Page 10 - Sojourner Newsletter-WINTER 2021-2022

10 THE SOJOURNER

H I S T O R I A N’ S CORNER (NSI)

Emeritus Status
Edward W. Nolte, Acting National Historian
This article (#1 in my series of NHist articles), details the history of emeritus status within National Sojourn-
ers® and how its definition, rights, and prerogatives have changed over time.

Emeritus was first associated with Bro. COL Christopher Van Deventer, 33°, as National Commander Emeri-
tus (1930), N1VP (1924-27), N2VP (1923-24), and the second LOH recipient (1962). While Bro. Van
Deventer is listed in the Staff Directory on the PNC List, he was elected National Commander Emeritus for
life, not a Past National Commander.

The next reference to Emeritus was for Bro. COL Alfred C. Oliver, National Chaplain Emeritus (1943). He
was held in a Japanese Prison Camp during World War II from 1943-45 and served for 12 years as National
Chaplain (1928-30 & 1933-43).

The most distinguished Emeritus Member was arguably Bro. MG Amos A. Fries, 33°, NP (1922-30), Nation-
al Trustee (1931-63), Honorary National Commander (1936), and Chairman of the Executive Committee
(1942-46) during World War II, when the national emergency prevented Delegates from attending National
Conventions. The Executive Committee enabled continuity of operations (Resolutions and Annual Budget)
and continuity of leadership (electing officers).

These three Sojourners and Heroes of ’76 were declared Emeritus Members, but Emeritus Status did not offi-
cially exist until 1948, when the Committee of 33 established the status for its nine-year members, which al-
lowed them to vote within and continue to serve on the Committee of 33.
Resolutions 1963-03 and 1963-04 enabled Trustees and Committee of 33 members to continue to actively
serve as Emeritus Members. Actually at that point, MG Fries had served actively as a Trustee for 32 years, so
this was really authorization of a standard practice.

Resolution 1965-01 designated Emeritus Members as National Officers, but it did not give them the right to
vote. This was the first Order-wide approval of Emeritus Status.
Resolution 1966-04 proposed giving Emeritus Members the right to vote but was disapproved.

Resolution 1968-22 gave Emeritus Members the right to vote, and revoked their right to vote within the body
in which they earned Emeritus Status. At the time, they were known as Emeritus Committee of 33 or Emeritus
National Trustees.

Resolution 1969-16 proposed giving Emeritus Members the right to vote in the bodies they earned Emeritus
Status but was disapproved.

Resolution 1975-10 prohibited Emeritus Status for Past National Presidents and Past National Commanders
and removed the source of the Emeritus Status. Resolution 1975-10c further specified that Emeritus Status
was for elective service only, not appointive service.

In 1988, apparently the source of the Emeritus Status continued to be used because the Bro. CDR John S.
Henderson directed that a member no longer be known as Emeritus Committee of 33 and be known as Emeri-
tus only, which the National Convention re-approved and revalidated.
Resolution 2004-07 approved Past National Presidents, Past National Commanders, and all, who have served
for nine years in elected office, to become Emeritus Members without a source.

Emeritus Status has, thus, evolved from its unofficial origin for our Emeritus National Commander to today’s
definition, which includes 1) being a National Officer, 2) having the right to vote, 3) serving nine years in any
elected position(s), 4) not including the source in the title, and 5) no longer being able to serve in the source of
one’s Emeritus Status.