6. The Louisiana Freemason Spring 2020 Issue by Grand Lodge of Louisiana WM: "The brethren of ____________ Lodge No. These rules supersede the adopted parliamentary authority. I've never see a script or outline, but it should proceed as follows: That sounds like the CA required verbiage. endstream endobj 34 0 obj <>>>/Metadata 18 0 R/Pages 31 0 R/Type/Catalog>> endobj 35 0 obj <>/ExtGState<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text]>>/Rotate 0/Type/Page>> endobj 36 0 obj <>stream An election is really nothing more than the handling of an assumed motion, with the question being on whom to elect to fill a position. The brother responds. Jewels of Masonic Secretary The Secretary's official duties include issuing the summons (a formal notice of an impending meeting, with time, date and agenda), recording meeting minutes, completing statistical returns to the Grand Lodge, and advising the Worshipful Master on matters of procedure. cubes in the box. %`y`aSW2.9]!BBI This method requires more time for the election process, making it probably best limited to smaller groups. The Senior Deacon presents the ballot to each officer If the bylaws specifically address this situation, members should follow the bylaws. If a member is not present to choose which office he or she wants to serve, the members vote on which office they want him or her to serve. The only way you can vote against a candidate is to vote for another person. 5 0 obj 13 0 obj APPOINTMENT. In Texas, per Art. distribute the ballots for the first position to be voted upon. Freemasons explain the rituals and benefits of membership If no candidate is found, the committee can leave that slot open for nominations from the floor. That job belongs to the presiding officer, who reads the report again to the members, concluding with a formal declaration of the result. Welcome | Grand Lodge of NC Members should be alert to some undemocratic political practices in organizations. 234 0 obj <> endobj When presenting the nominations or taking the vote for a list of offices, the president should follow the order of offices that appears in the bylaws. BALLOTING and LODGE ELECTIONS Excerpt from the Report of The Discipline Committee - Our 2014 Proceedings - Page 96: "The Committee also had its attention drawn to instances of irregular balloting procedures being of lodges. If polling is conducted outside of a meeting, members should verify their credentials with election officials when casting their votes at the polls, and members' names should be checked on a list showing who has voted. ballot closed." Election Master/Judge parliamentary procedure - My Freemasonry Nominees do not have to leave the room during the nominations, when the vote is taken, or when the vote is counted. 15 0 obj 11 0 obj [Feedback]. ballot drawer is empty and that there are both white balls and black 4. If officers assume their duties immediately after the meeting is adjourned, it is then too late to question the election. Adam is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in Pennsylvania and is employed as a Senior Manager of International Tax in Latrobe, PA. salute with the Worshipful Master. In a ballot vote, after the ballot counters have collected all the ballots, a member can make the motion to adjourn. endobj It has its own identity and recognition and carries with it the title of "Past Master". The Politics of Freemasonry | Freemason Information If a marked ballot is folded together with a blank ballot, the marked ballot counts as one legal vote, and the blank ballot is considered scrap paper. Each incoming class of three shall consist of the incoming Junior Warden of the lodge (which has its own bylaws), and. elected (rejected) Mister ___________ for the degrees of Freemasons meet in a temple, which they call a "lodge", as that is where ancient stonemasons met when working on a church or cathedral Lodges are grouped by region, roughly in line with the old. The Senior Deacon presents the ballot for examination Persons serving on the committee can be nominated for office. A person can nominate himself or herself. collectively, and in the case of one blackball appearing therein it It is considered a faux pas to cross . In Kentucky, the individual is normally sent a certified letter. A motion to open nominations, when made by a member, is usually a motion to reopen nominations after they have been closed. 705 South Hercules Avenue. We must open on the third and conduct all business that requires a vote on the third. Some Lodges have their bills paid automatically each month electronically, such as for utilities and telephones for example. He or she should present it to the assembly to decide what to do with the vote - whether to count it and toward what name to credit the vote. All business is done in a MM lodge. Conducting Local Union Officer Elections | U.S. Department of Labor REG. Officers Duties and Responsibilities . <> [What is Freemasonry] [Leadership appears the ballot shall be immediately retaken, and if a blackball *(cM YiVo~r049>Kwz,8*#]qVLB`l:HM\7Gj#?#PV(F"y@f4 @hbe2q&8%RYcM`uU;ap10n The best thing an organization can do is adopt rules that tell how to proceed if a member challenges an election or if a person is illegally elected to office and has begun to serve. The Senior Deacon then takes up a We can only drop to a different degree once we conclude that portion of the meeting. For the qualifications of candidates in order to join a Masonic Lodge in Texas there are a series of "Freemason requirements". the Senior Warden hands each ballot to the Junior Warden who announces A ballot shall be taken for the three degrees 6 0 obj . Some Lodges 2017 2 PREFACE This Manual has been assembled to enable Brethren to better understand the laws, customs, programs and procedures of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, a Masonic District and their Lodge. ", JW: "Fair (cloudy) in the South, Worshipful. % In balloting on a petition for affiliation, if one blackball By-Laws | District Grand Lodge of Jamaica & the Cayman Islands The Senior Deacon obtains the ballot box and presents ", SW: "Clear (dark) in the West, Worshipful. Organizations can create and write election rules to correct this mistake. When the nominations stop, the chair just declares nominations closed after making sure that no more nominations are forthcoming. I /8ZzeL%kxF~/a&MBkd/cK"zBARqG(/%:}4Q;l@)R^M,s;p Rx P~DV(GR,&Gj;v}yh/5F3ibD,eZJ endobj Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox! Freemasonry, the teachings and practices of the fraternal (men-only) order of Free and Accepted Masons, the largest worldwide secret societyan oath-bound society, often devoted to fellowship, moral discipline, and mutual assistance, that conceals at least some of its rituals, customs, or activities from the public (secret societies do not As each nomination is received (assuming multiple candidates), ask each nominee "If elected, are you willing to serve?" West and bright (black) in the East. His term expires July, 2014.". hbbd``b`$+@9`~ $U@ AL Abo;I0 V!$B How to Conduct an Election of Officers (with Pictures) - wikiHow It's used in the vast majority of situations in which members elect their officers at a meeting. <>/ExtGState<>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 595.44 841.92] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> endobj PDF The Grand Lodge of PDF Election of Lodge Officers Handbook - mdmoose.org The process of making floor nominations is subject to the following rules: Recognition by the chair is not required to make a nomination. If members question the validity of an election or the procedure in taking the vote, a member should make a motion to recount the votes within a reasonably brief time after the president announces the election outcome. Election of Master and Treasurer 36 Exclusion under Rule 181 Procedures to be carried out 31,32 Files To be kept 5 Foreword 2 Forms Grand Lodge 5 Grand Rank Procedure 33 Hall Stone Jewel When it can be worn 18 Honorary Membership Disabilities, Election, Status 13 Installation Night Toast 19 Leaflets Information 5 The election of lodge officers is an annual event, specified in the lodge bylaws. Robert's Rules on elections are very straightforward after what is often a politically charged prequel of nominating and campaigning. The requirement for election by ballot is a majority, and a candidate has no obligation to withdraw just because he polls low numbers. However, we open the Lodge on the 3rd then call to refreshment, invite everyome in, after the ceremony the WM closes without form. If a person has been nominated to more than one office and is elected to two offices, he or she can choose which office he or she wants. endobj * It is important to remember that once someone is elected, the election can't be rescinded unless there is some provision for it in the bylaws. When it comes to ballot elections, your election isn't complete until a position is filled, and a position is never filled until a candidate receives the threshold number of votes required for election. WM: "Brother Junior Warden, how stands the ballot in If your assembly's members are accountable to a constituency, your rules may require you to conduct your elections by roll-call vote. <> Past Masters have a standing in Masonic Law; certain duties may be assigned to them. Yes, every year Masonic Lodges do have elections. 3 ways to keep your Masonic Lodge from closing its doors Tradition holds that the Master of the lodge appoint a committee of three (usually Past Masters) to serve as a Tellers Committee. Books Online] [E-Books] [Library Of Books Online] [E-Books] [Library Of When nominations are taken from the floor or when a nominating ballot is used, a good practice is to provide the members with an eligibility list so that they are not nominating people who will not be able to serve. After the person elected to office assumes the position, it is too late to nullify an illegal election. The mechanics of the election are governed by a few sections of the Minnesota Masonic Code and quite a bit of lodge tradition. No officer of a Masonic lodge may take up his elected or appointed duties until formally installed to his office by proper authority. 3. The Principles of Masonic Law, by Albert G. Mackey, M.D. It's used in the vast majority of situations in which members elect their officers at a meeting. Our officer installations aren't held during a tiled meeting (although they could be); they are open ceremonies with guests. )Cv`3!VOYe%K]'d4'kH&]x*"W.L+P|WUyl>TlUTZZh=7wE%4 DoH+5%Y+*:*2*&^Ol\Td4G]:^[DdVXQn*mNI#]Vv?v:]W6x H|z=|-!q1 oF?$Ul(V1C:[jhDe4nsl65gpr'fKuo2a0$T$W.6 ` 5SR_? JavaScript is disabled. Sometimes there is a split in the nominating committee over who to nominate. hmo@W}w*JGEa]/p o?_%au/$"p@ZPI 6AKFQt$8g!AHG[v;~&Wwu~|1xX21`9-Yd]%dsXQNxm -$we/mc5qrq:a/}4Y#A6,UX"{,S(JCs4l>nl,~nn%M&bt_zFPVJ_**#lU6uZe]Y[;M 6tvM{7W/225[n_SOmGP_4U_rH1v %m" &"`hh&q'I%D-rI$\\OScmalRCiPh_Th 7AN.RR9ou|r:9>NpT~XI|{&]MJ )FvJlC{hDRDT "DJc+^zrPl c[ <>>> <> Masonic politics is typically at its ugliest during elections when Brothers are charged with un-Masonic conduct for "electioneering." I find this all rather amusing as I believe our process for electing officers is far from perfect. majority of those voting being necessary for election, and the Worshipful This site is not an official site of any recognized Masonic body in the United First, the Entered Apprentice Degree, second, the Fellow Craft Degree and finally, the Master Mason Degree. How to Join a Freemason Lodge - dummies A newly raised Master . WM: "Have all of the brethren of _______________ The election of lodge officers is an annual event, specified in the lodge bylaws. AUTHORITY. The organization must have another election. Lodge Trustees and Charity Foundation become available for you and published in the members only area of our web site so that you know how Grand Lodge and its organizations are spending your money and conducting their business. Business meetings are held on the EA degree in European lodge. Or, members can also finish the election at the next regular meeting if the meeting falls within a quarterly time period. MAKE SURE YOU READ YOUR GRAND LODGE CODE! <> The laws which govern the institution of Freemasonry are of two kinds, unwritten and written, and may in a manner be compared with the "lex non scripta," or common law, and the "lex seripta," or statute law of English and American jurists. Chapter XVII - Suggested Procedure For Electing Lodge Officers Your group's rules and customs determine when floor nominations are accepted. %%EOF Whatever nomination method you propose, be specific. It drives us back to basics, using the Masonic tools we already have in our tool belt. 1. All Articles] [Masonic You can use a ballot vote to decide either a motion or an election: If the ballot vote decides a motion, the question is clearly stated by the chair, and you're instructed to mark your ballot Yes or No (or For or Against). 4 0 obj Annual Election of Lodge Officers - Blogger it to the Master who inspects the ballot box making sure that the Balloting for your acceptance into a Masonic lodge After the investigative committee reports to the lodge, your petition is voted on. Freemasonry's Requirements for Membership. charge of the Ballot and they pick up the hats, take them to the Masonic Lodge Officer Duties and Responsibilities Officer Election Form Template | Jotform Also, military lodges in foreign countries, often perform business meetings on the EA degree. position north of the altar. The bylaws of a charitable trust affiliated with a masonic lodge provide that its 9-member board consists of three "classes"of three, each class serving rotating three-year terms. election of officers in April each year. (1) A District Grand Lodge Fund shall be established for charitable and other Masonic purposes to which every Lodge in the District shall make in respect of each of its subscribing members annual contributions of $5000.00 or such lesser amount as the District Grand Lodge shall by resolution from time to time determine. Marshal takes up his place at the West Gate and the Junior Deacon j]Ic[faPhgcP0U0.!boS/]9[[3+:;:+:Q1DX. Two top hats are placed on the kneeling pad at foot of altar. TURNING YOUR BACK: Never turn one's back on the Master to address the lodge without first-receiving permission Nominations for each office are followed by the election for that office. These Masonic rituals represent three degrees which are taken in sequence. Because fraud does happen in the election process, members need to be alert and watchful of the election process. 2 0 obj 9 0 obj Welcome | Grand Lodge of NC Customarily (although it's not required), the chair accomplishes this by calling three times for more nominations. All eyes are upon the Master. Blogs] [Links] 1. report from the investigating committee. 4 0 obj <> Lindale Masonic Lodge: 200 W. Margaret Street, Lindale, TX 75771 Main Location The HUB: 304 E. Ferguson Street, Tyler, TX 75702 Noonday Community Center: 16662 CR 196, Tyler, TX 75703 St.. Development] [Education] [Masonic No one should be nominated without his or her consent because, if elected, the person may decline to serve and members will have to hold another election. Past Masters of ____________ Lodge No. The bylaws should not tie the hands of the committee to find more than one person to fill each slot; the committee should find the best candidate for each office. New Jersey checking in. Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation. After the committee reports, the chair states: President: The nominating committee nominates Alex Shaw for president, Bianca Fernandez for vice president, Raymond Platt for secretary, and Donna Agnese for treasurer. ", WM: "How in the West, Brother Senior Warden? A decision on how long to keep them can be made at the meeting when the vote takes place, or a short retention period for ballots can be adopted as a standing rule. However, calling nominations from your seat is often impractical, so you may want to adopt a more formal nomination process. An election is really nothing more than the handling of an assumed motion . If the committee does its job well, the membership can enjoy some basic assurance that the candidates nominated have at least expressed interest in the job, have agreed to serve, and are qualified for the offices for which they're nominated. At the Worshipful Master s order the Stewards distribute the ballots for the first position to be voted upon. $.' When the nominating ballot is received, the signed inner envelope containing the ballot is logged in against a list of voting members, and the ballot is deposited in a receptacle for tallying like an election ballot. Robert's Rules for Conducting Elections - dummies It will take you step by step through the election process, help you to identify your responsibilities during each step, and provide suggestions to make your job easier. When two gavel knocks are heard, only officers of the lodge stand. Development] [Education] [Masonic No candidate whose application has endobj A Lodge supporting this vital outreach of the Foundation, will be properly noted. You must log in or register to reply here. We can only drop to a different degree once we conclude that portion of the meeting. endobj In Europe, it takes often a year, to advance per degree. Clearwater Lodge No. A properly planned and executed meeting results in good participation. WM: "Brethren, you have heard read the If the lodge is not able to contact the individual after a reasonable period of time, the non-paying Mason is dropped (suspended). In most places, the answer is likely no. If lodge functions go smoothly, it is the Master who takes the credit. Freemasonry (or Brother __________for affiliation)." Lodge elections are performed via a Masonic Ballot Box. 14 0 R /BitsPerComponent 8 /Filter /FlateDecode >> NOTE: This is only a suggested procedure. 4[>56[Wbz ; ~D.Lf Y`S=#A.%* ^Ckk8a)W=Lt!z3 EHDG}S?#&,y$OAYNOQ kKl_B ? visiting brother take his place so that the tiler may cast his <> PDF Guidance Notes for Lodge Secretaries in Hertfordshire

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