After an active Royal Arch year, what next?
Holding an Active Office makes for a rare and special year – but what happens when it’s over, and the collar is handed back for someone else to wear?
That’s a question being asked for Lincolnshire’s Royal Arch active officers by the Deputy Provincial DC Neil Hollingsworth. He believes there should be more to it than just the one year of attending team visits with the Grand Superintendent, and is considering how the position can be made more special.
He’s working on a three-year project on behalf of the Chapter Focus Group, and is considering a number of options. All are based on the belief that having an active office is special, and what comes with it needs to reflect that.
“Appointment to an active office is a special event, and I have been asked to consider how to make such an appointment in the Royal Arch in Lincolnshire feel like a more special preferment than may be perceived at present.
“We hope to make the appointment to Active Rank more rewarding for the recipients, by giving them a vehicle to support the Province through their enthusiasm.
“Beyond team visits most active officers have no other official ‘active’ role. Although they can visit other Chapters in their own right, protocols of the Order don’t necessarily afford them any recognition in doing so as salutations are not given.”
Neil has no doubt that attending team visits allows new friendships to be formed, and is exploring ways that they can be maintained. He is developing a range of ideas for consideration by the Chapter Focus Group.
“There are already options available for enhancing the role, and over the next three years we shall work towards maximising those, as well as carefully introducing new ones. “I believe in the principle that an Active Provincial appointment is special, and will do my utmost to see that recipients feel special too.”
