Brethren, I declare that you have Masonic Lodge Election Procedure > 2023 Adam is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in Pennsylvania and is employed as a Senior Manager of International Tax in Latrobe, PA. 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. 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. WM: "You will present the ballot to the officers and At the Worshipful Masters order the Wardens to If not, the members can vote again during that meeting for another candidate. NOTE: This is only a suggested procedure. Lodge elections are performed via a Masonic Ballot Box. stream Ballot voting is by far the surest way to allow for the free expression of the will of the membership. Lodge Website Criteria | Grand Lodge of Georgia, F. & A.M. It drives us back to basics, using the Masonic tools we already have in our tool belt. Marshal takes up his place at the West Gate and the Junior Deacon These rules supersede the adopted parliamentary authority. JFIF C 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. Sometimes there is a split in the nominating committee over who to nominate. 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. and the Master may oblige him to do so. The position of Worshipful Master in the East occupies the most exalted position within the lodge. >> /ExtGState << /Gs1 13 0 R >> /Font << /Tc1 10 0 R /TT2 9 0 R >> /XObject 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. West and bright (black) in the East. If the lodge is not able to contact the individual after a reasonable period of time, the non-paying Mason is dropped (suspended). Nominees do not have to leave the room during the nominations, when the vote is taken, or when the vote is counted. The Authorities for Masonic Law. WB Christopher J. Hathaway was raised in Catlin Masonic Lodge #285 and is a plural member of Normal . JavaScript is disabled. Officer Election Form Template | Jotform The secretary places all nominations in the minutes. 'xzwQ38/4b|T}R-g|7uhw 4!"icE)S7AEo The entire ballot counters' report should be included in the minutes of the meeting. Masonic Lodges, Masonic Organizations, and Youth Orders may conduct in-person meetings and events in compliance with county and city restrictions, if any. 75-3 METHODS OF AFFILIATION. 263 0 obj <>stream of Freemasonry, nor webmaster nor those of any the name on the ballot and the Secretary repeats the name and tallies These Masonic rituals represent three degrees which are taken in sequence. 10. Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic Education: CHAPTER 31: Lodge Service Commission: CHAPTER 32: . the Senior Warden hands each ballot to the Junior Warden who announces 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. Premier Grand Lodge of England - Wikipedia ____________ Lodge No. 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. 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. )GT?=Sk8&o9sU|$gv}~3H'>}3DReeZCZ2HN7.WadE-lUG|1pU]d. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Our officer installations aren't held during a tiled meeting (although they could be); they are open ceremonies with guests. ", JW: "Fair (cloudy) in the South, Worshipful. stream We can only drop to a different degree once we conclude that portion of the meeting. The presiding officer votes along with all the other members, although she is never allowed to cast a tie-breaker in a ballot vote. endobj 9 0 obj 10 Mistakes You Should Avoid As A Freemason - MasonicFind 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. 4 0 obj 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 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. 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. %PDF-1.5 % other regular Masonic body other than those stated. ____ for the ensuing Masonic year. Does any brother wish to have 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 It is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views The organization must have another election. 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. endobj * (rap once). The Master may approve a collective ballot if there Two top hats are placed on the kneeling pad at foot "30*5gDcJuk.w^m=12Ua&0cE'|H%KV L%|c]c0l;v=[, Cj+M 38xHDL\. endobj << /Im1 11 0 R >> >> Depending on the Grand Lodge, this can be anywhere from 18 to 25. 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. 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. PDF Guidance Notes for Lodge Secretaries in Hertfordshire 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.. In a voice vote, the winner is easy to determine and the vote is over when someone wins the election. You take nominations from the floor for one office, and when no further nominations are forthcoming, you proceed to the balloting for that office. 1. Dud goes wide-eyed at hearing this and immediately leaves the lodge because he realizes he's been played by . <> 1 0 obj It may not display this or other websites correctly. collect the ballots, the Deacons approach the altar, pick up the hats, Masonic politics is typically at its ugliest during elections when Brothers are charged with un-Masonic conduct for "electioneering." I find this all rather amusing as I believe our process for electing officers is far from perfect. %PDF-1.7 % endstream endobj startxref 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. While the . a portion or all of the petition(s) reread? Some Lodges The assembly then votes again on the other office. 705 South Hercules Avenue. 6 0 obj You must log in or register to reply here. <> To which Blaise replies "Yeah, 200 bucks is pretty steep.". Decision Making For Dummies. 6. Don't implement a new process to 450 lodges until it is . [ 11 0 R] unobserved by others, so that the secrecy of the ballot shall be If the motion is adopted, the assembly can adjourn before the vote is announced if it has another meeting scheduled. Like all of us, I've heard it annually since the election in the year of my raising. It's used in the vast majority of situations in which members elect their officers at a meeting. << /ProcSet [ /PDF /Text /ImageB /ImageC /ImageI ] /ColorSpace << /Cs1 7 0 R endstream endobj startxref When three gavel knocks are given by the Master ALL in attendance in the lodge stands up. Join us as we strive to make good men better by teaching universal values through the use of geometry and architecture metaphors. If someone is not willing to serve, the committee needs to meet again and find another candidate. In either case, you need to appoint reliable ballot counters to hand out and collect ballots and to count the votes. collect the ballots and place the hats with the ballots at the Suddenly it's 3am. elected. The requirement for election by ballot is a majority, and a candidate has no obligation to withdraw just because he polls low numbers. 10 0 obj However, it disadvantages candidates who lose an election for a position decided earlier and then can't serve a different position. This method of nominations is based on the principle of allowing all voters to make nominations for all offices by completing a nominating ballot. 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! altar.". The balloting committee can still count the ballots. All Articles] [Masonic The following shall be the methods of affiliation: 1. Voting by ballot enables a member to vote for a candidate not formally nominated by writing in a name a write-in vote. Robert's Rules on elections are very straightforward after what is often a politically charged prequel of nominating and campaigning. 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. Every lodge is incorporated and required to have corporate officers. States or elsewhere. Past Masters of ____________ Lodge No. 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. SECRETARY FORMS AND REPORTS | Grand Lodge of Georgia, F. & A.M. Master. Freemasonry's Requirements for Membership. We can conduct lodge business in the EA degree in Minnesota, but only Master Masons can vote. endobj Clearwater Lodge No. Officers Duties and Responsibilities . 1. 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. 3. 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." Illegal votes are, Two or more marked ballots folded together (together they count as only one illegal vote). 4[>56[Wbz ; ~D.Lf Y`S=#A.%* ^Ckk8a)W=Lt!z3 EHDG}S?#&,y$OAYNOQ kKl_B ? At the Worshipful Master s order the Stewards distribute the ballots for the first position to be voted upon. In the vote for Secretary, unless he is retiring, 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. 3 0 obj Do you Robert's Rules for Conducting Elections - dummies x=o6 bP+SR[H7\AE>Dz- ^=(pH{'OE5Y%?jUMi?OOVy5'Vx_u5'ur|GY,*'yEL -R@$S0.SHdrV&g_;F0PJ1:|GXqNg masonic lodge election procedure - shinecreditandfinance.com An election is really nothing more than the handling of an assumed motion, with the question being on whom to elect to fill a position. Ie!W2UP7MEdq-2Y+(jVW`Y, z?D;tr>[iqqF7!FR$uh?%b 16 0 obj We must open on the third and conduct all business that requires a vote on the third. Electing a presiding officer in a mass meeting Nominations From The Floor Sometimes called open nominations, this method is probably the most familiar. ByLaws - Clearwater Lodge No. 127, F&AM Balloting must continue until a candidate receives a majority. rejection. or opinion majority of those voting being necessary for election, and the Worshipful (rap). The Necessity of Lodge Audits | Freemason Information . altar. The mechanics of the election are governed by a few sections of the Minnesota Masonic Code and quite a bit of lodge tradition. It varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Both a bank's president and janitor can apply for membership, and they're considered equally qualified. Some organizations add nominees to the ballot only if the name is submitted on a petition signed by some minimum number of members. The mechanics of the election are governed by a few sections of the Minnesota Masonic Code and quite a bit of lodge tradition. A website endorsed by a Lodge will be considered the official Lodge website, and will be subject to these criteria and rules. Lodge No. In most places, the answer is likely no. 3. If an EA is not attending, it is the option of the WM as to which lodge will be opened. election of officers in April each year. the South? Nominations are taken for successive offices in the order they're listed in the bylaws. I /8ZzeL%kxF~/a&MBkd/cK"zBARqG(/%:}4Q;l@)R^M,s;p Rx P~DV(GR,&Gj;v}yh/5F3ibD,eZJ collectively, and in the case of one blackball appearing therein it 66 0 obj <>stream 13 0 obj Welcome | Grand Lodge of NC altar. Enter your official identification and contact details. 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. 5 0 obj Nominations for each office are followed by the election for that office. The Principles of Masonic Law/Chapter XX - Wikisource If a member votes for fewer choices than positions to be elected, the vote is legal and those votes count. Motions to close nominations are usually unnecessary because the nomination process simply continues until no one wishes to make further nominations. Here are some other things to consider during the election process: A quorum needs to be present throughout the election meeting. 8. Like any incidental main motion, an election can be decided by voice vote or by ballot. is more then one candidate for the degrees. The brother responds. One example occurs if a person is elected and then resigns, the office is considered vacant, and the president or board fills it by appointment instead of having another election. 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. Balloting for your acceptance into a Masonic lodge After the investigative committee reports to the lodge, your petition is voted on. 14 0 R /BitsPerComponent 8 /Filter /FlateDecode >> Sometimes called open nominations, this method is probably the most familiar. It varies! 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. x`TU?5%BBH*5XHRjD5IPJ@Z"MDE]sm.Cs)}{n/JFtZ_!ms6g:8_\Xt hq[gGBqvZ(}%p&N"4t 4b2hEs APPOINTMENT. 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. some brother of the Lodge other than the Secretary should tally and Grand Secretary "Stuff" Information for Lodge Secretaries - December PDF Lodge Election Procedures1 - ACGL 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. The duty of a nominating committee is to find the best candidate for each office. 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. That means run-offs are just plain out of order. endobj 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. Westside Toastmasters is located in Los Angeles and Santa Monica, California. ___________, you have been elected to serve as ____________ of 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. If lodge functions go smoothly, it is the Master who takes the credit. )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_? The Grand Lodge was founded shortly after George I, the first Hanoverian king of the Kingdom of Great Britain, ascended to the throne on 1 August 1714 and the end of the first Jacobite rising of 1715.. Officially, the Grand Lodge of England was founded in London on St. John the Baptist's day, 24 June 1717, when four existing Lodges gathered at the Goose and Gridiron Ale-house in St. Paul's . 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. vote. Or, they can tell members publicly that they do not have a nominee for a certain office; this allows members to volunteer.