The November, 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.
The 2010 Christmas Observance information for the Commanderies of the Grand Commandery of Florida is now available for download from the Forms and Files page under the Grand Commandery section.
Please use these materials for your Christmas Observances. We wish for all a most pleasant, peaceful, and prosperous Holiday Season.
The October, 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.
The September, 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.
The Grand Commandery has published a set of Flag and Honor Guard Tactics that can be found in the “Forms and Files” section of the web site in the “Grand Commandery” section. These new tactics have been reviewed and approved by the Right Eminent Grand Commander, and all Commanderies are encouraged to download and use these new tactics.
In addition, the “Short- and Long-Range Strategic Initiatives” that were presented at the Grand Commandery Conclave in April has been published, and is also available for download for those who wish to review the information.
The August, 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.
The July, 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.
The June, 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.
The May, 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.
Information on the 2011 Holy Land Pilgrimage program, sponsored by the Grand Commandery of Florida, and the Grand Encampment, can be found on the new “Holy Land Pilgrimage” information page.
Sir Knights: My theme for this Chivalric year is “Wisdom and Understanding.” It has been my experience that there is currently a segment of the public that is hungry for knowledge about Freemasonry in general and the Knights Templar in particular. It is our duty as Knights Templar to exemplify our magnanimous Order through our own words and actions. To do this, we must strive to uphold the Knightly virtues of Templary embodied in ideals such as faith, courage, generosity, humility, loyalty and justice. It is also our duty to “learn so that we may teach others.” To this end, it is important that Sir Knights become skilled in our ritualistic work, but also become knowledgeable in Templar history, philosophy and symbolism.
It is important to let the public know that the Knights Templar is based upon the practice of the Christian virtues, moral values and spiritual lessons. Modern-day Sir Knights are men who by their loyalty and devotion are making Templary the superb Christian Order which has the respect and admiration of the public at large. Templary dwells within the hearts of men who work for the good of an Order which stands for something of supreme value. This is why every Christian Mason Should be a Knights Templar.
Education is my primary focus: I will present various aspects of Templar education in my monthly supplement to the Knights Templar magazine. Additionally, work on a new Training Manual will push ahead.
As Knights, it is our obligation to be defenders of the faith, just as the Knights of old were, but today’s Knights Templar have a wider reach. Today’s Templars are closely connected to the larger community through the charity work we do. Concerning our charity: I would like to ask each Sir Knight to contribute $2.00 to the Knights Templar Eye Foundation this year. This is a small sum of money that will go to a noble cause—the gift of sight. Concerning the Holy Land Pilgrimage Fund: We hope to send a minister to the Holy Land this year. Concerning fellowship: I look forward to working with the District Deputy Grand Commanders, District Instructors and members of our constituent Commanderies at the district meetings and official visitations. I hope to see many of you at these events.
Remember the Knightly Code: Do what is right because it is right. Seek to infuse every aspect of your life with virtue. Should you succeed in even a tiny measure then you will be well remembered for your quality and merits.
Courteously & fraternally,
S.K. Charles C. Cicero, REGC, KTCH
The following awards were presented at the 116th Grand Commandery Conclave held on Saturday, April 17, 2010.
Jesse E. Ramsdell Trophy:
Richard J. Carr Trophy:
Beauceant Award:
Sir Francis Drake Award:
Grand Commandery Meritorious Service Ribbon Recipients:
At the 116th Installation of Officers of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Florida, held on Saturday, April 17th, 2010, the following officers were elected and installed:
Sir Knight Charles “Chic” Cicero was installed as the Right Eminent Grand Commander, Sir Knight David Aponte was installed as the Very Eminent Deputy Grand Commander, Sir Knight Arthur “AJ” LaRose was installed as the Eminent Grand Generalissimo, and Sir Knight Henry Adams was installed as the Eminent Grand Captain General.
Sir Knight Richard Foreman, MIPGM was re-installed as the Eminent Grand Treasurer, and Sir Knight Dencel Smith, MIPGM was elected as the new Eminent Grand Recorder. Keeping with the wishes of the Companions of the Grand Chapter and Grand Council, Sir Knight Steven Q. Steele was elected Eminent Grand Recorder – Emeritus.
All the newly elected and appointed officers for the Grand Commandery can be found on their respective pages on the web site.
The April, 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.
The March, 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.
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:
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 email hidden; JavaScript is required, 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
The January, 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.
“The Temple of Solomon” Masonic Education Newsletter by the Education Committee of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Florida has issued a three-part series on the “Chamber of Reflection.”
You may download the series from our website: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
Or you may view them online: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
Missing a back issue? Check out our archive of all the “Temple of Solomon” issues.
The December, 2009 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 2009 Christmas Observance information for the Commanderies of the Grand Commandery of Florida is now available for download from the Forms and Files page under the Grand Commandery section.
Please use these materials for your Christmas Observances. We wish for all a most pleasant, peaceful, and prosperous Holiday Season.
Sir Knights,
I have received an alert from S.K. Richard Foreman, E. Grand Treasurer, who says the Holy Land Pilgrimage checks should be made payable to the “Grand Commandery of Florida” with Holy Land Pilgrimage Fund entered on the “remittance advice (memo)” line.
I want to take this opportunity to add my personal thanks to all of you that have donated to the Holy Land Pilgrimage Fund.
S.K. Ideal Baldoni, R.E.G.C.
The November, 2009 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.
The September, 2009 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.
The August, 2009 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.
The August, 2009 issue of “The Temple of Solomon,” the Templar Education newsletter for the Grand Commandery of Florida is available for download from the Grand York Rite web site, or, you may read it online.
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 York Rite Templar University Committee (Templar University) to take action in conjunction with The Knight Templar Education and Leadership Committee and the York Rite Webmaster, and begin the incremental process of uploading the classroom teachings offered by the York Rite Templar University, so that the feasibility of this system which includes on-line teaching and a physical manual, may be compared to the present model which will currently remain unchanged and unaffected, for the purpose of eliminating the time and expense currently required of all students, instructors and participants, in the form of travel, room, board and classroom costs, and thereby take steps to increase the number of students who are willing and able to enhance their leadership skills by attending York Rite Templar University.
This Executive Order issued on this first day of August, 2009.
Ideal Baldoni
Right Eminent Grand Commander
