Page 22 of the Points of Procedure outlines several key decisions made by the Board of General Purposes from 1917 to 2014. It specifies that only Grand Lodge may use its Arms, while Provincial and District Grand Lodges can apply for a variant with local significance. It advises against allowing By-Laws that permit assessments on members for special expenses and disapproves of enforced subscriptions to charity. The term 'Associate Member' is not approved, with 'Country' and 'Non-Dining' deemed sufficient. Candidates not initiated within a year of election must undergo a second ballot. Collective ballots are permissible, but individual ballots are required if any candidate is excluded. Membership ceases automatically after two years of unpaid subscriptions, although earlier exclusion is possible if permitted by Lodge By-Laws, following Rule 181. Regaining membership requires adherence to Rules 148 and 163, while expulsion powers are typically delegated to Appeals Courts and the Panel for Clemency, as per the amended Rule 4.
December 4th, 2025
February 10th, 2026
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Points of Procedure: Page 22
Decisions by the Board of General Purposes 1917-2014
Arms of Grand Lodge
Question
Answer
May a private Lodge use Grand Lodge's Arms?
Grand Lodge's Arms may be used only by Grand Lodge. Provincial and District Grand Lodges may, however, apply to the College of Arms for a grant of Arms based on Grand Lodge's but with a bordure of local significance.
Assessments upon Members
Question
Answer
(i) Can the following be allowed in the By-Laws? It shall be lawful for a majority of the Brethren in regular Lodge assembled to lay an equal assessment upon the Brethren to meet special expenses and, when confirmed at the subsequent regular Lodge, such assessment shall be binding upon all the Brethren. A month's notice shall be given in open Lodge and must appear in the summons convening the regular Meeting.
This is considered undesirable and it is recommended that no such By-Law be permitted.
(ii) May there be included in a Lodge subscription a definite amount to be devoted to qualifying each member as a subscriber to Masonic Institutions?
This is an enforced subscription to charity and could not be approved.
'Associate Members'
Question
Answer
May the term 'Associate' Member be used?
This term is not approved, the terms 'Country' and 'Non-Dining' being deemed sufficiently comprehensive.
Ballot of Candidates
Question
Answer
Must a Candidate, who has not been summoned to attend for initiation within the year of election, be subject to a second ballot?
Yes; the Lodge should not elect more than it can initiate within the time stipulated in Rule 159, B. of C.
Balloting, Collective
Question
Answer
Is a Collective Ballot regular? If 'yes', would a sufficient number of black balls exclude all the Candidates, or should the ballot be retaken individually?
A Collective Ballot is regular, provided that, if there be a sufficient number of black balls to exclude a Candidate, each Candidate should be balloted for individually. While Candidates for Initiation and joining can properly be balloted for together, it is inappropriate to ballot for both subscribing and Honorary Members.
Cessation of Membership for Non-Payment of Subscriptions
Question
Answer
In what circumstances does membership cease for non-payment of subscriptions?
Automatic cessation of membership of a Private Lodge takes place under Rule 148 at the expiration of two years unpaid subscription: it cannot be delayed or revoked by the Lodge. Exclusion for non-payment of subscriptions may be effected before the expiry of two years, if the Lodge By-Laws permit, by a strict observance of the procedure set out in Rule 181. In either case the name of the Brother concerned must be reported to the Masonic Authorities mentioned in the appropriate Rule. Membership can be regained only by following the procedure laid down in Rules 148 and 163. (N.B. Under Rule 4, the power of expulsion* of a member from the Craft can be exercised only by the Grand Lodge.) *On 9 June, 1993, Rule 4 was amended so that the power of expulsion will ordinarily be delegated to Appeals Courts and the Panel for Clemency.