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. 15 0 obj If members adjourn before an election is complete, they should set the time for an adjourned meeting to finish the election. <> When called on to give the report, the chairman of the nominating committee states the nominations for each office. Books Online] [E-Books] [Library Of ", WM: "Fair (cloudy) in the South, clear (dark) in the For this reason, members should listen carefully to the report of the ballot counters' committee. It's used in the vast majority of situations in which members elect their officers at a meeting. Here are some other things to consider during the election process: A quorum needs to be present throughout the election meeting. Persons serving on the committee can be nominated for office. [Articles] [Masonic PDF Guidelines for Subordinate Lodge Balloting - Grand Lodge of NC >> /ExtGState << /Gs1 13 0 R >> /Font << /Tc1 10 0 R /TT2 9 0 R >> /XObject Election Master/Judge parliamentary procedure - My Freemasonry To lend a professional air to the proceedings, suggest that brothers wear a collared shirt and tie, especially the candidates. The minutes may say, for example, "Eric Olson was elected to the board for two years. AUTHORITY. 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? However, it disadvantages candidates who lose an election for a position decided earlier and then can't serve a different position. Suggested Procedure For Electing Lodge Officers. 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. Master. In Europe, it takes often a year, to advance per degree. 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. << /Length 12 0 R /Type /XObject /Subtype /Image /Width 610 /Height 521 /ColorSpace However, we open the Lodge on the 3rd then call to refreshment, invite everyome in, after the ceremony the WM closes without form. The assembly then votes again on the other office. endobj ",#(7),01444'9=82. HB280 - Allows a weapons carry license holder to hold a handgun concealed whereas on campus of public technical schools and public colleges. will advance to the altar and cast their ballot. Members then vote on a candidate to fill the remaining office. 11 0 obj 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. In determining how long to hold the ballots before destroying them, your main consideration is the possibility of needing a recount. 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).. Masonic Lodge Election Procedure HB89 - Tightens the time frames for issuance of firearms licenses by probate judges. That means run-offs are just plain out of order. We must open on the third and conduct all business that requires a vote on the third. Remember brethren, a qQ^&FJ J } If someone is not willing to serve, the committee needs to meet again and find another candidate. 9 0 obj The Senior Deacon presents the ballot to each officer Join us as we strive to make good men better by teaching universal values through the use of geometry and architecture metaphors. 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. West and bright (black) in the East. In either case, you need to appoint reliable ballot counters to hand out and collect ballots and to count the votes. %PDF-1.5 246 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 endstream takes up his place at the tilers door. REG. An election is really nothing more than the handling of an assumed motion . Interestingly, some years ago, Virginia implemented a dues amnesty program. 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 Yes, every year Masonic Lodges do have elections. Are there any further nominations for president? Locals file for May 6 city, school board elections; many unopposed PDF 2015 01 30 Installation of Officers of Local Lodges Taking nominations by mail is basically the same as taking nominations by ballot. The process of making floor nominations is subject to the following rules: Recognition by the chair is not required to make a nomination. TURNING YOUR BACK: Never turn one's back on the Master to address the lodge without first-receiving permission If the ballot vote decides an election, you're instructed to write the name of the nominee of your choice on your ballot. The committee must carefully review the eligibility requirements for each office and see that the nominees meet these requirements. Balloting must continue until a candidate receives a majority. Balloting for your acceptance into a Masonic lodge After the investigative committee reports to the lodge, your petition is voted on. Master informs the successful individual as follows: "Brother ;D[{cv,#(145:n') Your members may wind up voting for Mr. Low as the compromise candidate. 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. 2 0 obj the Senior Warden hands each ballot to the Junior Warden who announces New Jersey checking in. 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. [What is Freemasonry] [Leadership The committee should meet, carefully review the membership list, and select the people who they think will do the best job in each office. (or for affiliation) which has received a unanimously favorable or opinion The requirement for election by ballot is a majority, and a candidate has no obligation to withdraw just because he polls low numbers. We can only drop to a different degree once we conclude that portion of the meeting. Nominations don't have to be seconded, but it's not out of order for members to second a nomination to signal their endorsement. Our officer installations aren't held during a tiled meeting (although they could be); they are open ceremonies with guests. At the Worshipful Master s order the Stewards distribute the ballots for the first position to be voted upon. 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. No officer of a Masonic lodge may take up his elected or appointed duties until formally installed to his office by proper authority. Nominations for each office are followed by the election for that office. A member has the right to vote until the polls are closed. _____ 3. The position of Worshipful Master in the East occupies the most exalted position within the lodge. 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. (After June 15, individual counties and cities could choose to continue their own meeting limitations, in which case those limitations would continue in force.) << /Im1 11 0 R >> >> If you become a Free Mason, you will: Join both the oldest and the largest fraternity in the world. Some Lodges have their bills paid automatically each month electronically, such as for utilities and telephones for example. 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. Ie!W2UP7MEdq-2Y+(jVW`Y, z?D;tr>[iqqF7!FR$uh?%b Do you After the votes are counted, the lead ballot counter reads aloud to the membership the complete report of the vote counts but doesn't declare the result. This site is not an official site of any recognized Masonic body in the United [Feedback]. The organization must have another election. 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. endobj Join a brotherhood of over 2,000,000 men of all ages, from all races, religions, and countries, and from all walks of life. Freemason Requirements | Dallas Freemasonry <> Talks] [Masonic It's never proper to drop the candidates receiving the lowest vote totals from a ballot unless they withdraw voluntarily. ____ for the ensuing Masonic year. Robert's Rules on elections are very straightforward after what is often a politically charged prequel of nominating and campaigning. of Freemasonry, nor webmaster nor those of any Nominees do not have to leave the room during the nominations, when the vote is taken, or when the vote is counted. PDF The NJ Freemason Spring 2019 - Grand Lodge of New Jersey Both a bank's president and janitor can apply for membership, and they're considered equally qualified. Some organizations add nominees to the ballot only if the name is submitted on a petition signed by some minimum number of members. By transfer of membership, maintaining continuous membership, and 4. the vote. It is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views 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. 292, elections may be held in a lodge opened in an EA as long as there is an EA attending. The Principles of Masonic Law/Chapter XX - Wikisource Do Freemasons elect their top leadership? - Freemasonry Report 1. Secretarys table and put the ballots into one of the hats. Since it is the obligation of every brother of the Elections are decided by majority vote unless your bylaws provide differently. The Senior Deacon closes the lid on the ballot. 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. 6 Y~0 0@ Marshal takes up his place at the West Gate and the Junior Deacon 5 0 obj I guess that would depend on the jurisdiction. This requires secretaries (and possibly grand secretaries if different jurisdictions) to get involved, but is a somewhat common occurrence. A common mistake in elections is having too many ballots cast for the number of members present. The Master then casts his own vote. How to Join a Freemason Lodge - dummies My Freemasonry | Freemason Information and Discussion Forum. Crossing the G. In most grand lodge jurisdictions, rituals call for an altar to be placed in the center of the lodge room holding the respective Volume of Sacred Law. masonic lodge election procedure; shkolla viktor hygo logo October 28, 2021. masonic lodge election procedure . You must log in or register to reply here. If counting ballots takes some time, it is best for the assembly to take a recess instead of adjourn. The Anti-Masonic Party in the United States : 1826-1843 - Google Books 1 0 obj As Masons, we hone our skills to apply their use, improving ourselves daily. After nominations are closed, the vote is taken on each nominee in the order in which they were nominated. Masonic Rituals for the Blue Lodge - Ephesians 5:11 If lodge functions go smoothly, it is the Master who takes the credit. Illegal votes are, Two or more marked ballots folded together (together they count as only one illegal vote). A late-arriving member can vote only with other members' consent by majority vote. The Politics of Freemasonry | Freemason Information The Louisiana Freemason Spring 2020 Issue by Grand Lodge of Louisiana Robert's Rules of Order, Nominations And Elections - Westside Toastmasters 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 a member leaves one part blank, the votes entered on the other questions still count. hbbd``b`n@` ! endobj The election of lodge officers is an annual event, specified in the lodge bylaws. These rules supersede the adopted parliamentary authority. It is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views Freemasons meet in a temple, which they call a "lodge", as that is where ancient stonemasons met when working on a church or cathedral Lodges are grouped by region, roughly in line with the old. 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. Section 12: How To Run A Good Business Meeting - Masonic Grand Lodge of The Lodge web page must not link to or be linked to by any website where a conflict . One vote against the petitioner generally rejects him. State which position is open for election or re-election, and invite members of the organization to come forward with their nominations for the position. ;J @*Ix~6ia 023X85i=%/v')^KkHaQaA {DCAH ' 2 0 obj 4[>56[Wbz ; ~D.Lf Y`S=#A.%* ^Ckk8a)W=Lt!z3 EHDG}S?#&,y$OAYNOQ kKl_B ? 'xzwQ38/4b|T}R-g|7uhw 4!"icE)S7AEo 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. If officers assume their duties immediately after the meeting is adjourned, it is then too late to question the election. 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. %PDF-1.7 % 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. A Lodge supporting this vital outreach of the Foundation, will be properly noted. 3 ways to keep your Masonic Lodge from closing its doors collectively, and in the case of one blackball appearing therein it 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. Sent from my LG-H811 using My Freemasonry Pro mobile app. 2. or opinion 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. 14 0 R /BitsPerComponent 8 /Filter /FlateDecode >> % endobj 2. 4 0 obj ballot closed." Or, they can tell members publicly that they do not have a nominee for a certain office; this allows members to volunteer. place with the Senior and Junior Wardens alternating in calling the endobj Magazines Online] Talks] [Masonic If there is a question about the way a ballot is marked, the ballot counters should take it to the presiding officer. The election process may be the easiest part of deciding who handles a particular job in the organization. ____________ Lodge No. 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. Robert's Rules on elections are very straightforward after what is often a politically charged prequel of nominating and campaigning. Business meetings are held on the EA degree in European lodge. hb```BVG ea8 P}+/m Lodge Visitation - A Privilege - The Masonic Trowel (The chair usually just announces the opening of nominations at the appointed time when they are in order. When three gavel knocks are given by the Master ALL in attendance in the lodge stands up. JavaScript is disabled. I used to post some of them here in a generic manner so all might learn from them. Decision Making For Dummies. 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. 3. The Closely Guarded Secrets of the Masonic Lodge - Freemasons Community altar.". Masonic etiquette decries anyone who does not obey the gavel. My Freemasonry | Freemason Information and Discussion Forum. 1. At the Worshipful Masters order the Wardens to The balloting committee can still count the ballots. Once you're a Master Mason, you've got a few options. elected. and the Master may oblige him to do so. << /Type /Page /Parent 3 0 R /Resources 6 0 R /Contents 4 0 R /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] programs and procedures of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, a Masonic District and their Lodge. [ 11 0 R] If the bylaws specifically address this situation, members should follow the bylaws. Lodge Website Criteria | Grand Lodge of Georgia, F. & A.M. The Masonic rituals provided here are as practiced under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Nevada, circa 1986. The advanced tools of the editor will guide you through the editable PDF template. F powered by Dr. Stefanus Hadi, Ph.D. visit www.FLIVE.com email: club@flive.com follow Clubhouse: @stefanus send SMS Text to +1 213-749-8777 Los Angeles, California /Rotate 0 >> Get To Know Ohio Freemasonry's Grand Secretary | Freemason Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation. Books Online] [E-Books] [Library Of If not, the members can vote again during that meeting for another candidate. Dues & Don'ts of Getting Into a Masonic Lodge | Freemason Network ), 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. The person who gets the most votes may not have a majority of the votes. %`y`aSW2.9]!BBI Blogs] [Links] Senior Deacon,", WM: "Prepare and present the ballot box.". 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. 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. If an EA is not attending, it is the option of the WM as to which lodge will be opened. Further, I don't think I have ever seen a Lodge election where there isn't some form of politics involved. By-Laws | District Grand Lodge of Jamaica & the Cayman Islands 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. Robert's Rules for Conducting Elections - dummies According to Robert's Rules, a motion to close nominations is out of order as long as any member wishes to make a nomination. announce the results of the vote. stream 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. It is considered a faux pas to cross . unobserved by others, so that the secrecy of the ballot shall be petition(s) of _______________ for the degrees of Freemasonry, How to Conduct an Election of Officers (with Pictures) - wikiHow endobj endstream <>/ExtGState<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> Secretary prepares ballots for each position to be 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. The brother responds. In Texas, per Art. Welcome | Grand Lodge of NC j]Ic[faPhgcP0U0.!boS/]9[[3+:;:+:Q1DX. Adam is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in Pennsylvania and is employed as a Senior Manager of International Tax in Latrobe, PA. 127. stream Freemasonry promotes friendship, morality, and brotherly love among men of all races, religions, opinions, and backgrounds. 8 0 obj Like any incidental main motion, an election can be decided by voice vote or by ballot. * 263 0 obj <>stream 1. Members should be alert to some undemocratic political practices in organizations. As JPM of my lodge, I've been asked to serve in this role for our upcoming officer elections. endobj All officers resume their stations and HWG l!$"' g]9=3>3U}Zo.wjyiQo?\>,:lFYE#q IBZ.rwi/A%f_N'_LDX Any blue lodge that does not hold annual election of officers is considered irregular by most Grand Lodges. 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. Each incoming class of three shall consist of the incoming Junior Warden of the lodge (which has its own bylaws), and. endobj Section 3. 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. 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. 8. f;-^*//%^je)R%^eKuZJQ\LU/Zgy:FDt8KF:US1OG+T/5i]\V5qhw`6mjzS"m].#{T^]q p;43[9[C nF^y' 64 You are using an out of date browser. distribute the ballots for the first position to be voted upon. 13 0 obj Masonic Lodge Election Procedure > 2023 Pause. 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." These elections are to vote on new top lodge officers in the blue lodge. mistake.". If a member votes for fewer choices than positions to be elected, the vote is legal and those votes count. Another problematic practice to watch out for is nominating someone for office who is not eligible. Sometimes called open nominations, this method is probably the most familiar. What Is A Masonic Lodge? | Freemasons Community The "lex non scripta," or unwritten law of Freemasonry is derived from the traditions, usages and customs of . This saves time and allows for polling at a time and place other than a meeting. Motions to close nominations are usually unnecessary because the nomination process simply continues until no one wishes to make further nominations. However, we open the Lodge on the 3rd then call to refreshment, invite everyome in, after the ceremony the WM closes without form. The Authorities for Masonic Law. once petition the same or any other Lodge in the jurisdiction. 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. Annual Election of Lodge Officers - Blogger 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. 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. 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. <> Secretary prepares ballots for each position to be elected. If a member votes for more choices than positions to be elected, the vote is considered illegal. Grand Lodge Officers - Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania Grand Master's Decisions on Masonic-Sponsored Meetings and Events Conducting Local Union Officer Elections | U.S. Department of Labor 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.". Dennis Alan Taylor Argentina, Ojai Turtle Conservancy Airbnb, Dale Earnhardt Inc Building, Trice Funeral Home Thomaston Georgia Obituaries, Articles M