Chapter 43
Subordinate Lodge Powers and Duties
REG. 43-1
EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE.
The specific powers of a
subordinate lodge are as follows.
1. The
Executive, which relate to the direction and performance of its work under
the control of the Master, who is the chief executive officer of the lodge, but
always subject to review by the Grand Master or the Grand Lodge.
2. The
Legislative, which embrace all matters of legislation relative to the
internal concerns of the lodge which are not in violation of its own bylaws,
the usages and customs of the Craft, the laws of the Grand Lodge, and the
orders and edicts of the Grand Master.
3. The powers of
a lodge are only such as are conferred on it by the laws of this Grand Lodge. [2-4; 4-2].
Some, but not all, of the powers
and duties of a lodge are as follows. [2-4; 4-2].
1. A lodge shall
obey the laws of the Grand Lodge, the usages and customs of the Craft, and the
orders and edicts of the Grand Master, not inconsistent therewith.
2. A lodge shall
confer the three degrees of Symbolic Masonry intelligently and in conformity
with the Authorized Work of the Grand Lodge, and encourage its members to
improve their knowledge thereof.
3. A lodge shall
practice charity, promote and express Masonry in the territory occupied by it,
and to enforce Masonic discipline therein.
4. A lodge shall
hold at least one stated communication each month except as provided in
Regulation 45-2 or by dispensation of
the Grand Master (This section amended,
effective
5. A lodge shall
elect and install its officers annually. [Chapter 54].
6. A lodge shall provide
a safe and suitable room for its communications. [43-5].
7. A lodge shall
keep a full and proper record of its transactions. [Chapter
62].
8. A lodge shall
make such full and proper reports to the Grand Lodge as may be required. [Chapter 47].
9. A lodge shall
pay its annual dues, taxes, and assessments to the Grand Lodge punctually. [Chapters 47].
10. A lodge shall
have by-laws. [44-2; Chapter 44].
11. A lodge shall
have and maintain a proper seal. [Chapter 46].
12. A lodge shall
be represented at each annual communication of the Grand Lodge. If it is not
represented at two consecutive annual communications, it shall be cited by the
Grand Master to show cause why its charter should not be arrested. [3-3; 3-4; 26-3.2;
41-10.7].
13. A lodge shall
have and maintain complete control and authority over the use of its hall or
meeting place by ownership or otherwise. Joint proprietorship with other
societies or organizations is not favored by the Grand Lodge. Where other
societies or organizations occupy the same rooms with a subordinate lodge, all
Masonic paraphernalia and property shall be removed immediately after the lodge
is closed. [13-3.8.D; 25-2].
14. A lodge shall
keep its property insured against loss or damage by fire and other hazards. Any
lodge failing to insure its property shall not be granted permission to ask for
assistance from other lodges of this jurisdiction on account of loss except by
the Grand Lodge on recommendation by the Grand Master. [60-1.3.F].
15. A lodge may
sell and convey its property at will. [52-7; 60-10].
16.
A
lodge may by ordinary resolution and a majority vote, to appropriate its funds
for Masonic charity and for the discharge of its ordinary and necessary
expenses, subject, however, to Regulations 43-8 and 60-7.
17.
A lodge may assemble to attend
religious services, Masonic funerals and scholarship presentations or for other
purposes allowed by The Code or by permission of the Grand Master.(This
regulation amended, effective January 1, 2002)[45-11]
Some, but not all, of the limitations
of powers and authority of a subordinate lodge are as follows. [4-2; 4-6].
1.
The
discussion in a lodge when open of political, sectarian, or other subjects not
related to Masonry is prohibited.
2.
A
certificate or a recommendation shall not be issued by a lodge, or an officer
or a member thereof, to a brother which he could use in an itinerant manner to
apply for relief to other lodges or members.
3.
A
lodge shall not, by any pretext, or for any purpose, or by any subterfuge
introduce intoxicating liquors or beverages, or permit their use as a beverage
on any of its premises, nor shall it rent any of its premises to any one who
thereon sells intoxicating liquors with the exception of a pharmacist. [43-7; 86-2.30; 86-2.31].
4.
No
lodge shall authorize, sponsor, sanction, hold, conduct or permit to be held in
the name of Masonry any meeting or gathering, for business, social or any other
purpose where alcoholic beverages are permitted, served or consumed as a part
of such meetings or gatherings.
5.
A
lodge is not a collection agency for private debts. [86-2.41; 90-2].
6.
A
lodge shall not engage in any program of solicitation of petitions, nor shall it
permit any of its members to do so. [86-2.51.E; 86-2.22].
7.
No
lodge shall publish the name of any one who is to be balloted on except as
provided in Regulation 68-8.2 nor shall it publish the name of
any candidate to receive a degree unless enclosed in a cover or envelope.
Postal cards and post cards shall not be used for this purpose. [68-1; 68-11].
8.
No
lodge shall permit the use of its roster of membership or any part thereof for
business or political purposes, nor for any solicitation whatever that is not
strictly Masonic.
9.
No
lodge shall permit the use of its roster of membership or any part thereof for
the sale of any book purporting to be Masonic or to relate to Masonry which has
not been expressly approved by the Grand Lodge. [29-12; 86-2.45; 86-2.46]
10.
No
transaction of the Grand Lodge or of a lodge shall be given to any person for
publication in a newspaper or otherwise except as authorized by the Grand Lodge
or the Grand Master, or by the lodge or its Master.
11.
The
organization of any club of an exclusive kind within the membership of a lodge
is forbidden. [86-2.26].
12.
The
holding or sponsoring by a lodge of lotteries, game of chance, gambling, or any
activities which would discredit masonry, for any purposes, is prohibited.
[43-7; 86-2.32; 86-2.35]. A raffle may be held as follows:
1.
Raffles shall be conducted with the
conformity to
2.
No raffle shall be conducted without
prior written approval by the Committee (Commission) on Subordinate Lodge
Special Activities. (This regulation
amended, effective 7/31/2000)
13.
No
lodge shall be an escort in any public or private event.
14.
No
lodge shall give any of the ritualistic work, even monitorial lectures, at an
entertainment for its members and their families or for the profane. [86-2.53]
15.
Obsolete (This regulation
amended, effective January 1, 2002).
16.
No
lodge shall permit the use of any of any part of its buildings, facilities, or
grounds for lotteries, games of chance, gambling, or for any purpose which
would discredit Masonry. [86-2.35]. (This section amended, effective
17.
No
lodge shall levy an assessment on its members for any purpose, nor shall it
require a withdrawal fee. It may increase its annual dues as provided by law. [75-13;
76-12; 77-8].
18.
No
lodge, nor any officer thereof, as such, shall act or serve as
administrator, executor, guardian, trustee or in any fiduciary capacity, except
as expressly provided by the law of the Grand Lodge. [2-6.11;
Chapter 60].
19.
No
lodge shall in any manner or at any time inflict a fine on a brother for any
purpose whatever. [95-3].
20.
No
lodge shall provide in its by-laws for the payment of money for any purpose
whatever without the express action of the lodge in each case before such
payment. [43-10; 60-10].
REG. 43-4
THE CODE AND PROCEEDINGS.
Each subordinate lodge in
the jurisdiction shall keep copies of the laws of the Grand Lodge for the
inspection of its members. It is the duty of the Master to enforce strictly
such laws in the lodge over which he presides. The published Proceedings of the
Grand Lodge shall also be kept on file and shall be conclusive evidence of all
matters reported therein as the action of the Grand Lodge, and except as
otherwise provided, shall be evidence of other matters contained therein. [23-1; 23-3; 94-11.4].
No lodge shall hereafter
have its lodge room on the first floor or ground level of a building, except a
lodge which at this time has its lodge room so located, without the express
approval of the Grand Master, and all lodge rooms shall in all respects be safe
from cowans and eavesdroppers. [39-2.6.F.(2); 42-1.4; 38-1; 87-14].
REG. 43-6
EMERGENCY LODGE HALL.
The Master may call a communication
of the lodge in case of emergency at any suitable hall within the city, town,
village or vicinity other than the usual hall or place of meeting by giving due
notice to the members. No such communication may be called at any place outside
of the city, town, village, or place in which the lodge is chartered and
customarily holds its communications, except to conduct a Masonic burial
service and then only by consent of the Master of the lodge in whose
jurisdiction interment is to be made. [13-3.8.D; 13-3.8.G; 38-4.1; 38-4.2; 42-3; 43-5; 45-7; 45-4.2; 71-14; 82-9].
REG. 43-7
COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISE.
No lodge shall engage in
any commercial enterprise or business of like nature.
1. If a lodge
owns a building in which its lodge room or hall is located or other real
property, it may rent any space available for office or commercial purposes,
reserving the right to terminate any lease in the event the leased premises
should be used for any illegal or unmasonic purposes. [13-3.8.D; 43-2.6; 43-3.3; 43-3.12; 38-1; 87-14; 86-2.46].
2. A lodge may
not rent, for office or commercial purposes, any real property it owns and with
respect to which it owes or has secured any indebtedness.
REG. 43-8
SERVICE COMMISSION APPROVAL.
No subordinate lodge shall
have the power or authority to do any of the things or acts described in this
regulation until its application therefor has been approved by the Lodge
Service Commission, or by the Grand Master or the Grand Lodge upon appeal
therefrom. [86-2.51.E].
1. Prior to
receiving Lodge Service Commission approval a lodge shall not:
A. Pledge its credit, or issue bonds, notes,
or other evidence of debt, or subscribe to or guarantee the stock, bonds, or
debts of any building association or company, either in the name of the lodge
or under the name of a building association or company formed by Masons within
or without the lodge for any building project, [25-2; 31-4.3]
B. Lease real estate for more than five years
either as lessee or lessor,
C. Purchase real estate for any purpose,
D. Become a party in creating, organizing,
amending, or dissolving a civil corporation for any purpose whatever,
E. Become a party in amending or dissolving
any existing civil charter of a subordinate lodge [4-6; 49-5; 60-10; 86-2.46], or
F. Enter into a joint enterprise with any
other group, body, organization, or other entity, including another Masonic
lodge or recognized Masonic body composed wholly of Masons, in the
construction, ownership, and management of a building, or for any other
purpose. [25-2; 43-2.13].
2. Any
subordinate lodge which violates Regulation 43-8.1 above shall be subject to the arrest
and forfeiture of its charter, or such other penalty as the Grand Master or the
Grand Lodge may impose. [41-10.9; Chapter
31].
3. When a subordinate
lodge makes an application for consent to do any of the acts or things
enumerated in Regulation 43-8.1, it shall furnish therewith a full
description of the purpose, plans of financing, plan and description of any building
erected or to be erected, and such other information as the Lodge Service
Commission may require.
4. In handling
applications made under Regulation 43-8.1 the Lodge Service Commission shall
have full power and authority to make such rules from time to time as it may
find necessary to provide an orderly procedure for handling and disposing of
such applications.
5. By decision of
a majority of the Commission it may approve or reject any application.
6. A lodge shall
have the right to appeal to the Grand Master and the Grand Lodge from the
decision of the Lodge Service Commission on its application.
The Grand Lodge is in no
sense responsible for the payment of any debts or obligations of subordinate
lodges beyond the extent of the assets of the subordinate lodge as provided in
Regulation 49-7.8. [5-1.9].
A lodge may provide for one
or more funds and the administration thereof by its trustees, but no lodge
shall provide in its by-laws or otherwise for automatic allocation of its fees
and dues, or any part of either to any special fund or special purpose. Any
appropriation to any special fund or for any purpose shall be made by specific
resolution for a specified sum in each instance. [43-3.20; 60-10; 63-13].
All correspondence from a
lodge in this jurisdiction to a lodge in another grand jurisdiction upon the
subject of conferring degrees, or any other Masonic matter except funerals,
shall be sent through the office of our
REG. 43-12
FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES.
A subordinate lodge
desiring to conduct fund-raising activities for Masonic Charity may do so
provided the following conditions are met.
1. The activity
is conducted over a period of no more than three consecutive days.
2. The activity
is conducted no more than annually.
3. The activity
is one of the following,
A. The sale of food or food products,
B. The sale of pre-priced goods, provided the
marketing of such items shall not be perceived as a discredit to Masonry, or
C. The sale of items by auction.
4. The lodge
keeps careful financial records of the project.
5. The lodge
protects itself against general and special liabilities. [77-1; 27-1.3.P].
6. Either
substantially all of the work performed by or on behalf of the Lodge in
preparing, delivering or selling food or goods shall be performed by members of
the Lodge or others on a volunteer basis without compensation or substantially
all of the food or goods sold must be received by the Lodge as gifts or
contributions.
7. A subordinate
lodge desiring to conduct any fund-raising activity for its own benefit or any
fund raising activity other than those specified in Regulation 43-12.3 or
in a manner other than that specified in Regulations 43-12.1 and 43-12.2 shall first submit an application
detailing the planned project and purpose to the Commission on Special
Activities and must receive its approval before actively undertaking the
project. [32-4.3]. (This subsection
amended, effective
8. A subordinate
lodge conducting any project without obtaining prior approval when required or
in a manner other than allowed by this regulation or who shall divert funds for
other than the stated purpose, shall be required to show cause why its charter
should not be arrested.
9. A subordinate
lodge conducting any fund-raising activity shall file a financial report on the
project within 60 days after completing the project with the Commission on
Special Activities. The Lodge shall report the type of project, the purpose for
which it was conducted, funds to be accounted for and distribution of profits. (This subsection amended, effective 7/31/2000)
10. A lodge conducting
any fund raising activity shall complete that activity within sixty (60) days
of beginning the project.
11. Lodges
conducting any fund-raising activity shall complete any fund-raising project
already underway before beginning another project.
12. The Grand Lodge
Committee for Subordinate Lodge Special Activities shall have the power to
approve charitable fund-raising sporting events and any normally acceptable
related contest within such events so long as the fund-raising event and its
related contest stay within the realm of amateur activities.
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