<> (After June 15, individual counties and cities could choose to continue their own meeting limitations, in which case those limitations would continue in force.) [Articles] [Masonic Are there any further nominations for president? When the nominating ballot is received, the signed inner envelope containing the ballot is logged in against a list of voting members, and the ballot is deposited in a receptacle for tallying like an election ballot. This site is not an official site of any recognized Masonic body in the United endobj 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. visiting brother take his place so that the tiler may cast his (rap). Suddenly it's 3am. 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. In Tennessee, the only time you open an EA or FC lodge is to confer those degrees. Suggested Procedure For Electing Lodge Officers. 1. 8. If a member votes for more choices than positions to be elected, the vote is considered illegal. programs and procedures of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, a Masonic District and their Lodge. These rules supersede the adopted parliamentary authority. The duty of a nominating committee is to find the best candidate for each office. Masonic Rituals for the Blue Lodge - Ephesians 5:11 or opinion Lodge Visitation - A Privilege - The Masonic Trowel The assembly then votes again on the other office. . 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. A website endorsed by a Lodge will be considered the official Lodge website, and will be subject to these criteria and rules. Booth Lodge 100-100C, be amended . This site is not an official site of any recognized Masonic body in the United 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. Talks] [Masonic You must come recommended by at least two existing Freemasons from the lodge you're petitioning. endobj Secretary prepares ballots for each position to be report from the investigating committee. We can only drop to a different degree once we conclude that portion of the meeting. It's never proper to drop the candidates receiving the lowest vote totals from a ballot unless they withdraw voluntarily. If not, Brother What Is A Masonic Lodge? | Freemasons Community One of the most important franchises which the Masonic character offers is THE ELECTION OF MASTER FOR THE ENSUING TWELVE MONTHS. If you have only two candidates and the vote is a tie, you repeat the balloting until one candidate receives a majority. You are using an out of date browser. elected. places. Clearwater Lodge No. If members question the validity of an election or the procedure in taking the vote, a member should make a motion to recount the votes within a reasonably brief time after the president announces the election outcome. The Code has two primary chapters that describe the process of voting in subordinate lodges. APPOINTMENT. 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. If they don't set a time for an adjourned meeting, they can call a special meeting (if the bylaws allow this). the vote. BALLOTING PROCEDURE CHAPTER xv THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER'S HANDBOOK Grand Lodge, F.A.A.M. Motions to close nominations are usually unnecessary because the nomination process simply continues until no one wishes to make further nominations. PDF 2015 01 30 Installation of Officers of Local Lodges endstream endobj 34 0 obj <>>>/Metadata 18 0 R/Pages 31 0 R/Type/Catalog>> endobj 35 0 obj <>/ExtGState<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text]>>/Rotate 0/Type/Page>> endobj 36 0 obj <>stream Masonic Lodges, Masonic Organizations, and Youth Orders may conduct in-person meetings and events in compliance with county and city restrictions, if any. Nominees do not have to leave the room during the nominations, when the vote is taken, or when the vote is counted. A Lodge member who has held the highest office in the Lodge has for life a Masonic position of his own. No candidate whose application has Balloting for your acceptance into a Masonic lodge After the investigative committee reports to the lodge, your petition is voted on. 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. New Jersey checking in. Senior Deacon,", WM: "Prepare and present the ballot box.". inviolably preserved. Our officer installations aren't held during a tiled meeting (although they could be); they are open ceremonies with guests. _____ Ballot voting is the preferred voting method in situations in which knowing how all the members voted isn't desirable. On the Approaching Election to the Masonic Chairs It's used in the vast majority of situations in which members elect their officers at a meeting. A properly planned and executed meeting results in good participation. It's used in the vast majority of situations in which members elect their officers at a meeting. some brother of the Lodge other than the Secretary should tally and endobj However, calling nominations from your seat is often impractical, so you may want to adopt a more formal nomination process. Nominations for each office are followed by the election for that office. Chapter XV - Balloting Procedure - The Masonic Trowel At this time the Westside Toastmasters is located in Los Angeles and Santa Monica, California. This method of nominations is based on the principle of allowing all voters to make nominations for all offices by completing a nominating ballot. % [What is New] The election process may be the easiest part of deciding who handles a particular job in the organization. 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. 587 In the vote for Secretary, unless he is retiring, 2. 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 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. These elections are to vote on new top lodge officers in the blue lodge. The minutes may say, for example, "Eric Olson was elected to the board for two years. Or, they can tell members publicly that they do not have a nominee for a certain office; this allows members to volunteer. been rejected by a Lodge shall again be proposed within six months after 127. once petition the same or any other Lodge in the jurisdiction. Business meetings are held on the EA degree in European lodge. By-Laws | District Grand Lodge of Jamaica & the Cayman Islands Ballot counters present during the voting should be carefully instructed in their duties and should be able to explain to other members how to use the machine. AUTHORITY. %PDF-1.5 PDF The NJ Freemason Spring 2019 - Grand Lodge of New Jersey Illegal votes are, Two or more marked ballots folded together (together they count as only one illegal vote). endstream endobj 37 0 obj <>stream position north of the altar. Masonic Lodge Election Procedure > 2023 5 0 obj 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. 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. When holding ballot elections, you have two procedural options: Nominations for all offices conclude before any balloting begins. It varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. As Masons, we hone our skills to apply their use, improving ourselves daily. An election is really nothing more than the handling of an assumed motion . It may not display this or other websites correctly. [What is Freemasonry] [Leadership You must log in or register to reply here. mistake.". We can conduct lodge business in the EA degree in Minnesota, but only Master Masons can vote. [Feedback]. By absolute demit, [ Chapter 76] 3. charge of the Ballot and they pick up the hats, take them to the Section 12: How To Run A Good Business Meeting - Masonic Grand Lodge of It varies! 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. hmo@W}w*JGEa]/p o?_%au/$"p@ZPI 6AKFQt$8g!AHG[v;~&Wwu~|1xX21`9-Yd]%dsXQNxm -$we/mc5qrq:a/}4Y#A6,UX"{,S(JCs4l>nl,~nn%M&bt_zFPVJ_**#lU6uZe]Y[;M 6tvM{7W/225[n_SOmGP_4U_rH1v %m" &"`hh&q'I%D-rI$\\OScmalRCiPh_Th 7AN.RR9ou|r:9>NpT~XI|{&]MJ )FvJlC{hDRDT "DJc+^zrPl c[ << /Type /Page /Parent 3 0 R /Resources 6 0 R /Contents 4 0 R /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] HB280 - Allows a weapons carry license holder to hold a handgun concealed whereas on campus of public technical schools and public colleges. The balloting committee can still count the ballots. PDF INFORMATION ON MASONIC TRIALS - The Grand Lodge of Mississippi F & A 4 0 obj If the lodge is not able to contact the individual after a reasonable period of time, the non-paying Mason is dropped (suspended). Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox! In the vote for the position of Worshipful Master Freemasonry (or Brother __________for affiliation)." Masonic Lodge Election Procedure HB89 - Tightens the time frames for issuance of firearms licenses by probate judges. Achieve this by asking them to hang out with you. 2 0 obj ByLaws - Clearwater Lodge No. 127, F&AM x=o6 bP+SR[H7\AE>Dz- ^=(pH{'OE5Y%?jUMi?OOVy5'Vx_u5'ur|GY,*'yEL -R@$S0.SHdrV&g_;F0PJ1:|GXqNg All eyes are upon the Master. 4. Robert's Rules on elections are very straightforward after what is often a politically charged prequel of nominating and campaigning. Masonic Etiquette Summary: Masonic etiquette is simply the rules of good manners which make lodge meetings pleasant for everyone. If an EA is not attending, it is the option of the WM as to which lodge will be opened. 33 0 obj <> endobj If officers assume their duties immediately after the meeting is adjourned, it is then too late to question the election. 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. ", WM: "Fair (cloudy) in the South, clear (dark) in the If the motion is adopted, the assembly can adjourn before the vote is announced if it has another meeting scheduled. 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. 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. >> /ExtGState << /Gs1 13 0 R >> /Font << /Tc1 10 0 R /TT2 9 0 R >> /XObject Balloting must continue until a candidate receives a majority. Enter your official identification and contact details. These Masonic rituals represent three degrees which are taken in sequence. How to Join a Freemason Lodge - dummies will advance to the altar and cast their ballot. 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. %%EOF Pause. Officers Duties and Responsibilities . Introduction. One vote against the petitioner generally rejects him. Depending on the Grand Lodge, this can be anywhere from 18 to 25. 1. 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. The Master may approve a collective ballot if there stream When the next meeting begins, the first order of business is to hear the report of the balloting committee and for the presiding officer to announce the vote that was taken at the previous meeting. 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. Once you're a Master Mason, you've got a few options. How to Conduct an Election of Officers (with Pictures) - wikiHow Freemasons explain the rituals and benefits of membership Past Masters have a standing in Masonic Law; certain duties may be assigned to them. 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. WM: "Brethren, you have heard read the All officers resume their stations and names. <>/ExtGState<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> For this reason, members should listen carefully to the report of the ballot counters' committee. That means run-offs are just plain out of order. Application Letter To Join Masonry - Fill Out and Sign Printable PDF Sometimes the committee is revived to make nominations to fill vacancies. 2. Freemason Requirements | Dallas Freemasonry LODGE VISITATION - A PRIVILEGE. [ 11 0 R] endobj Procedure for Contempt: CHAPTER 101: Restoration after Suspension or Expulsion: CHAPTER 102: Ballot voting is by far the surest way to allow for the free expression of the will of the membership. Brother Secretary conduct a roll call. The advanced tools of the editor will guide you through the editable PDF template. He or she should present it to the assembly to decide what to do with the vote - whether to count it and toward what name to credit the vote. Development] [Education] [Masonic Secretarys table and put the ballots into one of the hats. 2. This saves time and allows for polling at a time and place other than a meeting. A newly raised Master . <> 3 ways to keep your Masonic Lodge from closing its doors Like all of us, I've heard it annually since the election in the year of my raising. 10. REG. The presiding officer votes along with all the other members, although she is never allowed to cast a tie-breaker in a ballot vote. 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. to the Junior Warden, then the Senior Warden and then the Worshipful Our officer installations aren't held during a tiled meeting (although they could be); they are open ceremonies with guests. 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." This example is based on moving to have nominations by committee, but the form is essentially the same for any of the methods. 3 0 obj stream 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? Collectively, these motions are known as motions related to nominations. Polls closing or opening at times different than the times posted. All business is done in a MM lodge. <> 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. hb```BVG ea8 P}+/m A common mistake in elections is having too many ballots cast for the number of members present. Your members may wind up voting for Mr. Low as the compromise candidate. :7YA/gOwNw|\g[u|I}?F. If members adjourn before an election is complete, they should set the time for an adjourned meeting to finish the election. <> A member can rise and decline the nomination during the nominating process. 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. MAKE SURE YOU READ YOUR GRAND LODGE CODE! 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. Secretary prepares ballots for each position to be elected. That job belongs to the presiding officer, who reads the report again to the members, concluding with a formal declaration of the result. The only way you can vote against a candidate is to vote for another person. Sometimes there is a split in the nominating committee over who to nominate. Doing this may allow an unpopular or hand-picked candidate to get the office even though he or she was not elected. 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 South? The position of Worshipful Master in the East occupies the most exalted position within the lodge. The following shall be the methods of affiliation: 1. To help with the Masonic experience at Lodge meetings, you were allowed to open on any degree, and use the Chamber announce the results of the vote. Votes cast by illegal voters must not be counted at all, not even included in the number of total votes cast. A Lodge supporting this vital outreach of the Foundation, will be properly noted. An officer election form is a document used by groups, clubs, and organizations to elect leaders and fill vacant positions. 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. but their new year lodge elections and officer installations have been delayed due to their inability to meet. You are using an out of date browser. These elections happen in the end of the year to elect the following years leadership team. 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. Dues & Don'ts of Getting Into a Masonic Lodge | Freemason Network If lodge functions go smoothly, it is the Master who takes the credit. Locals file for May 6 city, school board elections; many unopposed 0 6 0 obj States or elsewhere. It's never in order to vote Yes or No (or For or Against) a candidate when electing persons to office. 1 0 obj And whenever you want to specify when nominations can be made, you use a motion to open or close nominations. Customarily (although it's not required), the chair accomplishes this by calling three times for more nominations. Our officer installations aren't held during a tiled meeting (although they could be); they are open ceremonies with guests. Because fraud does happen in the election process, members need to be alert and watchful of the election process. Past Masters of ____________ Lodge No. [What is New] PDF Election of Lodge Officers Handbook - mdmoose.org 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. 'xzwQ38/4b|T}R-g|7uhw 4!"icE)S7AEo 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.
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