Wisconsin Priory Convocation
On Friday, July 26, 2019, Wisconsin State Priory held their first ever annual convocation where they held a senate to discus changes to their bylaws as well as installed the new Illustrious Knight Commander and Officers for the ensuing term.
I am the Senate!
Starting at 5:30pm, the Illustrious Knights of Wisconsin State Priory held their senate where they proposed many great changes to their bylaws. One of the fun changes to the Wisconsin Priory is that the chairman of the senate (normally the Illustrious Knight Commander) shall be addressed as the Supreme Chancellor in honor of Sheev Palpatine, the Supreme Chancellor of the eventual Galactic Republic in the Star Wars universe.
Some other changes to their bylaws included added specific requirements to run for the office of Illustrious Knight Commander, meeting and event attire, as well as a resolution adopted by the members to submit a request to the Personal Representative of the Grand Master of DeMolay in Wisconsin that the Wisconsin Priory be made the official state priory.
Installing of New Officers
After Senate, Wisconsin Priory then took to the chapter room for their public installation of Officers. Put on by an installing team of Sir Knights and Senior Sir Knights, the Priory saw brother Ryan Thiele, of Madison Chapter, installed to the position of Illustrious Knight Commander alongside brothers Joe DiFrances and Sam Thiele who were installed into their elected positions as both Page and Squire Commanders. The other appointed members present were also installed at this time.
Dad Gavin DeGrave, Personal Representative, with State Illustrious Knight Commander, Ryan Thiele, the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Free and Accepted Masons in Wisconsin, Dad Robert C. Strader, and the illustrious knights of Wisconsin State Priory.
All in attendance were proud to see the work of Wisconsin Priory and their installing team. Greetings were given by the Grand Bethel Honored Queen of Job’s Daughters in Wisconsin, Alleya Ingram, Personal Representative to the Grand Master, Dad Gavin DeGrave, and the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Free and Accepted Masons in Wisconsin, Dad Robert C. Strader.
State Illustrious Knight Commander, Ryan Thiele, with Miss Wisconsin Job’s Daughter, Savannah Hart (Left), and Grand Bethel Honored Queen, Alleya Ingram (Right).
Wisconsin State Priory
As mentioned earlier, the Wisconsin Priory during their Senate, unanimously voted on requesting the Personal Representative of the Grand Master, Dad DeGrave, to recognize the Wisconsin Priory as the official priory for the state of Wisconsin. Before the proclamation was made during installation of officers, Dad DeGrave approached the East and accepted the request made by the members of Wisconsin Priory and officially made them Wisconsin State Priory. With that too however, Dad DeGrave afforded Illustrious Knight Commander, Brother Ryan Thiele, to approach the altar, where he then dubbed him the very first State Illustrious Knight Commander.
Dad Gavin DeGrave, Personal Representative, with Bro. Ryan Thiele, the first State Illustrious Knight Commander of Wisconsin State Priory
Dad DeGrave stated that he hoped to see great things come out of the hard work that the men of Wisconsin State Priory have already accomplished and thanked everyone for coming and supporting this new appendant body of Wisconsin DeMolay.