Alvin Lodge No. 762, A.F. & A.M.

BY-LAWS
Corrections required by the One Hundred Thirty-Seventh Annual Communications of the Grand Lodge of Texas

Masonic Year 2007-2011

Amended by the lodge: Certificate of Deposit-8/5/1999,L.I.F.E.-1/4/2001, Degree fees9/20/2001, Smoking- 12/20/2001[repealed 4/21/2005], Home & School fee-2/20/2003, Dues- 6/2/2005, Budget Reqiured-6/7/2007, and Texas Masonic Charities Foundation6/7/2007. Submitted to be approved by Grand Lodge, August 26, 2008; corrected as per By-Laws Committee requirements, October 5, 2008; Approved by The Grand Lodge of Texas ByLaws Committee at the One Hundred SeventyThird Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Texas held December 4, 5, and 6, 2008. Amended by the Lodge as of February 3, 2011: Article VII Fees for Degrees, Article IX Lodge Dues. Amended to comply with G.L. By-Law Committee requirements; removed endowment payments schedule from Article VII; add word No and removed word Not from Article XI, Remove Article XIV and renumber Article XIV as Article XIV. [10/20/2011]

Masonic Year 2012-2013

Amended by the Lodge as of May 2, 2013 to read: Article II, Meeting of the Lodge, Section1: The stated meetings shall be held on the First and Third Thursday of each month at 7:00 P.M. [5/2/2013]

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By-laws Alvin Lodge 762, AF & AM, Alvin, Texas Article I Name of the Lodge
This Lodge was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Texas on the Seventh Day of December 1893 and shall be known by the name and style of Alvin Lodge No. 762 of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. This Lodge subscribes to and shall be governed by the Constitution, Laws and Edicts of the Grand Lodge of Texas.

Article II Meeting of the Lodge

Section 1: The stated meetings shall be held on the First and Third Thursday of each month at 7:00 P.M. Section 2: Called meetings may be made by the Worshipful Master (or if in his absence or inability to serve), then by the Senior Warden, or if in the absence of both Master and Senior Warden, then by the Junior Warden) at such times as they, or either of them, having the right to act, may think important, or to the interest of the Craft. Section 3: As many members as possible should be notified of such called meetings and no business shall be transacted at same, except such as was specified in the call.

Article III Officers of the Lodge

The Officers of this Lodge shall be the Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens, Treasurer, Secretary, Chaplain, Senior and Junior Deacons, Senior and Junior Stewards, Master of Ceremonies and Tiler.

Article IV Election of Officers

Section 1: The Worshipful Master, Wardens, Treasurer, Secretary, Senior and Junior Deacon, and Tiler shall be elected and all others shall be appointed. (Note: appointment by Worshipful Master) Section 2: In the election of officers, should only one name be placed in nomination, the vote may be taken without ballot; but should more than one brother be placed in nomination, tellers shall be appointed and the members shall prepare their ballots which shall be taken up and counted at the Secretarys desk and the number of votes received by
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each brother reported to the presiding officer, and he shall declare the brother receiving a majority of the votes cast, duly elected. Section 3: In the event no brother has such a majority, the ballot will be repeated until such result is attained. Blank votes shall not be considered in determining the results.

Article V Duties of the Officers

Section 1: Worshipful Master - It shall be the duty of the Worshipful Master to see that the by-laws of the Lodge, as well as the Constitution and Regulations of the Grand Lodge are duly observed and that the officers attend strictly to their duties. Section 1a: The Worshipful Master shall submit a budget for the ensuring Masonic Year at the First Stated Meeting following St. John the Baptist Day, June 24th each year. [6/7/2007] Section 2: Wardens - It shall be the duties of the Wardens to assist the Worshipful Master in the performance of his duties, being knowledgeable of the by-laws of the Lodge as well as the Constitution and Regulations of the Grand Lodge as it pertains to their respective offices. Section 3: Treasurer - It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to hold all deeds, certificates of stock, notes, bonds, obligations or other property of a financial character belonging to the Lodge and to collect and receive same when directed by the Lodge; to receive all moneys from the hands of the secretary, passing his receipt for the same; and pay them out only upon order of the Worshipful Master and the consent of the Lodge. Section 3a: He shall keep a correct account of the same and report minutely the financial condition of the Lodge at the stated meeting next succeeding the festival of St. John the Baptist and such other times as the Lodge may direct. Section 3b: The transfer of funds between accounts shall be approved by vote of the Lodge. For his service he shall receive an amount as set by the Lodge from time to time and be exempt from payment of dues. Section 4: Secretary - It shall be the duty of the Secretary to carefully observe the proceedings of the Lodge; make a correct record of all things proper to be written and to receive all moneys due the Lodge; turning them over to the Treasurer taking his receipt for the same. Section 4a: It shall also be the duty of the Secretary to: (1) Keep all books and papers relating to the proceedings of the Lodge.

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(2) Authenticate all official papers and documents emanating from the Lodge with the seal of the same. (3) Notify all brethren of their election to office, if they were not present at the time of election. (4) Notify the Grand Secretary of the annual returns of this lodge; remit also to him the Grand Lodge dues; report to the Grand Secretary as prescribed by law of the suspension or expulsion of members and the rejection of applicants; to issue all summons, dimits and notices as he may be directed to make out and transmit to the Grand Secretary the names of all brethren elected to Parent or Plural Membership and perform all other duties appertaining to his office. (5) For his services he shall receive an amount as set by the Lodge from time to time and be exempt from the payment of dues. Section 5: Tiler - It shall be the duty of the Tiler to see the Lodge Room is kept clean and in order; and that the various articles of furniture are in their appropriate places, to strictly guard the door during the sitting of the Lodge; to summon the members of the Lodge to all called meetings where a summons is necessary and be punctual in his attendance. For the performance of these and such other duties as may appertain to his office he shall receive an amount as set by the Lodge from time to time and be exempt from payment of dues.

Article VI Standing Committees

Section 1: The Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens shall constitute a Standing Committee on Fraternal Assistance, Sickness and Arbitration; a majority of whom may at all times act; and are responsible to the Lodge. Their duties are as follows. (1) Fraternal Assistance - It is their duty to examine all claimants for assistance and if necessary, they may draw upon the Treasurer in each instance for an amount not exceeding One Hundred dollars; reporting the facts in each case to the Lodge at its next stated meeting. (2) Sickness - It shall be their duty to visit all sick brethren (unless it would be dangerous or imprudent to do so), and to ascertain their condition and necessities; and to take such action as they may deem proper and necessary, both in regard to the Brother and his family. (3) Arbitration - It shall also be the duty of this committee to settle all differences between brethren, unless the parties prefer to bring the matter before the Lodge.

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Section 2: Special Projects Committee It shall be the duty of the Worshipful Master to appoint a committee consisting of no less than three members to consider all matters requiring special funding and to organize a fund raising activity to cover these expenses. They shall insure all matters concerning fund raisers for special projects are brought to the attention of the Lodge, coordinate closely with the Treasurer and Secretary on all matters of finances concerning these projects, insure the membership is adequately informed on all proposed or pending special projects or fund-raisers and keep accurate records during these special projects and fund-raisers. Section 3: Committee on Finance - It shall be the duty of the Worshipful Master, at the first stated meeting after the 24th of June of each year, to appoint a Standing Committee on Finance to be composed of three discreet Master Masons, members of the Lodge and if possible, men practically acquainted with bookkeeping. Section 3a: It shall be the duty of this committee, at the close of each Masonic year, as soon as appointed and oftener if required, to carefully examine and check-up the reports, books and vouchers of the Secretary and Treasurer, and any other financial matters referred to them; and make a full and accurate report at the next stated meeting of the Lodge, showing the condition of the books and accounts. And should any inaccuracies be found, recommend the necessary steps for their correction. In the matter of ordinary accounts referred to them, they may, if satisfied, report instanter. Section 3b: The reports of said Committee on Finance thus made, shall be read in open lodge and spread upon the minutes, noting the action taken by the lodge; and all accounts and claims against the Lodge, when demanded by any Brother, shall first be referred to this committee before being allowed.

Article VII Fees for Degrees

The fees for the degrees of this Lodge shall be an amount not less than prescribed in Article 307 of the Constitution and Laws and set by this Lodge from time to time. The regular fee for the Entered Apprentice shall be $95.00 and the Fellowcraft degree shall be $100.00. For the Master Masons Degree the fee is $100.00 [9/20/2001] [2/3/2011]. [10.20.2011] In addition to the regular fee for Initiation, a $5.00 donation to the George Washington Memorial shall be collected from each applicant for the Entered Apprentice degree. In addition to the regular fees collected by the Lodge, a $25.00 contribution to the Texas Masonic Charities Foundation shall be collected from each applicant for the Master Masons degree. (Art. 307 and 163-5). [2/20/2003][2006]

Article VIII Dimits

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A member is chargeable with the pro rata portion of his dues as provided in Art. 317.

Article IX Lodge Dues

Each member of this Lodge (unless herein exempted) shall pay dues from the time of his raising or affiliation, an amount set by the Lodge from time to time in as much as they are not less than prescribed in Article 311 of the Constitution and Laws. A member, however, shall not be required to pay such dues if he purchases an Endowed Membership in accordance with the laws of the Grand Lodge. The dues are set at $100.00 annually and are due on or before December 31st. [6/2/2005] [2/3/2011]

Article X Visiting Brethren

Section 1: A visitor shall not be admitted except upon due examination or lawful avouchment. Section 2: In the event that the visiting Brother is a stranger and hails from some Lodge in another Grand Jurisdiction, it shall be the duty of the Secretary to notify the visitors Lodge that we have had the pleasure of a visit by one of its members, giving his name and date.

Article XI Miscellaneous Regulations

Section 1: Weapons: No Weapons either offensive or defensive shall be carried into the Lodge Room. [10/20/2011] Section 2: Smoking- No smoking shall be permitted within the building. [4/21/2005]

Article XII Business

Section 1: At stated meetings after opening the Lodge in due and ancient form, a quorum being present, the Order of Business, unless otherwise ordered by the Lodge, or the Worshipful Master, shall be as follows. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Reading, correcting and approval of Minutes of previous meetings. Receiving and referring to Committees of Petitions and Applications. Reports of Special Committees. Balloting on Petitions and Applications. Reports of Standing Committees.
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6. Communications from the Grand Master and Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Texas. 7. Unfinished Business. 8. Motions, Resolutions and New Business. 9. Examinations for Proficiency in the Proper Degree. 10. Voting on Proficiency. 11. Claims and Accounts.

Article XIII Rules of Business

Section 1: The rules of conducting the business of this Lodge shall be as nearly as possible the same as those prescribed for the Grand Lodge and in addition; as follows. Section 2: When a question is decided, the same matter shall not again be acted on during that meeting, unless on a motion to reconsider, which can only be made by a member voting in the majority and at that or the next stated meeting, when there must be an equal or greater number of members present than when the action was had. Section 3: All questions of order shall be decided by the Worshipful Master without appeal or debate. The Master may ask the advice of any member before deciding; and he has the right at any time to declare the Lodge Closed or Called Off for the purpose of stopping angry debates or confusion.

Article XIV Amendments of the By-laws

Section 1: No amendments of these By-Laws, either by alternation or addition, shall be made unless in the following manner: (1) The proposed amendment must be in writing and signed by the proponent, and presented and read at a stated meeting of this Lodge, at which time it may be discussed and amended, if necessary. (2) At the next stated meeting of this Lodge, it shall be considered and voted upon without further amendment and if approved by a majority of the votes of the members present, shall become a part of these By-Laws, upon compliance with the other provisions of this article. Section 2: All amendments of these By-Laws must be submitted to the Grand Lodge for its approval before they take effect, except the following:

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(1) Fixing, raising or lowering the fee for each degree, or the annual dues, within the minimum limitations fixed by the Laws of the Grand Lodge except as provided in Art. 309. (2) Adopting its own regulations as to the payment of its Treasurer, Secretary and Tiler. (3) The day and hour of meeting or the number of stated meetings per month may be changed to suit its convenience. Whenever a change in the number of meetings per month, or the day of the meeting; is made, the Grand Secretary must be notified at once. (4) Adopting its own regulations to perform charitable work or public service which enables the Lodge to qualify for tax exemption as permitted by the Texas Property Code. [2011]

Article XVI Adoption of By-laws CERTIFICATE OF SECRETARY

The above By-Laws having been adopted by the said Alvin Lodge No. 762, on the second day of May A.D. 2011, of which witness my hand and seal. This revision is to comply with the Grand Lodge By-Law Committee and be filed with the Grand Secretarys Office.

By order of the Lodge:

Glenn Starkey, Secretary

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