Rite Notes – April 2026
MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IS IMPORTANT
Companions and Sir Knights,
We had a good Spring Festival period this year with 84 new knightings. Let us continue the good works, and in the next three months, our membership should swell. We must, however, keep our NPD’s as low as possible. Bring them back and put them to work. I had the honor of attending a degree in April at Okeechobee with 43 candidates. Tampa had a great showing with 15 candidates, and 1 in Pensacola. We should have a great Fall Festival period. Now is the time to get to your Blue Lodges and provide them with the greater light of the York Rite.
Many Companions and Sir Knights throughout our jurisdiction are experiencing an “adrenaline rush” associated with the enthusiasm of the recent membership Crusade. What a thrill it is to be part of such a magnanimous order and to participate is such a noble cause.
New suggestions for membership. Our Grand York Rite has sent out to each York Rite Body a short video. The video will include (Blue Lodge, York Rite, Scottish Rite and Shrine) and can be used by the Blue Lodge to familiarize the newly raised Masons with other Bodies associated with Masonry. These were developed by SK Richard Wolfe of Brevard York Rite Bodies. These thumb drives should be of great assistance in growing our membership. To go along with the thumb drives, there should be a lodge representative for each lodge that feeds into your Bodies. This video can now be downloaded to your phone, so you can always have it and demonstrate it to prospects At the time a newly raised Master Mason completes his degree, a York Rite Representative should be present to present him with information pertaining to our York Rite. Just ask.
This is Not your Father’s York Rite Anymore. This is because new members are joining of all ages, new programs are being added to include family activities, guest speakers, and community involvement. New members bring new ideas, and this result is in a healthy growth for the Order. Become a part of this new energy transformation.
Membership Value is Critically Important. Non-York Rite Masons are busy people, and need to be convinced that committing time and talent to a new Masonic Organization has value. Be sure to tell the total attributes of your York Rite Body. Be sure to emphasize the new activities and involvement in your Body, and promote the positive. Increases in our membership base are critical to sustaining both our future, and our glorious heritage. You can do it!
Migrating To A “Dot.Com” Fraternity. We continue to be impressed with the many Knight Templars that are connected to the Internet. Many York Rite Bodies are now getting connected to the “net,” and building impressive Web Sites to promote their Commandery activities such as festivals, membership programs and activities. The Internet improves communications, and saves postage cost among other things. Being a “dot.com” fraternity might be a differentiating factor in selling this great fraternity to Non-York Rite Masons.
Green Carrots. Many Commanderies have instituted incentives to reward “Top-Line Signers.” Membership development is hard work, and those that contribute more than their fair share should be rewarded. Examples of incentives include: Dues reimbursement, cash, gift certificates, Knight Templar Eye Foundation Life Memberships, and Templar Uniform credits are incentive programs that have value, and are worth testing in all jurisdictions. Give it a try for both restorations and new members.
Happier Troops. A Crusade is both an event and a renewed emphasis on membership development. It is an opportunity for all Sir Knights regardless of rank to become engaged in a program that assures success if each Sir Knight contributes. The excitement of Crusade participation continues to grow. Please get involved. Ask a Masonic friend to join, and do it now.
Promote Your Good Works. Write articles, take pictures, and publish your Crusade program activities. Promote your activities. No one can purchase a product they are unaware of.
We cannot wish away our declining membership; we must be individually accountable for growing our business. Don’t wait for somebody else to do what you can do now.
In my travels to various York Rite Bodies throughout the South East, I find that by advertising the degree festivals outside of our district, it becomes easier for a candidate to receive the degrees. We cannot hope to build our membership if we cannot provide weekend degree programs within a reasonable time period and distance.
One or two Companions should visit the other Bodies within your District and discuss ways in which this can be accomplished. Each Body should provide the teams for two or three different degrees. If this cannot be accomplished within the district, pursue a neighboring district, until all degrees are filled. No candidate should have to drive 100 miles to attend the degrees. This is how we lose candidates. Finally, a set date and location each year should be established well in advance so candidates can properly plan. If Scottish Rite and the Shrine can do it, and they are successful, we should also.
There is no substitute for an all-out campaign to strengthen and build our membership.
Note: If any York Rite Bodies plan weekend festivals, Short of Time or Slow Classes, please let me know, with the date, time, location and contact person, for the Spring of 2026 and I will put it in the upcoming newsletter, and on the website. Remember, Membership and Retention is everyone‘s business.
Remember, equip, train and send out the troops, and they will come back with results!
EXCERPTS FROM THE GRAND CHAPTER OF FLORIDA
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT—COURTESY WORK
38.01 Courtesy Work
A Chapter may confer any and all of the Capitular Degrees upon a candidate elected by another Regular Chapter, provided that written avouchment and request for such courtesy work be presented from the Candidates Chapter and that the Secretary notify said Chapter that its request has been granted
Membership by Chapter for 2026:
|
DIST |
LOCATION |
# |
DIST |
LOCATION |
# |
|
1 |
Palm Beach (Boca-Delray) |
2 |
6 |
Cocoa |
|
|
Ft Lauderdale |
|
Melbourne |
|
||
|
Miami |
33 |
Fort Pierce |
7 |
||
|
2 |
Manatee/Bradenton/ Trinity |
|
7 |
Jacksonville |
6 |
|
Sarasota/Venice/ Fort Myers |
3 |
Fernandina |
|
||
|
Ft Myers |
4 |
Palatka |
1 |
||
|
3 |
Tampa (Ivanhoe) |
10 |
8 |
Lake City |
|
|
St Peters burg (Sunshine) |
|
Middleburg |
|
||
|
Clearwater (Springtime) |
8 |
Gainesville |
1 |
||
|
4 |
Lakeland |
|
9 |
Tallahassee |
2 |
|
Plant City |
2 |
Marianna |
|
||
|
Sebring (Highlands) |
|
Panama City |
|
||
|
5 |
Daytona (Halifax) |
|
10 |
Fort Walton Beach |
1 |
|
Lake Sumter |
|
Crestview |
|
||
|
Sanford |
|
Pensacola |
|
||
|
Orlando |
4 |
|
|
REMINDER: MASONIC MEMBERSHIP SOLUTIONS (MMS) RULES STATE THAT NEW COMPANIONS AND SIR KNIGHTS NEED TO BE PLACED IN MMS WITHIN 15 DAYS. If this is not done, the magazine will not be sent automatically. The Secretary will have to contact Grand Encampment.
MMS IS NOW ON GOOGLE CHROME
New Membership by York Rite District 2026:
|
DIST |
DATE |
LOCATION |
KNIGHTED |
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
3 |
7 &14 Mar 3 & 10 Oct |
Tampa(5), Ft Myers (4), Clearwater (4), Sarasota (2), Plant City (1) Tampa(5), Ft Myers (4), Clearwater (4), Sarasota (1), Plant City (1) |
31 |
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
6 |
10-11 Apr |
Ft Pierce (7), Tallahassee (1), Palm Beach (2), Miami (33) |
43 |
|
7 |
21 Feb & 14 Mar |
Jacksonville(6), Gainesville (1), Palatka (1), Tallahassee(1) |
9 |
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
|
10 |
10-11 April |
Pensacola, Ft Walton, (1) |
1 |
|
TOTAL 2026 KNIGHTINGS |
84 |
||
|
TOTAL 2025 KNIGHTINGS |
117 |
||
Also, as soon as your area determines the dates for any Chapter or District scheduling a Fall or Spring Festival, PLEASE let me know so they may be included.
Fraternally,
