By-Laws
Regulations
Of
Masters and Wardens
Association of the 19th Masonic District located in
Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, and Sumter Counties Florida
CERTIFICATE OF PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY
We Paul B. Miller , President and Kenneth D. Black Secretary of Masters and Wardens Association of the 19th Masonic District located in Citrus Hernando ,Pasco and Sumter Counties Florida Hereby Certify That the foregoing By-Laws were submitted in writing to the Board of Directors , and They were adopted at a regular meeting of said Club or similar organization by three-fourths of all the members of the club or Organization present voting in favor on the sixth (6) Day of September 1997.
Signed by: Paul B. Miller -
President
Signed by: Kenneth D. Black - Secretary
APPROVAL
The foregoing By-Laws were approved
4/19/2001 by Louie A. King Grand Master
Digest of Masonic Law
CHAPTER 47
CLUBS AND SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS
Regulations
47.01 All Masonic affiliated clubs, societies or similar organizations, including Masters and Wardens Association, formed, organized and operating within the Grand Jurisdiction of Florida shall be subject to the jurisdiction and approval of the Grand Lodge of Florida and subject to the direction and control of a central or general authority recognized by the Grand Lodge. Any Mason joining, having membership in or affiliated with any club, society, or similar organization, including Masters and Wardens Association, not recognized or approved, in accordance with this Regulation, who, upon order or directive from the Grand Master fails or refuses to withdraw therefrom shall be subject to Masonic discipline. (1991)
47.02 A Uniform Code of By-Laws for clubs and similar organizations is adopted as follows:
UNIFORM CODE OF BY-LAWS CLUBS AND SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS NAME AND LOCATION
1.01 Name.- The Naive of this organization is Masters and Wardens Association of the 19th Masonic District is Located at a host Lodge in the 19th Masonic District in Citrus Pasco, Hernando and Sumter Counties Florida and its mailing address is in care of The secretary of association.
AUTHORITY
2.01 Authority.- This organization exists and operates under authority of and permission from the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Florida, hereinafter referred to as the Grand Lodge, as evidenced by letter of approval of date of_____ 16th day of September AL 5997 , A.D. 1997 , and is subject to all the Laws, Rules, Regulations and Edicts of said Grand Lodge, or its authority.
2.02 Supreme Authority of the Grand Lodge.- All the Laws, Rules, Regulations and Edicts of the Grand Lodge as the same now are or which hereafter may be enacted, adopted, promulgated or issued shall be the supreme law of this organization and are hereby incorporated in these By-Laws by reference the same as if set forth herein.
2.03 Limitation of Action.- This organization shall conduct its meetings with the same decorum as required by a Lodge of Masons, and shall not serve as a forum for debate of partisan and controversial questions nor be an agency or the means for dissemination of propaganda, nor endorse or oppose any candidate for political office, or propose or support any program or project or proposal in the Grand Lodge, nor in any Particular Lodge, nor in any other organization, provided, however, this shall not be construed to prohibit support of and participation in programs and projects sponsored or approved by the Grand Lodge.
2.04 Gambling and Intoxicating Liquors.- This organization shall not sponsor or participate in any program or project involving gambling, or games of chance, and no beer, wine, liquor or other alcoholic or intoxicating beverage shall be served or the use thereof permitted in connection with any activity, occasion or meeting of this organization.
MEMBERSHIP
3.01 Membership.-Any Master Mason in good standing in a Particular Lodge in the State of Florida or in any other Grand Jurisdiction recognized by the Grand Lodge of Florida shall be eligible for membership in this organization, subject to the Laws, Rules and Regulations of the Grand Lodge of Florida and the provisions of these By-Laws. (Reg. 4.07)
3.02 Application for Membership and Proceedings Thereon.-Any Master Mason eligible for membership in this organization shall be admitted to membership upon application there for in writing and furnishing satisfactory evidence of eligibility and payment of membership fee of $ 10.00, which payment shall accompany the application for membership.
The officers and board of directors hereinafter provided for shall examine the application for membership and make such inquiry as to eligibility as shall be appropriate within thirty (30) days after receipt thereof and notify the applicant forthwith in regard thereto. If the applicant shall be found to be eligible and has paid the membership fee his name shall be added to the roll of members. The membership fee shall include annual Club dues for the year the applicant is admitted to membership.
DUES
4.01 Annual Club Dues.-The annual Club dues for membership in this organization shall be
$10.00 , payable on or before January 1 of each year. The annual Club dues period shall be from January 1 through December 31 of each year.
4.02 Suspension for Non-Payment of Club Dues.-If the annual Club dues are not paid on or before January 1, the Secretary shall give written notice of such non-payment to the delinquent member at his last known address and if such Club dues are not paid within thirty (30) days after giving of such notice the delinquent member may be suspended by majority vote of the Board of Directors. Written notice of such suspension shall be given the delinquent member forthwith.
4.03 Reinstatement. -Any member suspended from membership for non-payment of Club dues may be reinstated within thirty (30) days after such suspension on payment of delinquent Club dues plus the additional sum of $1.00, and after thirty (30) days may be reinstated only by making application for membership and payment of membership fee as provided in By-Law 3.02 hereof.
4.04 Evidence of Good Standing.-Each member shall at time of paying annual Club dues furnish satisfactory evidence of eligibility for membership by showing current card from home Lodge. If a member is not eligible for membership at time of payment of annual Club dues such Club dues shall be returned to him. If at any time during the annual Club dues period a member shall cease to be eligible for membership he shall be forthwith suspended by the Board of Directors and written notice of such suspension sent to such member at his last known address but any Club dues paid for such Club dues period shall not be returned to him.
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
5.01 Officers and Directors: The officers of this organization shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary and a Treasurer. The offices of Secretary and Treasurer may be combined. (1991)
5.02 Board of Directors: The Board of Directors of this organization shall consist of the officers designated in By-Law 5.01 hereof and four members elected for the terms hereinafter provided.
5.03 Election of Officers and Directors.- The election of Officers and Directors shall be held at the first meeting of this organization in December of each year in the same manner as officers are elected in Particular Lodges in Florida.
At the first election after approval of these By-Laws all Officers and Directors shall be elected in the manner above prescribed to serve until the annual election above provided for. At the first annual election all Officers shall be elected to serve for the year beginning January 1 and ending December 31. Two Directors shall be elected to serve for a term of one year and two Directors shall be elected to serve for a term of two years.
At the second annual election there shall be elected all Officers above provided for and two Directors for a term of two years to fill vacancies of Directors whose terms expire. If in any election a Director whose term does not expire shall be elected an officer, a Director shall be elected for the unexpired term.
Thereafter all elections shall proceed as prescribed for-the second annual election.
In the event of vacancy in the office of President during the term aforesaid, the Vice-President shall become President until the next annual election. All other vacancies shall be filled by majority vote of the Officers and Directors or by special election called by the President.
5.04 Duties of Officers.- The President shall preside at all meetings of this organization and at meetings of the Board of Directors and shall perform all other duties usually appertaining to the office of President and those duties prescribed herein.
The Vice-President shall preside at all meetings in the absence of the President and shall perform all other duties usually appertaining to the office of Vice-President and the duties prescribed herein.
The Secretary shall make and preserve full and accurate, records of the membership of this organization, of all proceedings at meetings of this organization and of the Board of Directors, and such other records as from time to time he shall be directed to make and preserved by this organization or by the Board of Directors.
The treasurer shall make and preserve full and accurate records of all moneys received and disbursed by this organization and such records and reports as from time to time he shall be directed to make and preserve by this organization or by the Board of Directors.
The directors shall perform such duties as usually appertain to the office of Director and such other duties as shall be prescribed herein.
FUNDS
6.01 Custody of Funds. The Treasurer shall be the custodian of all funds of the organization and shall deposit the same in such depository as shall be designated by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may provide and require that the Treasurer make bond for faithful performance of his duties, the cost of said bond to be paid by this organization.
6.02 Disbursement of Funds. No funds of this organization shall be disbursed or expended except by check or voucher signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by the President, or in his absence by the vice-president, and no funds shall be expended or disbursed except by approval of the Board of Directors and by majority vote of membership in regular meeting or by majority vote of membership in two consecutive regular meetings except as provided for herein.
MEETINGS
[ 7.01 Meetings. The regular meeting of this organization shall be at a host Lodge of the particular Lodges of the 19th Masonic district at 7:30 p.m. on the 3`d Wednesday of every month except holidays.
7.02 Board of Directors Meetings. The Board of Directors shall meet quarterly immediately after the regular meeting.
7.03 Repealed (1984)
7.04 Opening and Closing Meeting. No Ritual or secret ceremony shall be used in opening or closing meetings of the organization. (Reg. 4.07).
7.05 Special Meetings. Special meetings may be called by the President, or in his absence by the vice-president, or by the Board of Directors by announcement of time, place and purpose thereof at any regular meeting and any business of this organization may be transacted at a special meeting except such business as is required by these by-laws to be transacted at regular meeting.
PURPOSE
8.01 Purpose. The purpose and objective of this organization is to foster Masonic fellowship, and brotherly love among the members, encourage active participation in programs and projects sponsored and approved by the Grand Lodge and or any particular Lodge or Lodges.
[ 7.01 amended 15th March 2003, by order of M.-. W.-. James A. Durham, Grand Master]
By-Laws
Purpose
8.02 - Purpose - Optional Prevision: Introduction and Mission Statement
Introduction - The Masters and Wardens Association of the 19th Masonic District F. & A. M. of Florida is located at a Host Lodge within the 19th District. The Association came into being because of a mutual need of the ten Lodges. The Masters and Wardens Association was certified by Most Worshipful Samuel E. Cowan on September 16, 1997. The Officers at this time were Paul B. Miller, President and Kenneth D. Black, Secretary. At the Organizational Meeting, it was agreed by the membership that the Masters and Wardens Association would not be a social club, but a working organization which will create team work within the District.
Mission Statement - The Masters and Wardens Association of the 19th Masonic District F. & A. M. will be an organization for all Master Masons, consistently delivering a moral code founded on the highest standards of ethics, honesty, and strength of character; an Association committed to charity, strong and viable leadership to its members, an Association dedicated to being an outlet for information to all Lodges with the 19th District.
We hereby commit ourselves to the following
as our Associations Goals:
1. Work to provide an annual
Scholarship/Scholarships to a District 19 student/students;
2. Work to provide Lodge information of interest to all Lodges within the 19th District.
3. Work to
provide financial assistance to the D.D.G.M. of the 19th District to
supplement his expenses for the Official Visit of the Most Worshipful Grand
Master
of Florida to District 19.
4. Work to assist in worthy charitable undertakings within District 19 and the State of Florida.
5. To meet the financial
requirements of the Association, work to increase funds
within the Treasury by appropriate fund-raisers.
Brothers who become a member of the Masters and Wardens Association can expect to be inspired, challenged, and respected within our Masonic Community. He will become a member of a growing, active, and relevant organization committed to making a difference within the 19th Masonic District.
[8.02 added 13 November 2001, by order of M. W. Glenn W. Phillips II, Grand Master]
47.03 No club or society in this Grand Jurisdiction whose membership is predicated exclusively upon members of Masons and/or of Masons and person related to them by blood or marriage shall be formed or operate within this Grand Jurisdiction unless its By-Laws are submitted to the Grand Lodge or its authority for approval, -and the same are approved, provided that any such group forming such a club may incorporate as a non-profit corporation, provided further, that any such club, when formed, operates its club and its clubrooms or rooms, if any, or their place of meeting with the same decorum as required by a Lodge of Masons, that no unfavorable reflection will result against Masonry, and provided further, that all Laws, Rides and Regulations of this Grand Lodge governing the conduct of Particular Lodges, in this Grand Jurisdiction as to the location of meeting places, club rooms, occupation of same with others, leasing property owned by such club to others, prohibiting gambling, or the use or sale of intoxicating liquors in its club rooms, or on property owned by it, and that it follow all Rules and Regulations that may be made by the Grand Lodge. A violation of any of the above having occurred, the Grand Lodge or its authority may rescind the permission given.
No such club or society shall, by a By-Law provision or otherwise limit or restrict its membership to the members of any Particular Lodge.
Any club or society heretofore organized shall have until February 15, 1985, for the submission of its By-Laws to the Grand Lodge or its authority, and may continue to function until its By-Laws are submitted and acted upon, and thereafter if the By-Laws are approved. If the Grand Lodge or its authority shall disapprove such By-Laws, such club or society shall have ninety (90) days to conform to the Grand Lodge requirements and if they do not within such period of time they shall forthwith disband and all members thereof who are Masons shall withdraw therefrom. Every such club, or society shall submit to the Grand Lodge or its authority, a copy of its By-Laws and each year thereafter on or before February 1st of each year to the Grand Secretary, a roster of its officers showing their names, places of residence and the names of the Particular Lodge to which the Officers respectively belong. (1984)
References
Chapter 4, Powers Relating to Other
Orders and Organizations.
Rulings and Decisions
Masters and Wardens Associations and the related By-Laws are governed by the Grand Master and as such are not required to conform to the Uniform Code of By-laws as presently published. (Proc. 1986 )
approved by the Grand Lodge. (1984)
PROPERTY
9.01 Ownership and Use of Property. - All property, real and personal owned, leased or controlled by this organization shall be subject to the Laws, Rules, Regulations and Edicts of the Grand Lodge governing and regulating property of Particular Lodges.
INCORPORATION
10.01 Incorporation. - This organization may, with the approval of the Grand Lodge or its authority, incorporate as a non-profit corporation. Proposed Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws for such incorporation shall be submitted for approval before being filed with civil authorities and the provisions of these By-Laws shall be incorporated in the By-Laws of any such corporation.
AMENDMENTS
11.01 AMENDMENTS-These By-Laws may be amended only as follows: Any proposal for amendment shall be submitted in writing to the Board of Directors, shall be presented for action at the next regular meeting of this organization. If a majority of the Members present at such meeting approve such proposal, the President shall announce that the proposal will be presented for final approval or rejection at the next regular meeting, and if at such regular meeting such proposal be adopted by three-fourths (3/4) vote of the Members present, the same shall be submitted in quadruplicate to the Committee on Appendant and Allied Orders for review and forwarding to the Grand Master for approval or rejection. If approved by the Grand Master, such proposal shall become effective, subject only to review by the Grand Lodge. (1985)
SCHEDULE
12.01 Schedule. -These By-Laws shall, upon approval by the Grand Lodge, be effective and shall be binding on all organizations operating under and by virtue of Grand Lodge Regulations 4.06 and 4.07, except as exempted there under. Such organization shall be furnished with four copies of these By-Laws and shall forthwith fill in the blank spaces hereof relating to name, membership, fees, dues, location and time of meeting and submit the same in quadruplicate to the Chairman of Appendant Orders Committee who shall transmit three copies with recommendation thereof to the Grand Master who shall approve or disapprove the same and make distribution thereof as provided for in Amendments to By-Laws of Particular Lodges as provided for in Grand Lodge Regulation 24.04.
12.02 Existing Organizations.-Organizations in existence at time of effective date of these By-Laws that have elected officers are not required to conduct an election of officers until the first meeting in December, at which meeting the election shall be for officers and conducted in the manner prescribed in BY-Law 5.03 hereof. (1970 Proc. 232-238)
BY-LAWS OF CLUBS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS
7.01 Meetings - The regular meetings of this organization shall be
. at a host Lodge of the particular Lodges of the 19th Masonic District at 7:00 pm on the 3rd Wednesday of every month except
Holidays.
CERTIFICATE OF PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY
We, Anthony Marotta ,President, and Alan Walls , Secretary, of Masters & Wardens Association, 19th Masonic Districts located at, Citrus, Hernando, Pasco and Sumter, Counties, Florida, hereby certify that the foregoing By-Laws were submitted in writing to the Board of Directors, and approved by a majority vote at a regular meeting of said Club or Similar Organization on the 3rd day of February 2001 ; that the membership was then given written notice, and they were adopted at a regular meeting of said Club or Similar Organization by three-fourths of all the members of the Club or Similar Organization present voting in favor on the 7th day of April, 2001.
President:..............Anthony Marotta
Secretary:.......................Alan Walls
APPROVAL
The foregoing By-Laws were approved
4/19/2001 by Louie A. King Grand Master
The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge
Of Free and Accepted Masons of Florida
ROY CONNOR SHEPPARD, P.G.M.
GRAND SECRETARY
September 15, 1997
GRAND LODGE BUILDING
P. O. BOX 1020
JACKSONVILLE, FL 32201-1020
PHONE: (904) 354-2339
PHONE: 1-800-375-2339
FAX: (904) 632-3865
M.W. Samuel E. Cowan, III, Grand Master 5825
Buckley Court
Jacksonville, Florida 32244-1606
RE: Uniform Code of By-Laws
Clubs and Similar Organizations "Masters and Wardens Association
of the 19th Masonic District" (old 18th District)
Dear Grand Master:
Enclosed are four (4) copies of the By-Laws for the "Masters and Wardens
Association of the 19th District" for your examination and distribution, in
accordance with Chapter 47 of the Digest of Masonic Law, Clubs and Similar
Organizations, By-Law 11.01.
I have examined the By-Laws and find them in correct form and in compliance with Masonic Law.
Thank you for your assistance in this matter.
Sincerely and fraternally,
Roy Connor Sheppard, P.G.M. Grand Secretary
RCS/vds
Enclosures
cc: Kenneth D. Black, Secretary
"Masters and Wardens Association of the 19th Masonic District"
Masters and Wardens
Association
Of the 19th
Masonic District Address;
Secretary Kenneth D. Black
P.O. Box 565
Lecanto Florida 34460-0565
The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge
Of Free and Accepted Masons of Florida
ROY CONNOR SHEPPARD, P.G.M. GRAND SECRETARY
Hon. Alan Walls, Secretary
Master and Wardens Association
of the 19thh
Masonic District
12821 E Big Buck Trail
Floral City, FL 34436-2665
November 14, 2001
GRAND LODGE BUILDING
P. O. BOX 1020
JACKSONVILLE, FL 32201-1020
PHONE: (904) 354-2339
PHONE: 1-800-375-2339
FAX: (904) 632-3865
Re: Uniform Code of By-Laws Clubs and Similar Organizations
Dear Brother Walls:
Please find enclosed the following Amendments to the Uniform Code of By-Laws for the Masters and Wardens Association of the 19th Masonic District, in accordance with Regulation 47.02, Section 11.01 of the Digest of Masonic Law, Clubs and Similar Organizations.
Section Number Regarding
8.01 Purposes
The Grand Master examined the By-Laws and found them in correct form and in compliance with Masonic Law; therefore, he approved them as presented. Per his request, we are returning the By-Laws to you.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to call this office. Sincerely and fraternally,
Roy Connor Sheppard, P.G.M. Grand Secretary
RCS/wj
Enclosures
cc: Grand Master
Chairman,
Jurisprudence Committee