Board of National Officers*

Church Board of Templar Church & USA Grand Priory

1. Grand Prior: Bryant Jones

2. Grand Seneschal: Caesar Johnson

3. Grand Secretary:  Robert Zalner

4. Grand Commandant: Major Timothy Woods (ret. Air Force)

National General Officers (non-board members)

5. Grand Marshal – Lieutenant General Kevin Mangum (Ret. Army) See: TheKnightsTemplar.org/chancellor

6.  Grand Turcopolier: Trey Emery

7. Viceroy : Attorney Timothy Whitley

8. Grand Advocate: Tony Woodard

9. Grand Resourcer:  Lino Nevio Dijulio

10. Grand Scribe – (Network Infrastructure) Michael McVicker

11. Grand Treasurer: Deacon James McDonough

12. Grand Almoner: Donna Barnett

13. Guardian of the Temple: Donna Graves

14. Grand Communications Officer:  Prior Willard Carpenter

15. Grand Archivist: (Social Media Master) Richard DeFord

16. Grand Historian: Micheal Denton

…………………Deputy Grand Historian: Paul A. Copenhagen

…………………Vice Deputy Grand Historian: Daniel Clausen

…………………Deputy Grand Secretary – Ken Zalner

17. Grand Herald: Keith Menefee

……….Ambassador to Europe: Luis Antonio Colon-Arce

……….Ambassador to South America: Augusto Leon-Braga

18. Grand Sword bearer: Donald Thompson

19. Grand Standard Bearer:  Prior Mark Pica

20. Grand Video Director: Bruce Kaufman

21. Grand Draper: Prior Victor Reeves

22. Grand Scribe: John Bousquet  jfbdtp@jfbdtp.com

Templar Church Ranks

Bishop of Templar Church (appointed by Board) – Daniel Beach

National Chaplain: Jim Lanley

Grand Prelate: Lino Nevio Dijulio

Attorney of Templar Church: Atty. Bradford E. Cooke

Description of Ranks

Squire – A younger man or women, greater than 14 years of age but fewer than 18.   A future Knight.  At the age of  18, they will have the opportunity to petition to become a “Companion-at-Arms.”

Rules concerning Squires:

1) They must have a relative in the same state who is in or is also applying to the Order. Their relative must be accepted first.
2) They can never attend our events without being accompanied by their relative.
3) There will never be a payment necessary to become a Squire.

Companion-At-Arms – They wear the brown mantle with red cross.  An applicant of at least 18 years of age under a probation period before becoming a Knight. This probation lasts 6 months.  If the Prior accepts them, they receive their Certificate at the end of this period. If they are not accepted, their $65 is returned.

Sergeant – Sergeant – They wear the black mantle with red cross. All Sergeants are required to complete the Templar Academy of America Sergeants Specialized Training. After their 6 months of probation, all those accepted members become eligible to become Sergeants. A member will need to spend no less than 6 months as a Sergeant.

A Sergeant is a Mentor in the Temple. They strive to help their Brothers and Sisters along in their learning process. More is expected of a Sergeant than a Companion-At-Arms. There are 6 promotions available to Sergeants:

1) Sergeant

2) Staff Sergeant

3) Sergeant 1st class

4) First Sergeant

5) Master Sergeant- of which there is only one in the entire Order. The Master Sergeant assists the Sergeant Major within the Templar Academy Training Corps.

6)Sergeant Major- of which there is only one within the order. The Sergeant Major is responsible for Duties within the Templar Academy Training Corps as assigned.

Knight –  Knights wear the white mantle with red cross.  Actual Knighthood granted, and duty is expected to his or her community, and at a higher level as a Templar.  “Knight” is used by men & women equally. Christian men who reach this “Knight” rank are given the honorific title of Chevalier.  Females who reach the “Knight” rank are given the honorific title of Chevaleresse (or Chevalière). 

*No member may be promoted to Knight without being Knighted at an Investiture Ceremony, Conclave, or Field Knighting Service.

Knight Officer Ranks

A Knight Officer is the general category for a Senior Knight. They have gone above and beyond for the Order.  A “Knight Officer” includes all the below ranks:

Knight Lieutenant – The first level of a “Knight Officer.”  A “Knight Lieutenant” is a ranked Officer within a Priory or Commandery that is trusted for extra responsibility and duties.  They have demonstrated faithfulness to their Commanders.  They don’t have their own group to command but perform a function or purpose within their priory. Priors have the authority to appoint their Lieutenants.

Knight Captain – A Knight Lieutenant who has proven themselves as an officer and is being given more responsibility within the Priory.  Priors have the authority to appoint their Captains.

Knight Major – A Knight Captain who has highly proven themselves as an officer and has gone above and beyond.  They are being given more responsibility within the Priory.  Priors have the authority to appoint their Majors.

Knight Commander – A Knight who is given a Commandery consisting of at a least 5 knights besides the Commander (total of 6).

Provincial Commander – A Knight Commander is promoted to a Provincial Commander when he has proven himself as a Knight Commander for at least one year and has at least 10 members in his group. They are not independent and serve under the Prior.

Master Commander – A Knight Commandery (see definition above) who is promoted to act independently of any Prior over an entire state or Priory.

Prior – A Prior oversees a group of at least 30 members.  Thus when a Knight Commander grows his Commandery to that level, he’s eligible for a promotion to “Prior.”

Provost – A Prior who decides to retire but who wants to remain available for national assignments and leadership.  Provosts will server the Church Board and receive assignments from this Board.

Knight Grand Officer – High Senior Officer, usually a board member.

Descriptions of Ranks

Grand Prior

  • Oversees Priory, all decisions through Prior, and has right to veto a vote.  It consists of at least 42 members.
    Grand Prior writes all statutes, bylaws and directives for the Order.  Grand Prior shall appoint board members.  Grand Prior sets agenda each year to arrange administration with the Executive board and General board.  (See Executive and General board above)

Grand Seneschal

  • Deputy Prior, second in charge, can be active Prior if Prior is away.  The Grand Seneschal may also be called along with the National Marshall for purposes of opinions on future members, background checks, and applications.  The National Seneschal will assist the Grand Prior in Administrative matters.

Grand Secretary

  • The Grand Secretary records proceedings, attends all regular and special meetings of the Order, along with the National Treasurer can receive monies paid into the Order taking his receipt, establish an accounting system with the Grand Treasurer, which will account for, in detail, all the monies received by, or paid out by the Order. National Secretary/Researcher will assist the Grand Prior preparing an agenda for online meetings or conclaves, prepare a personal file for each member and their ranks, records, applications, dues, and conduct.  Dues will be monitored both current, and past due.   National Secretary/Researcher is also in charge of all grant writing. The Grand Secretary will be the third in line from the top.

The Grand Secretary will advise the National Almoner and the National Historian and work together for projects on:

  1. Fundraising
  2. Research on Templar history
  3. Future functions

Guardian of the Temple

  • The Guardian of the Temple is our marketing & Recruiting expert for the Order.  The Guardian of the Temple oversees each of the Recruiters of the Priories.   The Guardian of the Temple will create media to market the Order.

Grand Marshal

  • The Grand Marshall literally “marshals” the troops into action.  He/she acts as the tough authority figure that brings discipline to the ranks.  Appointed by Grand Prior to control and organize meetings with Priory cabinet, and other events.  The Grand Marshall is the sixth position of authority in Prior.  The National Marshall shall coordinate meetings  with the Grand Prior, National Chancellor, and National Secretary.  The National Marshall may also be called upon along with the National Chancellor for his discernment on future members, background checks, applications and other administrative matters.

Grand Turcopolier (AKA: “Turco.”)

  • The Grand Turcopolier is the sixth position of authority in the Grand Priory.  The Diplomat of the Order.  The Grand Turcopolier’s role is to settle differences between officers or members.  The National Turcopolier also visits the various Priories as a teacher and encourager.

Viceroy 

  • The Viceroy reportsdirectly to the Grand Prior as the Public Relations Adviser. The Viceroy will be studying retention and how we present/relate to the outside world.  The Viceroy will seek suggestions from the membership on how to improve the public relations of the USA Grand Priory.Although made famous by Star Wars, “a Viceroy is an official who runs a province as the representative of the Leader or monarch:” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viceroy

Grand Chancellor 

  • The National Chancellor is the ceremonial expert of the order who will be proficient in all things dealing with the ritual, ceremony, and rites of the Order. He’s an expert at Robert’s Rules of Order and is consulted on all things concerning protocol for the Order.  The National Chancellor needs to carefully study and know our handbook of rules.

Grand Treasurer

  • The National Treasurer is a position, which manages all money and revenue. The Treasurer reports to the National Priory all member’s current in dues, all funds received through fundraising or donations, and expenses authorized only by the Grand Prior.  The National Treasurer has the duty to deposit funds, account with a bi-monthly statement if requested by the Grand Prior, and a monthly statement of all activities whether requested or not from the National Prior. The National Treasurer must consult each expenditure with Grand Prior for written check permissions.  The National Treasurer also works with the National Secretary/Researcher on financing accounts and records.

Grand Resourcer

  • The Grand Resourcer us a prominent member of major capability which carries an inherent benefit to the Templar Order, actively engaged in service as a Templar supporting the mission of recruiting new members. The Grand Resourcer is an especially active members who is dedicated to infrastructure development or high profile networking for the Order. The Grand Resourcer is a guardian for preserving Templar heritage for the benefit of humanity. The Grand Resourcer in the OSMTJ-USA should be the Recruiting Grand Officer working with the Viceroy (Public Relations Grand Officer) to maintain a positive presence for the Order. The Grand Resourcer is also responsible for conducting training sessions to teach other leaders how to recruit and coordinate recruiting throughout the Order. The Grand Resourcer should work to provide the Priors with recruitment plans and media to help with this recruiting mission.

Grand Almoner

  • The Grand Almoner is the charities officer, the Knight in charge of the Charity work, correspondence, external arranging publicity, and in concert with Grand Prior, organizes events or needy causes for the poor, the sick, the old, the helpless, or other Christian needy causes.  The Grand Almoner will also aid the Grand Secretary in areas of grants and fundraising. Grand Almoner. The Grand Almoner will be in charge of raising money for Grand Priory USA at the times it’s needed. For example in times of crises and special needs.

Grand Historian

– The National Historian chronicles events and the history of the Knights Templar with Grand Prior and the National Secretary.  The National Historian is usually in the same town as Grand Prior due to sensitive documents staying in the local area.

Grand Communications Officer

The Grand Communications Office is the CEO of the Grand Priories newsletter.   Responsibilities include conveying upcoming activities and past events to the members.   The National Communications Officer may commission Reporters in each Priory to help him gather news as needed.

Grand Herald

The Grand Herald Is in charge of Heraldry for the Order and the assignment of Coats of Arms.  They rule in all matters concerning crests and seals within the Order.  Heraldry (/ˈhɛrəldri/) is the profession, study, or art of creating, granting, and blazoning arms and ruling on questions of rank or protocol, as exercised by an officer of arms.

Grand Sword Bearer

In future ceremonies and events, the Grand Sword Bearer will carry the Sword for all procedures involved in Ceremony.

Grand Standard Bearer 

The Grand Standard Bearer is the Acolyte responsible for carrying the Banner in the procession.

Templar Church Rank Descriptions

Bishop 

  • There is only one National Bishop.  The Bishop is a member of the clergy who is the highest ranked member of Templar Church.  He conducts religious services.  The Bishop of Templar Church may advise or offer Christian spiritual advice to Knights, or simple moral support in times of need. The Bishop is also charged with respect to all Christian denominations, sensitive and supportive to people during illness, grief and bereavement.  The Bishop will also advise the Grand Prior in future meetings/appointments/ as clergy in all matters.  The Bishop shall also advise and coordinate with Grand Prior as the Spiritual Patriarch.

National Chaplain 

  • There will be one National Chaplain for the United States who will be responsible for the Chaplains in that area.  The Regional Chaplain will report directly to the National Bishop and will carry out addtional duties assigned to him by the National Bishop.

Grand Prelate 

  • There will be one Grand Prelate for the United States who will be responsible for representing Canada in the USA.  The Grand Prelate will report directly to the National Chaplain and will carry out additional duties assigned to him by the National Chaplain.

Regional Chaplain 

  • Each region of the United States will be represented by a Regional Chaplain who will be responsible for the Chaplains in that area.  The Regional Chaplain will report directly to the National Bishop and will carry out addtional duties assigned to him by the National Bishop.

Honorific Titles

Knight of Justice (Black Pin) – A Knight who has demonstrated potential leadership ability.  They have been a leader among their peers in several situations.

Knight of Grace (Blue Pin) – A Knight who has demonstrated selfless giving to the needy or who has volunteered above and beyond selflessly.  Knights of Grace honorable action is more likely to be in Spiritual ways as opposed to the military side of the Order.

Guardian of the Temple (Red Pin) – Guardians are prominent members or have major achievements or capabilities who are engaged in active service as Templar Brothers and Sisters supporting the missions of Knights and Dames.

Monsignor – (pronounced [monsiɲˈɲor]; pl. monsignori [monsiɲˈɲoːri]) is an honorific form of address for those clergy in Templar Church who have gone above and beyond the call of duty for the Church. It is an honorific title just below the “Grand Cross” but only awarded to clergy of the Templar Church.

Knight Paladin (White Cross) – Our second highest honorific title.  Paladins were originally associated with Charlemagne. Like Roland, they were considered to be his ‘Greatest Knights’ and served as an idealized symbol of ‘Courage & Nobility.’  A Paladin is a ‘Paragon of Christian Knighthood.’ They are ‘Heroic Champions & Defenders of all that is ‘Good & Right.’ In the ‘Fight Against Evil,’ the ‘Paladin’ stands as God’s supreme & undaunted Knight -Errant. The ‘Paladin’ is the Noblest of Knights. The image of the ‘Paladin’ is indelibly linked to that of the Medieval Knight – the Supreme Hero of the Middle Ages. Clad in ‘Shining Armor’ (God’s Armor of Light), the ‘Paladin’ is the quintessence (the perfect example) of Gallantry, the Champion of the Powerless and the Personification of Courage.  They represent the loftiest standards of Heroism & Righteousness. The ‘True Paladin’ is Pious and Forthright, sworn to uphold a just Way of Life and determined to protect the world from the Forces of Darkness. The ‘Paladin’ is a Gentleman who epitomizes Honor, Courage and Loyalty.  

Knight Grand Cross (Red Cross) – Not a rank but our highest honorific title given to a Knight who has knowledge, and achieved duties above and beyond the call.  Usually a Prior.   There will be multiple holders of this title.