James D. Lamb, REGC
Good Sir Knights of the New Mexico Division!
This will be my final New Mexico Supplement. It has been an honor to serve as your Grand Commander for the New Mexico Grand Commandery of Knights Templar during the 2022-2023 year. There are so many Sir Knights to thank for all you do! I would like to thank especially REPGC Sky Olsen for keeping me in line and out of trouble, Sir Knight Harry Jenkins for all his Honor Guard work, our Grand Prelate, REPGC Adam Hathaway for the spiritual enrichment; and my institutional knowledge guys; REPGC Steve Balke, REPGC Dennis Detrow and REPDC Richard Butterfield. And yes, although he is in another state now, I did call REPGC Dion Newhouse. Thank you all.
One of my goals for this Templar year was to foster better communication and work among the six commanderies in the state. I had lofty ideas of creating chat lines and social media, however I believe I have failed in this endeavor. But, by luck, at least Shiprock and Baldwin commanderies communicated well and were able to have joint meetings. I believe it is important for commanderies to act as teams and work together for the good of the state. Therefore, making our fraternity stronger and something to be aspired to. I also believe that it was very important for the Grand Commander and the Grand Officers to visit the various commanderies to foster communication and teamwork.
Another goal was to do some in-house clean up. Some processes may have fallen by the wayside and our by-laws seemed to be jumbled as best, according to format and ease of reading. Uniform standards and tactics were also noted to be varied around the state. In my visitations, I presented copies of the Grand Encampment Drill and Tactics manual to each commandery. Having the manual and providing mentorship by Sir Knights who excel in ceremonial procedures helps solve any inconsistencies.
The third goal I wanted to accomplish was 100% participation in the Knight Templar Eye Foundation Campaign. Although we did not reach 100% participation, we did well I the campaign finishing #45 of all the Grand Commanderies and totaling $5,700.12 in total contributions.
As membership should always be a priority of any officer, it was another goal. The Grand Commandery conducted visitations in uniform and sword details for lodges in attempt to solicit membership. Seminars were presented at the annual MasoniCon and various lodges around the state to further Templar intrigue. However, as of the 69th Triennial (9/1/2021-8/29/2023), we found that the entire Southwest Department showed a decrease in membership by approximately 4% which was similarly reflected for the state of New Mexico (-3.83%).
Finally, I extend to each of you a very warm welcome to the 124th Annual Conclave of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of New Mexico on April 12th. That Friday will begin at 7:00am with a meeting of the Past Commander’s Association followed by the opening of the Grand Commandery at 9:00am. A Holy Land Pilgrimage Dinner will be held Thursday evening at the Ballut Abyad Shrine Center Ballroom, with all the revenues exceeding expenses generated going directly to help send ministers from New Mexico on the trip of a lifetime to the Holy Land. A Social Hour before dinner will start at 6:00pm followed by dinner at 7:00pm.
Be well! In service of Christ,
James D. Lamb, REGC