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.
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 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 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 and 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 the Meeting in Chapter fail to obtain a quorum, or if they should fail to elect a Magister Rosae, then the Rose Administrator will conduct an election by mail in the manner or recent years.
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.
Activities of a ceremonial or religious nature may be included in the event at the discretion of the Magister Rosae, pending adoption of guidelines.
