4[>56[Wbz ; ~D.Lf Y`S=#A.%* ^Ckk8a)W=Lt!z3 EHDG}S?#&,y$OAYNOQ kKl_B ? At this time the 234 0 obj <> endobj While the . The only way you can vote against a candidate is to vote for another person. _____ and place it on the Ballot voting is the preferred voting method in situations in which knowing how all the members voted isn't desirable. The assembly then votes again on the other office. It's used in the vast majority of situations in which members elect their officers at a meeting. hbbd``b`$+@9`~ $U@ AL Abo;I0 V!$B 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. Be careful and make no :7YA/gOwNw|\g[u|I}?F. [What is Freemasonry] [Leadership Robert's Rules on elections are very straightforward after what is often a politically charged prequel of nominating and campaigning. The committee then has to find a new nominee, and the members have to vote again. elected (rejected) Mister ___________ for the degrees of 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. Masonic Etiquette And Protocol - The Masonic Trowel A website endorsed by a Lodge will be considered the official Lodge website, and will be subject to these criteria and rules. Each question on a multipart ballot is counted as a separate ballot. If they don't set a time for an adjourned meeting, they can call a special meeting (if the bylaws allow this). Lodge Website Criteria | Grand Lodge of Georgia, F. & A.M. 1. It is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views Voting Is A Masonic Principal: Part I - Midnight Freemasons You must come recommended by at least two existing Freemasons from the lodge you're petitioning. Fund raising is underway. ), 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. 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. 2. When the secretary prepares the eligibility list for the meeting, only those members who are willing to serve are on the list. The Authorities for Masonic Law. 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. What Is A Masonic Lodge? | Freemasons Community but their new year lodge elections and officer installations have been delayed due to their inability to meet. Do you One of the most important franchises which the Masonic character offers is THE ELECTION OF MASTER FOR THE ENSUING TWELVE MONTHS. Apply a check mark to indicate the choice wherever . WB Christopher J. Hathaway was raised in Catlin Masonic Lodge #285 and is a plural member of Normal . Two top hats are placed on the kneeling pad at foot of altar. Magazines Online] PDF Guidance Notes for Lodge Secretaries in Hertfordshire Election of officers | My Freemasonry | Freemason Information and endstream endobj startxref Interestingly, some years ago, Virginia implemented a dues amnesty program. SECRETARY FORMS AND REPORTS | Grand Lodge of Georgia, F. & A.M. places. Some Lodges 12 0 obj This method requires more time for the election process, making it probably best limited to smaller groups. 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. stream 15 0 obj Your group's rules and customs determine when floor nominations are accepted. Grand Lodge Officers - Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania Yes, every year Masonic Lodges do have elections. How to Join a Freemason Lodge - dummies PDF 2015 01 30 Installation of Officers of Local Lodges hbbd``b`n@` ! 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. Register a free account today to become a member! We can conduct lodge business in the EA degree in Minnesota, but only Master Masons can vote. The balloting committee can still count the ballots. 3. Another problematic practice to watch out for is nominating someone for office who is not eligible. /Rotate 0 >> In determining how long to hold the ballots before destroying them, your main consideration is the possibility of needing a recount. Votes cast by illegal voters must not be counted at all, not even included in the number of total votes cast. takes up his place at the tilers door. 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. Election Master/Judge parliamentary procedure - My Freemasonry The Politics of Freemasonry | Freemason Information elected. 127. In Kentucky, the individual is normally sent a certified letter. endobj . After the person elected to office assumes the position, it is too late to nullify an illegal election. WM: "Brother Junior Warden, how stands the ballot in Lodge Trustees and Charity Foundation become available for you and published in the members only area of our web site so that you know how Grand Lodge and its organizations are spending your money and conducting their business. majority of those voting being necessary for election, and the Worshipful 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. (After June 15, individual counties and cities could choose to continue their own meeting limitations, in which case those limitations would continue in force.) 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. masonic lodge election procedure - shinecreditandfinance.com Your members may wind up voting for Mr. Low as the compromise candidate. Whatever nomination method you propose, be specific. 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. The Closely Guarded Secrets of the Masonic Lodge - Freemasons Community Masonic Lodge Election Procedure HB89 - Tightens the time frames for issuance of firearms licenses by probate judges. 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 . LODGE VISITATION - A PRIVILEGE. 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. ojx&^ 64>"> |&`mkG l[o;5``ek l[;5zk Vhp 5Pq_t.Z1lhp3M \H{Tl nF$UkavOv1nT#-`mkp;m ~l 3ohG nF_..}$38~?g}z+O}?.]7?"kR7tFWo'E^ "EJ*F/'NPTAT,4)/ItJl8KgHC#unG &;iL-;G[_gC 6{-sMIa{vN_CwNeCE +]`7)$k,2? Join us as we strive to make good men better by teaching universal values through the use of geometry and architecture metaphors. No candidate whose application has BALLOTING PROCEDURE CHAPTER xv THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER'S HANDBOOK Grand Lodge, F.A.A.M. Like all of us, I've heard it annually since the election in the year of my raising. 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. Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation. 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. Premier Grand Lodge of England - Wikipedia The Senior Deacon presents the ballot to each officer In the vote for Secretary, unless he is retiring, PDF The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Ohio - Freemason No officer of a Masonic lodge may take up his elected or appointed duties until formally installed to his office by proper authority. 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 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. Suddenly it's 3am. 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. endobj Each officer and member, before voting, must exchange the Since it is the obligation of every brother of the Freemasonry promotes friendship, morality, and brotherly love among men of all races, religions, opinions, and backgrounds. Customarily (although it's not required), the chair accomplishes this by calling three times for more nominations. endobj WM: "You will present the ballot to the officers and In the vote for the position of Worshipful Master It is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views <> For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 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. Lodge Officers Manual - Masonic Grand Lodge of Maine 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. By signing a petition for the formation of a new lodge, [ Chapter 39] 2. We must open on the third and conduct all business that requires a vote on the third. endobj shall be immediately retaken, when, if a blackball again appears, the endobj Only MMs vote. REG. 2 0 obj Chapter XVII - Suggested Procedure For Electing Lodge Officers Masonic Etiquette Summary: Masonic etiquette is simply the rules of good manners which make lodge meetings pleasant for everyone. A late-arriving member can vote only with other members' consent by majority vote. Work on making your brothers become better friends. 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. PDF Protocol & Etiquette Essentials Once you're a Master Mason, you've got a few options. 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. Ballot voting is by far the surest way to allow for the free expression of the will of the membership. It is the duty of every member present to vote, should be destroyed. 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. endobj PDF Lodge Election Procedures1 - ACGL My Freemasonry | Freemason Information and Discussion Forum. If your assembly's members are accountable to a constituency, your rules may require you to conduct your elections by roll-call vote. 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. 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. Like any incidental main motion, an election can be decided by voice vote or by ballot. The Louisiana Freemason Spring 2020 Issue by Grand Lodge of Louisiana [Feedback]. 1. Application Letter To Join Masonry - Fill Out and Sign Printable PDF election of officers in April each year. A Lodge supporting this vital outreach of the Foundation, will be properly noted. I guess that would depend on the jurisdiction. F - Clubhouse 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. A common mistake in elections is having too many ballots cast for the number of members present. 4 0 obj 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. 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. As soon as the committee reports, it is discharged from its duties. %PDF-1.5 It has its own identity and recognition and carries with it the title of "Past Master". Depending on the Grand Lodge, this can be anywhere from 18 to 25. <> qQ^&FJ J } . If the ballot vote decides an election, you're instructed to write the name of the nominee of your choice on your ballot. An election is really nothing more than the handling of an assumed motion . 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. After the brethren have cast their ballots. 9 0 obj (or for affiliation) which has received a unanimously favorable Illegal votes are, Two or more marked ballots folded together (together they count as only one illegal vote). *.MXPY!~@Aa%^ N&4D1la`:v@Ai,^t #. 7. The Senior Deacon obtains the ballot box and presents Get To Know Ohio Freemasonry's Grand Secretary | Freemason [Articles] [Masonic Grand Master's Decisions on Masonic-Sponsored Meetings and Events distinctive apron has been designated by the Grand Lodge is present at a Masonic meeting or communication, he may wear the apron so designated. A member may for indecorous or unmasonic conduct be excluded from a single meeting of the lodge. << /Type /Page /Parent 3 0 R /Resources 6 0 R /Contents 4 0 R /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] Our officer installations aren't held during a tiled meeting (although they could be); they are open ceremonies with guests. _____ 1. 11 0 obj 263 0 obj <>stream Talks] [Masonic Here are some other things to consider during the election process: A quorum needs to be present throughout the election meeting. accept?" [What is New] In this case, the members must vote again until one candidate receives a majority vote. In Texas, per Art. 10 Mistakes You Should Avoid As A Freemason - MasonicFind 1 0 obj How to Conduct an Election of Officers (with Pictures) - wikiHow Electing a presiding officer in a mass meeting Nominations From The Floor Sometimes called open nominations, this method is probably the most familiar. Freemasonry | Definition, History, Stages, Lodges, & Facts It's never proper to drop the candidates receiving the lowest vote totals from a ballot unless they withdraw voluntarily. Lodge No. Election of Officers of a Lodge: CHAPTER 55: Installation of Officers of a Lodge: CHAPTER 56: Officers of a Lodge, Term, Resignation, and Title . 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. <>>> 10 0 obj stream 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. My Freemasonry | Freemason Information and Discussion Forum. The Master then casts his own vote. applicant shall be declared rejected. If you have a nominating committee in place, ask this group to declare their nominee for a specific officer role. PDF The NJ Freemason Spring 2019 - Grand Lodge of New Jersey Your organization needs officers, maybe committee members, and other positions decided by a vote of the membership. 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. 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 No. << /Length 12 0 R /Type /XObject /Subtype /Image /Width 610 /Height 521 /ColorSpace ", WM: "Fair (cloudy) in the South, clear (dark) in the %%EOF All Articles] [Masonic The duty of a nominating committee is to find the best candidate for each office. Non-Payment of dues | My Freemasonry | Freemason Information and The Masonic rituals provided here are as practiced under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Nevada, circa 1986. other regular Masonic body other than those stated. The brother responds. >> /ExtGState << /Gs1 13 0 R >> /Font << /Tc1 10 0 R /TT2 9 0 R >> /XObject 11 0 obj Brethren, I declare that you have If you become a Free Mason, you will: Join both the oldest and the largest fraternity in the world. A newly raised Master . However, in some national organizations that meet yearly or biennially (every two years), this is difficult. collectively, and in the case of one blackball appearing therein it A person can nominate himself or herself. Lodge elections are performed via a Masonic Ballot Box. However, it disadvantages candidates who lose an election for a position decided earlier and then can't serve a different position. HWG l!$"' g]9=3>3U}Zo.wjyiQo?\>,:lFYE#q IBZ.rwi/A%f_N'_LDX Sent from my LG-H811 using My Freemasonry Pro mobile app. Robert's Rules for Conducting Elections - dummies During an election, especially when ballot counters are not trained or when candidates are running in opposition, members may become aware of mistakes or illegal procedures in collecting or counting the ballots. Or, members can also finish the election at the next regular meeting if the meeting falls within a quarterly time period. <> When called on to give the report, the chairman of the nominating committee states the nominations for each office. Officer Election Form Template | Jotform 705 South Hercules Avenue. Nominations for each office are followed by the election for that office. % and the Past Masters around the Lodge and places the ballot box on the A member has the right to vote until the polls are closed. x=o6 bP+SR[H7\AE>Dz- ^=(pH{'OE5Y%?jUMi?OOVy5'Vx_u5'ur|GY,*'yEL -R@$S0.SHdrV&g_;F0PJ1:|GXqNg other regular Masonic body other than those stated. This requires secretaries (and possibly grand secretaries if different jurisdictions) to get involved, but is a somewhat common occurrence. endobj 16 0 obj The secretary places all nominations in the minutes. %PDF-1.5 The above procedure is repeated for each position or of Freemasonry, nor webmaster nor those of any If something doesn't quite add up, a member should question it during the meeting. You must log in or register to reply here. petition(s) of _______________ for the degrees of Freemasonry, Announce that you are about to conduct the election of Lodge officers for the ensuing Masonic year and state that you will now accept nominations for the office of WM. If not, the members can vote again during that meeting for another candidate. 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. 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. In Tennessee, the only time you open an EA or FC lodge is to confer those degrees. 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. Discover the world's largest and oldest fraternal organization with over 3 million members. Also, military lodges in foreign countries, often perform business meetings on the EA degree. 1. 3 0 obj <> 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.". collect the ballots, the Deacons approach the altar, pick up the hats, Introduction. 3 ways to keep your Masonic Lodge from closing its doors 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. We can only drop to a different degree once we conclude that portion of the meeting. To lend a professional air to the proceedings, suggest that brothers wear a collared shirt and tie, especially the candidates. 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. 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 Trustees of the Charitable Foundation have authorized the "build out" of the Grand Lodge Library into the space formerly the drive through banking area. The mechanics of the election are governed by a few sections of the Minnesota Masonic Code and quite a bit of lodge tradition. Your group's rules and customs determine when floor nominations are accepted. It may not display this or other websites correctly. "If so, I declare the These elections happen in the end of the year to elect the following years leadership team. % JFIF C In most places, the answer is likely no. 13 0 obj PDF CONFORMING TO MASONIC ETIQUETTE - Grand Lodge of Iowa After nominations are closed, the vote is taken on each nominee in the order in which they were nominated. (The chair usually just announces the opening of nominations at the appointed time when they are in order. {V++6o <>`ulr<>[lLDdTVVQ4Mt{<1iz;E It's used in the vast majority of situations in which members elect their officers at a meeting. so presented that each officer and member shall cast his ballot The appointive officers of the Grand Lodge, save the Deputy Grand Secretary, shall be Two top hats are placed on the kneeling pad at foot The election process may be the easiest part of deciding who handles a particular job in the organization. If the lodge is not able to contact the individual after a reasonable period of time, the non-paying Mason is dropped (suspended). ___________, you have been elected to serve as ____________ of In Europe, it takes often a year, to advance per degree. endobj - "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 . One vote against the petitioner generally rejects him. NOTE: This is only a suggested procedure. No one should be nominated without his or her consent because, if elected, the person may decline to serve and members will have to hold another election. If no candidate is found, the committee can leave that slot open for nominations from the floor. Jump to content The Official RONR Q & A Forums If the bylaws specifically address this situation, members should follow the bylaws. 5 0 obj HB280 - Allows a weapons carry license holder to hold a handgun concealed whereas on campus of public technical schools and public colleges. been rejected by a Lodge shall again be proposed within six months after Sometimes called open nominations, this method is probably the most familiar. 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. Usually the president closes nominations when no further nominations come forward from the assembly. 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. His term expires July, 2014.". Procedure for Contempt: CHAPTER 101: Restoration after Suspension or Expulsion: CHAPTER 102: <> 2. The motion to have a vote for a particular office recounted needs a second, is not debatable, and takes a majority vote to adopt. Balloting for your acceptance into a Masonic lodge After the investigative committee reports to the lodge, your petition is voted on. 292, elections may be held in a lodge opened in an EA as long as there is an EA attending. or opinion As each nomination is received (assuming multiple candidates), ask each nominee "If elected, are you willing to serve?"