dhouseholder
Registered User
Here is the scenario: A called meeting on the EA degree was to be opened to hear the proficiency of an EA. The officers present were the SW, SD, JD, Marshall, Tiler, and a PM (all members of the lodge), 2 FCs, and 2 EAs, for a grand total of 11 members present. The WM had given permission for the SW to open said called meeting.
The issue: It was thought that the SW was to act as WM, but the SD, JD, Marshall, and Tiler were all required to sit in their places during the opening and closing of said lodge; and that the other brothers present were required to fill in other required places and stations. I have found nothing in the Laws of the GLoT, or the bylaws of the lodge stating this, but it was argued by some of the bretherin that all lodge officers were to occupy their elected and appointed places and not pro-temp for other "indispensable" positions.
The question: Is it required that officers are always, no matter the reason, are to sit in their stations and places when the lodge is duly opened?
The only articles I have found in the Law Book concerning this are the two following...
Art. 229. (267a). Quorum for Each of the Three Degrees.
To open a subordinate Lodge chartered by this Grand Lodge on the
Masters Degree, and a quorum for a Lodge on said degree, requires
the presence of not less than three Master Masons who are
members of such Lodge, and one of said three must be the Worshipful
Master, a Warden or a Past Master of such Lodge; to open on the
Fellowcraft Degree, and a quorum for a Lodge on said degree,
requires the presence of not less than five Masons of at least that
degree, at least two of whom must be Master Masons and members
of such Lodge and one of said two must be the Worshipful Master,
a Warden or a Past Master of such Lodge; to open on the Entered
Apprentice Degree, and a quorum for a Lodge on said degree,
requires the presence of not less than seven Masons, at least one of
whom must be the Worshipful Master, a Warden or a Past Master
of such Lodge.
Art. 235. (273). Called Meetings: Business Permitted.
Called Meetings may be ordered by the Master of the Lodge, or
by the Senior Warden in his absence, or by the Junior Warden in
the absence of both, at any time not prohibited by law for any one
or more of the following purposes: to receive the Grand Master
or his Representative or other distinguished Mason; to confer
degrees on candidates previously elected; to examine and vote on
the proficiency of candidates; to install officers; to conduct funerals,
to receive and vote on adoption of by-laws under Subdivision 4
of Art. 216; to adopt by-laws and amendments thereto when duly
called for that purpose after reasonable notice given; to transact
any other business not required by law to be acted on at a Stated
Meeting. The Secretary may be ordered to issue summons for such
meetings when the circumstances are deemed such as to warrant
it; such summons must be in writing and under the seal of the
Lodge.
Any light would be appreciated.
The issue: It was thought that the SW was to act as WM, but the SD, JD, Marshall, and Tiler were all required to sit in their places during the opening and closing of said lodge; and that the other brothers present were required to fill in other required places and stations. I have found nothing in the Laws of the GLoT, or the bylaws of the lodge stating this, but it was argued by some of the bretherin that all lodge officers were to occupy their elected and appointed places and not pro-temp for other "indispensable" positions.
The question: Is it required that officers are always, no matter the reason, are to sit in their stations and places when the lodge is duly opened?
The only articles I have found in the Law Book concerning this are the two following...
Art. 229. (267a). Quorum for Each of the Three Degrees.
To open a subordinate Lodge chartered by this Grand Lodge on the
Masters Degree, and a quorum for a Lodge on said degree, requires
the presence of not less than three Master Masons who are
members of such Lodge, and one of said three must be the Worshipful
Master, a Warden or a Past Master of such Lodge; to open on the
Fellowcraft Degree, and a quorum for a Lodge on said degree,
requires the presence of not less than five Masons of at least that
degree, at least two of whom must be Master Masons and members
of such Lodge and one of said two must be the Worshipful Master,
a Warden or a Past Master of such Lodge; to open on the Entered
Apprentice Degree, and a quorum for a Lodge on said degree,
requires the presence of not less than seven Masons, at least one of
whom must be the Worshipful Master, a Warden or a Past Master
of such Lodge.
Art. 235. (273). Called Meetings: Business Permitted.
Called Meetings may be ordered by the Master of the Lodge, or
by the Senior Warden in his absence, or by the Junior Warden in
the absence of both, at any time not prohibited by law for any one
or more of the following purposes: to receive the Grand Master
or his Representative or other distinguished Mason; to confer
degrees on candidates previously elected; to examine and vote on
the proficiency of candidates; to install officers; to conduct funerals,
to receive and vote on adoption of by-laws under Subdivision 4
of Art. 216; to adopt by-laws and amendments thereto when duly
called for that purpose after reasonable notice given; to transact
any other business not required by law to be acted on at a Stated
Meeting. The Secretary may be ordered to issue summons for such
meetings when the circumstances are deemed such as to warrant
it; such summons must be in writing and under the seal of the
Lodge.
Any light would be appreciated.
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