GRAND PRIORY

A Grand Priory is established by Magistral Decree in every Country where the OBSS is permanently represented, and is headed by a Professed Knight who isnominated Grand Prior.

NATIONAL COUNCIL

The Grand Priory is administered by a National Council, presided by the Grand Prior and comprising the National Chancellor, the National Hospitaller, the National Ceremonist and all the Bailiffs in the Grand Priory. The National Prelate of the Grand Priory is ex-officio Member of the National Council. The main functions of the National Council are:

• to formulate a national programme of activities in conformity with theinternational programme drawn up by the Magistral Council;
• to co-ordinate the activities of all the Bailiwicks in the Grand Priory.

The National Council meets every four months and holds an AnnualConference in September:

• to review the activities of all the Bailiwicks during the previous year, asreflected in the Regional Councils’ Annual Reports;
• to consider proposals for future activities and to formulate a three year programme.

The National Chancellor keeps a written record of proceedings and draws upan Annual Report, incorporating a financial statement prepared by the National Hospitaller, for submission to the Magistral Council.

BAILIWICK

A Bailiwick is established by Magistral Decree in every Region where Priories are active, and is headed by a Bailiff who is confirmed in his Rank with the Grade of Grand Officer.

REGIONAL COUNCIL

The Bailiwick is administered by a Regional Council, presided by the Bailiff and comprising the Regional Chancellor, the Regional Hospitaller, the Regional Ceremonist, Cross Bearer, Sword Bearer, Standard Bearer and all the Priors in the Bailiwick.

The Chaplain of the Bailiwick is ex-officio Member of the Regional Council. The main functions of the Regional Council are:

• to formulate a regional programme of activities in conformity with the national programme;
• to co-ordinate the activities of all the Priories in the Bailiwick.

The Regional Council meets every two months and holds an Annual Conference in June, to review the activities of all the Priories during the previous year as reflected in the Priory Councils’ Annual Reports.

The Regional Chancellor keeps a written record of proceedings and draws up an Annual Report, incorporating a financial statement prepared by the Regional Hospitaller, for submission to the National Council.

PRIORY

A Priory is established by Magistral Decree in every Province with a minimum of ten Knights and is headed by a Prior who is confirmed in his Rank with the Grade of Knight Commander.

PRIORY COUNCIL

The Priory is administered by a Priory Council presided by the Prior and comprising the Chancellor and three Councillors.

The main functions of the Priory Council are:

• to represent the OBSS in the Priory;
• to promote the aims of the OBSS;
• to recruit new Knights and Dames.

The Priory Council meets every month and holds an Annual Conference in April, to review the activities of the Priory during the previous year.

The Chancellor keeps a written record of proceedings and draws up an AnnualReport for submission to the Regional Council.

GRAND PRIORY