OPENING CEREMONY

Before opening, the officers line up at the entry to the room. Other Squires and Dad/Mom Advisor are seated on the sidelines.

The Sir Knight enters the room, escorted by the Squire Marshal, proceeding directly to the East. The Squire Marshal then positions himself east of the Round Table. The Sir Knight gives three raps on the gavel (***), all stand, and the officers march into the Manor Room in the following order:

Master Squire

Senior Squire

Squire Treasurer

Squire Recorder

Squire Chaplain

Junior Squire

They make a complete circuit of the room and form a straight line West of the Round Table, with the Master Squire on the North end of the line, the other officers, in the order of march, to his right, facing East.

Upon a signal from the Squire Marshal, (nod) the other officers kneel on their left knee with bowed heads (for about 3 seconds). They stand in unison. The Squire Marshal proceeds to the south side of the Round Table behind the officers, picks up the Master Squire and escorts him to the East, proceeding on to his station. The Master Squire gives one rap of the gavel (*) seating the audience, and the remaining officers assume their stations by the most direct route, but remain standing.

Master Squire:

Brother Senior Squire, who are the officers of the Round Table?

Senior Squire:

The Master Squire, Senior Squire, Junior Squire, Squire Chaplain and Squire Marshal, Squire Recorder and Squire Treasurer.

Master Squire:

Brother Senior Squire, who is the chief officer of the Round Table and what symbol does he keep?

Senior Squire:

The Master Squire is the chief officer, and he keeps the Gavel of Justice.

Master Squire moves directly to the Round Table carrying the gavel.

Master Squire:

What does his symbol represent?

Senior Squire:

It is a symbol of Leadership.

Master Squire places the gavel in the upper right quadrant of the Round Table, as it is in the Squire Emblem.

Master Squire:

Brother Senior Squire, what symbol do you keep?

Senior Squire:

I keep the Sword of Truth.

Senior Squire moves directly to the Round Table carrying the sword.

Master Squire:

What does your symbol represent?

Senior Squire:

That what is just, is true.

Senior Squireplaces the sword in the lower left quadrant, as in the Squire Emblem.

Master Squire:

Brother Junior Squire, what symbol do you keep?

Junior Squire:

I keep the Books of Wisdom.

Junior Squire moves directly to the Round Table with the books.

Master Squire:

Brother Junior Squire, what do your symbols mean?

Junior Squire:

That true leadership depends on Wisdom, Truth, and Justice.

Junior Squire places the books in the lower right quadrant, as they are in the Squire Emblem.

Master Squire nods and the three officers all do an about-face and move directly back to their stations.

Master Squire:

Brother Squire Marshal, you will present the Flag of the United States of America, and lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. (***) (All Stand)

Squire Marshal proceeds to the flag, removes it from the stand, and remaining in place, turns and faces the Round Table.

Squire Marshal:

Brethren, you will pledge your allegiance to the flag of our Country.

All:

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Squire Marshal replaces the flag in the stand, returns his station going West of the Round Table and remains standing.

Master Squire:

Brother Squire Chaplain, you will open the Bible and lead us in our Opening Prayer. Brother Squires, you will kneel on left knee; all others will stand with bowed heads.

Squire Chaplain proceeds to West of the Round Table, turns on the altar lights, opens the Bible to Proverbs, Chapter 23, and kneels. As the Squire Chaplain kneels, so of all the other Squires. (Use a Bible Marker to designate the place.)

Squire Chaplain:

Our Heavenly Father, we ask Thy blessing on our meeting. Help us to grow in wisdom, know what is true, and be just and kind to one another. Amen.

All:God Bless Mother, God Bless Father, God Bless the purpose of theSquires.

All Squires rise and the Squire Chaplain returns to his station, crossing in front of the Round Table.

Master Squire:Brethren, what did you promise as a Squire?

All:

I promised to be a better son,

And to love and serve God.

I promised to learn,

And to serve my fellow man.

I promised to seek the Truth.

I promised to be just and kind to my

brothers.

To all these things and more did I promise.

Master Squire:I now declare this Round Table open for business. (*)

ORDER OF BUSINESS

The meeting is called to order by the Master Squire.

The minutes of the preceding meeting are read by the Squire Recorder.

The minutes may be:

-approved as read.

-approved with additions or corrections.

Monthly statement of Squire Treasurer is read and filed for audit.

-(Master Squire so states).

Reports of standing committees are called for by the Master Squire.

Reports of special committees are called for by the Master Squire.

Unfinished or old business is next called for by the Master Squire.

New business.

Good of the Manor:

Honors

Birthdays

Sickness

Advisor Remarks

Closing Ceremony.

DUTIES OF THE MASTER SQUIRE

 To preside at all meetings.

Keep calm at all times.

Talk no more than necessary while presiding.

Have agenda for meeting before him and proceed in a business like manner.

Refrain from entering the debate of questions before the assembly. If it is essential that this be done, the Senior Squire should be placed in the chair. The Master Squire is not permitted to resume the chair until after the vote has been taken on the question under discussion.

Extend every courtesy to the opponents of a motion, even though the motion is one the Master Squire favors.

ORDER OF THE

SQUIRES

OF

THE ROUND TABLE

General Instructions
Parliamentary Procedure at a Glance
To do this … / You say this … / Interrupt speaker? / Second
required? / Is it debatable? / Can it be amended? / Vote needed
Adjourn / I move that we… / No / Yes / No / No / Majority
Call an intermission / I move that we recess for … / No / Yes / No / Yes / Majority
Suspend further discussion / I move to table the motion / No / Yes / No / No / Majority
Postpone discussion / I move to postpone the discussion / No / Yes / Yes / Yes / Majority
Give closer study / I move to refer the matter to committee / No / Yes / Yes / Yes / Majority
Amend a motion / I move to amend the motion by … / No / Yes / Yes / Yes / Majority
Introduce business / I move that … / No / Yes / Yes / Yes / Majority
Verify voice vote by standing vote / I call for a division or division / Yes / No / No / No / No vote
Take up a tabled matter / I move to take from the table / No / Yes / No / No / Majority

SQUIRE CLOSING CEREMONY

Master Squire:

Brother Squires, is there anything further to come before us? (wait)

None appearing, we shall proceed to close. (**)

Master Squire moves directly to the Round Table.

Brother Senior Squire, what have you learned?

Senior Squire:

My Brothers, I have learned that Truth is Eternal.

Senior Squire moves directly to the Round Table.

Master Squire:

Brother Junior Squire, what have you learned?

Junior Squire:

My Brothers, I have learned that Wisdom is Power.

Junior Squire moves directly to the Round Table.

Master Squire:

And I, my Brothers, have learned that Wisdom, Truth, and Justice are the Jewels of Leadership.

Master Squire nods, and all three officers retrieve the symbol of his office. Master Squire nods again, and all three officers do an “about-face” and move directly back to their stations with the emblems.

Master Squire:

Brother Squire Chaplain, you will lead us in prayer. All Squires will kneel on left knee; all others will stand with bowed heads. (***)

Squire Chaplain proceeds west of the Round Table, kneels and prays:

Squire Chaplain:

Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for the opportunity to be together. Help us to grow in Wisdom, to know that which is True, and to be Just in our decisions. Help us to serve with lives that honor Thee, and to be faithful to our Brothers. Amen.

All:

God Bless Mother, God Bless Father, God Bless the purpose of the Squires.

All Squires stand as the Squire Chaplain rises. He closes the Bible, turns out the altar lights and returns to his seat, crossing East of the Round Table.

Master Squire:

This Round Table is closed. (1rap)