MassachusettsGC2012 DISTRICT GL RULES

From MasonicGenealogy
Jump to: navigation, search

Contents

GRAND CONSTITUTIONS, DISTRICTS

REGULATIONS CONCERNING DISTRICT GRAND MASTERS AND DISTRICT GRAND LODGES

Rules for the regulation of District Grand Lodges were promulgated by Grand Master Melvin Johnson on 06/09/1915, 1915-98.

Rule 1. INSTALLATION

The District Grand Master shall be installed at the first District Grand Lodge which he may hold after his appointment, and until such installation he shall not be qualified to perform any of the functions of his office, except that of summoning the District Grand Lodge to meet for the purpose of his installation.

Earlier Revisions

  • GC1843: Part Fourth, 1:4, adopted 12/09/1914, 1914-361, promulgated 06/09/1915, 1915-122, replacing the existing text.
  • GC1918: Rule 1, 1918-420
  • GC1930: Rule 1, 1930-184
  • GC1953: Rule 1

References

  • 1871-235, 12/13/1871, refers to the creation of a District Grand Lodge in Chile to govern the three lodges established there.

Rule 2. VACANCY IN OFFICE OF DISTRICT GRAND MASTER

In the event of the death, resignation, removal, or suspension of a District Grand Master, the District Grand Lodge shall continue to exercise its functions; and the Deputy District Grand Master, if there be one, and if not, or in the event of his being absent from the District and until his return, the District Grand Officer or Past District Grand Officer next in rank then in the District, shall assume and exercise the functions of District Grand Master until another District Grand Master shall have received his commission from the Grand Master and shall have notified the same to the District Grand Secretary. The Brother so exercising the functions of a District Grand Master shall not assume that title; nor shall he, after having so acted, be entitled to rank as a Past District Grand Master, or to wear the Masonic clothing belonging to that office.

Earlier Revisions

  • GC1843: Part Fourth, 1:5, promulgated 06/09/1915, 1915-122, replacing the existing text.
  • GC1918: Rule 2, 1918-420; Note that the original text read "District Deputy Grand Master".
  • GC1930: Rule 2, 1930-184
  • GC1953: Rule 2

References

none.


Rule 3. COMPOSITION OF DISTRICT GRAND LODGE

A District Grand Lodge consists of the District Grand Master, Past District Grand Masters, District Grand Officers, Officers and Permanent Members of the Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts who may be present in the District, Past Deputy District Grand Masters, Past District Grand Wardens, and the Master and Wardens of all Lodges in the District.

Earlier Revisions

  • GC1843: Part Fourth, 1:6, promulgated 06/09/1915, 1915-122, replacing the existing text.
  • GC1918: Rule 3, 1918-421; In this revision, the section reads: "A District Grand Lodge consists of the District Grand Master, Past District Grand Masters, District Grand Officers, Officers and Permanent Members of the Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts who may be present in the District and the Master and Wardens of all Lodges in the District."
  • GC1930: Rule 3, 1930-185; In this revision, the text corresponds to GC1918.
  • GC1953: Rule 3

References

none.


Rule 4. DISTRICT GRAND MASTER POWERS OF APPOINTMENT

The District Grand Master is empowered to appoint for his District the following District Grand Officers and such others as may be necessary or desirable for the satisfactory conduct of the affairs of Masonry in his District appertaining to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts,whose duties shall be such as are performed by officers of like title in the Grand Lodge.

  • A Deputy District Grand Master.
  • A District Senior Grand Warden.
  • A District Junior Grand Warden.
  • A District Grand Secretary.
  • Two District Grand Chaplains.
  • A District Grand Marshal.
  • A District Grand Lecturer.
  • A District Senior Grand Deacon.
  • A District Junior Grand Deacon.
  • A District Senior Grand Steward.
  • A District Junior Grand Steward.
  • A District Grand Sword Bearer.
  • A District Grand Standard Bearer.
  • Two District Grand Pursuivants.
  • A District Grand Tyler.

Earlier Revisions

  • GC1843: Part Fourth, 1:7, promulgated 06/09/1915, 1915-122, replacing the existing text.
  • GC1918: Rule 4, 1918-421; Note that the original text read "District Deputy Grand Master"; this was revised by vote of the Grand Lodge on 09/13/1923, 1923-324.
  • GC1930: Rule 4, 1930-185; In this revision, Deacons and Stewards are titled "Grand Senior" and "Grand Junior".
  • GC1953: Rule 4; adopted 1953-197, 06/10/1953

References


Rule 5. DISTRICT GRAND TREASURER

The District Grand Lodge shall elect a District Grand Treasurer annually, by whom a regular account of the receipts and disbursements shall be kept. He shall be ex officio Treasurer of the Board of Trustees of the charity funds. His account must be produced at the Annual Meeting of the District Grand Lodge, and audited once in each year, and a copy thereof transmitted to the Grand Master.

Earlier Revisions

References

none.


Rule 6. NOTICE OF DEPUTY DISTRICT GRAND MASTER

The District Grand Master must transmit, in writing, the name and place of abode of his Deputy to all the Lodges of his District, and also to the Grand Secretary, within one month of the appointment.

Earlier Revisions

References

none.


Rule 7. NOTICE OF OTHER DISTRICT GRAND OFFICERS

Names, addresses and Lodges of all District Grand Officers shall be transmitted to the Grand Secretary by the District Grand Secretary, within one month of election or appointment. The District Grand Officers must all be residents within the District, unless the Grand Master grant a Dispensation for non-residence.

Earlier Revisions

References

none.


Rule 8. QUALIFICATIONS OF DISTRICT GRAND OFFICERS

No Brother can be appointed a District Grand Master, Deputy District Grand Master or District Grand Warden unless he be the Past Master of a Lodge; nor a District Grand Deacon unless he be a Past Warden of a Lodge under the jurisdiction of some Grand Lodge recognized by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.

Earlier Revisions

  • GC1843: Part Fourth, 1:11, promulgated 06/09/1915, 1915-122, replacing the existing text.
  • GC1918: Rule 8, 1918-422; In this revision, the section reads: "No brother can be appointed a District Deputy Grand Master or District Grand Warden unless he be the Past Master of a Lodge: nor a District Grand Deacon unless he be a Past Warden of a Lodge."
  • GC1930: Rule 8, 1930-186; In this revision, the section reads: "No brother can be appointed a Deputy District Grand Master or District Grand Warden unless he be the Past Master of a Lodge: nor a District Grand Deacon unless he be a Past Warden of a Lodge."
  • GC1953: Rule 8

References

none.


Rule 9. SUMMONS BY DISTRICT GRAND MASTER

The District Grand Master may summon the Officers of any Lodge within his District to attend him, and to produce the Charter, books, papers, and accounts of the Lodge, or he may summon any Brother within his District to attend him and produce his certificate. If the summons be not complied with or a sufficient reason be not given for non-compliance, a peremptory summons shall be issued; and in case of contumacy, the Lodge or Brother may be suspended, and the proceeding notified to the Grand Lodge or the Grand Master.

Earlier Revisions

  • Vote of Grand Lodge, 09/11/1815, II-634, rejecting the following motion: "That when the Master and Wardens of a Lodge shall be summoned before this Grand Lodge, they shall appear in person and not by proxy . . . are satisfied for themselves, it would be improper for the Grand Lodge to adopt said motion. That by a fair construction of the Masonic Constitution and the established principles of the Order, when any officer of a Lodge is summoned to appear before this Grand Lodge to answer to any charge touching, or implicating the character of the Lodge, he has a right to appear by proxy; and your committee are of opinion, it would be highly dangerous to take it away."
  • GC1918: Rule 9, 1918-422
  • GC1930: Rule 9, 1930-186
  • GC1953: Rule 9

References

none.


Rule 10. DISCIPLINE BY DISTRICT GRAND MASTER

The District Grand Master shall hear and determine all subjects of Masonic complaint or irregularity, respecting Lodges or individual Masons, within his Province or District, and may proceed to admonition, or suspension. The power of summons is an 
incident to this power and applies to the Brethren complained against as well as to witnesses. A minute of the proceedings, stating the offense and the law applicable to it, together with the decision, is to be transmitted to the Grand Master.

Earlier Revisions

References

none.


Rule 11. PROCEDURE FOR ERASURE OR EXPULSION IN DISTRICT

The District Grand Master has no power to erase a Lodge or expel a Mason; when, therefore, the case is of so flagrant a nature as, in his judgment, to require the erasure of a Lodge, or the expulsion of a Brother, it shall be proceeded with in the method provided in the Grand Constitutions, the trial board to be a Special Board of Commissioners to be appointed by the District Grand Master. They shall report to the Grand Lodge.

Earlier Revisions

References

none.


Rule 12. RECORDS OF DISTRICT GRAND LODGE

The District Grand Master, holding his office at the pleasure of the Grand Master, and the power of the Deputy as well as of District Grand Lodge emanating from the authority vested in the District Grand Master, he or his Deputy must be responsible that the District Grand Lodge does not exceed its lawful powers. He is, therefore, to cause correct minutes to be kept of all its proceedings, and to produce them to the Grand Master or the Grand Lodge when required, sending to the Grand Master at least once a year a duplicate thereof.

Earlier Revisions

References

none.


Rule 13. REPORT OF DISTRICT GRAND MASTER

The District Grand Master shall annually transmit to the Grand Master so as to be received prior to the Quarterly Communication in December, a circumstantial account, in writing, of his proceedings, and of the state of Masonry within his District for the year ending August thirty-first.

Earlier Revisions

References

none.


Rule 14. RANK OF DISTRICT GRAND OFFICERS

District Grand Officers, present or past, other than the District Grand Master, do not take any rank out of their District. They are, however, entitled to wear their clothing as District Grand Officers, or Past District Grand Officers in all Masonic meetings.

Earlier Revisions

References

none.


Rule 15. MEETINGS OF DISTRICT GRAND LODGE

District Grand Lodges shall fix stated times for their regular meetings, not exceeding four times in the year, but the District Grand Master may summon and hold a special District Grand Lodge whenever, in his judgment, it may be necessary. The particular reason for calling such special District Grand Lodge shall be expressed in the summons, and no other business shall be entered upon at that meeting.

Earlier Revisions

References

none.


Rule 16. OPENING OF DISTRICT GRAND LODGE

When the District Grand Master presides, the District Grand Lodge is to be declared open in due form; if the Deputy of any other Brother presides, in form only.

Earlier Revisions

References

none.


Rule 17. BY-LAWS OF DISTRICT GRAND LODGE

The District Grand Lodge may frame By-Laws for its own government, and may make regulations for the guidance of the particular Lodges of the District, provided that none of these be contrary to, or inconsistent with, the laws and regulations of the Grand Lodge as laid down in the Book of Constitutions, but such By-Laws shall not be valid until submitted to, and approved by, the Committee on Charters and By-Laws of the Grand Lodge.

Earlier Revisions

References

none.


Rule 18. REGULATIONS OF DISTRICT GRAND LODGE

The proceedings and decisions of District Grand Lodges and of their Committees shall in all cases be strictly governed and controlled by the laws and regulations of the Grand Lodge, as laid down in the Book of Constitutions.

Earlier Revisions

References

none.


Rule 19. PROXIES

Any Lodge may select a proxy to the District Grand Lodge as well as to the Grand Lodge and under similar terms and conditions, except as such terms and conditions may be from time to time modified by order of the District Grand Master, provided always that every proxy sitting in District Grand Lodge must be an active or honorary member of some Lodge within the District.

Earlier Revisions

  • GC1918: Rule 19, 1918-425; In this revision, the text of the section reads: "Any Lodge may select a proxy to the District Grand Lodge as well as to the Grand Lodge and under similar terms and conditions."
  • GC1930: Rule 19, 1930-189; In this revision, the text of the section reads: "Any Lodge may select a proxy to the District Grand Lodge as well as to the Grand Lodge and under similar terms and conditions."
  • GC1953: Rule 19

References

none.


Rule 20. DISPENSATIONS OF DISTRICT GRAND MASTER

The District Grand Master is hereby granted a power of Dispensation in the following cases:

  • (a.) In cases of emergency, for a Brother to be advanced to a higher degree at an interval of not less than one week, instead of fourteen days;
  • (b.) To form in public procession for the purpose of conducting Masonic funeral processions and burial services;
  • (c.) To form in public procession for the purpose of attending Divine Worship;
  • (d.) To form in public procession for the purpose of performing any other strictly Masonic service; never, however, upon other than a Masonic occasion;
  • (e.) To hold regular and business meetings of a Lodge on other days than those called for by its By-Laws;
  • (f.) In case of necessity, to elect officers of a Lodge on another day than the Annual Meeting;
  • (g.) To continue Lodge functions pending replacement of a Charter which has been lost or destroyed;
  • (h.) In cases of necessity, to hold meetings of a Lodge in another place than that named in the Charter;
  • (i.) To authorize the withdrawal of an application in case the applicant has permanently left the District before a ballot can be taken;
  • (j.) In case of necessity, to deputize some qualified person to open a Lodge and preside therein in the absence of the Master and both Wardens.

A District Grand Master forthwith upon granting a Dispensation shall transmit to the Grand Master a report thereof. A District Grand Master shall require a return upon each Dispensation, and when such return is received shall immediately transmit a copy thereof to the Grand Master.

Earlier Revisions

  • GC1918: Rule 20, 1918-426; In this revision, parts (i) and (j), as well as the final paragraph, do not appear.
  • GC1930: Rule 20, 1930-190; In this revision, parts (i) and (j) do not appear, and the last paragraph reads: "A District Grand Master forthwith upon granting a Dispensation shall transmit to the Grand Master a report thereof, and when such return is received shall immediately transmit a copy thereof to the Grand Master.
  • GC1953: Rule 20

References

none.


Rule 21. POWER OF DISTRICT GRAND MASTER TO PRESIDE

The District Grand Master may preside in any Lodge he visits within his District, his Deputy being placed on his left, and the Master of the Lodge on his right hand; his Wardens, if present, shall act as Wardens of the Lodge during the time he presides; but if they be absent, the District Grand Master may direct the Wardens of the Lodge, or any Master Masons, to act as his Wardens pro tempore.

Earlier Revisions

References

none.


Rule 22. POWER OF DEPUTY DISTRICT GRAND MASTER TO PRESIDE

Unless the District Grand Master be present, his Deputy may preside in any Lodge he may visit within his District, the Master of the Lodge being placed on his right hand. The District Grand Wardens, if present, are to act as Wardens of the Lodge during the time he presides.

Earlier Revisions

References

none.


Rule 23. POWER OF DISTRICT GRAND MASTER TO DEPUTIZE

The District Grand Master may send any of his District Grand Officers, present or past, to visit any Lodge in his Province or District whenever he may think fit so to do.

Earlier Revisions

References

none.


Rule 24. BY-LAWS OF LODGES

Every Lodge has the power of framing its By-Laws for its government, provided they are not inconsistent with the regulations and customs of the Grand Lodge. The By-Laws must be submitted through the District Grand Master, for his approval previous to transmission, to the Committee on Charters and By-Laws of the Grand Lodge. No law or alteration will be valid until so submitted and approved by said Committee.

Earlier Revisions

References

none.


Rule 25. JEWELS OF DISTRICT GRAND OFFICERS

Jewels of District Grand Officers (except District Grand Master) shall be of the same description as those worn by corresponding officers of the Grand Lodge, except that the jewels are to be placed within a circle on which the name of the District is to be engraven, but no ornament or emblem whatever other than such name shall be engraven on the said circle or superimposed thereupon.

Earlier Revisions

References

none.


Rule 26. APRONS OF DISTRICT GRAND OFFICERS

The aprons of District Grand Officers (except the District Grand Master) shall be similar to those worn by corresponding Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge, except that the edging to the apron shall not in any event exceed two inches in width. The emblems of their offices shall be in gold in the center within a double circle, in which must be inserted the name of the District. The District Grand Master may have his emblem embroidered upon the apron, but the emblem of other District Grand Officers shall be painted or stamped thereon.

Earlier Revisions

References

none.


Rule 27. RETURNS OF LODGE UNDER DISTRICT GRAND LODGE

Returns of all Lodges within the jurisdiction of District Grand Lodges shall be made to the Grand Lodge, transmitted through the District Grand Masters, in the same manner as returns made by home Lodges, and upon blanks printed by the Grand Lodge for the purpose. In addition to the returns so furnished for the Grand Lodge, there shall be a return made as prescribed by the District Grand Master for the use of the District Grand Lodge.

Earlier Revisions

References

none.


2012 Grand Constitutions Main Page