Greetings to All and Singular:
Once again our Lord saw fit to bless our endeavors in his name throughout 2007. We saw fantastic interest in the Order, on both the national and international level. Locally, we saw significant growth in Southern California. On the business front, we saw “official” government recognition in regards to our nonprofit status. On the Chivalric front, we received cross-order recognitions and extensions of friendship from several much older well established and respected chivalric orders. None of our successes were possible without the commitment and dedication of each individual knight and dame. The “big things” are most easily observed, but it is the “little things” we do that really shows people who we are.
Chaplain Dame Cheryl Lewis activated the Los Angeles Chapter web site for the Knights of the Rose in late 2006. I immediately began receiving membership inquiries from service men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan, to civilians in Lebanon , to clergy, police, and business professionals from all corners of the United States. Dame Cheryl didn’t relax her efforts there, but also did some footwork at home, organizing the Los Angeles Chapter and putting the Order’s name and values out in the public forum. Her efforts were directly responsible for bringing two very high quality individuals into the Order, who will undoubtedly continue to help with organizing the LA Chapter.
We received notification in January 2007 from the California State Attorney General’s Office that our organization is “officially” registered as a “California Charitable Trust”. In August 2007 we received a determination letter from the IRS which recognizes us as a 501 ( c ) (3) tax exempt nonprofit organization. This was none too soon in coming, since we began disbursing CKR~MOStM~ Bobby Clinton Scholarship Grants to worthy police and fire academy graduates last spring. The official nonprofit status was a long time coming, and was the direct result of many labor intensive work hours on the part of our finance committee, and our accountant Diane Green, CPA (Monterey).
Grand Master Spencer and Master Knight DeLong (GP of Canada) attended an investiture ceremony for the Royal Confraternity of Soa Teotonio, held in Utah on September 28th, 2007. This is a Portuguese Order whose Patron is Prince Dom Miguel, Duke of Viseau, and Infante of Portugal. Also in attendance were high ranking officials of : “The Order of Michael of the Wing; The Order of St. Lazarus; and The US Priory of the Templars”. GM Spencer and GP DeLong were honored to be invested as Knight Commanders in The Royal Confraternity of Sao Teotonio. This cross-order relationship will go far in furthering the tenants of Christian Chivalry.
Our 2007 USGP Investiture was held on November 2nd and 3rd in the Monterey/Carmel area. We were blessed to welcome five outstanding individuals into the Order. Joel Acosta of Clovis, CA; Michael Green of Long Beach, CA; Christina Perry-Dorsey of Highland, CA; Margaret Powell of Sparks, NV; and Larry Scarborough of Pismo Beach, CA. These newly invested knights and dames bring a varied spectrum of talents to the Order, ranging in life experience from Military and Public Safety Professionals to Ordained Ministers.
There were several recognitions during the 2007 investiture banquet. GP Kimball presented a "Grand Prior’s Award" to Chev. John DiCarlo of California. John stepped in to serve as our Treasurer Pro Tem, and literally devoted countless hours of his personal time to keep our books in order and establish treasury accounting protocols. Dame Rhonda Knox and Chev. Joe Rodriquez of Nevada were also recognized with a "Grand Prior’s Award". In addition to fostering growth of the Order in Nevada, Rhonda and Joe have been instrumental in organizing the USGP Investitures over the past couple of years. They have also streamlined the notification process for the miscellaneous social events we hold throughout the year.
On another note, I was awarded the "Knight Grand Cross of the Rose" by GM Spencer in concurrence with the International High Council. I am both honored and humbled by this recognition. The truth is that I could accomplish nothing, were it not for the dedicated knights and dames who surround me. I ask you all to pray that I might live up to this most esteemed award.
Lastly, 2007 was not a bed of roses either (no pun intended). We saw knights and dames fall into dire financial straits, lose friends and loved ones, suffer illness and injury, and hit rocky roads in relationships. Through it all we have triumphed. We’ve seen an outpouring of love and support to all the knights and dames in their times of need. The Knights and Dames of the Rose, brothers and sisters in Christ and Chivalry, have surrounded their wounded and provided assistance as they were able and as the Holy Spirit has directed. This is perhaps the most important message in this address. It is not the “high profile contributions” we see so readily, but the “little things” we do in our daily lives that makes us Knights and Dames of the Rose.
Looking forward to more blessings in 2008.
Yours in Christ and Chivalry,
Chev. Hank Snow KGCR, DSR, MOStM
Asst. Grand Prior-United States Grand Priory
Knight Commander- California