Greetings Sisters and Brothers,
The session was held in Indianapolis, Indiana. Worthy Grand Matron, Shirley Moore, and Worthy Grand Patron Larry Crowder, held a patriotic themed session with lots of red, white and blue. There was a beautiful backdrop depicting the American flag, an eagle and the Statue of Liberty. There were a dozen painted portraits of chapter members who were in the military, going back many years.
The session was held in a very long rectangular shaped room. Instead of setting the room up longwise, the floor was set up on the short width of the room. This made for full seating on both sides but the view to the East was obstructed. There were two very large movie screens set up on either side of the East and the session was videotaped and shown on the screens. This made the East activities visible to all attendees as one could not see the East from the depth of the stage side back to the wall due to the screens. This also made the labyrinth shortened and narrow for introducing the guests and escorting them to the East.
The Grand Conductresses picked up the guests on the south side of the room. The Grand Conductress introduced the ladies and the Associate Grand Conductress introduced the gentlemen. The guests were then escorted to the East and the Worthy Grand Matron then introduced the ladies again, with full titles, and the Worthy Grand Patron introduced the gentlemen again. This was done for all guests introduced behind the altar. For those that should be introduced in the West, the guests were escorted in, stopped briefly in the West and then escorted to the East where the Worthy Grand Matron and Worthy Grand Patron introduced the guests. The Grand Conductresses only did the escorting.
After EACH introduction, the guests were escorted from the East with the WGM stating they would receive a gift at the back of the room in appreciation of the WGM and WGP.
The Grand Representatives presented a cavalcade of flags, introduced themselves at a microphone on the outside of the floor area, and retired. They were not escorted behind the altar nor were they given grand honors at any time.
The Star Points were introduced at the end of the Friday evening informal opening. They were all dressed in the same outfit, but in their Star Point colors. In Indiana, when accepting the office of a Star Point, you are agreeing to the fact that you may be elected to the line for Worthy Grand Matron. A special reception is held after the session, with the Star Point ladies and their PGM/PGP sponsors.
Only the Star Points are eligible to be elected. You can only be considered for election while you serve that year as a Star Point. A member has no other opportunity to file for elected office. The Grand Sentinel is appointed. He then automatically moves up to Marshal and then Chaplain. He is then elected as Associate Grand Patron and then Worthy Grand Patron. He therefore travels the four years with the elected Star Point.
Only Worthy Matrons and Worthy Patrons, Worthy Matrons and Patrons-elect are eligible to vote, along with the Past Grands. There is no all-member vote. Each chapter also has a delegate vote. The voting members wore colored ribbons or crocheted pieces in the color of the Star Point they were supporting. This was their form of campaigning. Elections were held for all Star Points. The lowest vote receivers were not dropped from each successive vote. All were considered until a majority was reached. That evening each Star Point held an individual reception in their hotel rooms, all planned in advance, in anticipation of being elected. Each room was totally decorated in the color of the officer. Grand Electa was elected and had an elaborate refreshment spread. The other ladies put on a good face in their losses and held their open houses too.
I attended the Grand Representatives Luncheon, the Past Grands Association Dinner and the All Member Banquet. In the first two cases, the events were held about an hour before the afternoon and evening informal openings. However, when it was time for the WGM and WGP to leave to open the session, they left and the activities of the luncheon/dinner continued! We remained in the banquet room almost an hour into the opening activities each time. When we finished the meals and program (such as the introductions of all dignitaries at the Grand Representatives lunch and the initiation into the Past Grands Club and Resolutions for the departed Past Grands), we then went back into the session while it was underway.
The GGCCMs treated the visiting GGC officers to a refreshment party after the informal opening. We had a chance to visit more one on one in a casual atmosphere. This is usually the manner in which we get to visit with the Committee Members at each grand chapter session I have attended. In Nebraska, we were treated to a pizza party at the local Chicago Pizza Roadhouse across from the hotel. Good eats!
All in all it was a good session, a bit different in their elections, but that is what makes it so interesting to attend other state’s sessions! As usual, there were no batons, altar cloth or Bible marker used. I have not found many grand chapters using batons outside of the Northeast.
Next stops, Oregon and Montana grand chapter sessions.
Until my next report,
Susan L. Thomas, Worthy Grand Adah
Pictures from Indiana Grand Chapter:
I also have a web site that might interest you. Check it out at www.susanlthomas.net. I welcome any assistance in this campaign and all ideas as we go forward.
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