Grand Commandery of Templar Of the State of Louisiana

W. JAMES HILL, III ALLAN K. BEAN GRAND GRAND RECORDER 6908 E Ridge Drive 605 Mound Street Shreveport, LA 71106-2444, USA Jonesville, LA 71343-3019, USA 318 469-6169 318.758.7879 [email protected] [email protected]

GENERAL NO. 4 SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA SERIES 2021-2022 8 MARCH 2021

GENERAL ORDER NO. 4

TO THE OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF THE GRAND COMMANDERY OF WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF AND HOLDING ALLEGIANCE TO THE GRAND COMMANDERY OF KNIGHTS TEMPLAR OF LOUISIANA:

Greetings:

WHEREAS, The of the of the State of Louisiana issues edicts from time to time proscribing how the Craft is allowed to assemble, and

WHEREAS, The Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States issues orders from time to time proscribing how Sir Knights are allowed to assemble and orders conferred,

THEREFORE, by the authority vested in me as Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of the State of Louisiana and pursuant to the laws governing the same:

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Constituent Commanderies of this jurisdiction follow all COVID-19 directives and edicts issued by the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana, F & AM including those regarding social distancing and wearing of masks, as set forth in Edict 2020-06, which is attached hereto and fully incorporated herein, and any subsequent edicts or directives issued by the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana, F. & A.M.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this Grand Commandery is adjudged to be in PHASE TWO of the Grand Encampment General Order #14, Templary Reopening 2021 Safety Protocols, Virtual Meeting Criteria and Phased Opening Criteria, attached hereto and fully incorporated herein, and all Constituent Commanderies must abide by the directives set forth for Phase Two.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Constituent Commanderies, in addition to complying with Grand Lodge edicts and directives and Grand Encampment Phase Two Criteria as set forth above, comply with all applicable Federal, State, and Local health laws, policies, and guidelines at ALL times.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Constituent Commanderies of this jurisdiction practice social distancing and the wearing of masks until further orders of this Grand Commandery.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that any Sir or other guest must self-screen for any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 before attending any Conclave, Templary related Statewide Activity, Travel or Ritual Work and are strongly encouraged NOT to attend in person if they have any signs of illness or do not feel comfortable.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that no Commandery is required to open and no Sir Knight is required to participate in any Templar activity; instead, this General Order allows Constituent Commanderies to open and participate according to their Eminent Commander and membership’s best judgement strictly following the general orders, protocols, directives, and guidelines above.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that each Eminent Commander promptly ensure that all Sir Knights in his Commandery are informed by due diligent use of telephone, text, email, or other appropriate communication media.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this General Order be read in open Commandery at its first stated Conclave after its receipt and be made a part of the records.

Given under my hand and the seal of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of the State of Louisiana at Shreveport in The Great State of Louisiana on the 9th day of March, in the year of our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-One, AO 903.

By Order Of: Attest:

DEU DUCE W. James Hill, III Allan K. Bean FERRO Grand Commander Grand Recorder COMITANTE