Points Of Procedure Page 23

Points of Procedure: Page 23

Decisions by the Board of General Purposes 1917-2014

Charity Jewel

Question: Are Brethren of other Jurisdictions eligible for the Charity Jewel? Answer: This is restricted to Brethren of the English Jurisdiction.

Disabled Candidates

Question: How much variation is allowed to the ritual to accommodate a candidate's disability? Answer: In cases where the nature of a candidate's disability is such that without extensive modifications execution of part or parts of the ritual would be difficult or impossible, advice and guidance is available from the Grand Secretary's Office (in Provinces and Districts, via the Provincial or District Grand Secretary).

Disqualification from Holding Office

Question: Are all subscribing members of a Lodge eligible to hold office? Answer: Yes: Under Rule 145, para. 2, no Lodge may disqualify any member from holding office so long as he is not in default in the payment of his subscriptions. This applies to whatever type of subscription under the Lodge's By-Laws he pays, but is subject to the freedom of choice belonging under Rule 104 to the Master Elect. Thus every member is equally eligible for appointment to office irrespective of the rate of subscription payable by him. No member is ineligible for election as Master or Treasurer by reason of his paying a lower rate of subscription.

District Board of General Purposes

Question: May members of other recognised Jurisdictions be co-opted upon Committees of the District Board of General Purposes? Answer: Such Brethren may be co-opted for special purposes, but such purposes must be specifically defined.

Fund for Lodge Music

Question: Would a By-Law be approved to provide that a proportion of the Lodge subscription be reserved to create a Musical Entertainment Fund? Answer: Such a By-Law is considered undesirable, and it is recommended that it be not approved.

Question: Also a By-Law providing an annual payment for Music. Answer: As above.

Hall Stone Lodge Jewel

Question: (i) Should some suitable formula be instituted for handing on the Hall Stone Lodge Jewel at Installations? Answer: It should be transferred by the outgoing to the incoming Master in open Lodge, immediately before the investiture of Officers, with a few appropriate words. There is no officially recognised form of words.

Question: (ii) When may the Jewel be worn? Answer: In accordance with Rule 251 it may be worn on any occasion when Craft Masonic regalia is being worn. In no circumstances should it be worn on non-Masonic occasions such as Lodge Ladies' Nights.

Honorary Members (see also Honorary Membership, P. 20)

Question: In the event of a Lodge electing as an Honorary Member a Brother from another Constitution, must he make a declaration in accordance with Rule 163? Answer: A declaration is not necessary in the case of Brethren coming from a recognised Jurisdiction.

Initiate

Question: (a) Where should the Initiate be seated in Lodge after the ceremony? Answer: In the north-east immediately on the right of the Senior Deacon.

Question: (b) Has the Initiate any precedence in an outgoing procession from the Lodge? Answer: No

Joining Members from a Recognised Constitution

Question: (a) What is the position of Brethren of high Masonic rank joining from another Jurisdiction? Answer: Any Master installed in a recognised Constitution has the right to the prefix 'Worshipful' and to wear the 'levels' on his apron.

Question: (b) Do the 'other Lodges' to which the Brethren nominated have belonged extend to those in other Constitutions? Answer: To Lodges in all Jurisdictions recognised by our own. All Lodges must be disclosed, but no Lodge can be responsible for any fees due to a Lodge in another Jurisdiction.

Lewis

Question: (i) Description of Answer: A Lewis is the uninitiated son of a Mason and it matters not whether the son was born before or after his father became a Mason. Where a Lewis is one of two candidates being initiated on the same day he would be the senior for the purpose of the ceremony.

Question: (ii) Privileges of Answer: He cannot claim precedence over candidates proposed or elected previously to himself and he must take his place in the usual rotation on any waiting list. Being a Lewis is not grounds for dispensation to enable him to be initiated under the age of 21. (see Rule 157, B. of C.)

Membership, Limitation of

Question: (a) Can a By-Law be inserted limiting the number of members in a Lodge? Answer: This can be effected only by honourable understanding, and no such By-Law would now be approved.

Question: (b) Can a By-Law be inserted limiting the number of Initiates each year in a Lodge? Answer: The number of Initiates in a Lodge cannot be limited by By-Law.