Grand Superintendent’s Address to Provincial Grand Chapter – 4th June 2009.
The Grand Superintendent opened his address by congratulating those whom he had appointed and promoted to Provincial Grand Rank. He emphasised that by accepting Provincial Rank, they were taking on added responsibilities within the Province. He urged the Companions to use their knowledge and experience to aid and assist their own Chapters and the Province and to promote this wonderful Order. He continued by congratulating those Companions who had been appointed and promoted to Supreme Grand Chapter Rank.
The Grand Superintendent was happy to report that we have a Royal Arch representative in every Lodge and that the Province needed to do more to realise the full potential of the scheme. To that end a questionnaire had been circulated to ascertain the views of the representatives and their suggestions on how the scheme could be improved. As a result of this survey a pamphlet had been produced and this would be issued to Master Masons as required. Similar contacts had been made among the Chapter Almoners. Mentoring had become a key subject within the Province and several mentoring evenings had been held during the past year in conjunction with the Craft.
The Grand Superintendent spent some time explaining the proposal to revise the Preliminary declaration in the Book of Constitutions and this can be read in full by accessing the link below.
He then turned to the subject of the statistics for the Province, pointing out that they showed a slight decrease in the number of new Companions and he stressed that this should act as a spur to encourage greater effort in the future. He pointed out that we must aim to ensure that every Chapter maintains a healthy intake of candidates to ensure the future of our Chapters. He continued by welcoming those new Companions who had been Exalted in the last twelve months.
Turning to the subject of Charity he announced that the Royal Arch Province had now raised the sum of £66,000 in support of the PGM’s Appeal in aid of the RMBI Festival. In thanking the Companions he also appealed for their continued generosity in the coming year.
He concluded by thanking a number of individuals who had given their support. In particular, the Provincial Executive who had readily given him their support, E Comp Lionel Higgins, the Provincial Grand Scribe Ezra and E Comp Bill Rhymes the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies. Finally, he thanked all the Companions of the Province for their enthusiasm and commitment and wished them an enjoyable summer break.
