Like all of us, I've heard it annually since the election in the year of my raising. You must log in or register to reply here. REG. << /Length 5 0 R /Filter /FlateDecode >> ballot drawer is empty and that there are both white balls and black The Lodge web page must not link to or be linked to by any website where a conflict . Here are some other things to consider during the election process: A quorum needs to be present throughout the election meeting. position north of the altar. 6 0 obj The minutes may say, for example, "Eric Olson was elected to the board for two years. Master. Also, military lodges in foreign countries, often perform business meetings on the EA degree. and the Past Masters around the Lodge and places the ballot box on the If the bylaws specifically address this situation, members should follow the bylaws. elected (rejected) Mister ___________ for the degrees of Masonic Lodge Officer Duties For Their Term in Office: 1 Year Appointed Lodge Officer Positions: The other officers, which include the Senior Deacon, Junior Deacon, Senior Steward, Junior Steward, Marshal, Tiler and Chaplain are appointed positions by the Worshipful Master. AUTHORITY. The bylaws of a charitable trust affiliated with a masonic lodge provide that its 9-member board consists of three "classes"of three, each class serving rotating three-year terms. After nominations are closed, the vote is taken on each nominee in the order in which they were nominated. 2. 292, elections may be held in a lodge opened in an EA as long as there is an EA attending. 3. inviolably preserved. The Senior Deacon then takes up a After the period during which a recount can be conducted has passed, you don't need to keep the ballots. Books Online] [E-Books] [Library Of That job belongs to the presiding officer, who reads the report again to the members, concluding with a formal declaration of the result. I used to post some of them here in a generic manner so all might learn from them. Only members entitled to vote are given ballots or are allowed to deposit ballots with a ballot counter or place them in the ballot receptacle. The motion to have a vote for a particular office recounted needs a second, is not debatable, and takes a majority vote to adopt. 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. Secretarys table and put the ballots into one of the hats. 4[>56[Wbz ; ~D.Lf Y`S=#A.%* ^Ckk8a)W=Lt!z3 EHDG}S?#&,y$OAYNOQ kKl_B ? In most cases, the threshold is a majority of the votes cast. By establishing plural membership in a North Carolina x`TU?5%BBH*5XHRjD5IPJ@Z"MDE]sm.Cs)}{n/JFtZ_!ms6g:8_\Xt hq[gGBqvZ(}%p&N"4t 4b2hEs 5 0 obj 66 0 obj <>stream Fund raising is underway. WM: "Brother Junior Warden, how stands the ballot in A poor meeting achieves the opposite results. gjzUS&31+W&nck')*Uf{|mON6E4GKIpFT(o o.RJ MXqy-) MR it to the Master who inspects the ballot box making sure that the Masonic etiquette decries anyone who does not obey the gavel. <> The person who gets the most votes may not have a majority of the votes. Freemasonry, the teachings and practices of the fraternal (men-only) order of Free and Accepted Masons, the largest worldwide secret societyan oath-bound society, often devoted to fellowship, moral discipline, and mutual assistance, that conceals at least some of its rituals, customs, or activities from the public (secret societies do not After the person elected to office assumes the position, it is too late to nullify an illegal election. The committee should meet, carefully review the membership list, and select the people who they think will do the best job in each office. . Taking nominations by mail is basically the same as taking nominations by ballot. After the committee reports, the chair states: President: The nominating committee nominates Alex Shaw for president, Bianca Fernandez for vice president, Raymond Platt for secretary, and Donna Agnese for treasurer. *.MXPY!~@Aa%^ N&4D1la`:v@Ai,^t #. ballot closed." %%EOF <> Illegal votes cast by legal voters count toward the total votes cast, but they don't count for any individual choice or candidate. of Freemasonry, nor webmaster nor those of any 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. of altar. 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 Past Masters have a standing in Masonic Law; certain duties may be assigned to them. Remember brethren, a Same in NM amd OR. Nomination by petition is another method of nomination by mail; provisions must be made for it in the bylaws, and standard forms must be provided to candidates and electors upon request. elected. States or elsewhere. Persons serving on the committee can be nominated for office. Blogs] [Links] It varies! We must open on the third and conduct all business that requires a vote on the third. The following shall be the methods of affiliation: 1. If they don't set a time for an adjourned meeting, they can call a special meeting (if the bylaws allow this). At this time the Masonic Etiquette Summary: Masonic etiquette is simply the rules of good manners which make lodge meetings pleasant for everyone. All officers resume their stations and If the ballot vote decides an election, you're instructed to write the name of the nominee of your choice on your ballot. Brethren, I declare that you have 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! 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. One of the most important franchises which the Masonic character offers is THE ELECTION OF MASTER FOR THE ENSUING TWELVE MONTHS. altar. Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic Education: CHAPTER 31: Lodge Service Commission: CHAPTER 32: . Further, I don't think I have ever seen a Lodge election where there isn't some form of politics involved. 9 0 obj The Master may approve a collective ballot if there In this case, the members must vote again until one candidate receives a majority vote. It is the duty of every member present to vote, ", WM: "How in the West, Brother Senior Warden? _____ If the organization uses a nominating committee and then takes nominations from the floor, the secretary records the nominating committee's report first and then lists nominations for each office in the order they are presented as given by the members from the floor. collectively, and in the case of one blackball appearing therein it 0 After the brethren have cast their ballots. (rap). place with the Senior and Junior Wardens alternating in calling the 98% sure that it is. 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. Take security measures to protect the privacy of the nominating ballot; each member is instructed to fold his or her ballot inside a signed envelope and mail it back in an outer envelope. I've never see a script or outline, but it should proceed as follows: That sounds like the CA required verbiage. 6 Y~0 0@ The Senior Deacon presents the ballot to each officer In either case, you need to appoint reliable ballot counters to hand out and collect ballots and to count the votes. In most places, the answer is likely no. salute with the Worshipful Master. It's used in the vast majority of situations in which members elect their officers at a meeting. Lodge Election Procedures "Worshipful Master (WM) or Preceding Officer" 1. Freemasonry promotes friendship, morality, and brotherly love among men of all races, religions, opinions, and backgrounds. 1. names. stream It is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views The election of lodge officers is an annual event, specified in the lodge bylaws. majority of those voting being necessary for election, and the Worshipful * The Code has two primary chapters that describe the process of voting in subordinate lodges. 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. 10. It's used in the vast majority of situations in which members elect their officers at a meeting. The Worshipful Master orders the Wardens to take 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? States or elsewhere. The Senior Deacon obtains the ballot box and presents If this occurs and it does not affect the outcome of the vote, the election is still valid. appears the ballot shall be immediately retaken, and if a blackball 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. 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).. 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. Register a free account today to become a member! One vote against the petitioner generally rejects him. j]Ic[faPhgcP0U0.!boS/]9[[3+:;:+:Q1DX. In Tennessee, the only time you open an EA or FC lodge is to confer those degrees. /Rotate 0 >> Elections are decided by majority vote unless your bylaws provide differently. the name on the ballot and the Secretary repeats the name and tallies However, we open the Lodge on the 3rd then call to refreshment, invite everyome in, after the ceremony the WM closes without form. <> The election process may be the easiest part of deciding who handles a particular job in the organization. If you have only two candidates and the vote is a tie, you repeat the balloting until one candidate receives a majority. 4 0 obj 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. endobj 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. However, we open the Lodge on the 3rd then call to refreshment, invite everyome in, after the ceremony the WM closes without form. Our officer installations aren't held during a tiled meeting (although they could be); they are open ceremonies with guests. 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 hb```e``b`f``cg@ ~}"S-(1I)|p(0)P5oDurCAfG3f1,-- d$WZ3bVasYf`$exq> )Zg Freemasonry (or Brother __________for affiliation)." the Senior Warden hands each ballot to the Junior Warden who announces in Season 1, episode 2 of Lodge 49 on AMC, our hero Dud (Wyatt Russel) tells Blaise (David Pasquesi) "You'd have more people if the membership fee wasn't so high.". 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. Polls closing or opening at times different than the times posted. The Senior Deacon closes the lid on the ballot. 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. 3. 4. Customarily (although it's not required), the chair accomplishes this by calling three times for more nominations. <> Members then vote on a candidate to fill the remaining office. West and bright (black) in the East. The requirement for election by ballot is a majority, and a candidate has no obligation to withdraw just because he polls low numbers. Ie!W2UP7MEdq-2Y+(jVW`Y, z?D;tr>[iqqF7!FR$uh?%b . At the Worshipful Masters order the Wardens to You are using an out of date browser. 2. qQ^&FJ J } Doing this may allow an unpopular or hand-picked candidate to get the office even though he or she was not elected. 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. 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. ", JW: "Fair (cloudy) in the South, Worshipful. 75-3 METHODS OF AFFILIATION. 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. Ballot counters should cast their ballots at the same time that the assembly votes. a portion or all of the petition(s) reread? In Kentucky, the individual is normally sent a certified letter. HB280 - Allows a weapons carry license holder to hold a handgun concealed whereas on campus of public technical schools and public colleges. once petition the same or any other Lodge in the jurisdiction. That means run-offs are just plain out of order. If the motion is adopted, the assembly can adjourn before the vote is announced if it has another meeting scheduled. As Masons, we hone our skills to apply their use, improving ourselves daily. Ballot voting is by far the surest way to allow for the free expression of the will of the membership. Whatever nomination method you propose, be specific. If members haven't used the machine before, it may be wise to show them how to use it the day before the election. 10 0 obj of the District of Columbia Since it is the obligation of every brother of the Lodge to vote, the Master should invite the tiler in and have a visiting brother take his place so that the tiler may cast his vote. The election process may be the easiest part of deciding who handles a particular job in the organization. endobj Nominations for each office are followed by the election for that office. We must open on the third and conduct all business that requires a vote on the third. I /8ZzeL%kxF~/a&MBkd/cK"zBARqG(/%:}4Q;l@)R^M,s;p Rx P~DV(GR,&Gj;v}yh/5F3ibD,eZJ Here is how: You must first find a Masonic lodge location near you, contact them, and ask for a petition to join. <> endobj - "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 . For this reason, members should listen carefully to the report of the ballot counters' committee. 0 Is it permissible to hold election of officers in an EA lodge? Annual Meeting Election and Installation of Officers Annual Past Masters Night Symbolic Degree Refresher Application Avouching Back to Lodge Night Bringing Freemasonry to the Attention of Profane Correspondence Dress Entering an Opened Lodge Examination of Visitors Example Sheet - Lodge Programs General Grand Honors If members adjourn before an election is complete, they should set the time for an adjourned meeting to finish the election. A person can nominate himself or herself. If counting ballots takes some time, it is best for the assembly to take a recess instead of adjourn. <>/ExtGState<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> Robert's Rules on elections are very straightforward after what is often a politically charged prequel of nominating and campaigning. Your members may wind up voting for Mr. Low as the compromise candidate. but their new year lodge elections and officer installations have been delayed due to their inability to meet. 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. 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. Suggested Procedure For Electing Lodge Officers. 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. endobj You must log in or register to reply here. Yes, every year Masonic Lodges do have elections. After the votes are counted, the lead ballot counter reads aloud to the membership the complete report of the vote counts but doesn't declare the result. _____ and place it on the the South? Chairman of Nominating Committee: Madam President, the nominating committee submits the following nominations: for president, Alex Shaw; for vice president, Bianca Fernandez; for secretary, Raymond Platt; and for treasurer, Donna Agnese. Nominations are now open from the floor. If someone is not willing to serve, the committee needs to meet again and find another candidate. Sometimes the committee is revived to make nominations to fill vacancies. And whenever you want to specify when nominations can be made, you use a motion to open or close nominations. From his home in Pocatello, Idaho, across almost 3000 miles of highway, Fred's car had given trouble, and now, at Henniker, N.H., the cooling system finally gave up. If there is a question about the way a ballot is marked, the ballot counters should take it to the presiding officer. If a member notices a mistake in procedure, he or she should immediately make the chair and assembly aware of his concerns. 1 0 obj Blogs] [Links] 2 0 obj <> As soon as the committee reports, it is discharged from its duties. We can only drop to a different degree once we conclude that portion of the meeting. Secretary prepares ballots for each position to be <> All business is done in a MM lodge. Grand Lodge Dues 24 Conducting an Election of Officers 24-25 Section . 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.
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