MassachusettsGC2012 BYLAWS RULES

GRAND CONSTITUTIONS, BY-LAWS RULES

RULES AS TO BY-LAWS

General References: 1918: 329 1930: 181

Note: In GC1918, the following section appears: "Rule XI. In balloting for degrees or membership the Worshipful Master may allow three ballotings at his discretion: but when the balloting has been commenced it must be concluded, and the candidate declared accepted or rejected, without the intervention of any business whatever." (1918-418)

• • 1877-194, 1917Builder-70

Rule I. REQUIREMENT FOR ELECTION OR APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS

By-Laws of a particular Lodge should provide for the election or appointment of a Worshipful Master, Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Treasurer, Secretary, Senior Deacon, Junior Deacon, Senior Steward, Junior Steward, Tyler, and such other officers as may be deemed expedient, the first five always to be chosen by ballot.

References

• GC1918: Rule I, 1918-417
  • 1873-48

1881: 48 1930: 181

Rule II. ELECTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS

A Lodge may, by its By-Laws, provide for the election, by ballot, of all officers and committees; but where there is no such provision the Worshipful Master alone has the appointing power. In the election of officers, blank ballots shall not be counted.

References

• GC1918: Rule II, 1918-417

1873: 49 1910: 193 1930: 181 1953: 55

Rule III. MEETINGS OF LODGES

By-Laws should provide for the Regular Meetings of the Lodge; Special Meetings can be held only at the will and pleasure of the Worshipful Master.

References

• GC1918: Rule III, 1918-417

1873: 49 1930:181

Rule IV. NO PROVISION FOR OFFICER REMOVAL

By-Laws cannot provide for the removal of an officer, because when an officer (elected or appointed) has been installed he cannot be removed, and ought not to resign, during his term if he remain a member of the Lodge in good standing; for misdemeanor in office he may be suspended, subject to the action of the Grand Master or Grand Lodge. Should a vacancy occur from any cause, it cannot be permanently filled without a Dispensation from the Grand Master.

References

• GC1918: Rule IV, 1918-417

1858 (O.P.): 39 1873: 49 1918: 176 1930: 181

Rule V. ALTERATION OR ABRIDGEMENT OF USAGE AND RITUAL FORBIDDEN

By-Laws cannot alter or abridge the duties of officers that are fixed by usage and the Ritual, and ought not to define such duties; it is well for them, however, to set forth fully what is specially required of the Treasurer and Secretary.

References

• GC1918: Rule V, 1918-418

1873: 50 1930: 182

Rule VI. DEPRIVATION OF MEMBERSHIP FORBIDDEN

By-Laws cannot deprive a Brother of membership by any language therein; every Mason is entitled to due notice and trial before being deprived of any Masonic rights.

References

• GC1918: Rule VI, 1918-418

1872: 19 1873: 50 1930: 182

Rule VII. UNANIMOUS BALLOT REQUIRED TO ELECT

In balloting, whether for degrees or for membership, the ballot must be unanimous to elect, except as provided in Secs. 422 and 521.

References

• GC1918: Rule VII, 1918-418; In this revision, the final phrase does not appear.

1873: 50 1930: 182 1953: 55, 197

Rule VIII. REGULATION OF REGALIA FORBIDDEN

By-Laws cannot regulate the Aprons, Collars, or Jewels, to be worn by officers or members, they being determined by the Grand Constitutions.

References

• GC1918: Rule VIII, 1918-418

1873: 50 1930: 182

Rule IX. NO EXTRACTS FROM GRAND CONSTITUTIONS

By-Laws should not contain extracts from the Grand Constitutions as any part thereof. Such forms as may be needed for general reference might very properly be put in a supplement or footnote; but, if this is done, great care should be taken promptly to insert such amendments as may be made by the Grand Lodge.

References

• GC1918: Rule IX, 1918-418

1873: 50 1930: 182

Rule X. INCLUSION OF FEES AND SEAL

Each code of By-Laws should set forth the fees for the degrees and membership, the annual dues, and a description of the Seal of the Lodge. A Life Membership Fee, if any, shall be at least twenty times the annual Lodge dues, but provision may be made for an appropriate reduction for increasing age or for previous payment of annual dues over a period of years.

References

• GC1918: Rule X, 1918-418; In this revision, there is no provision for Life Membership Fee.

1873: 52 1883: 255 1909: 200 1918: 173 1930: 182 1936: 115, 117 1937: 135 1939: 236 1953: 55, 197 1956: 226, 451 1957: 90

Rule XI. HONORARY MEMBERSHIP

Candidates for honorary membership in a Lodge shall be regularly proposed, named in the notice, and balloted for in the same manner as is required for other candidates, but must be received without any fee. A unanimous ballot shall not be deemed necessary when the candidate is already an active member, unless the Lodge in its By-Laws shall so provide.

References

• GC1918: Rule XII, 1918-419
  • 1881-89, 1884-40

1881: 68, 167 1895: 129, 222 1930: 183

Rule XII. ABSENTEE BALLOTS FORBIDDEN

Absentee votes or ballots are illegal.

References

1926: 240 1953: 55, 197

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