Sovereign Military Order Ofthe Temple of Jerusalem

“The order recognizes the usual european degrees of rank, using the french title viz: grand croix, grand officier, commandeur, and chevalier. However, there is no further differentiation in any rank associated of type of membership in the order, such as of grace or of justice as occurs in foreign countries. In europe, of justice is reserved for persons of noble blood, of grace for those of non-noble blood. The order in the united states does not recognize these distinctions, which would be contrary to our american customs and established protocol. In the grand priory of the united states, as in europe, the grand prior is primus inter pares or first among equals who are members of the order.”

“B. Recruitment of new members 1. Membership shall be by invitation only, extended by a local prior after compliance with the requirements of article iii.a. And by approval of the grand prior.2. An applicant who completes the then current application process, as publishedby the order in its operating procedures, may become a postulant for induction as a knight or dame of the order, to be presented to the local prior for installation at the next convent of the local priory or to the grand prior at a grand convent.3. Any member who shall so request, or fail to discharge any obligation of membership for more than two years after notice by their prior, shall be transferred to inactive status by the prior of the priory to which such member belongs or by the grand registrar.”

“The sovereign military order of the temple of jerusalem. Incorporated (smotj, inc.) is an autonomous non-profit corporation first incorporated in the state of new jersey in 1962. All activity under the name of the order must be conducted in accordance with its grand statutes (smotj, inc. Corporate bylaws) through the grand priory by order and direction of the grand council. Priories and commanderies operate by charter from the grand priory and function as branches of the corporation. Priories and commanderies may not separately incorporate, andany priory or commandery that has incorporated must promptly notify the grand avocat of such separate corporate status and take steps to dissolve such status and operate only as a part of the national corporation.”

“990 and all schedules/financial statements provided to the governing body 2 weeks prior to filing”

“Governing board meets quarterly and reviews compliance”

“All financial documents and tax returns are made available to our membership at all times on our website and to the public upon request.”

“Adjustment to reconcile 30+ priories and gpusa”

“Donations to supported 501(c)3”