Illegal votes are, Two or more marked ballots folded together (together they count as only one illegal vote). States or elsewhere. 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. Masonic Etiquette Summary: Masonic etiquette is simply the rules of good manners which make lodge meetings pleasant for everyone. Join us as we strive to make good men better by teaching universal values through the use of geometry and architecture metaphors. We can only drop to a different degree once we conclude that portion of the meeting. mistake.". 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. Officers Duties and Responsibilities . A member has the right to vote until the polls are closed. The duty of a nominating committee is to find the best candidate for each office. 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. The election process may be the easiest part of deciding who handles a particular job in the organization. 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. Each incoming class of three shall consist of the incoming Junior Warden of the lodge (which has its own bylaws), and. Often the extra ballot comes from someone who has entered the assembly but has not signed in to the meeting. . Polls closing or opening at times different than the times posted. *
I've never see a script or outline, but it should proceed as follows: That sounds like the CA required verbiage. 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. endstream
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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. In Freemasonry, a brother's word is of paramount importance, so revealing the secrets of the ceremonies and rituals within the lodge after reciting the Masonic Oath is not permitted. 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. To help with the Masonic experience at Lodge meetings, you were allowed to open on any degree, and use the Chamber My Freemasonry | Freemason Information and Discussion Forum. it to the Master who inspects the ballot box making sure that the
MAKE SURE YOU READ YOUR GRAND LODGE CODE! The presiding officer votes along with all the other members, although she is never allowed to cast a tie-breaker in a ballot vote. Illegal votes cast by legal voters count toward the total votes cast, but they don't count for any individual choice or candidate. again appears the petitioner shall be declared rejected, but he may at
(rap). 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! At this time the
It has its own identity and recognition and carries with it the title of "Past Master". Enter your official identification and contact details. The Senior Deacon obtains the ballot box and presents
This may be done by the Master, under a provision of the bye-laws giving him the authority, or on his own responsibility, in which case he is amenable to the Grand Lodge for the correctness of his decision. Once you're a Master Mason, you've got a few options. The balloting committee can still count the ballots. The election process may be the easiest part of deciding who handles a particular job in the organization. 2. Discover the world's largest and oldest fraternal organization with over 3 million members. Register a free account today to become a member! The election of lodge officers is an annual event, specified in the lodge bylaws. By establishing plural membership in a North Carolina However, it disadvantages candidates who lose an election for a position decided earlier and then can't serve a different position. Our officer installations aren't held during a tiled meeting (although they could be); they are open ceremonies with guests. %`y`aSW2.9]!BBI Master. If they don't set a time for an adjourned meeting, they can call a special meeting (if the bylaws allow this). 3 0 obj
This method of nominations is based on the principle of allowing all voters to make nominations for all offices by completing a nominating ballot. <>>>
Club elections and officers are an integral part of the organization and must be conducted according to the group's bylaws and rules. 4 0 obj
When using this procedure, make it clear that a person can be nominated for and elected to more than one office. ^. time immemorial. The report of the nominating committee is usually given under "special orders." 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. 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. Two top hats are placed on the kneeling pad at foot of altar. :7YA/gOwNw|\g[u|I}?F. A newly raised Master . If the bylaws specifically address this situation, members should follow the bylaws. xU]o@|_cZR%q"b$*/}E(k nK6hb'_
D(|}5Dsq PBY%_'Dru.{,dW9PeOw9 d6!=#3r/iby+4C~9^-GT.d << /Type /Page /Parent 3 0 R /Resources 6 0 R /Contents 4 0 R /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] It is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views
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It is important to remember that once someone is elected, the election can't be rescinded unless there is some provision for it in the bylaws. endobj
All business is done in a MM lodge. 4. %PDF-1.5
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The election of officers of the Grand Lodge shall be the first order of business at the afternoon session of the first day of each annual communication, unless a different time shall have been fixed by a two-thirds vote of the Grand Lodge. If members question the validity of an election or the procedure in taking the vote, a member should make a motion to recount the votes within a reasonably brief time after the president announces the election outcome. 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. Brother Secretary conduct a roll call. stream
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elected. [What is Freemasonry] [Leadership
The assembly then votes again on the other office. The minutes may say, for example, "Eric Olson was elected to the board for two years. altar.". Does any brother wish to have
If a member votes for more choices than positions to be elected, the vote is considered illegal. 14 0 R /BitsPerComponent 8 /Filter /FlateDecode >> 5 0 obj <>
If polling is conducted outside of a meeting, members should verify their credentials with election officials when casting their votes at the polls, and members' names should be checked on a list showing who has voted. West and bright (black) in the East. Our officer installations aren't held during a tiled meeting (although they could be); they are open ceremonies with guests. <>
Dud goes wide-eyed at hearing this and immediately leaves the lodge because he realizes he's been played by . other regular Masonic body other than those stated. ___________, you have been elected to serve as ____________ of
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Since it is the obligation of every brother of the
Talks] [Masonic
endstream 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. 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." 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. [What is Freemasonry] [Leadership
Development] [Education] [Masonic
The Masonic rituals provided here are as practiced under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Nevada, circa 1986. That job belongs to the presiding officer, who reads the report again to the members, concluding with a formal declaration of the result. Booth Lodge 100-100C, be amended . <>
When the secretary prepares the eligibility list for the meeting, only those members who are willing to serve are on the list. Tradition holds that the Master of the lodge appoint a committee of three (usually Past Masters) to serve as a Tellers Committee. Ballot counters should cast their ballots at the same time that the assembly votes. The Master may approve a collective ballot if there
Lodge Election Procedures "Worshipful Master (WM) or Preceding Officer" 1. When two gavel knocks are heard, only officers of the lodge stand. The "lex non scripta," or unwritten law of Freemasonry is derived from the traditions, usages and customs of . If members are voting for offices that have staggered terms or that last more than a year, the secretary should include in the minutes when the term expires. It's never proper to drop the candidates receiving the lowest vote totals from a ballot unless they withdraw voluntarily. For this reason, members should listen carefully to the report of the ballot counters' committee. Senior Deacon,", WM: "Prepare and present the ballot box.". _____
", SW: "Clear (dark) in the West, Worshipful. 11 0 obj
Suggested Procedure For Electing Lodge Officers. 2. WM: "Have all of the brethren of _______________
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Customarily (although it's not required), the chair accomplishes this by calling three times for more nominations. endobj
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MXqy-) MR Fund raising is underway. Rules may include how long the organization saves ballots and how long members can wait to challenge an election. 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. Blogs] [Links]
By transfer of membership, maintaining continuous membership, and 4. 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. A ballot shall be taken for the three degrees
NOTE: This is only a suggested procedure. Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic Education: CHAPTER 31: Lodge Service Commission: CHAPTER 32: . I guess that would depend on the jurisdiction. 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. 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. As Masons, we hone our skills to apply their use, improving ourselves daily. 6. 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 presiding officer can continue presiding, even if he or she is one of the nominees for the office. Ballot voting is the preferred voting method in situations in which knowing how all the members voted isn't desirable. 3. Motions to close nominations are usually unnecessary because the nomination process simply continues until no one wishes to make further nominations. At the end of each successful vote the ballots
However, in some national organizations that meet yearly or biennially (every two years), this is difficult. Some Lodges
The Worshipful Master orders the Wardens to take
10. It is the duty of every member present to vote,
The Senior Deacon presents the ballot for examination
In most places, the answer is likely no. of Freemasonry, nor webmaster nor those of any
A lodge which does not honor its Master, no matter how they personally feel about the man, himself, lacks Masonic . In Texas, per Art. 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. endobj
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Jump to content The Official RONR Q & A Forums
If members haven't used the machine before, it may be wise to show them how to use it the day before the election. WM: "Brother Junior Warden, how stands the ballot in
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. endstream
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A motion to open nominations, when made by a member, is usually a motion to reopen nominations after they have been closed. hb```e``b`f``cg@ ~}"S-(1I)|p(0)P5oDurCAfG3f1,--
d$WZ3bVasYf`$exq> )Zg To which Blaise replies "Yeah, 200 bucks is pretty steep.". Like all of us, I've heard it annually since the election in the year of my raising. If the ballot vote decides an election, you're instructed to write the name of the nominee of your choice on your ballot. Join a brotherhood of over 2,000,000 men of all ages, from all races, religions, and countries, and from all walks of life. Votes cast by illegal voters must not be counted at all, not even included in the number of total votes cast. Be careful and make no
In Kentucky, the individual is normally sent a certified letter. Nominations are now open from the floor. The secretary places all nominations in the minutes. Pause. The committee must carefully review the eligibility requirements for each office and see that the nominees meet these requirements. 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. Secretarys table and put the ballots into one of the hats. to the Junior Warden, then the Senior Warden and then the Worshipful
Our officer installations aren't held during a tiled meeting (although they could be); they are open ceremonies with guests. accept?" You must log in or register to reply here. Tradition holds that the Master of the lodge appoint a committee of three (usually Past Masters) to serve as a Tellers Committee. 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. _____ and place it on the
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. *.MXPY!~@Aa%^ N&4D1la`:v@Ai,^t #. 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. 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. Because fraud does happen in the election process, members need to be alert and watchful of the election process. <>
Masonic etiquette decries anyone who does not obey the gavel. This method requires more time for the election process, making it probably best limited to smaller groups. 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. 3 0 obj
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. It's used in the vast majority of situations in which members elect their officers at a meeting. 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). 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. Like any incidental main motion, an election can be decided by voice vote or by ballot. Election of Officers of a Lodge: CHAPTER 55: Installation of Officers of a Lodge: CHAPTER 56: Officers of a Lodge, Term, Resignation, and Title . 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. the name on the ballot and the Secretary repeats the name and tallies
We must open on the third and conduct all business that requires a vote on the third. 3. <>
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JavaScript is disabled. ", WM: "Fair (cloudy) in the South, clear (dark) in the
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To lend a professional air to the proceedings, suggest that brothers wear a collared shirt and tie, especially the candidates. 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. In Europe, it takes often a year, to advance per degree. Nominees do not have to leave the room during the nominations, when the vote is taken, or when the vote is counted. 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. ballot closed." The Antimasonic party, whose avowed goal was the destruction of the Masonic Lodge and other secret societies, was the first influential third party in the United States and introduced the. After the period during which a recount can be conducted has passed, you don't need to keep the ballots. All eyes are upon the Master. Lindale Masonic Lodge: 200 W. Margaret Street, Lindale, TX 75771 Main Location The HUB: 304 E. Ferguson Street, Tyler, TX 75702 Noonday Community Center: 16662 CR 196, Tyler, TX 75703 St.. - "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 . WM: "Brethren, you have heard read the
As soon as the committee reports, it is discharged from its duties. Two top hats are placed on the kneeling pad at foot
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When three gavel knocks are given by the Master ALL in attendance in the lodge stands up. Section 3. 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. . 705 South Hercules Avenue. Ie!W2UP7MEdq-2Y+(jVW`Y, z?D;tr>[iqqF7!FR$uh?%b However, we open the Lodge on the 3rd then call to refreshment, invite everyome in, after the ceremony the WM closes without form. appears the ballot shall be immediately retaken, and if a blackball
Every lodge is incorporated and required to have corporate officers. 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. States or elsewhere. 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.". 33 0 obj
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report from the investigating committee. 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. 1. [Feedback]. Master informs the successful individual as follows: "Brother
1. Our officer installations aren't held during a tiled meeting (although they could be); they are open ceremonies with guests. A member may for indecorous or unmasonic conduct be excluded from a single meeting of the lodge. Balloting must continue until a candidate receives a majority. No candidate whose application has
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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. And whenever you want to specify when nominations can be made, you use a motion to open or close nominations. The committee then has to find a new nominee, and the members have to vote again. It may not display this or other websites correctly. 4 0 obj
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. shall be immediately retaken, when, if a blackball again appears, the
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