<> Some Lodges These rules supersede the adopted parliamentary authority. Chapter 63 covers general voting and Chapter 68 covers the secret ballot. % - "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 . distinctive apron has been designated by the Grand Lodge is present at a Masonic meeting or communication, he may wear the apron so designated. 7. The only way you can vote against a candidate is to vote for another person. Brother Secretary conduct a roll call. some brother of the Lodge other than the Secretary should tally and In Kentucky, the individual is normally sent a certified letter. 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. hb```BVG ea8 P}+/m should be destroyed. A properly planned and executed meeting results in good participation. 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. It is considered a faux pas to cross . 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. States or elsewhere. The following shall be the methods of affiliation: 1. Balloting for your acceptance into a Masonic lodge After the investigative committee reports to the lodge, your petition is voted on. <> ", WM: "Fair (cloudy) in the South, clear (dark) in the 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. endstream A newly raised Master . Rules may include how long the organization saves ballots and how long members can wait to challenge an election. APPOINTMENT. ;J @*Ix~6ia 023X85i=%/v')^KkHaQaA {DCAH ' It's never proper to drop the candidates receiving the lowest vote totals from a ballot unless they withdraw voluntarily. names. The Lodge web page must not link to or be linked to by any website where a conflict . 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. A ballot shall be taken for the three degrees 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. (The chair usually just announces the opening of nominations at the appointed time when they are in order. The Code has two primary chapters that describe the process of voting in subordinate lodges. These elections are to vote on new top lodge officers in the blue lodge. All Articles] [Masonic We can conduct lodge business in the EA degree in Minnesota, but only Master Masons can vote. Officers Duties and Responsibilities . Our officer installations aren't held during a tiled meeting (although they could be); they are open ceremonies with guests. )GT?=Sk8&o9sU|$gv}~3H'>}3DReeZCZ2HN7.WadE-lUG|1pU]d. The ballots are tallied very much like an election ballot, and the report becomes the list of nominees for each office. However, calling nominations from your seat is often impractical, so you may want to adopt a more formal nomination process. xWMo1#[YO !T6T=D9Jhnwv5ofm4_0Vgu=_|[~jC5}YWyYWw45lv4~JS'AdQiewV?=few_Xu9pTX(*HYfh5Y2Q=[6(ao)\\O 9|b|+x Up % ZDEpV`,QI8.3mb'Vs5cAZ!X^S"W7FZ$%W8Fh,)Jrt $^JG{vxGVW9Z;-*r4b@fSM(o/ ?-vz}J=Pu&NC\H#^SKUvN)A@+a)eU"PvrNLsi;:~8J8 9 However, in some national organizations that meet yearly or biennially (every two years), this is difficult. 1 0 obj * Collectively, these motions are known as motions related to nominations. A poor meeting achieves the opposite results. endobj Ballot voting is the preferred voting method in situations in which knowing how all the members voted isn't desirable. JavaScript is disabled. Clearwater Lodge No. The report of the nominating committee is usually given under "special orders." Only MMs vote. <>>> In the vote for Secretary, unless he is retiring, That job belongs to the presiding officer, who reads the report again to the members, concluding with a formal declaration of the result. If your assembly's members are accountable to a constituency, your rules may require you to conduct your elections by roll-call vote. x`TU?5%BBH*5XHRjD5IPJ@Z"MDE]sm.Cs)}{n/JFtZ_!ms6g:8_\Xt hq[gGBqvZ(}%p&N"4t 4b2hEs endobj 5. Ballot counters should cast their ballots at the same time that the assembly votes. Your organization needs officers, maybe committee members, and other positions decided by a vote of the membership. Past Masters have a standing in Masonic Law; certain duties may be assigned to them. places. endobj 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. Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic Education: CHAPTER 31: Lodge Service Commission: CHAPTER 32: . As each nomination is received (assuming multiple candidates), ask each nominee "If elected, are you willing to serve?" Ballot counters present during the voting should be carefully instructed in their duties and should be able to explain to other members how to use the machine. However, we open the Lodge on the 3rd then call to refreshment, invite everyome in, after the ceremony the WM closes without form. A member has the right to vote until the polls are closed. WB Christopher J. Hathaway was raised in Catlin Masonic Lodge #285 and is a plural member of Normal . 13 0 obj endobj Whatever nomination method you propose, be specific. <> once petition the same or any other Lodge in the jurisdiction. If someone is not willing to serve, the committee needs to meet again and find another candidate. endobj stream This method gives voters an idea of the group's preferences without holding an actual election. 54 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[]/Index[33 34]/Info 32 0 R/Length 100/Prev 87331/Root 34 0 R/Size 67/Type/XRef/W[1 2 1]>>stream announce the results of the vote. . endobj Every lodge is incorporated and required to have corporate officers. petition(s) of _______________ for the degrees of Freemasonry, ;D[{cv,#(145:n') endstream endobj startxref 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 members don't understand exactly how it works, the ones whose preferred candidate doesn't get voted on are likely to think something is amiss. %PDF-1.7 % Grand Lodge Dues 24 Conducting an Election of Officers 24-25 Section . of Freemasonry, nor webmaster nor those of any <> Nominations for each office are followed by the election for that office. endstream endobj 37 0 obj <>stream 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. Sometimes the committee is revived to make nominations to fill vacancies. _____ xU]o@|_cZR%q"b$*/}E(k nK6hb'_ D(|}5Dsq PBY%_'Dru.{,dW9PeOw9 d6!=#3r/iby+4C~9^-GT.d 6. When two gavel knocks are heard, only officers of the lodge stand. Illegal votes cast by legal voters count toward the total votes cast, but they don't count for any individual choice or candidate. *.MXPY!~@Aa%^ N&4D1la`:v@Ai,^t #. The above procedure is repeated for each position or rejection. <> The Worshipful Master orders the Wardens to take ", WM: "How in the West, Brother Senior Warden? Robert's Rules on elections are very straightforward after what is often a politically charged prequel of nominating and campaigning. 7 0 obj 6 0 obj Two top hats are placed on the kneeling pad at foot of altar. 3. These Masonic rituals represent three degrees which are taken in sequence. To lend a professional air to the proceedings, suggest that brothers wear a collared shirt and tie, especially the candidates. Apply a check mark to indicate the choice wherever . 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. You take nominations from the floor for one office, and when no further nominations are forthcoming, you proceed to the balloting for that office. (rap). AUTHORITY. 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. If there is a question about the way a ballot is marked, the ballot counters should take it to the presiding officer. 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. This example is based on moving to have nominations by committee, but the form is essentially the same for any of the methods. *(cM YiVo~r049>Kwz,8*#]qVLB`l:HM\7Gj#?#PV(F"y@f4 @hbe2q&8%RYcM`uU;ap10n mistake.". Or, they can tell members publicly that they do not have a nominee for a certain office; this allows members to volunteer. JavaScript is disabled. A parade of misfortunes had culminated by forcing potato planter Fred Jensen to stop his cross-country dash 85 miles short of his destination. endobj 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. 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. The election process may be the easiest part of deciding who handles a particular job in the organization. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Depending on the Grand Lodge, this can be anywhere from 18 to 25. accept?" I /8ZzeL%kxF~/a&MBkd/cK"zBARqG(/%:}4Q;l@)R^M,s;p Rx P~DV(GR,&Gj;v}yh/5F3ibD,eZJ 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. If a member leaves one part blank, the votes entered on the other questions still count. After each nomination, the president repeats the name to the assembly. Sometimes there is a split in the nominating committee over who to nominate. 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. 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. 11 0 obj 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. collectively, and in the case of one blackball appearing therein it If an elected candidate declines the office after he or she is elected and after the meeting has adjourned, another election needs to take place, if at all possible. Past Masters of ____________ Lodge No. You are using an out of date browser. Achieve this by asking them to hang out with you. HB280 - Allows a weapons carry license holder to hold a handgun concealed whereas on campus of public technical schools and public colleges. States or elsewhere. His term expires July, 2014.". 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.". <> Same in NM amd OR. 3. Don't implement a new process to 450 lodges until it is . The Secretary announces the results of the vote, a As JPM of my lodge, I've been asked to serve in this role for our upcoming officer elections. (After June 15, individual counties and cities could choose to continue their own meeting limitations, in which case those limitations would continue in force.) 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. ballot drawer is empty and that there are both white balls and black Organizations can create and write election rules to correct this mistake. 5 0 obj 75-3 METHODS OF AFFILIATION. <>/ExtGState<>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 595.44 841.92] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> again appears the petitioner shall be declared rejected, but he may at 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. Nominations are now open from the floor. ___________, you have been elected to serve as ____________ of JFIF C When using this procedure, make it clear that a person can be nominated for and elected to more than one office. The assembly then votes again on the other office. ^. It drives us back to basics, using the Masonic tools we already have in our tool belt. If you have a nominating committee in place, ask this group to declare their nominee for a specific officer role. distribute the ballots for the first position to be voted upon. 0 Magazines Online] 1. 6 Y~0 0@ Does any brother wish to have endobj One vote against the petitioner generally rejects him. Master. >> /ExtGState << /Gs1 13 0 R >> /Font << /Tc1 10 0 R /TT2 9 0 R >> /XObject Be careful and make no Fund raising is underway. 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 must continue until a candidate receives a majority. It has its own identity and recognition and carries with it the title of "Past Master". 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 If they don't set a time for an adjourned meeting, they can call a special meeting (if the bylaws allow this). collect the ballots and place the hats with the ballots at the As soon as the committee reports, it is discharged from its duties. 5 0 obj 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 Masonic rituals provided here are as practiced under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Nevada, circa 1986. "30*5gDcJuk.w^m=12Ua&0cE'|H%KV L%|c]c0l;v=[, Cj+M 38xHDL\. so presented that each officer and member shall cast his ballot yy MWY*^K$@48SyFHv! If officers assume their duties immediately after the meeting is adjourned, it is then too late to question the election. All eyes are upon the Master. 6 0 obj ",#(7),01444'9=82. One of the most important franchises which the Masonic character offers is THE ELECTION OF MASTER FOR THE ENSUING TWELVE MONTHS. In balloting on a petition for affiliation, if one blackball Ballot voting is by far the surest way to allow for the free expression of the will of the membership. For the qualifications of candidates in order to join a Masonic Lodge in Texas there are a series of "Freemason requirements". Secretary prepares ballots for each position to be elected. Brethren, I declare that you have We can only drop to a different degree once we conclude that portion of the meeting. The Senior Deacon presents the ballot for examination 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. You must log in or register to reply here. or opinion 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 2. Tradition holds that the Master of the lodge appoint a committee of three (usually Past Masters) to serve as a Tellers Committee. 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.". %PDF-1.5 The Senior Deacon closes the lid on the ballot. 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. :7YA/gOwNw|\g[u|I}?F. ____ for the ensuing Masonic year. Discover the world's largest and oldest fraternal organization with over 3 million members. Each incoming class of three shall consist of the incoming Junior Warden of the lodge (which has its own bylaws), and. but their new year lodge elections and officer installations have been delayed due to their inability to meet. A common mistake in elections is having too many ballots cast for the number of members present. Is it permissible to hold election of officers in an EA lodge? Or, members can also finish the election at the next regular meeting if the meeting falls within a quarterly time period. The person who gets the most votes may not have a majority of the votes. 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. Masonic etiquette decries anyone who does not obey the gavel. altar. <>>> endobj In most cases, the threshold is a majority of the votes cast. Lodge Election Procedures "Worshipful Master (WM) or Preceding Officer" 1. Secretarys table and put the ballots into one of the hats. or opinion 127. %PDF-1.3 <> )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_? Sometimes called open nominations, this method is probably the most familiar. The Guide is designed to be an easy-to-use reference based on the law and regulations as well as the knowledge and experience of OLMS staff. 2. ____________ Lodge No. 2 0 obj 14 0 R /BitsPerComponent 8 /Filter /FlateDecode >> the Senior Warden hands each ballot to the Junior Warden who announces << /ProcSet [ /PDF /Text /ImageB /ImageC /ImageI ] /ColorSpace << /Cs1 7 0 R 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. endobj 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. 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. A write-in vote is a legal vote unless it's unintelligible or cast for an unidentifiable or ineligible person or for a fictitious character, in which case it's counted as an illegal vote. 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. If counting ballots takes some time, it is best for the assembly to take a recess instead of adjourn. 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. Some practices to watch out for include: Ballot boxes being stuffed or written ballots being changed. Masonic Etiquette Summary: Masonic etiquette is simply the rules of good manners which make lodge meetings pleasant for everyone. Pause. position north of the altar. The brother responds. endobj 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. 4. x=o6 bP+SR[H7\AE>Dz- ^=(pH{'OE5Y%?jUMi?OOVy5'Vx_u5'ur|GY,*'yEL -R@$S0.SHdrV&g_;F0PJ1:|GXqNg Tradition holds that the Master of the lodge appoint a committee of three (usually Past Masters) to serve as a Tellers Committee. Secretary prepares ballots for each position to be 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. applicant shall be declared rejected. In Texas, per Art. 3 0 obj If the lodge is not able to contact the individual after a reasonable period of time, the non-paying Mason is dropped (suspended). WM: "You will present the ballot to the officers and 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 appointive officers of the Grand Lodge, save the Deputy Grand Secretary, shall be The election of lodge officers is an annual event, specified in the lodge bylaws. [What is New] (or for affiliation) which has received a unanimously favorable No candidate whose application has {V++6o <>`ulr<>[lLDdTVVQ4Mt{<1iz;E cubes in the box. An officer election form is a document used by groups, clubs, and organizations to elect leaders and fill vacant positions. stream _____ cast their ballot?" If a member notices a mistake in procedure, he or she should immediately make the chair and assembly aware of his concerns. Decision Making For Dummies. 1. A late-arriving member can vote only with other members' consent by majority vote. <> Ask for nominations for an officer position. In a ballot vote, after the ballot counters have collected all the ballots, a member can make the motion to adjourn. [What is Freemasonry] [Leadership 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. Register a free account today to become a member! When called on to give the report, the chairman of the nominating committee states the nominations 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! 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 When holding ballot elections, you have two procedural options: Nominations for all offices conclude before any balloting begins. Each officer and member, before voting, must exchange the 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. <> If a member votes for fewer choices than positions to be elected, the vote is legal and those votes count. Development] [Education] [Masonic A member shouldn't offer more than one nomination to a position if there are several seats for the same office such as for nominees to a board or a committee until all other members have had the opportunity to make nominations. endobj According to Robert's Rules, a motion to close nominations is out of order as long as any member wishes to make a nomination. That means run-offs are just plain out of order. This method requires more time for the election process, making it probably best limited to smaller groups. Robert's Rules on elections are very straightforward after what is often a politically charged prequel of nominating and campaigning. When three gavel knocks are given by the Master ALL in attendance in the lodge stands up. After the period during which a recount can be conducted has passed, you don't need to keep the ballots. 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. After the brethren have cast their ballots. If you have only two candidates and the vote is a tie, you repeat the balloting until one candidate receives a majority. Interestingly, some years ago, Virginia implemented a dues amnesty program. j]Ic[faPhgcP0U0.!boS/]9[[3+:;:+:Q1DX. 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). Some Lodges have their bills paid automatically each month electronically, such as for utilities and telephones for example. endobj <>/ExtGState<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> 66 0 obj <>stream 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. collect the ballots, the Deacons approach the altar, pick up the hats, [Articles] [Masonic By establishing plural membership in a North Carolina