These Rules and Regulations provide guidelines for the governance of Irving Lodge #1218. Onetime variances from these guidelines must be approved in advance by the vote of the Lodge at a Stated Meeting. The Worshipful Master shall appoint a committee bi-annually to review these Rules and Regulations and recommend to the Lodge any necessary changes. Proposed changes shall be presented to the Lodge in writing, signed by the Brother making the proposal and voted upon by majority rule by the Lodge members at a Stated Meeting. In the event minor changes become desirable between reviews they must be submitted to the Worshipful Master in writing at a Stated Meeting and read to the Lodge. The proposed changes shall lie for one month and be voted upon.
1.MEMBERSHIP DEFINED
A member of this Lodge is defined as a Master Mason who has been raised or affiliated to membership in this Lodge and has not been suspended or expelled.
A member of this Lodge is defined as a Master Mason who has been raised or affiliated to membership in this Lodge and has not been suspended or expelled.
2. BY-LAWS AND RULES REGULATIONS
Each member of Irving Lodge shall receive a copy of the current By-Laws and Rules and Regulations of this Lodge.
3. EACH PETITIONER
for Lodge membership shall receive written information pertaining to Lodge fees, dues and endowments at the time the petition is rendered.
for Lodge membership shall receive written information pertaining to Lodge fees, dues and endowments at the time the petition is rendered.
4. LODGE FEES
The fee for each degree shall be as follows:
Entered Apprentice Mason degree fee $70.00. Includes a $5.00 donation to the George Washington Masonic Memorial.
Fellow Craft Mason degree fee $65.00
Master Mason degree fee $90. Includes a $25.00 donation to the Texas masonic Charities Foundation. (APPROVED 01/10/17)
The fee for each degree shall be as follows:
Entered Apprentice Mason degree fee $70.00. Includes a $5.00 donation to the George Washington Masonic Memorial.
Fellow Craft Mason degree fee $65.00
Master Mason degree fee $90. Includes a $25.00 donation to the Texas masonic Charities Foundation. (APPROVED 01/10/17)
5. LODGE DUES
Unless exempt, all members shall pay $125.00 dues annually.
(Revised 04/04/15) (APPROVED 01/10/17)
Unless exempt, all members shall pay $125.00 dues annually.
(Revised 04/04/15) (APPROVED 01/10/17)
6. ENDOWMENTS
Endowed memberships shall cost $700.00
Endowed memberships shall cost $700.00
7. DRESS CODE
Appropriate attire shall be worn at Stated meetings and any Called meeting ( degree related or award presentations) of this Lodge. Shorts and Flip Flop shoes shall be classified as inappropriate attire. It shall be left to the discretion of the presiding Officer to allow a first time visitor to sit in Lodge if he is not properly attired.
Appropriate attire shall be worn at Stated meetings and any Called meeting ( degree related or award presentations) of this Lodge. Shorts and Flip Flop shoes shall be classified as inappropriate attire. It shall be left to the discretion of the presiding Officer to allow a first time visitor to sit in Lodge if he is not properly attired.
8.HONORING BOTH FLAGS AT EACH LODGE
When a Stated Meeting is opened , the flag of the United States of America and the Flag of the State of Texas are presented. The flags shall be honored by each member present placing the right hand over the heart. It is not required to repeat the placing of the right had over the heart for subsequent lodges opened the same day.
When a Stated Meeting is opened , the flag of the United States of America and the Flag of the State of Texas are presented. The flags shall be honored by each member present placing the right hand over the heart. It is not required to repeat the placing of the right had over the heart for subsequent lodges opened the same day.
9.WORSHIPFUL MASTER PHOTOGRAPH
Immediately upon installation the Worshipful Master shall furnish the Lodge a good photograph of himself in a size (11 in.x14 in.) to conform to other photographs now being used by the Lodge. The photograph shall be displayed on the West wall in the Lodge room during the Worshipful Master’s term of office.
Immediately upon installation the Worshipful Master shall furnish the Lodge a good photograph of himself in a size (11 in.x14 in.) to conform to other photographs now being used by the Lodge. The photograph shall be displayed on the West wall in the Lodge room during the Worshipful Master’s term of office.
10.AFFILIATED PAST MASTER’S PHOTOGRAPH
When possible Affiliated Past Master’s should provide the Lodge with a photograph of himself in a size (11 in.x14 in.) to conform to other photographs now being used by the Lodge. The photograph shall be displayed on the South wall of the Lodge room.
When possible Affiliated Past Master’s should provide the Lodge with a photograph of himself in a size (11 in.x14 in.) to conform to other photographs now being used by the Lodge. The photograph shall be displayed on the South wall of the Lodge room.
11.REMOVAL OF PROPERTY
No property is permitted to be removed from the Lodge without the permission of the Worshipful Master with the exception of durable medical equipment.
No property is permitted to be removed from the Lodge without the permission of the Worshipful Master with the exception of durable medical equipment.
12. NO FOOD OR DRINK WITHIN THE LODGE ROOM
No drink or food permitted in the Lodge room except water when directed by the Worshipful Master during Stated Meetings, Called Meetings, or Open Meetings.
No drink or food permitted in the Lodge room except water when directed by the Worshipful Master during Stated Meetings, Called Meetings, or Open Meetings.
13. STEWARDS FUND
The Stewards Fund will have $350 deposited into it monthly by the Treasurer. A monthly report concerning the Steward’s account shall be given to the Secretary at each Stated meeting by the Treasurer.
The Stewards Fund will have $350 deposited into it monthly by the Treasurer. A monthly report concerning the Steward’s account shall be given to the Secretary at each Stated meeting by the Treasurer.
14. STEWARDS DEBIT CARD
The Stewards shall utilize the bank debit card issued to them by Irving Lodge for all Lodge related purchases.
15. STEWARDS LEDGER
The Steward shall file purchase related receipts with the Stewards file. Additionally, he shall note the date, location of purchase and amount of each purchase in the Steward’s ledger.
The Steward shall file purchase related receipts with the Stewards file. Additionally, he shall note the date, location of purchase and amount of each purchase in the Steward’s ledger.
16. TREASURER’S REVIEW OF STEWARD’S LEDGER
The Treasurer shall review and balance the Steward’s ledger once monthly.
The Treasurer shall review and balance the Steward’s ledger once monthly.
17. SECRETARY’S DUTIES REFERENCE ALL INCOMING FUNDS
The Secretary shall complete a receipt and retain said receipt for each item of all incoming funds to Irving Lodge. Additionally, the Secretary shall record each transaction in the Lodge cash register.
The Secretary shall complete a receipt and retain said receipt for each item of all incoming funds to Irving Lodge. Additionally, the Secretary shall record each transaction in the Lodge cash register.
18. SECRETARY TRANSFER OF COLLECTED FUNDS
Secretary shall transfer all accumulated funds to the Treasurer at least once each month or if the amount of the funds reaches or exceeds $1,000.
19. TREASURER’S DISPOSITION OF FUNDS
Upon receipt of funds from the Secretary, both the Treasurer and Secretary shall verify the amount of the funds in each others presence. Should an agreement be reached on the amount of the funds present, the Treasurer shall complete a receipt provided by Texas Grand Lodge and retain same in his files.
Upon receipt of funds from the Secretary, both the Treasurer and Secretary shall verify the amount of the funds in each others presence. Should an agreement be reached on the amount of the funds present, the Treasurer shall complete a receipt provided by Texas Grand Lodge and retain same in his files.
20. TREASURER BANK DEPOSITS
The Treasurer shall deposit all funds received from the Secretary into the banking institution used by the Lodge within three business days.
The Treasurer shall deposit all funds received from the Secretary into the banking institution used by the Lodge within three business days.
21.TOBACCO USE
Tobacco products use within the Lodge is prohibited
22.FRATERNAL ASSISTANCE REQUEST
It is the duty of the Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Warden to examine all claimants for assistance, and if necessary, they may draw upon the Treasury, in each instance, for an amount not exceeding $200; reporting the facts in each case to the Lodge at its next stated meeting, thereafter. (APPROVED 01/10/17)
23.AMENDMENTS TO RULES ANS REGULATIONS
No amendments of these Rules and Regulation, either by alteration or addition, shall be made unless in the following manner:
1. The proposed amendment must be in writing, signed by the proposer, and presented and read at a stated meeting of the Lodge, at which time it may be discussed and amended, if necessary.
2. At the next stated meeting of the lodge, it shall be considered and voted upon without further amendment, and if approved by the majority of the votes of members present, shall become a part of these Rules and Regulations.
