masonic lodge election procedure

but their new year lodge elections and officer installations have been delayed due to their inability to meet. <> 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. However, we open the Lodge on the 3rd then call to refreshment, invite everyome in, after the ceremony the WM closes without form. endobj Illegal votes cast by legal voters count toward the total votes cast, but they don't count for any individual choice or candidate. This method gives voters an idea of the group's preferences without holding an actual election. In the vote for Secretary, unless he is retiring, It varies! 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. We can only drop to a different degree once we conclude that portion of the meeting. 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. Depending on the Grand Lodge, this can be anywhere from 18 to 25. If something doesn't quite add up, a member should question it during the meeting. Freemasonry's Requirements for Membership. 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! The Antimasonic party, whose avowed goal was the destruction of the Masonic Lodge and other secret societies, was the first influential third party in the United States and introduced the. The position of Worshipful Master in the East occupies the most exalted position within the lodge. /Rotate 0 >> Books Online] [E-Books] [Library Of Blogs] [Links] NOTE: This is only a suggested procedure. 263 0 obj <>stream The motion to have a vote for a particular office recounted needs a second, is not debatable, and takes a majority vote to adopt. Robert's Rules on elections are very straightforward after what is often a politically charged prequel of nominating and campaigning. %PDF-1.5 majority of those voting being necessary for election, and the Worshipful 6. Same in NM amd OR. As each nomination is received (assuming multiple candidates), ask each nominee "If elected, are you willing to serve?" All eyes are upon the Master. of altar. 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. x=o6 bP+SR[H7\AE>Dz- ^=(pH{'OE5Y%?jUMi?OOVy5'Vx_u5'ur|GY,*'yEL -R@$S0.SHdrV&g_;F0PJ1:|GXqNg a portion or all of the petition(s) reread? If officers assume their duties immediately after the meeting is adjourned, it is then too late to question the election. Development] [Education] [Masonic )Cv`3!VOYe%K]'d4'kH&]x*"W.L+P|WUyl>TlUTZZh=7wE%4 DoH+5%Y+*:*2*&^Ol\Td4G]:^[DdVXQn*mNI#]Vv?v:]W6x H|z=|-!q1 oF?$Ul(V1C:[jhDe4nsl65gpr'fKuo2a0$T$W.6 ` 5SR_? As Masons, we hone our skills to apply their use, improving ourselves daily. When holding ballot elections, you have two procedural options: Nominations for all offices conclude before any balloting begins. 8 0 obj Ballot counters should cast their ballots at the same time that the assembly votes. (or for affiliation) which has received a unanimously favorable However only Masters can vote. Master. Blogs] [Links] 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. 3. it to the Master who inspects the ballot box making sure that the %PDF-1.7 % to the Junior Warden, then the Senior Warden and then the Worshipful 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. 0 Sometimes nominations aren't taken until the election is pending, and sometimes they're taken at other times, such as at a meeting before the election meeting. 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 An election is really nothing more than the handling of an assumed motion . 4 0 obj The Master may approve a collective ballot if there other regular Masonic body other than those stated. Because fraud does happen in the election process, members need to be alert and watchful of the election process. WM: "Brethren, you have heard read the xU]o@|_cZR%q"b$*/}E(k nK6hb'_ D(|}5Dsq PBY%_'Dru.{,dW9PeOw9 d6!=#3r/iby+4C~9^-GT.d 587 By transfer of membership, maintaining continuous membership, and 4. Westside Toastmasters is located in Los Angeles and Santa Monica, California. The secretary places all nominations in the minutes. endobj . Motions to close nominations are usually unnecessary because the nomination process simply continues until no one wishes to make further nominations. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Collectively, these motions are known as motions related to nominations. At the Worshipful Master s order the Stewards distribute the ballots for the first position to be voted upon. 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. The Committee on Masonic Education and Information of . j]Ic[faPhgcP0U0.!boS/]9[[3+:;:+:Q1DX. 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. ____________ Lodge No. A Lodge member who has held the highest office in the Lodge has for life a Masonic position of his own. A website endorsed by a Lodge will be considered the official Lodge website, and will be subject to these criteria and rules. One vote against the petitioner generally rejects him. vote. At the Worshipful Masters order the Wardens to 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. (After June 15, individual counties and cities could choose to continue their own meeting limitations, in which case those limitations would continue in force.) endobj Cell phones, chewing gum, crinkly snack wrappers and other distractions should be disallowed during a fraternity election (except during breaks). In either case, you need to appoint reliable ballot counters to hand out and collect ballots and to count the votes. 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. REG. collect the ballots, the Deacons approach the altar, pick up the hats, again appears the petitioner shall be declared rejected, but he may at stream 15 0 obj No one should be nominated without his or her consent because, if elected, the person may decline to serve and members will have to hold another election. 2 0 obj You must come recommended by at least two existing Freemasons from the lodge you're petitioning. 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. 3 0 obj My Freemasonry | Freemason Information and Discussion Forum. 10 0 obj 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. ____ for the ensuing Masonic year. 11 0 obj 8. Jump to content The Official RONR Q & A Forums >> /ExtGState << /Gs1 13 0 R >> /Font << /Tc1 10 0 R /TT2 9 0 R >> /XObject . *(cM YiVo~r049>Kwz,8*#]qVLB`l:HM\7Gj#?#PV(F"y@f4 @hbe2q&8%RYcM`uU;ap10n charge of the Ballot and they pick up the hats, take them to the Marshal takes up his place at the West Gate and the Junior Deacon masonic lodge election procedure; shkolla viktor hygo logo October 28, 2021. masonic lodge election procedure . West and bright (black) in the East. The duty of a nominating committee is to find the best candidate for each office. _____ cast their ballot?" Members then vote on a candidate to fill the remaining office. places. Achieve this by asking them to hang out with you. Secretary prepares ballots for each position to be Election of Officers of a Lodge: CHAPTER 55: Installation of Officers of a Lodge: CHAPTER 56: Officers of a Lodge, Term, Resignation, and Title . Register a free account today to become a member! In Tennessee, the only time you open an EA or FC lodge is to confer those degrees. "If so, I declare the _____ endobj The Lodge web page must not link to or be linked to by any website where a conflict . These elections are to vote on new top lodge officers in the blue lodge. ;D[{cv,#(145:n') Fund raising is underway. <>/ExtGState<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> Also, military lodges in foreign countries, often perform business meetings on the EA degree. 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. MAKE SURE YOU READ YOUR GRAND LODGE CODE! . The Authorities for Masonic Law. visiting brother take his place so that the tiler may cast his 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. or opinion I /8ZzeL%kxF~/a&MBkd/cK"zBARqG(/%:}4Q;l@)R^M,s;p Rx P~DV(GR,&Gj;v}yh/5F3ibD,eZJ 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. 1 0 obj 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. 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. may use different methods of electing officers. Tradition holds that the Master of the lodge appoint a committee of three (usually Past Masters) to serve as a Tellers Committee. 0 % Only MMs vote. These could lead The Constitution is clear on the proper procedure 5 0 obj endobj Usually the president closes nominations when no further nominations come forward from the assembly. stream . 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. Small technical errors, such as spelling mistakes or marking an X when a checkmark is called for, don't make a vote illegal as long as the voter's intent is discernible. <> I've never performed or even practiced the role before, though via "osmosis," should be able to piece it together to at least a minimally functional level. If the ballot vote decides an election, you're instructed to write the name of the nominee of your choice on your ballot. 2. After nominations are closed, the vote is taken on each nominee in the order in which they were nominated. 2 0 obj If members adjourn before an election is complete, they should set the time for an adjourned meeting to finish the election. 3 0 obj A motion to open nominations, when made by a member, is usually a motion to reopen nominations after they have been closed. . Balloting must continue until a candidate receives a majority. 6 0 obj The committee then has to find a new nominee, and the members have to vote again. You take nominations from the floor for one office, and when no further nominations are forthcoming, you proceed to the balloting for that office. 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. The election process may be the easiest part of deciding who handles a particular job in the organization. The above procedure is repeated for each position or 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. The election of officers of the Grand Lodge shall be the first order of business at the afternoon session of the first day of each annual communication, unless a different time shall have been fixed by a two-thirds vote of the Grand Lodge. To which Blaise replies "Yeah, 200 bucks is pretty steep.". 4. white ball elects; a black cube rejects. 5 0 obj 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. 54 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[]/Index[33 34]/Info 32 0 R/Length 100/Prev 87331/Root 34 0 R/Size 67/Type/XRef/W[1 2 1]>>stream once petition the same or any other Lodge in the jurisdiction. This method requires more time for the election process, making it probably best limited to smaller groups. Elections are decided by majority vote unless your bylaws provide differently. To lend a professional air to the proceedings, suggest that brothers wear a collared shirt and tie, especially the candidates. The report of the nominating committee is usually given under "special orders." Depending on your organization and the decisions being made, balloting may take place during a meeting, or polls may be open during polling periods including times when no meeting is in progress. << /Length 5 0 R /Filter /FlateDecode >> ;J @*Ix~6ia 023X85i=%/v')^KkHaQaA {DCAH ' While the . The requirement for election by ballot is a majority, and a candidate has no obligation to withdraw just because he polls low numbers. You must log in or register to reply here. Doing this may allow an unpopular or hand-picked candidate to get the office even though he or she was not elected. AUTHORITY. collect the ballots and place the hats with the ballots at the the South? If not, Brother These elections happen in the end of the year to elect the following years leadership team.

masonic lodge election procedure 2023