By Terry Jones
MKPUSA Elder Chairman
So far in 2012, the international elder body (which includes the USA) has one newly certified Ritual Elder: Paul Carney from MKPAU.
We currently have 23 Ritual Elders in Trainings (RET’s) and 9 Pre-RET’s (men who have expressed intent, but who have not yet submitted a Proposal). This again is an international report.
The Ritual Elder Coordinator, John Lindermuth, of the San Diego center, surveyed the ritual elders last month concerning covering the expenses of RE who staff NWTA. There were 23 responses to the survey. Eight centers will reimburse RE Travel Expenses, 10 will not. 14 centers will waive RE Staffing Fees, 4 will not. John intends to ask the Center Directors for the non-responding centers to participate in the survey at some point.
During 2011, there were 9 Ritual Elders who re-certified in accordance with the 2011 Protocol. There were 3 who have re-certified so far in 2012.
The Ritual Elder Committee (John’s Court) has been finalized and consists of Allan Podbelsek, David Grocott, Evan Lasky, Gary Parker, Jim Fannon, Jim Finley, Jack Graff, John de Strakosch and Ralph Chumbley. These men are all USA Res.
There are no special challenges that the RE group is having at this time, although John anticipates that there will be many questions regarding re-certification as the year progresses. John plans a mailing to the Ritual Elder list serve reminding men of this requirement.
Just to remind, the Ritual Elder Coordinator is elected by the ritual elders. The elder chairman and the elder vice-chairman are the other two officers elected by the elder body.
In 2010 the elder body decided by a formal vote that the Elder Chairman need not be a ritual elder as it was historically. Terry Jones is the first elder chair who is not an RE. This makes the Ritual Elder Coordinator an even more important role for a man to play. John brings to the Elder Court the best understanding of the needs of ritual elders, the certification of RE and the challenges they face. Both Phil Wolpe and John Campbell are also on the Elder Court and both are RE.
Terry Jones “eagle”
Elder Chairman
