Section 2. Called meetings may be made by the Worshipful Master (or in his absence or inability to serve, by the Senior Warden, or in the absence of both Master and Senior Warden, then by the Junior Warden), at such times as they, or either of them, having the right to act, may think important, or to the interest of the Craft.
Section 3. As many members as possible should be notified of such called meetings, and no business shall be transacted at same, except such as was specified in the call.
Section 2. No Brother shall be eligible to the office of Worshipful Master unless he shall have served as Warden of a Lodge in Texas or as a Master of a Lodge in another State.
Section 3. In the election of officers, should only one name be placed in nomination, the vote may be taken without ballot; but should more than one Brother be placed in nomination, the members shall prepare their ballots, which shall be taken up and counted at the Secretary desk, and the number of votes received by each Brother reported to the presiding officer, and he shall declare the Brother receiving a majority of all the votes, cast, duly elected.
Section 4. In the event no Brother has such a majority, the ballot will be repeated until such a result is attained. Blank votes shall not be considered in determining the result.
Section 2. The Wardens shall assist the Worshipful Master in all the duties of his office, and they or any Brother who may govern pro tem shall have the same power as the Worshipful Master. It shall also be the duty of the Junior Warden to take cognizance of the behavior of the Brethren within the Jurisdiction of the Lodge, and to report from time to time all violations of the Laws and the precepts of the Order and, if necessary to prefer charges.
Section 3. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to hold all deeds, certificates of stock, notes, bonds obligations, or other property of a financial character, belonging to the Lodge, and to collect and receive the same when directed by the Lodge, to receive all moneys from the hands of the Secretary, passing his receipt for the same; and pay them only upon the order of the Worshipful Master and the consent of the Lodge. He shall keep a correct account of the same, and report minutely the financial condition of the Lodge, the Stated meeting succeeding the festival of Saint John the Baptist, and at such other times as the Lodge may direct.
Section 4. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to carefully observe the proceedings of the Lodge; make a correct record of all things proper to be written, and to receive all moneys due the Lodge; turning over to the Treasurer, taking his receipt for the same. It shall also be the duty of the Secretary:
(1) To keep all books and papers relating to the proceedings of the Lodge.
(2) To authenticate all official papers and documents emanating from the Lodge with the seal of the same.
(3) To notify all brethren of their election to office, if they were not present at the time of the election.
(4) To notify the Grand Secretary, as prescribed by Law, of the suspension or expulsion of members, and of the rejection of applicants; to issue all summons, demits, and notices as he may be directed; to make out and transmit to the Grand Secretary the annual returns of this Lodge; remit also to him the Grand Lodge dues; report to the Grand Secretary the names of all Brethren elected to Parent or Plural membership; and perform all other duties pertaining to his office.
(5) For his services he shall receive an amount as set by the Lodge from time to time.
Section 5. It shall be the duty of the Deacons to assist in the proceedings of the Lodge as they may be directed by the Worshipful Master.
Section 6. It shall be the duty of the Stewards to provide refreshments when the Lodge shall so order, under the direction of the Junior Warden.
Section 7. It shall be the duty of the Tiler to see that the Lodge room is kept clean and in order, and the Jewels and Furniture are kept in their proper places; to strictly guard the Door during Meetings of the Lodge, and to execute all summons issued by the Lodge.
(1) Fraternal Assistance - It is their duty to examine all claimants for assistance, and if necessary, they may draw upon the Treasurer, in each instance, for an amount not to exceed fifty dollars; reporting the facts in each case to the Lodge at its next Stated Meeting, thereafter.
(2) Sickness - It shall be their duty to visit all sick Brethren (unless it would be dangerous or imprudent to do so) and ascertain their condition and necessities; and to take action as they deem proper and necessary, both in regard to the Brother and his Family.
(3) Arbitration - It shall be the duty of this Committee to settle all differences between brethren, unless parties prefer to bring the matter before the Lodge.
Section 2. Committee on Finance - It shall be the duty of the Worshipful Master, at the first Stated Meeting after the 24th of June each year, to appoint a Standing Committee on Finance, to be composed of three discreet Master Masons, members of this Lodge, and if possible practically acquainted with bookkeeping.
(1) It shall be the duty of this Committee on Finance, at the close of each Masonic Year, as soon as appointed, and more often if required, to carefully examine and check the reports, books and vouchers of the Secretary and Treasurer, and any other financial matters referred to them; and make full and accurate report at the next Stated Meeting of the Lodge showing the condition of the books and accounts, and should any inaccuracies be found, recommend the necessary steps for their correction. In the matter of ordinary accounts referred to them, if satisfied, report instanter.
(2) The reports of said Committee on Finance will help the Worshipful Master and Wardens each year to prepare their budget report.
Section 3. Other Standing Committees: Masonic Education, Building and Maintenance, Laggards and Reinstatement, along with Endowment Trustee.
(a) Initiation, sixty dollars, and shall be paid prior to receiving the degree.
(b) Passing, sixty dollars, in advance of degree.
(c) Raising to Sublime Degree of Master Mason, fifty-five dollars, in advance of degree.
Section 2. In addition to the regular fees collected by the Lodge, a candidate for the Entered Apprentice Degree shall pay an additional five dollars as a contribution to the support of the George Washington National Memorial.
Section 3. In addition to the regular fees collected by the Lodge, a ten dollar contribution to the Masonic Home and School shall be collected for each applicant for the Master's Degree.
Section 2. Petition for Initiation must be; signed by the applicant in person, stating his age, vocation and place of residence and business; be recommended by two Master Masons who are members of this Lodge, and any other five Master masons, including their names and addresses, as references; and be presented at a Stated Meeting.
Section 3. Applicants for initiation must lie over, as prescribed by Grand Lodge law, after their reference to a committee, unless the Grand Master or his Deputy grants a dispensation, and then the committee reports, which must be at a Stated Meeting, the ballot shall be taken, and if found favorable, he may be initiated as soon as convenient.
Section 2. In balloting for degrees, 3 black cubes shall reject for one year, 4 black cubes for two years, and 5 or more black cubes for three years. In ballots for affiliation, 3 or more black cubes shall reject, but the applicant may apply again at any time.
Section 3. In case of rejection either for degrees or affiliation, the ballot shall not be passed after the result has been announced.
Section 4. None but members of this Lodge can vote in any case except when balloting for degrees.
Section 5. Protests: see Chapter Three, Title IV in Grand Lodge laws, Article 421 through and including Article 429.
Section 2. When a ballot or vote is being taken no member shall be allowed to leave or enter the Lodge room.
Section 3. On all resolutions, Dues and Fees, and By-Laws, a secret ballot will be taken.
Section 4. In any vote or ballot, the voting Master Mason must be in good standing with a current Dues card.
Section 2. Lodge dues are due and payable one year in advance on January 1st of each year and if not paid on or before December 31st of that year, a member shall be in arrears for his dues on or before thirty days before the last Stated meeting of the Lodge held before June 24th of each year, it shall be the duty of the Secretary to notify each member, in writing, who may be in arrears for any dues if such member fails to pay such dues on or before the June 23rd of such year, he shall stand automatically suspended for non-payment of dues without action by the Lodge. Such suspension shall be recorded in the minutes at the first subsequent Stated meeting of the Lodge.
Section 2. A Demit is a withdrawal of a Master Mason from membership in a Lodge, thereby becoming an unaffiliated mason. The payment of his dues and the vote of the Lodge thereon, or the regulation provided in Grand Lodge Law Article 369, are the acts which dissolve his connection with the Lodge. The certificate issued thereon is the only evidence of demission. A Demit is not granted one holding plural membership upon withdrawing from only one of his Lodges.
Section 3. An officer of the Lodge, either elective or appointive, after installation, cannot demit until his successor is installed.
Section 2. In the event that a visiting Brother is a stranger and hails from some other Lodge in another Grand Jurisdiction, it shall be the duty of the Secretary to notify the visitor's Lodge that we have had the pleasure of a visit of one of it's members, giving the name and the date.
Section 3. No Non- affiliated Master Masons shall be allowed to visit this Lodge more than three times unless he shall apply to the Lodge for membership, in which case if he is rejected, he shall be allowed to visit for one year thereafter, then he should apply again.
Section 2. Every Brother shall avoid moving about when the Lodge is at Labor, except the Officers, whose duties may call them to different parts of the Lodge room.
Section 3. Every Brother desirous of speaking must rise, address the Worshipful Master (not the Lodge), await recognition, and then speak to the issue under consideration. If two or more members rise simultaneously, the Worshipful Master determines who shall speak first, and there is no appeal on this point.
Section 4. A Brother may not speak more than twice on a given subject at the same Meeting, unless to explain or unless the Worshipful Master specifically grants him permission to speak again. When a Brother is speaking, there must be no interruption unless the speaker himself is willing to yield for a question; however, he must not stray from the subject under consideration, and he must never become personal in his remarks. A speaker who has been reprimanded for violation of rules may not proceed without permission of the Worshipful Master; and if a member is twice reprimanded, the Worshipful Master may order him to leave the Lodge room.
Section 5. It is not in the best interest of the Lodge to introduce an original Motion, Resolution, or Proposition orally from the floor. Such new business is best presented in writing, read aloud by the Secretary, and then referred by the Worshipful Master to the proper committee for subsequent study and ultimate recommendation to the Lodge.
Section 6. After a Resolution or Proposition has been submitted to a Committee or the Motion has been presented to the Lodge by the Worshipful Master, it cannot be withdrawn over objection, unless the Lodge votes to permit withdrawal.
Section 7. When a Resolution or Proposition is ready for consideration, only the following motions are acceptable:
(a) Postpone temporarily (not debatable).
(b) Postpone definitely (time).
(c) Refer to Committee.
(d) Amend.
(e) Adopt.
The precedence of these Motions is in the order listed above, the Motion to adopt being of the lowest rank. Although they do not require a second, they may be seconded by the Worshipful Master. Incidental Motions to divide or withdraw are also acceptable, but they require a second other than the Worshipful Master. All questions of order are decided by the Worshipful Master, without debate and without appeal to the Lodge; however, the Worshipful Master may seek the advice of any member before ruling.
Section 8. If a debate becomes acrimonious and threatens the peace and harmony of the Lodge, or if a member violates the properties of the parliamentary and fraternal courtesy, the Worshipful Master may rap the gavel, order the member to cease speaking, and terminate the debate.
Section 9. Reconsideration of matters. No other Motion made, Resolution adopted, or other vote on any business matter shall be reconsidered, except at the same or next Stated Meeting of the Lodge, nor unless an equal or greater number of members are present than were present when the action was taken. It is permissible, however, to amend, revoke, or rescind previous action at any subsequent Stated Meeting.
Section 10. Weapons, either offensive or defensive, shall not be carried into the Lodge room along with smoking, drinks, nor food, though it is not permissible to eat, smoke or drink in the Lodge room, except that the acting Worshipful Master may have a glass of water during the conferral of degrees.
Section 2. Except as provided in Grand Lodge Law Article 221, all By-laws of this Lodge and Amendments thereto, must be approved by the Grand Lodge before they are valid.
Section 3. All By-laws or Regulations of a Subordinate Lodge contravening, or in conflict with, the Constitution or Laws of the Grand Lodge, shall be null and void and such is the case even though the Grand Lodge may have approved such By-laws or Regulations.
(2) The purpose of the Fund will be to supplement the income of the Lodge, to help hold the yearly Dues to a level that will not become a burden to the Brethren, to remit the Dues for indigent Brothers, to practice Charity and Benevolence, and such other purposes as will be in accordance with Masonic principles and practices that may be approved by the Lodge.
(3) That only the income from such gifts or funds can be expended.
(4) That the funds will be administered by the Board of Trustees, consisting of the sitting Worshipful Master and three other Brothers elected by the Lodge.
(5) That the original Board of Trustees will be appointed by the Worshipful Master and approved by the Lodge to serve from one to three years, after which one Brother will be replaces each year by a new member who is elected by the Lodge, and will serve a three year term.
(6) That a restriction be placed on the type of investment held by the Fund, so that no investment would become a liability to the Lodge, and that no investment be made by the Fund which in any way would embarrass Masonry or bring discredit to Freemasonry, our Lodge, or the Craft in general.
(7) That the elected Board of Trustees will have sole discretion on the way the money's are invested. That the Lodge will be able to change, by a majority vote, the rules governing the operation of the Fund, but the actual day-to-day operation of the Fund will be left in the hands of the elected Trustees.
(8) The Board of Trustees will be assisted by the Secretary and Treasurer of the Lodge, in operation and implementation, but only the elected Trustees will have a vote in making decisions pertaining to the management of the Fund.
(9) The Fund will be endowed by gifts that will be solicited from the Brethren and friends of Smithfield Lodge.
(10) That the elected Board of Trustees serve at the pleasure of the Lodge, and that they can be replaced if charged and convicted of unmasonic conduct.
(11) That the pay out of the earnings of the Fund to the General Fund will take place during the month of April at the Stated Meeting. This will give the Trustees ninety (90) days to determine the previous year's earning rate and to set the amount.
(12) The annual report of the Fund will be made at the May Stated Meeting, at which time the new Committee member will be elected and will take office when the Masonic Year begins, on June 24th.
(13) That the Fund will belong to Smithfield Masonic Lodge No. 455 A.F. & A.M. and the rules governing the operation of the Fund will be made only by the Lodge.
(14) That a plaque honoring the Donors will be displayed within the Lodge building.
(15) That any amendments, changes or corrections to these governing rules will be initiated in writing, approved by the Lodge as prescribed by Article XVIII, Amendments of By-Laws, of these By-Laws.
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