Right Eminent Commander's Message

March 29,2008

 Good Afternoon Sir Knights,

 I stand before you today by your vote to be the Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Knights Templar for the Jurisdication of Massachusetts for the ensuing Chivalric year and for this great honor I will be forever grateful.

Before I proceed, and I assure you I will try and be brief as we have had a long day, I would like to publicly congratulate all of the newly elected officers to the Grand Commandery. I would like to thank Jr.Past Right Eminent Grand Commander S.K. David Pena for a job well done.
(S.K. Pena your work is not done I need you and the Commandery need you, I will be in touch).

In the coming weeks, in short order, I will make appointments to the non-elected positions to the Grand Commandery. Could I see by a show of hands of those who would be willing and interested to serve in the Grand Commandery. S.K. Eminent Grand Recorder, please record those Sir Knights’ names. If you want a position in the Grand Commandery, I will find you a place, but hear me out, I am about Business, we are going to work.

The Items that will be on my agenda for this Chivalric year are many; first and foremost, I will make sure that we are proficient and prepared to fulfill our duty and obligations as the host for the Grand Encampment June25-28 2008. The Massachusetts Grand Commandery is the Host Jurisdication and will be responsible for the Ritualistic opening Thursday June 26,2008 at 9:00 a.m. at the Braintree Sheraton Hotel (So, Sir Knights we need a few rehearsals, times and place T/B/A).

The Web Site for the Grand Encampment is: www.Gekt.org
I am also planning to hold weekly meetings for the Grand Encampment, times and places to be determined.

Please note, the dates for African Lodge #459 are April 25,26 &27 2008. All events will be held at the Prince Hall Grand Lodge, 24 Washington Street, Dorchester MA. 02121.The Ritualistic opening will be Saturday April 26,2008, at the above address. Sir Knights will be needed to guard the Charter for this occasion. The cost for registration, which includes the whole weekend of festivities and meals is $125.00. For Sir Knight working the event, the fee will be $75.00.

Each and every Sir Knight will get a list of Dates-to-Remember for this Chivalric year. I intend to utilize the Eminent Commanders of our three Commanderies more effectively. Proclamations, Dates-to-Remember and important memos, will be mailed out with the Commandery’s monthly mailings notification to members. I want the Eminent Commanders to get more involve with the Sir Knights; Reach-out and stress to the membership that we need involvement, not later but now. To the Eminent Commanders let me know what you need from the Grand Commandery  to help in getting the troops out and it will be done.

I am hereby appointing E.C. S.K. Joseph Catan as the webmaster for our website. All information for the Grand Encampment dates, program, registration, etc. can be obtained from our site as well as the Grand Encampment website. In the near future, most likely after the June event, I want to have all our needed forms on the web site i.e., Annual report, semi annual forms, forms for membership etc.

In addition to making appointments to the Grand Commandery, I will assign Sir Knights to Chair /Head various Committees, i.e., the Military Ball Committee, the Annual Cook-out, etc. Upon the completion of all the various assignments and appointments, the information will be disseminated to the Commanderies and all Sir Knights.

Again I would like to thank all of our Past Right Eminent Grand Commanders, Past Most Eminent Grand Masters of The Grand Encampment, Grand Commandery Officers Past and Present and all Sir Knights and any visiting Sir Knights if there be any for coming out and making this, our 41st Grand Conclave a success. I look forward to working with each and every one of you in the days to come.

Sir Knights go in peace and may God speed be with you.

All Sir Knights are requested to remain after closing so that we might take group and individual pictures for the up-coming Grand Encampment Souvenir Journal.

In Closing, again, I would like to thank you for your vote and confidence in me and I promise not to let you down.

 Acceptance Speech by S.K. James R. Young

Right Eminent Grand Commander

Given March 29,2008

Prince Hall Grand Commandery Of Knight Templar Jurisdiction of Massachusetts

24 Washington Street, Dorchester MA. 02121