Diplomatic Society of St. Gabriel
Charter
ARTICLE ONE: Name and Symbolism
Section One: This organization shall
be known as the "Diplomatic St. Gabriel" Its motto shall be "Pro Deo et Mundo" (for God and the World) and its foundation
day is September 29, the feast day of the Archangel Gabriel. The symbol shall be angel’s wings, crossed trumpets
and on a globe, surrounded by an oval laurel wreath.
ARTICLE
TWO: Vision and Mission Statement
Section Two: The Vision of DSG is to
be a "dynamic international non-governmental organization of diplomats, consular officers and other international relations
professionals promoting global peace and development, and advancing the spiritual and professional growth of its members."
Section Three: The Mission of DSG is
to:
A. Further the vision of universal
peace, development, justice, cooperation, prosperity and brotherhood as embodied in the Charter of the United Nations.
Serve as a fraternal and professional
non-governmental organization of diplomats, consular officers and other international relations professionals.
Undertake projects in support of important
global initiatives including, inter alia, the advancement of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Inter-Faith
Dialogue (IFD).
Promote the professional and spiritual
development of its members and the diplomatic professional as a whole, through networking, education and fellowship activities.
ARTICLE THREE: Identity
Section Four: DSG is a member of the
International Alliance of Catholic Knights (IACK), recognized by the Holy See as an Association of the Laity. The Society
is guided by the ethos of Catholic Chivalry, whose principles are embodied in the virtues of charity, unity and fraternity,
as well as in the other Christian virtues. The Society endeavors to revive the noble spirit of the historical orders of chivalry
in the contemporary age. It is inspired by the Archangel Gabriel, God’s messenger and the Patron Saint of Diplomacy.
ARTICLE
FOUR: Membership
Basic
Guidelines
Section Five: DSG members are known
as "Knights." Practicing adult Catholic Gentlemen, who are diplomatic, consular, international civil service, international
business or other international relations professionals are eligible for membership in the Society.
Section Six: DSG members shall
give loyalty to the Association, and support its vision and mission. They will aspire to live lives of the highest and most
exemplary standards, as chivalric gentlemen and as agents for world peace. They shall regard fellow members of the Association
as brothers.
Section Seven: DSG shall not require
its members, particularly those working with a particular government or inter-governmental organizations, to undertake any
activity which may pose a potential conflict of interest between membership in the Association and the policies and interests
of the government or organization to which a member owes allegiance.
Ladies who otherwise meet the criteria
for DSG Membership may join the "Dames of St. Gabriel" (DSG). University or college students below eighteen intending to join
the diplomatic, consular or other international relations professions may join the "Squires of St. Gabriel" (SSG).
Degrees
of Membership
Section Eight: DSG shall
have four degrees of membership, from the 1st (most junior) to the 4th
(most senior), analogous to the membership degrees of the Knights of Columbus and other IACK member-organizations.
Degree's of Membership
4th The Grand Collar (Executive
Council) ,Supreme Knight (SK), Deputy Supreme Knight (DSK), Supreme Treasurer (ST) and Secretary-General (SG).
3rd. Degree member Grand
Cross (neck decoration) , star & sash
2nd. Degree memberCross and
Commander´s Star of the Order
1st .Degree member Cross
The Medal of Merit
ARTICLE
FIVE: Organization
The
Chapter
Section nine: The Chapter
is the basic unit of the Association. Chapters may be formed within a given metropolitan diplomatic or consular corps, international
or regional organization headquarters or other analogous institution. The Chapter shall consist of at least three officers, and be led by a Chapter Council of Officers consisting of a Grand Knight, Deputy
Grand Knight, Treasurer, and Secretary. Other officers may be appointed as Trustees with specific portfolios.
The
Region
Section Ten: DSG Chapters are to be grouped for administrative
and coordinative purposes as geographically-defined Regions. The Regions in turn shall have their own Regional Councils (RCs).
Their respective jurisdictions shall be determined by the DSG Supreme Council.
The Supreme Council
Section Eleven: DSG’s highest
authority is the Supreme Council (SC). It is tasked with providing overall direction and guidance to the Society, and shall
have the final say in the governance of its affairs. It shall have the exclusive authority to amend this Charter. The SC shall
consist of the Supreme Knight (SK), Deputy Supreme Knight (DSK), Supreme Treasurer (ST) and Secretary-General (SG). Other
offices may be created by the SC.
The
International Headquarters and Secretariat
Section Twelve: The seat of the SC
shall serve as the KSG’s International Headquarters (IHQ). KSG’s day-to-day operations and administration shall
be coordinated by the KSG Secretariat headed by the SC Secretary-General. The location of the IHQ and Secretariat shall be
co-located with the business offices of the SC SK and SG, respectively or other venues as practicable.
The
Chaplaincy
Section Thirteen: KSG shall invite members of the
Clergy to serve as Chaplains at all organizational levels, to provide spiritual and moral guidance. Each Chapter should also
designate a particular church or chapel within its diocese to serve as its chapel.
Affiliated Organizations
Section Fourteen: The affiliated and counterpart
organizations to the DSG shall include the Dames of St. Gabriel and the Squires of St. Gabriel (SSG) (for youth). The
KSG, DSG and SSG shall duly coordinate their activities accordingly at all organizational levels. The DSG and SSG shall also
be represented in the KSG SC.
ARTICLE FIVE: Activities
Section Fifthteen : DSG
Chapters shall conduct the following activities:
A QUARTERLY membership meeting / fellowship
An annual public symposium / seminar
on an appropriate diplomatic / international relations issue / topic
An annual family fellowship
A regular humanitarian / charity project,
in coordination with the Chapter Chaplain
An annual retreat and / or pilgrimage
An annual awards and recognition ceremony
Other activities as appropriate, with
approval of its RC
Section Sixteen: The DSG SC and Regional
Councils shall promulgate annual programs of activity in conformity with the Society’s vision and mission statement.
Section Seventeen: The SC and RCs shall
organize, as appropriate, international and regional general assemblies. Assemblies may issue resolutions on the governance
of the Society, subject to the approval of the SC.
ARTICLE
SIX: General Provisions
Section Eightteen: The SC shall issue
a comprehensive set of by-laws and directives elaborating upon the provisions of this Charter, and may amend this Charter
as necessary.
Section Ninetenn: The DSG formally
assumes its new name and this revised Charter on 29 September 2007, having been organized as the "Diplomatic Order of the
Knights of St. Gabriel" on 29 September 1996 in the United Nations Headquarters, New York City.
Done, in the City of Geneva, Switzerland,
on 29 September 2007
Supreme Knight; Ambassador Benjamin
B. Domingo, PhD,
frm Undersecretary for Foreign
Affairs
Deputy Supreme Knight; Ambassador Jaime
S. Bautista, LLD
Ambassador William Weiss, MA, JD
Trustee & Chancellor
Minister; Jesus S. Domingo
Trustee
Minister; Miguel R. Bautista
Trustee
Mr. Ramon Moreno
Secretary-General
