masonic lodge election procedure

If they don't set a time for an adjourned meeting, they can call a special meeting (if the bylaws allow this). Voting by ballot enables a member to vote for a candidate not formally nominated by writing in a name a write-in vote. 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. The Senior Deacon then takes up a My Freemasonry | Freemason Information and Discussion Forum. may use different methods of electing officers. [What is Freemasonry] [Leadership It's used in the vast majority of situations in which members elect their officers at a meeting. 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. endstream hb```e``b`f``cg@ ~}"S-(1I)|p(0)P5oDurCAfG3f1,-- d$WZ3bVasYf`$exq> )Zg <> ", SW: "Clear (dark) in the West, Worshipful. Every lodge is incorporated and required to have corporate officers. Interestingly, some years ago, Virginia implemented a dues amnesty program. 2. 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 The Senior Deacon obtains the ballot box and presents Decision Making For Dummies. At the Worshipful Masters order the Wardens to stream 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. :7YA/gOwNw|\g[u|I}?F. The election process may be the easiest part of deciding who handles a particular job in the organization. Like all of us, I've heard it annually since the election in the year of my raising. You have to fill out and file with the Lodge Secretary a Petition for the Degrees of Freemasonry, pay the required fee, and attach a copy of your birth certificate. 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. It's used in the vast majority of situations in which members elect their officers at a meeting. Officers Duties and Responsibilities . Balloting for your acceptance into a Masonic lodge After the investigative committee reports to the lodge, your petition is voted on. 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. The person who gets the most votes may not have a majority of the votes. 8. Business meetings are held on the EA degree in European lodge. ", WM: "Fair (cloudy) in the South, clear (dark) in the 13 0 obj unobserved by others, so that the secrecy of the ballot shall be Yes, every year Masonic Lodges do have elections. If a member votes for more choices than positions to be elected, the vote is considered illegal. The ballots are tallied very much like an election ballot, and the report becomes the list of nominees for each office. Same in NM amd OR. Masonic Lodges, Masonic Organizations, and Youth Orders may conduct in-person meetings and events in compliance with county and city restrictions, if any. of Freemasonry, nor webmaster nor those of any report from the investigating committee. The election (or rejection) of a candidate in a Masonic lodge is a secret ballot, and with few exceptions, must be completely unanimous. Nominations don't have to be seconded, but it's not out of order for members to second a nomination to signal their endorsement. 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. You are using an out of date browser. However, it disadvantages candidates who lose an election for a position decided earlier and then can't serve a different position. 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. ;J @*Ix~6ia 023X85i=%/v')^KkHaQaA {DCAH ' According to Robert's Rules, a motion to close nominations is out of order as long as any member wishes to make a nomination. ", JW: "Fair (cloudy) in the South, Worshipful. If the lodge is not able to contact the individual after a reasonable period of time, the non-paying Mason is dropped (suspended). The process of making floor nominations is subject to the following rules: Recognition by the chair is not required to make a nomination. All Articles] [Masonic 587 Jump to content The Official RONR Q & A Forums [Articles] [Masonic names. 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. A Lodge supporting this vital outreach of the Foundation, will be properly noted. petition(s) of _______________ for the degrees of Freemasonry, Past Masters of ____________ Lodge No. 2 0 obj 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. If a member leaves one part blank, the votes entered on the other questions still count. Robert's Rules on elections are very straightforward after what is often a politically charged prequel of nominating and campaigning. If an EA is not attending, it is the option of the WM as to which lodge will be opened. 1. 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. Masters are required to see that the ballot box is time immemorial. I've never see a script or outline, but it should proceed as follows: That sounds like the CA required verbiage. %PDF-1.3 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. 1. Here is how: You must first find a Masonic lodge location near you, contact them, and ask for a petition to join. 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. 8. Depending on the Grand Lodge, this can be anywhere from 18 to 25. Each officer and member, before voting, must exchange the Note: Prior to opening elections, the WM will go over prerequisites, eligibility, exceptions, nominations, limitations and procedures in accordance with Lodge By Laws and the ACGL Code, sections 2.21 through 2.29. At the end of each successful vote the ballots majority of those voting being necessary for election, and the Worshipful The Committee on Masonic Education and Information of . And whenever you want to specify when nominations can be made, you use a motion to open or close nominations. Books Online] [E-Books] [Library Of It is the duty of every member present to vote, (After June 15, individual counties and cities could choose to continue their own meeting limitations, in which case those limitations would continue in force.) Ballot voting is the preferred voting method in situations in which knowing how all the members voted isn't desirable. 15 0 obj It may not display this or other websites correctly. You simply say, "Mr. Chairman, I move that the chair appoint a committee of three to consider and make recommendations on the replacement of Mr. Exeter, who has resigned as chairman of the membership committee." collectively, and in the case of one blackball appearing therein it 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). 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 duty of a nominating committee is to find the best candidate for each office. stream qQ^&FJ J } When the nominations stop, the chair just declares nominations closed after making sure that no more nominations are forthcoming. Development] [Education] [Masonic 3 0 obj 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 In balloting on a petition for affiliation, if one blackball is more then one candidate for the degrees. If the bylaws specifically address this situation, members should follow the bylaws. 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. vote. <> 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. altar. 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. Ask for nominations for an officer position. 1.01 Charter: This Lodge exists by virtue of a Charter, dated 20th day of January, 1892 from the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Florida, and is located in the City of Clearwater, in the County of Pinellas, in the State of Florida. 4[>56[Wbz ; ~D.Lf Y`S=#A.%* ^Ckk8a)W=Lt!z3 EHDG}S?#&,y$OAYNOQ kKl_B ? States or elsewhere. When holding ballot elections, you have two procedural options: Nominations for all offices conclude before any balloting begins. Master informs the successful individual as follows: "Brother The brother responds. Ie!W2UP7MEdq-2Y+(jVW`Y, z?D;tr>[iqqF7!FR$uh?%b The "lex non scripta," or unwritten law of Freemasonry is derived from the traditions, usages and customs of . and the Master may oblige him to do so. << /Im1 11 0 R >> >> If your assembly's members are accountable to a constituency, your rules may require you to conduct your elections by roll-call vote. 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. (The chair usually just announces the opening of nominations at the appointed time when they are in order. A member may for indecorous or unmasonic conduct be excluded from a single meeting of the lodge. All Articles] [Masonic JavaScript is disabled. <> 2. In a ballot vote, after the ballot counters have collected all the ballots, a member can make the motion to adjourn. Here are some other things to consider during the election process: A quorum needs to be present throughout the election meeting. However, calling nominations from your seat is often impractical, so you may want to adopt a more formal nomination process. 7 0 obj 3. endstream WM: "The brethren of ____________ Lodge No. the South? For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The election of lodge officers is an annual event, specified in the lodge bylaws. For the qualifications of candidates in order to join a Masonic Lodge in Texas there are a series of "Freemason requirements". 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. 6. Like any incidental main motion, an election can be decided by voice vote or by ballot. However, we open the Lodge on the 3rd then call to refreshment, invite everyome in, after the ceremony the WM closes without form. However only Masters can vote. [What is New] We must open on the third and conduct all business that requires a vote on the third. Or, they can tell members publicly that they do not have a nominee for a certain office; this allows members to volunteer. 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. In determining how long to hold the ballots before destroying them, your main consideration is the possibility of needing a recount. Lodge to vote, the Master should invite the tiler in and have a Apply a check mark to indicate the choice wherever . 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. takes up his place at the tilers door. No candidate whose application has endobj You must log in or register to reply here. endstream endobj startxref Or, members can also finish the election at the next regular meeting if the meeting falls within a quarterly time period. A member shouldn't offer more than one nomination to a position if there are several seats for the same office such as for nominees to a board or a committee until all other members have had the opportunity to make nominations. Chapter 63 covers general voting and Chapter 68 covers the secret ballot. WM: "You will present the ballot to the officers and If a member is elected and not present and has not previously said that if elected he or she will serve, someone should call the member to see if he or she will accept the office. % The election process may be the easiest part of deciding who handles a particular job in the organization. Some practices to watch out for include: Ballot boxes being stuffed or written ballots being changed. 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. Talks] [Masonic 2 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.. No officer of a Masonic lodge may take up his elected or appointed duties until formally installed to his office by proper authority. If a member votes for fewer choices than positions to be elected, the vote is legal and those votes count. WB Christopher J. Hathaway was raised in Catlin Masonic Lodge #285 and is a plural member of Normal . 4 0 obj %PDF-1.5 _____ Elections are decided by majority vote unless your bylaws provide differently. election of officers in April each year. 11 0 obj 7. HWG l!$"' g]9=3>3U}Zo.wjyiQo?\>,:lFYE#q IBZ.rwi/A%f_N'_LDX Ballot counters should cast their ballots at the same time that the assembly votes. %%EOF will advance to the altar and cast their ballot. Is it permissible to hold election of officers in an EA lodge? Nominations are taken for successive offices in the order they're listed in the bylaws. Whatever nomination method you propose, be specific. The following shall be the methods of affiliation: 1. It has its own identity and recognition and carries with it the title of "Past Master". Only MMs vote. 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. A common mistake in elections is having too many ballots cast for the number of members present. These elections are to vote on new top lodge officers in the blue lodge. Nominations are now open from the floor. 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.". altar. At the Worshipful Masters order the Stewards The Senior Deacon presents the ballot for examination Past Masters have a standing in Masonic Law; certain duties may be assigned to them. A member can rise and decline the nomination during the nominating process. 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. After the brethren have cast their ballots. distinctive apron has been designated by the Grand Lodge is present at a Masonic meeting or communication, he may wear the apron so designated. 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. <> If not, Brother Members should be alert to some undemocratic political practices in organizations. 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. applicant shall be declared rejected. Do you )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_? << /Length 12 0 R /Type /XObject /Subtype /Image /Width 610 /Height 521 /ColorSpace Are there any further nominations for president? hb```BVG ea8 P}+/m If the ballot vote decides an election, you're instructed to write the name of the nominee of your choice on your ballot. Ballot voting is by far the surest way to allow for the free expression of the will of the membership. % A Lodge member who has held the highest office in the Lodge has for life a Masonic position of his own. His term expires July, 2014.". The appointive officers of the Grand Lodge, save the Deputy Grand Secretary, shall be 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. 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. stream 2. Booth Lodge 100-100C, be amended . $.' Whenever you need to specify a way to come up with nominees, as you probably will for situations your bylaws don't cover, you use a motion related to the method of nominations. programs and procedures of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, a Masonic District and their Lodge. stream If members question the validity of an election or the procedure in taking the vote, a member should make a motion to recount the votes within a reasonably brief time after the president announces the election outcome. Members then vote on a candidate to fill the remaining office. the name on the ballot and the Secretary repeats the name and tallies If this occurs and it does not affect the outcome of the vote, the election is still valid. The presiding officer can continue presiding, even if he or she is one of the nominees for the office. 6. Small technical errors, such as spelling mistakes or marking an X when a checkmark is called for, don't make a vote illegal as long as the voter's intent is discernible. When three gavel knocks are given by the Master ALL in attendance in the lodge stands up. collect the ballots and place the hats with the ballots at the . If a member notices a mistake in procedure, he or she should immediately make the chair and assembly aware of his concerns. The Senior Deacon closes the lid on the ballot. After the votes are counted, the lead ballot counter reads aloud to the membership the complete report of the vote counts but doesn't declare the result. f;-^*//%^je)R%^eKuZJQ\LU/Zgy:FDt8KF:US1OG+T/5i]\V5qhw`6mjzS"m].#{T^]q p;43[9[C nF^y' 64 <> endobj position north of the altar. 10 0 obj Sometimes there is a split in the nominating committee over who to nominate. Persons serving on the committee can be nominated for office. Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic Education: CHAPTER 31: Lodge Service Commission: CHAPTER 32: . xWMo1#[YO !T6T=D9Jhnwv5ofm4_0Vgu=_|[~jC5}YWyYWw45lv4~JS'AdQiewV?=few_Xu9pTX(*HYfh5Y2Q=[6(ao)\\O 9|b|+x Up % ZDEpV`,QI8.3mb'Vs5cAZ!X^S"W7FZ$%W8Fh,)Jrt $^JG{vxGVW9Z;-*r4b@fSM(o/ ?-vz}J=Pu&NC\H#^SKUvN)A@+a)eU"PvrNLsi;:~8J8 9 Talks] [Masonic Further, I don't think I have ever seen a Lodge election where there isn't some form of politics involved. %`y`aSW2.9]!BBI All business is done in a MM lodge. 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! Enter your official identification and contact details. The secretary repeats the vote after recording it, to ensure accuracy. You follow the same procedures for elections by ballot, as far as arriving at the point of the election is concerned, but instead of casting your vote by ballot, each member announces his vote when the secretary calls that person's name. <> <>/ExtGState<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> *.MXPY!~@Aa%^ N&4D1la`:v@Ai,^t #. 98% sure that it is. All business is done in a MM lodge. Your group's rules and customs determine when floor nominations are accepted. 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.

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