It is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views <> charge of the Ballot and they pick up the hats, take them to the 9 0 obj accept?" hbbd``b`$+@9`~ $U@ AL Abo;I0 V!$B Freemasonry's Requirements for Membership. The person who gets the most votes may not have a majority of the votes. However, we open the Lodge on the 3rd then call to refreshment, invite everyome in, after the ceremony the WM closes without form. Development] [Education] [Masonic This method of nominations is based on the principle of allowing all voters to make nominations for all offices by completing a nominating ballot. 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. ___________, you have been elected to serve as ____________ of A Lodge member who has held the highest office in the Lodge has for life a Masonic position of his own. <> Ie!W2UP7MEdq-2Y+(jVW`Y, z?D;tr>[iqqF7!FR$uh?%b If there is a question about the way a ballot is marked, the ballot counters should take it to the presiding officer. petition(s) of _______________ for the degrees of Freemasonry, Election of Master and Treasurer 36 Exclusion under Rule 181 Procedures to be carried out 31,32 Files To be kept 5 Foreword 2 Forms Grand Lodge 5 Grand Rank Procedure 33 Hall Stone Jewel When it can be worn 18 Honorary Membership Disabilities, Election, Status 13 Installation Night Toast 19 Leaflets Information 5 endobj Sometimes the committee is revived to make nominations to fill vacancies. 5 0 obj A write-in vote is a legal vote unless it's unintelligible or cast for an unidentifiable or ineligible person or for a fictitious character, in which case it's counted as an illegal vote. States or elsewhere. I've never see a script or outline, but it should proceed as follows: That sounds like the CA required verbiage. <>/ExtGState<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> If you have only two candidates and the vote is a tie, you repeat the balloting until one candidate receives a majority. All eyes are upon the Master. If a member leaves one part blank, the votes entered on the other questions still count. the Senior Warden hands each ballot to the Junior Warden who announces <> Section 3. Your organization needs officers, maybe committee members, and other positions decided by a vote of the membership. All business is done in a MM lodge. After the brethren have cast their ballots. xU]o@|_cZR%q"b$*/}E(k nK6hb'_ D(|}5Dsq PBY%_'Dru.{,dW9PeOw9 d6!=#3r/iby+4C~9^-GT.d Robert's Rules on elections are very straightforward after what is often a politically charged prequel of nominating and campaigning. Secretary prepares ballots for each position to be 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. 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. %`y`aSW2.9]!BBI The Senior Deacon presents the ballot to each officer 263 0 obj <>stream 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. Are there any further nominations for president? Organizations can create and write election rules to correct this mistake. 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. 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. :7YA/gOwNw|\g[u|I}?F. time immemorial. Senior Deacon,", WM: "Prepare and present the ballot box.". of Freemasonry, nor webmaster nor those of any Sent from my LG-H811 using My Freemasonry Pro mobile app. 6 Y~0 0@ You must log in or register to reply here. 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. [Feedback]. The Senior Deacon obtains the ballot box and presents 11 0 obj 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. Some Lodges The Committee on Masonic Education and Information of . If something doesn't quite add up, a member should question it during the meeting. 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. Masonic Lodge Election Procedure HB89 - Tightens the time frames for issuance of firearms licenses by probate judges. ), 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. Conducting an Election of Officers p. 25 Section III. the South? After nominations are closed, the vote is taken on each nominee in the order in which they were nominated. When the secretary prepares the eligibility list for the meeting, only those members who are willing to serve are on the list. 2 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. The duty of a nominating committee is to find the best candidate for each office. 14 0 R /BitsPerComponent 8 /Filter /FlateDecode >> You are using an out of date browser. takes up his place at the tilers door. <> 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. 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.. When the secretary mails the members a notice about the nomination and election meeting, the letter can include a request that members who do not wish to be considered for office notify the secretary in writing. . *(cM YiVo~r049>Kwz,8*#]qVLB`l:HM\7Gj#?#PV(F"y@f4 @hbe2q&8%RYcM`uU;ap10n 9. ", WM: "How in the West, Brother Senior Warden? Further, I don't think I have ever seen a Lodge election where there isn't some form of politics involved. ____________ Lodge No. AUTHORITY. According to Robert's Rules, a motion to close nominations is out of order as long as any member wishes to make a nomination. [What is Freemasonry] [Leadership If the lodge is not able to contact the individual after a reasonable period of time, the non-paying Mason is dropped (suspended). 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. As soon as the committee reports, it is discharged from its duties. 292, elections may be held in a lodge opened in an EA as long as there is an EA attending. 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. Dud goes wide-eyed at hearing this and immediately leaves the lodge because he realizes he's been played by . Your group's rules and customs determine when floor nominations are accepted. endobj . After each nomination, the president repeats the name to the assembly. You are using an out of date browser. 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. vote. If you have a nominating committee in place, ask this group to declare their nominee for a specific officer role. A parade of misfortunes had culminated by forcing potato planter Fred Jensen to stop his cross-country dash 85 miles short of his destination. visiting brother take his place so that the tiler may cast his stream [ 11 0 R] The Master may approve a collective ballot if there At the Worshipful Master s order the Stewards distribute the ballots for the first position to be voted upon. A member can rise and decline the nomination during the nominating process. 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. A member has the right to vote until the polls are closed. TURNING YOUR BACK: Never turn one's back on the Master to address the lodge without first-receiving permission By establishing plural membership in a North Carolina x=o6 bP+SR[H7\AE>Dz- ^=(pH{'OE5Y%?jUMi?OOVy5'Vx_u5'ur|GY,*'yEL -R@$S0.SHdrV&g_;F0PJ1:|GXqNg The Senior Deacon presents the ballot for examination other regular Masonic body other than those stated. 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. 0 If counting ballots takes some time, it is best for the assembly to take a recess instead of adjourn. When called on to give the report, the chairman of the nominating committee states the nominations for each office. Westside Toastmasters is located in Los Angeles and Santa Monica, California. Freemasonry, the teachings and practices of the fraternal (men-only) order of Free and Accepted Masons, the largest worldwide secret societyan oath-bound society, often devoted to fellowship, moral discipline, and mutual assistance, that conceals at least some of its rituals, customs, or activities from the public (secret societies do not A website endorsed by a Lodge will be considered the official Lodge website, and will be subject to these criteria and rules. Masonic Lodge Officer Duties For Their Term in Office: 1 Year Appointed Lodge Officer Positions: The other officers, which include the Senior Deacon, Junior Deacon, Senior Steward, Junior Steward, Marshal, Tiler and Chaplain are appointed positions by the Worshipful Master. If polling is conducted outside of a meeting, members should verify their credentials with election officials when casting their votes at the polls, and members' names should be checked on a list showing who has voted. LODGE VISITATION - A PRIVILEGE. However only Masters can vote. These could lead The Constitution is clear on the proper procedure endobj endobj <>>> If the motion is adopted, the assembly can adjourn before the vote is announced if it has another meeting scheduled. These Masonic rituals represent three degrees which are taken in sequence. The requirement for election by ballot is a majority, and a candidate has no obligation to withdraw just because he polls low numbers. 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 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. If members leave during the meeting so that a quorum is not present, those offices not yet elected must be put off until an adjourned meeting or until the next meeting. position north of the altar. j]Ic[faPhgcP0U0.!boS/]9[[3+:;:+:Q1DX. Masonic Etiquette Summary: Masonic etiquette is simply the rules of good manners which make lodge meetings pleasant for everyone. Pause. It's never in order to vote Yes or No (or For or Against) a candidate when electing persons to office. Books Online] [E-Books] [Library Of If the organization uses a nominating committee and then takes nominations from the floor, the secretary records the nominating committee's report first and then lists nominations for each office in the order they are presented as given by the members from the floor. After the period during which a recount can be conducted has passed, you don't need to keep the ballots. Your members may wind up voting for Mr. Low as the compromise candidate. {V++6o <>`ulr<>[lLDdTVVQ4Mt{<1iz;E >> /ExtGState << /Gs1 13 0 R >> /Font << /Tc1 10 0 R /TT2 9 0 R >> /XObject Or, they can tell members publicly that they do not have a nominee for a certain office; this allows members to volunteer. It is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views a portion or all of the petition(s) reread? 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. An officer election form is a document used by groups, clubs, and organizations to elect leaders and fill vacant positions. I guess that would depend on the jurisdiction. 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 Some organizations add nominees to the ballot only if the name is submitted on a petition signed by some minimum number of members. A common mistake in elections is having too many ballots cast for the number of members present. The Master then casts his own vote. Ballot counters should cast their ballots at the same time that the assembly votes. announce the results of the vote. distinctive apron has been designated by the Grand Lodge is present at a Masonic meeting or communication, he may wear the apron so designated. In the vote for Secretary, unless he is retiring, Balloting must continue until a candidate receives a majority. 0 It may not display this or other websites correctly. If a member notices a mistake in procedure, he or she should immediately make the chair and assembly aware of his concerns. WM: "You will present the ballot to the officers and 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 Sometimes there is a split in the nominating committee over who to nominate. In most cases, the threshold is a majority of the votes cast. Usually the president closes nominations when no further nominations come forward from the assembly. When three gavel knocks are given by the Master ALL in attendance in the lodge stands up. %%EOF Master. endobj place with the Senior and Junior Wardens alternating in calling the The election of lodge officers is an annual event, specified in the lodge bylaws. 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. 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. 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? (After June 15, individual counties and cities could choose to continue their own meeting limitations, in which case those limitations would continue in force.) altar.". If this occurs and it does not affect the outcome of the vote, the election is still valid. (The chair usually just announces the opening of nominations at the appointed time when they are in order. 1. 6. 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! A person can nominate himself or herself. % 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. Only MMs vote. Rules may include how long the organization saves ballots and how long members can wait to challenge an election. or opinion 6. 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. 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).. The secretary places all nominations in the minutes. If a member votes for more choices than positions to be elected, the vote is considered illegal. ", SW: "Clear (dark) in the West, Worshipful. Our officer installations aren't held during a tiled meeting (although they could be); they are open ceremonies with guests. Some practices to watch out for include: Ballot boxes being stuffed or written ballots being changed. A motion to open nominations, when made by a member, is usually a motion to reopen nominations after they have been closed. JFIF C 5 0 obj Doing this may allow an unpopular or hand-picked candidate to get the office even though he or she was not elected. again appears the petitioner shall be declared rejected, but he may at Illegal votes are, Two or more marked ballots folded together (together they count as only one illegal vote). If members adjourn before an election is complete, they should set the time for an adjourned meeting to finish the election. 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.". Remember brethren, a 8. 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. report from the investigating committee. 6 0 obj 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. programs and procedures of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, a Masonic District and their Lodge. If not, the members can vote again during that meeting for another candidate. Members should be alert to some undemocratic political practices in organizations. . endobj A newly raised Master . 10 0 obj 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). of altar. )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_? 705 South Hercules Avenue. West and bright (black) in the East. endobj The appointive officers of the Grand Lodge, save the Deputy Grand Secretary, shall be In a voice vote, the winner is easy to determine and the vote is over when someone wins the election. In this case, the members must vote again until one candidate receives a majority vote. election of officers in April each year. The committee then has to find a new nominee, and the members have to vote again. 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. As each nomination is received (assuming multiple candidates), ask each nominee "If elected, are you willing to serve?" Elections are decided by majority vote unless your bylaws provide differently. Brother Secretary conduct a roll call. 2. <> 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. 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. In Texas, per Art. collect the ballots, the Deacons approach the altar, pick up the hats, Like any incidental main motion, an election can be decided by voice vote or by ballot. The presiding officer votes along with all the other members, although she is never allowed to cast a tie-breaker in a ballot vote. These elections happen in the end of the year to elect the following years leadership team. << /ProcSet [ /PDF /Text /ImageB /ImageC /ImageI ] /ColorSpace << /Cs1 7 0 R %PDF-1.7 % Blogs] [Links] It varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. 7. 3 0 obj /Rotate 0 >> Each question on a multipart ballot is counted as a separate ballot. That means run-offs are just plain out of order. An election is really nothing more than the handling of an assumed motion . <>>> hb```BVG ea8 P}+/m should be destroyed. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Interestingly, some years ago, Virginia implemented a dues amnesty program. Voting machines having wedges inserted to prevent the lever from going down all the way. Development] [Education] [Masonic This method gives voters an idea of the group's preferences without holding an actual election. 'xzwQ38/4b|T}R-g|7uhw 4!"icE)S7AEo Because fraud does happen in the election process, members need to be alert and watchful of the election process. 127. It's used in the vast majority of situations in which members elect their officers at a meeting. One of the most important franchises which the Masonic character offers is THE ELECTION OF MASTER FOR THE ENSUING TWELVE MONTHS. elected. To which Blaise replies "Yeah, 200 bucks is pretty steep.". All officers resume their stations and 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. In most places, the answer is likely no. Nominations are taken for successive offices in the order they're listed in the bylaws. Freemasonry (or Brother __________for affiliation)." to the Junior Warden, then the Senior Warden and then the Worshipful It varies! endobj 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. The organization must have another election. stream Talks] [Masonic 33 0 obj <> endobj stream Persons serving on the committee can be nominated for office. or opinion majority of those voting being necessary for election, and the Worshipful endobj At the end of each successful vote the ballots 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. Every lodge is incorporated and required to have corporate officers. Lodge to vote, the Master should invite the tiler in and have a (or for affiliation) which has received a unanimously favorable The entire ballot counters' report should be included in the minutes of the meeting. and the Past Masters around the Lodge and places the ballot box on the If lodge functions go smoothly, it is the Master who takes the credit. The Senior Deacon closes the lid on the ballot. endobj When the nominations stop, the chair just declares nominations closed after making sure that no more nominations are forthcoming. [What is Freemasonry] [Leadership Talks] [Masonic Booth Lodge 100-100C, be amended . Often the extra ballot comes from someone who has entered the assembly but has not signed in to the meeting. Electing a presiding officer in a mass meeting Nominations From The Floor Sometimes called open nominations, this method is probably the most familiar. 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. If the bylaws specifically address this situation, members should follow the bylaws. 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. The position of Worshipful Master in the East occupies the most exalted position within the lodge. 4 0 obj Grand Lodge Dues 24 Conducting an Election of Officers 24-25 Section . 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. f;-^*//%^je)R%^eKuZJQ\LU/Zgy:FDt8KF:US1OG+T/5i]\V5qhw`6mjzS"m].#{T^]q p;43[9[C nF^y' 64 Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation. Magazines Online] Freemasonry promotes friendship, morality, and brotherly love among men of all races, religions, opinions, and backgrounds.
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