Membership

Membership

Membership in the Order requires that the candidate be a Christian of any denomination, and is by invitation only. The principal focus in selecting members is good character, accomplishments in life and obvious commitment to the ideals of the Order. A candidate’s involvement in other charitable, military, religious and hereditary organizations provide a means of assessing a candidates eligibility, as does his or her professional and social accomplishments. The Order selects only those men and women who deport themselves in an honorable and chivalrous manner, who will be committed to the Order’s values and precepts and who are ecumenical in thought.

Application for membership originates at the Priory level. The sponsors for any candidate must be active members of the Priory and must know the candidate so as to recommend the candidate to the Priory without hesitation. The sponsors should initially present the name of a prospective member to the Priory Membership Committee with background information about the candidate, and at the earliest opportunity introduce the candidate to members of the Membership Committee. The Membership Committee will then review the information and if a favorable consideration is reached, the Prior will issue a formal invitation to affiliate and forward an application to the perspective member. The completed application and supporting documents are returned to the Prior for approval, accompanied by a passage fee. The application must be approved by both the Prior and the Grand Prior.

Each American Knight and Dame is to have only one principal Priory or Commandery. Knights and Dames may transfer their principal Priory/Commandery if they desire; however such action must be acknowledged by both the losing and receiving Priories and notice sent to the Grand Secretary for Membership. A form to accomplish this may be requested from the Prior of the receiving Priory.