Council_Instruction

Grand Council of Instruction

The Grand Council of Instruction is the body which devises and recommends the ritual used in Knight Masonry so as to ensure that all aspects this ritual are communicated to the members of individual Councils.   The overall control of this Body lies with the Grand Scribe for Instruction, through him and his Assistant the overall maintenance of the ritual is achieved using a number of mediums such as:

Open Meetings of the Grand Council of Instruction: where members of Councils or Classes of Instruction will exemplify Degrees or specific parts of the ritual associated with this Order.

Classes of Instruction:usually organised in regions to cover where membership exists, these Classes meet with a view to rehearse the various ritual and ceremony associated with this branch of the Masonic Order.   The Class Leader will be an Elected Member of the Grand Council of Instruction and the evening will always ensure that the key officers of a Council are allowed to rehearse their respective roles.

Elected Members of the Grand Council of Instruction: these are Sir Knights who having gone through various examinations and exemplified their knowledge before the Grand Council of Instruction.   Their role is to actively assist the various Councils in the adherence to the ritual of the Order and they are of great assistance and guidance to any interested Sir Knight wishing to further their expertise in the ritual of the Order.

The Grand Council of Instruction
Open Meetings for the purposes of instruction where all Knight Masons are welcome are held in Belfast on the first Saturday of April (or on the second Saturday should Easter coincide with the former date) and in Dublin on the second Saturday of November. Additional dates may be held on dates and venues as may be arranged.
A Closed Meeting is held in May for the election of the Grand Scribe for Instruction and the Assistant Grand Scribe for Instruction. The business of this meeting is also to ballot for elected membership and to review questions on ritual and where appropriate recommend suitable amendments.

The Annual Report of the Grand Council of Instruction is submitted by the Grand Scribe for Instruction at the June Stated Meeting of the Grand Council of Knight Masons for approval; and is thereafter distributed to all subordinate Councils for dissemination to all subscribing Sir Knights.
The Grand Scribe for Instruction, V.E. Sir Knight R. Livingston and his Assistant, V.E. Sir Knight S. J. Clyde, are always pleased to assist in dealing with any queries on ritual.   They can be contacted as follows:

R. Livingston
richardlivingston@btinternet.com

S. J. Clyde
samclyde36@yahoo.co.uk

Council Classes of Instruction

Name of Class	Place of Meeting	Meeting Times / Months
Metropolitan	Freemasons' Hall, Molesworth Street, Dublin	7:30 pm on the 1st Tuesday 1, 2. 4, 10 & 11
*Contact Details:*	TBC
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Mid Ulster	Masonic Hall, Tandragee, Co. Armagh	7:30 pm on the 1st Friday 1, 2, 3, 10, 11 & 12
*Contact Details:*	TBC
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North & East Down	Masonic Hall, Saintfield, Co. Down	7:30 pm on the 3rd Wednesday 2, 3, 4, 10, 11 & 12
Programme	October: Enrolment and Knight of the Sword Degree November: Knight of the East Degree December: Excellent Chief Degree & Presentation of Officers February: Knight of the East and West Degree March: Election of Officers and open session on ritual April: Class Dinner and Scribes report At each meeting except April; the Opening and Closing Ceremonies along with the duties of the Director of Ceremonies will be demonstrated. The only regalia required by Sir Knights attending is the sword and belt. All Sir Knights are most welcome and we aim to finish the Class at 9pm. We strive to cater for all the requirements of our members and numbers permitting we have the ability to divide the Class attendees to allow simultaneous activities such as the Degree of the Installed Chief and the presentation of Officers to the newly installed Chief. The friendliness of this branch of the Order and the Class in particular is further cemented with all attending retiring for a well earned cup of tea and light supper.
*Contact Details:*	Scribe: K. E. Wray, 14 Grangewood Crescent Dundonald BT16 1GD Tel: 028 9041 0912 or Mob. 07788 925058 E-Mail: keithewray@aol.com
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Northern Ireland	Masonic Hall, Newtownards Road, Belfast	7:15 pm. on the 2nd Thursday 2, 3, 10, 11 &12
Programme	October: Enrolment and Opening and Closing Ceremonies November: Knight of the Sword Degree December: Presentation and Installation of the Excellent Chief Degree and Officers along with the Reception of Grand Officers February: Knight of the East Degree March: Knight of the East and West Degree and Instruction pertaining to a Council of Knight Masons; Election of Officers At each meeting the Opening and Closing Ceremonies along with the duties of the Director of Ceremonies will be demonstrated. The only regalia required by Sir Knights attending is the sword and belt.
*Contact Details:*	Scribe: J. Hughes 44 Ashbourne Park Lisburn BT27 4NS Co. Antrim Tel: 028 9258 3725
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Ulster-North	Masonic Hall, 11 Derry Road, Strabane	7:30 pm on the 1st Tuesday 1, 2, 3, 9, 10 & 11
Programme	September: Enrolment and Opening and Closing Ceremonies October: Opening and Closing Ceremonies; Knight of the Sword Degree November: Opening and Closing Ceremonies; Installation of the Excellent Chief Degree and Officers along with the Reception of Grand Officers January: Opening and Closing Ceremonies; Knight of the East Degree February: Opening and Closing Ceremonies; Knight of the East and West Degree March: Election of Officers and Social Evening Sir Knights attending are required to bring their own sword and belt.
*Contact Details:*	Scribe: H. Friar 3 Daisy Park Sion Mills Co. Tyrone Tel: 028 8165 8237