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Guidelines (Rules) For the Operation of Grandview 266 ( Adopted December 6, 2011)
What are we to be about, specifically? As with every lodge, Grandview 266 has By-Laws. However, By-Laws are a document largely set in concrete that are produced out of constitutional necessity. What we also created was the Guidelines for the operation of the lodge. This is a living, evolving document, and it is to this that the lodge works. The lodges Rules and By-Laws Committee regularly review the Guidelines and amend them from time to time and all members of the lodge ‘subscribe’ to them. Recommendations may be submitted and voted on at any time throughout the year. However, no changes will be in effect until the start of the following Masonic year, unless it’s deemed by the Worshipful Master that such a delay would be detrimental to the betterment of the Lodge and immediate implementation is approved by majority of the voting members present.The guidelines are the practical expression of members’ collective philosophy on how a Masonic Lodge in general, and Grandview 266 in particular, should be run. All joining members receive a copy of this document prior to affiliating, and all candidates upon initiation. These Guidelines, with commentary where they are not completely self-explanatory, are as follows:
1. The aim of the lodge in all its endeavors will be quality in education, ceremony, workings, and in proceedings.
This first guideline is based firmly on our belief of how a successful lodge should operate. We believe it is a self-evident truth that people will only join an organization in terms of what they perceive they will get out of it. This is human nature, for better or worse. If something has low quality then it is often viewed as cheap and expendable, however if people see worth in something then they will treasure it and be much more hesitant to discard it.
2. Master Masons will be appointed to office strictly on merit, and encouraged to undertake the work as applicable. Progress to higher office will not be automatic, but will depend on the demonstrated proficiency, attendance, and interest shown by each individual office bearer and member.
The progressive line and our concern for saving the feelings of one Brother hurt an entire lodge or jurisdiction. No place, more than Masonry allows, for the unfit to seek power. We must keep in mind that the truly fit don’t mind the labor required to actually earn the spot, title, or position. In fact, the truly fit want to earn it. It is the slack of mind and lazy or ill suited that wish for something easy, most of all because they could never possibly earn it. They are undeserving and would fail to gain a spot just as they fail to fill the position with any quality once it is actually obtained.
One could argue that Masonry is a volunteer organization, and this is true. However, if a brother wishes to progress through the chairs then that often means they desire to become Master of the lodge. How could we elect such a brother to the East with confidence if he hasn’t taken his previous positions seriously? Furthermore, if a Master desires for all of his officers to be active and productive members of the lodge, how could he expect as much when he himself wasn’t diligent in his duties when he held that position?
3. Visitors will be vouched for by the “Card System”, with responsibility for this placed with the Tyler, Senior and Junior Deacon, and Secretary if necessary. No visitor may be admitted unless properly vouched for or examined.
All visitors will be asked to fill in a visitor’s card detailing his name, rank, lodge, and which member vouches for him. These cards go to the secretary, and prior to opening, they are reviewed. If a brother cannot be vouched for he must retire to be examined by the Tyler.
4. The Master shall annually appoint an Esoteric/Education Committee. This committee will set forth and regularly review the requirements expected of Candidates for each degree. Candidates shall not be promoted to a higher degree unless they have met the requirements and have proven their proficiency prior to the night of the anticipated degree promotion.
While some may consider the lodge’s proficiency requirements to be rigorous, it will insure a brother receives the most light he is entitled to with each degree. The lodge is absolutely determined to ensure candidates thoroughly understand the teachings of their current degree before proceeding to the next; otherwise there is no point in them advancing. Our Masonic Education Course is a furtherance of this belief.
The lodge also considers that promotion needs to be earned, and that if it is, it will be more highly valued. Candidates are strongly encouraged to be very regular attendees at meetings, practice, and rehearsals. Lack of attendance will effect promotion. The lodge believes that candidates must gain the requisite Masonic knowledge to understand our teachings and to be able to advance. The lodge also believes that, within reason, if something must be worked for, and waited for, the more it will be appreciated.
5. The Mentor System shall be supported. An experienced Past master will be appointed as Lodge Mentor Officer.
The Lodge believes the mentor System to be one of the utmost importance. All candidates are given a Lodge Mentor, which must be a Master Mason. This further involves members in the operation of the lodge and helps further the mentor’s knowledge as well as the trainees.
6. Unless it is the official representative of the Grand Master, it shall not be the practice of the lodge to formally receive visitors after the lodge has been opened. All visitors will be asked to attend the opening. Any late members or visitors (properly vouched for) may enter the lodge at an appropriate juncture under the direction of the Tyler, salute at the altar, and be seated in the lodge. All visitors must be properly vouched for prior to entering.
All visitors are asked to be present at opening. Late visitors are admitted after the opening and at the appropriate juncture. The brother’s vouching card will be passed to the Senior Deacon at an appropriate time before introductions are made. Late brothers who are admitted shall advance, salute the Master and be seated. The Master does not receive any visitor individually unless the Grand Master or his representative are attending, in which case he will be received formally.
7. The lodge shall hold one rehearsal before every stated or called meeting on a suitable day no less than a week prior unless the Master should resolve otherwise. The Master may also call additional lodge rehearsals as he deems necessary.
8. The dress code for all called and stated meetings shall be business casual in the Summer (or any day hotter than 80 degrees) and business formal in the Winter, unless otherwise specified by the Worshipful Master.
Business casual can perhaps best be defined by comparing it to Sunday morning Church attire. Trousers, slacks, button up/polo shirts are generally accepted. Shorts, Sandals, and Flip-flops are unacceptable.
Masonically speaking, business formal should be defined as “dressing to give the fraternity the respect you believe it’s entitled to”. At the bare minimum, a tie should be worn with the appropriate clothing although suits are preferred.
9. It shall be the policy of the lodge that the Master shall install his successor, unless special dispensation is requested for certain circumstances. No Worshipful Master can act as installing officer unless he is a member of the Lodge or otherwise allowed for exceptional circumstances.
This is an old Masonic tradition, followed in England and Australia. The lodge believes that if a Master is competent to hold the position, he must be competent enough to install his successor.
10. When possible, attending brothers will observe and practice Masonic Parliamentary Procedure, during called and stated meetings, as it has been outlined by the Grand Lodge of Texas.
Every member of the Lodge should strive to become familiar with the subject, thereby assisting the Worshipful Master in his conduct of Lodge business as well as insuring the orderly and concordant transactions of such business.
Any Lodge member well versed in Masonic parliamentary procedure can add immeasurably to the peace and harmony so essential to maintain the proper fraternal atmosphere; however the Worshipful Master himself, if he is prudent and wise, will acquire the knowledge necessary to preside with sure and certain confidence.
11. The Lodge should endeavor to donate the minimum amount of money required to maintain its status as a charitable organization.
While Masonry teaches us the value of charity, over time this has caused many to reach the misunderstanding that Freemasonry exists mainly as a charitable organization. This is simply untrue and, while the lodge does give to charity and maintains its status as such an organization, Freemasonry is simply not a charitable organization by design.
Charity should be practiced by the brethren outside the lodge, or within its walls when directed towards a brother in need or his widows and orphans.
12. The minutes of previous meetings, together with local and Grand Lodge correspondence should be made accessible to every member before stated meetings. This should enable administrative matters to be dealt with expeditiously in open lodge, and the night’s main work commenced soon after opening.
After the lodge is opened, business should be conducted quickly. Previous minutes and all local and Grand Lodge correspondence are pre-circulated to members and/or posted on the bulletin board before the lodge is opened. The lodge holds the view that the seemingly interminable reading of minutes, correspondence, and admission of visitors in other lodges is boring, unnecessary, and at best a waste of time, and thus detrimental to Freemasonry.
13. “Profanes” shall not be allowed within the lodge room.
“Profane” is a Masonic term which stems from “fanum”, which was the Latin for “temple”, and “pro”, which meant “before,” in the sense of “outside of.” It is the picture of a man standing on the outside, not permitted to enter. Therefore, Masonically speaking, the “profane” are those men and women who stand outside of Masonry.
We believe that the lodge room should hold a special place in each Mason’s heart and isn’t to be cheapened by allowing non-masons to enter. The contents and décor of the lodge room should be left to the imagination of the uninitiated. The only exception should be when a candidate is receiving his first degree.(This does not include the members Family and/or without an escort.)
14. Profanity and racist remarks shall not be tolerated within the lodge building or during any form of Masonic activity.
Profanity, when taken in context with the Masonic definition of ‘profane’ should be self-explanatory. To use profanity is to speak in a way that’s unbecoming of a Mason. We’re all guilty of it however we are taught we should always strive to better ourselves and it doesn’t reflect well on the fraternity as a whole when it’s overheard.
15. No contests or events of any sort shall be entered under the name of Grandview Lodge without the explicit permission of the lodge.
Requests to enter any contest or event under the Grandview Masonic name should be presented to the lodge at the earliest convenient stated meeting prior to the event in question, which will then vote on it. Any trophies or rewards won at said events will be presented to the lodge at the next proceeding degree at which point it shall become the property of the lodge unless voted otherwise. Permission is only granted for the specific event on the date in question and the process for obtaining permission must be undergone prior to every contest or event in question.
16. Degree fees are as follows: The fee for all degrees is $90.00. For these fees the initiate shall receive the following:
Entered Apprentice degree -$90.00
a. $5 of which goes toward – George Washington Fund
Fellow Craft Degree - $90.00 Candidate receives:
a. Degree
b. Monitor
Master Mason Degree – $90.00. Candidate receives
a. Degree
b. Apron
c. Law book
d. Bible
e. $25- Masonic Home and School Donation
17. A member of the Lodge who wishes to progress though the chairs shall be bound by the laws as stated by the Grand Lodge of Texas.
Advancement will be determined by a brother’s proficiency in his current position, if applicable, as well as his desired position. Other determinants include his overall attendance and adherence to our guidelines.
18. When possible, investigation committees shall endeavor to follow the protocol and procedures as outlined in the Texas Grand Lodge Petition Investigations Manual.
No Mason could be charged with a higher or more noble and rewarding responsibility than he who is charged with the responsibility to be a guard at the entrance porch of the Temple. When this responsibility is neglected, even at the smallest lodge, the fraternity suffers as a whole. These protocols serve as invaluable guides to insuring we keep a keen eye on the west gate. Investigation committees shall have copies provided to each member upon their formation.
19. All initiates will be required to pay a minimum of $30.00 to the lodge when they turn in their petition.
This serves two purposes. First, the thirty dollars will be used to cover any costs that the lodge might accrue during the investigation process, such as the cost of a background check. Secondly, the decision to become a Freemason is one that should not be taken lightly, therefore thirty dollars is also required as a token of the candidate’s sincerity to join.
20. Dues:
All members who are not exempt or have an endowed status shall pay dues in the amount set forth by the lodge. Exceptions are as follows;
a. Those who have requested and have received a waiver due to medical or personal issues.
b. Reduced dues for a brother in good standing who is a Past Master from any jurisdiction recognized by the Grand Lodge of Texas, who has been a member of this Lodge for a minimum of five years and has reached his 70th birthday. Said brother shall pay as his dues that amount due to the Grand Lodge for his per capita plus an additional fifteen dollars.
c. Those who have an exempt or endowed status are asked to make a donation to the lodge in the amount due to the Grand Lodge for their per capita.
21. It shall be our policy that keys for the lodge building shall only be issued to lodge officers.
This prevents problems that originate from having too many keys floating about which may be unaccounted for. each oficer will be issued a key to the lodge which they will pass on to their successor. No copies shall be made without expressed consent of the Worshipful Master and all extra copies will remain with the secretary. "Loaner" keys may be issued for short periods if deemed necessary by the Worshipful Master. (Adopted April 3, 2012)
Guidelines (Rules) For the Operation of Grandview 266 ( Adopted December 6, 2011)
What are we to be about, specifically? As with every lodge, Grandview 266 has By-Laws. However, By-Laws are a document largely set in concrete that are produced out of constitutional necessity. What we also created was the Guidelines for the operation of the lodge. This is a living, evolving document, and it is to this that the lodge works. The lodges Rules and By-Laws Committee regularly review the Guidelines and amend them from time to time and all members of the lodge ‘subscribe’ to them. Recommendations may be submitted and voted on at any time throughout the year. However, no changes will be in effect until the start of the following Masonic year, unless it’s deemed by the Worshipful Master that such a delay would be detrimental to the betterment of the Lodge and immediate implementation is approved by majority of the voting members present.The guidelines are the practical expression of members’ collective philosophy on how a Masonic Lodge in general, and Grandview 266 in particular, should be run. All joining members receive a copy of this document prior to affiliating, and all candidates upon initiation. These Guidelines, with commentary where they are not completely self-explanatory, are as follows:
1. The aim of the lodge in all its endeavors will be quality in education, ceremony, workings, and in proceedings.
This first guideline is based firmly on our belief of how a successful lodge should operate. We believe it is a self-evident truth that people will only join an organization in terms of what they perceive they will get out of it. This is human nature, for better or worse. If something has low quality then it is often viewed as cheap and expendable, however if people see worth in something then they will treasure it and be much more hesitant to discard it.
2. Master Masons will be appointed to office strictly on merit, and encouraged to undertake the work as applicable. Progress to higher office will not be automatic, but will depend on the demonstrated proficiency, attendance, and interest shown by each individual office bearer and member.
The progressive line and our concern for saving the feelings of one Brother hurt an entire lodge or jurisdiction. No place, more than Masonry allows, for the unfit to seek power. We must keep in mind that the truly fit don’t mind the labor required to actually earn the spot, title, or position. In fact, the truly fit want to earn it. It is the slack of mind and lazy or ill suited that wish for something easy, most of all because they could never possibly earn it. They are undeserving and would fail to gain a spot just as they fail to fill the position with any quality once it is actually obtained.
One could argue that Masonry is a volunteer organization, and this is true. However, if a brother wishes to progress through the chairs then that often means they desire to become Master of the lodge. How could we elect such a brother to the East with confidence if he hasn’t taken his previous positions seriously? Furthermore, if a Master desires for all of his officers to be active and productive members of the lodge, how could he expect as much when he himself wasn’t diligent in his duties when he held that position?
3. Visitors will be vouched for by the “Card System”, with responsibility for this placed with the Tyler, Senior and Junior Deacon, and Secretary if necessary. No visitor may be admitted unless properly vouched for or examined.
All visitors will be asked to fill in a visitor’s card detailing his name, rank, lodge, and which member vouches for him. These cards go to the secretary, and prior to opening, they are reviewed. If a brother cannot be vouched for he must retire to be examined by the Tyler.
4. The Master shall annually appoint an Esoteric/Education Committee. This committee will set forth and regularly review the requirements expected of Candidates for each degree. Candidates shall not be promoted to a higher degree unless they have met the requirements and have proven their proficiency prior to the night of the anticipated degree promotion.
While some may consider the lodge’s proficiency requirements to be rigorous, it will insure a brother receives the most light he is entitled to with each degree. The lodge is absolutely determined to ensure candidates thoroughly understand the teachings of their current degree before proceeding to the next; otherwise there is no point in them advancing. Our Masonic Education Course is a furtherance of this belief.
The lodge also considers that promotion needs to be earned, and that if it is, it will be more highly valued. Candidates are strongly encouraged to be very regular attendees at meetings, practice, and rehearsals. Lack of attendance will effect promotion. The lodge believes that candidates must gain the requisite Masonic knowledge to understand our teachings and to be able to advance. The lodge also believes that, within reason, if something must be worked for, and waited for, the more it will be appreciated.
5. The Mentor System shall be supported. An experienced Past master will be appointed as Lodge Mentor Officer.
The Lodge believes the mentor System to be one of the utmost importance. All candidates are given a Lodge Mentor, which must be a Master Mason. This further involves members in the operation of the lodge and helps further the mentor’s knowledge as well as the trainees.
6. Unless it is the official representative of the Grand Master, it shall not be the practice of the lodge to formally receive visitors after the lodge has been opened. All visitors will be asked to attend the opening. Any late members or visitors (properly vouched for) may enter the lodge at an appropriate juncture under the direction of the Tyler, salute at the altar, and be seated in the lodge. All visitors must be properly vouched for prior to entering.
All visitors are asked to be present at opening. Late visitors are admitted after the opening and at the appropriate juncture. The brother’s vouching card will be passed to the Senior Deacon at an appropriate time before introductions are made. Late brothers who are admitted shall advance, salute the Master and be seated. The Master does not receive any visitor individually unless the Grand Master or his representative are attending, in which case he will be received formally.
7. The lodge shall hold one rehearsal before every stated or called meeting on a suitable day no less than a week prior unless the Master should resolve otherwise. The Master may also call additional lodge rehearsals as he deems necessary.
8. The dress code for all called and stated meetings shall be business casual in the Summer (or any day hotter than 80 degrees) and business formal in the Winter, unless otherwise specified by the Worshipful Master.
Business casual can perhaps best be defined by comparing it to Sunday morning Church attire. Trousers, slacks, button up/polo shirts are generally accepted. Shorts, Sandals, and Flip-flops are unacceptable.
Masonically speaking, business formal should be defined as “dressing to give the fraternity the respect you believe it’s entitled to”. At the bare minimum, a tie should be worn with the appropriate clothing although suits are preferred.
9. It shall be the policy of the lodge that the Master shall install his successor, unless special dispensation is requested for certain circumstances. No Worshipful Master can act as installing officer unless he is a member of the Lodge or otherwise allowed for exceptional circumstances.
This is an old Masonic tradition, followed in England and Australia. The lodge believes that if a Master is competent to hold the position, he must be competent enough to install his successor.
10. When possible, attending brothers will observe and practice Masonic Parliamentary Procedure, during called and stated meetings, as it has been outlined by the Grand Lodge of Texas.
Every member of the Lodge should strive to become familiar with the subject, thereby assisting the Worshipful Master in his conduct of Lodge business as well as insuring the orderly and concordant transactions of such business.
Any Lodge member well versed in Masonic parliamentary procedure can add immeasurably to the peace and harmony so essential to maintain the proper fraternal atmosphere; however the Worshipful Master himself, if he is prudent and wise, will acquire the knowledge necessary to preside with sure and certain confidence.
11. The Lodge should endeavor to donate the minimum amount of money required to maintain its status as a charitable organization.
While Masonry teaches us the value of charity, over time this has caused many to reach the misunderstanding that Freemasonry exists mainly as a charitable organization. This is simply untrue and, while the lodge does give to charity and maintains its status as such an organization, Freemasonry is simply not a charitable organization by design.
Charity should be practiced by the brethren outside the lodge, or within its walls when directed towards a brother in need or his widows and orphans.
12. The minutes of previous meetings, together with local and Grand Lodge correspondence should be made accessible to every member before stated meetings. This should enable administrative matters to be dealt with expeditiously in open lodge, and the night’s main work commenced soon after opening.
After the lodge is opened, business should be conducted quickly. Previous minutes and all local and Grand Lodge correspondence are pre-circulated to members and/or posted on the bulletin board before the lodge is opened. The lodge holds the view that the seemingly interminable reading of minutes, correspondence, and admission of visitors in other lodges is boring, unnecessary, and at best a waste of time, and thus detrimental to Freemasonry.
13. “Profanes” shall not be allowed within the lodge room.
“Profane” is a Masonic term which stems from “fanum”, which was the Latin for “temple”, and “pro”, which meant “before,” in the sense of “outside of.” It is the picture of a man standing on the outside, not permitted to enter. Therefore, Masonically speaking, the “profane” are those men and women who stand outside of Masonry.
We believe that the lodge room should hold a special place in each Mason’s heart and isn’t to be cheapened by allowing non-masons to enter. The contents and décor of the lodge room should be left to the imagination of the uninitiated. The only exception should be when a candidate is receiving his first degree.(This does not include the members Family and/or without an escort.)
14. Profanity and racist remarks shall not be tolerated within the lodge building or during any form of Masonic activity.
Profanity, when taken in context with the Masonic definition of ‘profane’ should be self-explanatory. To use profanity is to speak in a way that’s unbecoming of a Mason. We’re all guilty of it however we are taught we should always strive to better ourselves and it doesn’t reflect well on the fraternity as a whole when it’s overheard.
15. No contests or events of any sort shall be entered under the name of Grandview Lodge without the explicit permission of the lodge.
Requests to enter any contest or event under the Grandview Masonic name should be presented to the lodge at the earliest convenient stated meeting prior to the event in question, which will then vote on it. Any trophies or rewards won at said events will be presented to the lodge at the next proceeding degree at which point it shall become the property of the lodge unless voted otherwise. Permission is only granted for the specific event on the date in question and the process for obtaining permission must be undergone prior to every contest or event in question.
16. Degree fees are as follows: The fee for all degrees is $90.00. For these fees the initiate shall receive the following:
Entered Apprentice degree -$90.00
a. $5 of which goes toward – George Washington Fund
Fellow Craft Degree - $90.00 Candidate receives:
a. Degree
b. Monitor
Master Mason Degree – $90.00. Candidate receives
a. Degree
b. Apron
c. Law book
d. Bible
e. $25- Masonic Home and School Donation
17. A member of the Lodge who wishes to progress though the chairs shall be bound by the laws as stated by the Grand Lodge of Texas.
Advancement will be determined by a brother’s proficiency in his current position, if applicable, as well as his desired position. Other determinants include his overall attendance and adherence to our guidelines.
18. When possible, investigation committees shall endeavor to follow the protocol and procedures as outlined in the Texas Grand Lodge Petition Investigations Manual.
No Mason could be charged with a higher or more noble and rewarding responsibility than he who is charged with the responsibility to be a guard at the entrance porch of the Temple. When this responsibility is neglected, even at the smallest lodge, the fraternity suffers as a whole. These protocols serve as invaluable guides to insuring we keep a keen eye on the west gate. Investigation committees shall have copies provided to each member upon their formation.
19. All initiates will be required to pay a minimum of $30.00 to the lodge when they turn in their petition.
This serves two purposes. First, the thirty dollars will be used to cover any costs that the lodge might accrue during the investigation process, such as the cost of a background check. Secondly, the decision to become a Freemason is one that should not be taken lightly, therefore thirty dollars is also required as a token of the candidate’s sincerity to join.
20. Dues:
All members who are not exempt or have an endowed status shall pay dues in the amount set forth by the lodge. Exceptions are as follows;
a. Those who have requested and have received a waiver due to medical or personal issues.
b. Reduced dues for a brother in good standing who is a Past Master from any jurisdiction recognized by the Grand Lodge of Texas, who has been a member of this Lodge for a minimum of five years and has reached his 70th birthday. Said brother shall pay as his dues that amount due to the Grand Lodge for his per capita plus an additional fifteen dollars.
c. Those who have an exempt or endowed status are asked to make a donation to the lodge in the amount due to the Grand Lodge for their per capita.
