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Representative Teri Garrison's Trip to Scotland Click on photos to enlarge |
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| A Journey to
Scotland – April 9, 2011 It is with great joy and surprise that a person receives a commission as a Grand Representative. Most of us can remember the sheer excitement of that first (and sometimes only) commission. For me it was a dream come true. Even though I would have cherished any commission that now PGM Sister Billeta Swallow offered me, receiving Scotland sent me over the moon. And no sooner was the certificate in my hand when my hubby announced that we were going to Scotland. He didn’t have to offer twice! Because only the April session is open to all OES members we set off for Scotland in the spring of 2011. When I arrived in Dundee, Scotland, a beautiful sea side port town, nestled on the shores of the Firth of Tay, I was disappointed to find that our MWGM Sister Rennie Often had to cancel her trip so the American contingent that was supposed to be at the hotel, wasn’t. My disappointment was soon forgotten when my Scottish counterpart, Sister Betty Jackson, and two other, hugging and broadly smiling Scottish ladies showed up at my hotel room. The books I’d read on the Scottish reserve where tossed aside as joy and hugs filled the room. They wanted to surprise me. The real surprise was the dinner they’d arranged in my honor that evening. I joined a dozen wonderful ladies and gents in a fun filled, delicious, dinner at the Apex Hotel. Because Scotland is an autonomous jurisdiction, their annual meetings (and they have two of them each year; one in the autumn to work out legislative issues and one in the spring for voting and installation of the new Supreme Officers) are called the Annual Meetings of the Supreme Grand Chapter of Scotland. The spring meeting lasts only one day but the Scots know how to pack in everything and they make it an incredible experience. On average, 600 folks come from all over Scotland to attend. As I entered Caird Hall, a stately Victorian building in the center of Dundee, on the morning of April 9th, I was greeted by friendly faces, tartan clad gentlemen and ladies and Worthy Grand Officers wearing what looks like Masonic regalia. Wow! I was about to get a whole new view of the Order. I took my 54 page program, filled with legislative committee reports and a plethora of yearly information, and took a seat with the 10 or so wonderful Scots who’d adopted me. No sooner was I seated when people began approaching with hearty handshakes and Scottish gifts. No one does hospitality like the Scots! Things I found surprising and interesting - The Supreme officers don’t face the East in their Star Point stations (called Worthy Grand Points - Adah, Ruth, Esther, Martha and Electa) as we do here in Montana, they face the Altar. Unless the Most Worthy Grand Matron of the USA is present the Scots don’t do formal introductions. The dignitaries are lined up on the floor, greeted as a whole, applauded, and paraded to the east by the Worthy Grand Conductress and Worthy Grand Associate Conductress and seated there for the duration of the day. While we hold the attitude of prayer at specific times, the Scots assume the attitude whenever standing. The W.G. Conductress goes immediately and opens the Bible before any other part of the meeting begins. When addressed, the Supreme Officers are called upon as “Sister or Brother” and then their last name. There are no reports given of the working committees because they are in the program, so legislation/resolutions are presented by (and here’s a HUGE difference from Montana) the Most Worthy Grand Matron. It is the MWGM who conducts all business in the Supreme Grand Chapter. The MWGP is merely a support and figurehead for the Order. Because Scotland is broken down into districts, each has it’s own Worthy Grand Matron and Patron. It is a common occurrence to find a woman wearing the regalia of a Worthy Grand Patron as well. Two such ladies were seated in the East opposite of me. And all Supreme and Grand Officers wear Masonic style collars. As soon as Supreme Reports, Legislation and voting, lunch, the collection (their version of the coin march but with two baskets, one for the General Fund and the other for the Benevolence Fund) and voting for new officers are complete, the assembly goes right into Installation. Their Most Worthy Grand Matron and Most Worthy Grand Patron serve a two year term, versus our one year term. So when a new Supreme Grand Officer is elected into the line, which usually starts in the Worthy Grand Chaplain position, it takes 10 years to reach the top. That’s a lot of dedication! What’s comforting, amidst the unique form, protocol, dress and mannerisms of a foreign jurisdiction is the feeling you get when the meeting opens and it all feels so familiar. Even more is the universal love that is offered in our Order and the friendships that are created therein. I have new sisters and brothers that I will call friends, for life. Wrapping up a day, of what I deemed, a very efficient running of business and events, the members retired to their various hotels to don evening gowns, kilts and Tuxedos and meet for a mixer at the Apex hotel. Following the social hour we entered the hotel ballroom for a beautiful and festive evening of dancing, music, presentations and introductions, great food, and charity raffles. I was truly sorry to see it end. Oh, and don’t let the Scottish people fool you into drinking everything they send to your table with the admonishment, “ye aren’t accepting Scottish hospitality if ye don’t drink it”, or you might not find your way back to your hotel. (grin) On the morning of April 10th, the same group that greeted me for dinner when I arrived and a host of other members I’d met the day before, joined together for a final breakfast. With lots of email address exchanges, lots of hugs and a few tears, I bid farewell to some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. Please, if you ever get the chance, take a vacation to Scotland in April and attend the Supreme Grand Chapter of Scotland. You will find there, fun, friends and an amazing OES experience. For more information the website is: www.supremegrandchapterofscotland.co.uk. I’d like to say a very special thank you to PGM Sister Billeta and IPMWGM Sister Betty Spalding for entrusting me with this sacred commission. I loved every moment of it and will cherish the memories always. Sincerely and in Star love, Teri Garrison Grand Representative of Scotland, in Montana 2009-2011 |
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 Dundee, Scotland |
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 Betty Jackson and Teri Garrison |
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 Reception Dinner at the Apex Hotel |
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 Plaza surrounding Caird Hall |
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 The morning of April 9, 2011 - Caird Hall |
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 Caird Hall filling for the semi-annual meeting |
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 Some of the wonderful Scottish Sisters |
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 The Labyrinth and stage in the Assembly Room |
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 One of the District Worthy Grand Matrons |
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 Teri Garrison, Sister Christine Carmichael, MWGM, and Brother Alex McGregor, MWGP |
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 The Social Hour before the Ball at the Apex Hotel |
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 The Beautiful table decorations at the Ball |
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 There were Jigs, Reels, Line Dancing and even some American Country & Western songs |
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 Breakfast with new friends and a fond farewell to Supreme Grand Chapter |
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 The wonderful ladies who made me feel so at home in Scotland |
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