One of the biggest challenges with degree work actually happens during
the day of the degree with the reception of candidates and observers
for the degrees. Many times, candidates are not secluded from members
and even allowed in the chambers where the degree is going to be held.
Brothers, this is not conducive to honoring the Pledge of Secrecy we
took in our First Degree. It is imperative that all councils and districts
comply with the following guidelines to prevent the possibility of exposing
candidates to the degrees before they occur.
Arrival Time and Location:
Each hosting council should have proper signage or have council members
available indicating where candidates and members need to go for the degree.
Councils should be mindful of the registration and start times designated
for each degree and should make every effort to arrive when indicated.
If a council or candidate is going to arrive earlier or later than noted
for registration or start time, the GK of that candidate’s council
should make the Host GK aware of the situation so that proper accommodations
can be made. Anyone, candidate or observer arriving late, without prior
notification will not be allowed in the chamber after the degree has started.
Antechamber:
The Antechamber is a room that should be situated away from the main chamber.
The antechamber for the degree must be void of all chairs and tables.
The antechamber should be a normal room temperature. Do not allow members
to enter the antechamber. They are allowed to mingle outside the antechamber
during registration, but should be encouraged to congregate with other
members who will be observing the degree. The Degree Team Warden is responsible
for ensuring there are proper guards at the doors to comply with these
guidelines.
Registering Candidates:
To help the degree team, it is acceptable for a host council to have a
registration table to receive candidates and check membership cards of
members. A sheet of paper to register candidates should be used to write
their name and council number down as they enter the antechamber. This
will help in ensuring all candidates are also separated from the members
and do not enter the chamber. It will also help restrict members from
entering the antechamber. The degree team can use the list of candidates
created by the registration table as well. All members must register
on a separate list and should note their current title or position if
they have one.
Priests and Degrees:
A priest or member of the clergy does not actively participate in any degree.
They take their degrees by observation only. They should be escorted
into the council chamber just before the degree begins. The escort will
announce their entry and the GK or DD will rap the gavel 3 times for
all to rise. Once the priest is in his position to observe the degree,
the gavel will be rapped 1 time for all to sit. A priest or member of
the clergy should have a seat where he can observe all that goes on during
the degree. Please refer to chamber seating diagram to see where the
clergy should be seated. In a First Degree, once the priest is seated,
he should be given his rosary and shown the compass and explain that
the candidates will receive the rosary and be shown the compass during
the degree. At that time, they will be given an explanation of each.
Degree teams should know the appropriate times to introduce a priest
during a degree. If a priest is present, either observing or taking his
degree, he should be asked to do the opening and closing prayers.
NOTE: Seminarians are not yet members of the clergy and take their degree,
as do all other candidates. Per Supreme, Deacons take their degrees as
candidates.