Meeting in Chapter
The Noble Company of the Rose, a dependency of The Augustan Society, Inc., normally meets "in chapter" once per year at the call of the Magister Rosae. These meetings have traditionally be held in person, and at the Chapel of the Rose when such exists. In 2015, after some years of no meetings, one was called via teleconference. (It is yet to be seen how well this works.)
Attendance at Meetings in Chapter are intended to include all members of the Noble Company. Knights, Dames, Esquires, and Associates are seated as voting members. Honorary Knights, Honorary Dames, and Associates are seated as non-voting members.
Those Knights, Dames, Esquires, and Associates members unable to attend are expected to send an "absence fee" to their church or a worthy charity. The Augustan Society has been that charity for some members in some years, but it is most definitely not a requirement that it be the charity selected. The amount of the absence fee is determined by each member, but is normally expected to be greater than the sum of Augustan Society and Noble Company dues.
No written history exists about the conduct of Meetings in Chapter, thus what follows is the proposal of the Rose Administrator. It is expected that this will be amended and approved by the Magister Rosae before the next meeting:
The meeting is called to order by the Magister Rosae who will either serve as the chair of the meeting or pass the gavel to another member. In the absence of the Magister Rosae, the Lieutenant Magister Rosae will preside.
The Rose Chancellor — or if he prefers, the Rose Administrator — will take such minutes as may be felt necessary. Such minutes taken by the Rose Administrator will be submitted to the Rose Council. Any report of the meeting to the membership will be the responsibility of the Rose Chancellor.
The Rose Receiver General — or if he prefers, the Rose Assistant Receiver General or Rose Administrator — will call the roll of voting members and report the count of those present and those eligible. From this may be determined the quorum, which is a simple majority of the voting members.
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 and email address to which votes are to be sent.
Election of the Magister Rosae requires a majority of the votes cast. As a result multiple ballots may be required. All ballots are to be destroyed immediately following the meeting.
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 they are installed immediately.
Other items of business that may come before the body are:
- Elevation of a former Magister Rosae to the rank of Magister Rosae Emeritus.
- Proposal of amendments to the Charter and By-Laws of the Noble Company.
- Adoption of resolutions to the Rose Council, asking them to consider various matters.
- Adoption of resolutions of thanks, commendation, etc. as may seem appropriate.
Note that authority for other matters of business, including action on the proposals and resolutions, are retained by the Rose Council.
Other items of a ceremonial or religious nature may also be included in the event at the discretion of the Magister Rosae.
