Protocol for admitting visitors from Foreign Constitutions

Protocol - Visitors from Recognised Foreign Constitutions A. Official Visits 1. Visits can only be accepted from members of Constitutions recognised by UGLE (see https://www.ugle.org.uk/about-us/foreign-grand-lodges ) 1 2. Visitors can only attend as representatives of their own Grand Lodge when the visit has been formally accepted/arranged by the UGLE Secretariat, usually well in advance. Such visits are normally restricted to Quarterly Communications and other specific Grand Lodge events. Generally, no official visits are made to (warranted) lodges by members of Recognised Foreign Constitutions. 3. Full Dress Regalia, or equivalent, is worn during official visits. B. Visits to UGLE (warranted) lodges 1. Visits by members of Recognised Foreign Constitutions 2 A Brother who is a member of any Constitution that is recognised by UGLE (and is not a member of an UGLE Lodge also – see 2. below) can visit a Lodge within this jurisdiction wearing the regalia of his rank in his own Constitution, provided: a) he has received an invitation from a Brother who is a member of the Lodge and who must be present to vouch personally for the Brother’s good standing and be responsible for his conduct. Or b) has been introduced by his own Grand Lodge to the UGLE Secretariat, who have introduced him to the Lodge to be visited (via the Metropolitan, Provincial or District Grand Lodge as the case may be). ( Please note that special ‘local’ arrangements exist for our District Grand Lodges (and, where relevant Groups) that share territory with the Home Grand Lodges and/or another Recognised Grand Lodge. Where the visitor is not from one of these Grand Lodges, the requirements noted in the text above should be followed. ) 1 Checks should be made with UGLE via the Metropolitan, Provincial or District Grand Lodge office rather than by sole reliance on the UGLE website, as more than one Foreign Grand Lodge can have the same or similar names. 2 There is no entitlement to attend under this Constitution (see “Right to Visit Lodges” in Information for the Guidance of Members of the Craft ) and the WM makes the final determination if a visitor is to be admitted.

1. Visits by members of Recognised Foreign Constitutions who are also members of a UGLE Lodge Any Brother from a foreign Constitution who is also a subscribing member of a UGLE Lodge cannot wear the regalia of his foreign Constitution but must wear his English regalia and will only be entitled to his rank under this Constitution. The visiting Brother should, comply with the dress code of the Lodge, and it is the responsibility of the host to ensure that the visitor is provided with this information on the dress code and that he is clothed appropriately. 3. Documentation Different Grand Lodges have differing systems of travelling documentation which equate to UGLE’s use of the member’s Grand Lodge Certificate and a clearance certificate showing the Brother’s good standing. This plethora of systems means that it is advisable that any visitor’s documentation is checked/approved in advance to avoid any possible embarrassment to the host, or indeed to the WM of the Lodge, who is ultimately responsible. The easiest way of doing this is to send an electronic copy of the documents to be checked to your Metropolitan, Provincial or District office in good time, so that they can advise accordingly. 4. Masonic Courtesies to visiting members of Overseas Constitutions Visiting members of Recognised Foreign Constitutions are not entitled to any salutes, however senior their rank. Nevertheless, they may be saluted in a manner corresponding with the equivalent ranks under the English Constitution, but only after all the salutes have been given to the relevant members of the English Constitution. It is the sole decision of the Worshipful Master or Presiding Officer if the Worshipful Master is not present, as to what Masonic courtesies, if any, are extended to the visiting Brother. All members of the Lodge are required to honour any courtesies so extended.