Don't implement a new process to 450 lodges until it is . 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. collectively, and in the case of one blackball appearing therein it When three gavel knocks are given by the Master ALL in attendance in the lodge stands up. In Tennessee, the only time you open an EA or FC lodge is to confer those degrees. 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. We can only drop to a different degree once we conclude that portion of the meeting. 11 0 obj For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The presiding officer can continue presiding, even if he or she is one of the nominees for the office. - "The qualifications necessary are, that the candidate should be true and trusty, of good repute, held in high estimation amongst the fraternity, skilled in Masonic knowledge, and moreover a lover of the Craft; he . 66 0 obj <>stream 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.. "30*5gDcJuk.w^m=12Ua&0cE'|H%KV L%|c]c0l;v=[, Cj+M 38xHDL\. Voting machines having wedges inserted to prevent the lever from going down all the way. A late-arriving member can vote only with other members' consent by majority vote. Join us as we strive to make good men better by teaching universal values through the use of geometry and architecture metaphors. Often the extra ballot comes from someone who has entered the assembly but has not signed in to the meeting. Polls closing or opening at times different than the times posted. WB Christopher J. Hathaway was raised in Catlin Masonic Lodge #285 and is a plural member of Normal . <> ballot closed." Suggested Procedure For Electing Lodge Officers. 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). Suddenly it's 3am. The Secretary announces the results of the vote, a Tradition holds that the Master of the lodge appoint a committee of three (usually Past Masters) to serve as a Tellers Committee. Your group's rules and customs determine when floor nominations are accepted. Some Lodges These elections are to vote on new top lodge officers in the blue lodge. Westside Toastmasters is located in Los Angeles and Santa Monica, California. Development] [Education] [Masonic to the Junior Warden, then the Senior Warden and then the Worshipful 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. After the period during which a recount can be conducted has passed, you don't need to keep the ballots. _____ and place it on the Freemasonry's Requirements for Membership. In a ballot vote, after the ballot counters have collected all the ballots, a member can make the motion to adjourn. However, it disadvantages candidates who lose an election for a position decided earlier and then can't serve a different position. Master. 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. If the bylaws specifically address this situation, members should follow the bylaws. Rules may include how long the organization saves ballots and how long members can wait to challenge an election. Doing this may allow an unpopular or hand-picked candidate to get the office even though he or she was not elected. When nominations are taken from the floor or when a nominating ballot is used, a good practice is to provide the members with an eligibility list so that they are not nominating people who will not be able to serve. If members adjourn before an election is complete, they should set the time for an adjourned meeting to finish the election. Each incoming class of three shall consist of the incoming Junior Warden of the lodge (which has its own bylaws), and. I guess that would depend on the jurisdiction. It varies! WM: "The brethren of ____________ Lodge No. Two top hats are placed on the kneeling pad at foot of altar. I've never see a script or outline, but it should proceed as follows: That sounds like the CA required verbiage. 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. These rules supersede the adopted parliamentary authority. NOTE: This is only a suggested procedure. Only MMs vote. The balloting committee can still count the ballots. "If so, I declare the 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. 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. After each nomination, the president repeats the name to the assembly. endstream endobj startxref Enter your official identification and contact details. <> a portion or all of the petition(s) reread? (After June 15, individual counties and cities could choose to continue their own meeting limitations, in which case those limitations would continue in force.) Clearwater Lodge No. 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. You are using an out of date browser. If the ballot vote decides an election, you're instructed to write the name of the nominee of your choice on your ballot. Books Online] [E-Books] [Library Of 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. Nominations don't have to be seconded, but it's not out of order for members to second a nomination to signal their endorsement. One of the most important franchises which the Masonic character offers is THE ELECTION OF MASTER FOR THE ENSUING TWELVE MONTHS. The following shall be the methods of affiliation: 1. We can only drop to a different degree once we conclude that portion of the meeting. Past Masters have a standing in Masonic Law; certain duties may be assigned to them. names. Same in NM amd OR. 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. 5 0 obj In balloting on a petition for affiliation, if one blackball Electing a presiding officer in a mass meeting Nominations From The Floor Sometimes called open nominations, this method is probably the most familiar. petition(s) of _______________ for the degrees of Freemasonry, Balloting for your acceptance into a Masonic lodge After the investigative committee reports to the lodge, your petition is voted on. f;-^*//%^je)R%^eKuZJQ\LU/Zgy:FDt8KF:US1OG+T/5i]\V5qhw`6mjzS"m].#{T^]q p;43[9[C nF^y' 64 In this case, the members must vote again until one candidate receives a majority vote. Do you << /Length 12 0 R /Type /XObject /Subtype /Image /Width 610 /Height 521 /ColorSpace 9. <> Business meetings are held on the EA degree in European lodge. Election of Officers of a Lodge: CHAPTER 55: Installation of Officers of a Lodge: CHAPTER 56: Officers of a Lodge, Term, Resignation, and Title . 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. Achieve this by asking them to hang out with you. % 8. should be destroyed. The committee then has to find a new nominee, and the members have to vote again. stream Customarily (although it's not required), the chair accomplishes this by calling three times for more nominations. 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. Usually the president closes nominations when no further nominations come forward from the assembly. This site is not an official site of any recognized Masonic body in the United %%EOF WM: "Have all of the brethren of _______________ 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. MAKE SURE YOU READ YOUR GRAND LODGE CODE! 1. shall be immediately retaken, when, if a blackball again appears, the If officers assume their duties immediately after the meeting is adjourned, it is then too late to question the election. collect the ballots and place the hats with the ballots at the Members should be alert to some undemocratic political practices in organizations. Marshal takes up his place at the West Gate and the Junior Deacon When the nominations stop, the chair just declares nominations closed after making sure that no more nominations are forthcoming. Illegal votes cast by legal voters count toward the total votes cast, but they don't count for any individual choice or candidate. Nominees do not have to leave the room during the nominations, when the vote is taken, or when the vote is counted. Or, they can tell members publicly that they do not have a nominee for a certain office; this allows members to volunteer. Only MMs vote. stream Apply a check mark to indicate the choice wherever . If lodge functions go smoothly, it is the Master who takes the credit. The election of lodge officers is an annual event, specified in the lodge bylaws. _____ Mail or absentee ballots not arriving on time or mysteriously disappearing when the time comes to count them. 587 The Senior Deacon presents the ballot to each officer The Worshipful Master What it all means: A Worshipful Master simply depicts a deity or one in authority who is held in honor and considered as an honorable man. and the Past Masters around the Lodge and places the ballot box on the %PDF-1.3 A properly planned and executed meeting results in good participation. white ball elects; a black cube rejects. [Feedback]. Voting by ballot enables a member to vote for a candidate not formally nominated by writing in a name a write-in vote. A website endorsed by a Lodge will be considered the official Lodge website, and will be subject to these criteria and rules. Once you're a Master Mason, you've got a few options. Work on making your brothers become better friends. All Articles] [Masonic Ballot voting is by far the surest way to allow for the free expression of the will of the membership. Here is how: You must first find a Masonic lodge location near you, contact them, and ask for a petition to join. A parade of misfortunes had culminated by forcing potato planter Fred Jensen to stop his cross-country dash 85 miles short of his destination. The above procedure is repeated for each position or % It is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views endobj This method requires more time for the election process, making it probably best limited to smaller groups. <>/ExtGState<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> 7 0 obj That job belongs to the presiding officer, who reads the report again to the members, concluding with a formal declaration of the result. 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." endobj Introduction. Like any incidental main motion, an election can be decided by voice vote or by ballot. the Senior Warden hands each ballot to the Junior Warden who announces JFIF C 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. mistake.". Secretarys table and put the ballots into one of the hats. The Senior Deacon presents the ballot for examination Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation. 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. 5 0 obj It drives us back to basics, using the Masonic tools we already have in our tool belt. In Texas, per Art. 14 0 obj endobj Magazines Online] 2 0 obj 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).. To help with the Masonic experience at Lodge meetings, you were allowed to open on any degree, and use the Chamber stream 33 0 obj <> endobj Your group's rules and customs determine when floor nominations are accepted. Pause. election of officers in April each year. 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. 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. APPOINTMENT. According to Robert's Rules, a motion to close nominations is out of order as long as any member wishes to make a nomination. takes up his place at the tilers door. If counting ballots takes some time, it is best for the assembly to take a recess instead of adjourn. endstream endobj 37 0 obj <>stream <> The Senior Deacon then takes up a time immemorial. inviolably preserved. 1 0 obj 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. Each officer and member, before voting, must exchange the unobserved by others, so that the secrecy of the ballot shall be The Senior Deacon obtains the ballot box and presents Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic Education: CHAPTER 31: Lodge Service Commission: CHAPTER 32: . altar. As each nomination is received (assuming multiple candidates), ask each nominee "If elected, are you willing to serve?" RESOLVED, that the Handbook of Masonic Law, Digest of Edicts, sec- Authors of Resolution: Bros. John F. tion on Perpetual Membership, pages Knox, Jr., P.M., W.H. Any blue lodge that does not hold annual election of officers is considered irregular by most Grand Lodges. 1 0 obj 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. been rejected by a Lodge shall again be proposed within six months after After the person elected to office assumes the position, it is too late to nullify an illegal election. 12 0 obj 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. 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. A common mistake in elections is having too many ballots cast for the number of members present. 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. hbbd``b`n@` ! 15 0 obj It may not display this or other websites correctly. If members haven't used the machine before, it may be wise to show them how to use it the day before the election. Secretary prepares ballots for each position to be elected. West and bright (black) in the East. ballot drawer is empty and that there are both white balls and black Start on time, prepare and follow an agenda, be decisive and impartial, abide by the Constitution and By-laws of your lodge, the rules of order, and finally, always end on time. Club elections and officers are an integral part of the organization and must be conducted according to the group's bylaws and rules. 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. 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. Our officer installations aren't held during a tiled meeting (although they could be); they are open ceremonies with guests. 2. 1. endobj However, in some national organizations that meet yearly or biennially (every two years), this is difficult. In Kentucky, the individual is normally sent a certified letter.
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masonic lodge election procedure