masonic lodge election procedure masonic lodge election procedure

My Freemasonry | Freemason Information and Discussion Forum. shall be immediately retaken, when, if a blackball again appears, the 2. Books Online] [E-Books] [Library Of 15 0 obj This site is not an official site of any recognized Masonic body in the United You have to fill out and file with the Lodge Secretary a Petition for the Degrees of Freemasonry, pay the required fee, and attach a copy of your birth certificate. At the Worshipful Master s order the Stewards distribute the ballots for the first position to be voted upon. %PDF-1.5 1. The balloting committee can still count the ballots. The Senior Deacon closes the lid on the ballot. 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. If a member votes for more choices than positions to be elected, the vote is considered illegal. Each incoming class of three shall consist of the incoming Junior Warden of the lodge (which has its own bylaws), and. The Senior Deacon obtains the ballot box and presents Jump to content The Official RONR Q & A Forums REG. 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. I /8ZzeL%kxF~/a&MBkd/cK"zBARqG(/%:}4Q;l@)R^M,s;p Rx P~DV(GR,&Gj;v}yh/5F3ibD,eZJ 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. 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. 6 Y~0 0@ <> qQ^&FJ J } 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. 1 0 obj Yes, every year Masonic Lodges do have elections. Elections are decided by majority vote unless your bylaws provide differently. PDF The NJ Freemason Spring 2019 - Grand Lodge of New Jersey Chapter XV - Balloting Procedure - The Masonic Trowel names. unobserved by others, so that the secrecy of the ballot shall be 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. No candidate whose application has Every lodge is incorporated and required to have corporate officers. endobj Procedure for Contempt: CHAPTER 101: Restoration after Suspension or Expulsion: CHAPTER 102: ___________, you have been elected to serve as ____________ of Here are some other things to consider during the election process: A quorum needs to be present throughout the election meeting. 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. 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. 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. While the . However, it disadvantages candidates who lose an election for a position decided earlier and then can't serve a different position. 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. His term expires July, 2014.". At the Worshipful Masters order the Wardens to WM: "Have all of the brethren of _______________ 7 0 obj It has its own identity and recognition and carries with it the title of "Past Master". PDF Guidelines for Subordinate Lodge Balloting - Grand Lodge of NC 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.. x=o6 bP+SR[H7\AE>Dz- ^=(pH{'OE5Y%?jUMi?OOVy5'Vx_u5'ur|GY,*'yEL -R@$S0.SHdrV&g_;F0PJ1:|GXqNg The secretary places all nominations in the minutes. The presiding officer can continue presiding, even if he or she is one of the nominees for the office. charge of the Ballot and they pick up the hats, take them to the In Texas, per Art. 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. Balloting for your acceptance into a Masonic lodge After the investigative committee reports to the lodge, your petition is voted on. 2. <> Fund raising is underway. 4 0 obj 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. The Committee on Masonic Education and Information of . Grand Lodge Dues 24 Conducting an Election of Officers 24-25 Section . Join a brotherhood of over 2,000,000 men of all ages, from all races, religions, and countries, and from all walks of life. Lodge to vote, the Master should invite the tiler in and have a . An officer election form is a document used by groups, clubs, and organizations to elect leaders and fill vacant positions. Welcome | Grand Lodge of NC The election process may be the easiest part of deciding who handles a particular job in the organization. 1. I guess that would depend on the jurisdiction. 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. 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. 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. Brother Secretary conduct a roll call. ", JW: "Fair (cloudy) in the South, Worshipful. Robert's Rules of Order, Nominations And Elections - Westside Toastmasters 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. )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_? The Secretary announces the results of the vote, a Blogs] [Links] <> Suggested Procedure For Electing Lodge Officers. JavaScript is disabled. A member has the right to vote until the polls are closed. %%EOF Nominations don't have to be seconded, but it's not out of order for members to second a nomination to signal their endorsement. 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. [ 11 0 R] 3. been rejected by a Lodge shall again be proposed within six months after It may not display this or other websites correctly. Members then vote on a candidate to fill the remaining office. You are using an out of date browser. Each officer and member, before voting, must exchange the The Necessity of Lodge Audits | Freemason Information 4 0 obj hbbd``b`$+@9`~ $U@ AL Abo;I0 V!$B endobj 5 0 obj 11 0 obj The Code has two primary chapters that describe the process of voting in subordinate lodges. ), Members rarely make a motion to close nominations because it's never in order to make this motion as long as anyone wants to make a nomination. Nominations for each office are followed by the election for that office. As each nomination is received (assuming multiple candidates), ask each nominee "If elected, are you willing to serve?" 16 0 obj That means run-offs are just plain out of order. Lodge Election Procedures "Worshipful Master (WM) or Preceding Officer" 1. 587 It may not display this or other websites correctly. or opinion SECRETARY FORMS AND REPORTS | Grand Lodge of Georgia, F. & A.M. ^. WM: "The brethren of ____________ Lodge No. If your assembly's members are accountable to a constituency, your rules may require you to conduct your elections by roll-call vote. 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. Chapter XVII - Suggested Procedure For Electing Lodge Officers This requires secretaries (and possibly grand secretaries if different jurisdictions) to get involved, but is a somewhat common occurrence. 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 Locals file for May 6 city, school board elections; many unopposed <> This example is based on moving to have nominations by committee, but the form is essentially the same for any of the methods. 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 endobj * (rap once). A lodge which does not honor its Master, no matter how they personally feel about the man, himself, lacks Masonic . 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. Any blue lodge that does not hold annual election of officers is considered irregular by most Grand Lodges. Depending on the Grand Lodge, this can be anywhere from 18 to 25. Development] [Education] [Masonic The "lex non scripta," or unwritten law of Freemasonry is derived from the traditions, usages and customs of . so presented that each officer and member shall cast his ballot 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. 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. One vote against the petitioner generally rejects him. once petition the same or any other Lodge in the jurisdiction. If officers assume their duties immediately after the meeting is adjourned, it is then too late to question the election. Club elections and officers are an integral part of the organization and must be conducted according to the group's bylaws and rules. endobj Same in NM amd OR. Section 12: How To Run A Good Business Meeting - Masonic Grand Lodge of f;-^*//%^je)R%^eKuZJQ\LU/Zgy:FDt8KF:US1OG+T/5i]\V5qhw`6mjzS"m].#{T^]q p;43[9[C nF^y' 64 Masonic Lodges, Masonic Organizations, and Youth Orders may conduct in-person meetings and events in compliance with county and city restrictions, if any. Once you're a Master Mason, you've got a few options. . The ballots are tallied very much like an election ballot, and the report becomes the list of nominees for each office. When the nominations stop, the chair just declares nominations closed after making sure that no more nominations are forthcoming. altar. Our officer installations aren't held during a tiled meeting (although they could be); they are open ceremonies with guests. 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. The Closely Guarded Secrets of the Masonic Lodge - Freemasons Community 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. Ie!W2UP7MEdq-2Y+(jVW`Y, z?D;tr>[iqqF7!FR$uh?%b A common mistake in elections is having too many ballots cast for the number of members present. When counting ballots, ballot counters need to keep a few key points in mind: Blank votes are treated as scrap paper and don't count at all. It is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views 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. 6 0 obj JavaScript is disabled. << /Type /Page /Parent 3 0 R /Resources 6 0 R /Contents 4 0 R /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] Or, they can tell members publicly that they do not have a nominee for a certain office; this allows members to volunteer. Work on making your brothers become better friends. Lodge Transfers : r/freemasonry - reddit Illegal votes are, Two or more marked ballots folded together (together they count as only one illegal vote). % <>/ExtGState<>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 595.44 841.92] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> When the next meeting begins, the first order of business is to hear the report of the balloting committee and for the presiding officer to announce the vote that was taken at the previous meeting. And whenever you want to specify when nominations can be made, you use a motion to open or close nominations. Cell phones, chewing gum, crinkly snack wrappers and other distractions should be disallowed during a fraternity election (except during breaks). After the person elected to office assumes the position, it is too late to nullify an illegal election. Robert's Rules for Conducting Elections - dummies Our officer installations aren't held during a tiled meeting (although they could be); they are open ceremonies with guests. Enter your official identification and contact details. 9 0 obj <> [What is Freemasonry] [Leadership These Masonic rituals represent three degrees which are taken in sequence. Freemasonry (or Brother __________for affiliation)." >> /ExtGState << /Gs1 13 0 R >> /Font << /Tc1 10 0 R /TT2 9 0 R >> /XObject "If so, I declare the - "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 . Masonry doesn't care about your worldly wealth or social position. endobj 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. If counting ballots takes some time, it is best for the assembly to take a recess instead of adjourn. Taking nominations by mail is basically the same as taking nominations by ballot. 0 endstream Robert's Rules on elections are very straightforward after what is often a politically charged prequel of nominating and campaigning. If not, the members can vote again during that meeting for another candidate. [Articles] [Masonic States or elsewhere. An "irregular lodge" can be described as the type of Lodge that does have a charter from a Grand Lodge, but other Grand Lodges do not recognize its Grand lodge. Past Masters have a standing in Masonic Law; certain duties may be assigned to them. 1. Election of officers | My Freemasonry | Freemason Information and Because fraud does happen in the election process, members need to be alert and watchful of the election process. *(cM YiVo~r049>Kwz,8*#]qVLB`l:HM\7Gj#?#PV(F"y@f4 @hbe2q&8%RYcM`uU;ap10n The Politics of Freemasonry | Freemason Information endobj hmo@W}w*JGEa]/p o?_%au/$"p@ZPI 6AKFQt$8g!AHG[v;~&Wwu~|1xX21`9-Yd]%dsXQNxm -$we/mc5qrq:a/}4Y#A6,UX"{,S(JCs4l>nl,~nn%M&bt_zFPVJ_**#lU6uZe]Y[;M 6tvM{7W/225[n_SOmGP_4U_rH1v %m" &"`hh&q'I%D-rI$\\OScmalRCiPh_Th 7AN.RR9ou|r:9>NpT~XI|{&]MJ )FvJlC{hDRDT "DJc+^zrPl c[ programs and procedures of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, a Masonic District and their Lodge. In Europe, it takes often a year, to advance per degree. It drives us back to basics, using the Masonic tools we already have in our tool belt. the South? It's used in the vast majority of situations in which members elect their officers at a meeting. The following shall be the methods of affiliation: 1. Brethren, I declare that you have The Principles of Masonic Law, by Albert G. Mackey, M.D. ByLaws - Clearwater Lodge No. 127, F&AM RESOLVED, that the Handbook of Masonic Law, Digest of Edicts, sec- Authors of Resolution: Bros. John F. tion on Perpetual Membership, pages Knox, Jr., P.M., W.H. other regular Masonic body other than those stated. You must log in or register to reply here. endstream endobj 37 0 obj <>stream /Rotate 0 >> 4[>56[Wbz ; ~D.Lf Y`S=#A.%* ^Ckk8a)W=Lt!z3 EHDG}S?#&,y$OAYNOQ kKl_B ? 2 0 obj 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. A Lodge supporting this vital outreach of the Foundation, will be properly noted. PDF The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Ohio - Freemason 234 0 obj <> endobj 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. or opinion AUTHORITY. Secretary prepares ballots for each position to be elected. 10 0 obj The Senior Deacon presents the ballot to each officer 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! << /Length 5 0 R /Filter /FlateDecode >> As Masons, we hone our skills to apply their use, improving ourselves daily. 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. 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. 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. 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. If this occurs and it does not affect the outcome of the vote, the election is still valid. PDF Election of Lodge Officers Handbook - mdmoose.org In the vote for the position of Worshipful Master hb```e``b`f``cg@ ~}"S-(1I)|p(0)P5oDurCAfG3f1,-- d$WZ3bVasYf`$exq> )Zg Balloting must continue until a candidate receives a majority. After nominations are closed, the vote is taken on each nominee in the order in which they were nominated. A ballot shall be taken for the three degrees Like all of us, I've heard it annually since the election in the year of my raising. endobj 3. % 6. <> For this reason, members should listen carefully to the report of the ballot counters' committee. <> PDF 2015 01 30 Installation of Officers of Local Lodges 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. You can use a ballot vote to decide either a motion or an election: If the ballot vote decides a motion, the question is clearly stated by the chair, and you're instructed to mark your ballot Yes or No (or For or Against).