Monday, July 29, 2024

Decisions and Legislation for Grand Encampment

We are 3 weeks away from the 69th Triennial Conclave of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar, USA, in Salt Lake City, UT. In June, all voting delegates should have received the Grand Master's Decisions and Proposed Legislation that will be brought to the floor for approval or rejection by the voting members. What follows is a brief synopsis of each:

Grand Master's Decision No. 1: Vacated the actions of St. George Commandery No. 76 in Ohio in regards to their trial and expulsion of Sir Knight Duane Vaught, PGM, as the Grand Encampment had exclusive jurisdiction over the actions of Sir Knight Vaught (see Sections 2, 3, 23, 83, 96, 97, and 203 of the Constitution, Statutes, and Decisions of the Grand Encampment)

Proposed Amendment 2024-01: Would prohibit Grand Commanderies from holding Conclaves on the Thursday, Friday, or Saturday preceding the Grand Encampment Easter Observance. I am one of the proposers of this resolution. I believe it is needed as there are Grand Commanderies who have met on the same weekend as the Easter Observance and it has prevented Sir Knights from attending both.

Proposed Amendment 2024-02: Would allow candidates (Knights of Malta) to attend the opening of a Commandery of Knights Templar before his conferral of the Order of the Temple on the same date. This is proposed by the Grand Commander and two Past Grand Commanders of Ohio who believe this will help be more welcoming to new members and showcase the grandeur of our noble Order.

Proposed Amendment 2024-03: Would limit dues assessment to one per physical member regardless of how many individual Commanderies he belongs to within a Grand Commandery. The proposer is a Past Grand Commander from MA-RI who believes that our current assessments are not fair or equitable in regard to the proportional benefits and burdens associated with Sir Knights holding multiple memberships within a Grand Commandery. 

Proposed Amendment 2024-04: Would amend the Short Form Ritual of the Order of Malta to be more in line with the Full Form. The proposer is a Past Grand Commander of Maryland and believes that the current Short Form misses an essential message expressed in the full form and wishes to add a single line to rectify that.

At the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, members will also be voting on proposed amended and restated Articles of Incorporation. I looked forward to seeing everyone there.

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