Companions:

An updated version of the Constitution for the Grand Council Royal and Select Masters of Florida has been posted in the “Grand Council” section of the “Forms and Files” on our web site.

This version has been updated with all KNOWN legislation passed between the last update and our 2008 Convention.

In addition it has had numerous small corrections (spelling, grammar, partial phrases). For instance, the Marshal and Sentinel who were by mistake not included in the Installation Ceremonies, have been added.

Lastly, it has had an Appendix added, Appendix F, which is the approved Rulings and Decisions of the Most Illustrious Grand Masters. These have been indexed to show their appropriate spots in the Rules and Regulations.

It is my intent that by promulgating this updated Constitution, Rules and Regulations, that sufficient notice will be given the Craft to vote it’s acceptance or correction at the 2010 Convention.

Please direct any proposed corrections in the document or appendices to me. I am available at migm@flgyr.org.

Zealously,
Carl E. Gilmore, MIGM

My Dear Companions:

If you are seeing this, then I have been installed as your Most Illustrious Grand Master and I want to share with you my plans for this year.

This year it is my hope and intent that the Grand Council will accomplish several worthwhile goals:

1. Demonstrate to the Local Councils that the Grand Council is profoundly interested in them and in fact exists to serve their needs.
2. Improve the preparation of the Grand Line Officers.
3. Increase the ritualistic skill of the Local Councils.
4. Increase the number of Masons who wish to join York Rite.
5. Produce an up-to_date Constitution.
6. Publish the Proceedings in a timely manner.

Our efforts to accomplish these goals include specific assignments with established dates for reporting and review.

Some of these goals involve increased travel and visitation assignments by the Grand Line Officers. With each officer traveling to a minimum of 6 Councils outside his own District and the 20 plus Councils the Grand Master intends to visit, each Council should receive a Grand Line Officer at least once and most will receive two visits. Each District Deputy is to visit each of his District’s Councils at least three times. Therefore each Council can expect frequent visitation from Grand Council Representatives and as a by-product each Grand Line Officer will become far more familiar with Councils remote from him.

Focus committees have been established to study the best way to bring the Grand Council Constitution up to date and to create increased interest and participation in individual Ritual Work certification. Some of this work will be brought as Masonic Education to Local Lodges and result, we hope, in an increase of interest in the York Rite.

Nothing breeds success like the teamwork that results from participation in an activity where the direction in which to pull has been clearly laid out. Clearly this year will ignore window dressing and emphasize the real foundation elements of our Fraternity; Fellowship, Pageantry and Spiritual Growth and above all Sincerity and Truth.

It is my fervent prayer that we leave here today with enthusiasm for the task, and also that we will return here next year with the satisfaction of having faithfully performed our duty to the Craft.

May God Bless US all and keep US in the palm of his hand.

Zealously,
Carl E. Gilmore, MIGM

The Grand Illustrious Master’s Homecoming held on Feb 7, 2009, in Tallahassee was truly successful.

The theme was a beach party in February but there was only one person wearing a bikini (she knows who she is). Seriously, the event was very well organized thanks to the Homecoming Committee, Companions Chop Bodiford, Charles Elul. Douglas Knowles and Wes Prine.

We had 71 reservations made by the cutoff date but we fed over 110 people. After all the bills were paid, I mailed a check to the CMMRF for $600.00.

My thanks and gratitude go out to everyone involved, whether you were a committee member, event worker, or just one of the ones who came to eat the good food. It was good to be with the Grand Line Officers and the MEGHP James P. Rudman and REGC SK Charles Perez again.

Thanks to all who came, hope to see you at the Grand Convention in April.

— Dencel “Denny” Smith, Most Illustrious Grand Master 2008-2009