President of Grand Committee
REPORT OF GRAND COMMITTEE – MAY 2012
Companions, it is my pleasure and privilege to present this report of Grand Committee for the period November 2011 to May 2012.
Grand Committee has met on four occasions since the highly successful Proclamation held in Rockhampton in November last year, and all have been well attended. I thank all members of Grand Committee for their commitment to our Order and their dedication to their duty. I would also like to thank all those who contributed to the apparent smooth operation of the Proclamation, from the committee in Rockhampton to the Grand Scribe Ezra, Rt Ex Comp John France, and his able assistant Mrs. Tetty Mackinnon and others who transported various materials to Rockhampton.
I congratulate The First Grand Principal on his initiative in giving Companions, in other locations than Brisbane, the chance to witness a Grand Proclamation and installation of Second and Third Grand Principal. Something I was unable to achieve in my term of office.
Membership continues to fluctuate, however with increased numbers coming into Craft Masonry we must be ready to present them with material that will tell the complete story and arouse their interest in the furtherance of their journey in Freemasonry. With this in mind several members have been working on Power Point presentations to try and arouse the interests of new Masons.
Our hard Working Grand Treasurer, Kirby Leeke does a commendable job in keeping Grand Committee abreast of the financial position and the relevance to the budget each month. Our Grand Registrar, Don Gifford is always available to give advice on legal matters and the Grand Educator, Keith Hodgkinson does an excellent job liaising with the District Grand Educators.
The Communications and Membership Committee Chairman Paul Holland does an admirable job in compiling material for inclusion in the Red Pages of the Freemason Magazine as well as setting up the Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/124449504322870/
The range of accessories sold through the office has been supplemented by the addition of cuff links of the standard design. White Gloves also now come in two sizes.
About this time of year the Selection Committee has the difficult task of filling the Grand Chapter Officers list for the following years( 2012- 2013) with suitable applicants. Of latter years they have been getting fewer applicants so some companions have a greater load.
Being a Grand Chapter officer can be a very rewarding experience where Companions get the opportunity to visit and take part in some of the pomp and ceremony of bygone days. With fewer Chapters to visit in the South-east corner there is not the necessity for Companions to be out as often in a month and some country chapters are meeting in the early afternoon/evening thus allowing Grand Chapter Officers to travel home again in the same day, thus alleviating the necessity for an overnight stay.
If you are qualified and are interested in filling a Grand Chapter office, even if only for one year, you don’t have to be nominated, simply apply to the Grand Chapter Office for a Nomination Form and submit it by the closing date, usually 1st March. We are pleased to now have several country Companions willing to serve Grand Chapter in their local area.
The Grand Director of Ceremonies and the Grand Educator are planning Educational sessions for Grand Chapter Officers in country areas. It is hoped this will encourage more active participation by Grand Chapter Officers in Country Areas.
I thank all those who have assisted in making my task as comfortable as it has been and I commend this Report to you.
Doug Phipps
President of Grand Committee.