You are on page 1of 13

BY LAWS OF SIR DOUGLAS MAWSON LODGE No 244

1.

NAME

1.1.
2.

The name of the Lodge is SIR DOUGLAS MAWSON LODGE No. 244

MEETINGS The Lodge shall meet at The Royal Coach Hotel or such other place to which it may properly be removed in conformity with the Regulations.

2.1.

Meetings shall be held at 6.30 pm or such other time as the Master may appoint on the Fourth Wednesday of Even months except Installation which is the last Saturday in February and the Ladies Dinner night which shall be determined by the Executive Committee in January of each year and except by dispensation from the Grand Master or Deputy Grand Master, or as permitted by the Regulations.

3.

RECESS 3.1. The Master may order that the Lodge go into recess for any continuous period not exceeding three months in any year. 3.2. Notwithstanding any such order if the Master shall subsequently deem it desirable to hold a meeting of the Lodge during such recess, the members of the Lodge may be summoned in accordance with these By-Laws.

4.

LODGE OF EMERGENCY 4.1. In the case of a Lodge of Emergency being summoned at the request of any Brother or Brothers, the expenses thereof shall be borne by such Brother or brothers, unless the Executive Committee shall otherwise determine. 5. ELECTION OF OFFICERS

5.1.

Nomination in writing for all officers of the Lodge, duly consented to in writing by the nominee, shall be lodged with the Secretary, or in his absence the Master, by 6.30 pm on the day of the Regular meeting in August.

5.2.
5.3.

All officers of the Lodge (including auditors and members of the Committee of Inquiry) shall be selected by the W.M. Elect at the regular meeting held in August. Separate ballots, if necessary, shall be conducted for the election of the Treasurer and the Tyler.

5.4.

The Lodge shall at the August meeting proceed to elect the Master by ballot from among those of its members who have served for one year the office of Warden in a regular Lodge warranted under the regulations of the Grand Lodge of South Australia and Northern Territory or of a Grand Lodge recognised by the Grand Lodge of South Australia and Northern Territory, such member having on or before the night of election signified in writing his consent to act. The ballot shall be declared in favour of the member thus qualified who obtains at least 75% of the number of votes of members present and voting, and subject thereto shall be duly installed at the January, meeting of the Lodge and shall invest the other officers as necessary.

6.

THE SECRETARY AND HIS DUTIES The Secretary shall:keep a register of the names and particulars of all members; keep proper minutes of the proceedings of the Lodge and all transactions and matters

6.1.

6.1.1.

regularly brought before it; fairly transcribe the same in a book to be kept for that purpose and present them for confirmation at the next regular meeting; issue summonses, notices and other documents, under the direction of the Master, to all members, and, except in case of emergency, post or deliver them at least seven clear days before the meeting of the Lodge; include in all summonses:6.1.4.1. all intended propositions, elections, initiations, passings, raisings and notices of motion; notice of any proposal to alter, repeal, or make any By-Law; notice of any special meeting of the Lodge; 6.1.4.3. notice of any election to the office of Treasurer or Tyler following a vacancy in either office; and 6.1.4.4. the amount of any subscription due from a member to whom a summons is sent.

6.1.2.

6.1.3.

6.1.4.

6.1.4.2.

6.1.5.

transmit to the Grand Secretary on the day on which the same is issued, a true copy of every summons, notice or other document issued to members of the Lodge, or to a member of the Lodge personally. forward copies of every summons containing notice of any intended propositions or ballot for initiation or joining to such Lodges as are required by the Regulations. make all due returns to Grand Lodge as and when required by the Regulations and, in particular:6.1.7.1. if any regular meeting is not summoned for the day specified in the By-Laws, advise the Grand Secretary accordingly at least fourteen days before the date on which it would ordinarily have been held; 6.1.7.2. notify the Grand Secretary within seven days of all withdrawals and rejections of candidates; 6.1.7.3. within seven days after the installation of the Master make a return to the Grand Secretary of the Master, Past Masters, Wardens and officers of the Lodge; 6.1.7.4. transmit to the Grand Secretary a copy of the duly audited annual financial statement of the Lodge which shall comprise an income and expenditure account, a balance sheet and a subscriptions account; 6.1.7.5. notify the Grand Secretary of the intended proposal of any candidate who has not resided in the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of South Australia and Northern Territory for two years; notify the Grand Secretary of the election of any Honorary member; and 6.1.7.7. notify the Grand Secretary of every exclusion, conviction or Masonic offence of a member or cessation of membership; receive all correspondence for the Lodge and answer it by command of the Master. submit to the Lodge for approval all accounts duly certified by the Treasurer; receive all moneys on account of the Lodge, give receipts for the same and pass all monies so received to the Treasurer;

6.1.6.

6.1.7.

6.1.8.

6.1.9.

6.1.10.

6.1.11.

hand to the Treasurer all accounts duly approved for payment together with a copy of the minute authorising the same; produce all books, papers and other property of the Lodge in his possession whenever called upon by the Master; keep a proper account of all petty cash supplied to him; and produce to the Board of Management any document in his possession required by the Regulations to be produced.

6.1.12.

6.1.13.

6.1.14.

7.

TREASURER'S DUTIES

7.1.

The Treasurer shall: receive all moneys on account of the Lodge from the Secretary; pay such moneys to the credit of the Lodge into its bank account as the Lodge may

7.1.1.

7.1.2.

determine from time to time; and such account shall only be operated on by cheques signed by the Master or Treasurer, and countersigned by the Secretary; keep a correct account of the indebtedness of every Brother of the Lodge; receive all accounts against the Lodge, and having satisfied himself that they are correct, certify accordingly and submit them to the Secretary; promptly pay all accounts duly authorised for payment by the Executive Committee. keep an account of the amounts received and disbursed by him in a book or books, which shall be available at every meeting of the Lodge, and be open for inspection of the subscribing members; prepare an annual income and expenditure account, a subscriptions account and a balance sheet; submit such financial statements to the auditors for audit; present the same bearing the certificate of the auditors covering, inter alia, verification of all Lodge assets, and duly signed by the Master, Treasurer and Secretary to the Lodge at its regular meeting in August supply the Secretary with such petty cash as he may require;

7.1.3.

7.1.4.

7.1.5.

7.1.6.

7.1.7.

7.1.8.

7.1.9.

7.1.10.

7.1.11.

produce all books, papers and other property of the Lodge in his possession whenever called upon by the Master; and produce to the Board of General Purposes any document in his possession required by the Regulations to be produced. 8. STEWARDS' DUTIES

7.1.12.

8.1.

The Stewards' shall: superintend the Lodge room, furniture, jewels, clothing and other property of the Lodge; see that the same are kept in proper order under the direction of the Tyler and

8.1.1.

8.1.2.

9.

TYLER'S DUTIES

9.1.

The Tyler shall set up and dismantle the Lodge room and ensure: that the Brethren are properly clothed, and informed of the degree in which the Lodge is

9.1.1.

working on their entrance; that the Brethren sign the attendance book before entering the Lodge; that all visiting Brethren have been properly vouched for as required by the Regulations. 10. VACANCIES IN OFFICE

9.1.2.

9.1.3.

10.1.

If a vacancy occurs in the office of Treasurer or Tyler, the Lodge shall, after due notice in

the summons, elect a successor for the remainder of the year. 10.2. If a vacancy occurs in any other office, the Master may depute a past officer of equivalent rank, or a Past Master, to serve and act in such office, either temporarily or for the remainder of the year.

11. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 11.1.


The Executive Committee shall consist of the Master, Treasurer, Secretary, Wardens,

Deacons, Inner Guard, Tyler, Past Masters of the Lodge any Masons not holding office, any 5 of whom shall constitute a quorum.

11.2.

The Executive Committee shall meet at such times as the Master may direct and shall,

subject to the Regulations, supervise and consider all matters connected with the property,

finance and welfare of the Lodge, and advise the outcome of such deliberations to the general Membership.

11.3.

The W.M., Secretary and Treasurer conjointly may authorise payment of all monies

which necessarily need to be paid in the interim between the regular meetings and report to the Executive Committee. 11.3.1 T he W.M., Secretary and Treasurer conjointly are empowered to dispense, without authorisation, any monies not exceeding the sum as specified from time to time by the Executive Committee, for relieving distress. 12. COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY 12.1. There shall be a Committee of Inquiry consisting of the Master for the time being, and three Past Masters, who shall be elected at that annual election of officers.

12.2.

The Committee of Inquiry shall when so directed by the Executive Committee:

12.2.1. inquire into the character and qualifications of candidates for initiation, joining or affiliation; And report the result of such inquiries to the Master. 12.3. The Committee of Inquiry shall have power to co-opt the services of any Brother of the Lodge, and to require the intended proposer and seconder or any other member of the Lodge to attend before it, for the purpose of such inquiry. 13. PROPOSITION FOR INITIATION 13.1. Any person wishing to be admitted a member of the Lodge shall make application by signing the declaration prescribed by the Regulations and also provide at least three references.

2.2.2.

13.2.
be

The declaration shall be signed by two members of the Lodge duly qualified and shall accompanied by the proposition fee specified as specified from time to time by the

Executive Committee.

13.3.

All such declarations shall be submitted to the Executive Committee which shall: refer the application to the Committee of Inquiry; notify every member of the Lodge of the particulars of the intended proposition as

13.3.1.

13.3.2.

prescribed by the Regulations at least seven days before the meeting at which the proposition is to be made; and

13.3.3.

invite the members to report confidentially to the Master concerning the proposition before the next regular meeting.

13.4.

Upon the Executive Committee reporting to the Lodge in regard to any candidate, and

due notice having been given, he may be proposed and seconded as prescribed by the Regulations.

13.5. 13.6.

A ballot shall be taken at a regular meeting of the Lodge after due notice on the

summons. If the candidate be so elected he may then be initiated, subject to the payment of the

further fee specified from time to time by the Executive Committee, which shall include all fees payable to Grand Lodge, and entitle the Brother to a Grand Lodge Certificate after taking the Third Degree. 14. PROPOSITION FOR JOINING OR AFFILIATION 14.1. An applicant for joining or affiliating shall submit to the Executive Committee a declaration in writing signed by him and the intended proposer and seconder including the particulars required by the Regulations and accompanied by the documents therein prescribed.

14.2.
15.

Subject to the Regulations the proposition shall be then dealt with in the same manner as

provided in By-Law 13 SUBSCRIPTIONS AND FEES

15.1.

Subject to the exemptions prescribed by the Regulations every member

shall contribute to the funds of the Lodge the annual subscription as specified from time to time by the Executive Committee payable in advance by the July meeting of the Lodge provided always that:, members living outside a radius of 50 kilometres from the Lodge shall be classified as country members and shall pay the fee for such membership as determined from time to time by the Executive Committee. a member, other than a member required to pay a reduced subscription pursuant to ByLaw 15.1.1 on attaining the age of 65 years and who has been a financial member of the Lodge for the ten years preceding his attaining this age shall be advised by the Secretary that he will be entitled to be classified a senior member of the Lodge and to retain full membership of the Lodge on payment of the fee

15.1.1.

15.1.2.

as specified from time to time by the Executive Committee; the Lodge may in accordance with the Regulations confer honorary membership upon a member of the Lodge; and a member who represents to the Lodge in writing that he is unable to pay his subscriptions, may, subject to the requirements of and within the limits prescribed by the Regulations be exempted from payment thereof upon such terms as are deemed fit. the Executive Committee may, at their discretion, authorise a reduced subscription for any Member who acts as Tyler, or Organist. all other fees and charges are as specified from time to time by the Executive Committee hereto, and these charges shall be determined by the Executive Committee in June of each year and presented to the Lodge for approval at the June regular meeting. 16. ARREARS OF SUBSCRIPTIONS

15.1.3.

15.1.4.

15.1.5.

16.1.

Any member whose subscription is one year in arrears may have written notice thereof

given to him by the Secretary, either personally, or be certified letter addressed to his last known address, stating the amount of the arrears of which payment is demanded and advising that if such arrears are not paid within one calendar month of the date of the notice action may be taken to exclude him. 16.2. No member shall, while his subscription remains unpaid after such notice has been given, be eligible to vote, hold office or propose or second any candidate. 16.3. If any member's subscription remains in arrears for three calendar months from the date of giving such notice, the Lodge may exclude him after proceedings in accordance with the Regulations. 17. RESIGNATION AND CLEARANCE 17.1. No clearance shall be granted by the Lodge to any member unless his request is made either in writing addressed to the Secretary, or personally at a regular Lodge meeting, and that his financial obligations to the Lodge have been complied with. 18. THE BALLOT 18.1. In all cases of ballot for initiation, joining or affiliation, 3 black balls shall exclude.

18.2. If on taking a ballot the Master shall be of opinion, either of his own initiative or after hearing reasons advanced by any member present, that a mistake has been made in voting, he may, without declaring the result of such ballot, forthwith direct that the ballot be taken again. 18.3. Should there be more than one name for ballot; the result of each individual ballot shall not be declared until all the ballots have been taken. 19. CHANGE OF RESIDENCE 19.1. Every member of the Lodge who changes his place of residence shall communicate his new address to the Secretary in writing in order that the Lodge summonses may be duly forwarded to that new address. 20. LODGE FUNDS 20.1. The funds of the Lodge shall be applied: for the benefit of the Lodge and its members generally, but, except for recurrent expenses, no liability exceeding that specified from time to time by the Executive Committee hereto shall be incurred without the approval of the members in open Lodge; and on the recommendation of the Executive Committee, in charity, preferably to Masons and their dependants, and the widows and infant children of deceased Masons.

20.1.1.

20.1.2.

20.2.

The Executive Committee shall also have power to incur expense in connection with the

entertainment of Grand Lodge Officers and other distinguished visitors.

21. CARE COMMITTEE 21.1.


There shall be a Care Committee consisting of the Master, the Care Officer (who shall be the

Chairperson of the Committee), one Past Master and two Master Masons, to be appointed annually.

21.2.

the Care Committee shall investigate all matters affecting the welfare of the members of the

Lodge or their dependants whose circumstances warrant assistance and report their recommendations to the next Executive Committee meeting. 22. IMMOVABLE PROPERTY OF THE LODGE 22.1. Unless and until the Lodge is incorporated any land or premises, the property of the Lodge shall be vested in not less than three Trustees on behalf of the Lodge.

22.2. The Trustees of the Lodge at the date of adoption of this By-Law shall remain in office until their appointments are duly terminated. 22.3. The Trustees shall be appointed, removed or replaced, as may be necessary from time to time, by the Lodge in regular meeting after notice given at the preceding regular meeting. 22.4. The Trustees shall deal with the property of the Lodge as directed by the Lodge and are hereby indemnified by the Lodge against any personal liability arising from the same being vested in them, other than that arising from their personal default or misconduct. 22.5. The Trustees shall insure the property of the Lodge against all appropriate contingencies. 23. MOVABLE PROPERTY OF THE LODGE 23.1. Unless and until the Lodge is incorporated the jewels, furniture, funds, books and all documents of an concerning the Lodge shall be and are hereby vested in and deemed to be the property of the Master and Wardens for the time being in trust for the Lodge.

23.2.

The Master shall effect an insurance against fire and theft on the jewels, furniture and effects

belonging to the Lodge.

24. A regular inventory of the whole shall be entered in the Minute Book and shall be examined annually
by the Executive Committee in the month of August

25.

INCORPORATION

25.1.

If the Lodge shall desire to incorporate the Executive Committee shall appoint one of the

Lodge officers its Public Officer for the purpose and may change the appointment as it sees fit. 25.2. The Public Officer shall submit all documents necessary for the purpose of applying for incorporation to the Grand Secretary for certification by the Grand Registrar or the Deputy Grand Registrar and approval of the Grand Master or the Deputy Grand Master before proceeding with the application. The objects and purposes of the Lodge for the purpose of incorporation is to support and forward the interests of Freemasonry in all its works but particularly those of educational, benevolent or charitable 25.3. purposes as prescribed by the Associations Incorporation Act 1985 (South Australia) or any legislation which may be enacted in its stead. 25.4. Upon incorporation:

25.4.1.

The Public Officer shall complete the vesting of all Lodge property, both movable and immovable, in the Incorporated Lodge by taking the necessary steps to vest in it any land or interest in land hitherto held in trust by trustees on its behalf. If the office of Public Officer becomes vacant for any reason the Executive Committee shall within fourteen days appoint a new Public Officer. Upon any change in the Public Officer the Secretary shall file the required statutory notice thereof within a further fourteen days. Upon approval pursuant to the Regulations of any By-Laws made, altered or repealed by the Lodge, the Secretary shall file the required statutory notice thereof within one month of the said approval. 26. THE SEAL OF THE LODGE 26.1. The seal of the Lodge shall have the name of the Lodge inscribed upon it and shall be held for safe custody by the Secretary.

25.4.2.

25.4.3.

25.4.4.

26.2.

The seal shall only be used upon the authority of a resolution of the Executive Committee,

and every instrument to which the seal is affixed shall be signed by the Master and countersigned by the Secretary or such other persons as may be appointed by the Executive Committee to sign and countersign the same from time to time in the following form: The Common Seal of Sir Douglas Mawson Lodge was hereunto affixed this .day of . by authority of the Executive Committee dated the day of , , in

the presence of: .Master Secretary 27. BY-LAWS 27.1. No By-Law shall be made, altered or repealed unless: notice in writing of a member's intention to propose the same shall have been read in open Lodge at the regular meeting before the same is moved; and

27.1.1.

notice thereof has been sent to every member in the summons for the meeting at which the same is moved.

27.2. No By-Law made, altered or repealed, or adopted by the Lodge, and afterwards confirmed and approved by the Grand Master or the Deputy Grand Master shall again be altered, repealed or otherwise reviewed within twelve months of it being confirmed unless a majority of the subscribing members present at a regular meeting so resolve after due notice of the proposal to so resolve has been given at the previous regular meeting. 27.3. By-Laws and alterations thereto shall take effect when approved by the Grand Master or the Deputy Grand Master and shall be inserted in a book to be provided for that purpose, and every member of the Lodge shall forthwith be subject to them and those who become members shall subscribe the same in token of their submission thereto. 27.4. These By-Laws shall be printed and a copy delivered to every Brother at the time of his initiation or admission, together with a copy of the Book of Charges. 27.5. All matters not herein, or in the Regulations, specially provided for shall be decided by a majority of the members. 28. DISSOLUTION

28.1.

In the event of the dissolution of the Lodge after payment of all just debts the

remaining assets of the Lodge shall vest in the Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of South Australia and Northern Territory Incorporated.

SCHEDULE OF FEES AND CHARGES Proposition for Initiation Initiation Joining Affiliation Annual Subscription (Excl. Grand Lodge Fee) Country Member Subscription Senior Member Subscription $ $ $ $ $ $ $

Urgent Benevolence

You might also like