GSE Notes
Grand Scribe’s Notes for September, 2012
(To be read at your next meeting, and where necessary, circulated to Companions)
There has been less need for formality this year and this is the first and only Grand Scribe’s Notes for 2012. Once again I reiterate that we do not believe in issuing paperwork purely for the sake of it as your lives are busy enough without us complicating matters for you. However, in the interest of getting information out to you early, rather than at the last minute as is the case if this were issued in November, I detail the following range of items for the interest and enlightenment of your Companions:-
- 1.Grand Proclamation: This event will be held in Grand Hall at the Ann Street Memorial Masonic Centre, Brisbane on Saturday, 3rd November, 2012. The Grand Convocation will precede the Grand Installation, commencing at 2.00 pm. This is a Closed Business Session and is open only to members of S.G.R.A.C.Q.
It will be followed at 3.30 pm by the Grand Proclamation of Most Excellent Comp. Charles Jonathan Nantes GZ as Most Excellent First Grand Principal, the Proclamation of the Deputy First Grand Principal, Right Excellent Companion John Spencer Ross DGZ, the Installation of the Second and Third Grand Principals, and the Investiture of Grand Chapter Officers and District Grand Educators. This is a special day in our calendar, Companions, and you are all requested to make a special effort to attend. This is an Open Session and you are encouraged to invite family and friends to join you in attendance at the Grand Proclamation.
A Grand Proclamation Dinner will follow in Supper Room 2, commencing at 6.00 pm for 6.30 pm. The cost of the Dinner is $50 per head and includes 1 bottle of both Red and White Wine on each table. A Cash bar will apply serving additional bottles of wine, beer and soft drinks at reasonable prices. Numbers are restricted to 110 persons and you are urged to register as soon as possible as numbers are already filling fast. Your Scribe Ezra has Registration Forms, or contact Tetty in the Office and she will email or mail them out to you. Registrations must be accompanied by the relevant fee which can be paid by cheque or by electronic cash transfer to our bank account. Details of how to pay by the latter means is included on the Registration Form.
2 Active Grand Chapter Office: Applications are now being sought from Companions seeking Active Grand Chapter Office for the 2013/2014 year, which commences 2nd November, 2013. Applications close on 1st March, 2013, and a letter giving full details and an Application Form will be forwarded to each Chapter with the monthly mail out in October. Additional Application Forms will be available from the Grand Chapter Office. In this role you will be playing a very important part in the future of this Grand Chapter. Grand Chapter asks that all Past First Principals of twelve months standing, as at 2nd November, 2013, please give serious consideration to applying for this important role in Grand Chapter. You will get to travel to places you might never otherwise visit, and make lasting friendships with people you might never have otherwise met, at the same time, you will form lasting relationships with the Companions that you will serve beside as a Grand Chapter Officer. Give it your very serious thought. It is a decision which, I can assure you, you will look back on as one of the best decisions you have made in your masonic career.
3. Thornton Pollard Bursaries: Applications are now being sought for these Bursaries for secondary students who will be undertaking tertiary studies at a recognized tertiary facility in 2013. Full details of the Terms and Conditions of these Bursaries are included on the reverse of the Application Form. Applicants can be the child, grandchild or ward of a financial member, or the child, grandchild or ward of a deceased member of a Chapter within the Jurisdiction of the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Queensland who was financial at the time of his death. Please note that applications close on 1st February, 2012, and that late applications will not be considered.
A letter and accompanying Application Form will be forwarded to each Chapter during the month of October. Additional Application Forms can be obtained from the Grand Chapter Office.
4. Chapter Membership List: Copies of each Chapter Membership List, as per our data base, will be sent to all Scribes Ezra midway through the month of October, with a request that they check the list and return it to this office by 26th November, 2012, detailing any changes or variances which were evident when compared with the Chapter register. On 3rd December, 2012, Grand Chapter will issue the invoices for Grand Chapter dues for 2013, and they will be based on the confirmed data base membership numbers. Any Chapter who has not returned the Membership List will be assessed as per the figures on the data base.
5. New Map of Queensland Lapel Pins: This item has proven to be extremely popular with around 500 have been sold or distributed. The presentation of the pin and Welcome Card to every newly Exalted Companion has been extremely well received and we are thrilled by the feed-back that we have received. Make sure that you get one of these pins and wear it proudly on your “civvies” to advertise our Order.
Please do not hesitate to contact Tetty or myself in the Grand Chapter Office if there are any issues or queries which you require to address. We will be only too happy to assist you
John F. France PDGZ
Grand Scribe Ezra