Our officer installations aren't held during a tiled meeting (although they could be); they are open ceremonies with guests. endstream 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. ballot drawer is empty and that there are both white balls and black After nominations are closed, the vote is taken on each nominee in the order in which they were nominated. The committee must carefully review the eligibility requirements for each office and see that the nominees meet these requirements. Is it permissible to hold election of officers in an EA lodge? ",#(7),01444'9=82. 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. That job belongs to the presiding officer, who reads the report again to the members, concluding with a formal declaration of the result. All Articles] [Masonic This method gives voters an idea of the group's preferences without holding an actual election. If there is a question about the way a ballot is marked, the ballot counters should take it to the presiding officer. 3. 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. When the nominations stop, the chair just declares nominations closed after making sure that no more nominations are forthcoming. Section 3. By signing a petition for the formation of a new lodge, [ Chapter 39] 2. <> <> The advanced tools of the editor will guide you through the editable PDF template. Fund raising is underway. 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. In Tennessee, the only time you open an EA or FC lodge is to confer those degrees. Cell phones, chewing gum, crinkly snack wrappers and other distractions should be disallowed during a fraternity election (except during breaks). The committee then has to find a new nominee, and the members have to vote again. However, calling nominations from your seat is often impractical, so you may want to adopt a more formal nomination process. distinctive apron has been designated by the Grand Lodge is present at a Masonic meeting or communication, he may wear the apron so designated. It varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Talks] [Masonic Any blue lodge that does not hold annual election of officers is considered irregular by most Grand Lodges. 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. Suddenly it's 3am. is more then one candidate for the degrees. 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. Your group's rules and customs determine when floor nominations are accepted. Apply a check mark to indicate the choice wherever . endobj %PDF-1.5 Work on making your brothers become better friends. 4 0 obj Illegal votes cast by legal voters count toward the total votes cast, but they don't count for any individual choice or candidate. Achieve this by asking them to hang out with you. APPOINTMENT. The Senior Deacon closes the lid on the ballot. % Does any brother wish to have The election of lodge officers is an annual event, specified in the lodge bylaws. )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_? The entire ballot counters' report should be included in the minutes of the meeting. <>>> endobj 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 % Some practices to watch out for include: Ballot boxes being stuffed or written ballots being changed. Same in NM amd OR. 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. %%EOF 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. One of the most important franchises which the Masonic character offers is THE ELECTION OF MASTER FOR THE ENSUING TWELVE MONTHS. 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. Taking nominations by mail is basically the same as taking nominations by ballot. It is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views visiting brother take his place so that the tiler may cast his If you have a nominating committee in place, ask this group to declare their nominee for a specific officer role. Past Masters of ____________ Lodge No. 9 0 obj His term expires July, 2014.". ", WM: "Fair (cloudy) in the South, clear (dark) in the WM: "Have all of the brethren of _______________ Sometimes called open nominations, this method is probably the most familiar. shall be immediately retaken, when, if a blackball again appears, the 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 8. x=o6 bP+SR[H7\AE>Dz- ^=(pH{'OE5Y%?jUMi?OOVy5'Vx_u5'ur|GY,*'yEL -R@$S0.SHdrV&g_;F0PJ1:|GXqNg Members should be alert to some undemocratic political practices in organizations. [What is Freemasonry] [Leadership qQ^&FJ J } It is the duty of every member present to vote, HB280 - Allows a weapons carry license holder to hold a handgun concealed whereas on campus of public technical schools and public colleges. 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. >> /ExtGState << /Gs1 13 0 R >> /Font << /Tc1 10 0 R /TT2 9 0 R >> /XObject It is possible that because of a mistake in counting the ballots, or another procedural mistake, someone can be declared elected to office when he or she did not receive the majority votes. 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. ____ for the ensuing Masonic year. . . REG. The minutes may say, for example, "Eric Olson was elected to the board for two years. The Committee on Masonic Education and Information of . You take nominations from the floor for one office, and when no further nominations are forthcoming, you proceed to the balloting for that office. States or elsewhere. Tradition holds that the Master of the lodge appoint a committee of three (usually Past Masters) to serve as a Tellers Committee. some brother of the Lodge other than the Secretary should tally and If you become a Free Mason, you will: Join both the oldest and the largest fraternity in the world. salute with the Worshipful Master. The Senior Deacon obtains the ballot box and presents %%EOF The Secretary announces the results of the vote, a 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. Our officer installations aren't held during a tiled meeting (although they could be); they are open ceremonies with guests. A person can nominate himself or herself. ___________, you have been elected to serve as ____________ of 6 0 obj 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. MAKE SURE YOU READ YOUR GRAND LODGE CODE! 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. << /Type /Page /Parent 3 0 R /Resources 6 0 R /Contents 4 0 R /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] Voting by ballot enables a member to vote for a candidate not formally nominated by writing in a name a write-in vote. <> 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. Further, I don't think I have ever seen a Lodge election where there isn't some form of politics involved. If the ballot vote decides an election, you're instructed to write the name of the nominee of your choice on your ballot. Because fraud does happen in the election process, members need to be alert and watchful of the election process. endobj For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. When holding ballot elections, you have two procedural options: Nominations for all offices conclude before any balloting begins. 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. endstream endobj startxref Freemasonry promotes friendship, morality, and brotherly love among men of all races, religions, opinions, and backgrounds. and the Past Masters around the Lodge and places the ballot box on the Pause. majority of those voting being necessary for election, and the Worshipful other regular Masonic body other than those stated. election of officers in April each year. Brethren, I declare that you have This saves time and allows for polling at a time and place other than a meeting. 6. If lodge functions go smoothly, it is the Master who takes the credit. Jump to content The Official RONR Q & A Forums <> These elections happen in the end of the year to elect the following years leadership team. A member has the right to vote until the polls are closed. Master. 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? _____ cast their ballot?" Organizations can create and write election rules to correct this mistake. Masonry doesn't care about your worldly wealth or social position. Introduction. endobj 0 Secretary prepares ballots for each position to be elected. Clearwater Lodge No. 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. This site is not an official site of any recognized Masonic body in the United 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. 2 0 obj 9. In most places, the answer is likely no. The election process may be the easiest part of deciding who handles a particular job in the organization. A parade of misfortunes had culminated by forcing potato planter Fred Jensen to stop his cross-country dash 85 miles short of his destination. 6 0 obj place with the Senior and Junior Wardens alternating in calling the vote. places. HWG l!$"' g]9=3>3U}Zo.wjyiQo?\>,:lFYE#q IBZ.rwi/A%f_N'_LDX collect the ballots and place the hats with the ballots at the <>>> Ballot voting is the preferred voting method in situations in which knowing how all the members voted isn't desirable. [Feedback]. Masonic Etiquette Summary: Masonic etiquette is simply the rules of good manners which make lodge meetings pleasant for everyone. stream 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. 8 0 obj Business meetings are held on the EA degree in European lodge. 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.
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