229meeting

By-Laws

Whitney Lodge No 229, F. &. A.M.

New Burlington, Indiana

ARTICLE 1

Meetings

The stated meeting of this Lodge shall be held on the third Wednesday of each months of January through November, opening at 7:00 o’clock p.m. The December stated stated meeting shall be held on the second Wednesday, opening at 7:00 o’clock p.m. Called meeting for trials, conferring degrees, or ceremonial observances may be held upon call of the presiding officer, at such times as the interest of the Lodge may require.

ARTICLE 2

Officers

Sec. 1. (Reg. 12.020) The officers of this Lodge shall be a Worshipful Master, a Senior Warden, a Junior Warden, a Treasurer, a Secretary, a Senior Deacon, a Junior Deacon, a Chaplain, a Senior Steward, a Junior Steward, a Tyler, and three Trustees.

Sec. 2. (Reg. 17.010). The annual election of officers shall be held at the stated meeting next preceding the anniversary of St. John the Evangelist (December 27). The first seven officers for a term of one year, and one trustee for a term of three years, must be elected by ballot, and a majority of all votes cast shall be necessary to elect. Blank ballots shall not be counted, the remaining officers shall be appointed by the Worshipful Master-elect. All officers shall be installed on or before the next stated meeting or as soon thereafter as practicable.

ARTICLE 3

DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Sec. 1. (Reg. 18.010 and 39.030). It shall be the duty of the Worshipful Master to see the by-laws and regulations of this Lodge, and those of the Grand Lodge, are enforce and obeyed, and that the several officers perform their respective duties. He shall appoint all committees, and see that the ancient landmarks of the Fraternity are not removed. He shall ensure that two signatures are required on all financial withdrawals, which shall consist two of the following officers; Worshipful Master, Treasurer or Secretary.

Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of the Wardens to assist the Worshipful Master in the performance of his duties, and, in his absence, to preside in order of seniority.

Sec. 3. The Treasurer shall receive all moneys from the Secretary, and pay them out when directed by the Lodge and certified to him by the Secretary, and keep a correct account of the receipts and disbursements. His compensation shall be determined by the Lodge.

Sec. 4. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep a record of all proceedings of the Lodge, proper to be written, and make a monthly report to the Grand Lodge, as required; to receive all moneys due the Lodge, and immediately pay the same to the Treasurer, taking his receipt therefore. He shall make a financial statement at the first stated meeting in each month, in form required by the Grand Lodge. He shall open an account with each member, showing all of his names (and in full). And shall keep up the historical as well as the financial record n each case. His compensation shall be determined by the Lodge.

Sec. 5. (Reg. 24.030). Both the Treasurer and the Secretary shall, at the annual meeting for election of officers, report the receipts and expenditures, of the Lodge for the preceding year, specifying the different kinds of receipts and the items of expenditure, with the amount of each, which shall be referred to the Finance committee for audit.

Sec. 6. The Deacons shall perform their prescribed duties and shall welcome and introduce visitors.

Sec. 7. The Chaplain shall perform his prescribed duties, assist in the funeral ceremony, and give spiritual advice and consolation where it is needed and desired.

Sec. 8. It shall be the duty of the Stewards to attend to the introduction of candidates and to assist the other officers in the performance of their Lodge duties, when called upon.

Sec. 9. It shall be the duty of the Tyler to guard the Lodge, perform other customary services.

Sec. 10. (Reg. 12, 17, & 24). The duties of the Trustees shall be to manage any and all real estate of the Lodge, with full power to rent and keep it in repair in such manner and to such extent as in their judgment will be for the best interest of the Lodge, subject at all times to the instructions, orders and authority of the Lodge. They shall make their Annual Report at the first stated meeting in January.

Sec. 11. (Reg. 39.070). No sale of real estate belonging to this Lodge and no purchase of real estate by this Lodge shall be made by the Trustees without express authorization and approval of the Lodge, after consideration of the matter during at least two consecutive monthly stated meeting of the Lodge, and after all members shall have been notified by mail of such proposed sale or purchase at least ten days before final action is taken thereon.

Sec. 12. It shall be the duty of every officer, committee or person having control of Lodge funds, to deposit such funds in the depository designated by the Lodge and in the name of the Lodge.

ARTICLE 4

Committees

Sec. 1. (Reg. 24.040). Immediately after his installation the Worshipful Master shall appoint three (3) members of the Lodge as a standing Committee on Finance, whose duty it shall be to audit the books and accounts of the Secretary and the Treasure and all other persons entrusted with the handling of Lodge funds, as well as all bills and claims against the Lodge, and no allowance shall be made until such examination, except by unanimous consent of the Lodge.

The audit report shall be presented at the first stated meting in February, shall be entered upon the minutes of the Lodge and certification that it has been properly made and so entered shall be reported to the Grand Secretary on the Grand Lodge Annual Reports.

Sec. 2. MASONIC HOME/FOUNDATION AMBASSADOR. (Reg. 39.040). Immediately after his installation, the Worshipful Master shall appoint an Ambassador to the Masonic Home and the Masonic Home Foundation whose duty it shall be to cooperate with the Directors of the Indiana Masonic Home and the Executive Director of the Indiana Masonic Home Foundation in all affairs pertaining to the Home/Foundation, in which the Lodge is or may become interested. He shall keep a regular account and make a written report of the same at the first stated meeting in January.

Sec. 3. Charity. (Reg. 38). The Worshipful Master and Wardens shall constitute a Committee on Charity, and shall have authority to draw on the Relief Fund for any sum not exceeding one hundred ($100.00) dollars, for the relief of any member, his widow or orphans, who may need assistance. They shall report their action in all such cases at the next stated meeting of the Lodge and report the balance remaining in the Relief Fund. The Annual Report of the Charity Committee shall be made as the first stated meeting in January.

Sec. 4. Family. (Reg. 38.010). The Worshipful Master shall appoint one or more Brothers to a Committee to be known as the Committee of the Family whose duty it shall be.

1. To maintain a location file on each member’s widow and orphans.

2. To maintain contact with each member’s widow and orphans and to inform the Lodge as occasion should require, but no less than once annually, concerning the well being of a deceased Brother’s family.

3. To encourage, whenever possible, a Brother’s widow and orphans being included in Lodge social activities. For purposes of interpretation of this Regulation, a widow shall be defined as the unremarried widow of a deceased Mason and an Orphan shall be defined as a child, under twenty-one years of age, of a deceased Mason.

Sec. 5. Masonic Education. (Reg. 39.101). (a) The Worshipful Master shall appoint five (5) members as a Committee on Masonic Education whose duty it shall be: (1) to promote interest among members and candidates in the knowledge of Masonic history, literature, and symbolism by the regular presentation of appropriate programs. (2) To keep the Lodge informed concerning the activities of Freemasonry in general and the Grand Lodge of Indiana and its programs in particular; and, (3) To promote the establishment, maintenance and use of such a library of Masonic literature as the Worshipful Master and the Lodge shall direct.

ARTICLE 5

Masonic Relief Fund

A separate and distinct Masonic Relief Fund shall be maintained to be drawn upon for no other purpose than extending relief to Freemasons or their dependents and all such relief extended by the Lodge shall be drawn from this Fund.

Should the balance in this Fund become less than an average of one dollar ($1.00) per member, it shall be replenished by voting money to it from the Lodge General Treasury or voting an assessment against the members for that purpose. Failure to pay such an assessment shall be equivalent to non-payment of dues and shall be dealt with in the same manner and carry the same penalty.

ARTICLE 6

DUES

Sec. 1. (Reg. 37.010) The dues of this Lodge shall be $44.45 per year for each member, to which shall be added the per capita assessment as established by Grand Lodge each year for operation of the Indiana Masonic Home. Dues and Masonic Home assessments shall be paid in advance on or before the first day of January of each year. Such dues not paid on January first in advance are in arrears. Lodges may assess and collect a late fee not to exceed $5.00 to the total amount of the dues in arrears. Original dues statements will include the preceding sentence. Subsequent notices for payment of dues in arrears will itemize any late fee assessed. Delinquent members may be required to reimburse the Lodge for actual cost of sending notices by certified mail. At the first stated meeting in June, dues will be discussed and the amount set for the next year.

Sec. 2. (Reg. 37.070). (a) Not later than the date of the first stated meeting in January, the Secretary shall give notice by mail to all Brethren who are in arrears for dues and assessments stating that they must, at or before the first stated meeting in February, pay or satisfactorily explain to the Lodge in writing, all arrearage in dues and assessments, and inform them of the late fee which has been assessed.

(b) At the first stated meeting in February, the Worshipful Master shall appoint a dues committee of three or more members including the Senior Warden, Junior Warden and Secretary, to investigate all arrearage in dues and assessments, with the instruction to the said committee to ascertain the cause of such arrearage by contacting each delinquent member, whenever possible by personal contact, and to report their findings at the first stated meeting in March.

(c) At the first stated meeting in March, the Worshipful Master shall call for a report of the Dues Committee and shall first take up the matter of remission in worthy cases. The Lodge may vote to remit either upon the recommendation of the committee or upon other motions properly made and seconded. The Worshipful Master shall next order that charges for non-payment of dues and assessments shall then be filed by the committee against all Brethren whose dues and assessments are not paid or remitted.

(d) At the first stated meeting in April of each year the Worshipful Master shall call for a report from the Secretary indicating all Brethren whose dues are not paid. The Worshipful Master shall then conduct a trial for said Brethren in accordance with Reg. 37.080. Procedure, Non-Payment of Dues.

ARTICLE 7

PETITIONS

Sec. 1. (Reg. 29.030). (a) All petition for membership or for degrees must be made in writing, signed in person, by the petitioner with his name written in full, and signed by at least two Master Masons of this Lodge who recommended the petitioner.

(b) A petitioner for the degrees must also fill out the petitioner’s questionnaire and submit same with his petition, which questionnaire must be read to the Lodge by the Secretary at the time the petition is read.

(c) Such petitions may be presented at a called or stated meeting, be referred to a committee for investigation, and then lie over until a stated meeting. If presented at a called meeting, the petition must lie over until a stated meeting at least three weeks later.

(d) A majority of the members present at a called or stated meeting may refuse to entertain a petition.

ARTICLE 8

FEES (Reg.29.010)

Sec. 1. Every petition for initiation must be accompanied with a fee of $125.00 dollars, which shall be in full for the three degrees.

In addition to the fee for the degrees as specified in the Lodge by-laws, the Secretary of the Lodge shall collect from each petitioner a contribution of ten dollars ($10.00) to be sent to the Grand Secretary and be, by him, forwarded to the George Washington Masonic National Memorial for its maintenance. Note: The ten dollars fee will be shown on the annual recapitulation and will be included in your Grand Lodge dues which are payable on or before March 15.

Sec. 2. No part of the fee may be refunded to one who is elected and receives the three degrees. If the petition is rejected, the entire fee shall be returned to the proper person. Should only one degree be conferred, two-thirds of the fee shall be returned. Should only two degrees be conferred, one-third of the fee shall be returned.

Sec. 3. Every petition for Dual Membership must be accompanied with a fee (not less than $25.00) of $50.00, $5.00 of which will be transmitted to the Grand Secretary with the Annual Recapitulation Statement.

ARTICLE 9

DEMITS (Reg. 33.020)

Sec. 1. (a) A Master Mason, free from charges and all indebtedness to the Lodge may, upon written application and a majority vote of the Lodge, demit there from.

(b) Upon receipt of the application at a stated meeting, the Worshipful Master shall appoint a qualified Brother to investigate the reasons, circumstances and desirability surrounding the application. At the next following stated meeting, the Brother shall report to the Lodge the results of his investigation, at which time action on the application will be taken as provided in section (c) and (d) below.

(c) The Lodge shall grant the demit if no charges are pending; Provided, however, that should the Lodge for any reason, by a majority vote, refuse to grand a demit, the Lodge shall thereupon prefer charges against the applicant and bring him to trial, and if the applicant shall not be found guilty, the demit shall thereupon be granted.

(d) An Entered Apprentice or a Fellow Craft may, under the same conditions, be granted a demit excepting that a unanimous favorable vote of the Lodge is required. When an Entered Apprentice or Fellow Craft is granted a demit one-third of the total fee paid shall be returned for each degree which he has not received.

(e) Any demit granted under the provisions of this section shall become and be effective as of the date of the stated meeting at which it is granted.

Sec. 2. Notice of intention to transfer membership, as provided in the Grand Lodge Regulations, shall be considered a request for a demit if elected in the other Lodge.

ARTICLE 10

Order of Business

Sec. 1. The order of business for stated meeting shall be:

(a) Reading and approval of minutes.

(b) Presenting and referring petitions.

(d) Communications and bills.

(e) Reports of investigating committees and balloting on petitions.

(f) Unfinished business.

(g) At the first stated meeting in January, reports for the previous year should be made by the Treasurer, the Secretary, The Trustees, the Charity Committee, and the Ambassador of the Masonic Home/Foundation. At the first stated meeting in February the Finance Committee shall make the Report of the Annual Audit.

(h) Miscellaneous Business.

(i) Conferral of degrees.

(j) Financial Report.

Sec. 2. The Worshipful Master shall be the Judge of all questions of order that may arise, and there shall be no appeal to the Lodge from his decision.

Sec. 3. When a motion is made and seconded, it shall, before debate, be stated by the Worshipful Master. Motions shall be made in writing when requested by any Brother. A motion may be withdrawn by the Brother making it, if the motion is not amended.

Sec. 4. The Worshipful Master shall put all questions distinctly; if a division is called for, he shall request those who vote in the affirmative to rise and count them; then those who vote in the negative shall rise and be counted and he shall declare the result. In case of a tie the motion is lost.

Sec. 5. While a question is under debate, no motion shall be received which does not pertain to the question under consideration.

Sec. 6. Every member having a right to vote, who is present when a question is put, shall vote, unless for special reasons given he be excused by unanimous vote of the Lodge.

Sec. 7. When a motion has been acted upon, it shall be in order for any member of the majority to move the reconsideration thereof; Provided, That no motion for reconsideration shall be in order, unless made at the same meeting at which the question shall have been voted upon.

Sec. 8. Every member on a committee shall attend the call of the chairman, who shall be the first person named on said committee, and in case of his neglect to call the committee together, or in his absence or other cause, the committee shall attend the call of the next person.

Sec. 9. The reports of committees to investigate petitioners shall be made in open Lodge but no record shall be made of the nature of the report

ARTICLE 11

AMENDMENTS, ETC. (Reg. 12.030)

Sec. 1. A motion to amend or alter any of these by-laws shall be submitted in writing at a stated meeting and read. If seconded, it may be debated, but a final vote cannot be taken thereon before the next succeeding stated meeting. Lodge members shall be notified in writing of any proposed changes to by-laws.

Sec. 2. Every member of this lodge shall be entitled to a copy of these by-laws, and the same shall be binding on him so long as he continues a member of this Lodge.

ADOPTION

The foregoing full set of by-laws was presented at a stated meeting of Whitney Lodge No 229 on _________________ 2001, and adopted at the stated meeting on ____________________________, 2001.

(LODGE SEAL) ________________________, Secretary

Full Set Approved ________________________________________________