The January, 2012 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.
The December, 2011 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.
The 2011 Christmas Observance Materials may be downloaded from this website, on the Forms and Files page, under the “Grand Commandery” section.
The November, 2011 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.
The October, 2011 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.
To the Sir Knights under the jurisdiction of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Florida, I need your help.
One of the duties of the Grand Commander is to exercise a watchful supervision of the Constituent Commanderies in this jurisdiction as the Chief Executive Officer. As this year’s theme is “Have P.R.I.D.E. as a Knight Templar”, one way is with our uniforms, our rituals and tactics. Another way is the Constituent Commanderies being in compliance with the Constitution, Laws and Regulations of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Florida. In order to know the state of each Constituent Commandery in this regard, in my capacity and with the authority vested in me as Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Florida under Article VI, Section 1 and Chapter 6, Section 6.03, I hereby request each Constituent Commandery, as soon as possible, to:
1. Submit to the District Deputy Grand Commander a copy, no later than December 15 , 2011, the following documents:
a. Copy of the Constituent Commandery’s By-Laws (Chapter 24, Section 24.05)
b. Copy of the audit report done at the beginning of 2011, if performed.
c. Copy of proof of the 2011 State Corporation Fees submitted.
d. Copy of proof of the 2010 990 N submitted this year.
e. Copy of Committees appointed by the Commander.(Chapter 20, Section 20.01)
f. Copy of the last three Treasurer’s report, if done monthly. If not, the Annual Report. (Chapter 22, Section 22.01)
g. Copy of the last Recorder’s Annual Report of Funds of the Commandery (embracing an account of the receipts and expenditures, the dues unpaid and from whom due, for the preceding year up to and including the Stated Conclave preceding the 31st of December…) (Chapter 22, Section 22.02)
h. Copy of the voucher / warrant system used by the Constituent Commandery. (Chapter 22, Section 22.03)
i. Copy of the last monthly report submitted to the Grand Recorder’s office. (Chapter 30, Section 30.01)
j. Has your Commandery set up a Uniform Fund according to Article IX, Section 3 (d) or have you a different method to supply the Uniform?
k. Has your Commandery appointed an Investment Advisory Board or Committee according to Chapter 28, Section 28.02 (c) & (d)? If so, please write who are the members.
2. Does your Commandery have sufficient funds to have a Fidelity Bond on the Recorder and Treasurer according to Article IX, Section 18, if so, please provide a copy.
3. Please furnish a copy of the Trestleboard or newsletter it has for its members, if one is published.
Furthermore, the District Deputy Grand Commander shall evaluate and fill out a State of Constituent Commandery form and submit the same with the copies obtained from the Commanderies to the Grand Commander no later than December 30, 2011.
The Grand Commander shall issue a Congratulatory Certificate to all Constituent Commanderies that are in compliance with the Constitution, Laws and Regulations of the Grand Commandery of Florida.
The Grand Commander will recommend a Corrective Action List on those areas which need improvement and expect the Constituent Commandery to correct them by March 30, 2012. The District Deputy shall, on his second or third visit to the Constituent Commandery, see that action is being taken on the corrections.
This executive order is issued and signed on this 20th day of September, 2011 A.D. in the city of Homosassa, Florida.
Courteously and fraternally,
SK David A. Aponte
Right Eminent Grand Commander
(A copy of this Executive Order is available for download so that it may be read at your next Commandery Conclave.)
To the Sir Knights under the jurisdiction of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Florida.
In May 2011, I issued Executive Order No. 1 and appointed 4 Sir Knights to act as Deputy Inspect Generals to aid and assist the Inspector General in his duties. However, there seems to be confusion as to their specific duties. This is to clarify that confusion.
In my capacity and with the authority vested in me as Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Florida, I hereby order that the Deputy Inspector Generals will have the following duties:
1. Assist the Inspector General in his duties as stated in Executive Order No. 1 and any other duties assigned by the Grand Commander.
2. They shall only work within the confines of the Chivalric Districts assigned to.
3. They shall inspect the uniforms in each Constituent Commandery in their respective assigned Chivalric Districts. The Inspector General and each Deputy Inspector General shall have guidelines and checklist to follow when inspecting the uniforms according to the Constitution of the Grand Commandery of Florida.
4. They shall submit a report 10 days after their inspection of a Commandery to the Inspector General with copy to the Grand Commander.
5. The Inspector General shall be the only one responsible to submit a final report to the Grand Commander within 40 days of the Grand Conclave with copy to the Grand Recorder.
6. The Inspector General and the Deputy Inspector Generals shall be responsible for the official inspection for the Ramsdell and Carr trophies in their respective assigned District. However, it still remains the responsibility of the Constituent Commandery in following the guidelines required to compete for said trophies.
This executive order is issued and signed on this 20th day of September, 2011 A.D. in the city of Homosassa, Florida.
Courteously and fraternally,
SK David A. Aponte
Right Eminent Grand Commander
(A copy of this Executive Order may be downloaded to be read at your next Commandery Conclave.)
Sir Knights:
The Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are fast approaching. During the holidays, many, who have fallen on hard times, are in need of Hope, Faith and Understanding. Even in the worst moments of despair, God has always shown his intervention in mysterious ways. As Christian Knights and Stewards of our Lord, let us be pro-active and practice the Chivalric and Christian values we hold so dear and kindle the light of hope to those in need.
As the Right Eminent Grand Commander, I am requesting the assistance of all Knights Templar and their Ladies within this great jurisdiction of Florida to collect canned and non-perishable food items beginning October 1st until December 23rd. We encourage you to extend this Food Drive to our brethren in the Masonic fraternity. The Constituent Commandery must decide on a date either before Thanksgiving or Christmas and donate the items to a local Food Bank of your choice in the name of your local York Rite Bodies. All we ask in return is for your Commandery to send a short report indicating how many pounds were donated to the District Deputy Grand Commander of your Chivalric District.
Thank you my Fraters for your support and assistance with this drive. Your contributions will help many in need. May our Lord, bless you and your love ones for all your acts of kindness and giving towards all mankind.
Courtesly,
SK David A. Aponte
Right Eminent Grand Commander
(A copy of this letter, and the flyer, may be downloaded to read at your next Commandery Conclave.)
The Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Florida is in need of your help. As you are aware, or may remember at the Grand Conclave in 1989 held at Fort Walton Beach Florida a white two inch thick binder containing a manual was received by each Grand Line Officer, and District Deputy Grand Commander. Each constituent Commandery also received two binders. One binder for the Eminent Commander’s use, and one for Generalissimo’s use. Due to the cost of the education material it was necessary to defer the binder for use by the Captain General until the following year. Typed on the spine of each binder contained an identifying number, the station, and property of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Florida. Thus each Commandery received three (3) training manuals.
These books were on loan to the Grand Line Officers and each constituent Commandery with the understanding that they be turned in at the next annual conclave, updated and then reassigned to the respective Sir Knight occupying the station identified on the spine. It was stated at the Grand Conclave that if any binder was lost, or damaged, a replacement would be the sum of $25.00 each. Sir Knight Richard A. Young REPGC (then Grand Generalissimo) mailed out letters indicating the same to each constituent Commandery. From 1990 through the year 2000 this procedure was followed with very few glitches. In 2001 these manuals were called in for a broad update and revision. Only a few Commanderies have turned in their training Manuals. For some unknown reason no follow up to this previous request was done.
It is here we need your help. Therefore I am requesting any and all training manuals be returned to Sir Knight James Record chairman of the Training Manual (now called Leadership Manual ) no later than December first (1st ) of this year (2011) so all updates may be inserted and these manuals be reissued to the respective Commandery.
We are well aware of the difficulties some Commanderies will have in tracking down these manuals. Since, however, they have been on loan to your Commandery they must be accounted for.
Unfortunately the Grand Commadery will have to bill each Commandery for those training manuals not returned to the Grand Commandery by December first. More than twenty years have elapsed since the original price was established and updated. Over the years the replacement cost has increased ( what else is new ). The actual replacement cost for these manuals now far exceeds the $35.00 necessary for each manual your Commandery does not return for updates.
The address for returning these manuals:
Sir Knight James Record
1801 Brantley Road # 1302
Ft. Myers, Florida 33812
Cell Phone 1-239-222-6834
Again thank you for your help, courtesies, and cooperation.
James L. Record Chairman, Training Manuals Committee
Marvin W. Gerhard REPGC Member
George A. Chipouras REPGC Member
(You may download a copy of this letter for your Commandery archives.)
The September, 2011 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.
To the Sir Knights under the jurisdiction of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Florida.
September 11th is Patriot Day. This year it marks the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attack on American soil. Four coordinated attacks took the lives of nearly 3,400 Americans. As we again commemorate this event, let us observe a moment of silence at 8:46 AM to remember those who lost their lives on September 11th. Let us also observe a moment of silence for our men and women of the Armed Forces who give the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan and Iraq for our country’s freedom.
In my capacity and with the authority vested in me as Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Florida, I hereby order each Constituent Commandery to commemorate Patriot Day at their September Stated Conclave by having a moment of silence and a prayer for those who have lost their lives on September 11th and for our Armed Forces. In addition, to have an empty chair in the west draped in black during their September meeting. This chair represents all Americans, especially for our men and women of the Armed Forces, who lost their lives on September 11th and in the war against terror.
This executive order is issued and signed on this 26th day of August, 2011 A.D. in the city of Homosassa, Florida.
Courteously and Fraternally,
SK David A. Aponte
Right Eminent Grand Commander
(A copy of this directive may be downloaded to be read at your next stated conclave.)
The August, 2011 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.
To the Sir Knights under the jurisdiction of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of
Florida.
The Grand Commandery of Knights Templar has much in common with the Order of DeMolay. The first one is their Masonic relationship. The second is the Chivalric principles and values of Templary upon which their Order was founded. Last, they modeled the name of their organization after the surname of Jacques DeMolay, one of the Grand Master of Knights Templar. As Knights Templar, we should always treasure and develop this close relationship with have with DeMolay.
The Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Florida approved in their 2010 Grand Conclave a five year plan. One of its goals is to aid and assist the Order of DeMolay. Within those goals, the Grand Commandery would honor Sir Knights of the Order of DeMolay who have gone beyond the call of duty and responsibilities in serving mankind, their fraters and the Order of DeMolay.
In my capacity and with the authority vested in me as Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Florida and in keeping with the goals of our organization, I hereby declare and establish the Order of the Cross of Jerusalem to honor these Sir Knights of the Order of DeMolay with the following provisions:
Each Constituent Commandery is expected to recognize and honor these Sir Knights of the Cross of Jerusalem for their dedication and service to the Order of DeMolay. This executive order is issued and signed on this 16th day of July, 2011 A.D. in the city of Homosassa, Florida.
SK David A. Aponte
Right Eminent Grand Commander
(You may download this Executive Order to be read at your next Commandery Conclave.)
The 31st Annual Holy Land Pilgrimage, sponsored by the Grand Encampment, will be held the weeks of February 6-16 2012, and February 20-March 1, 2012.
Ninety (90) ministers will be selected to travel on this magnificent program. The Grand Commandery of Florida, by the efforts of our Sir Knights & Commanderies, will be able to send one Minister for this Pilgrimage. The deadline to submit or re-submit a candidate to the Holy Land Pilgrimage Committee is September 15, 2011.
For additional information, and the necessary forms, please see our Holy Land Pilgrimage page.
It was an exciting and enthusiastic presentation by Pastor Lamar Courtney from Victory Church of the Nazarene, the Minister the Grand Commandery of Florida sent to the Holy Land this year. Pastor Courtney gave a short talk and slide show presentation during our Divine Service at the Grand York Rite session. He shared some of the wonderful experiences that made his Pilgrimage a blessing. If you were unable to attend the 2011 Divine Service you truly missed a heartfelt and inspiring presentation.
It had been a long time since we had an opportunity to greet a returning Minister. This year the Grand Commandery is offering a Holy Land Pilgrimage Lapel Pin to help in raising funds to send another minster to the Holy Land, or maybe two. The lapel pins are available from your Commandery District Deputies for the small sum of $10.00.
All proceeds from the sale of these pins will go to the Holy Pilgrimage Fund. Please help the Grand Commandery achieve this fundraising goal this year and send a Minster to the Holy Land
The June, 2011 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.
The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Florida will celebrate their Annual Communication from May 30, 2011 through June 1, 2011 in Orlando at the Rosen Plaza Hotel. The Grand Master, Most Worshipful J. Dick Martinez, requested all particular Lodges and Appendant Masonic Bodies to participate in the Massing of the Colors by bringing their American flag on Monday, May 30, 2011. Several Sir Knights, that want to participate, have inquired if it is proper to wear their full uniform at this event.
As integral part of the Masonic Fraternity, our support of the Grand Lodge and in accordance with Chapter 37, Section 37.204, of our Constitution, I hereby encourage all Constituent Commanderies of Florida to participate in full Class A uniform and take their flag to this event. No dispensation is needed for all Sir Knights participating to appear in full uniform. Remembering, once the event is over, each Sir Knight will adhere to the Grand Lodge’s dress code and traditions for a tiled meeting.
Sir Knights, let us show our patriotism, respect and appreciation to the men and women of our Armed Forces that gave their lives, as the ultimate sacrifice, defending the freedom and rights we enjoy today. Let us participate proudly at this event as Knights Templar and citizens of this great country.
So directed in Homosassa, Florida, this 23rd day of May by:
SK David A. Aponte
Right Eminent Grand Commander
(You may download this directive to be read at your next Commandery Conclave.)
The May, 2011 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.
Stephen E. Henwood, the Grand Commander’s Chief of Staff, passed to his eternal reward on March 17, 2011.
Memorial Services for Stephen Henwood will be held at the Chapel of the Masonic Home in St. Petersburg on Wednesday, March 23rd starting at 2pm. There will be a Masonic Memorial Service followed by a Christian Memorial Service.
Sir Knight James W. Dalzell, REPGC passed away March 12, 2011 at the age of 91. He was a member of Lawtey Lodge #189 as well as a member of Lawtey YR Bodies among many other organizations. He was the REGC in 1990.
He was a POW for about 3 years during WWII. His obituary may be found at jacksonville.com.
Family visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, March 16, at Holly Hill Funeral Home, 3601 Old Jennings Road, Middleburg, FL. Graveside service will be held Thursday, March 17 at 10 AM at Holly Hill Funeral Home will full military honors. A celebration of his life will be held at the Orange Park United Methodist Church, Thursday, March 17 at 2:00 PM.
The March, 2011 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.
The February, 2011 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.
The January, 2011 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.
A new revision to the Grand Commandery Flag and Honor Guard Tactics is now available for download from the Grand York Rite web site.
Input from Sir Knights across the state have been incorporated, and we hope that this revision will serve the Commanderies of Florida when they are requested to operated as a Flag or Honor Guard.
By command of the Grand Encampment, I hereby order all subordinate commanderies within the jurisdiction of the Grand Commandery of Florida to drape their charters at their next stated meeting in memory of Sir Knight William Henry Thornley, Jr., GCT, Most Eminent Past Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar, and to pay appropriate tribute to Sir Knight Thornley at their annual memorial service.
This Executive Order issued on this 24 day of December, 2010.
Courteously and fraternally,
S.K. Charles C. Cicero
Right Eminent Grand Commander, KTCH
The December, 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.
SK Sid Dorris III 1947 - 2010
SK Dorris served as the Grand Commander of Tennessee in 1994, Southeastern Department Commander 2003-2006, was Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge F&AM of Tennessee in 2006, and was a 33rd degree Mason in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction.
SK Dorris was no stranger to the Florida Grand York Rite. He visited frequently, and was an honorary member of the Florida GYR bodies.
The funeral arrangements are as follows:
Madison Funeral Home
218 E Old Hickory
Madison TN 327115
Visitation 3:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Monday, November 22nd
Masonic 7:00 p.m.
Funeral Services 11:00 a.m.
Tuesday. November 23rd
The Right Eminent Grand Commander has issued an Executive Order for all Commanderies in Florida to be read at their next stated Conclave.
Soft and safe be the earthly bed of our brother; bright and glorious be his rising from it. Fragrant be the acacia sprig which shall flourish there. May the earliest buds of spring unfold their beauties over his resting place, and, in the bright morning of the world’s resurrection, may his soul spring into newness of life and expand into immortal beauty in realms beyond the skies. Until then, dear friend and brother, until then — Farewell!
