position north of the altar. 1 0 obj
___________, you have been elected to serve as ____________ of
If a member votes for fewer choices than positions to be elected, the vote is legal and those votes count. The above procedure is repeated for each position or
[What is New]
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. If no candidate is found, the committee can leave that slot open for nominations from the floor. Lodge Election Procedures "Worshipful Master (WM) or Preceding Officer" 1. 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. 3 0 obj
These elections happen in the end of the year to elect the following years leadership team. endobj 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. Robert's Rules on elections are very straightforward after what is often a politically charged prequel of nominating and campaigning. 7 0 obj
The Senior Deacon obtains the ballot box and presents
These could lead The Constitution is clear on the proper procedure again appears the petitioner shall be declared rejected, but he may at
Nominations are now open from the floor. The laws which govern the institution of Freemasonry are of two kinds, unwritten and written, and may in a manner be compared with the "lex non scripta," or common law, and the "lex seripta," or statute law of English and American jurists. 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. 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. 6. Interestingly, some years ago, Virginia implemented a dues amnesty program. A person can nominate himself or herself. WM: "You will present the ballot to the officers and
To help with the Masonic experience at Lodge meetings, you were allowed to open on any degree, and use the Chamber endobj
yy MWY*^K$@48SyFHv! However, we open the Lodge on the 3rd then call to refreshment, invite everyome in, after the ceremony the WM closes without form. Further, I don't think I have ever seen a Lodge election where there isn't some form of politics involved. A Lodge supporting this vital outreach of the Foundation, will be properly noted. Join a brotherhood of over 2,000,000 men of all ages, from all races, religions, and countries, and from all walks of life. Since it is the obligation of every brother of the
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. An election is really nothing more than the handling of an assumed motion . Brethren, I declare that you have
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 not, Brother
In most cases, the threshold is a majority of the votes cast. If anyone is elected, and it is discovered after the election that the person is not eligible, the election of that officer is null and void. 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. Books Online] [E-Books] [Library Of
the name on the ballot and the Secretary repeats the name and tallies
A Lodge member who has held the highest office in the Lodge has for life a Masonic position of his own. 0
<>
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. These rules supersede the adopted parliamentary authority. This example is based on moving to have nominations by committee, but the form is essentially the same for any of the methods. If a member notices a mistake in procedure, he or she should immediately make the chair and assembly aware of his concerns. Collectively, these motions are known as motions related to nominations. (The chair usually just announces the opening of nominations at the appointed time when they are in order. 12 0 obj
<>
<>
Robert's Rules on elections are very straightforward after what is often a politically charged prequel of nominating and campaigning. 587 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. Adam is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in Pennsylvania and is employed as a Senior Manager of International Tax in Latrobe, PA. stream
33 0 obj
<>
endobj
Are there any further nominations for president? NOTE: This is only a suggested procedure. 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. 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. unobserved by others, so that the secrecy of the ballot shall be
Also, military lodges in foreign countries, often perform business meetings on the EA degree. masonic lodge election procedure; shkolla viktor hygo logo October 28, 2021. masonic lodge election procedure . 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. We can conduct lodge business in the EA degree in Minnesota, but only Master Masons can vote. Senior Deacon,", WM: "Prepare and present the ballot box.". 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. This saves time and allows for polling at a time and place other than a meeting. Each question on a multipart ballot is counted as a separate ballot. Some practices to watch out for include: Ballot boxes being stuffed or written ballots being changed. 5. %PDF-1.5
In the vote for the position of Worshipful Master
<>>>
In Texas, per Art. JavaScript is disabled. (After June 15, individual counties and cities could choose to continue their own meeting limitations, in which case those limitations would continue in force.) Masonic Lodge Election Procedure HB89 - Tightens the time frames for issuance of firearms licenses by probate judges. << /Type /Page /Parent 3 0 R /Resources 6 0 R /Contents 4 0 R /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] A member may for indecorous or unmasonic conduct be excluded from a single meeting of the lodge. The process of making floor nominations is subject to the following rules: Recognition by the chair is not required to make a nomination. cubes in the box. 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. You must log in or register to reply here. By signing a petition for the formation of a new lodge, [ Chapter 39] 2. 234 0 obj
<>
endobj
BALLOTING PROCEDURE CHAPTER xv THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER'S HANDBOOK Grand Lodge, F.A.A.M. 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. If counting ballots takes some time, it is best for the assembly to take a recess instead of adjourn. Every lodge is incorporated and required to have corporate officers. may use different methods of electing officers. Development] [Education] [Masonic
Work on making your brothers become better friends. My Freemasonry | Freemason Information and Discussion Forum. Here is how: You must first find a Masonic lodge location near you, contact them, and ask for a petition to join. altar. 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. Once you're a Master Mason, you've got a few options. elected. "30*5gDcJuk.w^m=12Ua&0cE'|H%KV L%|c]c0l;v=[, Cj+M 38xHDL\. report from the investigating committee. Magazines Online]
If there is a question about the way a ballot is marked, the ballot counters should take it to the presiding officer. once petition the same or any other Lodge in the jurisdiction. 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. ballot drawer is empty and that there are both white balls and black
The minutes may say, for example, "Eric Olson was elected to the board for two years. charge of the Ballot and they pick up the hats, take them to the
Our officer installations aren't held during a tiled meeting (although they could be); they are open ceremonies with guests. endobj
After the period during which a recount can be conducted has passed, you don't need to keep the ballots. 5 0 obj
14 0 R /BitsPerComponent 8 /Filter /FlateDecode >> If a member is not present to choose which office he or she wants to serve, the members vote on which office they want him or her to serve. 1. endstream
endobj
startxref
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. 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.
$.' mistake.". collectively, and in the case of one blackball appearing therein it
qQ^&FJ J }
1. stream I used to post some of them here in a generic manner so all might learn from them. AUTHORITY. Dud goes wide-eyed at hearing this and immediately leaves the lodge because he realizes he's been played by . Achieve this by asking them to hang out with you. Because this form of voting favors one candidate over another based on the order of nomination, you should avoid using it except in mass meetings or when there's no serious contest for the office and a ballot is not required. place with the Senior and Junior Wardens alternating in calling the
%
Using a nominating committee to assemble a list of willing and qualified candidates for office can greatly benefit members when the time comes to select their leaders. When presenting the nominations or taking the vote for a list of offices, the president should follow the order of offices that appears in the bylaws. The Lodge web page must not link to or be linked to by any website where a conflict . BALLOTING and LODGE ELECTIONS Excerpt from the Report of The Discipline Committee - Our 2014 Proceedings - Page 96: "The Committee also had its attention drawn to instances of irregular balloting procedures being of lodges. endstream
endobj
37 0 obj
<>stream
hbbd``b`$+@9`~ $U@ AL Abo;I0 V!$B of Freemasonry, nor webmaster nor those of any
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. 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.