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).. Suggested Procedure For Electing Lodge Officers. Nominations are taken for successive offices in the order they're listed in the bylaws. %%EOF 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. If not, the members can vote again during that meeting for another candidate. 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. Some organizations add nominees to the ballot only if the name is submitted on a petition signed by some minimum number of members. If lodge functions go smoothly, it is the Master who takes the credit. 4. Masonic Lodges, Masonic Organizations, and Youth Orders may conduct in-person meetings and events in compliance with county and city restrictions, if any. (After June 15, individual counties and cities could choose to continue their own meeting limitations, in which case those limitations would continue in force.) Jump to content The Official RONR Q & A Forums 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. 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. Decision Making For Dummies. qQ^&FJ J } * (rap once). 0 In Texas, per Art. The committee then has to find a new nominee, and the members have to vote again. A member has the right to vote until the polls are closed. <> By transfer of membership, maintaining continuous membership, and 4. All Articles] [Masonic Work on making your brothers become better friends. Any blue lodge that does not hold annual election of officers is considered irregular by most Grand Lodges. Senior Deacon,", WM: "Prepare and present the ballot box.". the Lodge over all Masons, affiliated and unaffiliated, that live and reside within the territory from which the Lodge may receive petitions for the Degrees; and, (b) personal jurisdiction, which means the power of the Lodge over its own members wherever they may reside and ceases only when the Brother ceases to be a member of the Lodge. 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. 234 0 obj <> endobj Development] [Education] [Masonic In this case, the members must vote again until one candidate receives a majority vote. endobj However, we open the Lodge on the 3rd then call to refreshment, invite everyome in, after the ceremony the WM closes without form. Fund raising is underway. 8 0 obj It's never proper to drop the candidates receiving the lowest vote totals from a ballot unless they withdraw voluntarily. Join a brotherhood of over 2,000,000 men of all ages, from all races, religions, and countries, and from all walks of life. This saves time and allows for polling at a time and place other than a meeting. endobj endstream endobj 34 0 obj <>>>/Metadata 18 0 R/Pages 31 0 R/Type/Catalog>> endobj 35 0 obj <>/ExtGState<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text]>>/Rotate 0/Type/Page>> endobj 36 0 obj <>stream An election is really nothing more than the handling of an assumed motion, with the question being on whom to elect to fill a position. <>>> ____________ Lodge No. 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. ____ for the ensuing Masonic year. Booth Lodge 100-100C, be amended . It has its own identity and recognition and carries with it the title of "Past Master". yy MWY*^K$@48SyFHv! The entire ballot counters' report should be included in the minutes of the meeting. Pause. After each nomination, the president repeats the name to the assembly. endobj 2 0 obj Because fraud does happen in the election process, members need to be alert and watchful of the election process. As each nomination is received (assuming multiple candidates), ask each nominee "If elected, are you willing to serve?" mistake.". Suddenly it's 3am. 2 0 obj If a member leaves one part blank, the votes entered on the other questions still count. These rules supersede the adopted parliamentary authority. Enter your official identification and contact details. Remember brethren, a This method is applicable when, Appointing members to committees, if specified in the motion creating the committee, or if prescribed in the bylaws, Electing a presiding officer in a mass meeting. elected. The Worshipful Master orders the Wardens to take Because this form of voting favors one candidate over another based on the order of nomination, you should avoid using it except in mass meetings or when there's no serious contest for the office and a ballot is not required. I've never performed or even practiced the role before, though via "osmosis," should be able to piece it together to at least a minimally functional level. Are there any further nominations for president? Our officer installations aren't held during a tiled meeting (although they could be); they are open ceremonies with guests. HWG l!$"' g]9=3>3U}Zo.wjyiQo?\>,:lFYE#q IBZ.rwi/A%f_N'_LDX Procedure for Contempt: CHAPTER 101: Restoration after Suspension or Expulsion: CHAPTER 102: We can only drop to a different degree once we conclude that portion of the meeting. If something doesn't quite add up, a member should question it during the meeting. The Master may approve a collective ballot if there 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 to the Junior Warden, then the Senior Warden and then the Worshipful % The Lodge web page must not link to or be linked to by any website where a conflict . [What is Freemasonry] [Leadership Does any brother wish to have Secretary prepares ballots for each position to be elected. It is the duty of every member present to vote, Books Online] [E-Books] [Library Of Register a free account today to become a member! 6 0 obj The election process may be the easiest part of deciding who handles a particular job in the organization. or opinion BALLOTING PROCEDURE CHAPTER xv THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER'S HANDBOOK Grand Lodge, F.A.A.M. However, we open the Lodge on the 3rd then call to refreshment, invite everyome in, after the ceremony the WM closes without form. Some practices to watch out for include: Ballot boxes being stuffed or written ballots being changed. The motion to have a vote for a particular office recounted needs a second, is not debatable, and takes a majority vote to adopt. endstream - "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 . LODGE VISITATION - A PRIVILEGE. ), 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. These elections are to vote on new top lodge officers in the blue lodge. time immemorial. When two gavel knocks are heard, only officers of the lodge stand. x=o6 bP+SR[H7\AE>Dz- ^=(pH{'OE5Y%?jUMi?OOVy5'Vx_u5'ur|GY,*'yEL -R@$S0.SHdrV&g_;F0PJ1:|GXqNg This requires secretaries (and possibly grand secretaries if different jurisdictions) to get involved, but is a somewhat common occurrence. This ceremony, revised in 2013 relies heavily on the work of the prolific Masonic author and commentator, Robert Macoy who first set it down in 2017 2 PREFACE This Manual has been assembled to enable Brethren to better understand the laws, customs, programs and procedures of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, a Masonic District and their Lodge. endstream 98% sure that it is. 2. After the period during which a recount can be conducted has passed, you don't need to keep the ballots. If your bylaws don't require you to conduct an election by ballot, and if candidates are unopposed or there's no major contest for an office, you can save time with a simple voice vote (or viva voce). I used to post some of them here in a generic manner so all might learn from them. To help with the Masonic experience at Lodge meetings, you were allowed to open on any degree, and use the Chamber endobj >> /ExtGState << /Gs1 13 0 R >> /Font << /Tc1 10 0 R /TT2 9 0 R >> /XObject [Articles] [Masonic Ie!W2UP7MEdq-2Y+(jVW`Y, z?D;tr>[iqqF7!FR$uh?%b However, in some national organizations that meet yearly or biennially (every two years), this is difficult. ", JW: "Fair (cloudy) in the South, Worshipful. 2. . It's used in the vast majority of situations in which members elect their officers at a meeting. An officer election form is a document used by groups, clubs, and organizations to elect leaders and fill vacant positions. It's used in the vast majority of situations in which members elect their officers at a meeting. Club elections and officers are an integral part of the organization and must be conducted according to the group's bylaws and rules. hb```e``b`f``cg@ ~}"S-(1I)|p(0)P5oDurCAfG3f1,-- d$WZ3bVasYf`$exq> )Zg 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. Development] [Education] [Masonic Sometimes called open nominations, this method is probably the most familiar. This site is not an official site of any recognized Masonic body in the United 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. 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. gjzUS&31+W&nck')*Uf{|mON6E4GKIpFT(o o.RJ MXqy-) MR 3. 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 report of the nominating committee is usually given under "special orders." It is considered a faux pas to cross . 1. 127. 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. Secretarys table and put the ballots into one of the hats. Election of Officers of a Lodge: CHAPTER 55: Installation of Officers of a Lodge: CHAPTER 56: Officers of a Lodge, Term, Resignation, and Title . << /Type /Page /Parent 3 0 R /Resources 6 0 R /Contents 4 0 R /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] Robert's Rules on elections are very straightforward after what is often a politically charged prequel of nominating and campaigning. names. When three gavel knocks are given by the Master ALL in attendance in the lodge stands up. 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. Elections are decided by majority vote unless your bylaws provide differently. In most places, the answer is likely no. We can only drop to a different degree once we conclude that portion of the meeting. Ballot counters should cast their ballots at the same time that the assembly votes. West and bright (black) in the East. Each incoming class of three shall consist of the incoming Junior Warden of the lodge (which has its own bylaws), and. WB Christopher J. Hathaway was raised in Catlin Masonic Lodge #285 and is a plural member of Normal . 6. 3 0 obj Achieve this by asking them to hang out with you. Some Lodges have their bills paid automatically each month electronically, such as for utilities and telephones for example. Or, they can tell members publicly that they do not have a nominee for a certain office; this allows members to volunteer. 10. You are using an out of date browser. At the Worshipful Masters order the Wardens to If the bylaws specifically address this situation, members should follow the bylaws. 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. Lodge elections are performed via a Masonic Ballot Box. The election of lodge officers is an annual event, specified in the lodge bylaws. The brother responds. 5. 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. This example is based on moving to have nominations by committee, but the form is essentially the same for any of the methods. 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. 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. 33 0 obj <> endobj You must log in or register to reply here. hb```BVG ea8 P}+/m 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. ^. Masonry doesn't care about your worldly wealth or social position. Westside Toastmasters is located in Los Angeles and Santa Monica, California. 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. j]Ic[faPhgcP0U0.!boS/]9[[3+:;:+:Q1DX. endobj Illegal votes cast by legal voters count toward the total votes cast, but they don't count for any individual choice or candidate. It varies! will advance to the altar and cast their ballot. collectively, and in the case of one blackball appearing therein it and the Past Masters around the Lodge and places the ballot box on the The presiding officer can continue presiding, even if he or she is one of the nominees for the office. Each officer and member, before voting, must exchange the 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. ", SW: "Clear (dark) in the West, Worshipful. Polls closing or opening at times different than the times posted. WM: "Brother Junior Warden, how stands the ballot in Chapter 63 covers general voting and Chapter 68 covers the secret ballot. [What is New] The person who gets the most votes may not have a majority of the votes. A member can rise and decline the nomination during the nominating process. The election of lodge officers is an annual event, specified in the lodge bylaws. 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.. Nominees do not have to leave the room during the nominations, when the vote is taken, or when the vote is counted. The Masonic rituals provided here are as practiced under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Nevada, circa 1986. 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. You must log in or register to reply here. Members then vote on a candidate to fill the remaining office. 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. 1 0 obj 0 Once you're a Master Mason, you've got a few options. %`y`aSW2.9]!BBI ;D[{cv,#(145:n') _____ 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. 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. 3. "If so, I declare the These could lead The Constitution is clear on the proper procedure Masonic Lodge Election Procedure HB89 - Tightens the time frames for issuance of firearms licenses by probate judges. Tradition holds that the Master of the lodge appoint a committee of three (usually Past Masters) to serve as a Tellers Committee. Depending on the Grand Lodge, this can be anywhere from 18 to 25. As Masons, we hone our skills to apply their use, improving ourselves daily. election of officers in April each year. While the . 66 0 obj <>stream <> 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. 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. 14 0 obj . My Freemasonry | Freemason Information and Discussion Forum. Cell phones, chewing gum, crinkly snack wrappers and other distractions should be disallowed during a fraternity election (except during breaks). 1. I /8ZzeL%kxF~/a&MBkd/cK"zBARqG(/%:}4Q;l@)R^M,s;p Rx P~DV(GR,&Gj;v}yh/5F3ibD,eZJ <> This site is not an official site of any recognized Masonic body in the United )GT?=Sk8&o9sU|$gv}~3H'>}3DReeZCZ2HN7.WadE-lUG|1pU]d. 1. 5 0 obj Electing a presiding officer in a mass meeting Nominations From The Floor Sometimes called open nominations, this method is probably the most familiar. 4 0 obj Your group's rules and customs determine when floor nominations are accepted. Often the extra ballot comes from someone who has entered the assembly but has not signed in to the meeting. If they don't set a time for an adjourned meeting, they can call a special meeting (if the bylaws allow this). 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 Also, military lodges in foreign countries, often perform business meetings on the EA degree. should be destroyed. (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. (The chair usually just announces the opening of nominations at the appointed time when they are in order. 15 0 obj It drives us back to basics, using the Masonic tools we already have in our tool belt. Masonic Etiquette Summary: Masonic etiquette is simply the rules of good manners which make lodge meetings pleasant for everyone. 705 South Hercules Avenue. WM: "Brethren, you have heard read the 2 0 obj Here is how: You must first find a Masonic lodge location near you, contact them, and ask for a petition to join. 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. Business meetings are held on the EA degree in European lodge. 2. It's never in order to vote Yes or No (or For or Against) a candidate when electing persons to office. % 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. After nominations are closed, the vote is taken on each nominee in the order in which they were nominated. of Freemasonry, nor webmaster nor those of any 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. 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. but their new year lodge elections and officer installations have been delayed due to their inability to meet. Motions to close nominations are usually unnecessary because the nomination process simply continues until no one wishes to make further nominations. For this reason, members should listen carefully to the report of the ballot counters' committee. Register a free account today to become a member! %PDF-1.5 Blogs] [Links] In most cases, the threshold is a majority of the votes cast. <> 1. shall be immediately retaken, when, if a blackball again appears, the If polling is conducted outside of a meeting, members should verify their credentials with election officials when casting their votes at the polls, and members' names should be checked on a list showing who has voted. The Senior Deacon obtains the ballot box and presents Only MMs vote. If a member votes for more choices than positions to be elected, the vote is considered illegal. The Senior Deacon closes the lid on the ballot. Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation. endobj or opinion Lodge Election Procedures "Worshipful Master (WM) or Preceding Officer" 1. $.' 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. If your assembly's members are accountable to a constituency, your rules may require you to conduct your elections by roll-call vote. Nominations are now open from the floor. endobj so presented that each officer and member shall cast his ballot 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. 10 0 obj The "lex non scripta," or unwritten law of Freemasonry is derived from the traditions, usages and customs of . This method of nominations is based on the principle of allowing all voters to make nominations for all offices by completing a nominating ballot. WM: "The brethren of ____________ Lodge No. Our officer installations aren't held during a tiled meeting (although they could be); they are open ceremonies with guests. and the Master may oblige him to do so. AUTHORITY. 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. _____ cast their ballot?" APPOINTMENT. Blogs] [Links] Masonic etiquette decries anyone who does not obey the gavel. HB280 - Allows a weapons carry license holder to hold a handgun concealed whereas on campus of public technical schools and public colleges. Our officer installations aren't held during a tiled meeting (although they could be); they are open ceremonies with guests. 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. 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. 9 0 obj Your organization needs officers, maybe committee members, and other positions decided by a vote of the membership. the name on the ballot and the Secretary repeats the name and tallies The process of making floor nominations is subject to the following rules: Recognition by the chair is not required to make a nomination.