1. xU]o@|_cZR%q"b$*/}E(k nK6hb'_ D(|}5Dsq PBY%_'Dru.{,dW9PeOw9 d6!=#3r/iby+4C~9^-GT.d The assembly then votes again on the other office. 0 Lodge to vote, the Master should invite the tiler in and have a To help with the Masonic experience at Lodge meetings, you were allowed to open on any degree, and use the Chamber Members should be alert to some undemocratic political practices in organizations. 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. 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. Every lodge is incorporated and required to have corporate officers. 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. Achieve this by asking them to hang out with you. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Masonic Etiquette Summary: Masonic etiquette is simply the rules of good manners which make lodge meetings pleasant for everyone. JavaScript is disabled. endobj 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. That means run-offs are just plain out of order. The Senior Deacon obtains the ballot box and presents Each question on a multipart ballot is counted as a separate ballot. 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. Sometimes the committee is revived to make nominations to fill vacancies. 234 0 obj <> endobj If a member votes for more choices than positions to be elected, the vote is considered illegal. 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. Whenever you need to specify a way to come up with nominees, as you probably will for situations your bylaws don't cover, you use a motion related to the method of nominations. Another problematic practice to watch out for is nominating someone for office who is not eligible. endstream endobj 37 0 obj <>stream 2. Some Lodges Senior Deacon,", WM: "Prepare and present the ballot box.". Whatever nomination method you propose, be specific. If a member notices a mistake in procedure, he or she should immediately make the chair and assembly aware of his concerns. Illegal votes are, Two or more marked ballots folded together (together they count as only one illegal vote). Chapter 63 covers general voting and Chapter 68 covers the secret ballot. The election process may be the easiest part of deciding who handles a particular job in the organization. endobj The presiding officer can continue presiding, even if he or she is one of the nominees for the office. Same in NM amd OR. endstream Blogs] [Links] You must log in or register to reply here. If a member leaves one part blank, the votes entered on the other questions still count. Are there any further nominations for president? Some Lodges have their bills paid automatically each month electronically, such as for utilities and telephones for example. 2 0 obj 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. is more then one candidate for the degrees. charge of the Ballot and they pick up the hats, take them to the If a member votes for fewer choices than positions to be elected, the vote is legal and those votes count. 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. 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. Decision Making For Dummies. endstream endobj startxref endobj Blogs] [Links] WM: "You will present the ballot to the officers and In the vote for Secretary, unless he is retiring, stream * (rap once). No candidate whose application has _____ and place it on the It's used in the vast majority of situations in which members elect their officers at a meeting. A member can rise and decline the nomination during the nominating process. 1. 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. (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. If it's determined that enough illegal votes were cast by illegal voters to affect the result, and these votes can't be identified and removed from the count, then the vote is deemed null and must be retaken. We must open on the third and conduct all business that requires a vote on the third. <> Your group's rules and customs determine when floor nominations are accepted. 10 0 obj 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 endobj All eyes are upon the Master. Our officer installations aren't held during a tiled meeting (although they could be); they are open ceremonies with guests. Join us as we strive to make good men better by teaching universal values through the use of geometry and architecture metaphors. This example is based on moving to have nominations by committee, but the form is essentially the same for any of the methods. The ballots are tallied very much like an election ballot, and the report becomes the list of nominees for each office. A member may for indecorous or unmasonic conduct be excluded from a single meeting of the lodge. The Masonic rituals provided here are as practiced under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Nevada, circa 1986. It is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views This site is not an official site of any recognized Masonic body in the United A ballot shall be taken for the three degrees (or for affiliation) which has received a unanimously favorable - "The qualifications necessary are, that the candidate should be true and trusty, of good repute, held in high estimation amongst the fraternity, skilled in Masonic knowledge, and moreover a lover of the Craft; he . Tradition holds that the Master of the lodge appoint a committee of three (usually Past Masters) to serve as a Tellers Committee. Work on making your brothers become better friends. or opinion The Senior Deacon closes the lid on the ballot. Enter your official identification and contact details. However, calling nominations from your seat is often impractical, so you may want to adopt a more formal nomination process. If lodge functions go smoothly, it is the Master who takes the credit. When called on to give the report, the chairman of the nominating committee states the nominations for each office. At the Worshipful Masters order the Stewards Collectively, these motions are known as motions related to nominations. The Secretary announces the results of the vote, a <>/ExtGState<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> Does any brother wish to have 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. endobj The Worshipful Master orders the Wardens to take 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. )GT?=Sk8&o9sU|$gv}~3H'>}3DReeZCZ2HN7.WadE-lUG|1pU]d. 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. Once you're a Master Mason, you've got a few options. The Senior Deacon presents the ballot to each officer Announce that you are about to conduct the election of Lodge officers for the ensuing Masonic year and state that you will now accept nominations for the office of WM. Elections are decided by majority vote unless your bylaws provide differently. Two top hats are placed on the kneeling pad at foot After each nomination, the president repeats the name to the assembly. Business meetings are held on the EA degree in European lodge. 'xzwQ38/4b|T}R-g|7uhw 4!"icE)S7AEo Only MMs vote. 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. 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. The mechanics of the election are governed by a few sections of the Minnesota Masonic Code and quite a bit of lodge tradition. of Freemasonry, nor webmaster nor those of any stream WM: "Have all of the brethren of _______________ If you had to move before you finished receiving the three degrees of the blue lodge, you'd need lodge B to perform courtesy work. By transfer of membership, maintaining continuous membership, and 4. 6 0 obj However, in some national organizations that meet yearly or biennially (every two years), this is difficult. of altar. States or elsewhere. altar. a portion or all of the petition(s) reread? <> The Senior Deacon presents the ballot for examination 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. Balloting must continue until a candidate receives a majority. endobj 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. ",#(7),01444'9=82. 3. >> /ExtGState << /Gs1 13 0 R >> /Font << /Tc1 10 0 R /TT2 9 0 R >> /XObject If not, Brother Don't implement a new process to 450 lodges until it is . Ballot voting is by far the surest way to allow for the free expression of the will of the membership. Suggested Procedure For Electing Lodge Officers. The election of lodge officers is an annual event, specified in the lodge bylaws. Secretary prepares ballots for each position to be These elections are to vote on new top lodge officers in the blue lodge. 3. It is considered a faux pas to cross . Nominations for each office are followed by the election for that office. 8 0 obj Masonic Lodge Officer Duties For Their Term in Office: 1 Year Appointed Lodge Officer Positions: The other officers, which include the Senior Deacon, Junior Deacon, Senior Steward, Junior Steward, Marshal, Tiler and Chaplain are appointed positions by the Worshipful Master. 3 0 obj %%EOF Marshal takes up his place at the West Gate and the Junior Deacon 16 0 obj Adam is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in Pennsylvania and is employed as a Senior Manager of International Tax in Latrobe, PA. A lodge which does not honor its Master, no matter how they personally feel about the man, himself, lacks Masonic . 4[>56[Wbz ; ~D.Lf Y`S=#A.%* ^Ckk8a)W=Lt!z3 EHDG}S?#&,y$OAYNOQ kKl_B ? The motion to have a vote for a particular office recounted needs a second, is not debatable, and takes a majority vote to adopt. 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. 15 0 obj To which Blaise replies "Yeah, 200 bucks is pretty steep.". 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. 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. 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. It's never proper to drop the candidates receiving the lowest vote totals from a ballot unless they withdraw voluntarily. The Guide is designed to be an easy-to-use reference based on the law and regulations as well as the knowledge and experience of OLMS staff. 4 0 obj once petition the same or any other Lodge in the jurisdiction. This may be done by the Master, under a provision of the bye-laws giving him the authority, or on his own responsibility, in which case he is amenable to the Grand Lodge for the correctness of his decision. of Freemasonry, nor webmaster nor those of any % << /Type /Page /Parent 3 0 R /Resources 6 0 R /Contents 4 0 R /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] 7. If members haven't used the machine before, it may be wise to show them how to use it the day before the election. TURNING YOUR BACK: Never turn one's back on the Master to address the lodge without first-receiving permission 9 0 obj <> This requires secretaries (and possibly grand secretaries if different jurisdictions) to get involved, but is a somewhat common occurrence. 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. 8. been rejected by a Lodge shall again be proposed within six months after WM: "Brother Junior Warden, how stands the ballot in For the qualifications of candidates in order to join a Masonic Lodge in Texas there are a series of "Freemason requirements". My Freemasonry | Freemason Information and Discussion Forum. 2. However, we open the Lodge on the 3rd then call to refreshment, invite everyome in, after the ceremony the WM closes without form. If there is a question about the way a ballot is marked, the ballot counters should take it to the presiding officer. If a minority of the committee wishes to nominate someone else, the members in the minority can make the nomination when nominations are taken from the floor. You are using an out of date browser. endobj but their new year lodge elections and officer installations have been delayed due to their inability to meet. In a ballot vote, after the ballot counters have collected all the ballots, a member can make the motion to adjourn. Polls closing or opening at times different than the times posted. Sometimes called open nominations, this method is probably the most familiar. 8. 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. )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_? First, the Entered Apprentice Degree, second, the Fellow Craft Degree and finally, the Master Mason Degree. In most places, the answer is likely no. and the Master may oblige him to do so. 3. If your bylaws don't require you to conduct an election by ballot, and if candidates are unopposed or there's no major contest for an office, you can save time with a simple voice vote (or viva voce). %%EOF xWMo1#[YO !T6T=D9Jhnwv5ofm4_0Vgu=_|[~jC5}YWyYWw45lv4~JS'AdQiewV?=few_Xu9pTX(*HYfh5Y2Q=[6(ao)\\O 9|b|+x Up % ZDEpV`,QI8.3mb'Vs5cAZ!X^S"W7FZ$%W8Fh,)Jrt $^JG{vxGVW9Z;-*r4b@fSM(o/ ?-vz}J=Pu&NC\H#^SKUvN)A@+a)eU"PvrNLsi;:~8J8 9 For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. When holding ballot elections, you have two procedural options: Nominations for all offices conclude before any balloting begins. . %`y`aSW2.9]!BBI f;-^*//%^je)R%^eKuZJQ\LU/Zgy:FDt8KF:US1OG+T/5i]\V5qhw`6mjzS"m].#{T^]q p;43[9[C nF^y' 64 Nominees do not have to leave the room during the nominations, when the vote is taken, or when the vote is counted. appears the ballot shall be immediately retaken, and if a blackball Here are some other things to consider during the election process: A quorum needs to be present throughout the election meeting. My Freemasonry | Freemason Information and Discussion Forum. 2. You must come recommended by at least two existing Freemasons from the lodge you're petitioning. RESOLVED, that the Handbook of Masonic Law, Digest of Edicts, sec- Authors of Resolution: Bros. John F. tion on Perpetual Membership, pages Knox, Jr., P.M., W.H. I've never performed or even practiced the role before, though via "osmosis," should be able to piece it together to at least a minimally functional level. endobj Masters are required to see that the ballot box is 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. endobj 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. Talks] [Masonic 5. Books Online] [E-Books] [Library Of ), Members rarely make a motion to close nominations because it's never in order to make this motion as long as anyone wants to make a nomination. rejection. Magazines Online] In this case, the members must vote again until one candidate receives a majority vote. 14 0 obj WM: "Brethren, you have heard read the <> At this time the If counting ballots takes some time, it is best for the assembly to take a recess instead of adjourn. If you have a nominating committee in place, ask this group to declare their nominee for a specific officer role. may use different methods of electing officers. 1. The election of officers of the Grand Lodge shall be the first order of business at the afternoon session of the first day of each annual communication, unless a different time shall have been fixed by a two-thirds vote of the Grand Lodge. All officers resume their stations and (rap). For every expense, large or small, the Secretary is to write a voucher which is to be countersigned by the Worshipful Master and passed on to the Treasurer for payment. In most cases, the threshold is a majority of the votes cast. Lodge elections are performed via a Masonic Ballot Box. [What is New] hb```e``b`f``cg@ ~}"S-(1I)|p(0)P5oDurCAfG3f1,-- d$WZ3bVasYf`$exq> )Zg Clearwater Lodge No. Masonic Lodge Election Procedure HB89 - Tightens the time frames for issuance of firearms licenses by probate judges. A poor meeting achieves the opposite results. If this occurs and it does not affect the outcome of the vote, the election is still valid. He is ultimately responsible for every other lodge officer and their duties, every lodge committee, ritual and degree work, Masonic education, social functions, fundraisers, District and Grand Lodge liaison, Trestle Board communication, etc. When the secretary prepares the eligibility list for the meeting, only those members who are willing to serve are on the list. Annual Meeting Election and Installation of Officers Annual Past Masters Night Symbolic Degree Refresher Application Avouching Back to Lodge Night Bringing Freemasonry to the Attention of Profane Correspondence Dress Entering an Opened Lodge Examination of Visitors Example Sheet - Lodge Programs General Grand Honors Lodge No. qQ^&FJ J } 4 0 obj (The chair usually just announces the opening of nominations at the appointed time when they are in order. AUTHORITY. 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. 98% sure that it is. An officer election form is a document used by groups, clubs, and organizations to elect leaders and fill vacant positions. The Authorities for Masonic Law. Like any incidental main motion, an election can be decided by voice vote or by ballot. Further, I don't think I have ever seen a Lodge election where there isn't some form of politics involved. BALLOTING PROCEDURE CHAPTER xv THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER'S HANDBOOK Grand Lodge, F.A.A.M. 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 Club elections and officers are an integral part of the organization and must be conducted according to the group's bylaws and rules. If something doesn't quite add up, a member should question it during the meeting. The position of Worshipful Master in the East occupies the most exalted position within the lodge. 127. Do you Votes cast by illegal voters must not be counted at all, not even included in the number of total votes cast. I guess that would depend on the jurisdiction. visiting brother take his place so that the tiler may cast his 6. 1. Some practices to watch out for include: Ballot boxes being stuffed or written ballots being changed. And whenever you want to specify when nominations can be made, you use a motion to open or close nominations. Join a brotherhood of over 2,000,000 men of all ages, from all races, religions, and countries, and from all walks of life. Any blue lodge that does not hold annual election of officers is considered irregular by most Grand Lodges. Same in NM amd OR. From his home in Pocatello, Idaho, across almost 3000 miles of highway, Fred's car had given trouble, and now, at Henniker, N.H., the cooling system finally gave up. Ballot voting is the preferred voting method in situations in which knowing how all the members voted isn't desirable. so presented that each officer and member shall cast his ballot it to the Master who inspects the ballot box making sure that the 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. Rules may include how long the organization saves ballots and how long members can wait to challenge an election. It may not display this or other websites correctly. If an EA is not attending, it is the option of the WM as to which lodge will be opened. 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. altar. If someone is not willing to serve, the committee needs to meet again and find another candidate. Election of Officers of a Lodge: CHAPTER 55: Installation of Officers of a Lodge: CHAPTER 56: Officers of a Lodge, Term, Resignation, and Title . The only way you can vote against a candidate is to vote for another person. When using this procedure, make it clear that a person can be nominated for and elected to more than one office. As each nomination is received (assuming multiple candidates), ask each nominee "If elected, are you willing to serve?" The committee then has to find a new nominee, and the members have to vote again. [Feedback]. stream 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. gjzUS&31+W&nck')*Uf{|mON6E4GKIpFT(o o.RJ MXqy-) MR endstream endobj startxref The appointive officers of the Grand Lodge, save the Deputy Grand Secretary, shall be Sometimes there is a split in the nominating committee over who to nominate. You take nominations from the floor for one office, and when no further nominations are forthcoming, you proceed to the balloting for that office. ;D[{cv,#(145:n') We must open on the third and conduct all business that requires a vote on the third. These elections happen in the end of the year to elect the following years leadership team. <>>> endobj Organizations can create and write election rules to correct this mistake. Introduction. endobj In a voice vote, the winner is easy to determine and the vote is over when someone wins the election. endobj . A website endorsed by a Lodge will be considered the official Lodge website, and will be subject to these criteria and rules. JFIF C 11 0 obj Persons serving on the committee can be nominated for office. Pause. A common mistake in elections is having too many ballots cast for the number of members present. By absolute demit, [ Chapter 76] 3. Talks] [Masonic If they don't set a time for an adjourned meeting, they can call a special meeting (if the bylaws allow this). A newly raised Master . In Texas, per Art. endobj Both a bank's president and janitor can apply for membership, and they're considered equally qualified. 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.
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