Constitution
of the
GRAND COUNCIL OF
CRYPTIC MASONS OF
The
GRAND COUNCIL OF
CRYPTIC MASONS OF
Ordains and
establishes the following
for the better
government of itself, of the Councils under its jurisdiction, and of the Craft
of its obedience.
PART 1
GRAND COUNCIL
ARTICLE 1 - AUTHORITY
Section 1.1.1 - General
1.1.1.1 - The Grand Council
has power and authority to establish such rules and adopt such regulations for
its own government, that of the Councils under its jurisdiction, and of the
craft under its obedience, as may from time to time be considered necessary and
proper, and to alter and amend the same in the manner hereinafter provided,
consistently with the Constitution of the General Grand Council of Cryptic
Masons International and ancient Masonic usage.
1.1.1.2 - The Grand
Council claims, and of right enjoys, the sole government and superintendence of
all Councils of Cryptic Masons within this State, and the right to settle any
controversies arising therein.
1.1.1.3 - The Grand Council
may reprimand, suspend or expel from Cryptic Masonry in
1.1.1.4 - The Grand Council
may consider and do all things whatsoever it may regard as necessary, or
appertaining to the well-being and perpetuation of Cryptic Masonry in this
State; and the enumeration of powers herein shall not be construed to deprive
it of powers not named.
1.1.1.5 - The Grand Council
Fiscal Year shall be from April 1 through March 31 of the following year.
Section 1.1.2 - Charters and
Dispensations
1.1.2.1 - The Grand
Council has sole authority, within this State, to grant Dispensations and
Charters for holding Councils of Cryptic Masons, with the right to confer
therein the several degrees of Royal Master, Select Master, and Super Excellent
Master, and when justifiable to annul, revoke or amend such Dispensation or
Charter heretofore granted by it.
1.1.2.2 - During recess of
the Grand Council, the Grand Master may issue a Dispensation to nine or more
regular Cryptic Masons empowering them to open a Council of Cryptic Masons and
to hold Councils of Royal Masters, Select Masters, and Super Excellent
Masters. The Dispensation shall bear the
signatures of the Grand Master and the Grand Recorder, shall be affixed with
the Seal of the Grand Council. The
Dispensation shall remain in effect until acted upon at a subsequent assembly
of the Grand Council. The fee for each
Dispensation to form a new Council shall be one hundred dollars ($100.00). Payment of this fee shall accompany the
request to form a new Council.
1.1.2.3 - At a subsequent
assembly called for that purpose, a Dispensation to hold a Council must be
returned to the Grand Council with a request for a Charter. The request shall
be supported by a copy of the records of the acts done under its authority, a
copy of the By-laws proposed for the government of the new Council, and a
current financial statement.
Section 1.1.3 - Fees and Assessments
1.1.3.1 - The Grand Council
may assess and collect from the several Councils under its jurisdiction such
sums of money, annually or otherwise, as may from time to time be found
necessary for the reasonable support and maintenance of the Grand Council.
1.1.3.2 - The fee for a
Charter for a new Council shall be $100.00.
The fee previously paid for a dispensation to hold this Council shall
satisfy this requirement.
ARTICLE 2 - COMPOSITION
Section 1.2.1 - General Membership
1.2.1.1 - The Grand Council
is composed of the following:
a)
Current Elected and Appointed Grand Officers of
b) Past Elected
Grand Officers of
c) Past Appointed
Grand Officers of New Hampshire who have served for 5 or more years;
d) Masters, Deputy
Masters and Principal Conductors of the Work or their duly appointed proxies,
of the Chartered Councils under this
jurisdiction;
e) Past Masters of
Councils under this jurisdiction;
f) Any Companion unanimously elected to
permanent membership by the Grand Council.
1.2.1.2 - Each member of the
Grand Council, or his proxy, has one vote on matters before Grand Council.
Section 1.2.2 - Elected Officers
1.2.2.1 - The Elective
Officers of the Grand Council shall consist of the following:
a) Grand Master
b) Grand Deputy
Master
c) Grand Principal
Conductor of the Work
d) Grand Treasurer
e) Grand Recorder
f) Grand Assistant Treasurer
g) Grand Assistant
Recorder
h) Grand Captain of
the Guard
1.2.2.2 - These Officers
shall be elected at each Annual Assembly of the Grand Council, via written
ballot and by a majority of the votes cast.
1.2.2.3 - No Companion shall
be elected to the office of Grand Master, Grand Deputy Master, Grand Principal
Conductor of the Work or Grand Captain of the Guard who is not a Past Master of
a Council under this jurisdiction. No Companion shall be elected to any other
Grand Office unless he is a member of a Council under this jurisdiction.
1.2.2.4 - No Companion shall
serve as Grand Master for more than three successive years.
1.2.2.5 – The title of the
Grand Master is Most Illustrious. The
title of each other elected Grand Officer is Right Illustrious.
Section 1.2.3 - Appointed Officers
1.2.3.1 - The appointed
Officers of the Grand Council shall consist of the following:
a) At least two
Grand Chaplains
b) Grand Lecturer
and Three Grand Deputy Lecturers
c) Grand Conductor
of the Council
d) Grand Marshal
e) Grand Steward
f) Grand Sentinel
g) Grand Organist
h) Such other
officers as the Grand Master may from time to time deem necessary.
1.2.3.2 - These officers
shall be appointed by the Grand Master Elect prior to his installation. Each Grand Master shall give serious
consideration to equal representation of all constituent Councils in the Grand
Officer complement.
1.2.3.3 - No Companion shall
be appointed to any Grand Office unless he is a member of a Council under this
jurisdiction.
1.2.3.4 - The title of
each Grand Chaplain, the Grand Lecturer and each Grand Deputy Lecturer is Right
Illustrious. The title of each other
appointed Grand Officer is Illustrious.
Section 1.2.4 - Officer Installation
1.2.4.1 - Every Companion
elected or appointed to an office in this Grand Council shall, if present, be
installed at some suitable time before the final closing of the assembly at
which he may have been elected or appointed.
Should any Companion elected or appointed to an office be unavoidably
called away before being installed, it shall be his duty to present himself to
the Master of his own Council for installation.
Immediately thereafter, he shall cause a certificate of such
installation to be filed promptly with the Grand Recorder.
1.2.4.2 - Each officer of
the Grand Council and of each constituent Council shall, at the time of his
installation, make the following declaration: " I …….. do most solemnly
promise on the honor of a Cryptic Mason
that to the utmost of my knowledge and ability I will strictly comply with the
Constitution of the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of New Hampshire, and will
support and maintain the Constitution of the General Grand Council of Cryptic
Masons International and all other Masonic usage."
1.2.4.3 - Each Grand Council
Officer shall hold his office and discharge his duties until his successor is
duly installed.
Section 1.2.5 - Officer Succession
1.2.5.1 - In case of the
permanent absence of the Grand Master, Grand Deputy Master or Grand Principal
Conductor of the Work, the elective officer next in rank shall replace his
superior. In the event the Grand Captain of the Guard progresses to the office
of Grand Principal Conductor of the Work, the Grand Master shall make a
temporary appointment to fill the office of Grand Captain of the Guard. In the
absence of all the above listed officers, the senior Past Grand Master present shall
preside.
Section 1.2.6 - Proxies
1.2.6.1 - The appointment of
a proxy for the Master, Deputy Master, or Principal Conductor of the Work in a
Council, to represent that officer in Grand Council, shall be in writing on the
form provided for that purpose. The Form
shall be signed by the principal, shall designate at what assembly of the Grand
Council the proxy shall act, shall be valid for that assembly only, and shall
be voided if the principal appears in person.
1.2.6.2 - No Companion shall
be appointed a proxy for any Officer unless he is a member of the same Council
as his principal.
ARTICLE 3 - ASSEMBLIES
Section 1.3.1 - Annual Assembly
1.3.1.1 - The Grand Council
shall hold an Assembly annually on the second Saturday in May, at a location agreed
upon by the Grand High Priest and the Grand Master of New Hampshire. The Annual
Assembly shall be held in conjunction with the Annual Convocation of the Grand
Royal Arch Chapter of New Hampshire and on a rotational basis. That is, a morning assembly one year, and an
afternoon assembly the next.
1.3.1.2 – Any business may be
conducted at the Annual Assembly.
Section 1.3.2 - Annual Business
Assembly
1.3.2.1 - The Grand Council
shall hold a Business Assembly annually within 30 days prior to the second
Saturday in May. All reports of the
Grand Council may be given at this Annual Business Assembly with the exception
of the following reports, which MUST be given and approved at the Annual
Assembly:
The Reports of the
Grand Recorder
Grand Treasurer
Jurisprudence Committee
Credentials Committee
Finance Committee
1.3.2.2 - Any business may
be conducted at the Annual Business Assembly.
Section 1.3.3 - Special Assemblies
1.3.3.1 - The Grand Master
may call Special Assemblies, as he may deem proper.
1.3.3.2 - The only business
to be transacted at a Special Assembly shall be that stated in the notice
therefor, which shall be issued at least 30 days beforehand, and include the
time and place of the Assembly.
Section 1.3.4 - Business Discipline
1.3.4.1 - For each motion not
otherwise provided for in this Constitution, the Presiding Officer shall ensure
that the motion presented for consideration is clearly understood before the
vote is taken. In case of doubt he may require that the motion be presented in
writing.
1.3.4.2 - Any motion to
reconsider a vote shall lie over until the next assembly.
ARTICLE 4 - DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1.4.1 - Grand Master
1.4.1.1 - The Grand Master
shall preside in the Grand Council. He
shall exercise and discharge executive functions thereof when Grand Council is
not in session, and render watchful care and supervision over the constituent
Councils in this jurisdiction.
1.4.1.2 - The Grand Master
may suspend any Grand Officer for just cause, and appoint a suitable person to
act instead until the next assembly of the Grand Council.
1.4.1.3 - During periods of
recess, the Grand Master shall temporarily fill each vacancy that occurs in any
office of the Grand Council, except those covered in ¶ 1.2.5.1.
1.4.1.4 - The Grand Master
may convene any Council, preside therein, inspect its proceedings, and require
conformity to Masonic law, usage and custom.
1.4.1.5 - The Grand Master
may for good cause suspend the labors of a constituent Council by arresting its
Charter until the next assembly of the Grand Council.
1.4.1.6 - The Grand Master
shall, in person or by proxy, duly constitute and consecrate newly chartered
Councils.
1.4.1.7 - The Grand Master
may for good cause suspend the Master of a constituent Council from the
exercise of the functions of his office until the next assembly of the Grand
Council. In such case he shall furnish
the suspended Master with a copy of the charges filed against him, and summons
him to appear at the next assembly of the Grand Council.
1.4.1.8 - Whenever the
offices of Master, Deputy Master and Principal Conductor of the Work of a
Council all become vacant, the Grand Master shall appoint a Master, Deputy
Master and Principal Conductor of the Work from the members of such Council to
act as such until replacement officers are elected by the Council.
1.4.1.9 - The Grand Master
may direct any elective officer of the Grand Council to perform an official
Visitation of any constituent Council.
Such officer shall have the powers of the Grand Master during such
Visitation.
1.4.1.10 – The Grand Master
shall have the power to grant dispensations for all purposes within the scope
of his duties.
1.4.1.11 - The Grand Master
shall recommend the appointment of a Grand Representative to each Grand Council
recognized by this Grand Council. If any
Grand Representative does not attend the Annual Assembly of this Grand Council
for three consecutive years, the Grand Master shall consider recommending a
replacement.
1.4.1.12 – The Grand Master
shall consider, and approve as appropriate, each recommendation from another
jurisdiction for the appointment of a Grand Representative to
1.4.1.13 - The Grand Master
shall perform such other duties and exercise such other powers and prerogatives
as properly pertain to his office, consistent with this Constitution, the
Constitution of the General Grand Council of Cryptic Masons International, and
ancient Masonic usage.
Section 1.4.2 - Grand Treasurer
1.4.2.1 - The Grand
Treasurer shall manage all property and funds of the Grand Council. He shall receive all monies belonging to the
Grand Council from the Grand Recorder or other sources. He shall pay all bills
consistent with the budget, or ordered paid by the Grand Council.
1.4.2.2 - At each Annual
Assembly the Grand Treasurer shall include in his Annual Report an account of
all monies received and paid out since the last Annual Assembly; an inventory
of all funds assigned to him by the Grand Council including the General Fund;
and an inventory of any Grand Council equipment necessary to the functioning of
the office of Grand Treasurer.
1.4.2.3 - The Grand
Treasurer shall receive in payment for his services the sum of fifty dollars
per year as salary, and fifty dollars per year for use of his facilities, which
will be paid annually.
Section 1.4.3 - Grand Recorder
1.4.3.1 - The Grand Recorder
shall maintain and manage the Archives of the Grand Council. He shall keep a fair record of all the transactions
of the Grand Council, cause the same to be printed immediately after the close
of each Annual Assembly, and distribute the same as directed by the Grand
Council.
1.4.3.2 - The Grand Recorder
shall maintain an inventory of the following:
Grand Council
Charter
The
Official Seal of the Grand Council
Grand Officers'
jewels, collars, and aprons
Past Grand Officers
jewels
Service pins
Insurance policies
Plain text rituals
Grand Council
Properties (Paraphernalia)
Such office
equipment as may be needed for Grand Council operations
All
unused properties resulting from discontinued Constituent Councils
1.4.3.3 - The Grand Recorder
shall ensure that the Grand Secretary of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of New
Hampshire has arranged for a Fidelity Bond covering the following: Grand Treasurer, Grand Recorder, Grand
Assistant Treasurer, and Grand Assistant Recorder of the Grand Council of
Cryptic Masons of New Hampshire, and the Treasurer, Recorder, Assistant Treasurer
and Assistant Recorder of each constituent Council.
1.4.3.4 - The Grand Recorder
shall provide constituent Councils with Annual Returns Forms, and
Credential/Proxy Forms. (See Appendix
for Forms)
1.4.3.5 - The Grand Recorder
shall transfer all Grand Council monies received by him to the Grand Treasurer
taking his receipt therefor.
1.4.2.6 – The Grand Recorder
shall maintain a safe repository in the name of the Grand Council of Cryptic
Masons of New Hampshire and of sufficient size to accommodate certificates of
deposit, stock, deeds and such other items as he shall deem of sufficient value
to be placed therein.
1.4.3.7 - The Grand Recorder
shall attend to such other duties as may be required by his office.
1.4.3.8 - The Grand Recorder
shall receive in payment for his services the sum of $200.00 per year as
salary, and $200.00 per year for use of his facilities, which will be paid
annually.
Section 1.4.4 - Remaining Grand
Officers
1.4.4.1 - The remaining Grand
Officers shall perform such duties as are traditionally appropriate to their
respective stations, and as may be assigned to them by the Grand Master or the
Grand Council.
ARTICLE 5 - COMMITTEES
Section 1.5.1 - Standing Committees
1.5.1.1 - The Finance
Committee shall consist of at least three members, who shall be elected at each
Annual Assembly.
1.5.1.2 - The Grand Master
immediately after his installation shall appoint the following Standing
Committees:
Credentials
Doings
of Grand Officers
Jurisprudence
Correspondence
Unfinished
Business
Section 1.5.2 - Special Committees
1.5.2.1 - The Grand Master
shall appoint such other Special Committees, as he deems necessary. (See Appendix for Committee membership
requirements and duties).
ARTICLE 6 - DEGREES RECOGNIZED
Section 1.6.1 - Listing
1.6.1.1 - The only degrees
recognized by this Grand Council are the following: Royal Master, Select Master and Super
Excellent Master. These degrees must be
conferred only in the order enumerated.
ARTICLE 7 - VISITATIONS
Section 1.7.1 - Purpose
1.7.1.1 - The purpose of Visitations is to assist
the constituent Councils in gaining and maintaining proficiency in the
administration of Council affairs, and the performance of ritual. The Visiting Officer shall attend to the
administrative segment, and the assigned Lecturer shall attend to the ritual
segment.
Section 1.7.2 - Performance
1.7.2.1 - The Elected Line
Officers shall perform official Visitations of constituent Councils as assigned
to them by the Grand Master. During each
Visitation, the Visiting Officer shall inspect for the presence and condition
of the following:
Charter,
Warrant or Dispensation
By-laws
Recorder’s
Records
Most
recent Treasurer Annual Financial Statement
The
Plain Text Ritual
Council
Properties (to ensure minimal ritual requirements)
1.7.2.2 - Each Visiting
Officer shall report his findings to the Grand Master, with a copy to the Grand
Recorder, within 10 days of his Visitation and on the official form provided
for that purpose by the Grand Recorder.
The report shall attach a copy the most recent Council Annual Financial
Statement.
1.7.2.3 - The Grand Lecturer
shall oversee ritual performed by constituent Councils in order to promote
uniformity and exactness. He shall be
assisted by three (3) Grand Deputy Lecturers appointed by the Grand Master. The Grand Lecturer shall assign a Grand
Deputy Lecturer to each Visiting Officer.
The Grand Lecturer shall accompany the Grand Master during each of his
official Visitation(s), and personally perform the Lecturer’s duties on those
occasions.
1.7.2.4 - At each Official
Visitation, the assigned Grand Deputy Lecturer or the Grand Lecturer shall
observe and comment on the ritual performed.
He shall report his findings on the official form provided for that
purpose by the Grand Recorder. The
Report shall be sent to the Grand Lecturer within 10 days, with copies to the
Grand Recorder and a courtesy copy to the constituent Council Recorder.
ARTICLE 8 - AWARDS
SECTION 1.8.1 - Meritorious
1.8.1.1 - The General Grand
Council Cryptic Mason of the Year Award may be presented by the General Grand
Council each year to one Companion from this jurisdiction, usually based on a
recommendation by the Grand Master submitted prior to February 1. The recommendation normally shall be derived
from nominations received from constituent Councils. Each nomination should include Masonic/Civic
accomplishments and a full explanation of qualifications. Past Grand Masters and current Elected Grand
Officers are not qualified for this award.
1.8.1.2 - One General Grand
Council Youth Award may be presented annually to one worthy individual. The recipient of this award shall be selected
by the Grand Master, normally derived from recommendations from constituent
Councils submitted to the Grand Master prior to February 1. Each recommendation should include a
description of exceptional service to Youth Organizations.
1.8.1.3 – Each constituent
Council may present annually one Ish Sodi Award to a Companion of that Council
who has exhibited outstanding service to that Council. The Grand Council shall supply this award to
constituent Councils at cost.
Section 1.8.2 - Longevity
1.8.2.1 - The Grand Council
may provide at cost to constituent Councils a suitable lapel pin to recognize a
Companion who has held Council membership for a period of twenty years.
1.8.2.2 - The Grand Council
may provide at cost to constituent Councils a suitable lapel pin as a token of
recognition to a Companion who has been a Council member for a period of forty
years.
1.8.2.3 - If requested by a
constituent Council, certificates are available from the Grand Recorder to
recognize 20, 40, and 50 years of membership and at increments of five years
thereafter.
CONSTITUENT
COUNCILS
ARTICLE 1 - DISPENSATIONS AND CHARTERS
Section 2.1.1 - Requirements
2.1.1.1 - Each Council of
Cryptic Masons in this jurisdiction shall have a Dispensation or a Charter
issued by this Grand Council.
2.1.1.2 - Dispensations and
Charters to constituent Councils shall include the power to hold Councils of
Royal Master, Select Master, and Super Excellent Master, and to confer the
associated degrees.
2.1.1.3 - Each petition for
a Charter for a new Council shall be signed by at least nine regular Cryptic
Masons. The fee for such Charter shall accompany the petition (See ¶ 1.1.3.2).
Section 2.1.2 - Withdrawal
2.1.2.1 - Grand Council may
arrest the Charter of any Council if:
a) the Council
failed to make Annual Returns in the prescribed form during a period of three
consecutive years; or
b) the Council was
not represented at either the Annual Assembly or Annual Business
Assembly of Grand Council during a period
of three consecutive years.
2.1.2.2 - Each Charter
surrendered or arrested by the Grand Council shall be returned to the Grand
Council together with the Council Seal.
Council Records, By-laws, costumes, funds and other property of the
Council of every description normally shall be returned to Grand Council for
disposition. If this action is
unacceptable to a majority of the surviving members of that Council, a special
committee from Grand Council shall meet with them to resolve this matter.
ARTICLE 2 - BY-LAWS
Section 2.2.1 - Requirements
2.2.1.1 - Each Council must
adopt By-laws for its own special regulation and government, and may revise,
alter or amend the same. Such By-laws must not be contrary to the Constitution
of the General Grand Council of Cryptic Masons International, this
Constitution, or the ancient usage of the craft. No revision, alteration or
amendment shall be made to the By-laws until such action shall have been
presented in writing at a Stated Assembly, entered on the Council Record and
laid over until the next Stated Assembly. The Grand Master shall approve such
change before the same shall take effect.
Section 2.2.2 - Life Membership
2.2.2.1 - A constituent
Council may offer Life Membership to its members providing the By-laws of that
Council specifically state that Life Memberships are permitted in that Council.
(See Life Membership appendix to this Constitution).
ARTICLE 3 - ASSEMBLIES
Section 2.3.1 - Annual Assembly
2.3.1.1 - The Annual Assembly
of each Council in this jurisdiction shall be held during the month of March.
Section 2.3.2 - Special Assemblies
2.3.2.1 - A Special Assembly
of a Council may be held at such time as the Master may direct and upon due
notice to the members. No business
shall be in order at a Special Assembly except as stated in the notice.
Section 2.3.3 - Other Requirements
2.3.3.1 - Each Council must
meet for the transaction of business at least four times during the Cryptic
year, at the place specified in the Dispensation or Charter, and at such time
as may be determined by the Council By-laws. Should any Council fail to meet
for the space of one year, without the consent of the Grand Council or the
Grand Master, Grand Council may arrest the Charter of that Council.
2.3.3.2 - All business of
the Council must be conducted in an open Council of Select Masters.
ARTICLE 4 - OFFICERS
Section 2.4.1 – Elective Officers
2.4.1.1 – The Elective
Officers of a constituent Council shall consist of the following:
a)
Master
b)
Deputy Master
c)
Principal Conductor of the Work
d)
Treasurer
e)
Recorder
f)
Assistant Treasurer (Optional)
g)
Assistant Recorder (Optional)
2.4.1.2 - These officers
shall be elected at the Annual Assembly of the Council, by a written ballot,
and by a majority of the votes cast.
Section 2.4.2 - Appointed Officers
2.4.2.1 - The Appointed
Officers of a constituent Council shall consist of the following:
a)
Captain of the Guard
b)
Conductor of the Council
c)
Chaplain
d)
Marshal
e)
Steward
f)
Sentinel
g)
Such other officers as the Master may from time to time
deemed necessary.
2.4.2.2 - These officers
shall be appointed by the Master Elect prior to his installation.
Section 2.4.3 – Titles
2.4.3.1 - The title of the
Master is Thrice Illustrious. The title
of the Deputy Master and the title of the Principal Conductor of the Work is
Illustrious. The title of each other officer is Companion.
Section 2.4.4 - Duties
2.4.4.1 - The duties of
Council Officers are prescribed in “Ceremonial for Installation of Officers of
a Constituent Council” contained in the Appendix.
2.4.4.2 - Each officer
shall hold his office and discharge his duties until his successor is duly
installed.
Section 2.4.5 – Officer
Succession
2.4.5.1 - In the case of the
permanent absence of the Master, Deputy Master, or Principal Conductor of the
Work, the elective officer next in rank shall replace his superior. In the event the Principal Conductor of the
Work progresses to the office of Deputy Master, the Master shall make temporary
appointment to fill the office of Principal Conductor of the Work. In the absence of all the above listed
officers, the Senior Past Thrice Illustrious Master present shall preside.
ARTICLE 5 - CONFERRAL OF DEGREES
Section 2.5.1 - Prerequisites
2.5.1.1 - A Council may
confer the degrees within its gift only upon a petitioner who has been elected
to receive the degrees and has paid the required fee.
2.5.1.2 - A Cryptic Mason
from without this jurisdiction who has not received one or more Council degrees
required by this Constitution may receive the missing degrees from any
constituent Council, free of charge, and thereby satisfy our regulatory
requirements of a Cryptic Mason.
Section 2.5.2 - Ritual
2.5.2.1 - Each Master shall
see that the degrees are conferred according to current New Hampshire Grand
Council Ritual.
ARTICLE 6 - PROPERTIES
Section 2.6.1 - Requirements
2.6.1.1 - Each Council shall
have a seal, which seal shall be affixed to all Official communications. An
impression of each seal, with a written description of the features thereon,
shall be transmitted to the Grand Recorder as a permanent record.
ARTICLE 7 - DUES, FEES, AND
ASSESSMENTS
Section 2.7.1 - Collection
2.7.1.1 - Each Council has
the right to assess and collect from its members such dues, fees, and
assessments as shall be necessary to pay the Grand Council obligations, defray
the ordinary expenses of the Council, and keep up its Charity Fund. If any
Companion shall neglect to pay such dues and assessments he may be suspended
from membership in the same manner as prescribed by the Constitution of the
Grand Lodge. A Companion suspended under this section may be restored to
membership in accordance with the Council By-laws.
2.7.1.2 - The fee for conferral
of Council degrees shall be at least twenty-five dollars.
Section 2.7.2 - Payment
2.7.2.1 - Each Council in
this jurisdiction shall pay annually to the Grand Recorder, on or before the
fifteenth (15th) day of April, the following:
a)
Three dollars ($3.00) for each candidate greeted in that
Council during the year ending March 31st.
b)
Four dollars ($4.00) for each member of that Council,
which shall include all General Grand Council International fees and
assessment.
c)
Each special assessment approved by this Grand Council
2.7.2.2 - Each Council not
filing the required Annual Return with the money due the Grand Council, will be
charged a late fee of $1.00 per delinquent day.
ARTICLE 8 - GRAND COUNCIL
REPRESENTATION
Section 2.8.1 - Requirements
2.8.1.1 - Each Council shall
be represented at every Assembly of Grand Council. Minimum Council
representation shall consist of the Master, Deputy Master and Principal
Conductor of the Work, or their respective legally appointed proxies. Each
Council not represented at the Annual Assembly of Grand Council by at least one
of the aforementioned officers shall pay a $5.00 fine to the Grand Council
(General Fund).
PART 3
INDIVIDUALS
ARTICLE 1 - ELIGIBILITY FOR MEMBERSHIP
Section 3.1.1 - Requirements
3.1.1.1 - Any Royal Arch
Mason may make application for membership to any constituent Council within
this jurisdiction provided he has resided within this State for a period of at
least six (6) months next preceding such application.
3.1.1.2 - Each application
for the degrees or membership in a Council must be made in writing. The application must be signed by the
applicant, recommended by two members of that Council, must be accompanied by
the required fee, may be referred to a committee for investigation, and must be
accepted by unanimous ballot, which may be taken the same day the application
is received.
3.1.1.3 - Any Council shall
not consider an application from a previously rejected Petitioner until six
months from the date of that rejection.
3.1.1.4 - No person shall be
admitted a member of any Council who has not regularly received the several
degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, Master Mason, Mark Master Mason,
Past Master, Most Excellent Master, Royal Arch Mason, Royal Master and Select
Master.
3.1.1.5 - Any Cryptic Mason
in good standing may become a member of any Council within this jurisdiction by
conforming to this Constitution and to the By-laws of the Councils
involved. However, he shall hold an
Elective Office in only one Council at the same time.
3.1.1.6 - Membership in a
Council is voluntary. A member in good
standing may therefore at any time, upon application to a Council, withdraw his
membership and be granted a Demit. However, if suspicion of Masonic offense exists,
his Demit may be withheld until a reasonable time for the introduction of
charges.
3.1.1.7- In order to
maintain membership in a constituent Council, a Companion must be a member in
good standing in both his Symbolic Lodge and his Royal Arch Chapter.
ARTICLE 2 - DECORUM
Section 3.2.1 - General
3.2.1.1 - All Cryptic Masons
in good standing are welcomed and encouraged to attend all Grand Council
activities.
3.2.1.2 - Each Companion
present in Grand Council should be clothed with the badge of a Cryptic Mason. Each credentialed Council Officer or
his proxy should be clothed with the jewel of his office.
3.2.1.3 - All Masonic
communication by any constituent Council or member thereof, or by any regular
Cryptic Mason residing in this jurisdiction, with a clandestine Council, member
thereof, or any person advanced or exalted therein, is forbidden.
3.2.1.4 - Any Council may,
for cause, deny to an unaffiliated Companion the privilege of visiting the
Council or joining in public processions.
ARTICLE 3 - TRIALS AND PUNISHMENT
Section 3.3.1 - Requirements
3.3.1.1 - Constituent
Councils not only possess the right, but it is their express duty, to take
cognizance of the conduct of all Companions within this jurisdiction, whether
such Companions are members of constituent Councils or otherwise, and to
suspend or expel from the rights and privileges of the Craft all within their
purview who are found guilty of unmasonic conduct.
3.3.1.2 - In all cases of
trial for any Masonic offense a Council shall proceed substantially in the
manner prescribed by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of New Hampshire in its
Constitution.
3.3.1.3 - Masonic
Punishments shall consist of permanent expulsion, indefinite suspension, or
reprimand.
Punishment shall be administered by the
Master in open Council. Refusal to submit to the penalty of reprimand leaves
the convicted Companion suspended until the reprimand is administered.
3.3.1.4 - No Council can try
its Master. Any five members of the Council may impeach him to the Grand
Master, who will order an investigation of the charges.
PART 4
SPECIAL FUNDS
NOTE: The
Grand Council may establish such special funds as deemed appropriate. Details of such special funds shall appear
under this Part.
PART 5
ALTERATIONS
ARTICLE 1 - ALTERATIONS TO THIS CONSTITUTION
Section 5.1.1 - Requirements
5.1.1.1 - The Grand Council shall have full power
and authority to make such amendments, alterations, and additions to this
Constitution at any Assembly, as they shall find proper and expedient. Each amendment, alteration or addition shall
be proposed in writing at any Assembly of the Grand Council, and be filed with
the Grand Recorder. The written proposal should be forwarded to the Grand
Recorder at least 45 days prior to the Assembly so that it can be included in the
notice for that Assembly. Each proposal
published in the notice for an Assembly shall be considered at that Assembly,
and shall require a three-fourths favorable ballot to accept. Otherwise the proposal shall be
abandoned. A proposal presented at an
Assembly but not published in the notice for that Assembly may be considered at
that Assembly, but shall require a unanimous ballot to accept. Otherwise, the proposal shall lie over until
the next Assembly, at which a three-fourths favorable ballot is required to
accept.
5.1.1.2 - Amendments,
alterations and additions to the Appendices of this Constitution may be
approved at any Assembly by a simple majority vote.
PART 6
PRECEDENTS
ARTICLE I - OTHER MATTERS
Section 6.1.1 - General
6.1.1.1 - On any matter not
mentioned in this Constitution, the Constitution of the Most Worshipful Grand
Lodge of the Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons of
the State of New Hampshire shall determine such question in conformity with
accepted Masonic usage.