Alpha Omega Conclave UD

April 01, 2026 – Strathmore, Alberta Officially Instituted

Grand Imperial Conclave Institution Team

Back Row: Acting Grand Recorder – Kt Comp Brian Ireland [29]; Acting as Grand Prelate – Em Kt Comp Gerald Waldern [37]; Seated Left to Right: Grand Senior General – RIK Comp Peter Devlin [37]; Conclave Club President – MEK Comp Jerry W. Kopp [29] GCC & Grand Viceroy; Presiding MPS for Institution Ceremony RIK Comp Gordon Berard [29]– Alberta Division Grand Intendant General; Acting Grand Junior General – VIK Comp David Boone [29]; Acting Grand Viceroy – VIK Comp Wally Watts [5] & Deputy Grand Intendant General Alberta Division.

GICC Instituting Team & Kt Comps of Alpha Omega (AO) Conclave

Seated L. to R. GICC RIK Comp Gordon Berard; GICC MEK Comp Jerry W. Kopp; AO Appointed MPS RIK Comp Ron Johnson; GICC VIK Comp David Boone; GICC VIK Comp Wally Watts & GICC Ill. Kt Comp Donald A. Gillies: Middle Row: GICC RIK Comp Peter Devlin; AO Kt Comp Larry Watson – appointed Sentinel; AO Kt Comp Masons Dodds – appointed Standard Bearer; AO Kt. Comp Ken Robertson – appointed Viceroy; AO Kt Comp Brian Ireland – appointed Conclave Recorder; AO Kt Comp Darwin Durnie – appointed Marshal; AO Kt Comp Paul Caples – appointed Junior General; GICC Em Kt Comp Gerald Waldern; Back Row: AO Kt Comp Gordon Morck – appointed Senior General; AO Kt. Comp Tom McDonald – appointed Prefect; AO Kt Comp Calvin Shaver- Charter Companion; and AO Em. Kt Comp Bryce Dougan – Charter Companion

Group Photo of the Companions present at Ceremony

Events of the Evening

This event met with great excitement, we had anticipated larger group, this was not to be due primarily with a heavy snowfall warning and furthermore the organizing committee was unable to find a weekend that would not interfere with another Masonic Body. The choice was then made to hold it mid-week knowing that will impact the attendance. However, examining the above photograph of the group the event was well attended, and perhaps that was a good thing, as all the chairs in the Conclave were occupied. It is worth noting that the last Conclave Consecrated within the jurisdiction was Arbutus Conclave #40 on Vancouver Island in June 1998.

The festivities started out with a social and dinner, that was provided by a Companion and his wife, and after dinner some of us had to saunter our way upstairs to the Conclave Room. We do have a chair lift; however, it takes 52 seconds to go up and 52 seconds to return down, this would not have been the best choice if the assembly was to start on time.

The Institution Ceremony was conducted by the Alberta Division Grand Intendant General – RIK Comp Gordon Berard and his team of GICC Officers. Once in place, the appointed officers of Alpha Omega Conclave UD conducted a short meeting. It was announced that the Conclave has six proposals and if all approved, they would receive the Red Cross Order in September and likely, there would be an additional six proposals for the October Assembly. Good Start. Before closing the assembly each of the Conclaves represented at this Assembly brought greetings and congratulations. The last speaker was MEK Comp Jerry W. Kopp GCC – Grand Viceroy. He reported on the positive direction taken on by the Alberta Division Conclaves, where there is a continued growth and this could perhaps be communicated to other Conclaves within the jurisdiction on how they could improve their respective Conclaves. Good Leadership, good management of the Conclave and excellent ritual work no doubt will bring about stronger Conclaves.