masonic lodge election procedure

Voting machines having wedges inserted to prevent the lever from going down all the way. The Worshipful Master orders the Wardens to take WM: "The brethren of ____________ Lodge No. If this occurs and it does not affect the outcome of the vote, the election is still valid. white ball elects; a black cube rejects. In Texas, per Art. [Articles] [Masonic The Authorities for Masonic Law. Ballot voting is the preferred voting method in situations in which knowing how all the members voted isn't desirable. Talks] [Masonic How to Join a Freemason Lodge - dummies Our officer installations aren't held during a tiled meeting (although they could be); they are open ceremonies with guests. endstream Polls closing or opening at times different than the times posted. <> You must log in or register to reply here. I /8ZzeL%kxF~/a&MBkd/cK"zBARqG(/%:}4Q;l@)R^M,s;p Rx P~DV(GR,&Gj;v}yh/5F3ibD,eZJ Your group's rules and customs determine when floor nominations are accepted. Does any brother wish to have Only MMs vote. 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. endobj Masonic Lodge Election Procedure > 2023 8 0 obj 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 It is important to remember that once someone is elected, the election can't be rescinded unless there is some provision for it in the bylaws. The Principles of Masonic Law/Chapter XX - Wikisource some brother of the Lodge other than the Secretary should tally and Ask for nominations for an officer position. the Senior Warden hands each ballot to the Junior Warden who announces 9 0 obj The committee must carefully review the eligibility requirements for each office and see that the nominees meet these requirements. Jump to content The Official RONR Q & A Forums Sometimes the committee is revived to make nominations to fill vacancies. By establishing plural membership in a North Carolina appears the ballot shall be immediately retaken, and if a blackball To lend a professional air to the proceedings, suggest that brothers wear a collared shirt and tie, especially the candidates. 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 name on the ballot and the Secretary repeats the name and tallies Any blue lodge that does not hold annual election of officers is considered irregular by most Grand Lodges. After nominations are closed, the vote is taken on each nominee in the order in which they were nominated. PDF The NJ Freemason Spring 2019 - Grand Lodge of New Jersey 4 0 obj One of the most important franchises which the Masonic character offers is THE ELECTION OF MASTER FOR THE ENSUING TWELVE MONTHS. 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. Illegal votes are, Two or more marked ballots folded together (together they count as only one illegal vote). A properly planned and executed meeting results in good participation. The Senior Deacon then takes up a Your organization needs officers, maybe committee members, and other positions decided by a vote of the membership. The Louisiana Freemason Spring 2020 Issue by Grand Lodge of Louisiana $.' By signing a petition for the formation of a new lodge, [ Chapter 39] 2. If members adjourn before an election is complete, they should set the time for an adjourned meeting to finish the election. Two top hats are placed on the kneeling pad at foot of altar. Members then vote on a candidate to fill the remaining office. 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. 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 election process may be the easiest part of deciding who handles a particular job in the organization. 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. Ballot voting is by far the surest way to allow for the free expression of the will of the membership. ballot closed." 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. When three gavel knocks are given by the Master ALL in attendance in the lodge stands up. When two gavel knocks are heard, only officers of the lodge stand. 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. The Anti-Masonic Party in the United States : 1826-1843 - Google Books The duty of a nominating committee is to find the best candidate for each office. or opinion 2 0 obj Freemason Requirements | Dallas Freemasonry _____ States or elsewhere. 4. A member may for indecorous or unmasonic conduct be excluded from a single meeting of the lodge. _____ cast their ballot?" endobj it to the Master who inspects the ballot box making sure that the 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. Usually the president closes nominations when no further nominations come forward from the assembly. 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. Customarily (although it's not required), the chair accomplishes this by calling three times for more nominations. 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. The committee then has to find a new nominee, and the members have to vote again. Register a free account today to become a member! hb```BVG ea8 P}+/m Masonic Lodge Officer Duties Magazines Online] In the vote for Secretary, unless he is retiring, Another problematic practice to watch out for is nominating someone for office who is not eligible. Register a free account today to become a member! 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 98% sure that it is. Masonic Etiquette Summary: Masonic etiquette is simply the rules of good manners which make lodge meetings pleasant for everyone. As JPM of my lodge, I've been asked to serve in this role for our upcoming officer elections. 8. It is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views The secretary places all nominations in the minutes. 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. 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. This requires secretaries (and possibly grand secretaries if different jurisdictions) to get involved, but is a somewhat common occurrence. [Feedback]. 14 0 R /BitsPerComponent 8 /Filter /FlateDecode >> 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. You are using an out of date browser. Grand Master's Decisions on Masonic-Sponsored Meetings and Events The election of lodge officers is an annual event, specified in the lodge bylaws. 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 << /Length 5 0 R /Filter /FlateDecode >> Lodge Officers Manual - Masonic Grand Lodge of Maine <> Depending on the Grand Lodge, this can be anywhere from 18 to 25. The election process may be the easiest part of deciding who handles a particular job in the organization. If your assembly's members are accountable to a constituency, your rules may require you to conduct your elections by roll-call vote. If members haven't used the machine before, it may be wise to show them how to use it the day before the election. Don't implement a new process to 450 lodges until it is . 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. 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. According to Robert's Rules, a motion to close nominations is out of order as long as any member wishes to make a nomination. 5. If a person has been nominated to more than one office and is elected to two offices, he or she can choose which office he or she wants. (1) A District Grand Lodge Fund shall be established for charitable and other Masonic purposes to which every Lodge in the District shall make in respect of each of its subscribing members annual contributions of $5000.00 or such lesser amount as the District Grand Lodge shall by resolution from time to time determine. 127. Illegal votes cast by legal voters count toward the total votes cast, but they don't count for any individual choice or candidate. . 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. 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. 3 0 obj If something doesn't quite add up, a member should question it during the meeting. Votes cast by illegal voters must not be counted at all, not even included in the number of total votes cast. 587 once petition the same or any other Lodge in the jurisdiction. Officers Duties and Responsibilities . Talks] [Masonic If not, the members can vote again during that meeting for another candidate. Chapter XV - Balloting Procedure - The Masonic Trowel Nominations for each office are followed by the election for that office. 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. distinctive apron has been designated by the Grand Lodge is present at a Masonic meeting or communication, he may wear the apron so designated. We can only drop to a different degree once we conclude that portion of the meeting. 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. stream [What is New] All Articles] [Masonic 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. Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic Education: CHAPTER 31: Lodge Service Commission: CHAPTER 32: . At the Worshipful Masters order the Stewards The election (or rejection) of a candidate in a Masonic lodge is a secret ballot, and with few exceptions, must be completely unanimous. PDF Lodge Election Procedures1 - ACGL 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. Members should be alert to some undemocratic political practices in organizations. One vote against the petitioner generally rejects him. <> 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. In Tennessee, the only time you open an EA or FC lodge is to confer those degrees. endobj is more then one candidate for the degrees. j]Ic[faPhgcP0U0.!boS/]9[[3+:;:+:Q1DX. endobj 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. Chapter XVII - Suggested Procedure For Electing Lodge Officers The Lodge web page must not link to or be linked to by any website where a conflict . 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. All business is done in a MM lodge. 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. Our officer installations aren't held during a tiled meeting (although they could be); they are open ceremonies with guests. salute with the Worshipful Master. _____ and place it on the For this reason, members should listen carefully to the report of the ballot counters' committee. ", JW: "Fair (cloudy) in the South, Worshipful. 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. TURNING YOUR BACK: Never turn one's back on the Master to address the lodge without first-receiving permission ____ for the ensuing Masonic year. Welcome | Grand Lodge of NC The Senior Deacon presents the ballot for examination :7YA/gOwNw|\g[u|I}?F. JavaScript is disabled. This example is based on moving to have nominations by committee, but the form is essentially the same for any of the methods. 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.". inviolably preserved. You must come recommended by at least two existing Freemasons from the lodge you're petitioning. Secretary prepares ballots for each position to be elected. Lodge elections are performed via a Masonic Ballot Box. 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). 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 The Principles of Masonic Law, by Albert G. Mackey, M.D. <>/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 called on to give the report, the chairman of the nominating committee states the nominations for each office. 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. 2. applicant shall be declared rejected. [What is New] Development] [Education] [Masonic << /Length 12 0 R /Type /XObject /Subtype /Image /Width 610 /Height 521 /ColorSpace Get To Know Ohio Freemasonry's Grand Secretary | Freemason It drives us back to basics, using the Masonic tools we already have in our tool belt. 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. % 6 0 obj endobj 3 0 obj Balloting for your acceptance into a Masonic lodge After the investigative committee reports to the lodge, your petition is voted on. At the Worshipful Masters order the Wardens to altar.". 3. endobj 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. Election Master/Judge parliamentary procedure - My Freemasonry Sometimes called open nominations, this method is probably the most familiar. 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. Interestingly, some years ago, Virginia implemented a dues amnesty program. election of officers in April each year. If the lodge is not able to contact the individual after a reasonable period of time, the non-paying Mason is dropped (suspended). Ie!W2UP7MEdq-2Y+(jVW`Y, z?D;tr>[iqqF7!FR$uh?%b His term expires July, 2014.". These rules supersede the adopted parliamentary authority. "If so, I declare the After the person elected to office assumes the position, it is too late to nullify an illegal election. of altar. 12 0 obj 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? The motion to have a vote for a particular office recounted needs a second, is not debatable, and takes a majority vote to adopt. 1 0 obj Since it is the obligation of every brother of the Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation. 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. It is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views By absolute demit, [ Chapter 76] 3. Achieve this by asking them to hang out with you. Robert's Rules of Order, Nominations And Elections - Westside Toastmasters 4. No candidate whose application has endobj ;D[{cv,#(145:n') An officer election form is a document used by groups, clubs, and organizations to elect leaders and fill vacant positions. The Secretary announces the results of the vote, a An election is really nothing more than the handling of an assumed motion . hbbd``b`n@` ! %PDF-1.3 However only Masters can vote. {V++6o <>`ulr<>[lLDdTVVQ4Mt{<1iz;E [Feedback]. 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).. Are there any further nominations for president? 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. In either case, you need to appoint reliable ballot counters to hand out and collect ballots and to count the votes. If the motion is adopted, the assembly can adjourn before the vote is announced if it has another meeting scheduled. ;J @*Ix~6ia 023X85i=%/v')^KkHaQaA {DCAH ' collect the ballots, the Deacons approach the altar, pick up the hats, 2. Masters are required to see that the ballot box is Here are some other things to consider during the election process: A quorum needs to be present throughout the election meeting. 33 0 obj <> endobj 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. 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. 5 0 obj endobj stream The Senior Deacon presents the ballot to each officer Do Freemasons elect their top leadership? - Freemasonry Report Lodge Website Criteria | Grand Lodge of Georgia, F. & A.M. Lodge No. Balloting must continue until a candidate receives a majority. Mail or absentee ballots not arriving on time or mysteriously disappearing when the time comes to count them. 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 Politics of Freemasonry | Freemason Information Some practices to watch out for include: Ballot boxes being stuffed or written ballots being changed. This site is not an official site of any recognized Masonic body in the United Same in NM amd OR. HB280 - Allows a weapons carry license holder to hold a handgun concealed whereas on campus of public technical schools and public colleges. 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 While the . PDF INFORMATION ON MASONIC TRIALS - The Grand Lodge of Mississippi F & A WM: "You will present the ballot to the officers and In a voice vote, the winner is easy to determine and the vote is over when someone wins the election. Marshal takes up his place at the West Gate and the Junior Deacon 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. Brethren, I declare that you have Doing this may allow an unpopular or hand-picked candidate to get the office even though he or she was not elected. Masonic Lodge Officer Duties and Responsibilities Remember brethren, a A Lodge supporting this vital outreach of the Foundation, will be properly noted. A lodge which does not honor its Master, no matter how they personally feel about the man, himself, lacks Masonic . 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 they don't set a time for an adjourned meeting, they can call a special meeting (if the bylaws allow this). 11 0 obj Robert's Rules on elections are very straightforward after what is often a politically charged prequel of nominating and campaigning. 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. Books Online] [E-Books] [Library Of Once you're a Master Mason, you've got a few options. should be destroyed. Introduction. MAKE SURE YOU READ YOUR GRAND LODGE CODE! Only MMs vote. vote. Dues & Don'ts of Getting Into a Masonic Lodge | Freemason Network A member can rise and decline the nomination during the nominating process. hb```e``b`f``cg@ ~}"S-(1I)|p(0)P5oDurCAfG3f1,-- d$WZ3bVasYf`$exq> )Zg Sent from my LG-H811 using My Freemasonry Pro mobile app. The Senior Deacon obtains the ballot box and presents The position of Worshipful Master in the East occupies the most exalted position within the lodge. If it is discovered after an election that the person elected does not meet the eligibility requirements, and even if the person has begun to serve, the election is void. How to Conduct an Election of Officers (with Pictures) - wikiHow You are using an out of date browser. 5 0 obj elected. Taking nominations by mail is basically the same as taking nominations by ballot. Apply a check mark to indicate the choice wherever . In counting the votes, the balloting committee must not confuse a majority vote with the highest number of votes. A late-arriving member can vote only with other members' consent by majority vote. * (rap once). Club elections and officers are an integral part of the organization and must be conducted according to the group's bylaws and rules. You must log in or register to reply here. >> /ExtGState << /Gs1 13 0 R >> /Font << /Tc1 10 0 R /TT2 9 0 R >> /XObject 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. Application Letter To Join Masonry - Fill Out and Sign Printable PDF 1. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 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. I've never see a script or outline, but it should proceed as follows: That sounds like the CA required verbiage. A decision on how long to keep them can be made at the meeting when the vote takes place, or a short retention period for ballots can be adopted as a standing rule. 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. 2 0 obj Often the extra ballot comes from someone who has entered the assembly but has not signed in to the meeting. % ",#(7),01444'9=82. It's never in order to vote Yes or No (or For or Against) a candidate when electing persons to office. LODGE VISITATION - A PRIVILEGE. report from the investigating committee. 1. States or elsewhere. By transfer of membership, maintaining continuous membership, and 4. These elections happen in the end of the year to elect the following years leadership team. 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. 263 0 obj <>stream In a ballot vote, after the ballot counters have collected all the ballots, a member can make the motion to adjourn. programs and procedures of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, a Masonic District and their Lodge. Booth Lodge 100-100C, be amended . 66 0 obj <>stream )GT?=Sk8&o9sU|$gv}~3H'>}3DReeZCZ2HN7.WadE-lUG|1pU]d. . 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. 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. When To Take Nac Morning Or Night, Who Is Emily From Bible Adventure, What Does An Asherah Pole Look Like, Schenectady Arrests 2020, Articles M