Districts with fewer than seven Lodges may establish a Board of General Purposes, while those with seven or more must do so. This Board consists of a President, appointed annually by the District Grand Master, and up to seven ex officio members from specified District Grand Lodge offices, along with up to sixteen additional members—half elected by the District Grand Lodge and half appointed by the District Grand Master. The Board holds administrative powers as outlined in the by-laws and provides advisory recommendations for the District's welfare. Additionally, each District may form a District Board of Benevolence, comprising a President and up to eight members, with similar election and appointment procedures. By-laws may stipulate rotation for member retirement and vacancy filling, with terms not exceeding three years, allowing for re-election or re-appointment. These structures aim to enhance governance and support within the Masonic framework.
December 4th, 2025
February 10th, 2026
boc constitutional
constitutional documents
(a) In every District of less than seven Lodges there may be, and in every District consisting of seven or more Lodges there shall be, a Board of General Purposes composed of a President, appointed annually by the District Grand Master, and the holders, not exceeding seven in number, of such offices in the District Grand Lodge as may be specified by the by-laws, ex officio, and of such a number of other members of the District Grand Lodge, not exceeding sixteen, as may be so specified, of whom one-half shall be elected, in such a manner as the by-laws may prescribe, by the District Grand Lodge, and the other half shall be appointed by the District Grand Master. (b) The Board shall be entrusted with such administrative powers, authorities and duties as may be specified in the by-laws or may from time to time be delegated to it (subject to revocation and review) by the District Grand Master, and it shall also act in an advisory and consultative capacity by making recommendations to the District Grand Master or the District Grand Lodge, as the case may require, for the welfare of the Craft and the better regulation of the District. District Boards of Benevolence (c) In every District there may also be a District Board of Benevolence composed of a President, appointed annually by the District Grand Master, and of such a number of other members, not exceeding eight in number, as may be specified in the by-laws, of whom one-half shall be elected, in such a manner as the by-laws may prescribe, by the District Grand Lodge, and the other half shall be appointed by the District Grand Master. (d) In respect of both Boards, the by-laws may provide for the retirement of the elected and appointed members in rotation, and for the filling of vacancies. No election or appointment of any such member shall be for a period exceeding three years, but this shall not render him ineligible for re-election or re-appointment if thought fit.