Participating chapters agree to be bound by these rules and hereby acknowledge that all decisions of the judges (members of the Grand Chapter Keystone Quest Committee (the “Committee”) or their designees) are final. These rules may be modified at any time and as necessary at the discretion of the Committee or the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of Illinois.

The Keystone Quest is a competitive proficiency test of knowledge on Capitular Freemasonry open to all regularly constituted chapters of Royal Arch Masons chartered by and in good standing with the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of Illinois. The Keystone Quest consists of matching 20 questions and answers randomly selected from a pool of topics on Capitular Freemasonry and related subjects.

A chapter must conduct the 1st Round of the Keystone Quest no later than 31 December, and return completed materials postmarked no later than 31 December. The top twenty-seven (27) chapters participating in the 2nd Round of the Keystone Quest must conduct it no later than 30 April, and return completed materials postmarked no later than 30 April. NO EXTENSIONS WILL BE GRANTED. MATERIALS HAND DELIVERED TO A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GRAND CHAPTER OR MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE WILL BE CONSIDERED POSTMARKED AS OF THAT DAY.

Absolutely no reference materials of any kind may be used in the chapter room during the competition (including, for example and not as limitation, ritual manuals, floor work manuals, encyclopaedias, history books, Masonic trivia books, almanacs, inter alia. Nothing herein shall be construed as to conflict with the customary and required placement of Bibles or other volumes of Sacred law (collectively “V.S.L.”) upon the altar, but the use of any V.S.L. as reference material during the competition is strictly prohibited). NOTE: unless otherwise indicated, all Biblical references pertain to the King James Version. No tape nor electronic recordings may be made. Members may use their own writing instruments and paper, or the chapter may provide these. A STAPLER WITH SUFFICIENT STAPLES WILL BE NEEDED TO AFFIX QUESTION AND ANSWER CARDS.

Any companion of a chapter, including plural and honorary members, are eligible to participate on behalf of that chapter. Visitors may participate at the discretion of the Excellent High Priest.

THE “SECURITY ENVELOPE” CONTAINING THE QUESTION AND ANSWER CARDS MAY NOT BE OPENED PRIOR TO STARTING. STARTING TIME BEGINS IMMEDIATELY UPON OPENING OF THE “SECURITY ENVELOPE.” STARTING AND ENDING TIMES SHALL BE RECORDED TO THE NEAREST SECOND.

Questions may be answered in any order once read aloud by the Quizmaster, and companions may discuss questions and answers in any manner they wish. A chapter may take as much time as needed to answer any question, up to a total of 20 minutes.

ENDING TIME OCCURS IMMEDIATELY UPON THE STAPLING OF THE LAST PAIR OF CARDS TOGETHER OR 20 MINUTES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. A round consists of a maximum time period of 20 minutes with no breaks. If a question is in the process of being read when time expires, the chapter may complete its answer to that question only. If a chapter finishes answering questions prior to the 20-minute time period, it should record its Ending Time to the nearest second on the Chapter Participation Form (GRAC-IL Form 501-E) for use as a tiebreaker, if needed.

The Excellent High Priest will appoint a Quizmaster (which may be himself) who will read the questions aloud. The chapter’s secretary (or an appointed substitute) is official Timekeeper and custodian of all Keystone Quest materials. He is responsible for completing the Chapter Participation Form at the time the Keystone Quest is conducted and for submitting this with all the question and answer cards for scoring. The Quizmaster or Secretary will attest to the date, starting and ending times of the Keystone Quest on the Participation Form and affix the chapter’s seal (if available).

The chapter must be open for a Stated or Special Convocation on any degree, and must be tiled while the Keystone Quest is being conducted. The same rules apply for tiling and access to the chapter room as during balloting. The Sentinel may tile from within.

A question is deemed to have been “answered” when a single answer card is stapled to a question card. No other means of attaching answer and question cards is valid (i.e., paper clips, tape, etc.) and such will not be scored (i.e., zero points). If a chapter wishes to change its answer, the cards should be separated by removing the staple, and another answer card stapled to the question card. Once the 20-minute time period expires, no answers may be changed.

Five points will be awarded for each correctly answered question. Zero points will be awarded for each incorrectly answered question, multiple answers stapled to a single question card, or unanswered questions. The maximum or perfect score is 100 points (5 × 20), or a “Rabboni.” If an error is encountered (missing or extra card, etc.) a chapter should note this on its Chapter Participation Form for consideration in scoring.

In the 1st Round, the top twenty-seven (27) chapters in the state will be designated Capitular Champions and mailed materials for competing in the 2nd Round to determine three Omnific Champions, who will then advance to the State Championship (3rd Round) held at the York Rite Sessions in July. In the event of tie scores in the 1st or 2nd Round, the chapter with the fastest time will prevail, followed by postmark closest to the date on which it conducted the Keystone Quest. Duplicate awards may be made at the discretion of the judges.

All chapters in Illinois will be provided (either hand-delivered by the District Deputy or other Grand Chapter officer, or mailed) a set of materials for participating in the 1st Round of the Keystone Quest following the Illinois Grand York Rite Sessions in July. To replace missing or misplaced materials contact: Grand Chapter of Illinois, ATTN: Keystone Quest, PO Box B, Hinsdale IL 60522-6002, or send an email with mailing address to: keystonequest@msn.com. A chapter is limited to using one set of materials per round annually.

Completed 1st Round materials, including the Chapter Participation Form, must be postmarked no later than 31 December for a chapter to be eligible to become a Capitular Champion and compete in the 2nd Round playoff. Completed 2nd Round materials including the Chapter Participation Form must be postmarked no later than April 30 for a Capitular Champion to be eligible to become an Omnific Champion and compete in the 3rd Round for State Champion. Chapters submitting entries postmarked after these dates will be deemed ineligible for that round of competition.