S.K. Jay P. Kennedy

I believe that I have the vision, motivation and support to successfully contribute to the leadership of this Grand Encampment. Yet, vision and desire to lead must be combined with the skills and abilities to lead an organization like our Order. So, what qualifies me to be your next Grand Captain General?

****

Most Masonic resumes are a collection of positions held yet they lack insight into what was actually accomplished while leading. Throughout my Templar journey I have been able to make substantial contributions to the administration and operation of my Commandery, Grand Commandery and Department. The results of my efforts demonstrate my capability to lead and manage the affairs of the Order, including:

- As Commander of Detroit Commandery No. 1, I instituted operational and structural changes to our Hospitaliers committee to realign the organization with its stated purpose and goals and preserving the reminder of its permanent fund (currently near $200,000 in value).

- As Commander of Detroit Commandery No. 1, I completed a comprehensive review of our bylaws, authoring revisions and additions that aligned our bylaws with those of the Grand Commandery and Grand Encampment, eliminated outdated or redundant provisions, and empowered the leadership of the Commandery to support the Sir Knights across all aspects of the Order.

- As a Grand Commandery officer in Michigan, I assisted and lead the writing and revision of numerous sections of Grand Commandery law, removing outdated materials, aligning out state statutes with Grand Encampment law, and expanding our bylaws to reflect the current state of Templar Masonry within the state. 

- As Deputy Grand Commander I lead the development of a 5-year strategic plan for the Grand Commandery, a plan which was launched when I became Grand Commander. The plan continues to help guide the actions of the current Michigan Grand Commandery officers.

- As Grand Commander of Michigan I continued support for an ad hoc committee on Templar Education that was begun by my predecessor and proposed the legislation to make it a permanent committee. I also created an ad hoc committee on suicide awareness and prevention to support the Sir Knights of Michigan Masonically and personally.

- As the East Central Department Commander for the Grand Encampment I brought new instructional sessions to the Department Conference to provide Sir Knights valuable skills and practical lessons beyond those included in the department program developed by the Grand Encampment. 

- As East Central Department Commander I am bringing the Department into the 21st century having launched an online registration and payment process for the conference, and building a soon-to-be-launched Department website to provide a better overall experience for the Sir Knights of the Department.

*****

*****

*****