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Grand Master’s Message T

he theme of our message this month is technology and Templary or virtual Templary. As we announced last month, the Grand Encampment will be presenting the fall 2020 department conferences through videoconferencing. The York Rite Leadership training team has already successfully completed its first Virtual Instructor Led Training for the Leadership 101 course. This was accomplished for the Southeastern Department

and confirmed that we will be able to utilize this format for both the leadership courses as well as the department conferences.

Although we are as anxious as each of you to resume normal or whatever will be the “new normal” activities, one aspect of leadership is to attempt to anticipate the future based upon currently available information. Essentially, hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst.

One difference between the Great Influenza Pandemic of 1918 and today’s pandemic is that, while the earlier pandemic primarily affected younger members of society, the current pandemic appears to disproportionately affect members who are older, male, and those with underlying health conditions, exactly our demographic. Another difference is that, unlike 1918 or even ten years ago, we now have the technological capability to meet remotely. The Grand Encampment elected officers and department commanders have been able to continue to carry out our responsibilities by holding regular meetings and attending a number of annual conclaves through various videoconferencing platforms. This has actually worked better than we had anticipated. Grand Commanderies have been able to complete all of their required business through virtual conclaves. This includes reception of dignitaries and all required reports and approval of all business items. Voting on legislation and offices, sometimes with multiple measures and candidates, has been conducted without incident.

Although we have not been able to confer the Order of the Temple since March, membership continues to be priority number one for the 68 th triennium. Now is a good time to reach out and contact those members who are self-isolating to some degree. It is also a good time to review each demit and suspension recently issued by your commandery in preparation for the new normal.

4 Courteously, Jeffrey N. Nelson, GCT

september 2020