| These By-laws shall in no manner conflict with the Constitution and By-laws of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Missouri and shall be amended to conform with any future law enacted by such Grand Lodge. |
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| Sec. 1 The stated meetings of this Lodge shall be held on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. The hour, of meetings shall be seven-thirty o'clock p.m. |
| Sec. 2 When special meetings are called, the object for which called must be stated in the notice and no other business can be transacted. Special meetings shall not be called on Sundays except for the purpose of conducting the funeral of a deceased Brother. |
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| Sec. 1 The officers shall consist of the Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens, Treasurer, Secretary, Senior and Junior Deacons, Senior and Junior Stewards, Tyler, Chaplain, Marshal, and two members of the Masonic Temple Committee. |
| Sec. 2 The Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens, Treasurer, and Secretary shall be chosen by paper ballot and by a majority of all members present. No member shall serve as Secretary for a period of more than five consecutive years, unless we are unable to find a qualified Brother who will assume the responsibility. It is herein provided that at each annual election of officers, one member of the Masonic Temple Committee shall be elected to serve for a period of two years. All the above elective officers shall be elected at the first regular meeting in September of each year and all shall be installed as soon after the election as practicable and continue in office until successors are duly elected and installed. |
| Sec. 3 The Appointive Officers shall be the Senior and Junior Deacons, Senior and Junior Stewards, Chaplain, Marshal and Tyler, and shall be appointed by the Worshipful Master. |
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| Sec. 1 It shall be the duty of the Worshipful Master to preside at each meeting of the Lodge, appoint all committees, see that the By-laws and Regulations of the Grand Lodge of Missouri and that the Customs of Ancient-craft Masonry are duly observed and enforced. |
| Sec. 2 In the absence of the Worshipful Master from any meeting of the Lodge, the Senior Warden shall preside, if present; in the absence of both, the Junior Warden shall preside. In case of death or disability of the Worshipful Master, the Senior and Junior Wardens will in succession assume his prerogatives and duties for all purposes except as such pertaining to the installation of officers. |
| Sec. 3 The duties of the Treasurer shall be to receive all moneys from the Secretary; payment to Lodge depository shall constitute receipt of said funds; pay them out by order of the Worshipful Master with the consent of the Lodge, and render a true account when required, and to deliver to his successor all funds of the Lodge, all books, vouchers, etc., having any reference to the financial business of this office. The Treasurer shall be covered by a surety bond as provided by the Lodge. |
| Sec. 4 The Secretary shall keep a correct record of the proceedings of the Lodge; prepare a just and true return of all members agreeable to the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of the State of Missouri; shall keep a correct account with each member, receive all moneys due the Lodge, and pay them over to the Treasurer, or the depository of the Lodge funds; all warrants issued on the Treasurer shall be signed by the Worshipful Master and Secretary; issue notices and summonses when required; communicate to the Grand Secretary all rejections, suspensions, expulsions and reinstatements by the Lodge in his annual report; he shall take charge of the seal, books, papers, etc., belonging to the Lodge and deliver the same to his successor in office. He shall inform all committees of their appointment and the purpose for which they were appointed. The Secretary shall be covered by a surety bond as provided by the Grand Lodge. |
| Sec. 5 The Secretary shall receive for his services the sum of one hundred twenty five dollars ($125.00), per quarter, payable quarterly, and shall be subject to such federal or state taxes in force. |
| Sec. 5a The Treasurer shall receive for his services the sum of fifty dollars ($50.00) per quarter payable quarterly, and shall be subject to such federal and state taxes in force. |
| Sec. 6 The members of the Masonic Temple committee shall work in conjunction with like committees from the other Masonic bodies in the handling of such affairs as necessary concerning the Masonic Temple Association. |
| Sec. 7 The duties of the Deacons, Stewards, Chaplain, Marshal and Tyler shall conform to ancient usages and the charges given them at their installation. |
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| Sec. 8 As soon as practicable after his installation, the Worshipful Master shall appoint the following committees, such committees to be announced in open Lodge. A-DeMolay Committee. To consist of the Junior Warden, Senior and Junior Stewards, Marshal and Chaplain, whose duties are to sponsor and advise the Local DeMolay Chapter in all its activities. B-Grievance Committee. To consist of four Past Masters and the Senior and Junior Wardens, to whom shall be referred all grievances. |
| A-Auditing Committee. The Worshipful Master elect shall order an audit to be made of the books and accounts of the Treasurer and Secretary within thirty days after assuming office, and at any time deemed necessary by the Worshipful Master or the Lodge. Said audit to be made by a qualified person or persons, preferably members of the Lodge, the cost, if any, to be assumed by the Lodge. The Annual Financial Report shall be presented to the Lodge by the Treasurer in the second meeting in January. the Financial Report along with all pertinate financial records shall be made available to the audit committee immediately after the Lodge has received the Financial Report. The report to the Lodge by the Audit Committees shall be made at a February meeting. |
| B-Finance Committee. The Finance Committee shall have charge of all matters pertaining to the finances of the Lodge. All stocks, bonds, notes, mortgages, etc., shall be made payable to the Trustees of the Lodge, as prescribed by Grand Lodge law. They shall keep an accurate account of all such properties and shall transfer them to their successors in office when regularly installed. It is herein provided that all suggested expenditures, other than fixed expenses, may be referred to the Finance Committee for investigation and report if such action is deemed necessary by the Worshipful Master. This committee shall consist of the Treasurer, Secretary and Junior Warden. |
| C-Relief Committee. This committee shall consist of the Senior Warden, Senior Deacon and Secretary. It shall be the duty of the committee to investigate all applications for relief, and take such action upon same as they may deem necessary. Their expenditures shall be limited to fifteen dollars ($15.00) per application unless a greater amount shall be recommended by the Finance Committee or ordered by the Lodge. The Secretary shall keep a complete record of all such applications and expenditures and submit a report annually as required by the Grand Lodge. |
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| Sec. 1 Persons who are desirous of being initiated in or affiliating with this Lodge must be of age of eighteen (18) years or over, and shall possess those bodily, mental and moral qualifications required by the "Ancient Charges," and shall not have been rejected in any Masonic Lodge, within the twelve (12) months past, and shall apply according to the form of petition as prescribed by the Grand Lodge. The petition shall be recommended by two members of the Lodge. The fee for the three degrees shall be one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125.00), payable as follows: $50.00 to accompany petition for Entered Apprentice degree, $37.50 for Fellowship degree, and $37.50 for Master Mason degree. All fees shall be aid before the degree is conferred. Any fee for the Masonic Home or the George Washington Memorial shall be paid as required by the Grand Lodge. If received, the petition shall be referred to a committee of three members, who shall thoroughly inquire into the fitness of the applicant and make a written report to the Lodge at the meeting four weeks thereafter, unless further time is granted. |
| Sec. 2 A petition for the degrees or membership must be presented at a stated meeting of the Lodge; and when received and referred to a committee, cannot be withdrawn, but must be balloted on for final decision. |
| Sec. 3 No petition for the degrees or membership shall be balloted on until the same shall have lain over four weeks from the date of the meeting at which it was presented. |
| Sec. 4 No petition for the degrees shall be entertained unless the petitioner shall have resided the six months past in the state of Missouri. By 'residence,' as here used, is meant a permanent, settled domicile, or fixed abode. Any changes approved by Grand Lodge as to jurisdiction, shall automatically amend this section to comply. |
| Sec. 5 A petitioner for the Mysteries of Free Masonry, who fails to present himself for Initiation within six months after he shall have been duly notified of his election, shall forfeit his initiation fee; PROVIDED that he does not give good reasons for his failure to appear, and of the sufficiency of his reasons the majority of the members present must judge; and provided further, if the time exceeds one year, the previous election shall be void, but if such candidate makes satisfactory excuse to the Lodge, he may regularly petition again without the repayment of the fee. If more than one year shall elapse between the time of Initiation and Passing, or between the time of Passing and Raising, said candidate must repetition the Lodge for said degrees without repayment of fees, if previously paid. |
| Sec. 6 No candidate shall be advanced to the Second or Third degree until he shall have passed a satisfactory examination, in open Lodge, upon his proficiency in the preceding degree. His proficiency shall be determined by a majority vote of the members present. |
| Sec. 7 'Suitable proficiency' means that the Brother must be able to answer the question of the lecture of the degree as prescribed by the Grand Lodge. |
| Sec. 8 All newly made Master Masons shall be required to pass the proficiency examination of the Master Mason degree, within six months from the date of receiving such, degree unless extended by Lodge. Failure to do so will subject them to automatic suspension by Grand Lodge rules. Such proficiency is also necessary before any member can become eligible to vote, hold any office or dimit from the Lodge, except such affiliated members whose parent jurisdiction did not require said proficiency. |
| Sec. 9 It is herein provided that each candidate, upon receiving the Master Mason degree, shall be presented with a Masonic Manual and a copy of the By-laws of the Lodge. |
| Sec. 10 In no case shall the degrees be conferred on credit, but the amount prescribed must accompany the petition. Should the applicant be rejected, the deposit fee shall be returned to him and his petition cannot again be entertained by the Lodge for the period of one year. |
| Sec. 11 Applications for affiliation shall be accompanied by a dimit or a certificate of good standing from the Lodge of which the petitioner is or was a member. The form of petition shall be as prescribed by the Grand Lodge. |
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| Sec. 1 In balloting for the degrees or membership, if more than one black ball shall appear, the candidate shall be declared rejected; but if on the first ballot one negative only appear, a second ballot must be immediately taken, and if on second ballot, one negative still appears, the candidate shall be declared rejected. |
| Sec. 2 No one shall inspect the ballot except the Master and Wardens, and no Brother shall make known to another, or to the Lodge, in what manner he has or intends to cast his vote, nor shall any Brother question respecting it. |
| Sec. 3 If, on casting the ballot, it appears that a candidate has been rejected, no member or visiting Brother shall inquire into or discover by any means whatsoever, who opposed the election of the petitioner, nor imprudently or improperly divulge the proceedings of the Lodge. |
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| Sec. 1 No dimit or certificate of good standing shall be granted to any member until all dues are paid for the entire year or remitted, nor to one who is under charges, nor to one who has, in his official capacity, become indebted to the Lodge, so long as such indebtedness shall remain, nor to one who has not passed his Master Mason proficiency, except as qualified under Article V, Section 8. |
| Sec. 2 Whenever a member whose dues are fully paid, who is under. no charges, who has passed his Master Mason proficiency, and is not indebted to the Lodge in any official capacity shall apply in writing, at a stated meeting, for a dimit or a certificate of good standing, his application shall, unless objections are made, be immediately granted, and the fact entered on record. No objection shall be entertained unless the objecting Brother shall prefer charges against the applicant, or give notice that he will do so at the next stated meeting; at which time, if no charges are preferred by the objector, the dimit or certificate of good standing shall be granted. If the charges are preferred, they shall take the course prescribed by law. If by hearing, the accused be absolved, his dimit shall be granted. Should the accused be suspended, and at the expiration of his term of suspension still desire a dimit, a new application must be presented. |
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| Sec. 1 Every member shall pay thirty dollars ($30.00) per annum, payable on the first day of January of each year. Candidates who have completed their degrees shall pay the fractional part thereof for the remaining months of the year. A Brother who has been elected to membership on a certificate of good standing shall, upon receipt from this Lodge for the dues for the remaining portion of the year. The Lodge from which the member transfers shall be charged with the pro-rata part of the dues from the date of the dimit. |
| Sec. 2 Whenever a member shall fail to pay his dues at the time when due and payable, as fixed by the By-laws of this Lodge, it shall be the duty of the Secretary to notify him of such delinquency, by delivering to him, in person, a bill for such indebtedness, or by mailing the same in a sealed envelope, addressed to him at his present or last known place of residence; should the delinquent refuse or fail to pay his dues by the first day of April, it shall be the duty of the Secretary to notify the Lodge that the Brother stands suspended, unless dues are remitted by Lodge in accordance with Grand Lodge law. Payment of dues within one year after suspension shall reinstate the Brother. The Secretary shall report the same to the Lodge, and the fact of such payment shall be noted in the records. A Brother who shall remain in arrears more than one year after his suspension shall not be reinstated to membership by the payment of his current dues and all indebtedness due the Lodge at the time of suspension, except upon a written application and by a two-thirds vote of the members of the Lodge present at the time his application is acted on. The vote shall be by paper ballot. A Mason who has remained suspended for non-payment of dues for one year or more, and whose application for reinstatement has been rejected, may renew his application at any subsequent stated meeting of the Lodge. It shall be the duty of the Master to appoint a committee to inquire into the character and conduct of a petitioner for reinstatement, who has been suspended for one-year or more for non-payment of dues. Neither the Master nor the lodge can refuse to entertain the petition for reinstatement of a Master Mason who has been suspended for non-payment of dues. |
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| Sec. 1 Any alterations or additions to these By-laws shall be proposed in writing at a regular meeting and lay over at least four weeks; then if majority of the members present vote in the affirmative, the proposed alterations or additions shall become a part of these By-laws. |
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| Sec. 1 The Master shall put all questions distinctly; if a division be called for, he is to request those who vote in the affirmative to rise and be counted, and then those who vote in the negative, and shall declare the result. |
| Sec. 2 All committees are to be appointed by the presiding officer. |
| Sec. 3 When a member is about to speak, he shall rise from his seat and respectfully address himself to the 'Worshipful Master.' |
| Sec. 4 If any member, in speaking or otherwise, shall transgress the rules of the Lodge, the Master or any member may call him to order; he shall immediately sit down (unless permitted to explain). The Master shall decide the 'question of order' without debate. If the decision be in favor of the member called to order, he shall be at liberty to proceed. |
| Sec. 5 When two or more members rise at once, the Master shall name the one entitled to speak. |
| Sec. 6 No visitor shall address the Lodge without leave being first obtained, or he be called on by the Master. |
| Sec. 7 When the Master is stating a question or addressing the Lodge, or when any member is speaking, or during the conferring of the degrees, no person shall enter, go out of, or cross the room, nor be permitted to enter into private discourse. |
| Sec. 8 No member shall vote on any question in the event of which he is immediately interested. |
| Sec. 9 When a motion is made and seconded, it shall be stated by the Master, and if in writing, read by the Secretary, before debate. |
| Sec. 10 Any motion may be withdrawn by the mover before decision or amended. |
| Sec. 11 No new motion shall be admitted while a question is pending before the Lodge. |
| Sec. 12 No member shall speak more than twice on one subject unless he obtain the consent of the Master, and then only for explanation, in which case he shall confine himself strictly thereto. |
| Sec. 13 Every member appointed on a committee must serve, unless for some good reason he be excused by the Master. |
| Revised and Compiled by LEE B. TURNER Chairman NORMAN WELCH ROBERT WILSON Adopted by Lodge November 13, 1989 |