3rd April 2020

Dear Sisters and Brothers

MANAGEMENT OF OUR ORDER THROUGH THE SOCIAL DISTANCING PERIOD

We, the Most Worthy Grand Matron Sister Blanche Watt and Most Worthy Grand Patron Brother Paul Smith are keenly sensitive to the difficulties our Order and Members are facing during these difficult times.  To assist with ensuring routine matters are dealt with in a timely manner, these instructions are to empower each Level to conduct their business by using the internet to conduct Committee Meetings.  No Regular or Special Meetings are to be conducted over the internet or virtual network or by telephone where Members do not have access to computer forms of contact.

The Affairs of The United Grand Chapter of Australia will be in accordance with Law U.29.  The MWGM and MWGP when required will request the Worthy Grand Secretary to communicate via email to the relevant United Grand Committee and on receipt of an affirmative majority of the quorum will draft a response for the approval of the MWGM and MWGP.

The Offices of the Worthy Grand Secretary, Worthy Grand Treasurer, Worthy Grand Supplies Officer, Worthy Grand Registrar and Worthy Grand Sessions Co-ordinator remain open.

Grand Chapters may conduct any Grand Committee meeting via Skype, Zoom or other electronic software or via email.  The quorums for each Grand Committee will be dictated by each Grand Chapter’s Bye-Laws.

District Grand Committees may conduct their Committee meeting via Skype, Zoom or other electronic software or via email.  The quorums for each District Grand Committee will be dictated by their Bye-Laws.

Chapters may conduct their Committee Meeting via Skype, Zoom or other electronic software or via email.  The quorums for each Committee will be dictated by the relevant UGCA Law.

All Minutes of the Committee Meetings to show the means of communication i.e. Skype with Worthy Matron, Worthy Patron, Associate Matron, Associate Patron and Telephone with Secretary, Treasurer, Conductress.

The re-scheduling of Official Visits and Inspection of Records by Governing Levels will be a matter for the relevant Governing Level Presiding Officers and Grand Chapter, District Grand Committee and Chapter concerned.

These Instructions and empowerment will remain in force until the Federal Government social distancing guidelines are lifted.

Yours in Star Friendship

Blanche Watt – Most Worthy Grand Matron
Paul Smith – Most Worthy Grand Patron                                                      Elizabeth Taylor – Worthy Grand Secretary