Bye-Laws of the
Lodge of Endeavour for Norwood Ravenswood
No. 5506
1. Place and Dates of Meeting
The Lodge shall meet at Harrow District Masonic Centre, Northwick Circle, Harrow, Middlesex, HA3 0EL and shall hold regular Meetings on 1st Thursday in February (Installation), the 4th Thursday in April the 1st Thursday in September and 1st Wednesday in December at such hour as the Master shall direct.
2. Election and Installation Meetings
The Master and the Treasurer shall be elected by ballot at the regular meeting in December. The Master Elect shall be installed at the regular meeting in February.
3. Election of Tyler
Subject to the provisions of Rule 113, Book of Constitutions, the Tyler shall be elected by a show of hands at the regular meeting in December.
4. Lodge Committee
The Lodge Committee shall consist of the Master, Wardens, Past Masters of [and in] the Lodge, Treasurer, Secretary, and two lay members to be elected annually by the Lodge at the regular meeting in December. This Committee shall consider and report to the Lodge on all proposals for membership and on any matters specifically referred to it by the Lodge.
Three members of the Committee shall form a quorum.
5. Audit Committee and Annual Accounts
The Audit Committee shall consist of two members of the Lodge, who shall be elected annually, by the Lodge at the regular meeting in December.
The accounts shall be made up to 31st December in each year and shall be presented to the Lodge, duly audited, at the regular meeting in February.
A copy of the accounts and of the Audit Committee’s certificate that all balances have been checked and that the accounts have been audited shall be sent to all Members with the Summons convening that meeting.
6. Fees and Annual Subscription
The Initiation Fee shall be £100.00. The Joining Fee shall be £50.00 and the Re-Joining Fee shall be £50.00.
Such fees shall be exclusive of the subscription.
In addition to these fees the candidate shall pay to the Lodge such registration fees as are payable to Grand Lodge and, if applicable, Metropolitan Grand Lodge, together with any tax thereon and the candidate, before becoming a Member, shall be informed of the total amount due.
The annual subscription (except for non-dining, or country membership as provided for in By-Law No. 7) due and payable in advance on 1st January shall be of such amount as the Lodge shall from time to time decide by resolution after notice on the summons at the previous regular meeting.
The visitors’ fee at dinners shall be such amount as the Lodge shall from time to time determine by resolution after notice on the summons.
The Master shall have the privilege of inviting one guest to his Installation dinner free of the visitors’ fee.
7. Non-Dining or Country Membership
Any Member who, for reasons acceptable to the Lodge, is not in a position to enjoy the privileges of the Lodge, regularly, may, on written application to the Secretary and by resolution of the lodge be considered a non-dining or country Member and shall pay a subscription annually in advance on 1st January of such lesser amount than that provided for in bye-law 6 as the Lodge shall from time to time decide by resolution after notice on the summons at the previous regular lodge meeting.
When attending the Lodge, and dining, such member shall pay an attendance fee, as well as the current visitors’ fee.
No country member shall attend more than two meetings (including dining) in each calendar year without upgrading to full membership of the Lodge and paying the appropriate balance of fees.
8. Admission of Candidates
The admission of candidates for initiation and joining shall be regulated by the provisions of Rules 157 to 166, Book of Constitutions. On the ballot for a candidate for initiation or joining two black balls shall exclude.
9. Termination of Membership
Any Member desirous of terminating his Membership of the Lodge shall tender his resignation in writing to the Secretary, or orally in open Lodge, in accordance with rule 183, Book of Constitutions and he shall be entitled to the certificate mentioned in rule 175, Book of Constitutions, stating the circumstances in which he left the Lodge. Should he at any future time wish to re-join he shall be subject to the rules relating to joining members.
10. Payments from Lodge Funds
Payment of any sum exceeding £500 if for other than ordinary purposes may be made only by resolution of the Lodge, of which notice has been given on the summons, except in a case of emergency when such payment may be authorised by the Master and reported to the Lodge at the next regular meeting.
11. Amendment of By-Laws
Except as otherwise required by Rule 141, Book of Constitutions, amendment of these By-Laws or any of them may be made only in the following manner:
- Notice of Motion in writing stating the precise amendment or amendments proposed shall be given in open Lodge at a regular Meeting.
- The motion shall be set out on the summons for the next regular meeting or for an Emergency meeting summoned for the purpose and shall at such Meeting be put to the Lodge.
- A resolution for amendment, of which notice shall have been given as aforesaid, shall be carried if a majority of the members voting shall vote in favour of it but it shall not be effective until approved by the Metropolitan Grand Master.
Should there be any objection to the introduction of a Candidate for Initiation, or a Brother for Joining, it is recommended that such objection be mentioned privately to the Master or Secretary who may communicate with the proposer and give him the opportunity of withdrawing his Candidate.
N.B. The numbers of the Rules in the Book of Constitutions above are those in the edition current at 2012.