endobj [Feedback]. LODGE VISITATION - A PRIVILEGE. Nominees do not have to leave the room during the nominations, when the vote is taken, or when the vote is counted. This example is based on moving to have nominations by committee, but the form is essentially the same for any of the methods. announce the results of the vote. 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. 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. collect the ballots, the Deacons approach the altar, pick up the hats, If officers assume their duties immediately after the meeting is adjourned, it is then too late to question the election. 5 0 obj The Senior Deacon closes the lid on the ballot. Register a free account today to become a member! endobj If counting ballots takes some time, it is best for the assembly to take a recess instead of adjourn. The Secretary announces the results of the vote, a 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. Brethren, I declare that you have % 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. The report of the nominating committee is usually given under "special orders." 14 0 R /BitsPerComponent 8 /Filter /FlateDecode >> If something doesn't quite add up, a member should question it during the meeting. 6 0 obj 7 0 obj so presented that each officer and member shall cast his ballot For this reason, members should listen carefully to the report of the ballot counters' committee. 2. As JPM of my lodge, I've been asked to serve in this role for our upcoming officer elections. Each question on a multipart ballot is counted as a separate ballot. TURNING YOUR BACK: Never turn one's back on the Master to address the lodge without first-receiving permission 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. These rules supersede the adopted parliamentary authority. 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. ", JW: "Fair (cloudy) in the South, Worshipful. Marshal takes up his place at the West Gate and the Junior Deacon a portion or all of the petition(s) reread? If a member votes for fewer choices than positions to be elected, the vote is legal and those votes count. 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. The following shall be the methods of affiliation: 1. endobj (or for affiliation) which has received a unanimously favorable stream Blogs] [Links] 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.". mistake.". Doing this may allow an unpopular or hand-picked candidate to get the office even though he or she was not elected. Robert's Rules sets out several methods of making nominations for positions: An organization can nominate candidates in several ways: This method is used whenever the membership wants to rely on the presiding officer to recommend candidates but also wants to reserve for itself (or its designee, such as the board of directors) the approval of the nominee. 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. endobj Masters are required to see that the ballot box is A Lodge supporting this vital outreach of the Foundation, will be properly noted. ballot closed." accept?" This saves time and allows for polling at a time and place other than a meeting. Often the extra ballot comes from someone who has entered the assembly but has not signed in to the meeting. 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. At the Worshipful Master s order the Stewards distribute the ballots for the first position to be voted upon. After each nomination, the president repeats the name to the assembly. Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation. %PDF-1.7 % 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. endobj 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. place with the Senior and Junior Wardens alternating in calling the 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. 9 0 obj (After June 15, individual counties and cities could choose to continue their own meeting limitations, in which case those limitations would continue in force.) charge of the Ballot and they pick up the hats, take them to the The Masonic rituals provided here are as practiced under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Nevada, circa 1986. endstream of Freemasonry, nor webmaster nor those of any (The chair usually just announces the opening of nominations at the appointed time when they are in order. 16 0 obj For the qualifications of candidates in order to join a Masonic Lodge in Texas there are a series of "Freemason requirements". Secretary prepares ballots for each position to be elected. Balloting must continue until a candidate receives a majority. Some practices to watch out for include: Ballot boxes being stuffed or written ballots being changed. Like any incidental main motion, an election can be decided by voice vote or by ballot. Persons serving on the committee can be nominated for office. 2 0 obj 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. Each officer and member, before voting, must exchange the However, in some national organizations that meet yearly or biennially (every two years), this is difficult. 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. may use different methods of electing officers. endobj WM: "Brother Junior Warden, how stands the ballot in 1. Usually the president closes nominations when no further nominations come forward from the assembly. In Tennessee, the only time you open an EA or FC lodge is to confer those degrees. 8. 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. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. At the Worshipful Masters order the Wardens to AUTHORITY. REG. After the period during which a recount can be conducted has passed, you don't need to keep the ballots. If they don't set a time for an adjourned meeting, they can call a special meeting (if the bylaws allow this). altar.". 1. 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. Robert's Rules on elections are very straightforward after what is often a politically charged prequel of nominating and campaigning. 2. 10 0 obj Votes cast by illegal voters must not be counted at all, not even included in the number of total votes cast. If someone is not willing to serve, the committee needs to meet again and find another candidate. Annual Meeting Election and Installation of Officers Annual Past Masters Night Symbolic Degree Refresher Application Avouching Back to Lodge Night Bringing Freemasonry to the Attention of Profane Correspondence Dress Entering an Opened Lodge Examination of Visitors Example Sheet - Lodge Programs General Grand Honors No officer of a Masonic lodge may take up his elected or appointed duties until formally installed to his office by proper authority. 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. If an EA is not attending, it is the option of the WM as to which lodge will be opened. Past Masters of ____________ Lodge No. States or elsewhere. Officers Duties and Responsibilities . 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. Conducting an Election of Officers p. 25 Section III. If there is a question about the way a ballot is marked, the ballot counters should take it to the presiding officer. Polls closing or opening at times different than the times posted. When called on to give the report, the chairman of the nominating committee states the nominations for each office. Section 3. % (rap). and the Past Masters around the Lodge and places the ballot box on the 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. endstream endobj 37 0 obj <>stream If your assembly's members are accountable to a constituency, your rules may require you to conduct your elections by roll-call vote. Suddenly it's 3am. of altar. Two top hats are placed on the kneeling pad at foot of altar. 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. Illegal votes are, Two or more marked ballots folded together (together they count as only one illegal vote). 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). Note: Prior to opening elections, the WM will go over prerequisites, eligibility, exceptions, nominations, limitations and procedures in accordance with Lodge By Laws and the ACGL Code, sections 2.21 through 2.29. stream endobj One vote against the petitioner generally rejects him. Sent from my LG-H811 using My Freemasonry Pro mobile app. %PDF-1.5 % At the end of each successful vote the ballots [What is Freemasonry] [Leadership Because fraud does happen in the election process, members need to be alert and watchful of the election process. One of the most important franchises which the Masonic character offers is THE ELECTION OF MASTER FOR THE ENSUING TWELVE MONTHS. endstream endobj startxref While the . New Jersey checking in. 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. {V++6o <>`ulr<>[lLDdTVVQ4Mt{<1iz;E If the lodge is not able to contact the individual after a reasonable period of time, the non-paying Mason is dropped (suspended). petition(s) of _______________ for the degrees of Freemasonry, We must open on the third and conduct all business that requires a vote on the third. Magazines Online] Ballot voting is by far the surest way to allow for the free expression of the will of the membership. . Masonic etiquette decries anyone who does not obey the gavel. <> A ballot shall be taken for the three degrees x`TU?5%BBH*5XHRjD5IPJ@Z"MDE]sm.Cs)}{n/JFtZ_!ms6g:8_\Xt hq[gGBqvZ(}%p&N"4t 4b2hEs It varies! _____ 66 0 obj <>stream 1. Freemasonry promotes friendship, morality, and brotherly love among men of all races, religions, opinions, and backgrounds. The election (or rejection) of a candidate in a Masonic lodge is a secret ballot, and with few exceptions, must be completely unanimous. It's never proper to drop the candidates receiving the lowest vote totals from a ballot unless they withdraw voluntarily. It is considered a faux pas to cross . 1. 4[>56[Wbz ; ~D.Lf Y`S=#A.%* ^Ckk8a)W=Lt!z3 EHDG}S?#&,y$OAYNOQ kKl_B ? ",#(7),01444'9=82. 14 0 obj <> Rules may include how long the organization saves ballots and how long members can wait to challenge an election. 234 0 obj <> endobj The way to fill out the Mason form form form online: To start the form, use the Fill camp; Sign Online button or tick the preview image of the document. white ball elects; a black cube rejects. 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. As Masons, we hone our skills to apply their use, improving ourselves daily. hb```BVG ea8 P}+/m The advanced tools of the editor will guide you through the editable PDF template. Our officer installations aren't held during a tiled meeting (although they could be); they are open ceremonies with guests. The organization must have another election. Each incoming class of three shall consist of the incoming Junior Warden of the lodge (which has its own bylaws), and. In this case, the members must vote again until one candidate receives a majority vote. Nominations are taken for successive offices in the order they're listed in the bylaws. rejection. 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. 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. Electing a presiding officer in a mass meeting Nominations From The Floor Sometimes called open nominations, this method is probably the most familiar. These Masonic rituals represent three degrees which are taken in sequence. Sometimes called open nominations, this method is probably the most familiar. $.' <>>> No candidate whose application has << /Length 5 0 R /Filter /FlateDecode >> Apply a check mark to indicate the choice wherever . Be careful and make no The motion to have a vote for a particular office recounted needs a second, is not debatable, and takes a majority vote to adopt. You must log in or register to reply here. The brother responds. Here are some other things to consider during the election process: A quorum needs to be present throughout the election meeting. This site is not an official site of any recognized Masonic body in the United 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! <> It is the duty of every member present to vote, Do you Your group's rules and customs determine when floor nominations are accepted. Lodge Trustees and Charity Foundation become available for you and published in the members only area of our web site so that you know how Grand Lodge and its organizations are spending your money and conducting their business. In a voice vote, the winner is easy to determine and the vote is over when someone wins the election. 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. The presiding officer can continue presiding, even if he or she is one of the nominees for the office. 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. 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. To help with the Masonic experience at Lodge meetings, you were allowed to open on any degree, and use the Chamber endobj [Articles] [Masonic appears the ballot shall be immediately retaken, and if a blackball distinctive apron has been designated by the Grand Lodge is present at a Masonic meeting or communication, he may wear the apron so designated. f;-^*//%^je)R%^eKuZJQ\LU/Zgy:FDt8KF:US1OG+T/5i]\V5qhw`6mjzS"m].#{T^]q p;43[9[C nF^y' 64 In balloting on a petition for affiliation, if one blackball 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. << /Im1 11 0 R >> >> 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. unobserved by others, so that the secrecy of the ballot shall be Sometimes the committee is revived to make nominations to fill vacancies. The Code has two primary chapters that describe the process of voting in subordinate lodges. Remember brethren, a :7YA/gOwNw|\g[u|I}?F. The balloting committee can still count the ballots. All Articles] [Masonic "If so, I declare the Nominations don't have to be seconded, but it's not out of order for members to second a nomination to signal their endorsement. It has its own identity and recognition and carries with it the title of "Past Master". Pause. 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. places. endobj report from the investigating committee. BALLOTING PROCEDURE CHAPTER xv THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER'S HANDBOOK Grand Lodge, F.A.A.M. or opinion 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. ", SW: "Clear (dark) in the West, Worshipful. will advance to the altar and cast their ballot. JavaScript is disabled. . The Master then casts his own vote. masonic lodge election procedure; shkolla viktor hygo logo October 28, 2021. masonic lodge election procedure . Collectively, these motions are known as motions related to nominations. Lodge to vote, the Master should invite the tiler in and have a 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. Masonry doesn't care about your worldly wealth or social position. A motion to open nominations, when made by a member, is usually a motion to reopen nominations after they have been closed. 0 Tradition holds that the Master of the lodge appoint a committee of three (usually Past Masters) to serve as a Tellers Committee. 2. Further, I don't think I have ever seen a Lodge election where there isn't some form of politics involved. Depending on the Grand Lodge, this can be anywhere from 18 to 25. the Senior Warden hands each ballot to the Junior Warden who announces It's used in the vast majority of situations in which members elect their officers at a meeting. 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 only exceptions are: (1) a newly instituted lodge, (2) one that has received written approval from the General Governor, based upon membership action, or (3) an emergency situation requiring the election to be changed or waived. Only one (1) official website per Lodge will be recognized by the Grand Lodge and linked to by the Grand Lodge of Georgia's website. Business meetings are held on the EA degree in European lodge. A properly planned and executed meeting results in good participation. Any blue lodge that does not hold annual election of officers is considered irregular by most Grand Lodges. You must log in or register to reply here. If a member leaves one part blank, the votes entered on the other questions still count. In Europe, it takes often a year, to advance per degree. To lend a professional air to the proceedings, suggest that brothers wear a collared shirt and tie, especially the candidates. And whenever you want to specify when nominations can be made, you use a motion to open or close nominations. <> should be destroyed. These elections are to vote on new top lodge officers in the blue lodge. 'xzwQ38/4b|T}R-g|7uhw 4!"icE)S7AEo HWG l!$"' g]9=3>3U}Zo.wjyiQo?\>,:lFYE#q IBZ.rwi/A%f_N'_LDX 1. been rejected by a Lodge shall again be proposed within six months after 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.
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