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BYLAWS OF OTLEY LODGE # 299 A.F. & A.M.

(UPDATED July 10, 2009)

 

MASONIC CODE PREVAILS: Adoption and Acceptance of these bylaws
                 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.

Note: All new bylaws written in red throughout the year will be reviewed in February by

                 a committee appointed by the Worshipful Master.
                     

ARTICLE 1 (passed June 8, 1871)

NAME

                 Section 1  The name of this Lodge shall be Otley Lodge # 299, Ancient, Free, and

                 Accepted Masons.

ARTICLE 2 (passed June 8, 1871)

LOCATION

             Section 1 The location of this Lodge shall be at 3316 Willis Avenue, Perry,

                    Dallas, Iowa 50220-0182.

ARTICLE 3 (passed June 8, 1871)

CHARTER
    Section 1 The authority of this Lodge is a charter granted on the 8th day of June, A.D.
     1871 by the Grand Lodge of Iowa A.F. & A.M.

ARTICLE 4 (passed on March 4, 2009)

STATED COMMUNICATIONS

    Section 1 In the event of an act of God, involving a weather disturbance or a local,
     State, or National Emergency, the Worshipful master may postpone such Stated
    Communication.  Such postponed meeting shall be held on the following Thursday.

ARTICLE 5 (motion date unknown)

FEES
             Section 1 The fee for the three degrees in this Lodge shall be Seventy-Five Dollars
                 ($75.00) with the entire amount to accompany a petition. 

ARTICLE 6 (motion date unknown)

DUES
               Section 1 The dues of this lodge shall be twenty dollars ($20.00) or more above the
                  Iowa Grand Lodge dues—payable on January 1.  The annual dues for Otley Lodge
                  are payable January 1 with the amount due being seventy-five dollars ($75.00).
                
                  Section 2 If membership is attained after July 1, one-half of the
                  annual dues will be assessed. 
                 
                 
                  Section 3 Dues may be remitted as outlined in the Masonic Code of Iowa.  Dues (by
                  majority vote)  of military personnel will be remitted in time of war.

ARTICLE 7 (passed on April 2, 2009)

CHARITY
               Section 1 One Dollar ($1.00) of each member’s dues shall be placed in a charity fund
                  until the fund reaches One-thousand  Dollars ($1,000) at which time collections shall
                  cease until it becomes necessary to replenish. When a brother becomes a member
                  after the first day of July of any year, the lodge may, by bylaw duly enacted, collect
                  the one-half of the lodge part of its dues for that year.  In such an event Grand Lodge
                  dues shall be correspondingly prorated Otley Lodge will collect Fifty-Cents ($.50) for
                  the Charity Fund.

                  Section 2  The Charity Committee shall have the power, without action of the Lodge,
                  to draw on the funds in its possession for a sum not exceeding Two Hundred Fifty
                  Dollars (($250.00) at any one time to relieve the distress of a worthy brother or those
                  dependent upon him.  The Charity Committee may also take such measures in caring
                  for the sick as any such contingency may demand.

                  Section 3 The Treasurer shall establish a separate Charity Fund account.  This
                  account shall be under the control of the Charity Committee that consists of the
                  Master and the Senior and Junior Wardens’ who shall also be the Trustees of the
                  Charity fund.  The fund is governed by the duties and bylaws of both the Grand
                  Lodge and Otley Lodge # 299.

                  Section 4 Contributions not clearly earmarked will be placed in the Charity Fund.

ARTICLE 8 (passed on May 5, 2009)
COMPENSATION OF OFFICERS
                  Section 1 The wages of the Secretary shall be no more than Five Hundred and
                  Ninty Nine Dollars ($599.00) per year salary and no dues reduction.

                  Section 2 The Treasurer’s dues, amounting to Seventy Five Dollars ($75.00) per
                  year, shall be paid by the lodge.

ARTICLE 9 (passed on May 5, 2009)

BOARD OF TRUSTEES (passed on May 5, 2009)
               Section 1 The Board of Trustees shall consist of three principal officers with the
                  Worshipful Master as chairman.

ARTICLE 10 (passed March 7, 1991)

LODGE OF SORROW
              Section 1 An annual Lodge of sorrow shall be closed and opened by the Worshipful
                  Master during January at a Master Mason’s meeting.

ARTICLE 11 (passed on March 5, 2009)

FINANCE COMMITTEE
              Section 1 The Treasurer or his representative shall attend all meetings and be
                  able to present requested records.

                  Section 2 The Worshipful Master, three members of the lodge and the Treasurer shall
                  make up the Finance Committee (passed on July 2, 2009).

ARTICLE 12 (passed on August 3, 2006)

FACILITY RENTAL AGREEMENT
                  Section 1 The rental fee for the Lodge building is seventy five dollars ($75.00) for
                  members and one-hundred dollars ($100.00 for non-members per day, beginning at
                  11:00 a.m. and ending at midnight. 

                  Section 2 A fifty-dollar ($50.00) deposit shall be lost if the reservation is cancelled in
                  less than fourteen days of the event  The same will apply if there are damages
                  incurred in or on any part of the building (passed on July 5, 2007).

ARTICLE 13 (passed on March 5, 2009)

AFFILIATIONS
            Section 1 Allow half-year dues on affiliations after July 1.

ARTICLE 14 (passed on March 5, 2009)
OTLEY LODGE # 299 A.F. & A.M. MASONIC SUPPORT AND ENDOWMENT FUND

          Section 1 A yearly financial report shall be presented to the Otley Lodge members at a
          regularily stated meeting in February.  After review and discussion the report should be
          approved.
 
          Section 2 All of the Administrators/Trustees should have made an audit of the Endowment
          Fund account and signed their approval on the February Endowment  Report.  This report
          shall be filed by the Secretary and submitted to the Grand Lodge for filing with the lodge’s
          financial records.                                                                          

          Section 3 This FUND is established to support and promote Masonry in the Perry, Iowa

          community by assisting in the financial aspects, goals and objectives of Otley Lodge #299
          A.F. & A.M..

          Section 4 The FUND is authorized to receive money or financial gifts from Lodge
          members and others who are interested in perpetuating financial support to Masonry in the
          Perry area community.

          Section 5 Donors will be recognized by name only. Those who make gifts during the first
          year the FUND is in operation will be designated "charter contributors" and those who
          make gifts after this period will be designated "contributors".

          Section 6 The FUND will be administered by five Administrators composed of the three
          Otley Lodge #299 A.F. & A.M. Trustees, plus two "at large" Otley Lodge #299 A.F. &
          A.M. members.  The "at large" Otley Lodge #299 A.F. & A.M. members must be Master
          Masons in good standing and ones who are qualified to participate in other Lodge voting,
          and they shall be elected by a simple majority vote of the members present and voting at
          the Lodges regular annual election.

          Section 7 The terms of office for the FUND Administrators, who are Lodge Trustees, are
          set by the Otley Lodge #299 A.F. & A.M. By-Laws. The terms of the two "at large"
          Administrators that are elected by the Otley Lodge #299 A.F. & A.M. members will be
          two years each, except that at the very first election only, one "at large" member shall be
          elected for a two year term and one "at large" member shall be elected for a one year term,
          so that after their first terms, one "at large" members term will expire each year. A
          vacancy during the term will be filled by appointment by the Otley Lodge #299 A.F. &
          A.M. Trustees.  These Administrators will serve without compensation and they will meet
          at least once annually after the close of the calendar year and prior to the regular February
          meeting to elect a chairman among them for the following calendar year and to prepare a
          financial statement, a profit and loss statement, and to determine the disbursement of
          earnings. Any Otley Lodge #299 A.F. & A.M. member shall be welcome to attend
          scheduled meetings of the Administrators as an observer.

          Section 8 A Financial report by the Administrators will be presented to the Otley Lodge
          #299 A.F. & A.M. membership at the February regular meeting, and are to be included
          with the Lodge minutes. Interim reports should be given as deemed prudent. During the
          first ten year period of the FUNDS operation, the original study committee will make
          recommendations to the FUND Administrators as to the original intent or purpose of the
          FUND for their consideration in disbursement of the earnings.

          Section 9 The earnings from the FUND will be disbursed by the Administrators of the
          FUND and used for the benefit of Otley Lodge #299 A.F. & A.M. and/or the promotion of
          Masonry in general. The first priority for the use of these earnings is for major
          maintenance of our facility.  A re-investment of earnings shall be considered a valid
          disbursement and is encouraged, especially in the early years of the FUND.  The FUND or
          principal of the FUND must be invested in a sound interest-bearing instrument so as to
          maximize earnings and the FUNDS integrity must be assured by being managed in the
          most fiduciary manner.  These investments will be reviewed by the Administrators as often
          as is prudent but not less than on an annual basis. Decisions by the Administrators shall be
          by a simple majority vote. The instruments of investment will be kept in the Otley Lodge
          #299 A.F. & A.M. safety deposit box.

         
           Section 10 The rules and guidelines that govern the OTLEY LODGE #299 A.F. & A.M.
           MASONIC SUPPORT AND ENDOWMENT FUND may be amended or changed as
           follows: Any proposed amendment or change must be read at two consecutive regular
           meetings of Otley Masonic Lodge #299 A.F. & A.M.. Any proposed amendment or
           change shall be voted on at this second regular meeting of Otley Masonic Lodge #299
           A.F. & A.M.. Any proposed amendments or changes must be presented to the FUND
           Administrators prior to being presented to the membership.

           Section 11 It is intended that the monies making up the PRINCIPAL of the FUND shall
           not be violated and that it remain in it's entirety and that only the earnings of the FUND
           will be distributed. The OTLEY LODGE #299 A.F.& A.M. MASONIC SUPPORT AND
           ENDOWMENT FUND shall have perpetual life unless terminated through the provisions
             set out above for amendments or changes.

ARTICLE 15 (passed on April 2, 2009)

LODGE EQUIPMENT

            Section 1 The lodge tables and chairs are not to be loaned to anyone.

                Section 2  Hospital equipment may be loaned as needed.

ARTICLE 16 (passed on April 2, 2009)

COMMUNICATIONS OF THE LODGE
            Section 1  In the event of an act of God, involving a weather disturbance or a local, State,
            or National Emergency, the Worshipful Master may postpone such Stated Com-
            munication.  Such postponed meeting shall be held on the following Thursday.

ARTICLE 17 (passed on March 5, 2009)

END OF THE CALENDAR TAX YEAR
            Section 1 The end of the calendar tax year for Otley Lodge # 299 shall be December 31st.
            IRS form 990-N (e-Postcard) must be filed by the Secretary after this date but no later
            than May 15.

ARTICLE 18 (passed on March 5, 2009)

IOWA BIENNIAL REPORT FOR AN IOWA NONPROFIT CORPORATION
          Section 1 The Secretary of Otley Lodge shall file a biennial report with the Secretary of
            State by April 1.

ARTICLE 19 (passed on April 2, 2009)

PUBLIC RELATIONS CHAIRMAN
          Section 1 A Publicity Chairman, appointed by the Master for the term of one year, shall
            be the representative, spokesman, and point of information for Masonic Advocacy.  A
            Public Relations Manual published by the Grand Lodge of Iowa shall be used as a guide.

ARTICLE 20 (passed on April 2, 2009)

SPENDING LIMITS

            Section 1 Members of the lodge may spend up to Fifty Dollars ($50.00) for such supplies

            or services as needed by the lodge.  Any amount over Fifty Dollars ($50.00) has to have
            the approval of the lodge at a regularly stated meeting or the Worshipful Master.  In
            addition, the Finance Committee or Treasurer has to be informed of the need and, the
            availability of adequate funding needs to be established before the services or supplies
            can be ordered.  Any amount over Fifty Dollars ($50.00) initiated by any member without
            the approval of the above entities may be held responsible for paying part or all of the
            bill.  The Worshipful Master shall make this decision.

ARTICLE 21 (passed on April 2, 2009)
BYLAWS
          Section 1 Bylaws may be amended as provided in the Masonic Code of Iowa, with
            the transaction requiring two Stated Communications of the Lodge.
    
            Section 2 All motions intended to become bylaws approved at a regularly stated meeting
            must be inserted into the bylaws by the Secretary before the next monthly meeting.
           
Section 3 The Worshipful master shall annually appoint a day in February to review the
            bylaws of the lodge.  The principle officers and the wardens shall review this document.
            The signature of every Mason present at this meeting should be affixed to the bylaws     
            reviewed and turned into the Secretary for safekeeping.  New resolutions and/or
            amendments should be presented at the next regularly stated meeting.

            Section 4 All By-Laws heretofore enacted are hereby repealed.

Section 5 Adoption and acceptance of these bylaws shall constitute acceptance of the
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.

SIGNATURES

After a review of the bylaws in February all officers/wardens should sign off in the area
provided below. 
_____ A signed copy should be filed in the lodge safe.
_____ A second copy should be sent to the Grand Lodge.
_____ A third copy should be posted in the storage entryway for member use.
_____ A fourth copy should be kept in the Secretary’s desk as a reference.

WORSHIPFUL MASTER ________________________________________________
SENIOR WARDEN  ____________________________________________________
JUNIOR WARDEN_____________________________________________________
SECRETARY__________________________________________________________
TREASURER _________________________________________________________
SENIOR DEACON  ____________________________________________________
JUNIOR DEACON  ____________________________________________________
SENIOR STEWARD  ___________________________________________________
JUNIOR STEWARD  ___________________________________________________
CHAPLAIN___________________________________________________________

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