masonic lodge election procedure

Masonic Lodges, Masonic Organizations, and Youth Orders may conduct in-person meetings and events in compliance with county and city restrictions, if any. vote. 5. 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. Small technical errors, such as spelling mistakes or marking an X when a checkmark is called for, don't make a vote illegal as long as the voter's intent is discernible. [What is New] Do you 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 _____ and place it on the By signing a petition for the formation of a new lodge, [ Chapter 39] 2. 6. takes up his place at the tilers door. If the bylaws specifically address this situation, members should follow the bylaws. applicant shall be declared rejected. (rap). Once you're a Master Mason, you've got a few options. and the Master may oblige him to do so. Are there any further nominations for president? ", SW: "Clear (dark) in the West, Worshipful. Election of Officers of a Lodge: CHAPTER 55: Installation of Officers of a Lodge: CHAPTER 56: Officers of a Lodge, Term, Resignation, and Title . Since it is the obligation of every brother of the 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! Masonic Etiquette Summary: Masonic etiquette is simply the rules of good manners which make lodge meetings pleasant for everyone. The mechanics of the election are governed by a few sections of the Minnesota Masonic Code and quite a bit of lodge tradition. <> 705 South Hercules Avenue. As JPM of my lodge, I've been asked to serve in this role for our upcoming officer elections. Secretarys table and put the ballots into one of the hats. 127. x`TU?5%BBH*5XHRjD5IPJ@Z"MDE]sm.Cs)}{n/JFtZ_!ms6g:8_\Xt hq[gGBqvZ(}%p&N"4t 4b2hEs Balloting must continue until a candidate receives a majority. 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. 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. 33 0 obj <> endobj You must come recommended by at least two existing Freemasons from the lodge you're petitioning. It may not display this or other websites correctly. This example is based on moving to have nominations by committee, but the form is essentially the same for any of the methods. If the ballot vote decides an election, you're instructed to write the name of the nominee of your choice on your ballot. The balloting committee can still count the ballots. visiting brother take his place so that the tiler may cast his Depending on the Grand Lodge, this can be anywhere from 18 to 25. _____ Lodge Election Procedures "Worshipful Master (WM) or Preceding Officer" 1. 234 0 obj <> endobj gjzUS&31+W&nck')*Uf{|mON6E4GKIpFT(o o.RJ MXqy-) MR However, in some national organizations that meet yearly or biennially (every two years), this is difficult. << /Length 12 0 R /Type /XObject /Subtype /Image /Width 610 /Height 521 /ColorSpace Senior Deacon,", WM: "Prepare and present the ballot box.". [Feedback]. You are using an out of date browser. 1. New Jersey checking in. 6 0 obj 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. At the Worshipful Master s order the Stewards distribute the ballots for the first position to be voted upon. << /Im1 11 0 R >> >> unobserved by others, so that the secrecy of the ballot shall be In Tennessee, the only time you open an EA or FC lodge is to confer those degrees. As Masons, we hone our skills to apply their use, improving ourselves daily. collect the ballots and place the hats with the ballots at the Sometimes the committee is revived to make nominations to fill vacancies. 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. %`y`aSW2.9]!BBI 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. endobj If the lodge is not able to contact the individual after a reasonable period of time, the non-paying Mason is dropped (suspended). A member has the right to vote until the polls are closed. The secretary repeats the vote after recording it, to ensure accuracy. All eyes are upon the Master. If the motion is adopted, the assembly can adjourn before the vote is announced if it has another meeting scheduled. 6 0 obj If not, Brother When the secretary prepares the eligibility list for the meeting, only those members who are willing to serve are on the list. ", WM: "How in the West, Brother Senior Warden? MAKE SURE YOU READ YOUR GRAND LODGE CODE! TURNING YOUR BACK: Never turn one's back on the Master to address the lodge without first-receiving permission 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. 8. 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. The election process may be the easiest part of deciding who handles a particular job in the organization. Secretary prepares ballots for each position to be It drives us back to basics, using the Masonic tools we already have in our tool belt. 587 Your members may wind up voting for Mr. Low as the compromise candidate. 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. The Master then casts his own vote. Nominees do not have to leave the room during the nominations, when the vote is taken, or when the vote is counted. Elections are decided by majority vote unless your bylaws provide differently. These elections are to vote on new top lodge officers in the blue lodge. Ballot voting is the preferred voting method in situations in which knowing how all the members voted isn't desirable. In a ballot vote, after the ballot counters have collected all the ballots, a member can make the motion to adjourn. other regular Masonic body other than those stated. Some organizations add nominees to the ballot only if the name is submitted on a petition signed by some minimum number of members. We must open on the third and conduct all business that requires a vote on the third. [ 11 0 R] 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). 16 0 obj endstream Masonic Lodge Election Procedure HB89 - Tightens the time frames for issuance of firearms licenses by probate judges. Both a bank's president and janitor can apply for membership, and they're considered equally qualified. 12 0 obj Brother Secretary conduct a roll call. 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 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.". will advance to the altar and cast their ballot. programs and procedures of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, a Masonic District and their Lodge. Some practices to watch out for include: Ballot boxes being stuffed or written ballots being changed. The election of lodge officers is an annual event, specified in the lodge bylaws. Talks] [Masonic 3. 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).. Books Online] [E-Books] [Library Of Same in NM amd OR. 3. Apply a check mark to indicate the choice wherever . 2. %PDF-1.7 % 10 0 obj In counting the votes, the balloting committee must not confuse a majority vote with the highest number of votes. 2. 3 0 obj Usually the president closes nominations when no further nominations come forward from the assembly. the South? One of the most important franchises which the Masonic character offers is THE ELECTION OF MASTER FOR THE ENSUING TWELVE MONTHS. endobj All business is done in a MM lodge. endstream endobj startxref ballot closed." If this occurs and it does not affect the outcome of the vote, the election is still valid. <> endobj 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. When using this procedure, make it clear that a person can be nominated for and elected to more than one office. Sometimes there is a split in the nominating committee over who to nominate. 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. You are using an out of date browser. It's never proper to drop the candidates receiving the lowest vote totals from a ballot unless they withdraw voluntarily. 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. Books Online] [E-Books] [Library Of 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. The entire ballot counters' report should be included in the minutes of the meeting. the Senior Warden hands each ballot to the Junior Warden who announces Dud goes wide-eyed at hearing this and immediately leaves the lodge because he realizes he's been played by . endobj My Freemasonry | Freemason Information and Discussion Forum. Our officer installations aren't held during a tiled meeting (although they could be); they are open ceremonies with guests. Decision Making For Dummies. . Achieve this by asking them to hang out with you. altar.". 4 0 obj 66 0 obj <>stream Your group's rules and customs determine when floor nominations are accepted. of Freemasonry, nor webmaster nor those of any Like any incidental main motion, an election can be decided by voice vote or by ballot. endobj A member of the committee should then be designated to call each nominee to see if he or she is willing to serve if elected. 75-3 METHODS OF AFFILIATION. Suddenly it's 3am. 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. <> A properly planned and executed meeting results in good participation. BALLOTING PROCEDURE CHAPTER xv THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER'S HANDBOOK Grand Lodge, F.A.A.M. If the organization uses a nominating committee and then takes nominations from the floor, the secretary records the nominating committee's report first and then lists nominations for each office in the order they are presented as given by the members from the floor. The Senior Deacon obtains the ballot box and presents Here are some other things to consider during the election process: A quorum needs to be present throughout the election meeting. Each question on a multipart ballot is counted as a separate ballot. Conducting an Election of Officers p. 25 Section III. Discover the world's largest and oldest fraternal organization with over 3 million members. 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. The ballots are tallied very much like an election ballot, and the report becomes the list of nominees for each office. 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. Members then vote on a candidate to fill the remaining office. Ballot voting is by far the surest way to allow for the free expression of the will of the membership. Illegal votes cast by legal voters count toward the total votes cast, but they don't count for any individual choice or candidate. Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic Education: CHAPTER 31: Lodge Service Commission: CHAPTER 32: . 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. 10. Join us as we strive to make good men better by teaching universal values through the use of geometry and architecture metaphors. Some Lodges have their bills paid automatically each month electronically, such as for utilities and telephones for example. 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. << /Type /Page /Parent 3 0 R /Resources 6 0 R /Contents 4 0 R /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] A Lodge supporting this vital outreach of the Foundation, will be properly noted. 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. The following shall be the methods of affiliation: 1. The above procedure is repeated for each position or It is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views Master informs the successful individual as follows: "Brother 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. The committee should meet, carefully review the membership list, and select the people who they think will do the best job in each office. 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. Only MMs vote. All Articles] [Masonic Freemasonry (or Brother __________for affiliation)." %PDF-1.5 % WM: "Brother Junior Warden, how stands the ballot in Suggested Procedure For Electing Lodge Officers. If something doesn't quite add up, a member should question it during the meeting. 292, elections may be held in a lodge opened in an EA as long as there is an EA attending. After each nomination, the president repeats the name to the assembly. 4 0 obj <> but their new year lodge elections and officer installations have been delayed due to their inability to meet. We can conduct lodge business in the EA degree in Minnesota, but only Master Masons can vote. As soon as the committee reports, it is discharged from its duties. _____ cast their ballot?" You take nominations from the floor for one office, and when no further nominations are forthcoming, you proceed to the balloting for that office. Mail or absentee ballots not arriving on time or mysteriously disappearing when the time comes to count them. Voting machines having wedges inserted to prevent the lever from going down all the way. The only way you can vote against a candidate is to vote for another person. One vote against the petitioner generally rejects him. Past Masters have a standing in Masonic Law; certain duties may be assigned to them. <> However, it disadvantages candidates who lose an election for a position decided earlier and then can't serve a different position. Every lodge is incorporated and required to have corporate officers. After the period during which a recount can be conducted has passed, you don't need to keep the ballots. Sent from my LG-H811 using My Freemasonry Pro mobile app. This site is not an official site of any recognized Masonic body in the United Lodge No. hbbd``b`n@` ! may use different methods of electing officers. 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. 1. At the Worshipful Masters order the Wardens to Or, members can also finish the election at the next regular meeting if the meeting falls within a quarterly time period. AUTHORITY. The Senior Deacon then takes up a 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. stream The Secretary announces the results of the vote, a . x=o6 bP+SR[H7\AE>Dz- ^=(pH{'OE5Y%?jUMi?OOVy5'Vx_u5'ur|GY,*'yEL -R@$S0.SHdrV&g_;F0PJ1:|GXqNg Nomination by petition is another method of nomination by mail; provisions must be made for it in the bylaws, and standard forms must be provided to candidates and electors upon request. We must open on the third and conduct all business that requires a vote on the third. 1. If a member votes for more choices than positions to be elected, the vote is considered illegal. The duty of a nominating committee is to find the best candidate for each office. If not, the members can vote again during that meeting for another candidate. Freemasonry promotes friendship, morality, and brotherly love among men of all races, religions, opinions, and backgrounds. altar. Lodge Trustees and Charity Foundation become available for you and published in the members only area of our web site so that you know how Grand Lodge and its organizations are spending your money and conducting their business. A ballot shall be taken for the three degrees ^. 2017 2 PREFACE This Manual has been assembled to enable Brethren to better understand the laws, customs, programs and procedures of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, a Masonic District and their Lodge. endobj xU]o@|_cZR%q"b$*/}E(k nK6hb'_ D(|}5Dsq PBY%_'Dru.{,dW9PeOw9 d6!=#3r/iby+4C~9^-GT.d report from the investigating committee. the vote. States or elsewhere. and the Past Masters around the Lodge and places the ballot box on the << /ProcSet [ /PDF /Text /ImageB /ImageC /ImageI ] /ColorSpace << /Cs1 7 0 R charge of the Ballot and they pick up the hats, take them to the Jump to content The Official RONR Q & A Forums 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. The Code has two primary chapters that describe the process of voting in subordinate lodges. West and bright (black) in the East. <> 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. I /8ZzeL%kxF~/a&MBkd/cK"zBARqG(/%:}4Q;l@)R^M,s;p Rx P~DV(GR,&Gj;v}yh/5F3ibD,eZJ No officer of a Masonic lodge may take up his elected or appointed duties until formally installed to his office by proper authority. 4[>56[Wbz ; ~D.Lf Y`S=#A.%* ^Ckk8a)W=Lt!z3 EHDG}S?#&,y$OAYNOQ kKl_B ? A member can't make the motion to adjourn while the assembly is occupied with taking a vote, verifying a vote, or announcing a vote, except when the vote is by ballot. 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. By absolute demit, [ Chapter 76] 3. Don't implement a new process to 450 lodges until it is . In Kentucky, the individual is normally sent a certified letter. It is the duty of every member present to vote, The Authorities for Masonic Law. % The secretary places all nominations in the minutes. 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. Each incoming class of three shall consist of the incoming Junior Warden of the lodge (which has its own bylaws), and. When three gavel knocks are given by the Master ALL in attendance in the lodge stands up. * From his home in Pocatello, Idaho, across almost 3000 miles of highway, Fred's car had given trouble, and now, at Henniker, N.H., the cooling system finally gave up. %PDF-1.5

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