Ceremonials Report and Information Mid-Winter Meeting December 1-3, 2017 Brad Jacobs State Ceremonials Director

First Degree Stats 54 Reported this year 56 Reported Last YTD 148 New 1st Degree Members Reported 185 New 1st Degree Members last YTD Number of ceremonies remain about the same 37% Decrease in New Members

Numbers should be disturbing! We were down considerably last year already. Extremely important to send in your form 450’s to the State Deputy. Please copy me when you e-mail them to the State Deputy. We believe we only get 50% of the 1st Degrees reported. No number is too small. Please take the 10 minutes to fill out this form and send it in.

This is an ongoing problem so please do your part to help us out with this. We can’t have accurate information to act on if we don’t get the information sent to us. Everyone here should know about the DVD Every council should have this DVD and the knowledge of its proper use. I would be happy to assist in that if needed. Every council has access to the necessary materials from Supreme.

1st Degrees using full live teams still the preferred method. Every District should have at least one 1st degree team to utilize Again, I have plenty of information to assist in setting up a team. Any other questions regarding 1st Degrees?

Major Degree Stats Mid-2017 Something like 95% of suspensions and withdrawals are 1st degree knights. 21 requests for a major degree YTD 17 major degree requests last YTD 131 Total new 3rd degree members YTD 174 new 3rd degree members last YTD Substantial (over 40%) decrease

Likely Causes for Decrease Planning and PROMOTION!! More ceremonies dilute per event attendance No structure to timing or location Many are scheduled during certain times and only a few at other times Too many in a certain area in too short a time Inflexibility of requestor on dates

Addressing the Problems and the Plan for this Fraternal Year Current average time from request to requested date is 30-45 days Should be at least 90 days No time to do an adequate job PREPARING and PROMOTING if the lead time is 30 days PROMOTION is a big part of the problem

I ensure that ceremonies are posted on the state website immediately following the approval of myself and the State Deputy and the staffing needs are filled. We need to spend more time contacting neighboring Districts and councils well in advance and keep bringing it up. Make sure it’s getting in the local council newsletters, websites, flyers at District meetings, etc. As DD’s, please regularly check the calendar for upcoming major degrees. PLAN AND PROMOTE!! Our degree teams travel great distances and spend countless hours every year putting these ceremonies on. Let’s do our part in making sure the trip is worthwhile and it truly benefits the state!

Requests Be Flexible!! Too many times I’ve been told it’s this date or never….. Make your requests early!! When making a degree request please use our now fully functional state website.

Paper submission forms are still accepted but the website is the preferred method. You will receive a confirmation once the ceremony has been approved by myself and the State Deputy. Be patient! Sometimes getting everything coordinated takes a little time.

MN State Ceremonials Staffing Needs Most of our current staff have been doing degree work for decades. Both our Formation and Knighthood degree staffs need to be bolstered. With adequate staffing, each individual staff would only need to do several ceremonies/quarter.

We are in great need of staff in the metro as well as outstate. I have placed an article in the state newsletter regarding this. Formation degrees are generally performed using 5 staff members. Knighthood degrees should have 3 staff members. Many potential brother knights say “Just what I need to do, add something else to my plate!”

Ask any current staff member and they’ll tell you they thoroughly enjoy what they’re doing and find great satisfaction in doing it. It is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling things you can do to bring new members into our order and teach them the lessons you have been taught. Contact me and I can answer any questions and get you the necessary materials and information to get started.

We are also always looking for subs to fill in for staff members who are unable to assist at a given ceremony. Again the need is great! The rewards are also great!! The continuation of our order and all the terrific work we do depends on it! Please do give it serious consideration.

Questions THANK YOU!!