SIGNET LODGE No. 264, A.F. & A.M. BY-LAWS
Article I—NAME OF LODGE/CHARTER: Signet Lodge #264, Ancient and Free Accepted Masons. Charted on the 8th day of June, 1870 by the Grand Lodge of Iowa A.F.&A.M. All By-Laws heretofore adopted are hereby repealed and revised as of this 6th day of January, 2011.
Article II—COMMUNICATIONS/TIME/PLACE:
SECTION 1. All stated communications of this lodge shall be held at the Masonic Temple, 2002 North Highway 71, Carroll, IA on the first Thursday of each month. In the event of a holiday or inclement weather, it shall be moved to the 2nd Thursday of the month. The meal will commence at 630pm, with a stated meeting to follow at 730pm.
Article III—ORDER OF BUSINESS: As follows with the discretion of the Worshipful Master per Chapter 36, section 231 of The Code of the Grand Lodge of Iowa.
SECTION 1.
SECTION 2. It will be the tradition of Signet Lodge that minutes are not read but rather available in written form in the Tyler’s room for review. The previous month’s bills and expenses will be present in the minutes.
Article IV—FEES/DUES/FINANCES:
SECTION 1. The fees for the three degrees shall be $85.00 paid prior to the 1st degree. The candidate will receive his Masonic Apron and Bible, Freemasonry for Dummies, and the cipher.
SECTION 2. The dues shall be $75.00 annually, with a corresponding increase with increases in the Grand Lodge dues. If a brother is raised after July 1st only half the dues shall be assessed. Any brother on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States of America shall have his dues remitted for the years of his tour of duty.
SECTION 3. The following financial regulations will be placed:
Section 4. Operating expenses of the Lodge will fully come from said fund. If the expenses exceed the Operating Expense Fund, dues must be raised or donations made for the difference.
Section 5. Bank accounts should be opened as follows:
Section 6. These funds will be audited annually by the Finance Committee per Article VII, section 2, reported to Lodge, with their values entered in the minutes. The initial dollar amounts for these funds from existing funds will be recommended by the Board of Trustees and approved by a majority of brothers present at the meeting following the By-Laws approval. There will be no future re-allotments without amendment to these By-Laws.
Section 7. If through merger of a Lodge, funds are made available, the money will be placed into the Operating Expenses account.
Article V—OFFICERS COMPENSATION: The Secretary shall receive $35.00 per month in which he performs his duties.
Article VI—BOARD OF TRUSTEES: The Board of Trustees shall consist of the three Principal Officers and each subsequent year is their successors in office. Their duties are proscribed by Chapter 26, section 181 of The Code of the Grand Lodge of Iowa. This Board is exclusive of the Building Board of Trustees which is ruled by their own By-Laws.
Article VII—COMMITTEES:
SECTION 1. Charity Committee is a standing committee and shall be the elected officers chaired by the Worshipful Master to act on behalf of the Lodge in exercising benevolence so determined by the committee and limited by the financial rules of the Lodge. This committee will determine the Signet Scholarship award winners as well as set the amount of reward(s).
SECTION 2. Finance Committee is a standing committee consisting of three members of the Lodge. This committee shall annually examine the books and other records from the Secretary and Treasurer, making a report in writing to be entered in the minutes and a brief verbal report to the Lodge in the February stated meeting. This committee will make all investment decisions on all the funds of the Lodge. The term shall be staggered three year terms.
SECTION 3. Education Committee is a standing committee consisting of three members to organize Masonic talks, distribute materials, update the Website, and send newsletters.
SECTION 4. Membership Committee shall be three members appointed by the Worshipful Master to be available to approach potential candidates in discussing Masonry as well as organizing means to improve attendance at meetings.
Section 5. General information: All members, unless otherwise designated, will serve one year. Active committee business will be presented at the stated meetings. All committee members will be appointed by the Worshipful Master unless otherwise noted.
Article IX—AMENDMENTS: The Lodge may at any time adopt new By-Laws or make any desired amendments thereto consistent with The Code of the Grand Lodge of Iowa; provided, that no such amendments or By-Laws shall be adopted by the Lodge except at a stated communication thereof, after being presented at the previous stated meeting, and the announcement made that the same will be for action by the Lodge at the next state meeting. A majority vote of brothers present will suffice to adopt. No By-Law, nor any portion can be temporarily dispensed with or suspended except the order of business as stated in Article III.
SECTION 1. All members will sign a book designating they have received and read the By-Laws at the first stated communication after being raised to a Master Mason.
SECTION 2. All members may request another copy at any time of these By-Laws. These By-Laws will be placed on our website.
SECTION 3. These By-Laws shall be in effect from their adoption.
SECTION 4. These By-Laws shall be reviewed annually by the Principal Officers to remain abreast of the Lodge’s needs and maintain compliance with the Iowa Masonic Code.
Article XI—MASONIC CODE PREVAILS: Adoption and acceptance of these By-Laws shall be considered as, and shall constitute, acceptance of, all provisions of the Laws of the Grand Lodge of Iowa as set forth in the Masonic Code of Iowa at this time, and/or as amended hereafter.