Inside Guard — The Door Officer (Inside)

Fellow Inside Guard — very short version

You stand at the door, inside. You verify that everyone entering the chamber during a business meeting is a Knight in good standing. You assist the Warden. That's the job.

The current Charter, Constitution and Laws (Order L&R §126 and §144) uses "Inside Guard" throughout — that's the canonical name today. Older bylaws or ceremonial references may still say "Inside Sentinel"; treat them as the same role.

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What an Inside Guard actually is

Per Order L&R §144 and the Method of Conducting a Council Meeting:

1. Stationed inside the chamber at the entrance.
2. Verifies entry — confirms that arriving members are current Knights before admitting them during a business meeting.
3. Assists the Warden with attendance, chamber setup, and ceremonial duties.
4. Coordinates with the Outside Guard.

Business meetings are closed to non-members. You're the last check.

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What you own

The inside of the door during meetings.

• Confirm arriving members against the attendance book (or by recognition if you know everyone).
• If you don't recognize someone, ask for their membership card. Supreme issues these annually.
• If there's doubt, hold them at the door and ask the Warden or GK.
• Coordinate with the Outside Guard — they screen at the outer door, you screen at the chamber door.

Warden assistance.

• Help set up and tear down the chamber.
• Help with attendance if the council's practice is to split it.
• Help during installations, Admission Degree, and other ceremonial meetings.

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What you don't own

• Anything during a social meeting or public event — your role is specific to business meetings.
• Attendance recordkeeping (that's the Warden or Recorder).
• Any financial or program duties.

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Fraternal year rhythm

July: Installed at the start of the fraternal year. Introduce yourself to the Warden and Outside Guard — you three work as a team.

Each business meeting: Arrive early with the Warden. Position at the door 5 minutes before opening prayer. Stay through closing.

Ceremonial meetings: Extra setup time. You'll often have a small part in the ceremony itself depending on your council's practice.

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Common pitfalls

• Not actually standing at the door. The role is visible by design — an Inside Guard who sits at their regular chair defeats the purpose.
• Letting non-members in because it feels awkward. If someone unfamiliar walks in, pause them and verify. Non-member attendance is allowed at some meetings (Admission Degree candidates, visiting dignitaries), but business meetings are closed.
• Not coordinating with the Outside Guard. If the outer door is unmanned, yours is the only check. If both of you skip the role, anyone can walk in.

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One more thing

Like Warden, Inside Guard is often a first officer role. It's small, but it teaches you the meeting's rhythm, the officer line, and the ceremonial vocabulary. Plenty of future Grand Knights started exactly here.

Stand at the door. Check the card. Assist the Warden. That's it.

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Source notes. Draws on Charter, Constitution and Laws (Order L&R, 2025 edition — §126 council officers list; §144 Guards duties), the Method of Conducting a Council Meeting, and standard KoC ceremonial practice. Send feedback if anything's off.

Last reviewed: April 18, 2026. Fraternal year 2025–26.