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Meeting Minutes
- Thread starter Jamesb
- Start date
Art. 333 subtitle 1. Reading, correcting and approval of minutes of previous meetings.
How else could approve them if not read in lodge?
I disagree but may be wrong. That same article states "unless otherwise ordered by the Lodge or the Worshipful Master...."
If the master does not want or is voted on previously I would say no they do not have to be read. I plan on making a motion next meeting to accept minutes without reading for things like Degrees. I use a templete that is the same for each degree I do. In lieu of reading each degree and proficency I will instead just say we performed X EAs, X FCs, and X MMs etc. I think we should read Stated Meeting minutes for accuracy though. By the way this is just an idea and may never happen.
If the master does not want or is voted on previously I would say no they do not have to be read. I plan on making a motion next meeting to accept minutes without reading for things like Degrees. I use a templete that is the same for each degree I do. In lieu of reading each degree and proficency I will instead just say we performed X EAs, X FCs, and X MMs etc. I think we should read Stated Meeting minutes for accuracy though. By the way this is just an idea and may never happen.
The order of business, unless ordered by WM , shall be> I take that it can be balloting and then the reading of the minutes,( which I have seen done while voting wAS TAKING PLACE TO SAVE TIME) I hit cap lock in error.
Jamesb
Registered User
I was going to suggest that a group (usually the officers but open to any brother) read the minutes in the secretaries office before we eat. Then the secretary would post them inside the lodge room on a piece of cork board for any brother that wishes to read them. Then we (those of us who attend every meeting) do not have to sit through the same meeting twice. Highlights could then be brought up in lodge if necessary. What do you think?
Reread Art.333 the order of business: 1,2,3,4, thru 11 can be changed by the WM to be 3,6,1,4 and so forth. The reading of minutes is necessary to make the necessary corrections before approved. I belive you can read the minutes during the voting, but that need to be checked, I can not find it in the GL laws.
Here is the copy and past from the pdf of the 2009 Laws (there should be no change to this in 2010 Laws)
Art. 333. Order of Business. At stated meetings after opening
of the Lodge in due and ancient form, a quorum being present,
the Order of Business, unless otherwise ordered by the Lodge or
the Worshipful Master, shall be as follows:
1. Reading, correcting and approval of Minutes of previous
meetings.
2. Receiving and referring to Committees of Petitions and
Applications.
3. Reports of Special Committees.
4. Balloting on Petitions and Applications.
5. Reports of Standing Committees.
6. Communications from the Grand Master and the Grand
Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Texas.
7. Unfinished Business.
8. Motions, Resolutions and New Business.
9. Examinations for Proficiency in the proper degree.
10. Voting on Proficiency.
11. Claims and Accounts.
Each Lodge shall conduct its business as nearly as possible
according to the rules of order established in Articles 168 to 176
inclusive of the Laws of this Grand Lodge for the government of
the Grand Lodge.
The part that still gets me is the "unless..." the "shall" does not come into play if a motion to accept the minutes is passed by the Lodge Prior to them being read. Keep in mind this is just "The Order of Business" one could say that your By-Laws have the business to be handled and what order to be followed (at least ours does). I could be dead wrong on this but I personally know 3 Lodges that handle their minutes based on this one word.
Art. 333. Order of Business. At stated meetings after opening
of the Lodge in due and ancient form, a quorum being present,
the Order of Business, unless otherwise ordered by the Lodge or
the Worshipful Master, shall be as follows:
1. Reading, correcting and approval of Minutes of previous
meetings.
2. Receiving and referring to Committees of Petitions and
Applications.
3. Reports of Special Committees.
4. Balloting on Petitions and Applications.
5. Reports of Standing Committees.
6. Communications from the Grand Master and the Grand
Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Texas.
7. Unfinished Business.
8. Motions, Resolutions and New Business.
9. Examinations for Proficiency in the proper degree.
10. Voting on Proficiency.
11. Claims and Accounts.
Each Lodge shall conduct its business as nearly as possible
according to the rules of order established in Articles 168 to 176
inclusive of the Laws of this Grand Lodge for the government of
the Grand Lodge.
The part that still gets me is the "unless..." the "shall" does not come into play if a motion to accept the minutes is passed by the Lodge Prior to them being read. Keep in mind this is just "The Order of Business" one could say that your By-Laws have the business to be handled and what order to be followed (at least ours does). I could be dead wrong on this but I personally know 3 Lodges that handle their minutes based on this one word.
After opening lodge, it is clear that the minutes ARE to be read.corrected, and approved. It is the order in which they are read is in question.
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Our Lodge post minutes at entry to Lodge Room, in Tiler’s view. They have been reviewed by WM and Sec. Prior to meal and are taken down after Lodge closes. Members are able go view minutes. If there are any corrections members make them known and if there is time, correction are made and reposted if not correction is made and annotated at next stated meeting... Generally the Junior Warden Usually makes motion that minutes be accepted as posted. And there is usually a Second, and lodge votes. This procedure was reviewed by Grand Secretary and he stated that there was nothing wrong with it as long as Lodge agrees to it. Minutes must be kept in a secure place and restricted to Lodge members and Masons only. Our minutes are kept in Tiler’s view or in our safe and are restricted to members of our lodge or Grand Lodge Officers.
Jamesb
Registered User
My thought was to place a framed piece of cork board just inside the lodge room. The secretary would post the minutes there and remove them on his way out at the end of the stated meeting. Any corrections could be noted on them directly or given to him for changes before he goes home. A group would review them before the meeting.
yea. stated meetings are my least favorite of all lodges.
"Re: Meeting Minutes
I just wanted to free up more time for talks and fun vs. the constant "business" part. I feel this is what causes people to come in get raised and never come back. "
As long as your lodge agrees with to your procedure there should be no problem.
I just wanted to free up more time for talks and fun vs. the constant "business" part. I feel this is what causes people to come in get raised and never come back. "
As long as your lodge agrees with to your procedure there should be no problem.
Ashton Lawson
Premium Member
We nearly always have a motion that the minutes from all called meetings be posted and only the minutes from the previous Stated Meeting be read. The motion always passes.