George T. Grier School of Ushering

George T. Grier was a man of integrity who could visualize, organize and supervise.  He hailed from Illinois and served as the first state President.  Brother Grier made numerous noteworthy contributions to the growth of the National, most notably the founding of the School of Ushering.  In 1948, with the help of the Illinois ushers, he gave a demonstration of church ushering.  Also, he designed the National Pin, wrote the Ushers Universal Manual and Handbook.  He offered a resolution that a National School be organized in 1951; consequently, he was appointed the first chairperson.  In 1952, when he was Chairperson of the School, 210 graduates walked across the stage to receive diplomas at the first National Graduation.  In 1955, he organized the 7:00 a.m. ushers' workshop.  These workshops teach ushers the silent uniform method of church ushering by means of signal codes. In 1961, in Denver, Colorado, the school was given the name "George T. Grier School of Ushering" honoring the man who had contributed so much to the department.  

The purpose of the George T. Grier School of Ushering is to promote one unified system of ushering as set forth in the Usher's Manual adopted by the NUCUAA, Inc.  This department is responsible for:

  *  Conducting a two-hour daily workshop every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
      and Friday at the seat of the National Convention.
  *  Conduct a Drill and Floor Demonstration  (State Competition)  Wednesday
      night at the National  Convention.

Training of all ushers at the seat of the National Convention and State Instructors.  There are three (3) books used in the training process.  They are:

  *  The Universal Church Usher's Manual
  *  The Technique Book
  *  The Instructors Handbook

One can obtain three (3) certificates in the field of ushering.

  *  A National Diploma from the School within their State, after attending school
      for an eight (8) month period of thirty-two (32) hours of class work, and
      passing the National Test with a score of 70.
  *  One can receive a Bachelor's degree by attending the Workshop at the
      National Convention for four (4) mornings for three (3) consecutive years, for
      a total of twenty four (24) credits.
  *  Also one can obtain an Instructor's Certificate, to become an Instructor.
         a.  One must have a National  Diploma from the School within their state.
         b.  One must work as an Assistant to an Instructor for one year.
         c.  One must work as an Instructor under the supervision of a qualified
              Instructor for one year.  Upon the completion of this third year, one is  
              eligible to take the Instructor' Test with a passing mark of 80.