Article Three

Section 1: The elected officers of this Lodge will consist of a Master, Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Treasurer and Secretary. Other officers are Chaplain, Senior Deacon, Junior Deacon, Senior Steward, Junior Steward, Tyler, and Marshall.

Section 2: The Master, Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Treasurer, and Secretary will be elected for a term of one year. Election requires a majority vote at the time fixed for election of officers by the Grand Lodge.

Section 3: Trustees will serve three year terms. One will be appointed by the Master each year. The members serving the last year of his term is committee chairman. If there is a vacancy, then the member whose term would normally expire will remain an additional year.

Section 4: All other officers will be appointed by the Master to serve one-year terms.

Section 5: Officers are to be installed at any regular or special communication called by the Master for that purpose. Installation must be during January.

Section 6: The Master will decide all points of order, and from his decision there will be no appeal except to the Grand Lodge. The Master must and shall attend the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge. Failure to register, attend and vote on behalf of the Lodge shall constitute an impeachable offense, which may result in his removal from office.

At first regular meeting after his installation, the master shall present and distribute his plan for the ensuing year to all officers and members of the Lodge. This program plan shall contain, but not be limited to,

            A. A balanced budget of the anticipated income and expenditures,

            B. Goals and Objectives for:

                 1.  Membership growth,

                 2.  Officer training, education and proficiency    ,

                 3.  Project to be continued, and new projects to be considered and implemented,

                 4.  Special social activities, including, but not limited to, Valentine's Day, Lodge anniversary,                       Fourth of July, Halloween, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.   

            C. The Past Master's dinner Shall be held the third week of February each year; except, if a                        third week includes Valentine's Day, the dinner shall be held the last week of February. The                   dinner for prospective candidates shall be at the expense of the Lodge.

The Master appoints all committee's unless otherwise provided for in the resolution raising such committee. He will be chairman and presiding over each committee whose communications he attends. He will sign all orders on the treasury. At the first regular meeting after his installation he will appoint a finance committee. The Master will see that the copies of the bound volume of the Grand Lodge, the annual proceedings, and the Law of Freemasonry, are Where they may be accessible and every communication.

Section 7: The Senior Warden will be in charge of preparing the Trestleboard for Work of the Lodge. The Senior Warden must and shall attend the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge. If the Senior Warden's employment absolutely prohibits his attendance, regardless of personal time available from his employer, then the Junior Warden must and shall carry the Senior Warden's proxy and vote in his stead.

Section 8: Any member of the Lodge may prefer charges against an offending brother. To encourage the regulation of justice it will be the special duty of the Junior Warden, if there are no other accusers, to take steps to bring to trial all who violate Masonic or civil law. When charges are preferred by any member of the Lodge, the Junior Warden will represent the Lodge. He will see that the brother so charged is dealt with according to Masonic law.

Section 9: The Master, Senior Warden and Junior Warden will be ex-officio a committee on charity. They will have power to draw on the treasury for a some not exceeding $100.00 for the relief of any worthy applicant. They will report their action to the Lodge at the first regular communication.

Section 10: The Treasurer will keep an account of all monies received and paid out by him. He will pay no money except on orders signed by the Master and Secretary under the seal the Lodge. When receiving sums, the Treasurer will write his receipt on the record page. The volumes of the ledger will be paged continuously. It will contain the cash amounts of the members of the Lodge, the account with the Grand Lodge and all other accounts necessary. The Treasurer, Secretary or Master of the Lodge may disperse the funds of the Lodge.

Section 11: The Secretary will meet the requirements of his office as specified by the Grand Lodge. He will furnish demits, diplomas, certificates and such other written documents as may be ordered by the Lodge. The Secretary will prepare the annual returns to the Grand Lodge, sending them with the necessary funds at such times as may be required. He will promptly inform the Grand Secretary of all expulsions or suspensions of members of the Lodge, giving the date and reason.

The volumes of the records will be paged continuously and contain all the transactions of the Lodge. The records will contain copies of the annual report of the Secretary, Treasurer, and Finance Committee. The records will have a copy of each annual return to the Grand Lodge. At the foot of the record of each meeting statement will show all monies received and disbursed since the last communication. The statement will also show from where received and for what purpose those sums will be posted.

The Secretary shall pay the Grand Secretary annually for bond protection for the Lodge against manipulation of Lodge funds by the Secretary and Treasurer. The Lodge will report to the Grand Secretary the amount of protection necessary. This report will fix the maximum amount of protection for the Lodge that year. All reports and petitions to the Lodge must be legible. Handwritten in ink, typed, or printed are acceptable examples. No blanks are permitted in petitions.

Section 12: On the first day of December preceding the ensuing year the Secretary will charge dues to each member in good standing with the Lodge. This will be according to the terms fixed by the By-Laws of the Lodge, and the laws of the Grand Lodge. He will keep the compendium written up to date, billing all blanks to make a complete record of each member. Only the Secretary will receive dues and fees and other monies belonging to the Lodge. He will promptly pay over to the Treasurer, all monies belonging to the Lodge received by him. He will keep in stub book form the receipts, orders on Treasurer, demits and diplomas.

Section 13: The Senior and Junior Wardens and Senior Deacon must and shall attend the annual leadership training school prepared and presented by the Grand Lodge of Nebraska. The Lodge shall pay for one copy of the materials prepared by the Grand Lodge of Nebraska.

Section 14: The Senior Deacon will have a careful supervision of the visitors register. He will instruct the Tyler to see that every brother visiting the Lodge registers. Registration includes his name, date of visitation, name, number and location of his Lodge. He will also record the name of the brother who vouches for him and his official position. Until the above conditions are followed, the Senior Deacon will not introduce any brother to the Lodge.

Section 15: The Junior Deacon will aid the Senior Deacon in enforcing the provisions of his duties.

Section 16: The Stewards, under the directions of the Lodge or Junior Warden, will be in charge of refreshments. They may either provide them or request volunteers.

Section 17: The Tyler will have charge of the clothing and ceremonial paraphernalia of the Lodge. The Tyler will also see that they are clean and in good repair.

Section 1: The membership sustaining committee will consist of no less than three members and no more than seven. They will be appointed annually by the master of the Lodge. The duties of such committee shall be as follows:

            (a) To aid the Secretary in the collection of dues.

            (b) To make an effort to secure the reinstatement of brethren suspended for nonpayment of                       dues.

            (c) To make personal investigation of the cases of all brethren to be suspended whenever                             possible.

            (d) To make such influence as may be necessary to make such delinquent brethren see the                           value of maintaining their good standing.

            (e) Where proper, to make recommendations to the Lodge for the remission of dues before the                   time set for final action on suspensions.

Section 2: The audit committee will consist of not less than three members. They will examine the books and accounts of the Treasurer and Secretary as of December 31st of each year. They will report to the Lodge at the first stated communication following such audit. The report will be recorded in the records after being accepted by the Lodge.

Section 3: The standing committee of Censors will consist of two members in addition to the Senior Warden acting as chairman. This committee will zealously vindicate the reputation to the Lodge and each of the members. The Censors will, by counsel, admonition, and if necessary, reproof every brother to walk steadfastly in the principles of the Fraternity. Upon failure of any to do so, they will cause an investigation to be made. If advisable, charges may be preferred against offenders to maintain the integrity of the craft.

Section 4: The committee of Trustees will have overall custodianship of all personal and real property of the Lodge. They will manage the Temple Building, the assignment of meeting dates and storage space to other eligible groups and organizations. The committee of Trustees will determine and recommend the contributions by groups for their prorated share of maintenance expenses for operating the Temple Building. When approved by the Lodge, such contributions we paid into the hands of the Lodge Secretary.

Section 5: The committee of Trustees will be empowered to spend some of $100 for building maintenance. The purpose of the expense is to be presented at the next regular communication, for approval and payment.

Section 6: The committee on Work shall see that all brethren requiring posting of any kind receive same. They shall also see that all brethren requesting proficiency assistance of any kind receive same. The chairman of the committee on Work will conduct a Lodge Officer Leadership Training not later than April 1st of each year.

Section 1: The  fees for a background check and the degrees of Masonry shall accompany petition. These fees are as follows:   

        For background check           $25.00   

        For initiation                           $35.00

        For passing                              $25.00

        For raising                               $15.00

The proper total amount shall be attached to and made a part of the Petition for Initiation presented in due form for consideration. No petition shall be accepted until a complete background check has been conducted on the applicant. Once satisfactorily completed, the petition can be accepted for reading and appointment of the appropriate Investigation Committee.

The total amount of fees listed above may be adjusted at the time of notice from the Grand Lodge that an adjustment has been made in the annual per capita assessment. A pro-rated dues shall be computed to the end of the Masonic calendar year and assessed to the newly raised Master Mason upon completion of his proficiency examination and presentation of his card and certificate. No fees will be charged for affiliation or demission.

Section 2: If a candidate neglects to present himself for the degree for which he has been elected, for six months, he will lose his right to the degree the Lodge may vote to extend the time twelve months.

Section 3: A rejected Entered Apprentice or Fellow Craft desiring advancement shall apply by written petition over his signature.

Section 4: Each Master Mason in good standing (unless exempt under the law) shall pay his dues each year the Grand Lodge per capita tax, plus the Grand Lodge per member assessment to support the Child Identification Program, plus the Lodge portion of the dues as established by majority vote of the members of the Lodge present as a regular communication properly called were such. Such funds shall be due and payable on December 1st of the prior calendar year and become delinquent on January 1st of the year for which they are assessed.

 

Section 1: After the Lodge is opened in regular communication, the following shall be the regular order of business, subject to the will and pleasure of the Master.

        1st: Reading, correcting, approving the minutes of the last regular and all subsequent special                        communications.

        2nd: Correspondence, bills and accounts.

        3rd: Reports of committees on petitions.

        4th: Balloting on petitions.

        5th: Reports of committees.

        6th: Unfinished business.

        7th: Receiving and referring petitions.

        8th: Miscellaneous business and good of the Fraternity.

Section 2: No member present will be excused from voting upon any proposition. Exception can be given by the Master or by consent of a majority of the members present.

 

Section 1: These By-Laws may only be amended by presentation at a regular communication by a member of the Lodge and distributed among all members of the Lodge prior to presentation. The proposal shall then be entered upon the records and why over until the next regular communication. The amendment shall become a law when approved by a majority of members present. The law is in effect when approved by the Grand Lodge, or Grand Master of Masons of Nebraska.

 

 

Section 1: All By-Laws or amendments to By-Laws already enacted by the Lodge are hereby repealed upon enactment of these By-Laws in accordance with Article Seven herein.

                                                                        * * * * * * * *

Is now certified that at a regular communication of College View Lodge No. 320 A. F. & A. M. held April 7, 2010, this code of By-Laws was presented for consideration and laid over until the regular communication held May 5, 2010, when the same was adopted by a majority of the members present.

Douglas B. Johnson

Secretary

Gary E. Kassebaum

Master