BY-LAWS
OF
(Updated
2-12-2008)
The By-laws of
Gulf Beach Lodge No. 291 adopt the provisions of the Uniform Code of By-law as
set forth in Chapter 24 of the Digest of Masonic Law of Florida F. & A.
M. The Uniform Code is adopted without
change or variation with authority, however, information has been inserted into
the following sections as the result of amendments made and approved in
accordance with section 16.01.
(A) In Section 1.01 - Fill in date of Charter and Location
of the Lodge.
(B) Section 3.02 relating to Dual Membership is optional
with each particular Lodge.
(C) In Section 3.03 (B) the Fee for Life Membership may be
fixed at any amount not less than $400.00.
(D) In Section 4.01 the amount of Dues shall be inserted.
(E) In Section 5.01 the Dates and Time of Communications of
the Lodge shall be inserted.
(F) In Section 9.01 the Fees for the Degrees shall be
inserted.
(G) In Section 9.02 the Fee for Affiliation shall be
inserted, or if no fee is charged the word "None".
(H) Lodges wishing to make additional provisions may do so
under appropriate section numbers, but such provisions shall not conflict with
the Uniform Code, the Regulations of Grand Lodge nor the Constitution thereof, nor with other recognized Masonic Laws.
Index
Authority
1.01 Charter
Jurisdiction
2.01 Territorial
2.02 Personal
2.03 Other Provisions(Optional)
Membership
3.01 General
3.02 Dual (optional)
3.02.01 Plural Membership
3.03 Life (optional)
3.03.1 Perpetual
3.04 Honorary
3.05 Emeritus
3.06 Roll of Members
3.07 E. A. and F. C. Members
Dues, Suspension and Reinstatement
4.01 Dues
4.02 Suspension
4.03 Reinstatement
4.04 Other Provisions (optional)
Communications
5.01 Stated Communications
5.02 Dispensing with Stated Communication
5.03 Change of Hour of Stated Communication
5.04 Called Communications
5.05 Notice
5.06 Business at Special Communications
5.07 Quorum
5.08 Festivals
5.09 Other Provisions (optional)
Officers
6.01 Officers
6.02 Chaplain and Marshall
6.03 Duties
6.04 Secretary
6.05 Treasurer
6.06 Reports
6.07 Other Provisions (optional)
Election of Officers
7.01 Time of Election
7.02 Manner and Method of Election
7.03 Other Provisions (optional)
Business of the Lodge
8.01 Masters Authority
8.02 Reconsideration of Vote or Decision
8.03 Other Provisions (optional)
Fees
9.01 Fees for the Degrees
9.02 Fee for Affiliation
9.03 Other Provisions (optional)
Committees
10.01 Committees of the Lodge
10.02 Finance Committee
10.03 Vigilance Committee
10.04 Petitions Committee
10.05 Education Committee
10.06 Board of Relief
10.07 Investigation Committees
10.08 Committee on Charity
10.09 Committee on Lodge Property
10.10 Neglect of Committee Duty
10.11 Attendance and Direction of W. Master
10.12 Other Committees (optional)
Charity
11.01 Charity Fund
11.02 Continued Charity
11.03 Other Provisions (optional)
Discipline
12.01 Discipline and Procedure
Lodge Funds
13.01 Use of Funds
13.02 Custody of the Treasurer
13.03 Disbursements
13.04 Other Provisions (optional)
Lodge Property
14.01
14.02 Construction, Repairs, Financing
14.03 Other Provisions (optional)
Authority of Grand Lodge
15.01 By-Laws Under Authority of
Grand Lodge
15.02 Grand Lodge Laws Part of By-Laws
15.03 Grand Lodge Law Supreme
Amendments
16.01 Amendments
AUTHORITY
1.01 Charter.--- This Lodge exists by
virtue of a Charter, dated May 8th,1950, from the Most Worshipful Grand
Lodge of Florida, and is located * At Madeira Beach in the county
of Pinellas in this state.
(Note: * Fill in the most accurate description of the
location as follows:
(a) Street address(if any)
JURISDICTION
2.01 Territorial Jurisdiction.-- The territorial
jurisdiction of this Lodge shall be determined as provided by the Constitution
and Regulations of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons
of the State of
2.02 Personal
Jurisdiction.-- This Lodge preserves the inherent
right of exclusive, original jurisdiction over all its members wherever they
may reside and over all Masons, to whatever Lodge they may belong, and over all
demitted Masons living within its jurisdiction subject only to the original and
concurrent jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Florida.
2.03 Other
Provisions.---(Optional).
MEMBERSHIP
3.01 General.--- All Master Masons whose names are now upon the roll of
members, and those who shall hereafter petition and receive the Third Degree
in, or affiliate with, this Lodge, shall be members thereof.
3.02 Dual--- Any
member in good standing of a Particular Lodge in a Grand Jurisdiction with
which the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Florida sustains fraternal relations,
and the laws of which do not prohibit dual membership, may petition this Lodge
for affiliation without demitting from his home Lodge; in such petitions all
facts and circumstances upon which such petition is based, and the reasons for
the dual membership thereby sought, shall be fully stated; upon the reception
of such petition it shall take the usual course with respect to investigation
and voting, and be subject to the same requirements as to vouchers as a regular
petition based upon a regular demit; Provided, if such petition for affiliation
be voted upon favorably such petitioner shall thereupon become a member of this
Lodge, vested with all the rights and privileges of membership and be subject
to the discipline of the Lodge, except that such member shall not be eligible
to the privilege of the Masonic Home; Provided, further, That upon suspension,
or expulsion, of such member by the Lodge of which he was a member prior to
applying for dual membership as above provided for, such member shall be
automatically suspended or expelled from this Lodge; Provided, further, that in
the event that a member receiving the privileges of dual membership in this
Lodge, shall take his demit from his Lodge of original membership, it shall be
his duty to place such dimit and his full membership in this Lodge; and upon his
failure to do so, and satisfactory evidence having been presented to this Lodge
of such failure, it shall be the duty of this Lodge to suspend such member from
membership. (optional)
3.02.01
Plural---A member in good standing of a Particular Lodge in
3.03 Life- (Not
Accepted By
(a) Life
memberships shall be of three classes:
(1) Life
membership conferred by the Lodge upon payment of a fixed fee therefor which life membership shall exempt the recipient
from payment of Grand Lodge Annual
Revenue.
(2)
Life membership conferred by the Lodge without payment of fee therefor which exempts recipient thereof from payment of
Grand Lodge Annual
Revenue, and
(3)
Life membership conferred by the Lodge which does not exempt the recipient
thereof from payment of Grand Lodge Annual Revenue, and
(b) No life
membership conferred for payment of fixed fee therefor
and which shall exempt the recipient
thereof from payment of Grand Lodge Annual Revenue may be conferred for a fee
of less than *$___NA____dollars, which fee, in
whatever amount fixed, shall be deposited or invested as hereinafter set forth.
(Note: * Insert amount, which must be not less than $400.00.)
c) No life membership which exempts recipient
thereof from payment of Grand Lodge
Annual Revenue may be conferred by the Lodge without payment of fee therefor except upon the condition that the Lodge
immediately set aside from its own funds for deposit or investment as herein
provided a minimum sum of two hundred($200.00) dollars
except where the amount already in reserve funds is sufficient to equal two
hundred ($200.00) dollars per life membership at all times.
(d) All funds
derived from the fees for life memberships and all funds set aside by the Lodge
upon conferring life membership without payment of fee therefor
shall be invested in bonds of the United States of America or deposited in
savings accounts in institutions where such savings accounts are insured or in
such securities or stocks as shall be approved by the Grand Lodge, the interest
derived from such deposit or investment to be deposited in the General Fund of
the Lodge.
(e) Upon the
death, expulsion, demit or disappearance of a life member as provided in
regulation 26.06 the Lodge may withdraw the deposit provided for such life
member or dispose of the government bonds purchased with the proceeds thereof and
return said funds to the general funds of the Lodge.
(f) This Lodge
may confer life memberships which do not exempt the recipient thereof from payment of Grand Lodge Annual Revenue
without requiring any payment therefor by the life
member or without making any deposit or investment by the Lodge.
(g) Each life
member of this Lodge shall be issued an annual card evidencing such life membership.
(h) No life membership conferred by this Lodge shall exempt
such Lodge from payment of Grand Lodge Annual Revenue. (Optional).
3.03.1 Perpetual
-- Perpetual
Memberships are authorized by Particular Lodges subject to the
following terms and conditions:
a) Any member in
good standing and possessing a current dues card in a Particular Lodge of this
Grand Jurisdiction may become a Perpetual Member of his lodge pursuant to the
provisions of this section.
(b) The member
desiring a Perpetual Membership shall apply to the Secretary of his Lodge for
such a membership on forms prescribed by the Grand Lodge and shall tender
therewith a minimum sum of twenty (20) times the annual dues of his lodge at
the time of the application, but in no event less than twenty (20) times the
minimum dues prescribed in Regulation 24.05, Section 4.01 of the Uniform Code
of By-Laws. The Lodge Secretary shall
complete his part of the application and shall forward the same together with
the full fee due, to the Grand Secretary.
The date of the application shall be the date the Grand Secretary
certified he received the application.
c) The
application shall be signed by the applicant and have the certification of the
Lodge Secretary. The application shall
not become effective until the applicant's record has been certified by the Grand Secretary. The
application shall contain thereon the computations upon which the perpetual
membership fee is predicated. If the
Grand Secretary determines that the minimum fee tendered by the applicant is in
excess of that required, he shall have the power to correct the application and
the Secretary's computations of the fee, accept the application as corrected
and refund any excess fee to the applicant through the Particular Lodge
Secretary. If the fee tendered is
insufficient, the Grand Secretary shall return the application and fee to the
constituent Lodge Secretary for correction and resubmittal.
A copy of the completed and accepted Perpetual Membership application and a
Certificate of Perpetual Membership shall be furnished to the applicant and his
lodge by the Grand Secretary. These
provisions shall be construed so as to permit the Grand Secretary to use
computerized records.
(d) After the
perpetual membership application and fee have been received and accepted by the
Grand Secretary, the perpetual membership fee shall not be refundable except
under circumstances determined by the Grand Secretary to be mistakes of fact
rendering the applicant ineligible for perpetual membership as of the date of
the application.
(e) After the
applicant's perpetual membership has been accepted by the Grand Secretary, the
perpetual membership shall be paid over to the Grand Treasurer as required in
Article VI, Section 10 of the Constitution.
The funds shall be placed collectively in restricted perpetual
membership accounts. These funds shall
be accounted for on an individual lodge basis, listing the amount a person paid
into the fund for both lodge dues and Grand Lodge per capita and any
assessments in effect. The funds shall
be accounted for separately, by the Grand Treasurer, from all other Grand Lodge
funds. The funds shall be audited
annually as required in Chapter 14.09, Section 7.
(f) A perpetual
member shall owe no further dues to the lodge of which he is a perpetual member. An annual dues card shall be issued
by the Lodge Secretary who shall denote perpetual member thereon. (Reg. 26.11)
(g) The perpetual
membership fee, less any amount required to supplement earned interest to pay
the constituent lodge the first year's dues and per capita, shall be considered principal and shall never be spent.
Wherever used in regard to the Perpetual Membership Fund, the word
"interest" shall mean all net earned income of the Fund, exclusive of
any net profit made from the sale of stocks, bonds or other securities; any
loss resulting from the sale of stocks, bonds or other securities shall be
deducted first from the profit made on the sale of stocks, bonds or other
securities and then from other earned income.
The net profit or unallocated loss, if any, from the sale of stocks,
bonds or other securities shall be allocated to capital gains account, to
remain therein subject only to the following.
The interest, less administrative costs, plus such amount
from the capital gains account as shall be necessary to add to the interest so
as to provide a five percent (5%) return on each perpetual member's account,
shall be paid proportionately annually to each constituent lodge for each
perpetual member at the time of per capita billing.
(h) The Grand Secretary shall, at the time of the annual
interest distribution, submit a statement
to the lodge for an amount covering joined the plan. The lodge shall during the members life time
and thereafter pay to the Grand Lodge the amount designated by the Grand
Secretary's per capita statement.
(i) The obtaining of a perpetual membership in one lodge by
a dual member shall have no effect on his membership in the other lodge to
which he belongs. Dual perpetual memberships are permitted.
(j) A perpetual
member may affiliate under Chapter 41 of the Digest of Masonic Law. If the
affiliation is within this Grand Jurisdiction the entire perpetual membership
he originally paid shall be transferred to the account of the lodge to which he
affiliates. If the affiliation is
outside this Grand Jurisdiction the entire perpetual membership fee shall
remain with the lodge of which he was a perpetual member.
(k) Any
certificate of Good Standing issued under Regulation 41.13 of the Digest of
Masonic Law to a perpetual member shall be endorsed thereon the fact that the
holder is a perpetual member and the amount of the perpetual membership fee
which shall be transferred to the Particular Lodge in Florida with which he
affiliates.
(l) If a
perpetual member shall be suspended, expelled or withdraws and is subsequently
restored to good standing, or re-affiliates from out of state, his perpetual
membership shall be deemed to be also restored.
(m) If a lodge consolidates, surrenders its
Charter or has its Charter arrested, the funds credited to that lodge in the
perpetual membership fund shall follow
the members according to the relevant sections of the Constitution and Laws and
Uniform Code dealing with consolidations, surrendering and arrests of Charters.
(n) A memorial
perpetual membership may be purchased by any person for a deceased Entered
Apprentice Mason, Fellow Craft Mason, or Master Mason of a Florida Lodge by
following the same procedures as outlined in this section. The minimum fee shall be $200.00 (two hundred
dollars). The total amount of interest derived therefrom
shall be paid annually, seventy-five(75) percent to
the Lodge through which the application was processed and twenty-five (25)
percent to the Grand Lodge of Florida on the first $500(five hundred dollars)
of principal. All interest earned on
principal over $500.00 (five hundred dollars) shall be returned to the
Lodge. Interest derived therefrom shall be returned to the Lodge at the time of the
per capita billing.
(o) A Brother, at
any future time, may add any amount to his perpetual membership fee through his
local Lodge Secretary.
(p) Applications
for perpetual membership shall be on forms prescribed by the Grand Lodge and
the Grand Secretary shall provide all forms required for the implementation of
this section.
(q) Where
perpetual members have not been heard from for more than seven (7) years, the
Worshipful Master shall direct the Secretary to report the names of such
missing Brethren to the Grand Lodge on the membership report form as being
deceased. Their names shall then be
transferred to the rolls of deceased perpetual membership, but, this action
shall have no effect on the amount of money paid the Lodge and Grand Lodge for
that perpetual member as set forth in sub-sections (g) and (h).
(r) There shall be no cost to the Constituent Lodge for the administration
of this program by the Grand Lodge.
(s) An honorary
perpetual membership may be purchased by any person in honor of a living or
deceased Master Mason by following the procedures provided for by Regulations
concerning Honorary Memberships and as outlined in this section. The minimum
fee for Honorary Perpetual Membership shall be two-hundred dollars ($200). The
total amount of interest derived therefrom shall be
paid annually. Seventy-five (75) percent to the Lodge through
which the application was processed and twenty-five (25) percent to the Grand
Lodge of Florida on the first $500 (five hundred dollars) of principal.
All interest earned on the principal over $500 (five-hundred dollars) shall be
returned to the Lodge. Interest derived therefrom
shall be returned to the Lodge at the time of the Per capita billing.
(t) A perpetual
membership may be purchased by a 50-year Master Mason who meets the provisions
of Article 26.12(d) by following the same procedures as outlined in this
section. The minimum fee shall be $200.00(two hundred dollars) the total amount
of interest derived therefrom shall be paid annually,
seventy-five(75)percent to the Lodge of which a member and
twenty-five(25)percent to the Grand Lodge on the first $500.00 (five hundred
dollars) of principal. All interest earned on the principal over $500.00(five
hundred dollars) shall be returned to the Lodge at the time of per capita
billing.
3.04 Honorary--
Distinguished and revered Masons may be made honorary members of this Lodge by
unanimous ball ballot at a Stated Communication after having been proposed for
membership at some previous Communication.
Such membership imposes no duties or responsibilities and confers no
rights or privileges except the right of visitation and speaking from the
floor. Honorary memberships may be revoked by majority vote at any Stated
Communication.
3.04.01 Honorary Perpetual-- Distinguished and revered living or deceased
Masons of this or another Grand Jurisdiction recognized by the Grand Lodge of
Florida may be made honorary perpetual members of this Lodge by unanimous ball
ballot at a Stated Communication after having been proposed for membership at
some previous Communication. Honorary perpetual membership may be revoked by
majority vote at any Stated Communication in which case all funds credited to
his account shall be transferred to The Masonic Home Endowment Fund. The
minimum fee for Honorary Perpetual Membership shall be two-hundred dollars
($200.00) and must conform to Regulation 3.03.01 of the Uniform Code of
By-laws. The total amount of interest derived therefrom
shall be paid annually, seventy-five (75) percent to the Lodge through which
the application was processed and twenty-five (25) percent to the Grand Lodge
of Florida on the first $500 (five hundred dollars) of principal. All interest
earned on the principal over $500 (five-hundred dollars) shall be returned to
the Lodge. Interest derived therefrom shall be returned to the Lodge at the time of the
Per capita billing.
3.04.02 Each
Particular Lodge shall have an account within the Perpetual Membership Fund
titled the "Perpetual Friend Account." The minimum donation that may be made to this
account in the name of a single person or entity is $200.00. The Grand
Secretary shall issue a suitable certificate for each person or entity so
donating. The total amount of interest derived from this account shall be paid
annually, seventy-five (75) percent to the lodge and twenty-five percent to the
Grand Lodge of Florida on the first $500(five hundred dollars) of principal.
All interest earned on the principal over $500(five hundred dollars)shall be returned to the Lodge. Interest derived therefrom shall be returned to the Lodge at the time of the
per capita billing.
3.05 Emeritus-- Each year upon written
recommendation of its elective officers a Lodge may, by majority vote, place
upon the Emeritus List and remit the dues for such year to those members who
from bodily infirmities of misfortune have become unable to pay dues, and in order for the Lodge to be exempt from
payment to Grand Lodge of annual revenue on such emeritus members, the
Worshipful Master and Secretary must certify on the annual return that each and
every member of the Emeritus List is unable to pay dues because of bodily
infirmities or misfortune, provided however, that any member of this Lodge who
is a resident guest of the Masonic Home shall automatically be placed upon the
Emeritus List.
3.06 Signing Roll of
Members-- Every member is required to sign the Roll of Members with his own
hand.
3.07 Entered
Apprentice and Fellow Craft Members -- Entered Apprentice and Fellow Crafts
though not entitled to the rights, privileges and benefits of membership, are
subject to discipline.
3.08 Other
Provisions. (Optional)
DUES
AND SUSPENSION FOR NON-PAYMENT
THEREOF
AND REINSTATMENT
4.01 Dues-- Every
member of this Lodge shall pay to the secretary, for the use of the Lodge, the
sum of $72.50 per annum, which shall include the Grand Lodge Per-Capita Assessment,
which sum shall be due and payable in advance on or before the first day of the
Masonic Year, which Masonic Year shall begin on the 28th day of December of
each year and end on the 27th day of December of the following year, except
life members, honorary members and those members whose dues are remitted in
accordance with Masonic Law.
4.02 Suspension for
Non-Payment of Dues-- Every Member of a Lodge who is six (6) months or more in
arrears for dues shall be notified thereof by the Secretary, and in case of
failure or refusal to come forward and pay his dues, or give satisfactory
excuse, within three (3) months after such notification, may be suspended at
the discretion of the Lodge. Three months after such notices have been served,
if the dues still remain unpaid, the Secretary shall issue a summons or notice
to the delinquent to be present at a Stated Communication of the Lodge, to
answer the charges of delinquency or neglect, and show cause why he should not
be suspended. Such notice or summons shall be served at least ten (10) days
before the Communication appointed for the hearing. The Secretary's account shall be sufficient
charge. If the Brother does not appear after service of notice, default shall
be entered and a hearing shall proceed in his absence. At the hearing, the
Secretary shall have prepared a list of such delinquent members in advance, as
to such list; the Secretary shall read the names of each and member contained
in such list, after which the Worshipful Master may propound the following
questions, addressing the same to the entire list of delinquents collectively:
Is the Brother
six (6) months or more in arrears for dues?
Has he been duly
notified of his indebtedness to his Lodge?
If the answers to
said questions be in the affirmative, the Worshipful
Master shall proceed by propounding the following question:
Has he given
satisfactory excuse for non-payment?
If this answer is
in the negative, vote may be taken as to the names contained in such list
collectively, and if the vote be to suspend, such members shall stand
suspended.
Any member of the
Lodge may request a separate vote on any particular name or names, and if so
requested, said separate vote shall be taken, or the Worshipful Master may
order such separate vote in his discretion. Collective vote may be taken as
above provided, on the remaining names of said delinquent list, as to whom separate votes are not requested.
4.03
Reinstatement--- A member suspended for non-payment of dues can be reinstated only
after a petition for reinstatement has been properly submitted which shall take
the same course as a petition for the degrees; provided, any such petition
which is rejected may be renewed by a new petition at the end of three (3)
months from date of such rejection. A favorable vote of three-fourths of the
members present by ball ballot or written secret vote shall be necessary to
reinstate a suspended member.
4.04 Other
Provisions---(Optional)
COMMUNICATIONS
5.01 Stated Communications--- The Stated
Communications of this Lodge shall be held at its hall on the 1st and 3rd
Thursday in each month at 7:45 o'clock,
P M. , provided that such Stated Communication may be suspended during
the months of July, August and September of each year by special action of the Lodge and provided, further, that the
place of meeting for any single or particular Stated Communication may be
changed by special action of the Lodge when the occasion shall require it,
Provided that such change of meeting place is approved in writing by the
District Deputy Grand Master of the Masonic District in which this Lodge is
situated and that written notice of such change of meeting place is given to
the membership of the Lodge, and provided further, that no business shall be
transacted at such Communication held in a different place except that
specifically mentioned in the notice to the membership.
5.02 Dispensing with
Stated Communications--- By special action of the Lodge at a Stated
Communication the next succeeding Stated Communication may be dispensed with,
provided, however, this Lodge shall hold at least one Stated Communication in
each month.
5.03 Change of Hour of Stated Communication--- By
special action of this Lodge at any Stated Communication the hour of meeting of
the next succeeding Stated Communication may be changed, provided, written
notice of such special action of the Lodge changing such hour of meeting shall
be given immediately to the membership.
5.04 Called
Communication--- Communications may be called by the Worshipful Master, or in
his absence from the Jurisdiction by the Warden next in line, at any time and
any place within the jurisdiction of the Lodge.
Notice of the Called Communication to be held at regular meeting place of
the Lodge may be given by announcement of such Communication at the Stated
Communication preceding the date of such Called Communication or by written
notice to the membership.
5.05 Notice--- Notice
of Called Communication to be held at a place other than regular meeting place
of this Lodge shall be by written notice to all the membership.
5.06 Business at
Special Communications--- No business shall be transacted at any Called
Communication except such business as is permitted to be transacted in Called
Communications and named in the call of such Communication. Certain business shall not be transacted at
any Called Communication, to-wit:
(a) Receiving
petitions for initiation or affiliation or
balloting, except
by permission of the Grand Master.
(b) Reversing
action of a Stated Communication.
(c) Filing
charges for unmasonic conduct.
(d) Masonic
trails.
(e) Petitions for
reinstatement and action thereon in all cases of suspension or
expulsion for unmasonic conduct.
(f) Any action
acquiring or disposing of real estate.
5.07 Quorum--- The quorum of a Master Mason Lodge
is three, a Fellow Craft Lodge, Five, and an Entered Apprentice Lodge,
seven. In the case of a Master Mason
Lodge three members of the Lodge are necessary to constitute a quorum,
exclusive of the Tyler, who must be a member of some Lodge; if three members of
the Lodge are present, the quorum necessary to open an E.A. or F.C. Lodge may
be supplied with visitors, as the two latter Lodges are never opened, except for
"Work and Instruction."
5.08 Festivals--- The
annual June and December Festivals shall be observed as convenience and sound
discretion may dictate, in accordance with established usages.
5.09 Other
Provisions--- (Optional)
OFFICERS
6.01 Officers--- The
Officers are: a Master, whose title is Worshipful; a Senior Warden; a Junior
Warden; a Treasurer; a Secretary; a Senior Deacon; a Junior Deacon; Two
Stewards and a Tyler; the first five of
whom shall be elected by separate ballot, at the first Stated Communications in
December in each and every year. The
Master may appoint the other Officers, but the Senior Warden may nominate the
Junior Deacon; Provided that when, from cause, the election is not held at the
time above specified, the Master may order an election at any time thereafter,
on or before December 27, but not afterwards, except by Dispensation from the
proper authority.
6.02 Chaplain and
Marshall--- The Worshipful Master, if he so desires, may appoint a Chaplain and
a Marshall.
6.03 Duties--- The
duties of the Officers, jointly and severally, shall be such as are prescribed
by the Constitution, Resolutions, and Edicts of the Grand Lodge of Florida, and
the ancient established usages and
customs of the Masonic Fraternity.
6.04 Secretary--- The
Secretary shall keep full and accurate records of all proceedings of the Lodge,
preserve all books and records of the Lodge, shall be ex-officio Librarian of
the Lodge, and shall have custody of the Lodge Seal subject to the direction
and control of the Worshipful Master.
6.05 Treasurer---
Treasurer shall have custody of all Lodge funds, and shall keep full and
accurate records of the receipt and disbursement thereof.
6.06 Reports--- The Treasurer and Secretary shall
each present full written annual reports of the state of the Lodge finances as
they appertain to their offices respectively, which shall be placed on file and
noted in the records, and shall also report quarterly, when required to do so.
6.07 Other Provisions
(Optional) None
6.09 The Treasurer
shall be paid $25.00 (Twenty-Five Dollars) per annum car allowance (Optional).
ELECTION
OF OFFICERS
7.01 Time of Election--- The election and
appointment of the Officers of this Lodge shall take place at the first Stated
Communication in December of each year and such Officers shall be installed on
the anniversary of Saint John the Evangelist, or as soon thereafter as
practical, and the Officers so elected and installed shall continue in office
for one year and until their successors are duly elected and installed;
provided, that if, from any cause, there should be no election at the time
appointed for the annual election, it shall be the Duty of the Worshipful
Master to order an election at any time before or on the anniversary of Saint
John the Evangelist, but not thereafter except by Dispensation from proper
authority.
7.02 Manner and
Method of Election--- In the election of Officers, the ancient regulations
shall be observed. There shall be no nominations, nor electioneering;
and a majority of all votes cast, respectively, shall determine. In each succeeding ballot for the same
office, when more than two members are voted for, the name or names of the
Brother or Brethren having the lowest number of votes,
shall by order of the Master be dropped; and all votes cast in derogation of
said order shall not be counted.
7.03 Other
Provisions--- (Optional)
BUSINESS
OF THE LODGE
8.01 Master's Authority---All
appropriate business of general character shall be transacted in the Master
Mason Lodge, under the special and absolute direction of the Master.
8.02 Reconsideration of Vote or Decision---The
vote or decision at a Stated Communication of the lodge cannot be rescinded,
altered, or amended at a Called Communication of the Lodge, nor at any
subsequent Stated Communication unless the membership of the Lodge is given due
notice of such proposed reconsideration.
8.03 Other
Provisions---(Optional)
FEES
FOR THE DEGREES AND AFFILIATION
9.01 Fees for the
Degrees--- The fee for Initiation shall be $75.00; for Passing $75.00; and for Raising $75.00. In every case the fee shall be paid to the
Secretary in advance, without which no petition or application
shall be read or announced, and in every case of rejection the fee shall be
promptly returned from the treasury, upon the Master's order.
9.02 Fee for
Affiliation--- The fee for Affiliation with this Lodge shall be None.
9.03 Other Provisions---(Optional)
COMMITTEES
10.01 Committees
of the Lodge---There shall be the following standing committees: Finance,
Vigilance, Petitions, Education, Board of Relief, Charity, and Lodge Property.
10.02 Finance
Committee---The Finance Committee shall consist of the Senior Warden and two
members of the Lodge appointed by the Master, whose duty it shall be to examine
and report upon all matters relating or appertaining to the financial concerns
of the lodge, which may be placed in their hands by the Lodge or any member
thereof, or other person. They shall
also examine carefully and fully, and report upon in writing within thirty days
after the close of the Masonic year, all the books, accounts, records and vouchers
of the Treasurer and Secretary, or cause all of the same to be done by some
competent person recommended by the Committee and approved by the Lodge.
10.03 Vigilance Committee--- The Committee on
Vigilance shall be composed of the Junior Warden and two members of the Lodge
appointed by the Master, whose duty it is to exercise a watchful
superintendence over the moral conduct of the Craft at all times, except during
working hours of the Lodge; to correct all irregularities, so far as they can
in keeping with the dignity, nature and principles of the Fraternity, and
report, by charges, or otherwise, all matters necessary and proper for the
vindication of Masonic Law and virtue.
10.04 Petitions
Committee--- The Petitions Committee shall be composed of not less than three
nor more than seven members, whose duty it shall be to cause each applicant for
the degrees before his petition has been received by the Lodge, to appear
personally before the Committee to be interviewed and give such information as
may be requested. The Committee shall
make its report to the Worshipful Master, after which the petition shall take
its usual course.
10.05 Education
Committee--- The Worshipful Master and Wardens shall constitute a standing
Committee on Education and Primary Schools.
10.06 Board of Relief---
The Worshipful Master and Wardens shall constitute the Board of Relief and
jointly shall draw upon the Charity Fund, from time to time, as urgent
fraternal necessity and propriety may require. The board shall render to the
Lodge quarterly reports of all disbursements, but in their discretion they may
omit the name of any recipient thereof unless such recipient is the object of
continued charity. The Board must be scrupulously careful that no worthy cry of
distress reaches their ear in vain and no deserving needy hands seek their aid
without response, if within their power to grant without causing material
injury to the Lodge.
10.07
Investigation Committees--- Upon the Lodge receiving a petition for the
Degrees, or for affiliation, or for reinstatement, or for dual membership the
Worshipful Master shall appoint a Committee of three members of the Lodge to
inquire into the character and standing of the petitioner. Each member of the
Committee shall investigate independently and submit his report in writing to
the Lodge or authorize some brother to report for him if unable to be present
in person. The Committee may make a unanimous report or a divided report, Provided, if only two members of the Committee report, the
Worshipful Master, in his discretion, may proceed with the ballot if no
objection is made thereto. Upon the
filing of a report and acceptance thereof by the Worshipful Master and the
Lodge, the Committee is automatically discharged.
10.08 Committee
on Charity---The Committee on Charity shall, under the direction of the
Worshipful Master arrange:
1) That a portion
of every stated meeting be set aside for a lecture, talk or discussion of some
Masonic or Community Charity or charitable endeavor and members of the Lodge
urged to contribute to such charities.
2) Publication in
the Lodge bulletin or Trestle Board, if one is published, an announcement of
the programs above referred to.
3) That the Lodge
offer its facilities at cost or below cost to groups or organizations who support, sponsor or perform charitable services.
4) That the Lodge
contribute to some, one or more community charity or
charitable endeavors on a regular and frequent basis.
5) To advise with
the Board of Relief in regard to fraternal need and assistance.
10.09 Committee
on Lodge Property--- The Committee on Lodge Property shall be composed of not
less than three(3) nor more than five (5) members
appointed by the Worshipful Master whose duty it shall be to:
1) Promulgate and
propose to the Lodge written Rules for government of use of the Lodge property.
2) Arrange schedules of meetings of other groups
using Lodge property to avoid conflicts.
3) Make
recommendations to the Lodge for improvements, repairs, additions and
renovations of Lodge property and for maintenance of
4) Under
direction of the Worshipful Master and the Lodge, negotiate for agreements
between the Lodge and other organizations using Lodge property.
5) Enforce or report to proper Masonic
authorities for enforcement of all Lodge and Grand Lodge Rules and Regulations.
10.10 Neglect of
Committee Duty--- If a Committee or any member thereof neglect to perform the
required duties, the Worshipful Master may discharge him or them and make a new
appointment.
10.11 Attendance and
Direction of Worshipful Master---The Worshipful Master may attend and direct
the deliberations of all Lodge Committees.
10.12 Scholarship
Committee--There shall be a Scholarship Committee to administer the Gulf Beach
Lodge Ernest J. Freeman Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund, to be funded by
contributions, to grant scholarship stipends to assist deserving high school
graduated living within District 21 to obtain a four- year baccalaureate
degree. The Scholarship Committee shall
consist of five brother Masons of this Lodge, who shall serve for five years
upon an individual staggered basis, with the membership of the first Committee
to be appointed by the Worshipful Master to serve on a one, two, three, four,
and five year basis, respectively, and thereafter one member shall be replaced
each year upon completion of five years of Committee membership, and upon a
vacancy occurring in the Committee upon completion of term of membership of for
any other reason, the vacancy is to be filled upon the recommendation of the
remaining membership of the Scholarship Committee submitted to the Worshipful
Master for his approval. The Scholarship Committee shall administer the Gulf
Beach Lodge Ernest J. Freeman Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund in trust solely for
the aforesaid purposes; shall select deserving high school graduates, without
limitation as to any requirement of Masonic affiliation, race, color, sex or
religious preference, to receive scholarship stipends upon approval of the
Lodge, and shall have the following goals: to utilize only income from the
scholarship fund to provide scholarship stipends of a minimum of $500.00 per
academic year per student, and utilize the principal of the fund only should
the fund not appear adequate to initiate or continue the scholarship program:
so as to have at least four students supported by scholarship stipends at any
one time enrolled in a four-year baccalaureate program in an accredited junior
college, college or university leading to a four-year baccalaureate degree,
with each student prior to each succeeding academic year to show good standing
in writing from the dean of the applicable baccalaureate program prior to
receiving the following scholarship stipend; and, prior to the existence of
this Lodge being terminated in its present name for any reason, recommend to
the Lodge the distribution of the entire Gulf Beach Lodge Ernest J. Freeman Jr.
Memorial Scholarship Fund for scholarship purposes to deserving high school
graduates as aforesaid, or to an organization in District 21,as described,
having the purpose of providing for like stipends.
11.01 Charity
Fund--- There shall be a separate and distinct charity fund and sustained by
voluntary contributions of the Brethren, to which attention should be called by
the Worshipful Master at every Stated Communication of the Lodge. The Treasurer
shall keep a separate account of this fund under the direct supervision of the
Board of Relief, and he shall make a report thereon to the Lodge at the close
of each Masonic year and at such other times as the Lodge or the Worshipful
Master may direct.
11.02 Continued
Charity--- Objects of continued charity must be considered by the Lodge.
11.03 Other
Provisions---(Optional).
DISIPLINE
12.01 Discipline and Procedure--- Every violation of
the Moral Code, as comprehensively embraced in the Ten Commandments, and
recorded in the Holy Book of Law, every violation of the established Laws of
Masonry, written or unwritten, by any member, will subject the offender to
punishment by reprimand, suspension or expulsion, as the Lodge may determine.
LODGE
FUNDS
13.01 Use of Funds---
Lodge funds may be used for any purpose not unmasonic,
when ordered by the Lodge.
13.02 Custody of the
Treasurer--- The Treasurer is the custodian of the funds of the Lodge, even
when only held in trust, and all persons having any such funds shall deliver
the same unto the custody of the Treasurer at the earliest time.
13.03 Disbursement---
The Treasurer shall keep the Lodge funds at all times, subject to the immediate
control of the Lodge, and shall pay out none but return fees and charity funds,
except by Lodge action, and the Master's written order, which in every
instance, must constitute his voucher, provided that Lodge action is not
required for the payment of Grand Lodge Annual Revenue and fees.
13.04 Other
Provisions---(Optional).
LODGE
PROPERTY
14.01 Sale or conveyance---The Master and Wardens
of Lodges shall not sell, convey, dispose of, or mortgage property of their
respective Lodges, except by special action of the Lodge, at a Stated
Communication, after due notice to the Lodge membership of such contemplated
action. All necessary documents, instruments and papers relating to any such
transaction required to be signed in behalf of the Lodge shall be executed in
the name of such Lodge by the Worshipful Master under the Seal of such Lodge
and attested by the Secretary of the Lodge.
14.02 Before proceeding with the construction of
any new building or repairing, remodeling or making additions to any old
building, or the purchase of any property where the same involves incurring
indebtedness by a Particular Lodge, or proceeding with financing any loan or
refinancing any debt, Particular Lodges in this Grand Jurisdiction are required
to submit plans and specifications of any building to be purchased, erected,
repaired or remodeled, and complete financial statement and plan for financing
the indebtedness to be incurred, to the Grand Lodge Properties Committee for
review and then to the Grand Master for final action. The approval of plans for
financing shall in nowise obligate the Grand Lodge for any indebtedness
incurred by a Particular Lodge. All
plans, specifications, statements and other documents must be submitted in
duplicate.
14.03 Other Provisions---(Optional).
AUTHORITY
OF GRAND LODGE
15.01 By-Laws Under
the Grand Lodge Authority--- These By-Laws are adopted under authority of the
Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Florida
and nothing herein shall be construed in any wise to conflict with the
Constitution or Regulations of such Grand Lodge, but shall be construed in
harmony therewith and to fully effectuate the intent and purpose of such
Constitution and Regulations.
15.02 Grand Lodge Law
Part of these By-Laws---The terms and provisions of the Constitution and of the
Regulations of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of
the State of Florida are hereby specifically referred to and made a part of
these By- Laws by reference and in all
matters not dealt with herein the Constitution and Regulations of Grand Lodge
shall control and govern this lodge.
15.03 Constitution
and Regulations of Grand Lodge Supreme Law--- The Constitution and Regulations
of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Florida as
the same now are or may hereafter be changed, altered or amended shall be the
supreme law of this Lodge and any By-Law or any part or portion thereof in
conflict there with shall be null and void.
AMENDMENTS
16.01 Amendments---(1)
These By-Laws may be amended only as follows, viz.: The proposition must be made in writing at a
Stated Communication, and if approved by a majority vote, shall lie over to the
next Stated Communication, of which the membership shall be given written
notice; and if three-fourths of all the members of the Lodge then present vote
in favor thereof, it is adopted, and will go into effect after approval of the
Grand Lodge or its authority. Proposed By-Laws or amendments, after adoption by
the Lodge, shall be submitted for approval in accordance with the provisions of
Regulation 24.04.
(2) Any proposed amendment to these By-Laws shall
be submitted to the Grand Lodge or its authority, as follows: