The Allied Masonic Degrees are an invitational organization, and requires membership in the Royal Arch as well as the Symbolic Lodge. Membership is limited to 27 members in a subordinate Council. The presiding officer of a subordinate Council is the Venerable Sovereign Master. The governing body is the Grand Council and is presided over by the Most Venerable Sovereign Grand Master. Decorations are the Knight Grand Cross (KGC) and Knight of the Red Branch of Eri (KRBE). Meetings are referred to as Convocations.

Be it remembered that on August 5, 1933, this Grand Council took as its date of formation January 14, 1892, since this date was the beginning of the Allied Masonic Degrees in America with the formation of the Sovereign College of Allied Masonic and Christian Degrees at Richmond, Virginia, that on April 16, 1932, the subsequent establishment of a Grand Council of Allied Masonic Degrees of the United States of America occurred in Salisbury, North Carolina, and that the union of the two bodies was drawn up and entered into July 18, 1933, and was ratified by the North Carolina Grand Council August 5, 1933 and was ratified by the Sovereign College at Norway, Maine August 24, 1933, and became effective as of September 7, 1933.

The Allied Masonic Degrees are detached degrees some of which, many years ago, were conferred under Craft warrants and formed part of the then loosely governed Freemasonry of the period.

AMD Structure

Many of these detached degrees became dormant in some places, although in others they were conferred as side degrees. In time, the better of these degrees were grouped together in an organized body under the title of Allied Masonic Degrees. The degrees comprising the system in our Jurisdiction in the U.S.A. are the Royal Ark Mariner, Secret Monitor, Knight of Constantinople, Saint Lawrence the Martyr, Architect, Grand Architect, Superintendent, Grand Tilers of Solomon, Master of Tyre, Excellent Master, Installed Sovereign Master, Installed Commander Noah, Red Branch of Eri and Ye Ancient Order of Corks. They are conferred in the United States in Councils chartered by the Grand Council. Each Council is limited to twenty seven members, with two exceptions. One of these Councils is known as the Council of the Nine Muses and is limited to nine members. The other is Grand Masters Council, which has what is known as a roving charter. The purpose of the latter Council is to provide a place of membership in the Allied Masonic Degrees for brethren residing in localities where Councils have not been organized. Membership in every Council of Allied Masonic Degrees is by invitation, and is predicated on membership in the Royal Arch Chapter.

In addition to perpetuating these degrees, there is still another and equally important purpose. It is to bring together, in small groups, Freemasons who are interested in the advancement of all Masonry, preparing themselves to better serve the Craft through the medium of study and research. By limiting the membership in a Council and securing membership only by invitation, the result is a congenial group able to enjoy full fellowship when meeting together. Wherever there is an active Council of Allied Masonic Degrees, it exerts an influence for the betterment of Freemasonry in all the Masonic Bodies.

There is no intention on the part of the Allied Masonic Degrees to detract from any organized and established body of Masonry. On the contrary, you will find our members active, beyond the average, in all local Masonic bodies. The real purpose is to stimulate interest in Masonry in general and bring together in small groups those who are interested in the study of Masonic subjects. Thus they are better enabled to serve the Craft.

MINUTES OF TEXAS COUNCIL No. 335, ALLIED MASONIC DEGREES
Initial Communication, August 14, 1995
San Antonio Scottish Rite Cathedral

An Emergent Session of Texas Council No. 335, was opened at 8:07 p.m. by Reese L. Harrison, Jr., Grand Junior Deacon, with the following officers present:

(*-denotes new members as of August 14, 1995)

The following visitors were present:
Gerald F. Nowotny, PSM of San Antonio Council No.261, A.M.D.
Alexander E. Blue, PSM of San Antonio Council No.261, A.M.D.
Sidney Shaenfield, SM of San Antonio Council No.261, A.M.D.
Larry G. Wallis, SW of San Antonio Council No.261, A.M.D.

After opening an Emergent Session of the Grand Council of Allied Masonic Degrees of the United States of America the following individuals were initiated at site by Reese L. Harrison, Jr., Grand Junior Deacon, assisted by Gerald F. Nowotny as Marshall, and Alexander E. Blue as Chaplain:
Frank E. Draper, Jr. of San Antonio Chapter No.381 RAM
Clinton M. M. McKenzie of San Antonio Chapter No.381 RAM
Ronald C. Kinney of San Antonio Chapter No.381 RAM
James A. Rodriguez of San Antonio Chapter No.381 RAM

Following the initiation Reese L. Harrison, Jr., Grand Junior Deacon, assisted by Gerald F. Nowotny, PSM, Instituted Texas Council No. 335, Allied Masonic Degrees.

Immediately following the Institution, Gerald F. Nowotny, PSM, assisted by Alexander E. Blue, PSM, installed the officers of Texas Council, U.D. The officers installed are as follows:

The Emergent Session of the Grand Council of the Allied Masonic Degrees of the United States of America was declared closed at 8:25 p.m. and the Initial Communication of Texas Council No. 335 opened concurrently by Reese L. Harrison, Jr., SM, PSM.

Old Business:
None

New Business:
Sovereign Master Reese L. Harrison, Jr. made remarks appropriate to the occasion and edified the Council as to the history of the Allied Masonic Degrees internationally, nationally, and locally.

Sovereign Master Reese L. Harrison, Jr. then opened the floor for a discussion of the By-Laws. Clinton McKenzie moved and Robert Jett seconded that the Council adopt the Uniform By-Laws as provided by the Grand Council Allied Masonic Degrees of the United States of America with the following amendments:

Article I: The name of the Council shall be "Texas Council No. 335, its Jurisdiction shall be Texas.
(Moved by Clinton M. M. McKenzie, seconded by Robert L. Jett, passed)

Article III: There shall be 4 meetings per annum in the months of March, June, September, and December.
(Moved by Clinton M. M. McKenzie, seconded by Frank E. Draper, Jr., passed)

Article VI: The fee for investiture shall be set by adding the cost of the members aprons, jewels, lapel pins, ritual, and the annual dues for any given year.
(Moved by Robert L. Jett, seconded by Frank E. Draper, Jr., passed)

*Nota bene: a full copy of the By-Laws is included on this website.

A motion was made from the floor by Robert L. Jett that Treasurer Ronald C. Kinney be empowered to deposit monies with Texas Council No.45, Order of Knight Masons Treasurer. Sovereign Master Harrison explained this situation as necessary.

It was decided by a poll among the members present to set Wednesday, September 13 for the first Stated Meeting of the Council. The meeting will be held in the Albert Pike Lodge Room at 7:30 p.m. at the San Antonio Scottish Rite Cathedral. Members were asked to have in mind the names of individuals which they felt might be qualified and would be a benefit to the Council to be proposed for membership at that time. Membership invitations would be limited to Companions of San Antonio Chapter No.381, Royal Arch Masons.

Good of the Order:
Gerald F. Nowotny, PSM, made a number of remarks appropriate to the ocassion.

Sidney Shaenfield, SM of San Antonio Council No.261, A.M.D. encouraged all the members of Texas Council, U.D. to attend the open meeting of San Antonio Council No.261 which will be held on Saturday, September 5, 1995 at 10:00 A.M. at the Country Buffet on Northwest Loop 410. In his capacity as Secretary of the San Antonio Scottish Rite, Brother Shaenfield allowed the Council the use of the lodge room for the Initial meeting and first Stated meeting free of rent as a courtesy to a new organization. All the members of the Council expressed their gratitude to the Secretary.

Larry G. Wallis, SW of San Antonio No.261, A.M.D. said hello.

Secretary Clinton M. M. McKenzie received four checks totalling $476.75 which were handed over to the Treasurer Ronald Kinney, taking his receipt for the same and attached hereto.

There being no further business to come before the Council, the Council in its Initial Meeting closed at 9:05 p.m.

ATTEST:

Reese L. Harrison, Jr.PSM, KRBE Sovereign Master	Clinton M. M. McKenzie Secretary

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