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      LAWS AND REGULATIONS
      OF THE GRAND COMMANDERY
      OF KNIGHTS TEMPLAR
      OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY

      ARTICLE I
      COMMANDERY OFFICERS

      Every Constituent Commandery in this jurisdiction shall be composed of the following:

                               1. - Commander
                               2. - Generalissimo
                               3. - Captain General
                               4. - Senior Warden
                               5. - Junior Warden
                               6. - Prelate
                               7. - Treasurer
                               8. - Recorder
                               9. - Standard Bearer
                               10. - Sword Bearer
                               11. - Warder
                               12. - Sentinel
                               13. - Three Guards

      The first three, together with the Treasurer and Recorder shall be elected by a majority of the ballots cast at the final stated conclave of the calendar year. The remainder of the officers may be elected or appointed by the Commander-elect as may be provided by the Commandery By-Laws, all of whom must be installed not later than the next Stated Conclave. The office of Sentinel may be filled by any Sir Knight in good standing in a New Jersey Commandery.

      A Commandery may, by its By-Laws, provide that the offices and duties of Treasurer and Recorder be consolidated into the office of Recorder.

      Every Constituent Commandery shall have at least three Trustees, each of whom shall serve for a term of three years, with their terms overlapping so that one Trustee will be elected each year at the Annual Conclave.

      In the event of the death, resignation or removal of a Trustee from the jurisdiction precluding the perfbrrnance of his duties, the Commander shall appoint a Sir Knight to serve until the next Annual Conclave, when the balance of the unexpired term shall be filled by election.

      ARTICLE II
      UNIFORMS

      No petitioner for the Orders of Knighthood in a Constituent Commandery shall be required to provide himself with a uniform as described in Article III of these Laws, before receiving the Order of the Temple. However any Sir Knight elected or appointed to Commandery office must provide himself with such Templar uniform prior to his installation, and must retain possession during his incumbency in office.

      Each Constituent Commandery must be provided with sufficient uniformed or robed Knights for the forming of the lines, Prelate's Escort and Triangle Guard.

      ARTICLE III
      UNIFORM REGULATIONS

      Templar uniforms for members of New Jersey Commanderies shall be as specified in the Uniform Regulations for the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of the State of New Jersey

      ARTICLE IV
      REVENUE

      Every Constituent Commandery in this jurisdiction shall remit to the Grand Commandery with its annual returns, the amount of $10.00 for each Sir Knight created during the calendar year.

      Each Constituent Commandery shall remit annually toward the support of the Grand Commandery, the sum of $8.90 for (2006), $9.25 for (2007), $9.50 for (2008), $9.75 for (2009) and $10.00 for (2010) for each of its members, together with an amount equal to all Grand Encampment and Grand Commandery of N.J. per capita dues and assessments. (Revised 3/4/2006)

      The Grand Recorder shall notify each Constituent Commandery in writing not later than September 30th of each year, the amount of Grand Encampment and Grand Commandery per capita dues and assessments to be remitted for each member with the next annual returns, which shall be made not later than 31st of January next ensuing.

      ARTICLE V
      ANNUAL RETURNS

      Every Constituent Commandery shall file an annual return on the forms provided by the Grand Recorder, setting forth the status of the Commandery as of the end of the calendar year. This return must be filed with the Grand Recorder on or before the 31st day of January.

      For filing a return after the prescribed 31st day of January, there shall be levied against the Commandery a fine of $5.00 for each week or fraction thereof.

      A fiduciary report of the financial standing of the Commandery shall be prepared on the form provided by the Grand Commandery and submitted to the Grand Recorder with the annual return.

      ARTICLE VI
      VOTING

      All Grand Commandery and Constituent Commandery elections may be by voice vote, provided there be unanimous consent of all voting members present. In the event there are two or more candidates for any elective office, Trustee or Director of the Endowment Fund, such elections shall be conducted by paper ballot.

      ARTICLE VII
      VACANCIES

      Except as provided by the Constitution of Grand Encampment, all vacancies in Grand Commandery elective offices caused by death, permanent disability or permanent removal from the jurisdiction precluding the performance of the duties of the office, shall be filled by appointment by the Grand Commander.

      A vacancy in a Constituent Commandery elective office or Trustee shall be filled as prescribed by the Constitution and Statutes of the Grand Encampment.

      ARTICLE VIII
      GRAND REPRESENTATIVES

      A Member of a New Jersey Commandery may accept a commission from the Grand Commander of another recognized Grand Commandery to serve as that Grand Commandery s representative. His title shall be "Grand Representative of the Grand Commandery of Near the Grand Commandery of New Jersey". In accepting such appointment, it is his implied duty to establish contact with the proper officer in the jurisdiction he represents, preferably the Grand Recorder or New Jersey s Grand Representative in that Grand Commandery, keeping him informed of matters of Templar interest taking place in New Jersey. Wherever possible, he should attend the Grand Commandery Conclaves in the jurisdiction he represents, as well as those in New Jersey.

      ARTICLE IX
      PAST GRAND COMMANDER'S JEWEL

      At the close of the Annual Conclave, an Official Past Grand Commander's jewel shall be presented to the outgoing Grand Commander. This jewel shall be and remain the property of the Grand Commander receiving it. All previously presented Past Grand Commander's jewels shall remain the property of those Past Grand Commanders who may have received them.

      ARTICLE X
      TEMPLAR VETERAN RIBBON

      All Knights Templar who are on active duty with or honorably discharged or retired from the armed services of the United States of America, are hereby authorized to wear the Knight Templar Veteran's ribbon on their uniform.

      ARTICLE XI
      ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS

      To aid in the administration of this Grand Commandery, the Grand Commander may divide the Constituent Commanderies into Divisions of not less than three contiguous Commanderies. He may appoint a qualified Past Commander as Division Commander for each such Division so established. The Division Commander s duties shall be to coordinate the activities of the Commanderies assigned to him, and such other duties as the Grand Commander may assign. As Administrative Officers, Division Commanders may be installed, have rank, and after three years or more, retire with the honors thereof

      ARTICLE XII
      STAFF OFFICERS

      The Grand Commander may appoint staff officers for specific duties not involving the administration of the Grand Commandery. Their titles, numbers and duties are as follows:

      Associate Grand Prelates (not to exceed six, or the number of Divisions established) who, in the absence of the Grand Prelate, perform such duties as may be appropriate to the occasion and established Templar usage.

      Grand Instructor General with Deputy Instructors General (not to exceed six or the number of Divisions established) whose duties it shall be to provide instruction to the Constituent Commanderies regarding the military tactics and floor work associated with full form openings and reception of Grand Officers and Distinguished Guests.

      Grand Inspector General whose duty it shall be to impart the floor work adopted by the Grand Commandery for conferral of the Orders of Templary.

      The Grand Commander s Aide, Grand Historian. Grand Marshal, Grand Organist and Grand Soloist, whose duties shall be appropriate to their office, and as may be assigned by the Grand Commander.

      ARTICLE XIII
      COMMITTEES

      The Standing Committees of this Grand Commandery, their membership and duties shall be as hereinafter described.

                           The Standing Committees:
                           Membership York Rite
                           Knights Templar Eye Foundation
                           Knights Templar Educational Foundation
                           Patriotic and Civic Affairs
                           Templar Religious Activities
                           Public Relations
                           Annual Conclave and Templar Festival
                           Asylum Tactics
                           Templar Jurisprudence
                           Finance
                           Necrology
                           Doings of Grand Officers
                           By-Laws

      The Chairman of each Standing Committee upon his appointment shall prepare and agenda for his Committee for the ensuing year; organize such Committee for effective performance, and report fully and in writing, his Committee's accomplishments to the Grand Commander, the Grand Recorder and Committee on Doings of Grand Officers, not later than January 10th of each year.

      The Grand Commander may appoint Special Committees to perform specified tasks not within the purview of the Standing Committees. Such Special Committees shall terminate on completion of their assignments, and not later than the end of the Templar year in which they were created.

      Membership Committee shall gather all available information on methods of obtaining new members, and shall pursue membership programs based on the most effective methods of the times. The Deputy Grand Commander shall be Chairman of this Committee.

      The York Rite Committee shall actively assist in promoting and coordinating York Rite Masonry, and to that end shall work in close collaboration with the Membership Committee. The Deputy Grand Commander shall be Chairman of this Committee.

      The Knights Templar Eye Foundation Committee shall promote knowledge of this Foundation and its operations, not only in the Masonic community, but also among the general public. To this end, this Committee shall collaborate with the Public Relations Committee in the dissemination of information, and with the Director of the Foundation to insure prompt processing of applications for assistance. The Grand Senior Warden shall be a member of this Committee.

      The Knights Templar Educational Foundation Committee shall manage the funds of the Knights Templar Educational Foundation allocated to this Grand Commandery; make student loans and obtain repayment thereof under the rules and regulations prescribed by Grand Encampment s Educational Foundation Committee, and to make the availability of loans to deserving students known to educational institutions and potential applicants.
      It shall be composed of 5 members, appointed for five-year terms so that one new member shall be appointed each year. The Grand Commander in office shall make appointments to fill any vacancies for the unexpired portion of the term and may replace any member of the Committee for cause, reporting his action to the Grand Commandery. The Committee shall elect one of its members to serve as Chairman.

      The Patriotic and Civic Activities Committee shall adopt measures to promote active participation by all local Masonic bodies in patriotic activities of a public nature, and in appropriate community activities. To this end, it shall collaborate closely with the Public Relations Committee. The Grand Junior Warden shall be Chairman of this Committee.

      The Templar Religious Activities Committee shall promote the religious aspects of Templary, with particular regard to established Templar observances, including the Easter Sunrise Service, Ascension Day and Statewide Church services, and the Christmas Observance. Close association shall be maintained with the Public Relations Committee. The Grand Senior Warden shall be Chairman of this Committee and the Grand Prelate shall be a member thereof.

      The Public Relations Committee shall operate in close collaboration with all Grand Commandery Committees and Constituent Commanderies for the purpose of obtaining desirable publicity for Templary or other Masonic activities. To this end, it should establish friendly relations with all useful media of public communication.

      The Annual Conclave and Templar Festival Committee shall make all arrangements for the orderly conduct of these events. The Grand Captain General shall be Chairman of this Committee.

      The Asylum Tactics Committee shall develop and recommend to the Grand Commandery, drill regulations and asylum tactics for full form openings, reception of Grand Officers and Distinguished Guests, and floor work for the Orders of Templary, not inconsistent with the ceremonies and floor movements indicated by the rituals of the Grand Encampment. The Grand Generalissimo and the Grand Inspector General and Grand Instructor General, if such officers are appointed, shall be members of this Committee.

      The Templar Jurisprudence Committee shall investigate and make recommendations relative to interpretations of the Constitution. Laws and Regulations; amendments to the same, matters concerning charters and dispensations, and all other questions arising in the field of Templar Jurisprudence.

      The Finance Committee shall prepare and supervise compliance with the annual budget of the Grand Commandery, and audit the financial records of the Grand Treasurer, Grand Recorder, Directors of the Endowment Fund and the Knights Templar Educational Foundation Committee.

      The Necrology Committee shall perform the usual duties pertaining to a Necrology Committee.

      The Committee on Doings of Grand Officers shall serve as an advisory council to the Grand Commander, with particular regard to the performance of duties of Grand Commandery Officers and committees. It shall investigate suspected nonfeasance, malfeasance and misfeasance and may require officers and committees to appear before it in this connection. This Committee shall be composed of qualified Past Grand Commanders.

      The Committee on By-Laws shall review all proposed changes to the bylaws of Constituent Commanderies on behalf of the Grand Commander. Proposed changes shall be prepared in triplicate and forwarded to the Chairman of this Committee. After review, the Committee will forward same to the Grand Commander with its recommendation. Copies are distributed to, and retained by the originating Commandery, the Grand Recorder and the By-Laws Committee.

      ARTICLE XIV
      GENERAL PROVISIONS

      A petition for membership by affiliation in a Constituent Commandery having been rejected, does not have to lie over for six months before making another application for membership. The Templar standing of the petitioner is not affected by such rejection. and he may make application at once to the same or another Commandery.

      For a Sir Knight to re-affiliate with the Commandery from which he demitted, he must make the usual application for affiliation. and submit his demit as if he were affiliating with another Commandery. The application then follows the usual course.

      Ail amendments to this Constitution. Laws and Regulations shall be printed and distributed by the Grand Recorder to all Grand Commandery Officers, Past Grand Commanders and Recorders of Constituent

      Commanderies, so that all copies may be kept up to date.

      The proper officer to pass the ballot box when voting on candidates is the Junior Warden, however it may be done by any person the Commander may designate.

      When casting a ballot, the glove shall be removed from the right hand to eliminate the possibility of a mistake in selection of the ballot.

      A Commandery may attend church in full Templar uniform without a dispensation from the Grand Commander. It may enter the church "covered" or "uncovered" and with swords drawn or sheathed, at the option of the church authorities where the service is held.

      No Constituent Commandery may relocate without the consent of the Grand Commander. And such relocation proposed must be approved by a majority of members present at a Stated Conclave, due and timely notice of the proposed relocation having been given.

      On the evening of the Annual Conclave, the Recorder of a Constituent Commandery shall place a box on his desk wherein any member may place nominations for any or all elective offices, which nominations shall be read for the information of the members before proceeding with the election. However any member who receives a majority of the votes cast, shall be declared elected whether previously nominated or not.

      Public installation of officers may be held in the Asylum of a Constituent Commandery, and no dispensation is necessary.

      At every Stated Conclave of a Constituent Commandery, a portion of Templar laws shall be read aloud. This should include from time to time, appropriate sections from the Constitution and Statutes of the Grand Encampment, the Constitution and Laws of this Grand Commandery, and the By-Laws of the Commandery. The rehearsal of duties shall be made a part of each such opening.

      As the baldric is no longer a part of the present Templar dress uniform, recitation of the explanation of the baldric in the Order of the Temple is optional with the Commandery conferring the Order.

      Constituent Commanderies are governed by the calendar year. The Grand Commandery is governed by the Templar year.

      The Cap and Mantle, as prescribed in the Uniform Regulations, may be worn in lieu of the Templar uniform when visiting other Commanderies and other Commandery functions.

      ARTICLE XV
      AMENDMENTS

      Amendments to these Laws and Regulations shall be made in the manner prescribed for amendments to the Constitution of this Grand Commandery.