Meeting in Chapter
The Noble Company of the Rose, a dependency of The Augustan Society, Inc., theoretically meets "in chapter" once per year at the call of the Magister Rosae. While it would be preferred that these meetings be held in person at the Chapel of the Rose, such is not always possible or practical. The 2021 Meeting will be held by videoconference, and this may become the preferred site, at least until a Rose Chapel is again available.
Attendance at Meetings in Chapter are intended to include all members of the Noble Company. Knights, Dames, and Esquires are welcomed, as are Honorary Knights, Honorary Dames, and Associates.
Those Knights, Dames, Esquires, and Associate members unable to attend are expected to send an "absence fee" to their church or a worthy charity. The Augustan Society or the Noble Company of the Rose have been that charity for some members, but there is neither requirement nor expectation that one of these be the charity selected. The amount of the absence fee is determined by each member, but is normally expected to be greater than the annual oblation to the Noble Company.
No written history exists about the conduct of Meetings in Chapter, thus the Noble Company today is faced with building on what memories exist in the minds of senior members.
The meeting is under the direction of the Magister Rosae. In the absence of the Magister Rosae, the Lieutenant Magister Rosae would preside.
The only item of business that must come before the body is the election of the Magister Rosae for the following year. Caucusing may be done at such length as the chair may permit. Voting will be by secret ballot when meeting in person. To preserve secret balloting when meeting via teleconference, an election teller or tellers will be named with a separate telephone number or email address to which votes may be sent.
Election of the Magister Rosae requires a majority of the votes cast. As a result, multiple ballots may be required. All ballots and records of vote counts are to be destroyed immediately following the meeting.
Should there be no Meeting in Chapter announced by 30 April of each year, or if the meeting fails obtain a quorum, or if they should fail to elect a Magister Rosae, then the Rose Assistant Chancellor will conduct an election by mail. It is recommended that such meetings be called between October (Rose Day) and the end of April so that the Noble Company's ballots may share a mailing with the Society's ballots.
The new Magister Rosae will be installed immediately following his confirmation by the Board, unless the previous Magister Rosae or Lieutenant Magister Rosae is elected, in which case confirmation may be presumed and they are installed immediately.
Activities of a ceremonial or religious nature may be included in the event at the discretion of the Magister Rosae, pending adoption of guidelines.
