GSE Notes
GRAND SCRIBES NOTES April 2011
Grand Scribe's Notes for April, 2011
(To be read at your next meeting, and where necessary, circulated to Companions)
Tetty and I send our greetings to all Companions and Brethren. Here we are with the first Quarter of 2011 gone already, and it is more than four months since my last Grand Scribe's Notes. One wonders where the days disappear to so quickly. However, there are several items which I now need to bring to your attention as follows:-
1. Web Site:
I am very pleased to advise that there has been a substantial amount of work done to update our web site. Please visit the web site and make yourself aware of what is available there for you. Under the Education Menu you will find a range of Educational Addresses which can be downloaded and used for Education Evening at Chapters who do not have any degree work. After each meeting of CORRAS (Committee of Research and Royal Arch Studies) the papers which are presented will be placed on the website for use by Chapters and/or Companions. Please make sure that you utilize these facilities on the web site.
2. Grand Convocation:
This will be held in Grand Hall at the Ann Street Memorial Masonic Centre, Brisbane, on the afternoon of Saturday, 7th May, 2011, commencing at 3.00 pm. This is the half yearly business session and only those Royal Arch Masons who are members of Chapters holding under the Supreme Grand Royal Chapter of Queensland are eligible to attend. All should be seated in Grand Hall by 2.45 pm.
3. Red Cross Degree Working:
The Grand Chapter team will be working a Knight of the Sword Degree and the Journey from Babylon to Jerusalem in Lodge Room 1 at Ann Street at 1.00 pm on Saturday, 7th May, 2011, as a precursor to the Grand Convocation. Grand Chapter worked the Cryptic Degrees last year and is working the Red Cross of Babylon Series this year. This is being done in response to a plea from a wide number of Chapters who advised that they were having great difficulty in getting enough members to work these two series of degrees
However, at this stage, we have not had any Chapter register one of their members for participation in this forthcoming Red Cross Degree working and I urge those Chapters who have a member or members awaiting this degree to please register their names with us as soon as possible.
4. New Royal Arch Bow Ties:
I am pleased to advise that the first order of 500 of the new design Royal Arch Bow Ties sold out in just over a month. We ordered another 350 which have arrived and continue to be selling well. We were able to negotiate with the supplier to hold the price for us and they continue sell for $12.00.
5. Royal Arch Embroidered Gloves:
Stocks of the new Royal Arch Embroidered White Gloves have arrived and are selling well at $10.00 per pair. They are embroidered in red on the back of the hand with the Royal Arch Emblem (Triple Tau inside a Triangle inside a Circle as on the banner). Whilst most Chapters do not use gloves at most meetings, they do so at Installation Meetings and at this price, which is well below the market retail price, they may be attractive to the officers and members of your Chapter.
6. Dress Code Update:
By now you will have all received copies of the updated Regulations 5.1 and 6.1. There are a number of changes that have been effected and I ask that you please ensure that all your members receive a copy of these new Regulations.
7. Article 37 of the Constitution, Laws and Regulations:
It has come to our notice that there has been an increasing incidence of Companions being Installed or Invested in contravention of Article 37 which states that "No Companion who is unfinancial shall be eligible to be installed or invested or appointed to any office in the Chapter unless he is a member of a Chapter within this Jurisdiction, and has paid in full all moneys due and owing to the Chapter by him, as at the time of his Installation, Investiture or Appointment."
There is no variation to the ruling of this Article and it is the responsibility of the Scribe Ezra to notify the Principals of the Chapter at the time of the Election of Officers to ensure that this Article is not contravened. Any contravention of the requirements of this Article will be deemed by Grand Chapter as being illegal.
8. Article 42 Capitation Fees:
The crux of this Article is that a Candidate officially becomes a member of the Chapter, and thereby of S.G.R.A.C.Q., from the date of his Advancement as a Mark Master Mason. It is therefore an essential following on from that matter that no Candidate should be advanced unless all his initial financial obligations to the Chapter have been paid prior to the Ceremony of Advancement. This has also been being "side-stepped" by some Chapters, and the reason for this item is in clarification of this matter and to ensure that this requirement is enforced by all Chapters in the future.
9. Proclamation 2011:
Once again, we remind all members of the change of venue for our 2011 Grand Proclamation on Saturday, 5th November, 2011! Our M. Ex. First Grand Principal has indicated that he wished to take at least one of the Grand Proclamations during his term as GZ to a Regional Centre in Queensland and Grand Committee has given approval for the 2011 Grand Proclamation to be held in Rockhampton. An organizing/steering committee has been formed to co-ordinate the planning and staging of the event, and as a first announcement, I can advise that it will be held at the Rockhampton Leagues Club, the booking has been confirmed and the deposit paid.
Details of costs of accommodation, meals and other information will be forthcoming over the next three months.
Tetty and I take this opportunity to wish all our Chapter members and their families a very happy and safe Easter, and may the T.A.L.G.M.H. watch over you and yours. Please do not hesitate to contact Tetty or myself if there is anything that we can do to be of assistance to you.
John F. France PDGZ
Grand Scribe Ezra