masonic lodge election procedure

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. 3. 4 0 obj 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. is more then one candidate for the degrees. 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. inviolably preserved. In most places, the answer is likely no. announce the results of the vote. Business meetings are held on the EA degree in European lodge. ballot drawer is empty and that there are both white balls and black >> /ExtGState << /Gs1 13 0 R >> /Font << /Tc1 10 0 R /TT2 9 0 R >> /XObject qQ^&FJ J } 4 0 obj If an EA is not attending, it is the option of the WM as to which lodge will be opened. As each nomination is received (assuming multiple candidates), ask each nominee "If elected, are you willing to serve?" The only way you can vote against a candidate is to vote for another person. A Lodge supporting this vital outreach of the Foundation, will be properly noted. Freemasons explain the rituals and benefits of membership These could lead The Constitution is clear on the proper procedure . <> 127. Members then vote on a candidate to fill the remaining office. 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. For the qualifications of candidates in order to join a Masonic Lodge in Texas there are a series of "Freemason requirements". [Feedback]. 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. 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. My Freemasonry | Freemason Information and Discussion Forum. 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. A lodge which does not honor its Master, no matter how they personally feel about the man, himself, lacks Masonic . Fund raising is underway. If the organization uses a nominating committee and then takes nominations from the floor, the secretary records the nominating committee's report first and then lists nominations for each office in the order they are presented as given by the members from the floor. hb```e``b`f``cg@ ~}"S-(1I)|p(0)P5oDurCAfG3f1,-- d$WZ3bVasYf`$exq> )Zg It is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views salute with the Worshipful Master. Lodge Transfers : r/freemasonry - reddit Elections are decided by majority vote unless your bylaws provide differently. 292, elections may be held in a lodge opened in an EA as long as there is an EA attending. The committee must carefully review the eligibility requirements for each office and see that the nominees meet these requirements. <> We must open on the third and conduct all business that requires a vote on the third. <> distinctive apron has been designated by the Grand Lodge is present at a Masonic meeting or communication, he may wear the apron so designated. The presiding officer votes along with all the other members, although she is never allowed to cast a tie-breaker in a ballot vote. A member has the right to vote until the polls are closed. hbbd``b`$+@9`~ $U@ AL Abo;I0 V!$B endobj Robert's Rules of Order, Nominations And Elections - Westside Toastmasters The Committee on Masonic Education and Information of . 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. Masonic Lodge Election Procedure HB89 - Tightens the time frames for issuance of firearms licenses by probate judges. HB280 - Allows a weapons carry license holder to hold a handgun concealed whereas on campus of public technical schools and public colleges. Freemason Requirements | Dallas Freemasonry Balloting must continue until a candidate receives a majority. NOTE: This is only a suggested procedure. It varies! The mechanics of the election are governed by a few sections of the Minnesota Masonic Code and quite a bit of lodge tradition. If you have a nominating committee in place, ask this group to declare their nominee for a specific officer role. PDF Guidelines for Subordinate Lodge Balloting - Grand Lodge of NC 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.. 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. [What is New] 1 0 obj You take nominations from the floor for one office, and when no further nominations are forthcoming, you proceed to the balloting for that office. All business is done in a MM lodge. Development] [Education] [Masonic Votes cast by illegal voters must not be counted at all, not even included in the number of total votes cast. the name on the ballot and the Secretary repeats the name and tallies Clearwater Lodge No. 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. to the Junior Warden, then the Senior Warden and then the Worshipful Your group's rules and customs determine when floor nominations are accepted. If they don't set a time for an adjourned meeting, they can call a special meeting (if the bylaws allow this). 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. Here is how: You must first find a Masonic lodge location near you, contact them, and ask for a petition to join. [What is Freemasonry] [Leadership West and bright (black) in the East. Some Lodges have their bills paid automatically each month electronically, such as for utilities and telephones for example. Section 12: How To Run A Good Business Meeting - Masonic Grand Lodge of Blogs] [Links] Are there any further nominations for president? 1. Masonic etiquette decries anyone who does not obey the gavel. The Masonic Oath is hugely significant, as it is represents a Masons' integrity and is an example of their strong bond to all other brothers within the fraternity. . takes up his place at the tilers door. 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. If the motion is adopted, the assembly can adjourn before the vote is announced if it has another meeting scheduled. If members adjourn before an election is complete, they should set the time for an adjourned meeting to finish the election. %PDF-1.7 % Grand Lodge Officers - Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania 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. On the Approaching Election to the Masonic Chairs 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. In Europe, it takes often a year, to advance per degree. applicant shall be declared rejected. Does any brother wish to have Master informs the successful individual as follows: "Brother Masonic Lodges, Masonic Organizations, and Youth Orders may conduct in-person meetings and events in compliance with county and city restrictions, if any. Like any incidental main motion, an election can be decided by voice vote or by ballot. A website endorsed by a Lodge will be considered the official Lodge website, and will be subject to these criteria and rules. Nominations don't have to be seconded, but it's not out of order for members to second a nomination to signal their endorsement. Chapter XV - Balloting Procedure - The Masonic Trowel In a ballot vote, after the ballot counters have collected all the ballots, a member can make the motion to adjourn. The election of lodge officers is an annual event, specified in the lodge bylaws. endobj *.MXPY!~@Aa%^ N&4D1la`:v@Ai,^t #. 705 South Hercules Avenue. Premier Grand Lodge of England - Wikipedia 587 JFIF C Register a free account today to become a member! 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. % It is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views Is it permissible to hold election of officers in an EA lodge? 263 0 obj <>stream A motion to open nominations, when made by a member, is usually a motion to reopen nominations after they have been closed. Often the extra ballot comes from someone who has entered the assembly but has not signed in to the meeting. or opinion 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. The secretary repeats the vote after recording it, to ensure accuracy. Masonic Lodge Election Procedure > 2023 endobj WB Christopher J. Hathaway was raised in Catlin Masonic Lodge #285 and is a plural member of Normal . and the Master may oblige him to do so. should be destroyed. States or elsewhere. Discover the world's largest and oldest fraternal organization with over 3 million members. Enter your official identification and contact details. Because this form of voting favors one candidate over another based on the order of nomination, you should avoid using it except in mass meetings or when there's no serious contest for the office and a ballot is not required. yy MWY*^K$@48SyFHv! In the vote for Secretary, unless he is retiring, 6 0 obj Mail or absentee ballots not arriving on time or mysteriously disappearing when the time comes to count them. What Is A Masonic Lodge? | Freemasons Community The duty of a nominating committee is to find the best candidate for each office. :7YA/gOwNw|\g[u|I}?F. petition(s) of _______________ for the degrees of Freemasonry, of Freemasonry, nor webmaster nor those of any No matter which procedure you use, the order in which you take up each election is the order in which the offices are listed in your bylaws. Your organization needs officers, maybe committee members, and other positions decided by a vote of the membership. <> Also, members rarely move to close nominations because, whenever no further nominations are offered, the chair usually just declares, "Hearing no further nominations, nominations for the office of [name the office] are closed.". 13 0 obj endstream endobj startxref ^. Doing this may allow an unpopular or hand-picked candidate to get the office even though he or she was not elected. Because fraud does happen in the election process, members need to be alert and watchful of the election process. Motions to close nominations are usually unnecessary because the nomination process simply continues until no one wishes to make further nominations. This example is based on moving to have nominations by committee, but the form is essentially the same for any of the methods. In determining how long to hold the ballots before destroying them, your main consideration is the possibility of needing a recount. As soon as the committee reports, it is discharged from its duties. Nominees do not have to leave the room during the nominations, when the vote is taken, or when the vote is counted. Further, I don't think I have ever seen a Lodge election where there isn't some form of politics involved. 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. Only MMs vote. Lodge to vote, the Master should invite the tiler in and have a 2 0 obj 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$\\OScmalRCiPh_Th 7AN.RR9ou|r:9>NpT~XI|{&]MJ )FvJlC{hDRDT "DJc+^zrPl c[ Section 3. endobj or opinion F - Clubhouse PDF Lodge Election Procedures1 - ACGL 2 0 obj )GT?=Sk8&o9sU|$gv}~3H'>}3DReeZCZ2HN7.WadE-lUG|1pU]d. 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. Same in NM amd OR. Voting by ballot enables a member to vote for a candidate not formally nominated by writing in a name a write-in vote. 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. Blogs] [Links] 6. visiting brother take his place so that the tiler may cast his ____________ Lodge No. the Senior Warden hands each ballot to the Junior Warden who announces WM: "Have all of the brethren of _______________ Election of officers | My Freemasonry | Freemason Information and white ball elects; a black cube rejects. Books Online] [E-Books] [Library Of stream Interestingly, some years ago, Virginia implemented a dues amnesty program. 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. endobj Masonic Lodge Officer Duties endobj When using this procedure, make it clear that a person can be nominated for and elected to more than one office. [Feedback]. All eyes are upon the Master. Nominations are taken for successive offices in the order they're listed in the bylaws. _____ and place it on the Register a free account today to become a member! 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. If not, Brother To lend a professional air to the proceedings, suggest that brothers wear a collared shirt and tie, especially the candidates. A ballot shall be taken for the three degrees In this case, the members must vote again until one candidate receives a majority vote. of Freemasonry, nor webmaster nor those of any An officer election form is a document used by groups, clubs, and organizations to elect leaders and fill vacant positions. By absolute demit, [ Chapter 76] 3. stream The following shall be the methods of affiliation: 1. F powered by Dr. Stefanus Hadi, Ph.D. visit www.FLIVE.com email: club@flive.com follow Clubhouse: @stefanus send SMS Text to +1 213-749-8777 Los Angeles, California Sometimes called open nominations, this method is probably the most familiar. ), 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. 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. rejection. 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. collect the ballots and place the hats with the ballots at the PDF Protocol & Etiquette Essentials %`y`aSW2.9]!BBI If this occurs and it does not affect the outcome of the vote, the election is still valid. The person who gets the most votes may not have a majority of the votes. And whenever you want to specify when nominations can be made, you use a motion to open or close nominations. Freemasonry (or Brother __________for affiliation)." The mechanics of the election are governed by a few sections of the Minnesota Masonic Code and quite a bit of lodge tradition. SECRETARY FORMS AND REPORTS | Grand Lodge of Georgia, F. & A.M. time immemorial. . 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). The secretary places all nominations in the minutes. Every lodge is incorporated and required to have corporate officers. Ballot counters should cast their ballots at the same time that the assembly votes. You must log in or register to reply here. The committee then has to find a new nominee, and the members have to vote again. 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. 1. %PDF-1.5 We can only drop to a different degree once we conclude that portion of the meeting. "30*5gDcJuk.w^m=12Ua&0cE'|H%KV L%|c]c0l;v=[, Cj+M 38xHDL\. All officers resume their stations and <> The election process may be the easiest part of deciding who handles a particular job in the organization. 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. 6 0 obj Ask for nominations for an officer position. collect the ballots, the Deacons approach the altar, pick up the hats, If a member votes for fewer choices than positions to be elected, the vote is legal and those votes count. Be careful and make no Tradition holds that the Master of the lodge appoint a committee of three (usually Past Masters) to serve as a Tellers Committee. Sometimes the committee is revived to make nominations to fill vacancies. _____ Robert's Rules for Conducting Elections - dummies Senior Deacon,", WM: "Prepare and present the ballot box.". 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 Jump to content The Official RONR Q & A Forums The only exceptions are: (1) a newly instituted lodge, (2) one that has received written approval from the General Governor, based upon membership action, or (3) an emergency situation requiring the election to be changed or waived. It varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. some brother of the Lodge other than the Secretary should tally and Each officer and member, before voting, must exchange the The requirement for election by ballot is a majority, and a candidate has no obligation to withdraw just because he polls low numbers. x=o6 bP+SR[H7\AE>Dz- ^=(pH{'OE5Y%?jUMi?OOVy5'Vx_u5'ur|GY,*'yEL -R@$S0.SHdrV&g_;F0PJ1:|GXqNg State which position is open for election or re-election, and invite members of the organization to come forward with their nominations for the position. <> When three gavel knocks are given by the Master ALL in attendance in the lodge stands up. Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation. After each nomination, the president repeats the name to the assembly. 66 0 obj <>stream It is considered a faux pas to cross . In most of the same grand lodge jurisdictions, there is also a G painted, sculpted, or otherwise suspended in the symbolic East of the lodge room (typically over the Master's chair).. )Cv`3!VOYe%K]'d4'kH&]x*"W.L+P|WUyl>TlUTZZh=7wE%4 DoH+5%Y+*:*2*&^Ol\Td4G]:^[DdVXQn*mNI#]Vv?v:]W6x H|z=|-!q1 oF?$Ul(V1C:[jhDe4nsl65gpr'fKuo2a0$T$W.6 ` 5SR_? A newly raised Master . Electing a presiding officer in a mass meeting Nominations From The Floor Sometimes called open nominations, this method is probably the most familiar. 3 ways to keep your Masonic Lodge from closing its doors xU]o@|_cZR%q"b$*/}E(k nK6hb'_ D(|}5Dsq PBY%_'Dru.{,dW9PeOw9 d6!=#3r/iby+4C~9^-GT.d Take security measures to protect the privacy of the nominating ballot; each member is instructed to fold his or her ballot inside a signed envelope and mail it back in an outer envelope. Election Master/Judge parliamentary procedure - My Freemasonry % In Texas, per Art. 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! However, we open the Lodge on the 3rd then call to refreshment, invite everyome in, after the ceremony the WM closes without form. Two top hats are placed on the kneeling pad at foot of altar. JavaScript is disabled. Books Online] [E-Books] [Library Of One vote against the petitioner generally rejects him. When called on to give the report, the chairman of the nominating committee states the nominations for each office. After the person elected to office assumes the position, it is too late to nullify an illegal election. Chapter 63 covers general voting and Chapter 68 covers the secret ballot. Your members may wind up voting for Mr. Low as the compromise candidate. A poor meeting achieves the opposite results. 5 0 obj << /Type /Page /Parent 3 0 R /Resources 6 0 R /Contents 4 0 R /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] This site is not an official site of any recognized Masonic body in the United 5. The organization must have another election. It is the duty of every member present to vote, 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. Robert's Rules on elections are very straightforward after what is often a politically charged prequel of nominating and campaigning. Illegal votes cast by legal voters count toward the total votes cast, but they don't count for any individual choice or candidate. At this time the If your assembly's members are accountable to a constituency, your rules may require you to conduct your elections by roll-call vote. endobj 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 Two top hats are placed on the kneeling pad at foot 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. 'xzwQ38/4b|T}R-g|7uhw 4!"icE)S7AEo names. ", JW: "Fair (cloudy) in the South, Worshipful. While the . You are using an out of date browser. If counting ballots takes some time, it is best for the assembly to take a recess instead of adjourn. once petition the same or any other Lodge in the jurisdiction. << /Im1 11 0 R >> >> <> By transfer of membership, maintaining continuous membership, and 4. Cell phones, chewing gum, crinkly snack wrappers and other distractions should be disallowed during a fraternity election (except during breaks). Montgomery County Football Coach, Articles M