ballot closed." Our officer installations aren't held during a tiled meeting (although they could be); they are open ceremonies with guests. No candidate whose application has stream 13 0 obj endobj 234 0 obj <> endobj :7YA/gOwNw|\g[u|I}?F. 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 . After each nomination, the president repeats the name to the assembly. 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. 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. 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. If this occurs and it does not affect the outcome of the vote, the election is still valid. However, we open the Lodge on the 3rd then call to refreshment, invite everyome in, after the ceremony the WM closes without form. shall be immediately retaken, when, if a blackball again appears, the 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.". 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).. JavaScript is disabled. My Freemasonry | Freemason Information and Discussion Forum. 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 officers assume their duties immediately after the meeting is adjourned, it is then too late to question the election. hb```BVG ea8 P}+/m rejection. position north of the altar. %PDF-1.5 In the vote for the position of Worshipful Master Balloting must continue until a candidate receives a majority. Talks] [Masonic 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. Doing this may allow an unpopular or hand-picked candidate to get the office even though he or she was not elected. NOTE: This is only a suggested procedure. If a member notices a mistake in procedure, he or she should immediately make the chair and assembly aware of his concerns. Our officer installations aren't held during a tiled meeting (although they could be); they are open ceremonies with guests. A Lodge supporting this vital outreach of the Foundation, will be properly noted. vote. endobj 7. In counting the votes, the balloting committee must not confuse a majority vote with the highest number of votes. 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. Secretarys table and put the ballots into one of the hats. << /Im1 11 0 R >> >> 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.". A common mistake in elections is having too many ballots cast for the number of members present. Both a bank's president and janitor can apply for membership, and they're considered equally qualified. A member has the right to vote until the polls are closed. New Jersey checking in. Blogs] [Links] 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. endobj 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. The committee should meet, carefully review the membership list, and select the people who they think will do the best job in each office. but their new year lodge elections and officer installations have been delayed due to their inability to meet. It varies! A member may for indecorous or unmasonic conduct be excluded from a single meeting of the lodge. For the qualifications of candidates in order to join a Masonic Lodge in Texas there are a series of "Freemason requirements". An officer election form is a document used by groups, clubs, and organizations to elect leaders and fill vacant positions. WM: "You will present the ballot to the officers and 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. stream It is the duty of every member present to vote, WM: "Have all of the brethren of _______________ By signing a petition for the formation of a new lodge, [ Chapter 39] 2. Yes, every year Masonic Lodges do have elections. You must come recommended by at least two existing Freemasons from the lodge you're petitioning. A person can nominate himself or herself. Persons serving on the committee can be nominated for office. This method gives voters an idea of the group's preferences without holding an actual election. Development] [Education] [Masonic In a ballot vote, after the ballot counters have collected all the ballots, a member can make the motion to adjourn. <> ", WM: "How in the West, Brother Senior Warden? ballot drawer is empty and that there are both white balls and black ", SW: "Clear (dark) in the West, Worshipful. Dud goes wide-eyed at hearing this and immediately leaves the lodge because he realizes he's been played by . It may not display this or other websites correctly. 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. 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. These elections are to vote on new top lodge officers in the blue lodge. Polls closing or opening at times different than the times posted. 75-3 METHODS OF AFFILIATION. 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. 5 0 obj 2. 587 This site is not an official site of any recognized Masonic body in the United %PDF-1.5 % This method of nominations is based on the principle of allowing all voters to make nominations for all offices by completing a nominating ballot. In balloting on a petition for affiliation, if one blackball That means run-offs are just plain out of order. It is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views A newly raised Master . West and bright (black) in the East. Conducting an Election of Officers p. 25 Section III. xU]o@|_cZR%q"b$*/}E(k nK6hb'_ D(|}5Dsq PBY%_'Dru.{,dW9PeOw9 d6!=#3r/iby+4C~9^-GT.d Is it permissible to hold election of officers in an EA lodge? If your assembly's members are accountable to a constituency, your rules may require you to conduct your elections by roll-call vote. Masonic Lodge Election Procedure HB89 - Tightens the time frames for issuance of firearms licenses by probate judges. As soon as the committee reports, it is discharged from its duties. The Secretary announces the results of the vote, a It's never proper to drop the candidates receiving the lowest vote totals from a ballot unless they withdraw voluntarily. x`TU?5%BBH*5XHRjD5IPJ@Z"MDE]sm.Cs)}{n/JFtZ_!ms6g:8_\Xt hq[gGBqvZ(}%p&N"4t 4b2hEs accept?" In most cases, the threshold is a majority of the votes cast. 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. ____ for the ensuing Masonic year. 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. Tradition holds that the Master of the lodge appoint a committee of three (usually Past Masters) to serve as a Tellers Committee. Club elections and officers are an integral part of the organization and must be conducted according to the group's bylaws and rules. It is considered a faux pas to cross . endstream 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. may use different methods of electing officers. Join a brotherhood of over 2,000,000 men of all ages, from all races, religions, and countries, and from all walks of life. 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. 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. If the ballot vote decides an election, you're instructed to write the name of the nominee of your choice on your ballot. The Senior Deacon presents the ballot to each officer >> /ExtGState << /Gs1 13 0 R >> /Font << /Tc1 10 0 R /TT2 9 0 R >> /XObject 7 0 obj If a member votes for fewer choices than positions to be elected, the vote is legal and those votes count. $.' These could lead The Constitution is clear on the proper procedure WM: "The brethren of ____________ Lodge No. Organizations can create and write election rules to correct this mistake. Freemasonry's Requirements for Membership. 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. 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! 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. The election of lodge officers is an annual event, specified in the lodge bylaws. A poor meeting achieves the opposite results. charge of the Ballot and they pick up the hats, take them to the If not, Brother By transfer of membership, maintaining continuous membership, and 4. % By absolute demit, [ Chapter 76] 3. As Masons, we hone our skills to apply their use, improving ourselves daily. Election of Master and Treasurer 36 Exclusion under Rule 181 Procedures to be carried out 31,32 Files To be kept 5 Foreword 2 Forms Grand Lodge 5 Grand Rank Procedure 33 Hall Stone Jewel When it can be worn 18 Honorary Membership Disabilities, Election, Status 13 Installation Night Toast 19 Leaflets Information 5 The Code has two primary chapters that describe the process of voting in subordinate lodges. Whatever nomination method you propose, be specific. We can conduct lodge business in the EA degree in Minnesota, but only Master Masons can vote. Masters are required to see that the ballot box is According to Robert's Rules, a motion to close nominations is out of order as long as any member wishes to make a nomination. The bylaws of a charitable trust affiliated with a masonic lodge provide that its 9-member board consists of three "classes"of three, each class serving rotating three-year terms. Depending on your organization and the decisions being made, balloting may take place during a meeting, or polls may be open during polling periods including times when no meeting is in progress. A ballot shall be taken for the three degrees <> 2. Past Masters have a standing in Masonic Law; certain duties may be assigned to them. %%EOF and the Master may oblige him to do so. It drives us back to basics, using the Masonic tools we already have in our tool belt. 8. Brother Secretary conduct a roll call. Two top hats are placed on the kneeling pad at foot 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 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. f;-^*//%^je)R%^eKuZJQ\LU/Zgy:FDt8KF:US1OG+T/5i]\V5qhw`6mjzS"m].#{T^]q p;43[9[C nF^y' 64 He serves as Chairman of the Trustees of Title to the Masonic Temple and other Real Estate of the Grand Lodge, is a Trustee of the Consolidated Fund and Trustee of the Masonic Charities Fund. (After June 15, individual counties and cities could choose to continue their own meeting limitations, in which case those limitations would continue in force.) 6. elected (rejected) Mister ___________ for the degrees of Fund raising is underway. 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. endobj 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. The minutes may say, for example, "Eric Olson was elected to the board for two years. 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. When holding ballot elections, you have two procedural options: Nominations for all offices conclude before any balloting begins. By establishing plural membership in a North Carolina to the Junior Warden, then the Senior Warden and then the Worshipful At the end of each successful vote the ballots (or for affiliation) which has received a unanimously favorable If members adjourn before an election is complete, they should set the time for an adjourned meeting to finish the election. %`y`aSW2.9]!BBI An "irregular lodge" can be described as the type of Lodge that does have a charter from a Grand Lodge, but other Grand Lodges do not recognize its Grand lodge. If you have only two candidates and the vote is a tie, you repeat the balloting until one candidate receives a majority. /Rotate 0 >> 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 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. If there is a question about the way a ballot is marked, the ballot counters should take it to the presiding officer. Each question on a multipart ballot is counted as a separate ballot. The entire ballot counters' report should be included in the minutes of the meeting. The Master then casts his own vote. << /Type /Page /Parent 3 0 R /Resources 6 0 R /Contents 4 0 R /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] programs and procedures of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, a Masonic District and their Lodge. takes up his place at the tilers door. % will advance to the altar and cast their ballot. At the Worshipful Masters order the Wardens to If they don't set a time for an adjourned meeting, they can call a special meeting (if the bylaws allow this). When two gavel knocks are heard, only officers of the lodge stand. 0 3. Jump to content The Official RONR Q & A Forums 11 0 obj . Elections are decided by majority vote unless your bylaws provide differently. endobj Further, I don't think I have ever seen a Lodge election where there isn't some form of politics involved. <>/ExtGState<>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 595.44 841.92] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> The secretary places all nominations in the minutes. As JPM of my lodge, I've been asked to serve in this role for our upcoming officer elections. Or, they can tell members publicly that they do not have a nominee for a certain office; this allows members to volunteer. All eyes are upon the Master. The position of Worshipful Master in the East occupies the most exalted position within the lodge. Rules may include how long the organization saves ballots and how long members can wait to challenge an election. 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. While the . However only Masters can vote. If a member votes for more choices than positions to be elected, the vote is considered illegal. After the person elected to office assumes the position, it is too late to nullify an illegal election. If lodge functions go smoothly, it is the Master who takes the credit. The election (or rejection) of a candidate in a Masonic lodge is a secret ballot, and with few exceptions, must be completely unanimous. [What is New] 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. 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. 8 0 obj <> <> 705 South Hercules Avenue. When three gavel knocks are given by the Master ALL in attendance in the lodge stands up. 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$\\OScmalRCiPh_Th 7AN.RR9ou|r:9>NpT~XI|{&]MJ )FvJlC{hDRDT "DJc+^zrPl c[ once petition the same or any other Lodge in the jurisdiction. The Committee on Masonic Education and Information of . cubes in the box. "If so, I declare the Electing a presiding officer in a mass meeting Nominations From The Floor Sometimes called open nominations, this method is probably the most familiar. The process of making floor nominations is subject to the following rules: Recognition by the chair is not required to make a nomination. endobj appears the ballot shall be immediately retaken, and if a blackball The only exceptions are: (1) a newly instituted lodge, (2) one that has received written approval from the General Governor, based upon membership action, or (3) an emergency situation requiring the election to be changed or waived. The election process may be the easiest part of deciding who handles a particular job in the organization. WM: "Brother Junior Warden, how stands the ballot in white ball elects; a black cube rejects. If the bylaws don't prohibit it, a person can be nominated for more than one office and can even serve in more than one office if elected. The Worshipful Master What it all means: A Worshipful Master simply depicts a deity or one in authority who is held in honor and considered as an honorable man. Voting machines having wedges inserted to prevent the lever from going down all the way. A lodge which does not honor its Master, no matter how they personally feel about the man, himself, lacks Masonic . )Cv`3!VOYe%K]'d4'kH&]x*"W.L+P|WUyl>TlUTZZh=7wE%4 DoH+5%Y+*:*2*&^Ol\Td4G]:^[DdVXQn*mNI#]Vv?v:]W6x H|z=|-!q1 oF?$Ul(V1C:[jhDe4nsl65gpr'fKuo2a0$T$W.6 ` 5SR_? 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. F powered by Dr. Stefanus Hadi, Ph.D. visit www.FLIVE.com email: club@flive.com follow Clubhouse: @stefanus send SMS Text to +1 213-749-8777 Los Angeles, California it to the Master who inspects the ballot box making sure that the masonic lodge election procedure; shkolla viktor hygo logo October 28, 2021. masonic lodge election procedure . Taking nominations by mail is basically the same as taking nominations by ballot. A Lodge member who has held the highest office in the Lodge has for life a Masonic position of his own. In a voice vote, the winner is easy to determine and the vote is over when someone wins the election. Here is how: You must first find a Masonic lodge location near you, contact them, and ask for a petition to join. The election of lodge officers is an annual event, specified in the lodge bylaws. Only MMs vote. When called on to give the report, the chairman of the nominating committee states the nominations for each office. Nominations don't have to be seconded, but it's not out of order for members to second a nomination to signal their endorsement. Past Masters of ____________ Lodge No. Here are some other things to consider during the election process: A quorum needs to be present throughout the election meeting. 8. Master informs the successful individual as follows: "Brother This method requires more time for the election process, making it probably best limited to smaller groups. His term expires July, 2014.". States or elsewhere. The Worshipful Master orders the Wardens to take An election is really nothing more than the handling of an assumed motion . JavaScript is disabled. 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. HWG l!$"' g]9=3>3U}Zo.wjyiQo?\>,:lFYE#q IBZ.rwi/A%f_N'_LDX Nomination by petition is another method of nomination by mail; provisions must be made for it in the bylaws, and standard forms must be provided to candidates and electors upon request. It's used in the vast majority of situations in which members elect their officers at a meeting. Only one (1) official website per Lodge will be recognized by the Grand Lodge and linked to by the Grand Lodge of Georgia's website. been rejected by a Lodge shall again be proposed within six months after majority of those voting being necessary for election, and the Worshipful Does any brother wish to have Nominations are taken for successive offices in the order they're listed in the bylaws. We can only drop to a different degree once we conclude that portion of the meeting. States or elsewhere. Masonic etiquette decries anyone who does not obey the gavel. All business is done in a MM lodge. place with the Senior and Junior Wardens alternating in calling the hbbd``b`$+@9`~ $U@ AL Abo;I0 V!$B 1 0 obj
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