Florida Grand York Rite

April is right around the corner and we are hoping to see most of you at Lake Mary. It’s a time when the outgoing can reflect on a job well done and the incoming can refine their plans for continuing the progress.

The ladies have tried to plan something just a little different this year. We will have the traditional hospitality room (all donations welcomed), basket (inexpensive) auction and used book sale. For odd moments we will have a game room open. Whether you like the solitary jigsaw puzzle or group games, we will have something for you. There will be prizes for some of the games. Our own Ann Ridgeway will be your charming hostess.

Don’t forget to bring your best looking pj’s. Remember how tough it is to get up and dressed for an early breakfast? We’re going to relive our youthful times. Our breakfast is a slumber party!! Slippers and curlers are welcome! We’re taking fun up a notch this year.

Please come and join our fun. We’ll be looking for you!

Sincerely,
Gail Gilmore

PS – The schedule for the Ladies Events can be found on the GYR Session page.

Companions,

At the moment there are only 75 rooms reserved for the York Rite Session in April. Be advised that the “cutoff” date for the rooms is March 15th.

If you plan to attend please make your reservations quickly.

Reservations must be made with the hotel directly. Their phone numbers are (407) 995-1100 or (800) 380-7724. The code for our session is GNDGNDA, which will obtain a rate of $88/night.

For additional session information, please see the GYR Session page on our web site.

Excellent High Priest Charles T. Jones is pleased to Announce and Invite all Royal Arch Masons to attend and share in the Celebration of the Craft at the next Convocation of Gainesville Chapter No. 2 R.A,M. on Tuesday, March 16th, 2010. The ceremonies of the Antient Craft Table Chapter Convocation will be held at the Gainesville Shrine Club, 8100 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32608 beginning at 7:00 p.m. Registration will begin at 6:00. The cost is $18.00 for a fine meal of steak and trimmings. Chicken is also available for special orders. The chef’s for the occasion are the Shrine Club members, our Brothers. Dispensation has been given for this special event by our Most Excellent Grand High Priest, Darryl A. D’Angina.

In addition to the well known conviviality of the special occasion in welcoming newly Exalted Royal Arch Masons; recognizing those whom have attained particular thresholds of membership and those who have otherwise distinguished themselves in Freemasonry and the community; endearing themselves to us through and within our ancient and honorable Craft; we will have the opportunity and occasion to show our appreciation.

Additionally, our guest speaker for the evening is R.W. Brother and Companion Danny Griffin of Orange Park and Jacksonville Chapter No. 12 R.A.M. You may recall that he is a candidate for the Grand South in our M.W. Grand Lodge. This occasion offers quite an opportunity to visit with him and get to know him better, investigating his ideas and proposals for our future in Freemasonry in Florida.

We expect many of the leaders both elective and appointive of several of our Grand York Rite lines (Lodge, Chapter, Council and Commandery) to be present and enjoy the festivities of the Table Chapter celebration. As a Royal Arch Mason you are invited to attend and participate with us.

In order to plan the food properly, please make advance reservations with the Secretary, Harvey Ward at 352-378-3936 ( leave a detailed message) or at WardHarveyL@Gmail.com by Friday, March 12th.

Three resolutions that will be presented at the upcoming Grand Council Assembly are available for download from the Florida Grand York Rite web site. These resolutions are available in the “Forms & Files” page under the “2010 Convention” section.

The resolutions are:

• Section 13.03 – Committee on Work – Duties of the Committee (updated 03/02/10)
• Section 13.03 – Committee on Work – Silver Proficiency Card (updated 03/02/10)
• Section 43.03 – Awards of Distinction – Keith W. Dean Ritual Competition Award (updated 03/02/10)

Cordially, invites you, your family and friends to our Annual Festive Table Council being held at Braidentown Lodge No. 99 on Saturday May 8th, 2010 at 6:00 P.M.

Our objective is to enjoy an evening of one another’s fellowship in the tradition of Ancient Craft Masonry while enjoying a festive and delicious dinner.

Our Guest of Honor is the Most Illustrious Grand Master of Royal and Select Masters of Florida 2010-2011

This would be an excellent opportunity to invite our Blue Lodge brothers to join us and see York Rite Masonry in action.
(Casual dress – NO shorts, sneakers, or flip-flops)

Braidentown Lodge No. 99
520 30th Ave. West
Bradenton, FL 34206

For Information or tickets call or E-Mail:
Ill. Master Todd Meschelle at (941) 737-1978
Tamlodge99@yahoo.com

Make checks payable to: Bradentown Council No. 9 R&S Masters
PO Box 1114
Bradenton, FL 34206

(Upon receipt of payment you will receive an e-mail and/or telephone call)

The 2010 Southeast Region York Rite Conference will be held June 11-12 at the Embassy Suites Hotel Resort and Conference Center in Greenville, SC (map).

There will be a sundae social on Friday evening and the conference will begin on Saturday at 8:00 a.m. and conclude at 5:00 p.m. A final closing dinner will be held from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. A special guest at the session will be Most Worshipful Brother Barry Richman, Grand Master of South Carolina who will speak at the opening Joint Session.

Reservation deadline is May 11th, for both the hotel, and the conference. A Registration Form, and a Conference Flyer are available for download and contain additional information.

We hope to see you in Greenville!

Five resolutions that will be presented at the upcoming Grand Chapter Convocation are available for download from the Florida Grand York Rite web site. These resolutions are available in the “Forms & Files” page under the “2010 Convention” section.

The resolutions are:

• Appendix E – Moved to “Handbook of Procedures”
• Article II – New Sections 4-8 – Executive Board
• Chapter 14 – New Section 14.03 – Budget Administrative Fund
• Chapter 14 – Revised Section 14.02 – Administrative Endowment Fund
• Chapter 30.01 – Revised Per Capita

One resolution that will be presented at the upcoming Grand Commandery Conclave is available for download from the Florida Grand York Rite web site. This resolution is available in the “Forms & Files” page under the “2010 Convention” section.

The resolution is:

• Section 25 – Add Paragraph 25.15 – Christian Flag

The February, 2010 issue of “Rite Notes,” the Membership Development newsletter for the Grand Commandery of Florida is available for download from our web site as a PDF, or, you can view it online.

Missing a back issue? Check out our archive of all the “Rite Note” issues.

WHEREAS, The Chief Executive functions of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Florida reside in the Right Eminent Grand Commander under Chapter 6.01 of the Laws and Regulations of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Florida, I do hereby direct the “Training Manuals” Committee, i.e. the Knight Templar Leadership Manual Committee, to coordinate with our webmaster, Sir Knight Ronald Blaisdell, Eminent Grand Warder, and upload the Knights Templar Leadership Manual into a secured link from which the entire manual may be downloaded and printed by authorized users by receiving the link and password from the REGC, until such time as that duty becomes delegated. Individual revisions and forms (including the Manual Revision Log Form) will be available on the York Rite website in the “Forms and Files” section under the heading Knight Templar Leadership Manual. Documents will remain in that file for two Chivalric years, and will then be purged. If the combined documents reach a volume greater than 10% of the Manual’s volume, the oldest will become purged until that maximum is no longer exceeded. The Master Revision Log will always remain available for viewing or downloading. Revisions will primarily be updates and improvements of existing forms. Tried and tested forms and procedures may be added to the Manual as long as the essence and basic content of the Manual remains unchanged.

This Executive Order issued on this 12 day of February, 2010.

Ideal Baldoni
Grand Commander