preshand

Liberty

Equality

Grand Lodge of Massachusetts

Order Sons of Italy in America

Filial Lodge President’s Handbook

Presented by

the

Organization & Education Commission

Revised 2011

Table of Contents

Introduction ............................................................................... 3

Qualifications for Eligibility, To Office in the Council

and the Right to Vote ..............................................................

Steps Leading up to Filial Lodge Election.................................... 5-6

Hall Arrangements ......................................................................

Line-Up Of Officers (Single Installation)......................................

Line-Up Of Officers (Joint Installation) ........................................

Set Up for Installation .................................................................

10-18

Duties of Lodge Officers .............................................................

19-23

Parliamentary Procedures.............................................................

23-27

Introduction

This Filial Lodge President’s Handbook 2011 Revised will be built page by page and will continue to be a work-in progress as changes come about. As we complete sections of this handbook, we will mail the filial lodge presidents those pages so that they can be added to the handbook, hopefully, in a three ring notebook binder that they will keep updated. We ask each filial lodge president to pass this handbook on to each president-elect so he/she can use this handbook as a guide.

This handbook will be useful to newly elected presidents and officers. In fact, as time passes, you may want to share this information in little workshops with your officers and members.

If you have any suggestions that will make this handbook a more workable tool, please contact the Chairman of the Organization and Education Commission or one of the Commissioners.

The members of the Commission are:

Louis Floriani, Jr., Chair

Frank Battista

Dorothy Berlandi

Marisa Ranalli

Robert (Ollie) Oliveria

Florence Ferullo Kane

Liaison Officer: Stephen A. Cozzaglio

I thank the members of the Organization & Education Commission and State Trustee Stephen A. Cozzaglio of District I, for their part in assisting in this endeavor.

Fraternally,

Louis FLORIANI, Jr.

Chairman, Organization & Education Commission

QUALIFICATIONS FOR ELIGIBILITY TO HOLD OFFICES IN THE COUNCIL AND THE RIGHT TO VOTE.

To be elected President or Vice President of a Lodge, a member must have served a ONE YEAR TERM in a lesser position of the council (Orator, Recording Secretary, Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Trustee, Mistress/Master of Ceremonies, or Guard).It should be noted that the Immediate Past President is a member of the council, but it is not an elected position.

II.

To be eligible for any other council office a member must have been a member of the Order for at least six months prior to her/his nomination for office.

Reference: M.L. ART. 90. Also check M.L. ART. 91 for those who were once Junior Lodge Members.

III.

Every member in good financial standing has the right to be elected to administrative office, except President, Vice-President and State Delegate, provided that he /she has held membership in the Order for at least six months.

IV.

Every member in good financial standing has the right to vote at all annual elections provided that the member has been a member of the Order prior to the January meeting prior to the Election. The right to vote at any special election provided that the member has been a member of the Order for three months prior to the month in which the special election is held.

Reference: RIGHTS OF REGULAR MEMBERS, M.L. ART. 128, Sections(c)and (d).

The President of the filial lodge, who has held the office of President for two consecutive terms may be re-elected with the unanimous consent of the assembly and become one of the Delegates to which the lodge is entitled for as long as he remains President.

Reference: M. L. ART. 93 Sections (a) and (b)

STEPS LEADING UP TO FILIAL LODGE ELECTIONS

Nominating Committee. A nominating committee of five (5) members shall consist of the Immediate Past President, the Chairman of Trustees, and three members elected by ballot from its membership at the monthly meeting preceding the month of nominations (usually the January meeting),

The President shall not be Ex-Officio member of this Committee

Members of the Nominating Committee are not barred from becoming nominees for office

The Chairman of the Nominating Committee shall be elected by the members of that Committee from their body.

Procedure followed by Nominating Committee

The Chairman of the Nominating Committee shall report at the meeting of the Lodge held for the purpose of nominations (usually February) and shall read the list of nominees.

ii.

The list is given to the presiding officer who asks if there are any further nominations. Other nominations may be made from the floor.

iii.

The Committee’s nominations are treated the same as if made by the members from the floor. No vote is necessary to accept them.

iv.

When the nominations are completed, the Lodge shall proceed as provided by the By-Laws (usually in March)

Reference: POWERS OF THE FILIAL LODGES, M.L. ART. 73. Section (O)

Notification of all members of the Filial Lodge Election

The notice for a general election of a Filial Lodge must be sent to all members at least ten (10) days before the meeting and must state that the election is to be held for all officers; however notices of partial or special elections must specify the offices or the officers to be voted upon.

Reference: M.L. ART 166

II.

The Electoral Committee

The Committee shall be appointed by the Presiding Officer.

It shall be composed of a President and four examiners.

The nomination of candidates shall be directed by the presiding officer and not by the President of the Electoral Committee.

The proclamation of those who are elected must be made by the President of the Electoral Committee.

Reference: M.L. ART.73, Section (o)

Now that the election is over, it is time to make arrangements for the Installation of Officers. The Installation should be done on or before May 15.

Reference: M.L. ART. 83.

HALL ARRANGEMENTS

Visiting Delegates

State Deputy Recording Secretary President Orator Guest Speaker

H e a d T a b l e

American Flag Italian Flag

Master/Mistress of Ceremonies Altar Master/Mistress of Ceremonies

Immediate Financial

Past space to Line up Secretary

President Treasurer

Trustee Trustee Trustee Trustee Trustee

Vice President

Members and Guests

Guard at the door

LINE-UP OF OFFICERS

(single Installation)

HA H HA

TR FS RS VP IPP O

T T T T T T MC MC G

LEGEND

H = Herald RS = Recording Secretary

HA = Herald Assistants FS = Financial Secretary

P = President TR = Treasurer

VP = Vice President T = Trustees

IPP = Immediate Past Pres. M = Master/Mistress of Ceremonies

O = Orator G = Guard

LINE-UP OF OFFICERS

(JOINT iNSTALLATION)

HA H HA

P P

O IPP VP VP IPP O

TR FS RS RS FS TR

T T T T T T

MC T T T T MC

G MC MC G

H = Herald RS = Recording Secretary

HA = Herald Assistants FS = Financial Secretary

P = President TR = Treasurer

VP = Vice President T = Trustees

IPP = Immediate Past Pres. M = Master/Mistress of Ceremonies

O = Orator G = Guard

INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS

Grand Lodge of Massachusetts

Order Sons of Italy in America

INSTALLATION CEREMONY

(If the Installation Ceremony is NOT part of a regular meeting,

the President will open the ceremony by saying):

PRESIDENT: (Sit - one rap of the gavel)

Brothers and Sisters, come to order. The officers will put on their regalia.

(Whether the ceremony is part of a meeting or a special event,

the President will start the ceremony by saying):

PRESIDENT:

Worthy State Deputy _______________, please preside in my place for the installation of officers.

STATE DEPUTY: (Stands at the President's station)

Brother/Sister _______________, please act as Herald for the ceremony. Brother/Sister _______________ and _______________, please act as Assistant Heralds for the ceremony.

HERALD: (The Herald puts on the regalia, exchanges salutes with the State Deputy and takes a position near the Recording Secretary. Any Assistant Heralds will make a similar response and stand beside the altar.)

Worthy State Deputy, we are ready to act as requested.

STATE DEPUTY:

Brothers, Sisters and Guests, please sit in respectful silence and attention during the Installation Ceremony. You are requested to turn off all electronic devices. Worthy Herald, please place the outgoing officers in their proper positions as I call them to the altar.

HERALD: (Before calling the names of the officers, the State Deputy will pause while you make the statement below.)

Brothers, Sisters and Guests, please hold your applause until requested.

STATE DEPUTY:

In the first row, will the following officers please come forward:

President:

Vice President:

Immediate Past President:

Orator:

Recording Secretary:

Financial Secretary:

Treasurer:

Now in the second row, will the following officers please come forward:

Trustee:

Master/Mistress of Ceremonies:

Guard:

STATE DEPUTY:

Worthy Herald, please express the appreciation of the Lodge to these officers.

HERALD:

Worthy Officers, the Order Sons of Italy in America thanks each one of you for your devotion and dedication as an officer of this Lodge. Your many hours of sacrifice away from your families and employment on behalf of the Order are appreciated. You have been our leaders. If you have ever wondered whether your efforts have been appreciated, let us say clearly here and now to every one of you: “Yes, your efforts have been appreciated; deeply so.” It is easy to stand aside and say, "Let someone else do it.” It is not so easy to step forward and say, "I'll do it," as each of you has. We are proud to proclaim that we have had the privilege to serve under your leadership.

STATE DEPUTY:

Will the outgoing officers please turn and face the assembly. I now ask the assembly to join me in a round of applause for the members of the outgoing council. (pause for the applause of the assembly)

Will the outgoing officers please face the altar. As I call your names, please come forward, stand before the Herald and remove your regalia thus signifying the completion of your service.

(The Herald, as the outgoing officers are called to stand before them and remove their regalia, takes the regalia and places them to be held on the arms of the Assistant Heralds (if available) or places them on the altar in the order of rank so that later, they can be quickly transferred to the incoming officers. The Herald, in a low voice, will tell each officer to please take his/her seat with the general assembly.)

(The State Deputy should now call the outgoing officers to the altar to stand before the Herald. The Master/Mistress of Ceremonies and Trustees should be called in groups.)

Guard:

Master/Mistress of Ceremonies:

Trustee:

Treasurer:

Financial Secretary:

Recording Secretary:

Orator:

Immediate Past President:

Vice President:

President

STATE DEPUTY:

Worthy Herald, please place the incoming officers in their proper positions as I call them to the altar.

HERALD: (Before calling the names of the officers, the State Deputy will pause while you make the statement below.)

Brothers, Sisters and Guests, please hold your applause until requested.

STATE DEPUTY:

In the first row, will the following officers please come forward:

President:

Vice President:

Immediate Past President:

Orator:

Recording Secretary:

Financial Secretary:

Treasurer:

Now in the second row, will the following officers please come forward:

Trustee:

Master/Mistress of Ceremonies:

Guard:

STATE DEPUTY:

Worthy Herald, please greet these officers.

HERALD:

Worthy Officers, today you will become the new leaders of this lodge in our beloved organization. Your task is a formidable one. We are the oldest, largest and most geographically represented organization of Americans of Italian heritage in the United States. Your challenge, today, is to ensure that we continue this success. Always remember that the future of this lodge depends upon the manner in which you shall perform your duties. We look forward to your dedicated leadership.

STATE DEPUTY:

Worthy President, are you and the members of your council ready to take the oath of office?

INCOMING PRESIDENT:

Worthy State Deputy, we are ready.

STATE DEPUTY: (Stand - 3 raps of the gavel)

Worthy Officers, please place your right hand upon your heart. Worthy Herald, please administer the oath.

HERALD:

"We, the Officers of the _________________________ Lodge # _______, elected by the will of the assembly, before the worthy State Deputy and the emblem of our Order, declare and promise to respect our officials and to obey and have obeyed, the laws which govern us. In fulfillment of the duties of our respective offices, we promise to uphold the interests of this Lodge and of its members.” Worthy Officers, do you so promise?

OFFICERS:

We do.

HERALD:

Please lower your hands.

STATE DEPUTY:

Now that the newly elected officers of this lodge have taken the oath of office, I declare them duly and lawfully installed. (Sit - one rap of the gavel)

Worthy Herald, as I call them to the altar, please vest the officers with their regalia of office and escort them to their stations.

(The State Deputy should now call the incoming officers in ascending order of rank (beginning with the Guard) to the altar to stand before the Herald. The Master/Mistress of Ceremonies and Trustees should be called in groups.)

(The Herald, as the incoming officers are called to stand before them, should vest the officers with their regalia and salute the installing officer by placing their right hand over their heart and saying, “Worthy Installing Officer”. The Herald will then escort the officers to their stations. If Assistant Heralds are available, they should escort the officers instead of the Herald). The Master/Mistress of Ceremonies and Trustees should be escorted in groups.)

Guard:

Master/Mistress of Ceremonies:

Trustee:

Treasurer:

Financial Secretary:

Recording Secretary:

Orator:

Immediate Past President:

Vice President:

President:

STATE DEPUTY:

To express our congratulations and best wishes, I ask the assembly to join me in giving the new officers a round of applause. (pause for applause)

Worthy President, now that you and your officers have been duly installed, I hand you this gavel, which is the symbol of authority. I trust you will use it with discretion, justice and impartiality in the interest of the members of this lodge. Please take your place. (The State Deputy relinquishes the chair and hands the gavel to the President)

PRESIDENT:

Before the assembly, I promise that I shall be worthy of your faith. Worthy Herald, please inform the lodge that the Installation Ceremony is over.

HERALD:

Brother and Sisters, the installation of the new officers is now at an end. Please show them respect.

PRESIDENT:

Worthy State Deputy and worthy Herald(s), in the name of the Lodge, I thank you for your cooperation. (The Herald(s) remove their regalia, and places them on the Altar.)

DUTIES OF THE LODGE OFFICERS

General Laws

PRESIDENT

ART. 22. The President is the highest ranking officer and the leader of the Local Lodge and as such

(a) Calls and presides over all the meetings of the Council and of the assembly.

(b) Sees that the laws of the Local Lodge are observed and the deliberations of the Council and of the assembly are carried out.

(c) Sees that the laws of the Order are respected and observed, and the orders of the Supreme Lodge and of the Grand Lodge are obeyed.

(d) Controls the affairs of the Local Lodge and supervises the performance of duties by the other officers of the Council.

(e) Signs the minutes of the meetings of the assembly and all orders of payment, checks, correspondence and all documents which invest the responsibility of the Local Lodge.

(f) Unless the laws of the Local Lodge provide otherwise, the President appoints all committees of the Local Lodge, of which the President is an ex-officio member.

(g) Refrains from making proposals at the meetings of the assembly; participates in discussions only to clarify the issues presented, and votes only in case of a tie.

(h) After hearing the opinion of the Orator, the President rules upon controversies involving the application of the laws. The member who disagrees with the ruling and the interpretation of the President shall appeal within 10 days to the State President, in case the Local Lodge is under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge, and to the National President in case the Local Lodge is under the direct jurisdiction of the Supreme Lodge.

(i) When disorder arises in the meeting of the assembly or of the Council, the President may silence or censure the member or members causing such disorder. If such member or members persist in causing disorder, the President may fine, silence or expel the member or members from the hall or suspend the meeting.

(j) May appoint a Chaplain whose primary duties shall be to conduct, whenever practicable, all religious exercises of the Local Lodge. The Chaplain shall also perform such other duties relating to the office, as shall be assigned to the office from time to time by the President.

VICE PRESIDENT

ART. 23 The Vice President is the second ranking officer of the Local Lodge. As such the Vice President assists the President and takes the President’s place when the President is absent or unable to act. In the absence of the President, the Vice President performs the duties and exercises the prerogatives of the President to the same extent and with like power which the President would have, if present.

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT

ART. 24. The office of Immediate Past President shall be given to the member who has served one complete term, as President of the Local Lodge immediately preceding the incumbent. If, on account of death, disqualification, resignation or removal, the office of Immediate Past President becomes vacant, the office shall be filled from the preceding former Presidents in the inverted order of their tenure of office.

In case there are no preceding former Presidents, the office of the Immediate Past President shall be filled by electing such officer from among the members of the Local Lodge who have served a full term as officers of such Local Lodge. The Immediate Past President assumes the office of President whenever the President and the Vice President are unable to act or are absent from the meeting of the Council or of the assembly, and performs the duties and exercises the prerogatives of the President to the same extent and with like powers as the President, if present.

ORATOR

ART. 25. The Orator gives opinions concerning the application and interpretation of the laws of the Order and sees that the laws of the Order are observed and properly applied. In matters which relate to the administration of the affairs of the Local Lodge, the Orator is subordinate to the President. In matters relating to the exercise of Judicial Power the Orator is subordinate to the State or National Orator,

The Orator, either on the Orator’s own initiative or upon complaint being made to the Orator, shall have power to prefer written charges against a member who has violated the laws of the Order.

RECORDING SECRETARY

ART, 26, The Recording Secretary is the custodian of the archives and the keeper of the seal of the Local Lodge. The Recording Secretary’s duties are:

(a) To take and record the minutes of the meetings of the Council and of the assembly, which minutes are to be read at the successive meeting.

(b) To make up and keep up to date the membership roll of the Local Lodge.

(c) To care for correspondence and write letters which the Recording Secretary is directed to do by the President or other higher officer in the ranking units of the Order.

(d) To be the sole officer through whom a member may communicate with the Grand Council.

(e) To write and send notices for meetings.

(f) To act as the clerk of the Local Lodge Arbitration Commission when such Commission is in session, except in case the Recording Secretary is an interested party.

(g) Within ten days after receipt, to forward to the State Recording Secretary all appeals referred or presented to the Recording Secretary by members because of

administrative irregularities. The appeals, when forwarded, shall be accompanied by a report of the views expressed by the Council.

(h) To carry out all orders which the Recording Secretary may receive, in matters pertaining to the office, from the President or from the higher ranking officers of the Order.

FINANCIAL SECRETARY

ART. 27. The Financial Secretary is the collector and accountant of the Local Lodge. The Financial Secretary’s duties are:

(a) To collect dues and assessments, giving proper receipt therefore.

(b) To write orders of payment, affixing the Financial Secretary’s signature thereon, together with that of the President.

(c) To present orders of payment to the Treasurer, who issues checks thereon, which checks the Financial Secretary presents to the parties to whom they are payable, exacting at the same time money due from such parties to the Local Lodge.

(d) To make up and keep up to date financial records, particularly those entrusted to the Financial Secretary by the Grand Lodge or Supreme Lodge. Those financial records are: The ledger, the journal book, the financial statements, and the orders of payments.

(e) To notify by mail those members who are in default with the payment of dues and assessments.

(f) To announce members in default with the payment of dues and assessments to the assembly.

(g) To communicate, at the end of each meeting of the assembly, the total collections and disbursements made on the day of the meeting.

(h) To make a quarterly financial report, which report is to be audited and signed by no less than three trustees, a copy of which is to be sent to the State Financial Secretary.

(i) To make payment of the Capita Tax, computed on the basis of the number of members listed on the membership roll at the end of each quarter, which payment shall be made, without the necessity of deliberation on the part of the assembly of the Local Lodge, not later than January 15th, April 15th, July15th, and October 15th of each year.

(j) To carry out all orders which the Financial Secretary may receive, in matters affecting the office, from the President and from higher ranking officers of the Order.

TREASURER

ART. 28. The Treasurer is the custodian of the funds of the Local Lodge. The Treasurer’s duties are:

(a) To receive at the end of each meeting all money collected by the Financial Secretary and to issue proper receipt therefore.

(b) To record in and keep up to date the Cash Book of the Local Lodge, in which record the Treasurer shall register monthly income and disbursements of the Local Lodge.

(c) Not later than three days after each meeting, to deposit in previously designated banks the funds received by the Treasurer in accounts opened in the name of the Local Lodge.

(d) To issue and sign checks upon the receipt of proper order of payment and consign them to the Financial Secretary for delivery to the payee thereof.

(e) To withdraw funds from savings accounts opened in the name of the Local Lodge; provided the withdrawal slip bears the signature of the President, of the Financial Secretary and of at least one Trustee, in addition to the Treasurer’s; and provided further; that the assembly of the Local Lodge may dispense with the signature of the Trustee when deemed advisable.

(f) To carry out such orders which the Treasurer may receive, in matters pertaining to the office, from the President or from the higher ranking officers of the Order.

TRUSTEES

ART. 29. The Trustees supervise the affairs of the Local Lodge and are members of the Council. Their duties are:

(a) To examine and audit the books kept by the Financial Secretary and the Treasurer of the Local Lodge.

(b) To examine and audit the quarterly report of the Financial Secretary, certifying as to its correctness by affixing their signatures thereon; provided, however, that such report shall not be valid unless it bears the signature of no less than three Trustees in addition to that of the Financial Secretary.

(c) To perform such additional duties in matters pertaining to their office imposed upon them by the laws of the Order or by the deliberations of the assembly of the Local Lodge.

Trustees Must Elect Chairman

Within thirty days of the election

MASTERS AND/OR MISTRESSES OF CEREMONIES

ART. 30. The Masters and/or Mistresses of Ceremonies are officers of the Local Lodge who participate in ceremonial activities prescribed by the laws of the Order during the course of the meetings of the assembly of the Local Lodge.

GUARD

ART. 31. The Guard is the doorkeeper of the Local Lodge. The Guard duty is to exclude strangers from the meetings of the assembly and to admit those members who have identified themselves by announcing their presence to the President, who, in turn orders the Guard to either admit or exclude such members.

HERALD

ART. 32. The Herald is a ceremonial officer of the Local Lodge appointed by the occasion by the presiding officer during the meetings of the assembly of the Local Lodge. The duties of the Herald are to assist the presiding officers in conformity to the laws of the Order and in due ritualistic form, on the occasion of the institution of the Local Lodge the installation of officers and the initiation of new members in the Local Lodge.

LOCAL LODGE ARBITRATION COMMISSION

ART. 33. The Local Lodge Arbitration Commission is the judicial Tribunal of the Local Lodge. The rules and regulations which prescribe the mode of procedure, the jurisdiction, the powers and the revenue incident to the functioning of the Local Lodge Arbitration Commission are set forth in the Judicial Code of the Order.

The Local Lodge Arbitration Commission is composed of five (5) regular members, known as Commissioners, and five alternate members, known as Alternate Commissioners. The Local Lodge Commissioners and the Local Lodge Alternate Commissioners are elected at the annual meeting for electing officers of the Local Lodge for a period of one (1) year and shall serve until their successors are elected and installed, Local Lodges holding biennial elections shall elect their Arbitration Commission members for a period of two (2) years and shall serve until their successors are elected and installed.

Whenever a vacancy occurs among the Commissioners, it shall be filled by the Alternate Commissioner who received the highest number of votes during the election of the Alternate Commissioners.

STATE DELEGATES

ART 34. The State Delegates are the representatives of the Local Lodge who represent it at the Grand Convention of the Grand Lodge. The State Delegates and their alternates are to be elected by the assembly of the Local Lodge once every two years and their number shall be that which is fixed by the laws of the Grand Lodge. The Grand Lodge may permit the President of the Local Lodge to be an ex-officio member of its State Delegation.

PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE FOR OUR LODGES

By Anthony Julian, Re-issued copy of October 1998

Our Order consists of thousands of men and women from every walk of life, young and old, who have associated themselves together to achieve purposes common to all. It is governed on the principle that when differences of opinion arise the will expressed by the majority is binding upon all members. When the will of the majority on any question within the scope of the organization has been determined, and that will does not violate any superior law, and every member, either personally or by his elected representative has had a reasonable opportunity to vote on the question, then the will of the majority

should be carried out by all the members, including those who did not vote with the majority.

This is how every well-ordered society functions. Where there is a clash of opinion, therefore, the decision is made by the majority. In order to discover the will of the majority on a given question without wasting time, without confusion, and with a minimum of friction, rules known as rules of parliamentary procedure have been evolved. Any one man or group of men did not make these rules. They have grown out of the experience of countless deliberative assemblies, great and small, extending from nearly a thousand years ago to this day.

It is not possible within the space of this booklet to cover more than the elements of these rules. It is felt that those who preside at our Lodge meetings, and members generally, ought to become more familiar with the elementary rules of procedure and should follow them. It must be borne in mind that they should be applied at all times with tact and understanding.

Let us start by stating some simple but important general rules:

One question, and only one, can be under consideration at any one time.

Only one person may have the floor at any one time.

No member may speak unless the Chair first recognizes him. There are these important exceptions to this rule:

When you rise on a point of privilege;

When you rise on a point of order, or on a point of parliamentary inquiry, or for information;

When appealing the ruling of the Chair;

When you rise to object to the consideration of a question;

In making a motion for reconsideration.

No member while speaking may be interrupted by another member. To this rule there are these important exceptions. as

a. When you rise on a point of privilege;

b. When you rise on a point or order, or on a point of parliamentary

inquiry, or for information;

c. When appealing the ruling of the Chair;

d. When you rise to object to the consideration of a question;

e. In making a motion for reconsideration.

All speaking must be addressed to the Chair only.

There is no exception to this rule.

7. All speaking must be confined to the matter under consideration.

8. Under our rules, no member has a right to speak more than five

minutes on the question. The only exception to this rule is when a

member is reporting for committee.

9. No member may speak a second time on the same question

until all other members who desire to speak on the question have been

heard.

10. Under our rules, a member reporting for a committee has the right to

speak last on a question growing out of his report.

11. It is never permitted to any speaker to indulge in personalities, or to

use offensive or vulgar language. A speaker may not refer to another

member by name.

12. When the presiding officer raps his gavel to restore order or to recall

the speaker to the question, the speaker must stop talking until the

presiding officer indicates that he may proceed.

The physical arrangements at the meeting place are important aids to orderly and dignified procedure. Please refer to the Ritual for the proper hall arrangements.

The presiding officer is the leader of the members in meeting assembled.

1. He must be scrupulously fair and courteous to all members.

2. He is the arbiter of all questions of order and privilege raised by the

members.

3. He maintains order in the assembly and applies the rules impartially

and tactfully.

4. He aids member in formulating the motions they may wish to submit to

the assembly.

5. He stands when he states the motion or puts a motion to vote, or passes upon

a question of order or privilege. No motion is properly before the meeting until the

Chair has stated it.

6. He is attentive to the discussion.

7. He may not speak for or against any question unless he first turns the

chair over to the next officer in line. Having taken part in the debate he

does not resume the chair until the question has been voted on. But he

may give a factual explanation of the question for the guidance of the

members.

8. He may not make motions while president.

9. Under our rules, he may vote at elections or in case of a tie vote.

10. After hearing the opinion of the Orator, he decides all question of law.

His decision is subject to an appeal to higher authority as provided in

our laws.

11. On a point of order, he may deprive a member of the floor or caution

or censure him or even order him to leave the hall. This power he

uses carefully and with restraint, but when clearly necessary he uses it

with firmness.

12. He may declare a recess or, in cases of emergency, dissolve the

meeting.

13. He has the right to expect that the members will observe the rules of

procedure. Without the cooperation of the members in this respect, it

would be impossible to conduct an orderly meeting.

Under our special rules the presence of ten (10) members constitutes a quorum. In order that business may be transacted legally a quorum must always be present. A member may rise, and after being recognized, suggest the absence of a quorum. Upon failure to obtain a quorum there can be no business transacted except to take steps to obtain one, and to take up such matters as the time to adjourn, or to take a recess, or adjourn.

After the meeting has been properly opened, the roll of officers, the records of the preceding regular and special meetings read, corrected, if need be, and approved, and communications read, the transaction of the business of the Lodge is properly before the meeting. Business should be transacted with expedition but not in a hurry. Matters to be acted on by the Lodge must be presented in the form of motions, resolutions or orders. A motion is a proposition. It should be clearly stated and must cover some matter that falls within the scope of the purposes of the Order. The Lodge may consider only one main motion, resolution or order at a time. While the main motion is pending, only matters that are subsidiary or incidental to the main motion or matters that are of a privileged character may be presented to the meeting.

VOTING

Our special rules provide that all motions, including even the motion to close debate, are decided by a majority vote. Our rules also require that a vote be taken by a show of hands unless a motion is previously made and carried to vote by ballot or roll call. After a vote has been taken by a show of hands and a member doubts the vote and requests that the vote be verified by a roll call, then the vote will be so verified if at least four other members join in the request. Elections are regularly held by secret ballot. A motion to vote by ballot or roll call is not debatable. Since the judgment of the assembly is expressed by its vote, it is a serious breach of order while a vote is being taken for any person to try to influence a member's vote.

Where our own laws are silent, the rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order have been adopted as binding.