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Political History of The Stelle Group – Mid 1970’s
Memorandum
… For those of you who have
misplaced your copy of the PARMCAM minutes of October 18, 1970, I am
presenting here Richard’s answer to the request for his definition of the
function of the Trustees: … March 28, 1970 Rapid
Growth Within The Stelle Group
(from Lee Whitten) … The Stelle Group has
gained a net average of eleven new members annually over the past nine years.
Yet, if we expect to have 10,000 residents by the time the depression hits in
the mid-seventies, we will have to grow approximately 200 times faster than
our present rate of growth! … July 8, 1972 From
TSG Trustees
Richard’s announced, at the Founding Day Ball, [that he
will be] “…leaving Stelle to do the
Brotherhoods’ Work elsewhere for a long and indefinite period”…
April 1, 1974
Message to the Membership (from TSG trustees) Richard Kieninger has
announced that he will be working on other projects for The Stelle Group
which will require his absence for an indefinite period of time. In view of this,
he has made the following changes in the offices of The Stelle Group and
Stelle Industries, Inc.: … The Board
of Trustees recognizes the considerable challenge involved in this new
situation. We are certain that all who have come here in service to the
Brotherhoods and Their Plan will accept the challenge willingly. April
3, 1974 … I
visited Stelle and spoke with Gail about my intention to … May 16, 1974 Richard
G. Kieninger (TSG Board of Trustees)
Missing - [A directive to
Richard prohibiting him from communicating with TSG members]
May 17, 1974 Trustees of The Stelle Group (from
Richard Kieninger)
I am in receipt of your
directive of May 17, 1974 which bars my contacting members of The Stelle
Group, interfering in the environment of Stelle, or attending any functions
or meeting of Stelle people except by first written approval. May 18, 1974
Casualties
in Crisis (from David Cysewski) … Personal crisis
multiplied becomes group, neighborhood, and national crisis. A change has
occurred in the structural fabric of The Stelle Group. Where someone had
always been, there now exists a void. Functions which had been performed are
still being performed but a human being is not only the function he performs.
A human being is also a reference point. Some humans are reference points for
only a few other humans. Some are like beacons along the coast and are used
by many others to locate themselves and to maintain course. … May 27, 1974
All the members of The
Stelle Group (Richard
Kieninger) Subject: Delay in
arrival of emissaries to teach Citizenship Training. I have been advised that
there will be an indefinite postponement of the arrival of the emissaries who
are to inaugurate instruction of members of The Stelle Group in a seven-year
course in Citizenship Training. As
always, the right to receive special advanced instruction has to be earned,
and it is the opinion of Those whom I serve that the level of consciousness
and attitude of the members of The Stelle Group remains petty and bound to
old-order concepts. You who dream of
soaring like eagles are still earth‑bound. Until a passion for
truth becomes manifest, it is felt that the teachings of the emissaries will
be disregarded and argued about as to their validity in much the same way
that I have been listened to while translation into change within the
hearers has not happened to any real extent. … May 31, 1974 Business Meeting Report (TSG Trustees) … I wish to apologize to
the 15% of the membership to which the discussion tonight does not apply and
to the newer members who have not as yet been sufficiently involved with
Stelle to have been tested. … I would like to answer many questions which
have been asked of the wrong people. By that I mean many of you have taken
your questions to one another rather than to your orientation classes, or to
the trustees when they are personal. Why is your approach improper? … July 20, 1974 James E. Howery (from Richard Kieninger) Inasmuch as the Board of
Trustees of The Stelle Group has neither acted upon nor accepted my tender of
resignation … August 14, 1974
Mr. Richard Kieninger (from TSG trustees) … It
is the feeling of the Board of Trustees that we cannot allow you to function
as an agent for The Stelle Group or Stelle Industries, Inc. at this time due
to the many observed and spoken incongruities in your actions and statements
relative to the philosophy as written in The Ultimate Frontier. …
August 14, 1974
To all the trustees of The Stelle Group (from
Richard Kieninger)
I have engaged myself in a
journey of a couple thousand miles and have waited six days for an audience
with the trustees. I came in response to what appears to be disturbing trends
within the administration of both The Stelle Group and Stelle Industries. August 19, 1974
To all Trustees of The Stelle Group (from
Richard Kieninger)
It has been reported to me
variously that two main reasons why the trustees feel the general membership
must be protected from my presence until after Philadelphia is established are 1.) an apparent
dependence upon guidance by astrological seerism on my part and 2.) an
apparent departure from the sexual morality I’ve believed and taught in the
past. August 24, 1974
Mr. Richard Kieninger (from TSG trustees) It is extremely distressing
to both receive and answer a letter like the one you wrote to all the
Trustees on August 19, 1974 because it is such an obvious ploy, self-serving
and a negative drain of valuable time of the people who are working to
accomplish the building of Stelle at this time. … August 25, 1974
James E. Howery (from Richard Kieninger) I have been informed that
Stelle Industries, Inc. has been reduced to only two elected directors due to
the recent resignation of John Stone and the failure of Robert Jensen to
assume office. Please submit to me, in order of your preference, the names of
qualified candidates for the office of director so that in my capacity as
Voting Trustee of the stock of Stelle Industries I may elect replacements for
Mr. Stone and M. Jensen. September 8, 1974
Trustees of The Stelle Group (from
Richard Kieninger)
I am answering your letter
August 25, 1974 in the same order that the subjects were presented by you. To
the best of my knowledge I have been dealing only in historical fact; so if
you think my references to subject matter which has been gone over again and
again in the past constitutes vagueness, I will spell it all out for you in
exhaustive written detail. September 8, 1974
Dear
Friends (from Gail Kieninger) …
Recently I have heard feedback that there is a negative undercurrent in the
Group which bespeaks an uneasiness. It seems to include things like, “Oh, another
policy statement from ‘them.’” “It seems like some people can speak up and
say what they want to, but not everyone can.” “Look at Jack and Jill. They
didn’t like RC, and they were disassociated.” “Why isn’t everyone given help
or advance warnings before they are disassociated?” “Gail sure has
favorites.” “We need more time to study, and if they were really teaching us
how to precipitate and the other things, we wouldn’t have to work so hard.” … September 27, 1974
TSG Business Meeting Richard
appeared unannounced at a monthly meeting of TSG to protest of all the
restrictions imposed upon him by the trustees, and to suggest several changes
in the functioning of TSG. At this meeting, the group found out that Richard
must get permission from the Trustees to speak to the group. Whereas in
previous years Richard had insisted that the group follow directives issued
by himself and the trustees, at this meeting he stated that the group needed
to develop methods leading to more grass-roots participation in the
decision-making process, and he recommended the formation of a rudimentary
judicial system. September 28, 1974 “Meeting
with 12 Reps”
Missing
September 28, 1974
Mr. Richard G. Kieninger
(from James E. Howery & Trustees of TSG) As you have so aptly
stated many times in the past, “We are today the product of our thoughts and
actions of yesterday.” It is extremely unfortunate that your manifestations
of today are incongruous with the Stelle community and indeed detrimental to its
integrity. … [3 directives are hereby invoked limiting Richard] October 4, 1974
TSG Trustees (from Richard Kieninger) Missing - … “I
would be willing to accept whatever responsibilities the Trustees would place
under my jurisdiction.” … October
16, 1974 Dear Richard (from TSG
trustees) We desire that you return
to Stelle and work with us as rapidly as it is feasible and for the greatest
good of all concerned. … The credibility
gap is with you and not with the Philosophy. And while we would agree that
lying and coverups compromise credibility, frankness and openness in a
statement by you to the membership probably would not re-establish your
credibility. The old adage, “By their works, ye shall know them, ”is
applicable here. Stelle Group members should have no need to make a moral
judgment of you, but they will accept what you write and teach in the future
according to how well you seem to live the Philosophy. If you do not practice
what you have taught, you cannot expect them to accept your words, for
actions always speak louder than words. In view of the fact that we do not
believe that a public statement by you on your reality of the past problems
would be of positive value to the Group, we ask that you make no such
statement. … October 25, 1974
NOTICE (from James E. Howery, President)
I am pleased to announce
that Richard Kieninger returned to the Stelle community Friday November 1, 1974 November 1, 1974
Mr. James E. Howery (from Richard
Kieninger) I, Richard G. Kieninger,
voting Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of the Stelle Industries,
Inc. Voting Trust Agreement of December 1, 1971, herewith elect and appoint
myself (individually and not as Voting Trustee) a Director of Stelle
Industries, Inc. effective this date, and continuing until the next regular
election of Directors, in order to fill the position of Director vacated by
the resignation of Mr. John Stone from that appointment. November 4, 1974
To Whom It May Concern (from Walter
Cox) Last week I received a
letter from Richard Kieninger in which he took exception to several of the
statements in my letter of December 1, 1975 concerning past events. Richard
also voiced concern about my motive for writing that letter and asked for a
public apology, so I wish to express my reasons for writing the letter and
eliminate any possible misunderstanding as to its content. .. January 16, 1975
Richard Barred from
Conducting Open House (unsigned) “Due to the continuance of
your attempts to lead Stelle Group participants away from the basic
philosophy of The Stelle Group by your statements of esoteric conjecture;
general speculation about the universe; January 27, 1975 Richard G. Kieninger (from TSG
trustees) Due to the continuance
of your attempts to lead Stelle Group participants away from the basic
philosophy of The Stelle Group by your statements of esoteric conjecture;
general speculation about the universe; subtle rationalizations implying that
your life style and behavior is above the philosophy; … It is therefore the
decision and reality of The Stelle Group Board of Trustees that you shall no
longer conduct “Open House” question and answer meetings for participants of
The Stelle Group until further notice. January 27, 1975
To The participants of The
Stelle Group (from Richard
Kieninger) In response to rumors and
speculations about why I went away from Stelle last April 1st, I wish to
share with you the many reasons for my departure as well as why I have
returned. … February 10, 1975
An Open Letter to Richard G. Kieninger from The Stelle
Group Board of Trustees
Although your letter of February 10, 1975 was not delivered to us, your statements in the letter imply dereliction of duty and malfeasance of office by the Trustees of The Stelle Group. If this is indeed true, it would seem not only reasonable but mandatory that charges be brought against the Trustees in the performance of your position of accountability for The Stelle Group to the Brotherhoods. As you are well aware, we have made this statement many times to you in the past. … February 11, 1975
Dear Friends (from Gail
Kieninger) I have had a number of
phone calls and conversations with people in the last two days in which I
have been asked what I was going to do or say. … Second, I do not share
Richard’s reality that we are not now married, nor his reality that we have
not been married for some time. … Third, I have heard from several people
that the Trustees have been holding back information because they felt you
could not handle it. … February 13, 1975
Mr. David Cysewski (from Richard
Kieninger) On the basis of the search
you made today in The Stelle Group files and because nobody else is able to recall
having seen written rental agreement, it appears that The Stelle Group and I
never concluded a formal lease on residence
A127-1. … February 21, 1975
Notice
to Beneficiaries of the Voting Trust Agreement (from Richard
Kieninger) At
2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 29, 1975, at the Stelle School, an official
meeting is called of the beneficiaries of the Voting Trust for the purpose of
amending the Voting Trust Agreement. It is important that you attend the
March 22, 1975 meeting at 3:00 p. in., notice of which has already been
posted. March 19, 1975
Dear Richard (from James
E. Howery) During the course of
discussions which was held after the regular monthly meeting of The Stelle
Group participants on March 15, 1975, you publicly asked for my resignation
as a Trustee of The Stelle Group. … As I have offered my resignation as
President and Trustee (verbal and written) to you when you have stated I was
not carrying out my duties and responsibilities as I should, and you have
accepted my offer verbally, I request only that you officially request my
resignation in the following legal manner: … March 25, 1975
To
The Board of Trustees (from Walter Cox) … Basically this difficulty
centers around. the question, “Is Stelle to remain simply a school, or is
Stelle to become also a citizenry with its government?” I believe the latter
is rapidly becoming the case as people commit their lives, their fortunes,
and their allegiance to Stelle as a community. … April 11, 1975
Mr. Richard Kieninger (from TSG
trustees) Due to your total disregard
of your duty to uphold the high principles of The Stelle Group as stated in
THE ULTIMATE FRONTIER, a duty incumbent upon all members as stated in
Article II, Section 2, of the By-Laws, you are hereby expelled from
membership in The Stelle Group, effective at 12 o’clock noon, Sunday April
13. … April 12, 1975
Charges Against Richard G. Kieninger
Supporting His Expulsion from The Stelle Group (from TSG trustees) Charge 1: You have actively sought to undermine the work of The Stelle
Group and its leadership in a manner which far exceeds your right of petition
and criticism guaranteed in Article II, section 6, of the by-laws. … Charge 2: Through your words and actions, you have
repeatedly shown a disregard for the high principles in THE ULTIMATE
FRONTIER, in contravention of Article II, section 2, of the by-laws. … Charge 3: You have violated Lemurian Law #2: “No one … may take
anything from another person … by force.” Dr. Stelle, in his lessons,
explains that “force” under this law includes manipulation, trickery,
deliberate deceit and taking unfair advantage of the ignorance of another. … Charge 4: You have violated Lemurian Law #7: “No one
has the right to attempt to operate in the environment of another unless
asked to do so by that person.” … Charge
#5: You have violated Lemurian Law #9: “The sanctity of the home is
inviolate.” … April 13, 1975
Dear Richard (from TSG Trustees) The charges against you
which resulted in your expulsion from Membership in The Stelle Group on April
13, 1975, are as follows: … April 14, 1975 AGREEMENT (from TSG trustees) WHEREAS, RICHARD G. KIENINGER, this 15th day of April,
1975, has expressed his innocence of the Charges 1 through 5, attached
hereto, made by the Board of Trustees of The Stelle Group as grounds for his
expulsion from Membership effective April 13, 1975 , in accordance with
Article II, Sections 2 and 5, of the By-Laws, and, WHEREAS, RICHARD G, KIENINGER has requested a hearing of
his case before a panel of his peers, drawn by lot, as provided in Article II,
Section 5 , of the By-Laws , this document serving as said written notice of
this request … April 15, 1975
All the participants of The
Stelle Group (from Richard Kieninger) The general meeting of
The Stelle Group on March 15 gave rise to many questions about why the
trustees are blocking me from both teaching philosophy and directing the
course of the group. In response to repeated requests by participants that I
define the issues at hand, I am writing this letter in an attempt to do so. … April 16, 1975
Transcript
of Richard’s Expulsion
[not yet digitized] April 19, 1975
The following decisions were made on April 20, 1975, by a panel of peers as provided in Article II, section 5, of the by-laws of The Stelle Group regarding the expulsion of Richard G. Kieninger: … April 20, 1975 Mr. Cox (from Richard Kieninger) I have the distinction of
being the first member of The Stelle Group to have had a trial before a panel
of his peers, and I believe it was conducted
reasonably and fairly, and I am satisfied with it. I had no expectation of
winning an acquittal; for as Merrilie commented to Tom Valentine, there’s no
way to defend yourself against charges of violating Lemurian Laws. April 26, 1975
Mr. Howery (from Richard Kieninger) A few minutes before 8:00
P.M. this evening I came to attend the annual shareholders meeting Stelle
Industries, Inc. for which I received notice to attend per the April 18, 1975
letter from the corporation secretary, Gail Kieninger, sent to shareholders
of record as of that date. I was told by the keepers at the door outside the
factory building, Mssrs. Tom Hood and Malcolm Carnahan, that I was not
entitled to enter the building or attend the meeting in the board room since
my name did not appear on their list of current stockholders. … April 28, 1975 Dear Mr.
Raysa (from Richard Kieninger) …
I wish to file for an immediate court ruling on the validity of the transfer
of the Voting Trustee to my wife…. April 28, 1975 The Stelle Group—A Preparatory
School (from Gail Kieninger) The Stelle Group is a Preparatory
School for the training of aspirants to Citizenship in the Nation of God. …
In March of 1974, I really knew that we were not getting our teaching program
together, and at a Trustees’ meeting, we questioned Richard again about why
we weren’t developing the lessons. He informed us that he had told the
Brotherhoods that he “did not want to write the lessons and that we would not
do to.” He further stated that he could do that, and They would back any
decision he made. And so the
Brotherhoods seemed to take the old familiar stand, “His direction is his
choice to make.” Shortly after that, on April 1, 1974, Richard passed
responsibility and authority on to Jim Howery and myself, and he went his own
way. … May, 1975
Notice
of Special Meeting to Amend Bylaws of The Stelle Group (from: 22
signatories) Notice of Special Meeting
to Amend Bylaws of The Stelle Group. We, the undersigned members of THE
STELLE GROUP, under Article II, Section 6 of the Bylaws of THE STELLE GROUP and
constituting 1/20th of the membership and under Paragraph
163(a)12, Sections 12 and 13 of the Illinois Revised Statutes, 1973, do
hereby notify you that a Special Meeting is hereby to be held at the hour of
… “Section VII REFERENDUM PROPOSAL: Any member of group … May 10, 1975
Notice of a Special Meeting of The Stelle Group (from TSG Trustees) … ARTICLE VIII –
AMENDMENTS, These by-laws may be
altered, amended, or repealed, or new by-laws may be adopted in the following
manner: … May 12, 1975
To All Participants of
The Stelle Group (from Walter
Cox) … Legal counsel, sought
last week, revealed that: 1. Under Illinois state law (Illinois Revised
Statutes, 163a12 - 13 and 163a13 - 14) members of The Stelle Group have the
right to call special meetings and 2. According to The Stelle Group By-Laws,
Article VIII. Amendments, “These by-laws may be altered, amended or repealed
and new by-laws may be adopted by a majority vote of the total membership.”
Each participant of The Stelle Group has received, or will soon receive,
notice of a meeting on May 24, 1975 to discuss and. vote on a proposed.
amendment to The Stelle Group By-Laws. The proposed. amendment deals with the
establishment of a referendum. … May 12, 1975 Dear Walter (from David Cysewski) … It is the decision of
this Board of Trustees that the corporation will not supply the names and
addresses which you requested because the procedure implied in the By-Laws
has not as yet been complied with. … May 13, 1975
To the Board of Trustees of
The Stelle Group (from D.
Livingston, W. Cox, J. Fortney, A. Davis, and G. Hines) As proposers of the
amendment to The Stelle Group By-Laws to be voted on at the May 24, 1975
Special Meeting, we wish to state our awareness of two amendment procedures:
… May 14, 1975
Gentlemen (from TSG trustees signed) We regret that our schedules
will not allow the Trustees to meet with the proposers on the amendment prior
to Sunday, May 18, 1975, at 4:00 p.m. … May 15, 1975
Beneficiary
of Voting Trust of Stelle Industries (from Richard Kieninger) … I am herewith presenting a pro rata bill
for legal services contracted by me as Voting Trustee to determine the
legality of an attempt made by Mrs. Merrilie Maull to amend the Voting Trust
Agreement on or about March 22, 1975. It was shown by the attorneys hired by
me that the only legal condition by which the Agreement could be amended
would not likely be practically attainable since it would require a 100%
agreement by all beneficiaries … May 20, 1975
Stelle Participants (Steve Hartmeyer) Today I was dis-associated
from The Stelle Group. At the time I accepted that decision; but upon
reflecting whether or not I could abide by that decision my answer has to be
no. … Therefore, I must still consider myself a member of The Stelle Group
and a participant in The Great Plan. June 1, 1975 By-Law Amendment Committee
Members (from Walter Cox) We have during our several
meetings been discussing policy and whether or not standing policies in The
Stelle Group are in effect enforced. The statement has been made by several
trustees that policies are not enforced, that compliance is purely voluntary,
and that this is in keeping with our interim definition: … June 3, 1975
To the participants of The
Stelle Group (from Richard
Kieninger) Various members of The
Stelle Group have recently asked me to comment on the legitimacy of Gail
Kieninger’s position as the Admissions Committee, and I am replying herewith
to that request. My performance of the task of admissions evaluations was a
natural part of my commission to establish The Stelle Group, and there was no
separate authorization from the Brotherhoods that gives me specific powers
to conduct admissions work other than what is inherent in my title as “Judge
of Israel.” … June 4, 1975 All Stelle Group
Participants (Gail Kieninger) Steve Hartmeyer was
disassociated from participation with The Stelle Group on June 1, 1975 … Jim
Howery received a letter from Mr. Hartmeyer dated June 8, 1975, in which he
stated that he did not intend to move out of the farmhouse. This will
necessitate our proceeding legally to evict him. … For a participant to
associate with Mr. Hartmeyer places that participant outside of Stelle for
the period of association. To consciously put oneself outside of Stelle is
the mental act which can precipitate a corresponding situation on the
physical plane. … It is, therefore, my strong recommendation that all
participants cease contact with Mr. Hartmeyer until he has moved from the
farmhouse, ceases to trespass on Stelle property… June 10, 1975 An Open Letter (from James
Howery)
It is not my intent to
respond to the open letters or gossip per se, but to pass along data which I
believe will fill a glaring educational need in The Stelle Group and which I
trust may be used as an analytical tool in the future, by all.. … June 10, 1975
Merrile’s Draft Proposal (from
TSG trustees?)
… The panel shall be
chosen by lot from among the general membership provided, however, that
should a class of membership be created as a result of advanced training, the
panel shall be chosen by lot from among this class. The petitioner shall be
present at the drawing of the panel by lot. … No policy, rule, or standard
set by the departments of religion or education or the admissions committee
designed to attain or maintain a quality of excellence within The Stelle
Group shall be subject to change under the provisions of this section. June 12, 1975
Trustees’
Draft Proposal (from TSG
trustees) … Rules, regulations,
policies, or standards set by the Departments of Religion or Education or the
Admissions Committee shall not be subject to change under the provisions of
this section since their function is to attain or maintain a quality of
excellence within The Stelle Group. However, suggestions or proposed changes
will be welcomed by the above departments. … June 15, 1975
The participants of The Stelle Group (from By-Laws Amendment Committee)At the meeting of the
By-Laws Amendment Committee this date, the four representatives of the 22,
presented to the committee a proposed amendment to a procedure presently
before the committee and after some discussion announced their intent to
immediately present said proposal to the membership for vote. The reason
given for this action was that they felt an impasse had been reached
regarding basic concepts. This decision was unilateral. They refused the
request of the committee to have a week to review the proposal as was the
case with prior proposals. … June 22, 1975 To All Participants of The Stelle Group (from M. Carnahan, W. Cox, A. Davis, and R. Hellner) The By-Laws Amendment
Committee today has concluded its negotiations without success. The Trustees
were unwilling to agree to a middle position between that which was
originally presented by us to the membership in a notice for a special
meeting dated May 10, 1975, and the Trustees’ position which was presented to
the above committee on June 15th. … June 22, 1975
Notice of a Special
Meeting to Amend the By By-Laws of the Stelle Group (from: 45 signatories) We, the undersigned members
of The Stelle Group, under Article II, Section 6 of the Bylaws of The Stelle
Group and constituting 1/20th of the membership and under
Paragraph 163 (a)12, Sections 12 and 13, Chapter 32 of the Illinois Revised
Statutes, 1973, do hereby notify you that a Special Meeting is hereby to be
held at the hour of … Resolved that: Article II.
Members shall amended to include: Section 6. Rights of Petition and Criticism
… June 22, 1975
Participants of The Stelle
Group (from James E. Howery) I have just concluded
reading the June 22, 1975 letter from the fourrepresentatives-of-thetwenty-two,
and have received the full impact of another attempt to destroy The Stelle
Group and its appointed role in the Great Plan of Christ. These “works”
whether manifesting wittingly or unwittingly are the continuation of a
tremendous effort by those entities who would see the Great Plan and Stelle
destroyed, an effort in which Richard has also participated and which has the
net effect of diverting the collective attention of The Stelle Group from its
correct path. June 24, 1975
Participants of The
Stelle Group (from Walter Cox) On Friday, May 9, 1975, I
met Jim Herr at the Stelle Industries, Inc. factory. … On Saturday, May 10,
1975, I picked up the completed draft at Mr. Herr’s office in Pontiac,
Illinois. … No attempt was made to keep the proposal or the time of the
forthcoming meeting a secret. … Jim Howery asked Mr. Herr whether or not it
was legal for the majority to control a not-for-profit organization. Mr. Herr
replied that the present structure of our by-laws allows majority control of
anything … June 24, 1975
The Trustees of The Stelle
Group (from M. Carnahan, W.
Cox, A. Davis, D. Hellner) The Special Meeting to
amend the by-laws of The Stelle Group was called to order at … Approximately
90% of the total voting membership of The Stelle Group was represented at the
start of the meeting. Gail Kieninger voiced an objection to the legality of
the meeting and stated that she was leaving. … Walter Stodd, attorney for the
proposers of the by-law amendments, forwarded the legal opinion that the meeting
was in fact legal provided a quorum existed. … June 28, 1975
All Participants of The
Stelle Group (from TSG
trustees) In response to your request
of June 28, 1975, to incorporate the proposed amendments allegedly passed on
June 27, 1975, please be reminded The Stelle Group is not bound by any vote
or action taken at the meeting called for June 27 at the Cullom Community
Center due to the fact that said meeting was not held at the registered
office of the corporation as required by Chapter 32, Illinois Revised
Statutes, Section 163a 12: … July 11, 1975
Complaint For Declaratory
Judgment, Mandatory Injunction And Other Relief (from Richard Kieninger) … FOURTH: That on or about
December 1, 1971, a Voting Trust Agreement was executed by and between the
shareholders of Stelle Industries, Inc. and the Plaintiff as Trustee, …FIFTH:
that the principal purpose of the aforesaid Agreement was to maintain
continuity and stability of policies and management and prevent take-overs of
the corporation by possible dissident factions. SIXTH: That on April 18,
1975, Plaintiff received a Notice of a Meeting of the Shareholders of Stelle
Industries, Inc. which was sent out by the Defendants. That he presented
himself at the meeting as was done in the past. That the Defendants refused
to permit him to enter the meeting place. SEVENTH: that subsequently a copy
of a so-called “Resolution” was delivered to him by the Defendants. … That
since the date of the alleged Resolution Defendants have willfully and
unlawfully refused and continue to refuse to allow Plaintiff to act as voting
trustee, refused him entrance to the premises of the corporation, have
usurped all of the powers of voting trustee, have elected directors and officers
of their own choosing and have taken over the complete control and management
of Stelle Industries, Inc., including but not by way of limitation have
reissued shares of stock (formerly in Plaintiff’s name as Voting Trustee) in
the name of the Defendant Gail Kieninger as Voting Trustee. … July 14, 1975
Dear
Malcolm (from Don Stauffer) … “What makes the
organizational structure of Stelle different from anywhere else?“ I know now
what that difference is. The system of government at Stelle is one based on
trust, while the governmental system of the United States, while built on a
sound Constitution, is based on a system of checks and balances, which is by
its nature a product of fear and distrust. This type of governmental system
is no longer sufficient to further Mankind’s advancement. … July 19, 1975
In
God We Trust (from Jim Howery) The foundation of any
organized society or civilization is trust. … July 24, 1975
All Participants of The
Stelle Group (from Malcolm
Carnahan, Walter Cox, Richard Hellner) … We believe the
appointment of interim trustees by vote of the membership, with candidates
stepping forward from both factions, will allow us the opportunity to
resolve the enormous problems which will be ours to face during the coming
months. We do not feel that The Stelle Group can afford to allow these
problems to go unsolved any longer. We ask for removal of the present
trustees from office, and the appointment of interim trustees to serve until
the scheduled election in April, 1976; and we pray that those elected, with
the support of the membership, will be able to establish a solid foundation
for the future growth of Stelle. August 3, 1975
Stelle participants (from Richard Kieninger) (Missing) … “I have been assured by
my Teachers that because of the sensitivity of my job the Brotherhoods
continuously screen out all mental influences, especially from Black
Mentalists, that may be directed toward me.” … August, 1975
To all the participants of
The Stelle Group (from Richard
Kieninger) A recent statement by the
officialdom of The Stelle Group is that Stelle is becoming irreconcilably
divided between a peripheral group of persons seeking to live a typical
suburban life of mediocrity versus an inner-circle of persons who have taken
the attitude of students striving for excellence. Such an idea is typical of
the divisiveness visualized by the present trustees and further feeds
precipitations of disunity. To my knowledge, all the members of The
Stelle Group have aimed and continue to aim for Egoic excellence and the
success of Stelle, and this goes for most of the associates as well. I know
of no participant who is seeking to destroy Stelle. The dream of the
Brotherhoods’ Plan lives in the hearts of all. … August 8, 1975
Trustees of The Stelle Group
and All Members of The Stelle Group (from 90% of TSG membership) Notice of Special Meeting
to Remove the Trustees of The Stelle Group. We, the undersigned Members of
The Stelle Group, under Article II, Section 6 of the by-laws of The Stelle
Group, and constituting 1/20th of the membership under Paragraph
163a12&13, Chapter 32 of the Illinois Revised Statues, 1973, do hereby
notify you that a Special meeting is to be held at the hour of 8:00 p.m. at
Factory 1601 in Stelle, Illinois … Resolved that: James E. Howery, Gail
Kieninger, David Cysewski and Gary Ennor be removed from Trusteeship of The
Stelle Group and new trustees be appointed by majority vote of the membership
to serve until the time of the scheduled election of trustees in April, 1976.
… August 12, 1975
Richard Kieninger (from TSG Trustees) Missing “Trustees
expressed doubt about Richard …” August 25, 1975
Back
Pay for Persons on Administrative Payroll in S.I.I. (from Malcolm Carnahan – President) The meeting with Jim and
the others covered two areas—the matter of back pay for persons on an
Administrative Payroll in Stelle Industries and the matter of concern that
Jim and the others expressed to the Trustees in the form of some direct
questions. We trust that our efforts at giving direct responses will be of
help to you in your understanding of the evolution of our thinking in the
last three weeks. I think it is important to keep before the membership the
fact that we take very seriously our responsibility to plan and make
recommendations to the membership. We take equally seriously the fact that
the decisions to accept or reject those recommendations must come from the
membership. … September 4, 1975
Ms. Gail A. Kieninger (from Richard Kieninger) When I took leave of
Stelle on April 1, 1974, I left you to continue in the same function relative
to admissions work that you had occupied under my direction. I did not then,
or ever, convey to you any authority from the Brotherhoods giving you any
sanctions of power in terms of a commissioned office of admissions. Indeed, I
have never myself received any such directly expressed office or title from
the Brotherhoods; so I cannot pass along what I haven’t been expressly
assigned. I have not authorized or have I by inference passed along to you
any titles given to me. … September 10, 1975
Mr. James E. Howery (from Richard Kieninger) … Inasmuch as you have
resigned from the offices and responsibilities of director and president of
Stelle Industries, Inc., and you have also resigned as trustee and president
of The Stelle Group, I herewith formally relieve you of all the authority I
delegated to you to serve or act for me as an agent of the Brotherhoods, You
are therefore removed from any chain of authority and responsibility I had
assigned to you or that you may have assumed by self-proclamation. … September 10, 1975 Open Letter to the
Participants of The Stelle Group (from
Gail Kieninger) In reading the Trustees’
cover letter attached to the By-Law amendment proposal as well as the
proposed by-laws, I find it necessary to reply to some of their statements
and concepts. Because I have been asked by the Board of Trustees to submit
alternative proposed by-laws, it is obvious to all of you that I am not in
favor of the Trustees’ proposal. … September 10, 1975
Kieninger vs. Kieninger (from Malcolm Carnahan) Attached is an affidavit
which contains information in response to your request of September 2, 1975,
on the case referred above. … [contains financial history of Gail’s
employment for TSG] September 22, 1975
Meeting with Richard
Kieninger (from TSG trustees) At the invitation
of the Board of Trustees, Richard Kieninger met with us at 10.00 A.M.,
November 16, 1975, in the Factory Boardroom, to discuss matters of concern to
the progress of Stelle. Richard said he thinks The Stelle Group is moving
where we are supposed to go as best he can determine. He said he has had
enough discussion with various people in the group to feel that what we need
is information and not his presence, that the acceptance of information might
be a little easier for the group without his “enforcing” it. He said that
henceforth he will put any information he has for us in writing instead of
just talking about it. Relative to the information that he has to teach, he
will put this into a book. He said that even though he is moving to Texas, he
will remain available for consultation and will be no further away than the
telephone. He said he had thought that during the first three months of the
new administration, we would have many questions, but there have been few. He
doesn’t know that he would benefit the overall program by remaining in the
area. November 16, 1975 To all the participants of
The Stelle Group (from Richard
Kieninger) I wish to share with you
my thoughts on why I have taken leave of the Stelle area and moved to Texas. My
private discussions with two of the new trustees and then with the whole
board of trustees on November 16, 1975, have provided me with ample
indication that there is practically no effective way for me to be of service
to The Stelle Group because of the large proportion of participants who not
only object to my presence on the site but who can no longer place credence
in the verity of my mission or teachings. November 30, 1975
A Brief History (Trustees writing in the Stelle Letter) During the past eighteen months many
changes have taken place in Stelle. The sequence of events leading up to
these changes is so complex that we have found it difficult to summarize all
that has transpired. It is primarily because of this difficulty that we have
not publicized the matters discussed in this article, yet we feel a certain
obligation to the many persons interested in Stelle, and we wish to provide a
basic outline of the events of the recent past. References to communications
from the Brotherhoods to Richard Kieninger are as reported by Richard; the
following presentation is simply our best understanding of the situation, and
it is only in retrospect that the events outlined take on an order which was
not readily visible at the time they occurred. … November 1975 Dear Richard (from Walter Cox) I feel it is necessary for
me to respond to your letter of November 30, 1975, because in my opinion several
distortions of Truth have been presented which I believe might better be
brought to light. I do not know whether or not you intend to create false
impressions, nevertheless this seems to happen with alarming regularity, and
dealing with you on a rational basis can be quite difficult as a result. … December 1, 1975
Dear Friends (Don Stauffer) … I strongly believe that
Stelle does not need Richard Kieninger and would be better off without him. I
have vacillated on this for some time and this is my conclusion unless he
could, by his actions, prove me wrong. … December 6, 1975 Dear Walt (from Richard Kieninger) There were a few things in
your letter to me of December 1st to which I’ll take exception, and I wish to
state my counter views. I gather that it is fashionable in The Stelle Group
to regard me as “irrational” and “paranoid” since you use those phrases and
inferences frequently in your communications with me including your letter
of December 1st. Your statement to MaryAnn and me that my administration of
The Stelle Group was insane and your insistence when I objected to the term
“insane” that most of the people you’ve talked to who “survived” my
administration agree that my methods were “insane” indicates to me the real
level of the group’s possible acceptance of me and what I have to offer. Your
habitual use of such loaded terms cannot help.. December 15, 1975
Dear Fellow Citizens (from Walter Cox) Having just concluded a
telephone conversation with Richard from Garland, Texas, I would like to
share the information which Richard conveyed, specifically that today he was
contacted by the Brotherhoods and informed that Stelle once again has Their
support and is part of the Brotherhoods’ program. … January 8, 1976
The Board of Trustees (from Richard Kieninger) In accordance with my
agreement to let you know immediately should I again have a contact from a
representative of the Brotherhoods, I am able to advise you that my teacher,
John, met me in person for a four hour conversation yesterday afternoon in
Garland, Texas. I am happy to say that the areas of our discussion relating
to Stelle consisted of what can be regarded as good news. … January 9, 1976
Marriage, the Home, and Human Sexuality (from SII directors)
… 1. Human Sexuality.
Malcolm said we are thinking of continuing the small group discussion format
to discuss the subject of human sexuality within the group. … February 17, 1976
Syndicated Interview of Gail Kieninger (Missing) Date unknown All Members of The Stelle
Group Of foremost concern, as we move
into discussion, will be deepening the communication among ourselves;
however, it is anticipated that a natural result of this communication will
be the evolution and definition of a group consciousness, parameters of
acceptability, etc., relative to human socio-sexuality. This is not to
suggest that we will evolve one “perfect” path that is to be considered moral
and proper in Stelle March 10, 1976 Mr.
Richard Kieninger (from Don
Dafflitto – TAO President) … this syndicated
interview given by your wife, Gail, is now appearing throughout the United
States, the participants of The Adelphi Organization have decided that it is
best that you no longer represent them or act in any official capacity
associated with The Adelphi Organization. … April 30, 1976 Members of The Stelle Group
(from George Watson – Trustee) In mid-1974, soon after
Richard Kieninger’s first departure from Stelle, David Cysewski wrote an
article entitled “Casualties of Crisis” wherein he pointed out how a change
in “reference points” usually causes a corresponding questioning of goals and
directions in The Stelle Group, what he called a time of “waking sleeping
dogs.” … May 3, 1976
Richard Kieninger’s Meeting with the Board of Trustees
(from Malcolm Carnahan)
… Richard shared very little of
the information that he received from John with the Board of Trustees. His
contact lasted approximately 45 minutes; the first five minutes was a
clairaudient communication. Richard passed on that the Brothers were
generally pleased with the way things were going in both Stelle and Adelphi.
…
June 14, 1977 TAO Philosophy Discussion (Richard Kieninger) They just didn't want to
get involved because they thought they’d really be in deep water. They didn't
have the background for it and they didn't want to get into it. That's okay
in some things. … That was the major
problem that happened at Stelle. They didn’t want to get involved in
anything. People said, “I don't want to know anything about government. I
don't want to know anything about economics. I don't want to get involved in
it. That's what we have experts for. We pick people who want to dig into it
and we pay them and it's their job then to come up with all the details and
make the decisions.” That's a cop out. Because there are some kinds of things
like economics and government which everybody has to really get involved in.
Otherwise, they don't understand what's happening. … May 24, 1978 Covenants of Membership (from
Richard Kieninger) I hereby declare and affirm
my dedication to the purposes of The Stelle Group as stated in The Ultimate Frontier and as disclosed
from time to time by my Teachers. I believe in the Lemurian Philosophy taught
by the Ancient Mystic Brotherhoods, and use it as my personal guide for right
living. I shall ever strive to refine my character through personal
application of the Twelve Great Virtues, and I vow to live in accordance with
the Ten Lemurian Laws to the fullest extent of my evolving understanding of them. October 19, 1978 |
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