masonic lodge election procedure

REG. 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 . The ballots are tallied very much like an election ballot, and the report becomes the list of nominees for each office. However, we open the Lodge on the 3rd then call to refreshment, invite everyome in, after the ceremony the WM closes without form. At this time the In Kentucky, the individual is normally sent a certified letter. Doing this may allow an unpopular or hand-picked candidate to get the office even though he or she was not elected. 10 0 obj _____ and place it on the stream A late-arriving member can vote only with other members' consent by majority vote. _____ cast their ballot?" The following shall be the methods of affiliation: 1. Usually the president closes nominations when no further nominations come forward from the assembly. While the . endobj 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. %%EOF 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. 4. Sent from my LG-H811 using My Freemasonry Pro mobile app. Whatever nomination method you propose, be specific. elected (rejected) Mister ___________ for the degrees of 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. In the vote for Secretary, unless he is retiring, For the qualifications of candidates in order to join a Masonic Lodge in Texas there are a series of "Freemason requirements". Masonic etiquette decries anyone who does not obey the gavel. hb```e``b`f``cg@ ~}"S-(1I)|p(0)P5oDurCAfG3f1,-- d$WZ3bVasYf`$exq> )Zg so presented that each officer and member shall cast his ballot One example occurs if a person is elected and then resigns, the office is considered vacant, and the president or board fills it by appointment instead of having another election. If something doesn't quite add up, a member should question it during the meeting. 6 Y~0 0@ 4 0 obj 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. endobj [What is New] 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. <> If lodge functions go smoothly, it is the Master who takes the credit. The Master then casts his own vote. 2017 2 PREFACE This Manual has been assembled to enable Brethren to better understand the laws, customs, programs and procedures of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, a Masonic District and their Lodge. 4. The balloting committee can still count the ballots. To lend a professional air to the proceedings, suggest that brothers wear a collared shirt and tie, especially the candidates. In either case, you need to appoint reliable ballot counters to hand out and collect ballots and to count the votes. [ 11 0 R] 3 0 obj Yes, every year Masonic Lodges do have elections. The election of lodge officers is an annual event, specified in the lodge bylaws. 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. JavaScript is disabled. << /Length 12 0 R /Type /XObject /Subtype /Image /Width 610 /Height 521 /ColorSpace Books Online] [E-Books] [Library Of places. 75-3 METHODS OF AFFILIATION. 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. 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. The election of lodge officers is an annual event, specified in the lodge bylaws. 1 0 obj In counting the votes, the balloting committee must not confuse a majority vote with the highest number of votes. 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. States or elsewhere. A motion to open nominations, when made by a member, is usually a motion to reopen nominations after they have been closed. One vote against the petitioner generally rejects him. By absolute demit, [ Chapter 76] 3. As JPM of my lodge, I've been asked to serve in this role for our upcoming officer elections. endstream I guess that would depend on the jurisdiction. Apply a check mark to indicate the choice wherever . Or, members can also finish the election at the next regular meeting if the meeting falls within a quarterly time period. accept?" Join a brotherhood of over 2,000,000 men of all ages, from all races, religions, and countries, and from all walks of life. Same in NM amd OR. 1. If a member votes for more choices than positions to be elected, the vote is considered illegal. <> These rules supersede the adopted parliamentary authority. Booth Lodge 100-100C, be amended . The bylaws should not tie the hands of the committee to find more than one person to fill each slot; the committee should find the best candidate for each office. . endstream endobj 37 0 obj <>stream Nominations for each office are followed by the election for that office. 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. <>>> By signing a petition for the formation of a new lodge, [ Chapter 39] 2. Development] [Education] [Masonic 4[>56[Wbz ; ~D.Lf Y`S=#A.%* ^Ckk8a)W=Lt!z3 EHDG}S?#&,y$OAYNOQ kKl_B ? You take nominations from the floor for one office, and when no further nominations are forthcoming, you proceed to the balloting for that office. The "lex non scripta," or unwritten law of Freemasonry is derived from the traditions, usages and customs of . No matter which procedure you use, the order in which you take up each election is the order in which the offices are listed in your bylaws. %PDF-1.5 Don't implement a new process to 450 lodges until it is . The report of the nominating committee is usually given under "special orders." . 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 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. Nominations are now open from the floor. endobj 587 The Authorities for Masonic Law. 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 Here are some other things to consider during the election process: A quorum needs to be present throughout the election meeting. endobj 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. 12 0 obj Section 3. <> 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. names. ^. [Articles] [Masonic Remember brethren, a The Code has two primary chapters that describe the process of voting in subordinate lodges. Nominations are taken for successive offices in the order they're listed in the bylaws. If the ballot vote decides an election, you're instructed to write the name of the nominee of your choice on your ballot. )GT?=Sk8&o9sU|$gv}~3H'>}3DReeZCZ2HN7.WadE-lUG|1pU]d. It has its own identity and recognition and carries with it the title of "Past Master". Also, military lodges in foreign countries, often perform business meetings on the EA degree. When called on to give the report, the chairman of the nominating committee states the nominations for each office. Your members may wind up voting for Mr. Low as the compromise candidate. It's used in the vast majority of situations in which members elect their officers at a meeting. inviolably preserved. 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. Suddenly it's 3am. Illegal votes are, Two or more marked ballots folded together (together they count as only one illegal vote). 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. Some organizations add nominees to the ballot only if the name is submitted on a petition signed by some minimum number of members. WM: "Have all of the brethren of _______________ Some Lodges 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. gjzUS&31+W&nck')*Uf{|mON6E4GKIpFT(o o.RJ MXqy-) MR 16 0 obj mistake.". yy MWY*^K$@48SyFHv! At the Worshipful Master s order the Stewards distribute the ballots for the first position to be voted upon. Jump to content The Official RONR Q & A Forums If a member is not present to choose which office he or she wants to serve, the members vote on which office they want him or her to serve. election of officers in April each year. Westside Toastmasters is located in Los Angeles and Santa Monica, California. Rules may include how long the organization saves ballots and how long members can wait to challenge an election. If officers assume their duties immediately after the meeting is adjourned, it is then too late to question the election. endstream endobj startxref 15 0 obj All business is done in a MM lodge. ___________, you have been elected to serve as ____________ of will advance to the altar and cast their ballot. Balloting for your acceptance into a Masonic lodge After the investigative committee reports to the lodge, your petition is voted on. % When the secretary prepares the eligibility list for the meeting, only those members who are willing to serve are on the list. 0 It may not display this or other websites correctly. If not, Brother APPOINTMENT. of Freemasonry, nor webmaster nor those of any RESOLVED, that the Handbook of Masonic Law, Digest of Edicts, sec- Authors of Resolution: Bros. John F. tion on Perpetual Membership, pages Knox, Jr., P.M., W.H. Suggested Procedure For Electing Lodge Officers. Procedure for Contempt: CHAPTER 101: Restoration after Suspension or Expulsion: CHAPTER 102: ojx&^ 64>"> |&`mkG l[o;5``ek l[;5zk Vhp 5Pq_t.Z1lhp3M \H{Tl nF$UkavOv1nT#-`mkp;m ~l 3ohG nF_..}$38~?g}z+O}?.]7?"kR7tFWo'E^ "EJ*F/'NPTAT,4)/ItJl8KgHC#unG &;iL-;G[_gC 6{-sMIa{vN_CwNeCE +]`7)$k,2? [What is New] The assembly then votes again on the other office. 6 0 obj We can only drop to a different degree once we conclude that portion of the meeting. The election (or rejection) of a candidate in a Masonic lodge is a secret ballot, and with few exceptions, must be completely unanimous. Do you white ball elects; a black cube rejects. 11 0 obj JFIF C After the period during which a recount can be conducted has passed, you don't need to keep the ballots. To help with the Masonic experience at Lodge meetings, you were allowed to open on any degree, and use the Chamber 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. NOTE: This is only a suggested procedure. This method gives voters an idea of the group's preferences without holding an actual election. Once you're a Master Mason, you've got a few options. <> Each question on a multipart ballot is counted as a separate ballot. In most cases, the threshold is a majority of the votes cast. 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.. [Feedback]. These could lead The Constitution is clear on the proper procedure 1. 263 0 obj <>stream 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. However, we open the Lodge on the 3rd then call to refreshment, invite everyome in, after the ceremony the WM closes without form. The best thing an organization can do is adopt rules that tell how to proceed if a member challenges an election or if a person is illegally elected to office and has begun to serve. masonic lodge election procedure; shkolla viktor hygo logo October 28, 2021. masonic lodge election procedure . <> WM: "Brethren, you have heard read the If this occurs and it does not affect the outcome of the vote, the election is still valid. In this case, the members must vote again until one candidate receives a majority vote. In most places, the answer is likely no. Sometimes called open nominations, this method is probably the most familiar. TURNING YOUR BACK: Never turn one's back on the Master to address the lodge without first-receiving permission 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).. ____________ Lodge No. % [What is Freemasonry] [Leadership Discover the world's largest and oldest fraternal organization with over 3 million members. the South? 2. 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. If a member notices a mistake in procedure, he or she should immediately make the chair and assembly aware of his concerns. Only MMs vote. <> In the vote for the position of Worshipful Master Only members entitled to vote are given ballots or are allowed to deposit ballots with a ballot counter or place them in the ballot receptacle. Magazines Online] altar. The conventions are over, election day draws near, and the usual round of political rhetoric from candidates is blasted all over the TV, radio and internet, voters begin to wear out and are usually just ready for Election Day to be over with. 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. Nominees do not have to leave the room during the nominations, when the vote is taken, or when the vote is counted. %PDF-1.5 % ;J @*Ix~6ia 023X85i=%/v')^KkHaQaA {DCAH ' <> Organizations can create and write election rules to correct this mistake. altar. f;-^*//%^je)R%^eKuZJQ\LU/Zgy:FDt8KF:US1OG+T/5i]\V5qhw`6mjzS"m].#{T^]q p;43[9[C nF^y' 64 Elections are decided by majority vote unless your bylaws provide differently. No candidate whose application has It's never in order to vote Yes or No (or For or Against) a candidate when electing persons to office. %%EOF 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. Both a bank's president and janitor can apply for membership, and they're considered equally qualified. 0 the vote. If members adjourn before an election is complete, they should set the time for an adjourned meeting to finish the election. Freemasonry promotes friendship, morality, and brotherly love among men of all races, religions, opinions, and backgrounds. Masonic Lodges, Masonic Organizations, and Youth Orders may conduct in-person meetings and events in compliance with county and city restrictions, if any. The secretary places all nominations in the minutes. collect the ballots and place the hats with the ballots at the <> 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). hb```BVG ea8 P}+/m 3. 1 0 obj Ie!W2UP7MEdq-2Y+(jVW`Y, z?D;tr>[iqqF7!FR$uh?%b It may not display this or other websites correctly. WM: "Brother Junior Warden, how stands the ballot in 3. The Senior Deacon closes the lid on the ballot. Two top hats are placed on the kneeling pad at foot This site is not an official site of any recognized Masonic body in the United Clearwater Lodge No. It is the duty of every member present to vote, A properly planned and executed meeting results in good participation. Sometimes there is a split in the nominating committee over who to nominate. [Articles] [Masonic Voting machines having wedges inserted to prevent the lever from going down all the way. 9 0 obj endobj %`y`aSW2.9]!BBI For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. As Masons, we hone our skills to apply their use, improving ourselves daily. However, it disadvantages candidates who lose an election for a position decided earlier and then can't serve a different position. endobj The mechanics of the election are governed by a few sections of the Minnesota Masonic Code and quite a bit of lodge tradition. The motion to have a vote for a particular office recounted needs a second, is not debatable, and takes a majority vote to adopt. Officers Duties and Responsibilities . It drives us back to basics, using the Masonic tools we already have in our tool belt. A lodge which does not honor its Master, no matter how they personally feel about the man, himself, lacks Masonic . distinctive apron has been designated by the Grand Lodge is present at a Masonic meeting or communication, he may wear the apron so designated. ", JW: "Fair (cloudy) in the South, Worshipful. majority of those voting being necessary for election, and the Worshipful Register a free account today to become a member! 'xzwQ38/4b|T}R-g|7uhw 4!"icE)S7AEo If no candidate is found, the committee can leave that slot open for nominations from the floor. Tradition holds that the Master of the lodge appoint a committee of three (usually Past Masters) to serve as a Tellers Committee. However, calling nominations from your seat is often impractical, so you may want to adopt a more formal nomination process. Only MMs vote. Often the extra ballot comes from someone who has entered the assembly but has not signed in to the meeting. Cell phones, chewing gum, crinkly snack wrappers and other distractions should be disallowed during a fraternity election (except during breaks). Customarily (although it's not required), the chair accomplishes this by calling three times for more nominations. 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! Or, they can tell members publicly that they do not have a nominee for a certain office; this allows members to volunteer. endobj Because fraud does happen in the election process, members need to be alert and watchful of the election process. 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.". However, in some national organizations that meet yearly or biennially (every two years), this is difficult. Brother Secretary conduct a roll call. A Lodge supporting this vital outreach of the Foundation, will be properly noted. In balloting on a petition for affiliation, if one blackball It varies! >> /ExtGState << /Gs1 13 0 R >> /Font << /Tc1 10 0 R /TT2 9 0 R >> /XObject Secretary prepares ballots for each position to be Taking nominations by mail is basically the same as taking nominations by ballot. 8. Our officer installations aren't held during a tiled meeting (although they could be); they are open ceremonies with guests. You must come recommended by at least two existing Freemasons from the lodge you're petitioning. A common mistake in elections is having too many ballots cast for the number of members present. 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. Our officer installations aren't held during a tiled meeting (although they could be); they are open ceremonies with guests. At the Worshipful Masters order the Stewards If you had to move before you finished receiving the three degrees of the blue lodge, you'd need lodge B to perform courtesy work. Some practices to watch out for include: Ballot boxes being stuffed or written ballots being changed. That job belongs to the presiding officer, who reads the report again to the members, concluding with a formal declaration of the result.

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