The Grand Encampment of Knights Templar The future is ours! We must seize the moment!

The Combined Package for Success Public Relations Religious Activities ProgrammingMembership

What does it take to Get New Members?

Be Visible

In Masonic Circles Informative presentations to –Lodges, Chapters, Councils, Valleys, Shrine –Drill exhibitions for entertainment Honor or Color Guards for functions Bring a Brother to an open Conclave –Bring families for religious observances, picnics, dinners, ladies nights

In Public Circles Community Service –Help in charitable projects –Participate in parades Uniform must Fit and be Neat and Clean –Conduct open religious observances

What Is A Religious Activity? An Organized Public Event With other local Commanderies Observing A Christian Holiday Commemorating an Event In The Life of Our Blessed Savior Conducted in Uniform

Traditional Christian Religious Observances Palm Sunday Maundy Thursday Good Friday Easter Ascension Day Pentecost Sunday Christmas

Supporting the Christian Religion Acting Like A True Christian Participating in a Christian Church Providing Education on “Templary” –Informing Ministers Of Our True Mission –Let them know we are supporters not competitors

Religious Observances “Commandery Benefits” Educates Public Of Our Mission Educates Masons Of Our Mission Promotes “Esprit de Corps” Increases Membership Acquisition Increases Membership Retention

Religious Activities - Reminders To Take Home Creates Visibility for Our Order & Fraternity Their Absence Creates A Lack Of Knowledge Promotes Our Templary “Mission” –The Support and Defense of The Christian Religion Essential To Our Future Viability –The Sir Knights, Our Commanderies, Our Mission “Every Christian Mason Should Be A Knights Templar ”

WHY DO WE NEED PROGRAMS? To increase interest in our conclaves To increase attendance To offer something of educational value to our Sir Knights To offer something of entertainment value to our Sir Knights To offer something of interest for non-members To avoid read the minutes, pay the bills, eat the stale donut, and go home

TYPES OF PROGRAMS Open Conclaves –Programs of interest to our wives and families –Programs of interest to the rest of the Masonic Family –Programs of interest to the community

OPEN CONCLAVES Programs of interest to wives and families –Twenty-five & Fifty Year Member Recognition –Special Honors Night- KTCH, KCT, etc Ladies Night-Mother’s Day-Valentine’s Day –Honor our Ladies –Honor our Ladies’ Auxiliaries, SOOB etc Family Night –Wives, children, grandchildren

OPEN CONCLAVES Programs of interest to the Masonic Family –Sir Knight Bring a Brother Night –Sir Knight Bring a Companion Night Introduce them to Christian Freemasonry –Programs regarding Masonic or Templar History –Programs regarding Famous Masons or Templars –Programs on various Masonic Charities

OPEN CONCLAVES Programs of interest for Families, Masons, and the Community –Christian Religious Holidays Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, Ascension Day –Public Holidays Presidents’ Day, Independence Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving –Community Service Awards Presented to local heroes, leaders, teachers, volunteers, etc

OPEN CONCLAVES Programs of interest for Families, Masons, and the Community –Honor a Sir Knight for Civic or Church Activities –Family or Community Picnics –Knight Templar Ball Formal uniform Visitors in formal wear –Drill Competition or Exhibition

OPEN CONCLAVES Programs of interest for Families, Masons, and the Community –History of Freemasonry or Templary –Famous Masons or Templars –Our National Charities KTEF, KT Ed Foundation, Holy Land Pilgrimage –Drill Team Exhibition

OPEN CONCLAVES Programs of interest for Families, Masons, and the Community –Program on a hobby, financial topic, employment, educational topic, community interest –Programs, fundraisers, recognition for local SchoolsHospitalsChurchesCharities

Community Recognition Consider New Templary Awards: – “Public Official of the Year” Award – “Law Enforcement Officer” of the Year – “High School Educator” of the Year – “Community Citizen” of the Year – High School “Citizenship Award” Sponsor Benefits: – Inexpensive (Plaques, Trophies, etc.) – Publicly Recognizes Community Leaders – Promotes Templary and the Fraternity

Community Service Public Involvement Hospital and Nursing Home Volunteers – Coaches in Youth Sporting Activities – Financial Donations to Community Projects – Host Youth Groups in Masonic Lodges Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Brownies Maximizes Use of Your Buildings Benefits: – Creates Awareness & Interest in the Fraternity – Increases Positive Templar Image in Society

TYPES OF PROGRAMS Tiled Conclaves –Only for Sir Knights –“Secrets” regarding ritual –Internal operations Operations of Commanderies Operations of Grand Commanderies –Programs regarding other Masonic Bodies

TILED CONCLAVES Annual Roll Call –Commemorate the chartering of the Commandery –Try to get as many members out as possible especially those non-regular attendees Past Commanders Night –Past Commanders open and run Conclave Rededication to the principles of Templary –Repeat obligations

TILED CONCLAVES Sojourners Night –Invite Knights living in your area who are not members of your Commandery Grand Officers Night –Invite local or state officers to attend Sister Commanderies Night –Invite neighboring Commanderies to visit Officer Move Up Night –Officers advance stations for the Conclave

TILED CONCLAVES Ritual Night –Exemplify or practice an Order –Discuss the historical, religious, or Masonic significance of one of the Orders –Recognition of proficient ritualists –Prepare for inspection History Night –Invite a speaker on ancient or modern Templary

TILED CONCLAVES Charity Night –Invite a speaker on our charities Knights Templar Eye Foundation Knights Templar Educational Foundation Holy Land Pilgrimage Philosophy Night –Have a speaker or discussion on the meaning of Masonry or Templary, and its relationship in the modern world

TILED CONCLAVES Idea Night—Let’s talk –What do the Sir Knights like about your Commandery? –What do the Sir Knights not like about your Commandery? –What would the Sir Knights like to see changed? Other Masonic Body Night –Invite another body to present a program

TILED CONCLAVES Remembrance or Necrology Night –Remember those Sir Knights who have passed away during the year Youth Night –Invite one of the Masonic Youth Organizations to make a presentation of a degree or program Drill Team Night –Practice or exhibition

Retention of Existing Templars Keep them interested –Include them in activities –Give them a job…office or committee –Give them interesting Conclaves- programs Form a Ladies Auxiliary Non structured…come for dinner or dessert Structured…functional organization National…Social Order of the Beauceant

Recovering lost Templars Contact those who have demitted or been dropped for non-payment Show them you have new activities Show them you have interesting Conclaves Show them you have community involvement Show them that they are needed Invite them back

Ask qualified Masons to join your Commandery

Ask interested non- Masons to join Masonry Ask interested non- Masons to join Masonry Guide them through the prerequisite bodies to Templary

They will come! If you ASK them, “Every Christian Mason Should Be A Knights Templar”

The Grand Encampment of Knights Templar The future is ours! We must seize the moment!