Proceedings 212th 2009 Griff Jones - Grand Chapter State of New ...

As before, when we receive calls from the Companions, requesting legal opinions upon
matters of Capitular law, we prefer to respond to these questions, both as a courtesy to the
Companions and as a matter of Masonic education, but it is clearly to be understood that
these opinions do not carry the sanction of the Grand Chapter, and that only the Grand High
Priest may, with any degree of authority, advise the Companions on any Capitular issue. As
we have iterated in the past, the proper procedure to secure a formal opinion is to pose the
question in writing to the Grand High Priest. If he deems it appropriate, he may seek our
counsel, and we may be requested to issue a formal, written opinion. It should be understood
that the Grand High Priest is the source of all Capitular authority in this Grand jurisdiction
while the Grand Chapter itself is not in session. Where the question involves civil law, of
course, one must retain private counsel.
Most Excellent Grand High Priest, I have enjoyed working with and serving you, the
Grand Chapter, and all the Companions this year. I also extend my appreciation to our Grand
Secretary for his input and assistance, and we respectfully move that our report be entered
into the proceedings of this Convocation.
Report was accepted by vote of the Companions.
The proposition that was tabled is coming up again now for a first vote, which means
if you pass it, it will come up next year for the final vote and it will change the provisions
of our Constitution effect next year if it’s adopted. The Permanent Members, on reconsideration,
have approved it’s presentation to you and it is recommended by the Jurisprudence
Committee favorably. I read it to you instead of trying to explain it, because it is quite clear.
It’s an amendment by adding a section 405.4 to the Constitution.
“405.4 - Any Royal Arch Mason in good standing from a Grand Jurisdiction other than
New York, the Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter of which are recognized respectively by the
Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter of the State of New York, may affiliate with any Chapter
in this Grand Jurisdiction upon the consent of the Grand Chapter of that foreign jurisdiction.”
Motion was made, seconded and carried to approve the new section 405.4 of the Constitution.
Report of the Committee on Jurisprudence - 2008
Over the years, many of the Royal Craft have expressed the desire to have a preview
of the issues that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Convocation. This
would allow the High Priests to discuss these issues in their respective Chapters and secure
input from the Companions. The Judge Advocate and the members of the Committee on Jurisprudence
have also endorsed this proposal.
Accordingly, for the past several years, a notice has been sent to the Secretary of each
Chapter in the jurisdiction setting forth the propositions to be presented at the up-coming
Annual Convocation, which notice was prepared by the Judge Advocate and disseminated
by the Grand Secretary.
PROVISIONS PRESENTED FOR A FIRST VOTE
At the time of the preparation of this report, there were no provisions to present for a first
vote.
PROVISIONS PRESENTED FOR A SECOND VOTE
In 2007, there were no provisions adopted on a first vote.
(36)
2009