masonic lodge election procedure masonic lodge election procedure

To lend a professional air to the proceedings, suggest that brothers wear a collared shirt and tie, especially the candidates. This requires secretaries (and possibly grand secretaries if different jurisdictions) to get involved, but is a somewhat common occurrence. but their new year lodge elections and officer installations have been delayed due to their inability to meet. After nominations are closed, the vote is taken on each nominee in the order in which they were nominated. election of officers in April each year. vote. xU]o@|_cZR%q"b$*/}E(k nK6hb'_ D(|}5Dsq PBY%_'Dru.{,dW9PeOw9 d6!=#3r/iby+4C~9^-GT.d 1. <> 127. A parade of misfortunes had culminated by forcing potato planter Fred Jensen to stop his cross-country dash 85 miles short of his destination. Ask for nominations for an officer position. Freemasonry's Requirements for Membership. Nominees do not have to leave the room during the nominations, when the vote is taken, or when the vote is counted. 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. My Freemasonry | Freemason Information and Discussion Forum. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. These elections happen in the end of the year to elect the following years leadership team. Masonic Etiquette Summary: Masonic etiquette is simply the rules of good manners which make lodge meetings pleasant for everyone. 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. elected (rejected) Mister ___________ for the degrees of Since it is the obligation of every brother of the Chapter 63 covers general voting and Chapter 68 covers the secret ballot. >> /ExtGState << /Gs1 13 0 R >> /Font << /Tc1 10 0 R /TT2 9 0 R >> /XObject 1. In counting the votes, the balloting committee must not confuse a majority vote with the highest number of votes. Doing this may allow an unpopular or hand-picked candidate to get the office even though he or she was not elected. 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. MAKE SURE YOU READ YOUR GRAND LODGE CODE! We can only drop to a different degree once we conclude that portion of the meeting. 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 above procedure is repeated for each position or in Season 1, episode 2 of Lodge 49 on AMC, our hero Dud (Wyatt Russel) tells Blaise (David Pasquesi) "You'd have more people if the membership fee wasn't so high.". 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. 6. It may not display this or other websites correctly. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 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. 12 0 obj Brethren, I declare that you have When two gavel knocks are heard, only officers of the lodge stand. Your members may wind up voting for Mr. Low as the compromise candidate. << /Length 12 0 R /Type /XObject /Subtype /Image /Width 610 /Height 521 /ColorSpace 'xzwQ38/4b|T}R-g|7uhw 4!"icE)S7AEo As Masons, we hone our skills to apply their use, improving ourselves daily. 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. West and bright (black) in the East. Fund raising is underway. When nominations are taken from the floor or when a nominating ballot is used, a good practice is to provide the members with an eligibility list so that they are not nominating people who will not be able to serve. Members should be alert to some undemocratic political practices in organizations. I guess that would depend on the jurisdiction. 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. However only Masters can vote. If lodge functions go smoothly, it is the Master who takes the credit. masonic lodge election procedure; shkolla viktor hygo logo October 28, 2021. masonic lodge election procedure . The person who gets the most votes may not have a majority of the votes. [What is Freemasonry] [Leadership endstream 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. Any blue lodge that does not hold annual election of officers is considered irregular by most Grand Lodges. 3 0 obj As soon as the committee reports, it is discharged from its duties. Lodge No. Tradition holds that the Master of the lodge appoint a committee of three (usually Past Masters) to serve as a Tellers Committee. The secretary places all nominations in the minutes. Another problematic practice to watch out for is nominating someone for office who is not eligible. hbbd``b`$+@9`~ $U@ AL Abo;I0 V!$B unobserved by others, so that the secrecy of the ballot shall be white ball elects; a black cube rejects. 0 endobj You must log in or register to reply here. In Kentucky, the individual is normally sent a certified letter. When holding ballot elections, you have two procedural options: Nominations for all offices conclude before any balloting begins. New Jersey checking in. We can conduct lodge business in the EA degree in Minnesota, but only Master Masons can vote. salute with the Worshipful Master. % of altar. Customarily (although it's not required), the chair accomplishes this by calling three times for more nominations. 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. Register a free account today to become a member! The report of the nominating committee is usually given under "special orders." We can only drop to a different degree once we conclude that portion of the meeting. Suggested Procedure For Electing Lodge Officers. 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. 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. or opinion No candidate whose application has APPOINTMENT. * (rap once). The Lodge web page must not link to or be linked to by any website where a conflict . Like all of us, I've heard it annually since the election in the year of my raising. Every lodge is incorporated and required to have corporate officers. In a ballot vote, after the ballot counters have collected all the ballots, a member can make the motion to adjourn. It varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Same in NM amd OR. (or for affiliation) which has received a unanimously favorable Does any brother wish to have Once you're a Master Mason, you've got a few options. 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. At the end of each successful vote the ballots Cell phones, chewing gum, crinkly snack wrappers and other distractions should be disallowed during a fraternity election (except during breaks). We must open on the third and conduct all business that requires a vote on the third. If officers assume their duties immediately after the meeting is adjourned, it is then too late to question the election. Usually the president closes nominations when no further nominations come forward from the assembly. In this case, the members must vote again until one candidate receives a majority vote. However, in some national organizations that meet yearly or biennially (every two years), this is difficult. the Senior Warden hands each ballot to the Junior Warden who announces While the . 2. 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. % The only way you can vote against a candidate is to vote for another person. Discover the world's largest and oldest fraternal organization with over 3 million members. <> WM: "You will present the ballot to the officers and However, it disadvantages candidates who lose an election for a position decided earlier and then can't serve a different position. 3. %PDF-1.5 % The Authorities for Masonic Law. The Master may approve a collective ballot if there will advance to the altar and cast their ballot. 9. If a member votes for more choices than positions to be elected, the vote is considered illegal. 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. 2 0 obj You can use a ballot vote to decide either a motion or an election: If the ballot vote decides a motion, the question is clearly stated by the chair, and you're instructed to mark your ballot Yes or No (or For or Against). Sometimes called open nominations, this method is probably the most familiar. It's never in order to vote Yes or No (or For or Against) a candidate when electing persons to office. %PDF-1.5 1. 4. 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. ____________ Lodge No. ", WM: "How in the West, Brother Senior Warden? endobj endobj Secretary prepares ballots for each position to be cubes in the box. If you become a Free Mason, you will: Join both the oldest and the largest fraternity in the world. 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. If an EA is not attending, it is the option of the WM as to which lodge will be opened. When the nominations stop, the chair just declares nominations closed after making sure that no more nominations are forthcoming. Introduction. Masters are required to see that the ballot box is Join us as we strive to make good men better by teaching universal values through the use of geometry and architecture metaphors. Collectively, these motions are known as motions related to nominations. {V++6o <>`ulr<>[lLDdTVVQ4Mt{<1iz;E You must log in or register to reply here. All Articles] [Masonic 292, elections may be held in a lodge opened in an EA as long as there is an EA attending. The Code has two primary chapters that describe the process of voting in subordinate lodges. JavaScript is disabled. 1 0 obj Sometimes nominations aren't taken until the election is pending, and sometimes they're taken at other times, such as at a meeting before the election meeting. Whatever nomination method you propose, be specific. to the Junior Warden, then the Senior Warden and then the Worshipful endobj The organization must have another election. The election process may be the easiest part of deciding who handles a particular job in the organization. Apply a check mark to indicate the choice wherever . once petition the same or any other Lodge in the jurisdiction. Section 3. collect the ballots, the Deacons approach the altar, pick up the hats, applicant shall be declared rejected. WM: "Brother Junior Warden, how stands the ballot in In most cases, the threshold is a majority of the votes cast. [Feedback]. ", WM: "Fair (cloudy) in the South, clear (dark) in the 11 0 obj <> Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation. <>/ExtGState<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> Work on making your brothers become better friends. This example is based on moving to have nominations by committee, but the form is essentially the same for any of the methods. *.MXPY!~@Aa%^ N&4D1la`:v@Ai,^t #. When using this procedure, make it clear that a person can be nominated for and elected to more than one office. 11 0 obj 5 0 obj 234 0 obj <> endobj All eyes are upon the Master. Marshal takes up his place at the West Gate and the Junior Deacon mistake.". It's used in the vast majority of situations in which members elect their officers at a meeting. endobj If not, the members can vote again during that meeting for another candidate. It is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views When three gavel knocks are given by the Master ALL in attendance in the lodge stands up. The election of lodge officers is an annual event, specified in the lodge bylaws. 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. A ballot shall be taken for the three degrees You are using an out of date browser. The Senior Deacon closes the lid on the ballot. 66 0 obj <>stream stream hbbd``b`n@` ! . 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. Talks] [Masonic In determining how long to hold the ballots before destroying them, your main consideration is the possibility of needing a recount. That job belongs to the presiding officer, who reads the report again to the members, concluding with a formal declaration of the result. altar. Some practices to watch out for include: Ballot boxes being stuffed or written ballots being changed. x=o6 bP+SR[H7\AE>Dz- ^=(pH{'OE5Y%?jUMi?OOVy5'Vx_u5'ur|GY,*'yEL -R@$S0.SHdrV&g_;F0PJ1:|GXqNg By absolute demit, [ Chapter 76] 3. In Europe, it takes often a year, to advance per degree. ballot drawer is empty and that there are both white balls and black <> programs and procedures of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, a Masonic District and their Lodge. In most places, the answer is likely no. Because fraud does happen in the election process, members need to be alert and watchful of the election process. takes up his place at the tilers door. When called on to give the report, the chairman of the nominating committee states the nominations for each office. Master. The ballots are tallied very much like an election ballot, and the report becomes the list of nominees for each office. 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! 16 0 obj endobj 2 0 obj 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." Yes, every year Masonic Lodges do have elections. <> 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. 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. Robert's Rules sets out several methods of making nominations for positions: An organization can nominate candidates in several ways: This method is used whenever the membership wants to rely on the presiding officer to recommend candidates but also wants to reserve for itself (or its designee, such as the board of directors) the approval of the nominee. The balloting committee can still count the ballots. An officer election form is a document used by groups, clubs, and organizations to elect leaders and fill vacant positions. Is it permissible to hold election of officers in an EA lodge? A Lodge supporting this vital outreach of the Foundation, will be properly noted. This method requires more time for the election process, making it probably best limited to smaller groups. LODGE VISITATION - A PRIVILEGE. Both a bank's president and janitor can apply for membership, and they're considered equally qualified. 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. 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 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! Ballot voting is by far the surest way to allow for the free expression of the will of the membership. * 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. (After June 15, individual counties and cities could choose to continue their own meeting limitations, in which case those limitations would continue in force.) 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. The secretary repeats the vote after recording it, to ensure accuracy. In the vote for the position of Worshipful Master ^. %`y`aSW2.9]!BBI However, we open the Lodge on the 3rd then call to refreshment, invite everyome in, after the ceremony the WM closes without form. Nominations are taken for successive offices in the order they're listed in the bylaws. 7. However, we open the Lodge on the 3rd then call to refreshment, invite everyome in, after the ceremony the WM closes without form. Grand Lodge Dues 24 Conducting an Election of Officers 24-25 Section . 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. 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. The appointive officers of the Grand Lodge, save the Deputy Grand Secretary, shall be <> ballot closed." Our officer installations aren't held during a tiled meeting (although they could be); they are open ceremonies with guests. 1. Ie!W2UP7MEdq-2Y+(jVW`Y, z?D;tr>[iqqF7!FR$uh?%b Your group's rules and customs determine when floor nominations are accepted. If the lodge is not able to contact the individual after a reasonable period of time, the non-paying Mason is dropped (suspended). When the next meeting begins, the first order of business is to hear the report of the balloting committee and for the presiding officer to announce the vote that was taken at the previous meeting. ____ for the ensuing Masonic year. elected. Or, they can tell members publicly that they do not have a nominee for a certain office; this allows members to volunteer. 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. the South? 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. 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. The Senior Deacon then takes up a <>/ExtGState<>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 595.44 841.92] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> If your assembly's members are accountable to a constituency, your rules may require you to conduct your elections by roll-call vote. endstream endstream endobj startxref it to the Master who inspects the ballot box making sure that the Rules may include how long the organization saves ballots and how long members can wait to challenge an election. The Committee on Masonic Education and Information of . If members leave during the meeting so that a quorum is not present, those offices not yet elected must be put off until an adjourned meeting or until the next meeting. All officers resume their stations and Magazines Online] The process of making floor nominations is subject to the following rules: Recognition by the chair is not required to make a nomination. One of the most important franchises which the Masonic character offers is THE ELECTION OF MASTER FOR THE ENSUING TWELVE MONTHS. endobj The brother responds. If a person has been nominated to more than one office and is elected to two offices, he or she can choose which office he or she wants. Booth Lodge 100-100C, be amended . 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[ << /Type /Page /Parent 3 0 R /Resources 6 0 R /Contents 4 0 R /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] 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. A Lodge member who has held the highest office in the Lodge has for life a Masonic position of his own. 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. ", JW: "Fair (cloudy) in the South, Worshipful. Or, members can also finish the election at the next regular meeting if the meeting falls within a quarterly time period. charge of the Ballot and they pick up the hats, take them to the 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. JFIF C 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. 6 Y~0 0@ $.' Sent from my LG-H811 using My Freemasonry Pro mobile app. 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. [Feedback]. 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. endstream endobj 37 0 obj <>stream A lodge which does not honor its Master, no matter how they personally feel about the man, himself, lacks Masonic . Balloting must continue until a candidate receives a majority.