastern Star Home

Former Building used for the:

Masonic and Eastern Star Home of Oregon

The initial attempt to establish an Oregon Masonic Home for "the aged and distressed" was introduced in 1883 by Worshipful Brother J.P. Galbraith, Master of Brownsville Lodge No. 36. The adopted resolution, however, was postponed and further action was delayed for 33 years. In 1907 Pendleton Lodge No. 52 voted to set aside $150 for the express intent of starting a fund to ultimately build a Grand Lodge Masonic Home. This money was kept with other invested funds of the Grand Lodge, and in 1917 the principal and interest came to $250. That year, Most Worshipful Grand Master Will Moore (Pendleton No. 52) again brought forth the idea of establishing a Masonic Home. He said, "There is a growing sentiment throughout the jurisdiction for the establishment of a Masonic Home in this state". It sometimes appears to me that we in Oregon are too satisfied with our position as Masons, that we dwell too much in the past and are too prone to boast of the achievements of Masonry and of the great things it has done, and that we pay too little attention to the present and the preparation for the future". Would not a Masonic Home, symbolizing as it does those great tenets of Masonry - brotherly love, relief and truth - be an incentive for higher thoughts, nobler deeds and grander achievements? Would it not become at once a center around which we might erect an everlasting monument to the true and beautiful principles of Masonry?" The Committee on the Masonic Home presented its report and called for a special fund to be established. It would be known as the "Masonic & Eastern Star Home Building Fund." Gifts, devises, and bequests would be received for that purpose; the minimum fees for degrees would be increased and for every Entered Apprentice initiated each lodge would forward $5 of that sum to the Grand Secretary as part of the building fund; and the net income of the Grand Lodge from all sources except the Educational Fund, after the deduction of expenses and appropriations, would be set aside at the end of each Masonic year in this fund. When it had grown to $50,000, work began on the building at the chosen site in Forest Grove.

In 1922 the Home had been built, furnished and was maintained from the money available in the Home fund and there was a surplus on hand. Only 68 percent of this had been paid by the Oregon lodges, and all but three lodges had contributed something. The Masonic & Eastern Star Home opened for guests on March 1, 1922. On June 14, 1922, the Home was dedicated. In 1948 an increase in per capita fees was adopted to increase the Maintenance Fund of the Home. Today, as then, the Home still relies upon donations and bequests, degree work funds, and per capita of $5 for each Master Mason in Oregon, to operate. The Home is the sole charitable fund of the Grand Lodge and puts into practice the obligation that we have all subscribed to - one of the highest precepts of the Masonic Order.

The Home is there for the purpose of caring for those Oregon Master Masons, their wives and mothers, and the wives and widows of deceased Oregon Master Masons, and Sisters of the Order of the Eastern Star in Oregon, who are in need. The Masonic & Eastern Star Home Board may also, from time to time, admit those who meet the above qualifications on a temporary or permanent basis, who would pay for their care. The Home Board is composed of five representatives of the Grand Lodge and three representatives of the Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star of Oregon. The Board meets monthly to deal with the business of the Home and decide on those who have applied for admission.: Jeanne, 2150 Masonic Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116; telephone, 503/ 357-3158.