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. In a ballot vote, after the ballot counters have collected all the ballots, a member can make the motion to adjourn. rejection. or opinion <> Robert's Rules on elections are very straightforward after what is often a politically charged prequel of nominating and campaigning. This method gives voters an idea of the group's preferences without holding an actual election. As each nomination is received (assuming multiple candidates), ask each nominee "If elected, are you willing to serve?" 33 0 obj <> endobj Your group's rules and customs determine when floor nominations are accepted. _____ cast their ballot?" 2. If a person is elected to two different positions, she can either choose which office to accept or serve in more than one position, if that's allowed. 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. of altar. takes up his place at the tilers door. In Kentucky, the individual is normally sent a certified letter. <> <> The ballots are tallied very much like an election ballot, and the report becomes the list of nominees for each office. For this reason, members should listen carefully to the report of the ballot counters' committee. ",#(7),01444'9=82. Blogs] [Links] 7. Business meetings are held on the EA degree in European lodge. 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. You are using an out of date browser. However, we open the Lodge on the 3rd then call to refreshment, invite everyome in, after the ceremony the WM closes without form. "30*5gDcJuk.w^m=12Ua&0cE'|H%KV L%|c]c0l;v=[, Cj+M 38xHDL\. <> 13 0 obj A properly planned and executed meeting results in good participation. Talks] [Masonic petition(s) of _______________ for the degrees of Freemasonry, ), 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. Whatever nomination method you propose, be specific. Discover the world's largest and oldest fraternal organization with over 3 million members. The election process may be the easiest part of deciding who handles a particular job in the organization. endobj The committee then has to find a new nominee, and the members have to vote again. In Tennessee, the only time you open an EA or FC lodge is to confer those degrees. If a member leaves one part blank, the votes entered on the other questions still count. Masonry doesn't care about your worldly wealth or social position. If the motion is adopted, the assembly can adjourn before the vote is announced if it has another meeting scheduled. At the end of each successful vote the ballots Customarily (although it's not required), the chair accomplishes this by calling three times for more nominations. Apply a check mark to indicate the choice wherever . 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. A Lodge supporting this vital outreach of the Foundation, will be properly noted. 1. <> 2 0 obj After the period during which a recount can be conducted has passed, you don't need to keep the ballots. 9 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. However, in some national organizations that meet yearly or biennially (every two years), this is difficult. or opinion The election of lodge officers is an annual event, specified in the lodge bylaws. The brother responds. Past Masters have a standing in Masonic Law; certain duties may be assigned to them. The Authorities for Masonic Law. Brother Secretary conduct a roll call. Adam is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in Pennsylvania and is employed as a Senior Manager of International Tax in Latrobe, PA. endobj To which Blaise replies "Yeah, 200 bucks is pretty steep.". LODGE VISITATION - A PRIVILEGE. The Worshipful Master orders the Wardens to take [Feedback]. Secretary prepares ballots for each position to be appears the ballot shall be immediately retaken, and if a blackball 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. endstream endobj startxref The process of making floor nominations is subject to the following rules: Recognition by the chair is not required to make a nomination. white ball elects; a black cube rejects. 6 0 obj The appointive officers of the Grand Lodge, save the Deputy Grand Secretary, shall be altar.". Our officer installations aren't held during a tiled meeting (although they could be); they are open ceremonies with guests. F powered by Dr. Stefanus Hadi, Ph.D. visit www.FLIVE.com email: club@flive.com follow Clubhouse: @stefanus send SMS Text to +1 213-749-8777 Los Angeles, California A poor meeting achieves the opposite results. <>>> A late-arriving member can vote only with other members' consent by majority vote. endobj Remember brethren, a Some Lodges 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. 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. Your organization needs officers, maybe committee members, and other positions decided by a vote of the membership. Electing a presiding officer in a mass meeting Nominations From The Floor Sometimes called open nominations, this method is probably the most familiar. Lodge elections are performed via a Masonic Ballot Box. Tradition holds that the Master of the lodge appoint a committee of three (usually Past Masters) to serve as a Tellers Committee. The main advantage here is that it allows members to consider the election results of one office before proceeding to the election of another office. Organizations can create and write election rules to correct this mistake. If this occurs and it does not affect the outcome of the vote, the election is still valid. The "lex non scripta," or unwritten law of Freemasonry is derived from the traditions, usages and customs of . 263 0 obj <>stream This method is applicable when, Appointing members to committees, if specified in the motion creating the committee, or if prescribed in the bylaws, Electing a presiding officer in a mass meeting. Master. <> 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. It varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. ", JW: "Fair (cloudy) in the South, Worshipful. %%EOF In balloting on a petition for affiliation, if one blackball All Articles] [Masonic (1) A District Grand Lodge Fund shall be established for charitable and other Masonic purposes to which every Lodge in the District shall make in respect of each of its subscribing members annual contributions of $5000.00 or such lesser amount as the District Grand Lodge shall by resolution from time to time determine. distribute the ballots for the first position to be voted upon. If the bylaws specifically address this situation, members should follow the bylaws. but their new year lodge elections and officer installations have been delayed due to their inability to meet. hbbd``b`n@` ! The Senior Deacon presents the ballot for examination 11 0 obj Balloting for your acceptance into a Masonic lodge After the investigative committee reports to the lodge, your petition is voted on. [What is New] Rules may include how long the organization saves ballots and how long members can wait to challenge an election. 2 0 obj endobj Further, I don't think I have ever seen a Lodge election where there isn't some form of politics involved. Same in NM amd OR. After each nomination, the president repeats the name to the assembly. The committee must carefully review the eligibility requirements for each office and see that the nominees meet these requirements. 4 0 obj Some practices to watch out for include: Ballot boxes being stuffed or written ballots being changed. Sometimes called open nominations, this method is probably the most familiar. This requires secretaries (and possibly grand secretaries if different jurisdictions) to get involved, but is a somewhat common occurrence. 292, elections may be held in a lodge opened in an EA as long as there is an EA attending. Sent from my LG-H811 using My Freemasonry Pro mobile app. The motion to have a vote for a particular office recounted needs a second, is not debatable, and takes a majority vote to adopt. Yes, every year Masonic Lodges do have elections. *(cM YiVo~r049>Kwz,8*#]qVLB`l:HM\7Gj#?#PV(F"y@f4 @hbe2q&8%RYcM`uU;ap10n While the . Only MMs vote. ____ for the ensuing Masonic year. 6 0 obj Join a brotherhood of over 2,000,000 men of all ages, from all races, religions, and countries, and from all walks of life. gjzUS&31+W&nck')*Uf{|mON6E4GKIpFT(o o.RJ MXqy-) MR time immemorial. The mechanics of the election are governed by a few sections of the Minnesota Masonic Code and quite a bit of lodge tradition. Do you Depending on the Grand Lodge, this can be anywhere from 18 to 25. The presiding officer can continue presiding, even if he or she is one of the nominees for the office. altar. <> Jump to content The Official RONR Q & A Forums 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." endstream 4 0 obj 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! If you have only two candidates and the vote is a tie, you repeat the balloting until one candidate receives a majority. Here are things you can do to improve your fraternity while not being on a lodge officer: Strengthen the brotherhood - The foundation of brotherhood is the strength of the friendships between the brothers. Officers Duties and Responsibilities . 'xzwQ38/4b|T}R-g|7uhw 4!"icE)S7AEo Lodge to vote, the Master should invite the tiler in and have a programs and procedures of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, a Masonic District and their Lodge. visiting brother take his place so that the tiler may cast his In Texas, per Art. [What is Freemasonry] [Leadership Or, members can also finish the election at the next regular meeting if the meeting falls within a quarterly time period. 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. _____ 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. >> /ExtGState << /Gs1 13 0 R >> /Font << /Tc1 10 0 R /TT2 9 0 R >> /XObject Section 3. According to Robert's Rules, a motion to close nominations is out of order as long as any member wishes to make a nomination. Sometimes the committee is revived to make nominations to fill vacancies. 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.". Masonic etiquette decries anyone who does not obey the gavel. 14 0 R /BitsPerComponent 8 /Filter /FlateDecode >> (After June 15, individual counties and cities could choose to continue their own meeting limitations, in which case those limitations would continue in force.) 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.