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. Don't implement a new process to 450 lodges until it is . [What is Freemasonry] [Leadership <>>> The advanced tools of the editor will guide you through the editable PDF template. Two top hats are placed on the kneeling pad at foot of altar. The appointive officers of the Grand Lodge, save the Deputy Grand Secretary, shall be The position of Worshipful Master in the East occupies the most exalted position within the lodge. endobj JavaScript is disabled. ^. If members leave during the meeting so that a quorum is not present, those offices not yet elected must be put off until an adjourned meeting or until the next meeting. In counting the votes, the balloting committee must not confuse a majority vote with the highest number of votes. Depending on the Grand Lodge, this can be anywhere from 18 to 25. The main advantage here is that it allows members to consider the election results of one office before proceeding to the election of another office. 0 It has its own identity and recognition and carries with it the title of "Past Master". A poor meeting achieves the opposite results. 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. [What is New] ojx&^ 64>"> |&`mkG l[o;5``ek l[;5zk Vhp 5Pq_t.Z1lhp3M \H{Tl nF$UkavOv1nT#-`mkp;m ~l 3ohG nF_..}$38~?g}z+O}?.]7?"kR7tFWo'E^ "EJ*F/'NPTAT,4)/ItJl8KgHC#unG &;iL-;G[_gC 6{-sMIa{vN_CwNeCE +]`7)$k,2? As soon as the committee reports, it is discharged from its duties. I /8ZzeL%kxF~/a&MBkd/cK"zBARqG(/%:}4Q;l@)R^M,s;p Rx P~DV(GR,&Gj;v}yh/5F3ibD,eZJ endobj If a member votes for fewer choices than positions to be elected, the vote is legal and those votes count. This ceremony, revised in 2013 relies heavily on the work of the prolific Masonic author and commentator, Robert Macoy who first set it down in 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. All Articles] [Masonic Apply a check mark to indicate the choice wherever . Crossing the G. In most grand lodge jurisdictions, rituals call for an altar to be placed in the center of the lodge room holding the respective Volume of Sacred Law. These rules supersede the adopted parliamentary authority. The above procedure is repeated for each position or endstream endobj startxref If a person is elected to two different positions, she can either choose which office to accept or serve in more than one position, if that's allowed. 127. <>>> vote. programs and procedures of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, a Masonic District and their Lodge. <> When counting ballots, ballot counters need to keep a few key points in mind: Blank votes are treated as scrap paper and don't count at all. 6 0 obj When the secretary mails the members a notice about the nomination and election meeting, the letter can include a request that members who do not wish to be considered for office notify the secretary in writing. After the period during which a recount can be conducted has passed, you don't need to keep the ballots. Chapter 63 covers general voting and Chapter 68 covers the secret ballot. It is the duty of every member present to vote, 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. This method gives voters an idea of the group's preferences without holding an actual election. The secretary places all nominations in the minutes. The Antimasonic party, whose avowed goal was the destruction of the Masonic Lodge and other secret societies, was the first influential third party in the United States and introduced the. The person who gets the most votes may not have a majority of the votes. Interestingly, some years ago, Virginia implemented a dues amnesty program. _____ and place it on the f;-^*//%^je)R%^eKuZJQ\LU/Zgy:FDt8KF:US1OG+T/5i]\V5qhw`6mjzS"m].#{T^]q p;43[9[C nF^y' 64 For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 'xzwQ38/4b|T}R-g|7uhw 4!"icE)S7AEo Nominations don't have to be seconded, but it's not out of order for members to second a nomination to signal their endorsement. Depending on your organization and the decisions being made, balloting may take place during a meeting, or polls may be open during polling periods including times when no meeting is in progress. State which position is open for election or re-election, and invite members of the organization to come forward with their nominations for the position. Grand Lodge Dues 24 Conducting an Election of Officers 24-25 Section . The Worshipful Master orders the Wardens to take other regular Masonic body other than those stated. HWG l!$"' g]9=3>3U}Zo.wjyiQo?\>,:lFYE#q IBZ.rwi/A%f_N'_LDX Voting machines having wedges inserted to prevent the lever from going down all the way. In Freemasonry, a brother's word is of paramount importance, so revealing the secrets of the ceremonies and rituals within the lodge after reciting the Masonic Oath is not permitted. 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 endobj If lodge functions go smoothly, it is the Master who takes the credit. This site is not an official site of any recognized Masonic body in the United unobserved by others, so that the secrecy of the ballot shall be Join us as we strive to make good men better by teaching universal values through the use of geometry and architecture metaphors. Be careful and make no When two gavel knocks are heard, only officers of the lodge stand. qQ^&FJ J } names. Past Masters have a standing in Masonic Law; certain duties may be assigned to them. Nominations for each office are followed by the election for that office. altar. No candidate whose application has ballot closed." of altar. Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic Education: CHAPTER 31: Lodge Service Commission: CHAPTER 32: . 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. You must log in or register to reply here. Decision Making For Dummies. By establishing plural membership in a North Carolina Our officer installations aren't held during a tiled meeting (although they could be); they are open ceremonies with guests. altar.". endobj *(cM YiVo~r049>Kwz,8*#]qVLB`l:HM\7Gj#?#PV(F"y@f4 @hbe2q&8%RYcM`uU;ap10n [Feedback]. This method requires more time for the election process, making it probably best limited to smaller groups. If an elected candidate declines the office after he or she is elected and after the meeting has adjourned, another election needs to take place, if at all possible. [What is Freemasonry] [Leadership to the Junior Warden, then the Senior Warden and then the Worshipful {V++6o <>`ulr<>[lLDdTVVQ4Mt{<1iz;E All business is done in a MM lodge. Only one (1) official website per Lodge will be recognized by the Grand Lodge and linked to by the Grand Lodge of Georgia's website. WM: "Brother Junior Warden, how stands the ballot in appears the ballot shall be immediately retaken, and if a blackball hb```BVG ea8 P}+/m If the lodge is not able to contact the individual after a reasonable period of time, the non-paying Mason is dropped (suspended). << /Type /Page /Parent 3 0 R /Resources 6 0 R /Contents 4 0 R /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] In either case, you need to appoint reliable ballot counters to hand out and collect ballots and to count the votes. Lodge to vote, the Master should invite the tiler in and have a _____ Usually the president closes nominations when no further nominations come forward from the assembly. Magazines Online] Also, military lodges in foreign countries, often perform business meetings on the EA degree. Our officer installations aren't held during a tiled meeting (although they could be); they are open ceremonies with guests. salute with the Worshipful Master. 10 0 obj 3. 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.. (After June 15, individual counties and cities could choose to continue their own meeting limitations, in which case those limitations would continue in force.) ", WM: "Fair (cloudy) in the South, clear (dark) in the Illegal votes cast by legal voters count toward the total votes cast, but they don't count for any individual choice or candidate. 2. 2. Persons serving on the committee can be nominated for office. The Code has two primary chapters that describe the process of voting in subordinate lodges. white ball elects; a black cube rejects. position north of the altar. 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. JavaScript is disabled. 6 Y~0 0@ endobj Balloting for your acceptance into a Masonic lodge After the investigative committee reports to the lodge, your petition is voted on. Work on making your brothers become better friends. After the brethren have cast their ballots. "30*5gDcJuk.w^m=12Ua&0cE'|H%KV L%|c]c0l;v=[, Cj+M 38xHDL\. Often the extra ballot comes from someone who has entered the assembly but has not signed in to the meeting. If it is discovered after an election that the person elected does not meet the eligibility requirements, and even if the person has begun to serve, the election is void. When holding ballot elections, you have two procedural options: Nominations for all offices conclude before any balloting begins. :7YA/gOwNw|\g[u|I}?F. 14 0 obj The Masonic rituals provided here are as practiced under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Nevada, circa 1986. At the Worshipful Master s order the Stewards distribute the ballots for the first position to be voted upon. 2. of Freemasonry, nor webmaster nor those of any 3 0 obj Register a free account today to become a member! 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 If the bylaws don't prohibit it, a person can be nominated for more than one office and can even serve in more than one office if elected. We can conduct lodge business in the EA degree in Minnesota, but only Master Masons can vote. <> Ballot voting is by far the surest way to allow for the free expression of the will of the membership. 234 0 obj <> endobj The Master then casts his own vote. petition(s) of _______________ for the degrees of Freemasonry, If you become a Free Mason, you will: Join both the oldest and the largest fraternity in the world. Using a nominating committee to assemble a list of willing and qualified candidates for office can greatly benefit members when the time comes to select their leaders. In this case, the members must vote again until one candidate receives a majority vote. %PDF-1.5 Motions to close nominations are usually unnecessary because the nomination process simply continues until no one wishes to make further nominations. A member of the committee should then be designated to call each nominee to see if he or she is willing to serve if elected. 4 0 obj 8 0 obj is more then one candidate for the degrees. My Freemasonry | Freemason Information and Discussion Forum. ", WM: "How in the West, Brother Senior Warden? 705 South Hercules Avenue. 2. A Lodge supporting this vital outreach of the Foundation, will be properly noted. The secretary should give the committee a copy of the membership list, the bylaws, a description of the duties of each office, and the eligibility requirements. Another problematic practice to watch out for is nominating someone for office who is not eligible. If members don't understand exactly how it works, the ones whose preferred candidate doesn't get voted on are likely to think something is amiss. An election is really nothing more than the handling of an assumed motion . endobj or opinion <> Lodge Election Procedures "Worshipful Master (WM) or Preceding Officer" 1. The Committee on Masonic Education and Information of . 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. Suddenly it's 3am. New Jersey checking in. 9. WM: "Brethren, you have heard read the Because fraud does happen in the election process, members need to be alert and watchful of the election process. Only members entitled to vote are given ballots or are allowed to deposit ballots with a ballot counter or place them in the ballot receptacle. In a voice vote, the winner is easy to determine and the vote is over when someone wins the election. If electronic machines are used for voting, they should be programmed so that each segment of the ballot is treated as if it were a separate ballot. 5 0 obj <> If the motion is adopted, the assembly can adjourn before the vote is announced if it has another meeting scheduled. (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 $5000.00 or such lesser amount as the District Grand Lodge shall by resolution from time to time determine. will advance to the altar and cast their ballot. You are using an out of date browser. It's never in order to vote Yes or No (or For or Against) a candidate when electing persons to office. Ie!W2UP7MEdq-2Y+(jVW`Y, z?D;tr>[iqqF7!FR$uh?%b %PDF-1.5 % Conducting an Election of Officers p. 25 Section III. At the Worshipful Masters order the Stewards 54 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[]/Index[33 34]/Info 32 0 R/Length 100/Prev 87331/Root 34 0 R/Size 67/Type/XRef/W[1 2 1]>>stream ____ for the ensuing Masonic year. In most places, the answer is likely no. elected. [ 11 0 R] Like all of us, I've heard it annually since the election in the year of my raising. The Senior Deacon closes the lid on the ballot. An "irregular lodge" can be described as the type of Lodge that does have a charter from a Grand Lodge, but other Grand Lodges do not recognize its Grand lodge. 246 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<75266C93CDC0804A95BB4A6C74B63ADD>]/Index[234 30]/Info 233 0 R/Length 67/Prev 302045/Root 235 0 R/Size 264/Type/XRef/W[1 2 1]>>stream If not, the members can vote again during that meeting for another candidate. A write-in vote is a legal vote unless it's unintelligible or cast for an unidentifiable or ineligible person or for a fictitious character, in which case it's counted as an illegal vote. Marshal takes up his place at the West Gate and the Junior Deacon Freemasonry (or Brother __________for affiliation)." Brother Secretary conduct a roll call. JFIF C A member may for indecorous or unmasonic conduct be excluded from a single meeting of the lodge. Lodge No. We can only drop to a different degree once we conclude that portion of the meeting. 4. Some organizations add nominees to the ballot only if the name is submitted on a petition signed by some minimum number of members. <> The report of the nominating committee is usually given under "special orders." Sometimes called open nominations, this method is probably the most familiar. In Europe, it takes often a year, to advance per degree. Like any incidental main motion, an election can be decided by voice vote or by ballot. Small technical errors, such as spelling mistakes or marking an X when a checkmark is called for, don't make a vote illegal as long as the voter's intent is discernible. it to the Master who inspects the ballot box making sure that the Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation. endobj The following shall be the methods of affiliation: 1. Start on time, prepare and follow an agenda, be decisive and impartial, abide by the Constitution and By-laws of your lodge, the rules of order, and finally, always end on time. In Texas, per Art. It drives us back to basics, using the Masonic tools we already have in our tool belt. majority of those voting being necessary for election, and the Worshipful announce the results of the vote. 4 0 obj To lend a professional air to the proceedings, suggest that brothers wear a collared shirt and tie, especially the candidates. Are there any further nominations for president? the South? A motion to close nominations is usually not necessary unless it is apparent that members are nominating people just to honor them, and that the nominees have no intention of serving. 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. MAKE SURE YOU READ YOUR GRAND LODGE CODE! The Senior Deacon then takes up a When the next meeting begins, the first order of business is to hear the report of the balloting committee and for the presiding officer to announce the vote that was taken at the previous meeting. 263 0 obj <>stream States or elsewhere. endobj 5 0 obj If anyone is elected, and it is discovered after the election that the person is not eligible, the election of that officer is null and void. . Collectively, these motions are known as motions related to nominations. If an EA is not attending, it is the option of the WM as to which lodge will be opened. ;J @*Ix~6ia 023X85i=%/v')^KkHaQaA {DCAH ' Confusion concerning the balloting process generally derives from lodge traditions being introduced into the elements of balloting that are not fully explained in our Code. Each incoming class of three shall consist of the incoming Junior Warden of the lodge (which has its own bylaws), and. Since it is the obligation of every brother of the In writing the nomination, election, and vacancy conditions in the bylaws, the organization should make sure that if a vacancy is created early in the term of office, the vacancy is filled by election instead of by appointment, whenever possible. 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. By transfer of membership, maintaining continuous membership, and 4. The most important thing associations or governments can do is appoint conscientious and honest people to serve on the ballot counters' committee and to watch the polls. distinctive apron has been designated by the Grand Lodge is present at a Masonic meeting or communication, he may wear the apron so designated. % may use different methods of electing officers. should be destroyed. Talks] [Masonic x`TU?5%BBH*5XHRjD5IPJ@Z"MDE]sm.Cs)}{n/JFtZ_!ms6g:8_\Xt hq[gGBqvZ(}%p&N"4t 4b2hEs << /Length 12 0 R /Type /XObject /Subtype /Image /Width 610 /Height 521 /ColorSpace Both a bank's president and janitor can apply for membership, and they're considered equally qualified. 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. Pause. <> If members are voting for offices that have staggered terms or that last more than a year, the secretary should include in the minutes when the term expires. Chairman of Nominating Committee: Madam President, the nominating committee submits the following nominations: for president, Alex Shaw; for vice president, Bianca Fernandez; for secretary, Raymond Platt; and for treasurer, Donna Agnese. 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. Master. Blogs] [Links] Every day , before I retired, I would receive a wide variety of questions and comments from Constituent Lodge Secretaries and other officers, many of which are quite applicable to other lodges. 1 0 obj He serves as Chairman of the Trustees of Title to the Masonic Temple and other Real Estate of the Grand Lodge, is a Trustee of the Consolidated Fund and Trustee of the Masonic Charities Fund. of the District of Columbia Since it is the obligation of every brother of the Lodge to vote, the Master should invite the tiler in and have a visiting brother take his place so that the tiler may cast his vote. Adam is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in Pennsylvania and is employed as a Senior Manager of International Tax in Latrobe, PA. Club elections and officers are an integral part of the organization and must be conducted according to the group's bylaws and rules. . %PDF-1.7 % Books Online] [E-Books] [Library Of This saves time and allows for polling at a time and place other than a meeting. [Articles] [Masonic Nomination by petition is another method of nomination by mail; provisions must be made for it in the bylaws, and standard forms must be provided to candidates and electors upon request. 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$\\OScmalRCiPh_Th 7AN.RR9ou|r:9>NpT~XI|{&]MJ )FvJlC{hDRDT "DJc+^zrPl c[ the name on the ballot and the Secretary repeats the name and tallies Nominations are taken for successive offices in the order they're listed in the bylaws. ____________ Lodge No. Magazines Online] A member can't make the motion to adjourn while the assembly is occupied with taking a vote, verifying a vote, or announcing a vote, except when the vote is by ballot. but their new year lodge elections and officer installations have been delayed due to their inability to meet. Electing a presiding officer in a mass meeting Nominations From The Floor Sometimes called open nominations, this method is probably the most familiar. If something doesn't quite add up, a member should question it during the meeting. endobj The election process may be the easiest part of deciding who handles a particular job in the organization. j]Ic[faPhgcP0U0.!boS/]9[[3+:;:+:Q1DX. After the person elected to office assumes the position, it is too late to nullify an illegal election. All Articles] [Masonic 98% sure that it is. Secretary prepares ballots for each position to be Ballot voting is the preferred voting method in situations in which knowing how all the members voted isn't desirable. The Secretary announces the results of the vote, a hb```e``b`f``cg@ ~}"S-(1I)|p(0)P5oDurCAfG3f1,-- d$WZ3bVasYf`$exq> )Zg A lodge which does not honor its Master, no matter how they personally feel about the man, himself, lacks Masonic . Once you're a Master Mason, you've got a few options. Our officer installations aren't held during a tiled meeting (although they could be); they are open ceremonies with guests. The Worshipful Master What it all means: A Worshipful Master simply depicts a deity or one in authority who is held in honor and considered as an honorable man. [Feedback]. 292, elections may be held in a lodge opened in an EA as long as there is an EA attending. The presiding officer can continue presiding, even if he or she is one of the nominees for the office. If the bylaws specifically address this situation, members should follow the bylaws. 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. Some Lodges 0 Here are things you can do to improve your fraternity while not being on a lodge officer: Strengthen the brotherhood - The foundation of brotherhood is the strength of the friendships between the brothers. Register a free account today to become a member! If a member leaves one part blank, the votes entered on the other questions still count. A ballot shall be taken for the three degrees Masonic Lodge Election Procedure HB89 - Tightens the time frames for issuance of firearms licenses by probate judges. In Tennessee, the only time you open an EA or FC lodge is to confer those degrees. 1. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The process of making floor nominations is subject to the following rules: Recognition by the chair is not required to make a nomination. %PDF-1.3 Tradition holds that the Master of the lodge appoint a committee of three (usually Past Masters) to serve as a Tellers Committee. Same in NM amd OR. AUTHORITY. << /Im1 11 0 R >> >> $.' 8. While the . Any blue lodge that does not hold annual election of officers is considered irregular by most Grand Lodges. 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. If not, Brother 12 0 obj The "lex non scripta," or unwritten law of Freemasonry is derived from the traditions, usages and customs of . The assembly then votes again on the other office. (or for affiliation) which has received a unanimously favorable endobj The way to fill out the Mason form form form online: To start the form, use the Fill camp; Sign Online button or tick the preview image of the document. endstream endobj 37 0 obj <>stream In Kentucky, the individual is normally sent a certified letter. In the vote for Secretary, unless he is retiring, <> Robert's Rules sets out several methods of making nominations for positions: An organization can nominate candidates in several ways: This method is used whenever the membership wants to rely on the presiding officer to recommend candidates but also wants to reserve for itself (or its designee, such as the board of directors) the approval of the nominee. The secretary repeats the vote after recording it, to ensure accuracy. 1. APPOINTMENT. "If so, I declare the You take nominations from the floor for one office, and when no further nominations are forthcoming, you proceed to the balloting for that office. The committee should meet, carefully review the membership list, and select the people who they think will do the best job in each office. The Senior Deacon presents the ballot to each officer Can't interrupt a speaker who has the floor or a member making a nomination, Requires a majority vote (except the motion to close nominations, which requires a two-thirds vote), Can be reconsidered if it's a negative vote to reopen nominations. Enter your official identification and contact details. 14 0 R /BitsPerComponent 8 /Filter /FlateDecode >> 16 0 obj TURNING YOUR BACK: Never turn one's back on the Master to address the lodge without first-receiving permission This method of nominations is based on the principle of allowing all voters to make nominations for all offices by completing a nominating ballot. 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. The only way you can vote against a candidate is to vote for another person. Here is how: You must first find a Masonic lodge location near you, contact them, and ask for a petition to join. 75-3 METHODS OF AFFILIATION. Here are some other things to consider during the election process: A quorum needs to be present throughout the election meeting. A late-arriving member can vote only with other members' consent by majority vote. However, we open the Lodge on the 3rd then call to refreshment, invite everyome in, after the ceremony the WM closes without form. The conventions are over, election day draws near, and the usual round of political rhetoric from candidates is blasted all over the TV, radio and internet, voters begin to wear out and are usually just ready for Election Day to be over with. It is possible that because of a mistake in counting the ballots, or another procedural mistake, someone can be declared elected to office when he or she did not receive the majority votes.
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